Under Currents (24 page)

“No, I doubt it. I think he was blowing hot air to impress me.”

“I hope so,” George added. “I like Caleb. I’d hate to see him returned to prison over it.”

Me too.

Then she remembered something. “Frank said the man was murdered sometime Thursday evening. Caleb works every night at the hardware store.”

She wanted her family to dismiss Caleb as a suspect so she gave him an alibi. Frank would jump at a chance to arrest Caleb even over a frivolous threat. Hopefully, her family would let it go.

Scott, Ally, and George’s sons ran up and interrupted their conversation. Ally and Scott begged to go swimming at George and Cora’s house and spend the night. Julie pretended to hesitate about whether to let them, but really she was ecstatic. Now she would have more time with Caleb.

“I promised they could once school’s out,” Cora said.

“If you’re sure,” Julie said to Cora. “I’ll pick them up tomorrow. What time?”

“How ‘bout one? That way they can have lunch with us too.”

“Thanks. I could use some time alone to get my head straight.”

Cora hugged her. “I know.”

Her mother frowned, obviously not wanting Julie to have any time away from the kids. “What time will you be home tonight?”

“I’m not sure. After I close tonight, I’ll probably hang around the office and get caught up on my orders and paperwork. I might even spend the night on the cot in the back room. It’s safe now.”

Her mother finally surrendered. “What about dinner? Your dad can run something over to you.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll pick up a salad in town.”

Julie stopped by her house to grab Ally and Scott’s swimsuits and some extra clothes. While there, she sent Scott over to Caleb’s with a note sealed in an envelope.

I have the entire night. The kids are staying with George and Cora. Do you still want to meet on the river at two? Julie.

Scott returned with a reply. Julie smiled. Caleb had not only taped her envelope back but had also stapled the top, so her nosy son couldn’t read the note.

Yes. We’re staying the night. Come prepared. Caleb.

♦♦♦

At Boats and Floats, she offered three float trips—a seven hour, a five hour, and a three hour. Her drivers would take the customers to the drop off points upstream and leave them to float back to town. She needed to hitch a ride, but the party arriving wanted the three hour trip and it wouldn’t take her where she needed to be. Once Larry drove off with the smaller group, she walked out, sat on the front porch, and opened Amy’s diary.

She thumbed through the pages, catching words and phrases until she saw her name.

Dec. 25: We had Christmas at Aunt Martha’s house. I actually had to carry on a conversation with that dorky cousin of mine, Julie. It's so embarrassing for everyone at school to know she's in my family. She’s so lame.

Julie flipped through more pages. The fact her cousin didn’t like her wasn’t a secret nor of interest. At one time, it hurt Julie’s feelings for Amy to ignore her and make fun of her at school, but not now. The names Devin and Connie caught her attention.

April 16:  Connie is meeting Devin again. I told her the guy was a real user but she thinks he loves her.

Julie read on about Amy’s boyfriend Rick and how she’d been on the pill for a month. She mentioned Connie was a fool for not doing it too. Then Julie found the last entry in the diary. It was disappointing that Amy mainly wrote about her own problems. It proved she was self-centered and spoiled like Julie had always suspected. At least her diary proved Devin was seeing Connie.

May 28:  Memorial Day I’m taking Connie tubing to get her mind off her problem. The jerk refuses to marry her. Connie’s sister found her diary and read about the pregnancy test and then ratted her out to their parents. Connie is not telling them who the father is and hid her diary so no one would ever find it.

But who is it, damn it? Who’s the jerk?

She stood and dusted off her bottom and went inside. After making copies of the relevant pages, she walked to her car and locked the diary in the trunk. Then she went inside to her computer and search for Reece Stanford.

Several links popped up that boldly highlighted the name.

She clicked on an old newspaper article. She read about the twenty-three year old man sentenced to life in prison for murdering his ex-wife. Though they never discovered a weapon or any evidence, he was found guilty. The small black and white picture of Reece Stanford reminded her of someone, but who?

Julie calculated that Aunt Noreen would have been seventeen years old.

More people came in wanting a float trip, so Mark, her new driver, drove the next party of five upstream. Right after they pulled out, Julie gathered her hair into a ponytail and slipped on her water shoes. There’d be a lot of traffic on the river today. She put on one of Jeremy’s old baseball caps, hoping no one would recognize her. It wasn’t much of a disguise.

An image of paddling down the river while wearing Scott’s gorilla mask popped in her mind and made her smile.

A group showed up wanting the five hour trip, so Julie dragged a canoe to the van for herself. Larry loaded it onto the trailer. She sat up front beside him while the teenage customers rode in the back.

At the drop off point, the teenagers climbed out of the van and stretched. Larry unloaded her canoe and helped her carry it to the water’s edge. She tossed her bag in. “I’ll probably just pull in at my house instead of coming back. So, don’t wait for me.”

“Okay. Be careful.”

“I will.” She shoved off. If she were late, Caleb would think she’d decided not to come. She stayed in the deeper channels enabling her to move faster in the swift current. She left the teenagers far behind in only minutes.

She paddled for an hour before spotting the offshoot. Tall trees and overgrown shrubs made the channel that ran along a massive stone wall difficult to find. She steered the canoe into the narrow passage. She could tell Caleb had been there. The grass had recently been pushed over. She hoped he hadn’t given up on her.

She struggled with the canoe, using the paddle as a lever to push against the sandy bottom. A low branch slapped her face, and she pushed it out of her way.

When the creek disappeared underground, she climbed out and pulled the canoe upon the bank. She’d tied a rope to the end and used it to pull the canoe. Just as Caleb promised, the creek mysteriously reappeared on the other side of the small stretch of land.

The narrow waterway, wedged between two stone walls, had willowy trees and tall grasses along the side. Different shades of green flashed before her.

How had Caleb discovered this place?

She pushed the canoe back into the water and paddled until she spotted his boat.

It was shoved upon the bank, but where was he? She climbed from her canoe, secured it, and walked through the emerald forest until it dead-ended into the high cliff.

“Caleb?”

“Back here.”

She trekked along the stone wall over fallen trees and small boulders until she came to a cove shaped grassy area nestled between two solid rock walls.

Caleb.

Her heart jolted at the sight of him.

He smiled as he crawled from the dome tent. “Glad you made it.”

“I’m sorry I’m late.” She stared in awe at the things he had done. “This place is amazing.”

“Eden. Heaven on earth. I love it here. Peaceful and quiet. I’ve never told anyone about this place but you.”

“You’ve gone to a lot of trouble.”

“This is our first date.”

In front of the tent, he'd set up a table covered with a red and white gingham tablecloth. She walked over and smelled the roses that sat in the center of the table. “I wasn't expecting all of this.”

“I wanted this to be special.”

He walked to her, pulled her in his arms, and lowered his mouth to hers, deepening the kiss immediately. His tongue swirled in her mouth, exploring her, tasting her.

Heat rushed through her, removing any doubts she’d had about being with Caleb.

“We’ve got the entire night. Let’s eat lunch first.”

She was hungry for Caleb, but the man had planned this out carefully, so she’d do things his way and enjoy her lunch.

He motioned to a chair. “Have a seat.” Then he turned and opened the ice chest. “Care for a drink?”

“Sure. Do you have any wine?”

“I’m not allowed to buy or drink alcohol. It’s one of my parole conditions. Sorry.”

“No, don’t be. Coke is fine.” Julie cleared her throat. She wanted to observe his reaction. “Frank stopped by to tell me that someone murdered the man who took Ally.”

He grinned. “Hot damn, that’s good news. The son-of-a-bitch won’t be bothering you anymore.”

Though Caleb seemed surprised, she still wasn’t sure.

Ask him.

She couldn’t. She was afraid he’d confess to killing Lance Hopkins. Strangely enough, she was glad the man wasn’t a threat anymore. Would it change how she felt for Caleb if she learned he’d killed him?

She assured herself she was wrong.
Caleb didn’t do it.

He handed her a drink. “You have a choice of ham and Swiss on dark rye or tuna on wheat.”

“The ham, please.”

He placed a sandwich on a floral paper plate and handed it to her. “Chips?”

“Yes, please.” His effort to make this a real date impressed her. “This is nice. Thank you.”

He sprinkled chips on her plate. “I want to take you to a real restaurant.”

“Maybe it won’t be so long. I plan to tell my parents about us soon.”

“You sure about that?”

“Yes.” But it’s Frank’s reaction that worries me more. It will get back to him.”

“We’ll deal with him later. Did your aunt bring Amy’s diary?”

“Yes, but you’ll probably be somewhat disappointed. She mentioned that Devin was seeing Connie but doesn’t name him as the baby’s father.” She pulled the copies she’d made and offered him the pages.

He read them before looking back at her.

“We have the wrong diary,” they chimed together.

He grinned, causing dimples to form in his cheeks. “I don’t know what I’m so happy about. Amy’s diary doesn’t say anything that’d be enough to present to a judge. Besides it’d be considered hearsay.”

“Yes, but Connie’s would. I bet she has it all spelled out. Too bad she hid it. I wonder if her family ever found it,” she said between bites.

“Even so, they would never let me see it.”

“You’ll never know until you ask.”

“Let’s hope they have it. Of course they’ll shoot me if I come within five feet of their house.” He gulped down his Coke. “Mr. Higgins told me Mr. Peel came in and cussed him out for employing me. Claimed he was going to put me in my grave before the end of the month. But I haven’t been too concerned. Usually, by the time he gets all worked up, he passes out or is too drunk to walk.”

“Still he tried to run you down with his truck. That sounds like something to be concerned about.”

Caleb's Adam’s apple moved back and forth on his muscular neck as he drank his soda, and she found it sexy. She recalled the kisses they’d shared at his house and suddenly erotic tingles ran through her. She couldn’t eat another bite. She wanted Caleb, wanted to please him. This wouldn’t be about her needs, just his. No doubt, he was nervous.

“Are you going to give me the grand tour inside the tent?”

“Not yet.” He winked. “Come on.”

She followed him back to the boats. “What are we doing?”

“Playing in the water.”

“It’s cold.”

“Won’t be for long.”

At the bank, he shucked his jean-shorts and briefs.

As she stared at him, she tried not to compare him to Jeremy but couldn’t. Caleb was considerably larger.

The man was beautiful. Every inch of his bronzed body a work of art and perfectly sculptured.

He stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed down her neck and along her shoulders.

She yanked her white tank top off and tossed it aside, revealing her lacy bra. One quick snap in the front released her bra. She started to remove her shorts.

“I want to take those off of you,” Caleb said. He reached around her and unlatched her button, then unzipped them. He slid his hand down the front. “No panties?”

“No. I didn’t think I’d need them.”

He stroked her sensitive spot. Julie came unglued. Finally, he let her shorts slide down her legs. She stepped out of them.

He planted both hands firmly on her hips and brought her against him. The connection was electrifying. A rush of desire shot through her.

Then he stepped away, tormenting her.

“Why’d you stop?”

“I’m sweaty as hell from setting up that tent. I need to rinse off. It’s about shoulder deep. Jump in.” Caleb plunged into the water.

She followed him and came up gasping. “That first splash into this cold water is a real shocker.”

“It only takes a few minutes to adjust. You can probably stand up.”

Caleb eased over to her and steered her back into his arms. He lowered his lips to hers and kissed. He kissed her again and again, each time deepening it.

“Lean back.”

His arms supported her while her legs dangled in the water as though trying to teach her to float on her back. He raised her slightly, then leaned and kissed up her stomach to her breasts. He teased her nipples with his tongue.

Fire consumed her.

She couldn’t wait.

Julie stood in the water and faced him. She draped her arms around his shoulders, then hoisted herself up and wound her legs around his waist, bringing his masculine flesh into position. He placed his warm palms on her bare bottom.

“Push,” she said.

“Julie, I—”

“Just push.”

He did, and his face revealed his pleasure as he entered her body. “Sweet heaven, Jules.”

“Pull me tighter against you.”

When he did, she gasped from his fullness.

“Jules—“

She silenced him with a kiss, letting her tongue be dominant over his. She tightened her inner muscles, bringing him to the brink and kissed the side of his face. Then she nipped his bottom lip, taunting him.