Under Currents (4 page)

“I’ll pay the price if I refuse to sell.”

Chapter Three

The following Thursday afternoon, Caleb worked on his Yamaha, changing the oil and greasing the chains. He hoped to replace the corroded kickstand as well.

“Boo!” shouted Ally like a mischievous little fairy, sneaking up on him.

“You scared me," Caleb said, humoring her. He'd spotted her tiptoeing through his yard a few minutes earlier. He always glanced over his shoulder—a trait he'd developed in prison. Besides with Mr. Peel still making threats to kill him, he needed to stay vigilant. "What are you up to Little Miss Muffet?”

She held up a handful of envelopes. “I got the mail for Mommy."

"Aren’t you a good little helper, but tell me this, how did you reach the mailbox?"

"Well. . . Santa helped me."

Caleb stopped what he was doing and glanced up. "The one who lives at the North Pole?"

She nodded. "He was lost, and I told him how to get to town."

Caleb didn't want to alarm or scare Ally. "Sweetheart, you shouldn't talk to strangers."

"Santa's not a stranger. I met him at the grocery store."

"So was he driving his sleigh?"

She shook her head. "No, a white van. He left the reindeer at the North Pole cause we don't got snow."

"And was he wearing a red suit and boots?"

"No, silly. He only wears that on Krizz-mas."

"Do you think Santa is still out front?"

"No, he waved and drove that way." She pointed toward town.

A queasy feeling coiled in Caleb's stomach. Some old dude with a white beard had approached Ally. Had the man really been lost? Or was it someone spying on him? If not, it meant that whoever wanted Julie to sell might be exploring other alternatives to force Julie to sign on the dotted line. One thing for certain, the stranger hadn't been St. Nick.

”Why do you work on this motorcycle all the time?”

“Because it's old," he replied. "I need to make it dependable enough to ride to work and back.”

“What does de—pen—dable mean?”

“Reliable.”

“What does re-li-able mean?”

“It won’t break down and leave me stranded on the highway.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I bet you’re missing something good on TV. There might be some cartoons on.”

“I’d rather watch you.” She gave him a sweet smile. “I like you, Caleb. You have pretty hair.”

He couldn’t help but grin. “Thanks.”

"Ally Nicole Ross! I've been looking all over for you," Julie admonished in a raised voice. She stomped into his yard. "Where have you been?"

"Visiting Caleb."

"I checked here first, and you weren’t here. Where were you?"

Ally flashed her mom a really big smile. "Surprise, Mommy.” She handed Julie the mail. "I got the mail today."

Caleb started to mention the man to Julie, but he didn't want to betray Ally.

"You know you're not allowed in front, especially at the road. You could've been hit by a car."

"No, Mommy. Santa Clause helped me."

"Santa?" Julie asked, concern filling her eyes.

Ally nodded, her face glowing with excitement.

Julie put Ally through the same series of questions he'd just asked. "Ally, did he tell you he was Santa Clause?"

She shook her head. "I just knew, Mommy."

"Santa is at the North Pole," Julie said. "He only comes here at Christmas. That man was a stranger."

Ally's stubborn little expression showed she wasn't convinced.

"It could be someone checking up on me," he suggested.

"Maybe, and maybe he was really lost," Julie added.

Caleb shrugged. He didn't think so, but with Ally standing there he wouldn't argue the point. "Okay ladies, move back I'm about to lean this machine against the house so I can replace the kickstand."

"I can hold it up while you do it," Julie offered.

“Holding it upright wouldn’t be so hard, but you’ll have to keep it slightly tilted. Think you can handle it?”

“I’ll try.” She rubbed her hand over the leather seat. “I remember when you first got this bike. You gave all the cheerleaders a ride around the parking lot after school.”

“Yeah, I did.” He recalled Julie standing off to the side, watching while she waited for her father. “Got it for my birthday.”

For just a brief moment, he envisioned how it’d looked when his father rolled the black Yamaha from the garage. His mother had complained about it being too large. A month later, Devin Vincent had shown up with an even larger Harley.

Caleb laid out the needed tools. “Keep in mind it's heavy.”

“My mommy is strong. She picks up canoes all by herself.”

“I drag them by myself,” Julie corrected.

“Let me loosen the bolts first.” After unscrewing the bolts, he stood on the other side of the bike and held it upright. He couldn’t help but steal glimpses of Julie. Her eyes appeared a slate blue in the sunlight, and her dark hair fluttered about in the breeze like a mare's mane. She smelled fresh and faintly sweet like roses after a spring rain. “You ready?”

She grabbed the handle with one hand and seat with the other. “Ready.”

“I’m going to tilt it back and then let go.” Caleb released the bike, and it slipped from her grasp. He managed to catch it.

“I’m sorry. It’s heavier than I thought it’d be. Why don’t you hold it while I remove the kickstand?”

“Think you can handle it?” he said as he steadied the bike.

“Sure, I’m good at screwing things.” No sooner than the words left her mouth, Julie turned the color of a late August tomato. “Oh, my.” She closed her eyes while the blush remained in her cheeks. “That’s not what I’d planned to say. Don’t think it was a Freudian slip or a subliminal message.”

Despite his effort, Caleb couldn’t help but laugh. “I wouldn’t dare.”

“I meant that I’m good with screwdrivers.” Rather than stay embarrassed, Julie laughed. “Actually, it was funny.”

“Are you laughing at me?” Ally demanded, wearing a scowl on her tiny face.

Caleb grinned. “No, darling. It wasn’t about you.”

“Go swing while I help Caleb.”

“Do I have to?”

“Yes, now go.” Once Ally skipped toward her yard, Julie knelt beside the bike. She yanked off the old kickstand and slid on the new one, lining it up perfectly and began twirling the screwdriver around and around until each bolt was in place.

Impressive. Damn impressive.

“I can tighten them up myself,” he said.

“No problem. I’m already done,” she announced as she stood, offering him the screwdriver. “I used to help my brother George at his garage.”

“Thanks.” He grinned. “Now that I know your specialty, I might have to ask for your help again.” He stood the bike upright and straddled it. “Hop on.”

“I couldn’t.”

“Sure you can.”

He helped her on behind him.  Julie kept her body straight and her hands on the seat.

“I can’t leave Ally.”

“I’m just riding you around my yard.” He cranked his bike and eased it into to gear. The jolt of movement caused her to lean against him with her arms secured around him. She giggled like a teenager.

Sweet heaven.

He rode her down the length of his yard, speeding up and slowing down and turning it around carefully in the contained space.

Ally jumped up and down on the side, clapping.

He stopped and helped Julie off. “That wasn’t so bad was it?”

“No, it was actually fun.”

“My turn! I wanna ride,” shouted Ally, running toward them. After Julie placed Ally behind him and her tiny arms squeezed around him, he eased the throttle up and slowly rode down his yard and back. Ally giggled the entire time. 

Julie helped her daughter off.  “Say thank you.”

“Tanks, Caleb.” Ally ran back to her yard and climbed on her bicycle with training wheels, then rode it around the patio.

Julie smiled. “She enjoyed that.”

“Yeah, but did you?”

She shyly nodded. “Yes, I did.” Then she changed the subject. “I’m going in town shopping tomorrow. You need anything?”

He wiped his hands on a rag that he picked up from the ground. “Milk, eggs, cooking oil, big can of pork n’ beans and some corn meal.”

“That’s it?”

“Yep. That’ll do me.” Since he wasn’t working, he had to use the remainder of his grandfather’s money carefully. The new tires and other parts for his bike had set him back. He reached in his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, then counted out ten ones. “I can’t believe how much more things cost now. Will this cover it?”

“It should.”

“Thanks for doing this.” He slid his wallet in his back pocket. “Guess I should put my tools up before the storm moves in. I hate going inside so early.”

Julie pushed her hair behind her ears. “I’m surprised you don’t sleep outside.”

Obviously, she’d been observing him, but he found it flattering. “After being closed in a cell, I enjoy the open space. I feel too claustrophobic with walls around me.”

“That’s understandable.”

“Actually, I’m not sleeping very well. Maybe I should try sleeping on my back porch.” He tossed the tools in an old tool chest. “Anymore threats?”

“No, but I received a letter from Zanbar Corporation reminding me that the August deadline is approaching. I’m fed up with the Faith Police Department. They haven’t done squat. I’ve decided to do something myself. I’m going to take security measures. I’m just not sure what kind yet.”

“Good, but I’m more concerned about you and the kids than your business. That man who approached Ally at the mailbox could've been watching you. Keep tabs on Ally and Scott at all times. Trust me about this, Julie.”

Julie quickly averted her gaze to the silver pickup pulling into her driveway. “That’s my brother bringing Scott home from practice. He plays on the same ball team as George’s boys. I’d better go.”

Caleb didn’t take any offense in her leaving so quickly. He’d respect her less if she didn’t care what her family thought. Thinking of family brought Adam to mind. Hell, he missed him.

♦♦♦

“Frank Grear,” the deputy said, answering his cell phone.

“What kind of progress are you making with Mrs. Ross?”

“She’s a stubborn woman. Wants to be independent. But I got her mom thinking I’m the best thing that’s walked into her daughter’s life.”

“It’s not her mother who has to sign the contract. August is coming up fast. You assured me you could handle her. I can’t wait. The state highway commission has already passed the proposal to build the new bridge across the Current.”

“Look, boss. Everything’s under control.”

“That’s what you told me at Christmas. It’s already May. I’ll give you until the end of the month. Then I’m ordering Hopkins to push harder. Maybe one of her kids needs to have a little mishap.”

“Julie worships those kids.”

“I’m counting on it. I’ve got a lot at risk here. I’ve had to pull a lot of strings and kiss a lot of ass to get that bridge. I have too much at stake to go soft. Don’t disappoint me.”

♦♦♦

Julie waited in the checkout line. Though she tried, she couldn’t stop thinking about her business. She couldn’t afford to keep replacing equipment. And what Caleb had said worried her even more. If she didn’t sell, was this person desperate enough to come after her children? Was the old man at her mailbox somehow involved? Her brother had suggested hiring a security guard, but one would have to come from Poplar Bluff—too far and too expensive.

“Julie, missed you at church last week.”

She turned toward the tall red-haired woman. “Thanks, Joan. With the heat wave, we were swamped with customers.”

“What’s it been like living next door to Caleb?”

“Actually, not bad. He’s quiet and doesn’t bother us.”

“I’d be terrified. Do you still let your children go outside?”

“Of course, I do. I don’t see him as a threat.”

“You’re the only one. The Peels said it’s just a matter of time before he runs down another innocent girl.”

Julie couldn’t help but laugh.

“How can you laugh? The man murdered your cousin.”

“For one thing, he’s not some kind of serial killer that runs people over. And as far as my cousin is concerned, it was an accident. His fault because he was drunk not because he was a deranged psychopath.”

“Bite your tongue. Don’t let your aunt and uncle or the Peels hear you talk like that. My husband heard Connie Peel’s dad threaten to blow Caleb away with his sawed-off shotgun.”

“That wouldn’t bring his daughter back.” Julie had worried someone would take the law into their own hands. The town had been outraged to hear Caleb had been paroled. She shuddered at the idea of someone killing him for revenge.

Joan smiled like a Cheshire cat. “By the way, what’s going on between you and Frank Grear?”

“Nothing. The man irks me.”

“From the way he talks, you two are almost engaged. Maybe you should speak with him and straighten him out.”

“I have. There’s no reasoning with him. Reasoning with a two year old would be easier.”

“He’s not bad looking. You could do worse.”

“Joan, I might be lonely, but I’m not desperate. And if I did need a man in my life, it wouldn’t be Frank. For now, I enjoy being a mom and running my own business. That’s enough for me.”

Joan leaned closer and whispered. “Don’t you miss sharing your bed with a man?”

“Not really,” Julie said, skirting around the truth. She did miss sex and the intimacy of marriage, but she wasn’t about to admit it to a gossip like Joan. She pushed her cart up to the counter and started unloading. “Good seeing you.”

After leaving the store, she stopped by her parents’ house and honked. Ally and Scott ran to the van and climbed in. Her mother waved from the door.

Her kids argued during the two miles drive. When she pulled in her driveway, Scott asked, “Mom, if you know a secret should you tell?”

“Depends. Did you promise not to tell?”

“Not really. It’s not my secret.”

She laughed. “Then whose secret is it?”

Julie expected him to name a couple of kids from his classroom.