Under Currents (18 page)

“Once I catch whoever’s been trying to put me out of business, I’ll be great.” She stared down at the oil spots on the cement floor before glancing back at the available mechanic. “Doug, do you still collect toy trains?”

He nodded. “Why?”

“Thought maybe you’d like to go to the flea market just outside of West Plains this weekend if Dana will work for me?”

“With you?”

When George grinned, she frowned at him. “Yes, with me. We can stop and have dinner.”

Doug laid down a wrench and wiped his brow with the back of his hand before meeting her gaze. “Don’t think so, Julie.”

Why did I ask him out?

Humiliation caused her face to heat like a toaster—instant and hot. “Does it have anything to do with Frank Grear?”

He folded his arms and leaned back against a work counter. “My reason’s aren’t important. Just can’t.”

Julie forced a smile. “That’s all right. Business is picking up, and Dana will need me.” She turned back to her brother. “George, how long will it take to repair my lights?” She wanted to leave the garage as soon as possible.

“Two hours.”

Julie spent the next two hours, walking around town, going into a few small shops. In each one, she noticed the people had been standoffish and cold. Obviously, Frank’s lie had made it to a lot of ears and not only was the town listening to him, they believed him.

Not wanting to face anymore condemning glares, she walked toward the river. She spotted the small house she used as an office and picked up her step to a brisk walk. She entered the yard where stacks of orange rafts, heaps of brightly colored inner tubes, and racks of aluminum canoes were stacked.

She paused on the office steps and considered her options. Maybe she should sell out and move away from the gossip and Frank. No, she couldn’t. She wasn’t a coward. No matter what, she’d stay and go down with the ship.

She stepped inside and offered Dana a forced smile. “Rented many canoes or rafts today?”

“A couple. It’s been slow. But if it warms up and the sun comes out, business should pick up.”

“Have you heard what Frank has been spreading around town?”

Dana nodded hesitantly. “I have, but I didn’t believe it.”

Julie told her what had really happened. “Dana, I don’t know what to do. He has every deputy in town thinking I’m a cheating slut who mistreated him.”

“Strike back. Play the game. Make your side of it known.”

“That’d be like playing with a grenade.”

Dana appeared troubled. “There’s more.”

“What?”

“Joan Henderson is telling everyone that she saw you with Caleb one day.”

“Blabber mouth. She’s always been full of hot air.” Julie explained why Caleb was with them. She grabbed a cloth and wiped off the counter, restocked the sunglass display, and then sat at her computer and went to an online sight that offered background checks.”

“If you’re ordering, we need—”

“I’m not. I’m doing a little digging on Frank.”

“That might turn out interesting.”

She typed in all the information she knew about Frank and hit enter. When the phone rang, she jumped.

“Chill, Julie.” Dana lifted the receiver. “Boats and Floats. Dana speaking.” She paused. “She’s here. Hold on.” She glanced at Julie. “It’s your dad.”

She took the receiver from Dana and slid it beneath her ear. “Hello, Dad.” She twirled the cord nervously in her hand. “What’s up?”

“The school called. Your mom’s on her way to pick Scott up. He was in a fight. From what the principal told us, he was defending your honor.”

“Oh my God. This is out of hand.” She swallowed hard and squared her shoulders. “As soon as George finishes my van, I’ll be over.”

What else can go wrong?

♦♦♦

Caleb had gone two days without even glancing toward Julie’s house. He walked past as though they didn’t exist, and it was damn hard to ignore them, especially when Ally waved.

When he entered the hardware store through the backdoor, he found Mr. Higgins behind the counter, counting money. “How’s it going?”

“Fair to middlin’. I waited around to talk to you. The town’s buzzing with rumors about you and a certain young lady. Any truth to it?”

“No. Frank sort of turned the story around.” Caleb explained what had really happened.”Feel free to share the truth.”

“Well, I’m afraid it’s too late for anyone to be told any different. They’d probably rather believe a lie. And it’s hard on Julie, but even harder on Scott.”

“What about Scott?”

“My granddaughter who’s in his class said Scott slugged a kid twice his size for calling his mother a whore for sleeping with you. Poor little Scott ended up with a real shiner.”

“I need to put an end to this.”

“Just how do you plan to do that?”

“Date another woman. Then they won't be so quick to believe Frank.”

“Perhaps.” He shook his head. “But once manure’s been stirred, the flies won’t leave it alone.”

“Has Grear or his buddies paid you any more visits?”

Mr. Higgins smiled and patted the .45 revolver beside the cash register. “No, but I’m ready.”

♦♦♦

Thursday afternoon, Caleb made a trip on his bike to Eminence and stopped at a family restaurant. A blonde-haired, blue-eyed waitress with a super-sized rack stepped up to his table. “What can I get you?”

“Cheeseburger and fries with a large Pepsi.”

“Well done or medium?”

“Medium.”

After eating, he left three dollars on the table, grabbed the check, and walked to the cash register. Outside, he was straddling his cycle when the blonde left the restaurant.

“Thanks for the tip. Nice day, isn’t it? I’m glad I worked the morning shift. Now I can enjoy the rest of the day.”

“Need a lift?”

“Sure do. I live about five streets over in a row of duplexes.” She smiled seductively. “I’m Casey Phillips.”

“Caleb McGregor.”

She hopped on behind him, wrapped her arms around him, and pressed her breasts into his back. He sped off wishing Casey were Julie. He pulled in the driveway she pointed to. She slid off the bike and stood beside him. “Wanna come in?”

“Better pass.” Then the truth hit him. There could never be anything between Julie and him. Somewhere in his mind, he’d hoped he could be the man in her life, but he had to move on and forget about her. As Casey was about to walk away, he grasped her hand and pulled her back to his side. “I have to go to work later tonight. Are you free tomorrow? Say around three.”

“Sure am, sugar.” She leaned and kissed his lips, her tongue lightly brushing over his. After the kiss, she stepped back. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

"See you then." Caleb cranked his bike and rode off. Guilt overwhelmed him. Hell, he didn’t want the blonde. He wanted Julie. A deep bond existed between him and Julie, more like the connection between a husband and wife. He couldn’t explain it
—
maybe it had something to do with knowing Julie for so long.

  Get over it. She’s out of your life. Keep it that way.

His chest tightened as he inwardly grieved over Julie. She could never be his to love, and it hurt like hell to let her go, to move on in his life. But he had no other choice. And Miss Phillips might be just what was needed. Not only would she satisfy his sexual appetite, dating her could put a stop to the gossip.

♦♦♦

Late Friday afternoon, Caleb deliberately brought Casey to Faith. Hopefully, escorting her around town would cool the rumors down.

He whipped in the Burger Barn’s parking lot, then helped Casey off his bike. “Watch your step.”

“Thanks, sugar.”

Walking up to the window to order, he kept his hand on the small of her back. He didn't want anyone to doubt that they were a couple.

Carrying their food, he walked to a table in the middle of the covered pavilion surrounded by a small white decorative railing. Already people stared. Casey wore a little tube top that stopped above her waist, revealing her tan midriff. Large hard nipples rose through the thin stretchy material. When she sat down, her tight shorts hung low on her hips revealing the crack of her ass.

Several men cast lustful stares.

He snatched one of Casey’s fries, and she giggled. “I’ll have to spank you if you touch another one.”

“Sounds interesting. Want one of my onion rings?”

“No thanks.” She dipped a fry in ketchup, then held it to his lips. When she slid it in his mouth, he grabbed her hand and licked the ketchup from her fingers.

She stuck a fry in her mouth like a cigarette. He grinned and tilted his head and nibbled his way to the end. Then he boldly kissed her.

“Look, Mommy. There’s Caleb.” Ally said. “Hi, Caleb.”

“Ally, be quiet,” Julie scolded.

“But why, Mommy?”

“He’s with a girl,” Scott said.

Caleb’s heart did a nosedive into his stomach. Julie and her kids sat a couple of tables over, facing him. If he’d noticed them sooner, he wouldn’t have stayed. Ally waved.

Crap.
He couldn't eat another bite.

"Do you know them?" Casey asked.

He didn’t answer right off. Instead, he stared at Julie, unable to take his eyes off her. He hardened his heart and gave his attention to Casey, flashing her a smile. “They’re my neighbors.”

Casey held his hand and licked his fingers as he’d done hers, sucking his middle finger in and out. It worked. She had him turned-on faster than a flag could be raised.

Julie stood and pulled her children from their seats.

“But Mom, we just got our food,” Scott argued.

“I wanted an ice kweam cone,” Ally whined.

“We’ll take the food with us. We have ice cream at home.” Julie wrapped the burgers back in their wrappers and stuffed them in the bag before dumping the fries in, spilling half on the floor. “Let’s go.”

Seeing Julie’s distress, he wanted to jump up and run after her but didn’t.

She directed her children toward the parking lot.

Standing beside the van, Ally cried while Julie yelled at her to climb in. Damn, he hated seeing Julie hurt, but there wasn’t any other way to save her reputation.

After showing Casey around Faith, he pulled in front of her duplex in Eminence. She slid off his cycle and cursed. “My roommate’s already back. We could go to your place.”

Caleb shrugged. “I worked late last night, and I have to work tonight. Mind if we postpone the rest of our evening?”

“Did I do something to cool you off? You were hotter than the fries at the Burger Barn?”

“It’s not you. I’ll call.”

“Don’t wait too long, sugar.”

Julie’s face haunted him all the way home. He hoped she never planned to play poker. Her expressions had revealed her emotions. After all the effort he’d put into sporting Casey around town, anyone who'd seen Julie’s face would know the truth. She loved him. Or at least she thought she did. Maybe it was a combination of an old crush and her loneliness.

♦♦♦

After seeing Caleb’s date, Julie decided she didn’t mean anything to him. Obviously she wasn’t as young and hot as the blonde bombshell he took to the Burger Barn.

I’ve been so foolish.

She’d asked Doug out. Of course, riding to a flea market and having dinner didn’t match sharing French fries and kisses.

Lucky for me nothing has transpired between Caleb and me beyond kissing and a little touching. Thank goodness for that.

It’s too late. The town people already believe you’ve slept with him.

The harm had already been done and repairing the damage seemed hopeless unless she could prove Caleb wasn’t a killer. Fat chance of that.

♦♦♦

Sunday morning after church, Julie stopped her aunt and uncle in the parking lot. “Wait, please. There’s something I need to speak with you about.”

“Julie, I’m afraid you’ve gone too far,” Noreen said. “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.”

“Please, just listen.”

Uncle Bob took Noreen’s arm, stopping her brisk pace. “Let’s hear the girl out.”

“You’ve got my attention.” Noreen met Julie’s gaze. “Get on with it.”

Julie inhaled deeply to stable her nerves. “Do you want to see the person responsible for killing Amy and Connie pay?”

“You know how we feel. Death is too good for Caleb McGregor.”

“What if the person who really killed them—”

“Caleb killed them,” Noreen said.

“I don’t think he did. I think Devin Vincent was driving that boat. And he wasn’t showing off.”

Noreen paled. “What are you saying?”

“It wasn’t an accident. Devin deliberately ran over their tubes, wanting to kill Connie. Unfortunately, Amy was with her.”

“Devin?” Her aunt’s eyes grew distant and sad.

“Noreen,” Bob said, “you all right?”

She nodded. “And why would Devin do that?”

“Because I believe he was the father of Connie’s baby.”

“How do you know that?”

“I know they were sexually involved. And if I’m right, he had a motive to kill her. He was engaged at the time to the governor’s daughter. When Caleb couldn’t remember anything after being in a coma, Devin blamed it all on him.”

“It'd be impossible to prove now,” her uncle stated.

“There is a way. And you have it.”

“We have it!” Aunt Noreen repeated, like a parrot.

“Yes, Amy’s diary. Being Connie’s best friend, I’m sure she might have written about it.”

“There’s no way I’m dragging it into court for the world to see.” Noreen turned toward her car door.

“So you don’t care if the real killer walks around a free man, never paying one day for what he did? You don’t care that Caleb was convicted of a crime he didn’t commit? That he can never live a normal life until his name is cleared?”

Uncle Bob’s face contorted and turned red. “The son-of-a-bitch killed those girls. And I’m real disappointed in you.”

“As I said before, I haven’t slept with Caleb. He’s a good man whether you want to believe it or not. You can hide your heads in the sand about this or you can expose the truth.”