Under Currents (23 page)

He opened the door, appearing surprised to see her.

“Is this a bad time? I mean if you have someone here, I’ll leave.”

“Where are the kids?”

“With my parents. I came home to grab a few things. Ally wanted you to have some of her cake.”

She turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm. He took the cake from her and set it on the kitchen counter behind him. Then he pulled her into his embrace and eagerly lowered his mouth to hers, devouring her with a kiss.

He guided her inside the house, closed the door behind her, and kissed her passionately. Then he kissed her forehead and cheeks and down her neck until he found her lips and kissed her. “Ah, Jules, I wanted to do this today when you put your arms around me. But I knew your family would hang us both from the nearest tree.”

She stepped back abruptly. Caleb had her head spinning. “I hate to break this to you, but I don’t want to be just one of the women you happen to be seeing.”

He laughed for a moment before his face grew solemn, his eyes appearing serious. “I’m not really seeing anyone. I had a few dates with one, but that’s over.”

“That blonde with the cantaloupe sized boobs.”

He placed his hands over her breasts. “Personally, I like oranges. They fit in my palms better.” Then he rubbed his thumbs over her nipples, causing them to harden.

"Not so fast.” She pushed him back. “What about the blonde?”

“Casey. I escorted her around town and made a scene with her everywhere I went so everyone would think Frank was lying about you and me. Then I took her home. We went on two dates. Besides the Burger Barn, I took her skating. I figured I’d been seen with her enough to get people talking.”

“And you expect me to believe a man who’s been in prison for ten years didn’t have sex with a slut?”

“Depends on what you call
having sex
.”

“It all counts.”

“Shit. I was afraid you’d say that.” Caleb sighed. “I want to be honest and at the same time, I don’t want you pissed off at me.”

Julie’s stomach knotted. “Don’t tell me.”

“No, I want to. Or you’ll think the worst.” He walked over to the table and pulled out a chair for her and one for himself. “The first date, the day you saw us, her roommate was home. But by the second date, we were all alone at her place.”

Julie held the tears in check. She had no right to be upset with him. They weren’t married. Caleb was free to be involved with other women.

“I willingly went to her bedroom where she started undressing me. She touched me, and I immediately lost control. She got mad and kicked me out. I haven’t called her back.”

“Do you think you would’ve if the cap hadn’t have come off the bottle too soon?”

He nodded keeping his gazed locked on her. “Yes, I was pretty far gone. And I was determined to stay out of your life before I destroyed what was left of it. I know you’re disappointed, but I’ll always be honest with you.” He stood and gently pulled her up from her chair and held her against him. “I never wanted Casey. I want you.”

“What are we going to do? I can’t live with the thought of you with other women. And I don’t give a damn what the town thinks. I should, but I don’t.”

He kissed her several times and placed his hands on her bottom and drew her against him. Her body ached with urgent need.

Please. Please. Don't stop this time.

“God, I need you, Jules.”

“For sex?” she whispered, breathlessly in his ear.

“Yes, and more. I want you and your kids in my life.”

Her heart soared to new heights.

She unbuttoned her blouse. He pushed her bra up over her breasts and  cupped both with his rough hands, then rubbed his thumbs over her nipples.

“I’ve fantasized about touching you like this every night.”

He kissed her again, lowering his hand, then lightly touching her sensitive spot through her shorts.

She groaned in pleasure and closed her eyes a moment.

Desire pooled in the pit of her stomach, and she knew there’d be no stopping him. She gazed into his hungry eyes.

“You like that, huh?” Caleb grinned.

She nodded.

He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed deeply, embracing her tongue with his. Her tongue teased back. He backed her toward the bedroom, never breaking the kiss.

She slid her hand down Caleb’s front and brushed over the erection that pressed against his zipper. He grimaced and paused a moment as if in pain.

“I can’t wait to feel you beneath me,” he whispered in Julie’s ear. His breath against her skin sent a wave of erotic impulses through her.

When they crossed under the doorway between the kitchen and his small den, headlights flashed up Julie’s driveway.  

“Oh hell. Who could that be?” she asked.

Caleb walked over and stared through a crack in the blinds. “Your dad and the kids.”

Julie frantically scampered to the kitchen, pulled her bra in place, and buttoned her blouse. She felt cheated. “Of all the rotten luck. I had something else to tell you.”

“What?”

“My Aunt Noreen is bringing Amy’s diary over first thing tomorrow.”

“You’re kidding. Can I see it?”

“If I find anything I’ll show you.”

Caleb pulled her back for one more kiss. “I’ll go with you. Tell your dad you were afraid to go in alone. You asked me if I’d go with you.”

“That’s good.” She tried to ignore her body’s protest that still ached for his touch. “We’d better go.”

♦♦♦

They hurried from his house and stopped in Julie’s driveway in front of her father’s truck. The headlights shined on them. The doors on the pickup opened. Caleb dreaded running head on into her father. Julie had been so close to being his and this time he wouldn't have stopped.

“Caleb,” Ally shouted, ran toward him, and wrapped her arms around his leg and hugged.

“There’s my little Knothead.” He shifted his attention to Scott. “So, did your mother whip you?”

He shook his head. “No, sir. I have to empty the trash all week.”

“Dad, what brings you over?” Julie asked.

“I was afraid someone might be hiding inside your house. The more I thought about you coming over here with no streetlights and the house all dark, the more I worried.”

She sighed. “Me too. I waited in the car for awhile before I decided to ask Caleb to go inside with me.”

Her father nodded. “I’m glad you did.”

Caleb wasn’t so sure the old man really believed the lie, but since Ally and Scott were with him he was going along with it. “Let’s go in together.”

“Sounds all right by me,” Mr. Webb said.

Julie unlocked her door and stepped back, letting Caleb take the lead. He turned on the lights in each room and looked behind doors and in closets. “All clear.”

“Well, I’ll grab our clothes.” She turned to the kids. “You can each take three toys and don’t forget your toothbrushes.”

“What about toothpaste?” Ally asked.

“Grandma has some.”

Caleb had hoped her dad would wait in his truck or go help the kids. “I’d better go. Goodnight, Jules. Tell the kids I said goodnight.”

He turned and left, but he couldn’t make himself go home. He leaned against the side of her house in the shadows, wishing she’d make a trip to her van alone. Just as he was about to give up, she walked out carrying a laundry basket full of clothes.

“Jules, over here.”

She took a quick glimpse behind her, then set the basket down and ran over to him. He leaned her against the house and moved his mouth over hers in a long satisfying kiss. “I had to do that once more.” Without Julie in his arms, his life seemed hopeless and empty. “I tried to stay away. I tried to move on and replace you, but I can’t. I know nothing good can come from our being together. But, damn Jules, I need you.”

“Everyone already thinks we’re guilty.”

He grinned. “It’s a downright shame being accused when you haven’t even committed the crime. We really shouldn’t disappoint them. When will I see you again?”

“Meet me on the river tomorrow. But where?”

“Eden. It’s my secret place. Back when I was waiting for my trial, I used to camp in an isolated spot. Do you know where the old Bently place is?”

“I do.”

“If you go about a fourth mile down on the same side, there’s an off-chute. It’s a creek that branches off the Current.”

“I know where that is. But it doesn’t go anywhere. The water stops and goes underground.”

“Drag your canoe about fifteen feet through the grass, and the river will continue on the other side. You’ll come to a hidden grassy patch surrounded by cliffs.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope. It was like paradise to me when I needed solitude.”

“How’d you ever find the place?”

“Exploring. Think you can find it?”

She nodded. “Yes, I’ll be there.”

He kissed her once more not really wanting to let her go. “Tomorrow around two. I’ll bring lunch.”

She gave him one more hug before hurrying back to her van.

♦♦♦

Julie didn't return inside until Caleb crossed over to his yard. If her father hadn’t driven up, she’d be in Caleb’s bed. Her nipples remained hard from his touch, and she still burned with desire. Then the image of Casey Phillips popped in her mind, cooling her passion. Was Caleb telling her the truth about Casey?

He didn’t have to tell you anything.
   

While the children were in the other rooms, her father gave her a cool glare. “You had to be here a good thirty minutes ahead of me. It took that long to ask Caleb and get back over here?”

“Like I said, I sat in the van for awhile before going over to his place. At first I thought he was gone.” Which was somewhat true. “Then I saw the light from his television. He had to find his shoes, and we talked about a few things. I told him that Aunt Noreen was bringing Amy’s diary over.”

Was he buying everything she said? Right now she felt like a teenager who’d just gotten away with something. Until…

“So why is your hair tousled, and your blouse buttoned wrong?”

She glanced down. The second button was fastened in the third slot, making her blouse pucker in the front. Heat blazed through her cheeks.

Before he could continue, Scott and Ally appeared carrying their toys and toothbrushes.

Her father drove behind her on the way back to his house. Ally rode with her while Scott rode with her dad. She thought about how strange it would be to read Amy’s private thoughts. But if it would save Caleb, she’d read Ted Bundy’s diary. Then her mind drifted to her rendezvous with Caleb, and she wondered if she’d been hasty.

♦♦♦

The next morning, the doorbell rang.

“I’ve got it.” Julie opened the door and saw Noreen holding a book sealed in a plastic bag. “You brought it.”

She nodded. “I’ve never been able to read it. It’s just too painful. And for your sake, I hope we’ve been wrong about McGregor.”

“I believe in Caleb. I’m almost positive Devin lied.”

Aunt Noreen flinched, and her face appeared forlorn. “It’s just that Dev…” Her aunt shook her head. “Never mind. I’d like to know the truth.”

“Caleb too. That’s his main desire is to know the absolute truth. I’ll be careful with it.”

After her aunt left, she placed the diary in her purse, then told Ally and Scott to get in the car. On the drive to church, she wanted to pull over to the side of the road and read Amy’s diary. If she hadn’t had her children with her, she’d have probably done just that.

At church, people spoke but were cool, even Arnold. She'd heard he was dating the mayor's secretary. But what anyone thought didn't matter. She and Caleb belonged together, and within the next few weeks, she planned to break the news to her parents. If she had to, she’d sell out and they’d move to a place where no one knew of his past. Where Frank wouldn’t be a constant threat to Caleb. Not just Frank, but Mr. Peel who still threatened to kill him on a regular basis.

Frank walked down the aisle, drawing everyone’s attention and slid down the wooden pew beside her. He leaned and whispered in her ear. “We found the man who abducted Ally. His throat’s been slit.”

Chapter Fourteen

“He’s dead?" Julie asked, confusion twirling through her mind.

“For at least three days. Thursday night, we figured someone killed him.”

"Who was he? And why did he want me to sell?"

“He didn’t. It’s pretty clear someone was paying him to run you off. We found newspapers and magazines where he’d been working on another letter to you. His name was Lance Hopkins from Birmingham, Alabama.”

“So this doesn’t solve anything, does it?”

“No, unless whoever paid him gives up. Considering they have this much invested in it, I doubt they’ll throw in the towel.” When soft piano music started, he stood. “I’d better leave before the service starts.”

“Thanks for letting me know.”

“Trust me, I’m only doing my job.”

And that’s all she wanted from Frank.

Julie had a difficult time concentrating during the sermon. The diary in her purse beckoned to be read, and her mind was cluttered with questions about the man who’d kidnapped Ally. Who'd hired him? How far would they go?

Then an odd thought hit her. Had Caleb somehow found the bastard and killed him? He said if he could find the man, he’d make sure he never came after Ally or her again. If the rumor was true, Caleb murdered a man in prison. Was he capable of doing it again?

Please let me be wrong.

After church, her family congregated on the outside steps.

“What’d Frank want?” her dad asked.

“The man who took Ally was found dead this morning. His name was Lance Hopkins from Alabama.”

Her mother’s face paled. “From natural causes?”

Julie shook her head. “No, someone murdered him.”

“Now that’s a real twist,” Cora said.

“Maybe that’ll put an end to your problems,” George commented.

“Frank didn’t think so. He’s sure the guy was hired by someone else.”

Her dad appeared troubled. “We all heard Caleb make a threat against the man. You don’t think Caleb had anything to do with it?”