Under Currents (10 page)

Later that evening, Julie sat at her kitchen table, knowing she would do almost anything to protect Caleb. But what? Should she warn him?

The phone rang, and she answered it. She’d been expecting her mother to call and try to smooth things between them.

“Hello.”

“It’s Frank.”

Hell’s bells.

Her shoulders tensed.

“Have you called to apologize?”

“No. I called to tell you I plan to send McGregor’s ass back to prison.”

Stay calm. 

“Why would you want to do that? He hasn’t done anything. He’s a neighbor. No more. He’s been helpful a few times. But mostly he ignores us.”

Frank didn’t say anything, but she could hear him breathing.

“Are you listening?”

He remained silent.

“There isn’t anything going on between Caleb and me. The man helped Ally and fixed her swing. Of course she thinks he’s great, she’s five. Do you really think I’m selfish enough to put my kids through the hell they’d endure if I became involved with Caleb McGregor? Give me a little credit. My kids come first.”

“I know that.”

“Then know that even if I were willing to ruin my life, I wouldn’t ruin their lives. But I won’t ignore Caleb like everyone in town. He’s my neighbor.”

“I just didn’t like him being inside your house.”

She thought carefully before speaking. Obviously, Frank had been watching her house. Caleb had seen someone near the bank. Had it been Frank? “He carried Ally to the couch.” She paused. “But Frank I do pity him. I believe he’s truly sorry for what he did. The man deserves the chance the parole board has given him.”

He chuckled. “Guess I got out of line.” He inhaled a deep breath. “I might be willing to let it slide, if you’ll go to the Spring Dance with me next Saturday.”

The last thing Julie wanted to do was go out with Frank. But if she said no, he’d make good on his threat and send Caleb back to prison.

She wanted to tell him to go to hell, but she couldn’t. He had her cornered.

Think smart. If I meet him there, it won’t be like a real date.

“Okay.” Her stomach tightened. “I’ll meet you there.”

“Now what kind of date is that?”

“The only one you’re getting. Take it or leave it,” Julie said. She wasn’t about to get in his car. She would arrive an hour or so late and then insist on leaving early.

“If you insist, but I’d rather pick you up.”

“I might be running a little late from work, especially if business is good. So far the forecast predicts lots of sunshine and warm temperatures, so I'll be busy.”

“I wish you’d sell that damn place to the casino people.”

“I’ll never do that.”

“The place is more trouble than it’s worth.”

“Not really.”

“If you say so.” He paused. “How late will you be?”

“I’m not sure. No more than an hour. And Frank, remember you said if I’d go to the dance, you’ll leave Mr. McGregor alone.”

“And what if I said no?”

“Then you’ll be at the dance alone.” Her shoulders tightened. “Listen, Frank. If McGregor were framed and sent back to prison because of me, I’d feel horrible. That’s it. Not this romantic scheme you think is going on.”

“For now, McGregor’s safe.”

Thank God.

Julie closed her eyes as she gripped the receiver. She detested Frank Grear. He was a male chauvinist and kissed like a wet fish. But being intimate hadn’t been part of the deal.
Thank goodness
. It’d be a rainless year in Seattle before she’d let the bastard have his way with her. Maybe this one evening would distract Frank from his original plan, but she’d have to come up with a better way to protect Caleb than offering herself as a human sacrifice.

♦♦♦

Sunday afternoon, Caleb pulled everything from the storage shed and scattered it in the yard, unsure of what to keep or throw away. Maybe something would be worth selling out of the three lawnmowers, hoses, two ladders, old buckets of paint, tools, wooden windows, and more. He didn’t think his granddad had ever thrown anything away.

To keep his mind occupied he thought about his job at the hardware store and wondered if Julie had noticed him leaving every evening. What would he tell her if she asked? If she knew he had a job, she might not hire him for Boats and Floats.

Scott sat beside a tall maple tree near the property line, glaring at him, his eyes hard and condemning.

The kid knows.

“Hey, Scott.”

Scott frowned more and didn’t speak.

Caleb brushed his hands on his pants before ambling over. Scott tightened a bit, and his expression grew more guarded. Caleb stared down at the kid. “Mind if I sit.”

“You have a yard. Sit in it.”

“I do, but I think we should talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Yeah, there is. I don’t want you being afraid of me. I’d never hurt Ally, or your mom, or you. I’d never hurt anyone intentionally unless I was protecting myself.” Caleb lowered himself slowly to the ground beside Scott.

“You killed those girls. Aunt Noreen said you did.”

“So, I’m told. Scott, I don’t remember the accident. My best friend said I did. There were only the two of us in the boat. I was drunk, and then when the boat crashed, I was thrown from it and ended up in a coma. I’d like to think I didn’t do it.”

A look of acknowledgement swept over Scott’s young face. “You think your friend might’ve done it?”

“I didn’t at first. I was too stunned to think straight. I went to prison thinking I murdered those girls. But then my grandpa sent me a book called
The Count of Monte Cristo,
about a guy who was accused and sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit because his best friend lied. And that book got me thinking.”

“So, you gonna tell everybody he did it?”

“Not unless my memory returns. Of course even if it does, it’ll be my word against his.”

“Uncle Bob said you haven’t paid enough for killing Amy.”

“I know. They want my head on a platter.”

“Like John the Baptist?” Scott twirled a piece of grass in his fingers.

“Yep, pretty much so.”

“Frank said some really bad things to Mom yesterday. And she got mad and slapped him.” The kid paused staring at the grass for a moment before he looked back at Caleb. “Do you like my mom?”

“She’s a great neighbor. That’s all she can ever be to me. Understand what I’m saying?”

“I think I do. Ally told Frank that she wanted Mom to marry you not him. I think that’s why Frank called her last night and said he was gonna put you back in prison.”

Oh, hell.

Caleb’s breath left him for a moment. “No wonder the guy’s out to get me.” He sighed. “Guess I should watch my back.”

“No, I think he’s changed his mind.”

“And why’s that?”

“I think she made a deal with him.”

“What kind of deal?”

“That she’d meet him at the dance if he didn’t hurt you.”

Caleb’s throat constricted, and he swallowed hard. He didn’t need anyone fighting his battles. But the sacrifice she was willing to make in his behalf touched him. “Maybe your mom likes Frank more than she lets on.”

“She doesn’t. I heard her tell Grandpa that she despises him.” Scott grinned. “And she told Aunt Cora that kissing Frank is like going through the car wash with the windows down.”

“I need to speak to your mom. Is she home?”

“Nope, she’s working today. My grandpa’s here. Usually, we go to work with Mom or stay at his house, but Memaw is having some kind of cooking party.” Scott stood. “I better get inside. See ya later.”

Caleb returned to his own yard. The mere thought of Grear touching Julie brought his blood to its boiling point. He
hated
the man. Staying out of Frank Grear’s way would be like avoiding the path of a category five tornado, but Caleb had to try.

Chapter Six

Caleb wanted to shake some sense into Julie. Though he didn’t look forward to dealing with the cocky policeman, he didn’t want Julie trying to protect him. He needed to speak with her, but he’d have to wait for the right time when the kids wouldn’t be around.

Behind his shed, he piled things that needed to be hauled to the dump, which amounted to most of it. He’d have to hire someone with a truck to move it. Some of it might be worth selling, but who in blue heaven in this town would stop by his house for a yard sale?

Caleb stepped from the shed and discovered a tall, older man waiting on the outside, standing with his arms crossed and wearing a scowl on his face.

“May I help you?”

“I’m Harold Webb. Julie’s dad.”

Caleb extended his hand, but her father stood unreceptive to the friendly gesture. This old dog wasn’t wagging his tail. If anything he was baring his teeth. Caleb dropped his hand and took a firm stance with his hands on his hips. “What can I do for you?”

“I want you to stay away from Julie. You find some whore to sleep around with but not my daughter. Am I clear?”

“As I told Deputy Grear, I respect Julie. I don’t have any intentions of seducing her. I’m afraid you’ve read things wrong. I’m not sure what gave you that impression.”

The old man appeared relieved. “I don’t want anything started between you. My daughter and her children would be ruined in this town.”

“Julie’s been very nice to me. We’re only neighbors. That’s it. We’ve helped each other out a few times.”

The man gave him a questioning look. “And how’s that?”

Caleb shrugged. “I mowed her yard, and she did my laundry.”

“I’ll start mowing it. I don’t want you stepping foot in her yard. Do you understand?”

Mr. Webb’s warning had no muscle behind it. Just what did he plan to do? Caleb didn’t answer. It wouldn’t do any good to attempt reasoning with him. While her father appeared determined, fear filled his eyes.

“Sir, like I said, I respect your daughter. I’m not waiting for the right time to take advantage of her because she’s a vulnerable widow.”

“Son, your intentions might be all good, but it only takes a few people seeing the two of you together to twist it into a sleazy affair and turn our lives upside down. I’m begging you to stay away from her.”

Caleb paused a moment before answering. “The best I can offer is
I’ll try.
But if something should arise and Julie needs my help, I won’t turn my back on her.”

Mr. Webb frowned. He evidently didn’t like Caleb’s answer. “I’d prefer she not know I said anything.”

“I won’t mention it.”

The old man’s shoulders slumped. He rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand, then returned to the house.

A strangling inner grip tightened Caleb’s throat, making his eyes burn. Julie was his
only
friend in the world. He cared about her, and yes, he still fantasized about her. If he’d ever been under the illusion for even a moment that Julie and he could have a life together, this should be his wakeup call. He put himself in Mr. Webb’s place. If he had a daughter and grandchildren, would he want an ex-con in their lives?

Caleb flinched when Scott walked up behind him. “You spooked me. Where’d you come from?”

“I was behind your shed.”

“You have to be pretty good to sneak up on me. You heard?”

“Yeah. I heard him, but I still want to be your friend. And Ally loves you. Mom likes you too.”

“You’re old enough to understand that people will think your mother and I are more than friends. If this were a big city, it wouldn’t matter, but it being a small town makes a difference.”

“But that’s not fair,” Scott replied, his face full of anguish.

Life isn’t fair.

Caleb placed his hand on Scott’s shoulder. “I wish things were different. But I’m afraid your grandpa is right. When I was arrested, it didn’t just ruin me. It ruined my parents and grandparents. People they’d known for years wouldn’t have anything to do with them. My brother’s fiancée called off their wedding. So, your mother has to think about more people than just herself getting hurt.”

Scott hugged Caleb around the waist. “I hate people. I hate the way they treat you. I’m sorry I was mean to you this morning.”

Caleb’s heart warmed from Scott’s words. “If I ever had a son, I’d want him to be just like you.” Gently, he pushed Scott back and met his teary gaze. “Just promise me, if your mother ever needs me, you’ll let me know.”

“I will.” Julie’s son wiped his eyes and walked home like a kid that was responsible for losing the big game.

Caleb rubbed the back of his neck to ease the tightness. Damn, he hated his life and who he was.

I should’ve never come back to Faith.

Despite her father’s request, the fact remained that Caleb really needed to speak with Julie. But once Julie returned from work, her father stayed at her house. By the time he saw Mr. Webb’s truck leaving, it had to be near ten. He’d wait until morning to speak with her. The dance was almost a week away. The thought of her going with Grear still angered him.

♦♦♦

Frank Grear had waited in the dark woods across from Julie’s house for the last couple of hours—like a snake he was always watching but never seen. He shifted his binoculars from her house to McGregor’s. Now that her father had gone and the kids were probably in bed, McGregor and Julie might have a little rendezvous planned.

He could see through their windows. Julie sat on her sofa, reading beneath the lamp. McGregor had his blinds raised and his window up. Light from his television flitted across the wall.

Frank lifted his rifle and peered through the scope, then centered his aim on the back of McGregor’s head. He eased his finger around the trigger. It’d be so easy to take him out right now. A nerve beneath his eye twitched. Finally, he lowered the rifle and picked the binoculars back up. There’d be time for McGregor later.

Of course if I catch them together, I might lose it and blow their fucking brains out.

When Julie stood and turned off her light, Frank’s heart jumped. Was she going to McGregor? But after only moments, the light came on in her bedroom and shortly went out. Too bad her blinds were down. Seeing Julie prepare for bed might’ve made his surveillance worthwhile. This was his usual spot, but occasionally he scoped her place out from the river, like the day he’d spotted McGregor leaving her house.