Under Currents (17 page)

Stop now. You’ll ruin her life. This can’t happen.

She unzipped her jeans and raised her hips to lower them slightly. He kissed the soft flesh down her midriff and stomach, leaving a sizzling path down to the top of her bikini panties. Intense sexual pangs racked him, causing him to ache with a primitive need.

Sweet heaven.

You’re being a selfish bastard. You can’t do this to Julie. Once won’t be enough for you or her. You’ll destroy her.

He stepped back, his breath ragged and uneven. “Jules, we can’t. You and I know it wouldn’t end here. People are already suspicious. You’d be ruined in the town, and so would Ally and Scott. And you deserve better than a quickie on a park picnic table.”

Julie sat up, and her face burned red with shame and humiliation. “I’m sorry I forced myself on you.”

His rejection, no matter how good the reason, had hurt her pride. “You didn’t force anything. Jules. I want you so much I can’t see straight. But I can’t and live with myself. I can’t sit back and watch you and the kids be ostracized because of me.”

She returned to the edge of the pavilion and stared into the rain as she reassembled her clothes. “I guess we should get back.” She glanced around at the table. “You’re forgetting your other sandwich.”

He grabbed the bag and their cups. “Let’s make a run for it.”

“I’m ready.” She ran into the rain ahead of him.

Once on the road, Julie turned on the heat and radio.

Caleb appreciated the distraction. He wasn’t sure what to say. He’d considered lying and telling her he was seeing another woman. “Jules, I’d just be using you. You need someone willing and able to commit. Someone with a future.”

“I don’t believe you. If you didn’t have some kind of feelings for me or maybe it’s just respect, you wouldn’t have stopped back there.”

♦♦♦

Julie didn’t regret the kisses under the pavilion. Caleb caused her to lose all of her common sense, and though she’d been disappointed, she knew he was right. There wouldn’t be any turning back.

“Caleb, thank you for stopping. I wouldn't have.”

“It wasn’t easy. It’s been a hell of a long time since I’ve been with a woman.”

“So are you telling me any woman would do?”

“How would it make you feel if I said yes?”

“I’d feel cheap, maybe a little used. I thought there was more between us. If uncomplicated sex is all you want, why—”

“Hell, no, Jules.” Caleb's forehead creased into a full frown. “It’s you I want. No other woman could ease the need I have right now.” He paused for a moment. “Because I want more than sex. I want someone in my life who loves me. And you can’t find that in a bar or truck stop.”

“But once your name is cleared, we could be together.”

“Damn it, Jules. It’ll probably never happen. And if it did, I’d still have nothing. I’m a loser going absolutely nowhere. I lost ten freaking years that I can’t make up. I missed out on college. I have no career. I can’t even get a job that pays enough to support you and the kids. You need to find someone who can.”

“You could help me run the business.”

“Your husband’s business. I don’t want a free ride.”

“It wouldn’t be. You’d have to work harder than anyone.”

I sound desperate. Stop it.

"I hate hurting you, Jules, but the sooner you start dating other men, the sooner Frank might leave you alone. I think it’s time we put aside our feelings for one another and move in different directions.”

“I’d forgotten about Frank.”

“Even if he wasn’t a threat, I can never be a part of your life.”

As she stared straight ahead, tears bordered her eyes. “I don’t think anyone is brave enough to ask me out. They’re all afraid of Frank.”

“Then you ask a guy out. Let him know you’re not involved with Frank or me. Trust me, I don't like the idea of you being with another man, but it's the way it has to be.”

Julie refused to embarrass herself anymore. She blamed part of her willingness on the high school crush she’d had on Caleb and the other on being so lonely since Jeremy’s death.

They didn't talk over the next ten miles. Right before they entered Faith, Caleb eased from his seat, made his way to the back seat. She glanced in her rearview mirror and smiled at the sight of Caleb lying on his side with his legs drawn to his chest between the middle and back seats. “Comfy?”

“Not hardly. I think Ally spilled jacks back here.”

Her heart seemingly jumped in her chest when a police siren sounded and blue lights flashed behind her. She pulled over on the shoulder. “Stay low. I wasn’t speeding. I don’t have a clue what this is about.”

“Is it Frank?”

“No, but it is one of his friends.” She rolled down her window. “John, why are you pulling me over?”

“You were speeding.”

“I was not. I had my cruise control set right on the speed limit. You’ll have to come up with something better than that.”

He gave her a wicked grin and walked to the front of her car. He removed his gun and slammed the butt of the handle against her headlight. The shattering glass caused Julie to flinch. Then he did the other headlight. As he walked down the passenger side of the car, she feared he’d see Caleb through the window. It was apparent the man was getting even for Frank.

At the back of the van, he knocked out her taillights. Adrenaline and anger surged up her spine like mercury shooting up a thermometer. She wanted to run over the son-of-a-bitch, but she didn't. She had to remain calm. When she saw him walking back toward her window, she gritted her teeth.

She wanted to protest, but if she did there was more of a chance John would discover her passenger.

God, don't let him see Caleb.

John grinned. “You concealing any weapons or transporting any illegal substances?”

No, just one very tall ex-con.

“You know I’m not.”

“Maybe I should search your van.”

“Don’t push your luck. You’re already going to be in trouble for the lights you shattered.”

He placed his hand on the door handle.

Julie’s heart lodged in her throat.

Chapter Ten

Oh, shit!

Caleb's heart pounded like a jackhammer. If the deputy found him in Julie's car, Grear would make good on his threats. Caleb grabbed the ponchos from the seat, pulled them over him, and crouched in a tighter ball.

“
Not
without a search warrant,” Julie replied sternly to the officer. She let out a frustrated sigh. “And I plan to go straight to my attorney and show him my headlights. I haven’t done a damn thing to Frank.”

“He says you’re giving all your honey to that loser McGregor.”

“Well, I’m not, but that’s none of your business or his.”

“If you want to avoid any more trouble, you might want to give old Frank a call, do some kissing and making up.”

“After what he did to me, the Sahara would have to freeze over before I’d give Frank anything. Now if you’ll hand me my ticket, I’ll be on my way.”

“Let’s just call this a warning.” The officer pushed her door closed and stepped away.

Julie rolled up the window, shifted into drive, and pulled away from the shoulder onto the highway. “That bastard.”

Relief funneled through Caleb in one big whoosh, but it required several minutes for his heart to slow down. He wanted to move back to the front and comfort Julie. It was bad enough someone was trying to force her to sell her business, but now she had Frank’s cronies to deal with.

“I won’t sit back and take this abuse,” she said, a quiver in her voice. “I’m not sure what I can do. Contact the state police?”

“Run a background check on Frank. I’d bet he’s had his hand caught in the cookie jar before.”

♦♦♦

Could Caleb be right? She didn’t just want Frank fired; she wanted to see him leave Faith and never come back. Her fingers gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Julie considered what Caleb said about dating other men. It would take the heat off Caleb and her, perhaps cool the gossip.

She’d deal with Frank right after she secured her business from any more attacks. So long as he investigated the vandalism at her place, no one would ever be caught and arrested. In a sick way, he probably wanted her business to go under so she might end up dependent on him. She’d live on welfare before she’d ever take a dime from Frank Grear.

Confident they'd gotten away with the Poplar Bluff trip, Julie turned in her driveway and recognized the truck.

Crap. How will I explain this?

“My dad’s here. We’re busted.”

Her father left his truck and walked toward her van. As she cut the engine, he opened her door. “I expected you back before now. What took so long?”

“John Davis, Frank’s good buddy stopped me.” She explained what John had done. “It’s almost time to pick up the kids. I have just enough time to make a pit stop to the bathroom.”

Leave, Dad. Get in your truck and just go.

But he didn’t.

“You go alone?”

Her tongue froze in her mouth, and she couldn’t speak. Her father’s gaze lingered on two paper cups in the holder.

Why lie?

So, she didn't. "No, sir."

“Am I right to assume Caleb McGregor is with you?”

Before she could answer, the van’s side door opened, and Caleb stepped out. “Mr. Webb, don’t be upset with Julie. She was too kind-hearted to refuse me a ride to Poplar Bluff. I put her on the spot when I asked.”

“He didn’t ask. I offered.” She nodded. “It was raining, and he had to see his parole officer today. And I was driving to Poplar Bluff anyway to pick up my cameras and buy Ally a dress.”

“Did Davis see Caleb?”

“No, or he would’ve made an issue of it. But he did knock my headlights out and gave me an ultimatum to makeup with Frank.”

Caleb glanced at the smashed headlights. “Sorry, about your van.”

“Good thing George owns a body shop.” Despite her father’s anger, she offered Caleb a smile.

Her father glared at them both. “If you’d been spotted with Caleb, people will believe Frank.”

“Dad, it was storming, and Caleb couldn’t miss his appointment.”

“Julie, I know you’re a grown woman, but for your own good and the sake of my grandchildren, I’m asking you one more time not to have anything else to do with him.” He shifted his gaze to Caleb. “I’ve already asked you to stay away from her. Next time, I’ll make you pay.”

“Dad, I can’t believe you’re threatening him with physical violence?”

“If that’s what it takes.”

“How dare you! You don’t have any right to run off my friends.”

“Jules, let it go. Your dad’s doing what’s best for you and the kids. I’ll miss your friendship, but this is the way it has to be.” Caleb turned his attention to her father. “I’ll stay out of her life.”

“No, wait.” Julie grabbed his wrist. “Let’s talk about this.”

Caleb pulled away from her. “I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be the one responsible for tearing your family apart.” He walked toward his house and then stopped and glanced back at her. “Thanks, for the ride.” His eyes grew sad. “Goodbye, Jules.”

His voice sounded so final. Then he turned and walked away without glancing back.

She wanted to run after Caleb and tell him what the people of Faith thought didn’t matter. But her commonsense kicked in and wouldn’t let her. Still her throat burned from the acknowledgment that she had to let Caleb go. Not just for the sake of her family but to protect him from Frank.

“Julie, I know you care about him, but this is best. You’re like hot and cold air, put you together and there’s bound to be a tornado.” He stared down at the ground for a moment before raising his gaze to hers. “Julie, I know you’re lonely, but a man like Caleb—”

“A man like Caleb? You don’t know anything about him. He’s sensitive and kind to the kids and me. He’s a good person. And I don’t believe he killed Amy and Connie.”

“Julie, I love you. And I know you miss having someone to share your life with. But for God’s sake, you’re going to break your mother’s heart and cause a split in the family. It’d end up making the Civil War look like a little squabble.”

“Dad, how would you feel about Caleb if you learned he wasn’t the one driving the boat, that he wasn’t the one responsible for killing Amy and Connie?”

He scratched his head. “It’d be a hard nut to crack, so why waste time thinking about it?”

♦♦♦

Tuesday, Julie’s attorney snapped pictures of the damage done to her van and advised her to press charges against John Davis and sue him and the Faith Police Department. She left his office and stopped by George’s body shop to have the headlights repaired.

She briefly explained what had happened not mentioning Caleb was with her. “And one more thing. Can you help Jimmy with my surveillance cameras and security lights this Saturday?”

George nodded. “Yeah, Sis. What time?”

“Call and ask Jimmy what time he can do it. I’ll baby sit anytime Cora and you want a night out. And I’ll cook you a blackberry cobbler.”

He grinned. “Sounds like a deal. I’ll call Jimmy and see when’s best for him. You just need a good guard dog instead of all that secret agent stuff.”

She frowned. “No, someone could poison it. Besides if I have a dog, it’ll trigger the motion detectors.”

“Motion detectors?”

“Yes. And if the alarm goes off, the floodlights come on, and it’ll look brighter than Fourth of July fireworks. That is if you and Jimmy know what you're doing and can install everything correctly.”

“Hell, Julie, give me the money you’re spending on all this security, and I’ll sit over there every night.”

“No, way. You’d fall asleep and let them destroy everything I own.”

Julie eyed Doug Wade fitting a bumper on a car. If her memory served her, his wife had left him for another man some years ago. He wasn’t a bad looking man. Actually in other clothes, he might look pretty good. “Hi, Doug. How’s it going?”

He glanced up. “Fine. How ‘bout you?”