Under Currents (22 page)

“I’m sorry. I’ll get her another one.”

“No, don’t bother.” Julie just wanted to go home where she could console her daughter.

Frank dropped them off at the school and waited for Julie’s van to get on the road. If he hadn’t been following her home, she would have stopped and bought Ally another ice cream cone, but she didn’t want to prolong her time with Frank.

♦♦♦

Saturday afternoon, Julie couldn’t stop shivering. She looked at her dad. “Keep an eye on the kids. I’m going to borrow one of mom’s sweatshirts. Last night’s rain really cooled things off.”

In her mother’s room, she opened the closet and scouted the rack for some kind of outer wear. She snagged a long sleeve flannel shirt her mom used for yard work in the fall. She slipped it on.

The edge of an envelope stuck out from beneath her mother’s jewelry box on the dresser. She pulled it out and looked at the front of it.

It was to Noreen but addressed to her mother’s address. The name on the return address was Reece Stanford. The name Scott had mentioned. Why had her mother lied about knowing him?

The return address made her dizzy. The man was writing from prison.

Her mother called her from the other room, so she pushed the letter back under the jewelry box and hurried outside to the deck. “I’m freezing,” she said to her mom, “thought you wouldn’t mind me borrowing a shirt.”

“That old thing. I have nicer shirts if you want one.”

“No, this is fine.”

Later that day, Ally and Scott played with their cousins by the river. The sun painted the sky pink and orange. The adults sat on the deck, sipping wine or beer while talking. Crickets hummed their evening choruses, and frogs croaked in the distance. The terrors of the previous night no longer seemed real, but seemed more like a nightmare dreamt long ago.

“So, Julie, Frank didn’t have any idea who the guy was?” Cora asked.

“No. There weren’t any fingerprints on the letter but Ally’s.”

Her mother placed a hand on hers. “Well, I’m glad Ally’s safe thanks to Frank. He cares about your kids.”

Julie wanted to scream. “Mother, how can you say that? How?” Then she told about the ice cream cone and how immature Frank had behaved. “And he didn’t find her, Caleb did.”

Aunt Noreen and Uncle Bob traded acknowledging glances.

Before she could say another word, Uncle Bob took over and told how Frank threatened him when he came to Julie’s aid. “I tell you, the man’s dangerous.”

Ally came upon the deck and hugged Julie. “I love you, Mommy.”

“I love you too.”

“My girl’s gonna be in first grade,” Julie’s dad said. He lifted Ally on his knee and bounced her lightly, giving her a pony ride. “Are you enjoying your party?” When she shook her head, he stopped bouncing his knee. “How come?”

“Cause I wanted Caleb to come.”

Her aunt and uncle’s expressions turned sour as if sucking on lemons. "For Christ’s sake, child," Aunt Noreen protested.

“Ally, Caleb’s only doing what’s best for us,” Julie said.

“But I don’t understand why he can’t talk to me.”

“Well, baby girl. There are some ugly people in this town who love to gossip. And if they know I’m having anything to do with—”  Before she could finish, she choked. “Oh my goodness.”

The family turned to see Caleb walking up from the river. Apparently, he’d come in his boat.

“He has his nerve,” Aunt Noreen said.

Caleb climbed the four steps onto the deck, and Ally leapt from her grandfather’s knee and ran toward him. Caleb lifted her up in his arms and let her sit against his hip. “How’s my girl?”

“Caleb, you’re talking to me.”

“Well, I had to make sure you’re all right.”

She hugged his neck. “Thank you for finding me.”

“I wasn’t going to stop looking until I did.” His gaze shifted to Julie. “You holding up?”

She nodded, barely able to stop herself from jumping up and throwing her arms around him. She wanted to hold him and never let go. But her family's cold gazes worked like super glue and held her back.

“Frank threw my ice kweam away.”

“Frank’s a dufus.” When Ally giggled, Caleb grinned. “I’ll buy you all the ice cream you can eat. I want to talk to your mom for a minute. I’ll see you again before I leave.”

“I’m glad you came to my party.”

“Oh, Ally girl, I’m sorry but I can’t stay.” Caleb’s eyes glimmered like glass. “Go play.”

“Okay, but I want a hug before you go.”

“Ally, tell the boys they’re playing too close to the river,” Julie’s dad said. “The water’s up from last night’s storm.”

”Okay.”

Caleb smiled warmly as he watched Ally spring into the yard. The man clearly cared about her daughter. Then he turned and faced her family. “I apologize for intruding. I wanted to know if you’ve learned anything about the man who abducted her?”

Julie shook her head. “She said he had an earring in one ear and an eagle tattoo on his arm.”

“Eagle tattoo could mean he’s ex-military,” Caleb suggested.

“Frank thinks he must’ve been hired by someone else.”

“If I could get my hands on the bastard, I’d make sure he didn’t bother you or Ally again.” Caleb jingled the change in his pocket nervously. “Julie, I think you need to stay with your parents for awhile.”

“I’m not leaving my house.”

“That’s a good idea, sweetheart,” her dad reinforced.

“No.”

“Julie, I’ve been in prison with men who’d gut you and your kids like you were deer and not miss a moment of sleep. Please, listen to reason.”

“I’ll try it for a week, but you have to promise to watch my house when you're home.”

“I promise.”

Ally’s shrill scream pierced the air.

Julie stood and stared at the water’s edge where Ally stood.

Ally’s face was frozen in a look of horror.

Chapter Thirteen

“They’re gone!” Ally managed to shout, still staring downstream.

“And so is the inner tube,” added Julie’s mother. “Lord, help us. It’ll be dark soon. All three of them could drown.”

Caleb followed her family to the riverbank where Ally stood. Their expressions revealed panic and fear. He glanced down the river but didn't see any sign of the boys. “The current is strong today.”

“My motor's out being repaired,” Mr. Webb said.

“Mine’s not.” Caleb turned to George. “Ride with me.” He looked back at Julie. “We’ll snag them up like the catch of the day and bring ‘em back. Sit tight.”

Mrs. Edward’s heavy glare bore down on him. He ignored Julie’s aunt and climbed in his boat. Once George positioned himself up front, Caleb shifted gears and steered through the turbulent water.

Caleb traveled downstream, scanning the grassy banks. An owl soared above them, scouting for its evening meal. Twilight crept around them, making their job more difficult. “See ‘em, George?”

“Not a sign of them. This fast current could have taken the boys two miles downstream by now.”

“Can your sons swim?”

“The oldest one can, and my youngest one does a mean dog paddle. Scott can swim under water.”

After going a mile, George pointed to the fork in the river. “There they are, lodged against that pile of debris against the fallen tree.”

Caleb slowed the boat and eased next to the three boys who looked like drowned cats. He grabbed the tube, holding it still. “Scott, your mom is going to skin you alive. Give me your hand.” Caleb yanked a shivering Scott over the side, then reached for George’s older boy while George hauled his youngest inside the boat.

“You boys got a whippin’ comin’,” George warned.

”But, Dad, we didn’t mean to go past Grandpa’s yard. We even tied a rope around the tube and then to the tree.”

“You had orders not to get in the water.”

“But we were just going to sit in the tube,” argued George’s oldest boy. “It’s Scott’s fault.”

“I thought I had it tied in a knot,” Scott said. “But it was your idea to do it.”

“Was not.”

“Was too.”

“You’re both in trouble,” George said. He glanced at his youngest boy. “You’re getting whatever they get.”

Shivering, the youngest boy stared at his dad with big, sad eyes.

Caleb envied George. The man had two good-looking boys and a nice wife. In his book, George was a rich man.

Caleb used the paddle to shove away from the fallen tree, then started his engine to head back. As he pulled up to the boat ramp, Julie and the others waited in the yard. Julie rushed over to the boat and helped Scott and her oldest nephew out. Cora grabbed her youngest and hugged him.

Mr. Webb stood by the ramp waiting for Caleb to climb out.

Shit, this can't be good.

Caleb assumed the man intended to ask him to leave.

“I never thanked you for finding Ally, and now I owe you a heap of gratitude for fetching these boys back.” He offered his hand, and Caleb shook it.

“No problem. I’ll say goodbye to Ally and be on my way. When he turned, Scott was clinging to his leg.

“Mom says she’s gonna whip me.”

Caleb grinned. “Did you know you were doing wrong when you put that tube in the water and climbed in?”

Scott nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Then maybe you need to take your medicine and think twice before you do something so risky again.” Caleb leaned and whispered in his ear. “Your mom will soften up if you’re real sweet to her.” Scott’s face relaxed, and Caleb grinned. “Now, go play.” After the boy rejoined his cousins, Caleb knelt beside Ally. “I’ve got to go, Knothead.”

“Please stay. You can have some cake.”

Caleb hated to refuse Ally anything. “I’d love to, sweetie, but this is a family-only party. I can’t stay.”

Once he stood, he moved toward his boat.

“Thanks, Caleb,” George shouted.

Caleb waved, barely glancing back at Julie’s oldest brother.

“Caleb, wait,” Julie called. "There's something I need to say."

He wheeled around, facing her. Her eyes reflected desire and longing instead of gratitude.
Shit
. She shouldn't behave like this, not here, not in front of her family.

Julie wrapped her arms around his waist. “Thank you for everything.”

He wanted to pull her into his embrace and savor the moment, but when he glanced over her head, Mrs. Webb glared at him with fire burning in her eyes. “Jules, your family’s watching.”

“I don’t give a damn. I’ve missed you.”

God, he hated hurting her, but it was for her best interest. “Jules, I’m seeing someone.” She staggered backwards from him, her cheeks blazing. Her eyes reflected hurt from his rejection. His stomach knotted from the lie. “I’ll watch your house. Just be safe.”

♦♦♦

Stunned by Caleb’s curt dismissal, Julie stood by the river until his boat disappeared around the river's bend. Whatever she thought had existed between them had been an illusion on her part. Her feelings for Caleb had been one-sided just as in high school. Still she owed him for finding Ally and bringing Scott back.

There’d be hell to pay for her boldness. The appreciative hug she'd given him had been an excuse to touch him. But now that he’d made it clear he had someone else in his life, she felt foolish.

“You made a spectacle of yourself in front of everyone,” her mom whispered.

“Well, the man found Ally and saved my son. I think he was entitled to a hug.”

Jimmy put his arm around his sister. “You know he’s been dating that hot waitress. I thought you were smarter than to throw yourself at someone like him.”

“I didn’t throw myself at him. I gave him a hug and thanked him from the bottom of my heart.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” Jimmy said.

Her father placed a hand on her shoulder. “Caleb’s doing what’s best. I think he really cares about you and the kids. A blind man could see that.”

As Julie trekked back up the hill toward the house, Aunt Noreen walked beside her. She thought about making excuses for what she’d done, but didn’t, mainly because she didn’t completely regret it.

“You know I considered getting my gun and shooting him,” her aunt whispered.

Julie tensed.

Noreen grabbed Julie’s arm and stopped her halfway back to the house. “You’re not by chance in love with the man?”

Julie’s face heated. “You have no right to ask me that. We’ve never been together the way people think. Besides, he’s seeing someone.”

“You’re my niece. I care about you. So, that gives me the right to ask.”

“Then does that give me the right to ask you about Reece Stanford?”

Aunt Noreen paled and stared at her. “Who told you about Reece?”

“It wasn’t mom if that’s what you’re thinking.”

Noreen sighed. “I have to admit Caleb has been pretty heroic since being back, saving you from Frank, then Ally, and now the boys.” She paused as if in deep thought. “I’ll bring Amy’s diary over first thing in the morning. You have no idea how painful this is for me.”

Julie wiped her tears and threw her arms around Noreen and thanked her.

“But if you don’t find anything to prove Caleb’s innocence, then for heaven's sake, let him go. Because I won’t be a part of this family if he is.”

Julie nodded. “Thank you, Aunt Noreen.”

Later that evening after everyone had gone home, she stopped beside her father’s recliner. “I’m running to the house to pack a few things we’ll need. Mind keeping the kids?”

“No.” Her dad lowered the paper he was reading. “You shouldn’t go alone. You want me to come?”

She shook her head, trying not to show her true thoughts. “No, I’ll be all right. I’d like to be alone so I can do some thinking, have some space to clear my head.”

He nodded.

Julie made the two mile trip and pulled into her driveway. Darkness engulfed her house. She hadn’t thought to leave the porch light on.

What her father said played through her mind. He thought Caleb cared about her and her children.

I have to know.

Then a flicker of light behind the crack in his blinds showed the television was on. She removed the slice of cake she’d brought him, marched to his backdoor, and knocked.