Under Currents (8 page)

Julie returned with the cones. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” Caleb carefully took one from her not wanting to drop any on her blue sofa.

“Funny you brought ice cream over.” She sat in a large floral chair across from him and propped her feet upon the ottoman. “I’d just wished for some.”

“Great timing.” Caleb’s gaze raked over her long legs before turning toward the television. “What are we watching?”

“It’s an old one from the eighties. Maybe you’ve seen it.
An Innocent Man
with Tom Selleck.”

“Prison movie, right?”

She blushed. “We can watch something else.”

“Nah, I can handle it.”

Rather than watch the movie, he concentrated on Julie’s tongue twirling around the ice cream. A painful erection rose as a result, making him uncomfortable. Lord, almighty. Maybe he’d cruise the truck stops after the movie and pick up a hooker. But then something entered his mind. It wasn’t just any woman he wanted. It was Julie.

You can’t have her.

He forced himself to watch the movie. But when it came to the scene where Selleck was being beaten, the horrors of prison life flashed through Caleb's mind and made his stomach twist in knots. He remembered some of the beatings he’d endured. His breathing became difficult and his mind fogged up with fear. A fine sweat beaded up on his forehead. His lungs deflated, and he gasped for air.

He thought he could handle this, but it hit too close to home. Too close to the life he’d lived for ten years.

“I
can’t
watch this.” He stood. “Sorry. Keep the ice cream."

♦♦♦

Julie’s chest constricted when she saw the pain etched across Caleb’s face. How could she have been so inconsiderate? So insensitive? “Caleb, I’m sorry,” she shouted. “Wait.”

The backdoor slammed. He was gone.

Why hadn’t she realized that the movie might disturb Caleb? She looked out her kitchen window and spotted him, sitting on his back porch.

She had to go apologize.

Julie grabbed her keys, locked her door, and walked through the damp grass to Caleb. She sat beside him on the step, placed her hand on his back, and rubbed gently.

He straightened and looked at her. “Go home, Jules.”

“No, I can’t leave you.” She eased her hand under his and laced her fingers with his and squeezed. “I’m seeing you through this.”

“You can’t help me. Besides you shouldn’t be here.” He stood, pulling away from her, and walked several paces into his yard where he stopped and gazed at the stars sparkling overhead.

Rather than leave him alone with his demons, she stood and walked up beside him. He looked like a guy who needed a hug. She slowly eased her hand across his back and squeezed slightly, wanting to comfort him, wanting him to know she understood his pain.

The warmth from his body seared her hand, flooding her with tiny sexual impulses. Desire to be held in a man’s arms filled her with need. Not any man, but Caleb. “Don’t let the past torment you. Let it go.”

Instead of pushing her away, he turned and embraced her. “It’s not that easy. I wake up every night unable to breathe, thinking I’m still behind bars.”

Julie leaned her head against his chest and hugged him, hoping to sooth his tortured soul. His heart pounded loudly against her ear sounding like the thud of a bass drum in a New Orleans’ funeral possession.

“It was very insensitive of me to even think you could watch that movie. I’m sorry.”

He nuzzled the side of her face near her ear and touched his lips to her skin in a gentle kiss. “I forgive you.”

His virile scent and the flowery fragrances of springtime made her lightheaded. She tried to keep her mind on consoling him, not the passionate heat spreading through her. “You should put it behind you. You’re a free man now.”

“Not exactly. I’m on parole. If I break just one of my parole conditions, I’ll be sent back to finish out my sentence, and I’d rather die than go back.”

They stood in silence.

Fireflies flittered about them, flashing their dim green lights, and the stars filled the sky like silver glitter. The hug lasted longer than it should’ve, and she knew she should step back. It was no longer a comforting hug. A definite intimacy had developed between them. One she couldn’t explain.

Again he kissed the same spot on the side of her face, then kissed her forehead. His warm breath touched her skin and caused desire to consume her.

“Jules, you’d better leave.”

When she didn’t make an attempt to escape, his mouth found hers, and he greedily kissed her. She eagerly received his warm tongue as it stroked and caressed her own with urgency. His mouth tasted sweet and fresh. She rose on her tiptoes to deepen the kiss. His erection cradled against her, causing a burning pool to form in her lower abdomen. A blaze that only he could put out.

♦♦♦

Caleb hadn’t meant to kiss her. Though he’d thought about her every night, he couldn’t let this go any further. He had to stop it from ever happening again, even if it meant being callous. Julie deserved better. Though aroused to the point of extreme pain, he found the strength to step back, breaking the intensity of the moment. “Julie, think about this.”

“I don’t want to think. I only want to feel loved.”

He hadn’t wanted to hurt her, but she left him no choice.

“Think about who I am and how this town feels about me. You’re just caught up in the moment, but come morning the magic will be gone, and you’ll see me for what I am. A horny ex-con after an easy piece of ass.”

Julie jerked back and glared at him. She drew in a sharp breath as she took another step back. The pale moonlight revealed her stunned expression. “I didn’t mean for it to go so far. I can’t explain what came over me. I’m sorry. Thank you for not taking advantage of my moment of insanity and lack of judgment. Goodnight, Caleb.”

“Goodnight, Jules.”

Come morning, she’d feel even more humiliated over the kiss they shared, for her willingness to let him go all the way. He assumed her need to be held and kissed came from missing her husband. On the other hand he'd been a fool for not coaxing her to his bed and taking what he’d been fantasizing since day one. But the lady had been nothing but nice to him, and then there was Ally and Scott to think of. He couldn’t destroy their lives.

He’d try harder to keep his distance, not because of Deputy Grear, but because he cared about Julie. Once he re-hung the kids’ tire swing, he’d back off. But the woman attracted him like a hummingbird to nectar. How in the hell would he find the willpower to stay away from her?

♦♦♦

Frank sipped his beer, then turned to his buddy John, who also worked for the Faith Police Department. “I don’t like that ex-con living next door to her. Julie let the son-of-a-bitch in her house. I saw him.”

“You’re shittin’ me?”

“Nope. The kids were home, but still.”

“Isn’t he on parole?”

“Yeah.”

“Plant drugs on him. A parole violation will send his ass back to the slammer.”

Frank shrugged. “That crossed my mind. But it’s not personal enough.” He thought of the way Julie had defended McGregor. At the mere mention of his name, her eyes had lit up. “There’s a lot more satisfying ways to eliminate scum like McGregor. Before I’m done with him, I want him to think he’s died and gone to hell.”

Chapter Five

Standing in a deserted field, Julie heard the familiar sound of Caleb’s motorcycle. Scott and Ally turned toward the country road as he approached and waved. Caleb pulled in behind where she’d parked her van and smoothed his windblown hair. He swung his leg over the bike and stood.

The blonde streaks in his hair sparkled in the sunlight as he walked toward them with the agility of a cougar. His jeans revealed muscular thighs. Just for a moment she thought of him as the dominant male on the scent of a female.

Stop fantasizing. He’s too hot to touch.

“Car trouble?” he asked, appearing concerned.

“No.”

“What the hell are you doing in a cow pasture?”

“Meadow, it sounds more appealing.”

“Are you bird hunting?”

She laughed and shook her head. “I’m trying to help Scott and Ally fly their kites. It’s windy enough, but so far they just fall back to the ground.”

“I’ve been ripped off,” Scott shouted as he once again tried to launch his kite. “This thing’s junk.”

”Mine’s junk too,” Ally said and held up hers.

When Caleb walked closer, Julie put her kite behind her back, hoping he wouldn’t notice it. He grinned slyly, causing the lines at the corners of his blue eyes to crinkle. “Is yours broken too?”

Her cheeks heated. “No, I just think we don’t know how to get them from point A to point B. Point A being the ground. Point B the sky.”

He laughed. “I used to fly kites. Let me see your dragon, Scott.”

The kid handed over the kite.

Caleb examined it closely. “It looks fine to me.” He stepped away from them. “There’s a trick to it.”

Scott flashed a frustrated frown. “I’ve tried everything. Nothin’ works.”

Caleb held the kite up high and waited for a strong breeze to pass before feeding just a little of the string upward while he walked backwards with the kite. Within minutes the dragon rose in the sky.

“You did it!” Scott shouted and ran up to claim the string.

“Me next! Me next! Pleeeeease do mine,” Alley begged.

Just as fast as Scott’s, Caleb had Ally’s butterfly soaring. He handed Ally the string, then turned to Julie.

No matter how she mimicked him, Julie’s kite crashed to the ground every time she launched it. Caleb stepped behind her, placed his arms around her, and reached for her kite. Immediately, the warmth from his body permeated hers, and she felt the strength in his arms. Masculine strength. He smelled like sunshine and fresh cotton.

As he raised the kite, his warm breath kissed her cheek. Sensual heat simmered inside of her. All his concentration seemed to be on the kite not her. He nudged her slightly to the right. He removed his arms from around her and stepped away. “Now take a few steps back and let the string out a little at a time.”

After her kite caught the wind and lifted with the others, she offered him an appreciative smile, hoping to hide the effect he had on her. But then she noticed desire lingering in his eyes.

He felt it too.

“I’m glad you came along. Thanks,” she said.

A car passed by. Julie recognized the silver Toyota. Joan, the town gossip. Had she seen them? Hopefully, Joan hadn’t glanced in their direction. Of course, there was a chance she had. That wouldn’t be good.

He shielded his eyes from the sun and stared up at her kite soaring above. “I should’ve known you’d have a bird kite.” He glanced at Ally. “I see her bump is smaller.”

“Much better. Thank you for fixing the swing,” Julie said.

“Don’t mention it, neighbor.” He walked back to his bike and straddled it. “See ya round,” he shouted before revving the engine up and tearing out onto the road, spewing gravel in his wake.

Julie waved, but beneath the surface panic boiled like hot magma. She thought about calling Joan to see if she mentioned seeing her. Gossip in Faith moved faster than a fire in gale winds and could be just as deadly. It could also destroy Boats and Floats.

Her heart ached for Caleb’s obvious loneliness, but she couldn’t afford to let her family get burned. She had to forget Caleb, had to pretend he was still in prison, or she stood to lose everything that was dear to her—the respect of the citizens of Faith and the love of her family.

Since the night they’d kissed, Caleb had kept his distance from her until now. She missed him being a part of their daily lives. Her children missed him also.

A short time later, Julie slid the kites in the back of her van and loaded the kids. On the drive home, she thought of the secret Scott had mentioned. Strange, but it had piqued her curiosity. “Scott, that secret you’re keeping. Is it about me?”

“No, ma’am.”

Okay. That’s good.

“About Grandpa?”

“No, ma’am. “

“What secret?” Ally asked.

“Never mind.” Julie let the subject drop.

♦♦♦

Saturday, Julie drove up the road that ran parallel with the Current River to her parents’ home. She parked and carried the potato salad into her mother’s kitchen, then placed it on the counter with the other food. Scott and Ally shot out the sliding glass door leading onto the deck to join the rest of the family outside.

Uncle Bob and Aunt Noreen would be there, and Julie dreaded the moment when they would discuss Caleb. He had been all they’d talked about since his return. Then something occurred to her. What if Scott or Ally mentioned Caleb? No doubt their fondness for him would show. If that were the case, an earthquake of great magnitude would do less damage.

When she stepped on the deck, her mother looked up. “Glad to see you finally made it.”

George her oldest brother and his wife Cora spoke. Her younger brother, Jimmy and his wife Lily joined in with the usual comments. “How’s business? How are the kids? You’re too thin. Get a life. It’s time to move on.”

Finally, she turned her attention to her aunt and uncle. She couldn’t ignore them any longer. “How have you been?”

“My hip’s hurting,” Aunt Noreen replied. “And you? I bet you’ve been losing sleep with Caleb McGregor right next door.”

“Not really. He keeps to himself.” Would they see her fondness for him? Why would they? No one was aware of the enormous crush she’d had on the most popular guy in school. So why would they suspect she liked him now?

Because you’re a lonely widow, and he’s a horny ex-con.

“Uncle Bob, how’s the tire business going?” she asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from Caleb.

“Could be better,” her uncle replied.

Julie studied her mother and Aunt Noreen for a moment wondering about the secret the two shared. What was it about?

It’s probably nothing.