Under Currents (38 page)

Julie placed her arm around him, hoping to console him. “But you have the rest of your life, and you have us. Things will be good. You’ll see.”

“Caleb, I didn’t mean to ruin things. I thought you’d be happy,” Adam stated.

“I am. I just can’t explain it.” Caleb blew out a weak breath as he turned back to Julie. “I’m sorry, Jules. Sweet heaven, I want this to be the happiest day of our lives.”

“Grandma always said ‘Don’t cry over spilled milk’ when you can’t change things,” Adam reminded.

“And I know she was right.” Caleb lifted Alley in his arms. “Say, Knothead, you look real pretty today.”

She wrapped her arms around him and hugged his neck. “You look like a big penguin.”

“I do, don’t I?”

She giggled.

He glanced at Julie. “I have a lot to be thankful for.”

“I love you, Caleb,” Julie whispered.

“I’m still a frog.”

“A frog any princess would be thrilled to kiss.” She stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his lips.

“I love you,” Caleb replied, gazing deeply into Julie’s eyes. He looked at Scott. “That includes you, sport.”

Ally pouted.

“I love you too, Knothead.”

Ally smiled. “I’m glad my mommy married you, cause I want you for my daddy. Why can’t I go to Danson?”

“Branson, goofball,” Scott said. “And you can’t go on their honeymoon.”

Caleb gave Julie a smile. “Life is good. Now let’s go eat that wedding cake."

Julie smiled. Her awkward frog had become a prince, and she planned to live happily ever after.

Epilogue

When someone knocked, Julie walked in from the kitchen and stepped around their luggage. They hadn’t unpacked from their honeymoon in Branson.

“Don’t get up,” she said to Caleb. “I’ll get it.” She opened the door. “Aunt Noreen and Uncle Bob. This is a pleasant surprise.”

“Sorry, we missed your wedding.”

“I’m sorry too. It was really nice.”

Just finishing up with the last chapter, Caleb slid
The Count of Monte Cristo
on the coffee table. And like Edmond Dantés, he too had finally found revenge and justice.
Bittersweet.

Caleb still felt uncomfortable around the Edwards He forced a smile.

Noreen barged past Julie. “Just dropped by to leave a wedding gift.”

“Have a seat Noreen, Bob,” Caleb said. Embarrassed over the mess, he started clearing the sofa. “That is if you can find one. We got home last night and were too tired to care.”

“Want anything to drink?” Julie asked.

“No, we just had lunch,” Bob said.

Noreen and Bob sat on the sofa. She handed Julie a huge gift—neatly wrapped. “I tried to find something sentimental and useful.”

“Beautiful bow.” Julie eagerly opened the wedding gift.

She stared speechless.

Caleb wondered what it was and leaned forward to peek in the box.

What the hell?

Julie held up the huge, brown owl-shaped clock for Caleb to see. “It’s lovely. I’ll put it on the mantel. Thank you so much.”

"It hoots on the hour," Noreen added. "I knew you liked birds."

“Thanks,” Caleb said. He liked seeing Julie so happy. As far as the clock went, he saw a yard sale in its future.

Scott came in the room and addressed his great aunt and uncle, kissed Julie, then ran out the backdoor.

Ally hugged Caleb and then her mom. “See ya.”

“Where are you going?” Julie asked.

“With Scott,” she announced.

“Don’t get too close to the river,” Julie reminded her.

“I won’t. I’m going into first grade. I know how to take care of myself now.” Ally darted from the room.

Caleb laughed. “That’s my girl.”

Noreen smiled.

Bob glanced around. “You need a bigger house.”

“I hate to do it, but I plan to sell my grandparents’ house. We figured it’d give us enough money to add on to this place. Adam’s made me a good offer,” Caleb said. “Actually, more than good.”

Of course what Caleb wanted, was to someday buy Julie and the kids a house on the cliffs overlooking the river.

“How does it feel to have your slate wiped clean?” Bob asked.

“Ah. . .wonderful,” Caleb said, trying not to let the bitterness creep into him. He’d spoken with the minister several times about forgiveness and not being angry about the time he’d lost.

“Julie’s mom said you’re looking for a part-time job. I thought you still worked at the hardware store.”

“I do for now, but Mr. Higgins is only able to pay me minimum wage. I’m looking for another part-time job that pays better.”

Julie placed her hand on his. “I want him to be able to concentrate on his classes, so he’s not returning to the construction job on the new bridge.”

"What about the state's settlement or the civil suit from Devin’s estate?" Noreen asked.

"The state will probably offer a settlement outside of court,” Caleb said. “We'll take it. Adam’s unsure how much money I stand to gain from my civil suit against Devin estate. But there's no telling how long it'll take to see any money. Once the money kicks in, we'll be set.”

Bob leaned forward. “And your parole officer?”

“Fired and in a heap of trouble.”

Noreen looked hesitant. “What about Devin’s widow? How will your suit affect her? She’s a really nice woman.”

“No amount of money can replace what was taken from me. I don’t want to leave her destitute, but from what I’ve been told she’s a very wealthy woman. What I’m asking for will only be a drop in the bucket to her. Though we know Devin killed Jeremy, Julie doesn’t want to pursue it any further. With Devin gone, what’s the use?”

Noreen looked at Julie. “Whatever you said to Devin must’ve gotten to him. Evidently, Devin had been researching his past and discovered I was his mother. His wife found the documents. Long story short, Misty called. Since her mother and Devin’s adopted mother are both dead, she wants me involved in her children’s lives. After all, I am their real grandmother. While I’ve lost a son, I’ve gained three grandchildren.”

“That’s wonderful,” Julie said.

Noreen smiled. “Thought you’d be interested to know Reece Stanford is going to be paroled after all these years. He plans to move to Kansas where he has family.”

“I was afraid Noreen might want to go with him,” Bob said with a wink.

“You old fool—you know you’re stuck with me for life.” She turned her attention to Caleb. “We stopped by for another reason.” She gave Bob the go-ahead.

“How ‘bout working for me until your pot of gold comes in?” Bob offered.

“That’d be great. But I’ll have a complicated schedule.”

“I think I can give you hours that’ll work out for you, and still give you time for your classes and family. I’ll start you off at twenty an hour.”

“That sounds really good.” Caleb stood. “Just let me know when I can start.” He shook Bob’s hand.

After Bob and Noreen left, Caleb and Julie walked outside. First they paused and watched Scott pushing Ally on the tire swing.

He pulled Julie into his arms and kissed her deeply. A sensation of warmth flooded him as he realized he had everything he'd ever wanted or dreamed of. Julie and her kids were his to love. And maybe there was a chance they had conceived a baby while in Branson. If not, it wasn’t from a lack of trying.

“I’m so happy for you,” Julie whispered. “No more parole concerns.”

“Without you, this victory wouldn’t mean anything. You and the kids make it all worthwhile.”

Caleb strolled toward the river, and Julie followed.

He removed a Ziplock bag from his pocket.

“What’s that?” Julie asked.

“Ashes.” He stepped to the edge of the bank, then knelt down. It's just something Rev. Daniels suggested I do. I guess you could say it’s a funeral.”

“Who are you laying to rest?”

“My past. I burned all the papers and newspaper articles connected with my conviction.”

He opened the bag and flipped it upside down and let the ashes flitter out.

The breeze blew them across the water’s surface. The current quickly carried away the last traces of his past, of his bitterness and resentment, of the injustice he'd endured.

He would put away his copy of
The Count of Monte Cristo
. The story of Edmond Dantés had helped him live through the
endless hours
he’d spent behind bars. Now the last chapter in his
own
prison saga had come to a close as he started a
new
life with Julie and her kids.

Caleb breathed in the crisp autumn air. No longer would he be haunted by the river’s secrets—lying deep in the under currents.  

THE END

Dark Side of the Mirror – January 2013

Sarah couldn’t believe what was happening to her. She had to try one more time to convince this marshal she wasn’t his fugitive. “Look, I’m Sarah Mason from Tennessee. I’ve never even had a speeding ticket. There’s no way I’m on the FBI’s Fifteen Most Wanted list. I’m not a criminal. Can’t you just look at me and tell I’m not the type to break a law, let alone murder someone?”

“Apparently, the person who called your name into America’s Most Wanted hotline thought you were.” U.S. Marshall Braden Wolfe sneered. “You fooled Charlie right before you shot him pointblank, but you won’t fool me, so shut the hell up, Selena.”

How could he believe she was this Selena Menendez? The
idiot
wouldn’t listen. Of course she had to admit, the picture he’d shown her of this Selena woman could’ve been her. While they shared the same dark slanted eyes and hair, the other woman had a harsh expression and cold eyes. 

But they also shared the same birthmark. How?

“I am not that woman in the picture. There are differences.”

“Save your breath. We have a DNA match.”

Sarah’s stomach rose into her throat.

She had been raised an only child. Someone with the same DNA and birthmark would have to be her twin. The possibility of having a sister left her speechless. She pushed the thought aside and studied the jerk calling the shots.

Despite the marshal’s masculine, attractive face and his piercing green eyes, he was a number one asshole. His height and proud stance intimidated her more. And each time he glared at her, she could feel the hate radiating from his eyes. Dangerous eyes that made her feel as though he was strangling her each time his burning gaze landed on her.

“This cabin is mine for the summer,” she stated. “I doubt my money will be refunded.”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll give you the best accommodations money can buy. Cozy little eight by ten cell with its own urinal and sink.” He grinned slyly and winked. “With a good view.”

She wanted to claw his eyes out. “I plan to sue you.”

“You go right ahead, darlin’.” Amusement danced in his green eyes, and he flashed a nasty, sarcastic grin. “Johnson, shackle her hands and feet. Make sure the cuffs are tight.”

God, I despise this man.

Rotten low-down jerk.

She had no choice but to go with him.

Surely, in Anchorage, she’d be able to prove her true identity. While twins shared the same DNA, they had their own set of fingerprints.

“Trust me, you’re better off with me than Dagastino,” Wolfe said. “When the state buries you, you’ll be in one piece. If he catches up with you, he’ll slice and dice you into a thousand pieces and then use you for fish bait.”

Sarah’s entire body tensed. If the cops believed she was this Menendez woman, so would this other man, this Dagastino.

The man who would turn her into
fish bait.

E
laine Meece has written more than six romantic suspense novels. Her first book,
Eye of the Abductor
is also available on Amazon. She is an active member of RWA and belongs to the River City Romance Writers and the Music City Romance Writers. She has been a finalist and won many contests sponsored by RWA chapters for best romantic suspense.

She resides in Bartlett, Tennessee with her husband, Geoffrey. She has three daughters-Valencia, Alicia, and Francesca. She also has three granddaughters-Alyssa, Sophia, and Amelia.

Elaine is a former school teacher. Besides writing, she loves to sing, hike, and go inner tubing on the Current River in Missouri. She is a member of the Memphis Scottish Society and Bartlett United Methodist Church.

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