Returning her glare to the concrete that rushed by outside, she wondered if she could live with that choice. If I leave them with him, who knows what’ll happen to them. The vehicle stopped in front of the elementary school, and the boys made a hasty exit, calling their goodbyes.
Pressing her hand to the glass, a wave of sadness threatened to bring her to tears. She and the boys had never been close. Bailey had been too wrapped up in her own life to worry about her little brothers—or her parents for that matter. Her mother had told her, not long ago, how proud she felt of the girl and her level of maturity—like a little adult, poised and ready to take on the world. I miss you, Mom, her thoughts ran in circles.
Peter eased the SUV to the curb, and the girl pulled herself together. With another loud sigh, she pulled the handle to exit and closed the door with a loud thud. Climbing the steps to the main entrance of her own building, she swung her backpack and purse around behind her, her uncle’s words stuck in her mind. Why the hell am I fighting to finish the year? I could dump all this shit, but if I do, he wins. Besides, I can’t let the boys down like that. They need me to look out for them.
Inside, she made her way to her first class, a frown etched on her delicate features. Taking her seat, she nervously shuffled papers, waiting for it to begin. Fortunately, when Ked arrived, he ignored her, hiding behind his shades and not giving her a second glance during that or their next class together.
The morning like slow torture, the realization came that she would have to eat lunch on campus. She wore a small pout into the cafeteria while she collected her tray and chose an empty table. She had never been inside it, and it surprised her that it actually held booths and tables, much like a restaurant, or at least most of the accommodations were.
Picking at her Chicken Alfredo, she nibbled at the creamy noodles until Ked flopped down on the chair next to hers, giving her a loud, “Hey.”
Looking up at him with wide eyes, she stammered, “What’re you doing?” Casting a glance at the rest of the room, she hoped that there were no other spies about, and she whispered loudly, “I can’t talk to you. Or be seen with you. You have to go!”
“Why? Because of our little scuffle the other night?”
Looking at him head on for the first time, she gasped. “Oh my God! Did Caleb do that to you?” His left eye severely bruised and swollen, he had scrape marks along his cheek beneath it. His wounds had been covered earlier in the day by his dark glasses, which he flicked at her.
“Yeah, he did. I’s really surprised you didn’t call the cops, neither.”
“No, I didn’t see any point in hashing through everything with them, as it is clearly over and surely won’t happen again.” She continued to peer around her anxiously.
His eyes following hers, he queried, “What’re you lookin’ for?”
“To see if anyone’s watching us,” she whispered. “I’m in trouble, and I’m not allowed to talk to you. I really wish you’d go.”
He snickered. “And here I thought things were going so well, playing hard to get this morning, after your friend jumped me. Maybe I should give you a little warning.”
He leaned closer to her, ready to have his say, but she interrupted him, her voice a little too loud. “You’re the one who needs the warning, Ked. The guy who jumped you is some kind of wacko, and my uncle is messed up in some weird shit. Stay away from me if you know what’s good for you.”
“Your uncle? What about your dad?”
“My dad is dead, Ked. My parents were hit by a semi back home a few weeks ago. Their car was crushed and went over a cliff.” She inhaled deeply, her lip beginning to tremble. “And I think my uncle may have had something to do with it.”
The boy stared at her, shocked by her accusation. “You think your uncle murdered your parents? Why would he do that?”
“So he could have my little brothers,” she breathed. “He was all set to bring them here. He knows way too much about them—what they like and how to gain their trust. We haven’t seen him in seven years! A new car, a new apartment with all new stuff. Something’s not right, Ked. And he threatened to pull me out of school if I don’t walk the line,” she mocked her guardian’s voice. “He wants to take us to his real home, at the ranch.” She paused, a single tear trickling down her cheek. “And he doesn’t even want me. No one does.”
“You don’t say.” Ked stared at her, slack-jawed for a moment. “You have any idea how crazy that sounds?”
“Yes, I do.” She wiped at her face. “That’s why I’m not telling anyone. That’s why you have to stay away from me. I’m scared of what they’ll do if you don’t, and not just to me…or you.” Her green eyes pleaded with him.
“I get it.” He shifted on his seat. “Ok then. I’ll leave you alone an’ not talk to you anymore.” He chuckled. “I’ve been told to beat it by lots of girls, an’ I can take it. But that’s gotta be the most insane excuse anyone’s ever used to get rid of me.” He laughed as he walked away, finding another group to join and leaving her without a second thought.
Fifteen
Wish in One Hand
Bailey walked on eggshells for the entire week. She had been a social creature before her parents died, but that was another life. Presently, she only wanted to survive, getting by on her own the best she could.
Her uncle rarely spoke to her, but she often felt as if he was watching her. Her distrust of him and his motives smoldered, and she spent many hours thinking about the accident and how things had fallen into place. And of course, Caleb still came into the shop every night when she worked and escorted her home. He didn’t talk to her either.
She knew that protesting would likely have a negative result, so she accepted her invisible chains. Choosing to focus on her studies, she made top marks and found that between work and school, she at least had plenty to keep her busy. From the outside, she felt certain that everything appeared perfectly normal. On the inside, she felt empty and alone.
On Friday, she arrived home to find a moving van parked at the bottom of their stairs, and two men in blue shirts were carrying boxes up to the apartment. Taking the steps in twos, she raced to the top to see if all of her personal items had indeed been sent to her. Standing in the doorway of her room, her lip stuck out in disgust when she realized none of the furniture had been sent, and only half at best of her clothes had been forwarded.
Opening boxes, she pulled out shirts, pants, and dresses to begin hanging and folding them. Her night off from the store, she would have everything in its place before bed if she were diligent. Surveying the closet, finally filled with familiar things, she sighed deeply, feeling a duality of emotion she had come to accept. You know how the saying goes, she admonished herself. You can wish in one hand…and you know what you can do in the other.
Choosing not to wallow in her discomfort, Bailey picked up her Dewitt phone and began scrolling through her old friends list. She had several hundred, but as the names and icons rolled by, she quickly realized there wasn’t a single one she could message and explain her situation to—none who wouldn’t think her a raving lunatic. Not one she could call and expect anything but disbelief at her tale.
Allowing a deep sigh to escape her, she tossed the device back onto the nightstand. She didn’t bother to even look at the Mason phone, as she had only a dozen contacts on that profile, and the only one she would be remotely comfortable messaging would be Ked. He had already laughed in her face, so she saw no point in going any further.
Crossing the hall, Bailey took a shower and dressed for bed. Waiting to fall asleep, she realized they actually only had four weeks left in the school year, and her uncle would take them to his ranch. Glaring at the ceiling, she wondered if he would bring her back for next year or if he would register them wherever it is that they were going.
Lawson—that’s what Caleb had called it. So it must be a town and therefore have a school. So why didn’t he take us there to begin with? Why move here and let us settle in, only to upr
oot us for a second time? Bailey found she still had more questions than answers, and she was growing tired of not knowing.
Of course, asking her uncle those questions would likely bring nothing but problems. But one other person knew the answers as well, someone who hadn’t spoken to her since their fight. Turning to face the wall, she ran her fingers across her left cheek. Thinking about the young man who had saved her, she wondered if he could be trusted.
He said we were both stuck, as if he wasn’t happy with their situation either. Maybe building a friendship with him could be useful after all. Staring at the painted surface before falling asleep, she became resolved to give it another try, starting at the burger shop on her next shift.
The following evening, as she prepared to go in to work, Bailey could feel a twinge of nervous energy. She intended to speak to Caleb, to forge ahead with their relationship in a strictly platonic sense of the word. The sensation of butterflies in her gut disturbed her, and she told herself firmly that it was not romantic interest that put them there.
What put her on edge were the secrets that he held. He had hinted at the dark undertones that lay within Peter and his friend’s motives, and she knew that this young man could give her details about their plans. The trick will be getting him to share.
Arriving at the shop, her day began as usual, and she took her place at the register with an almost giddy feeling, joy at the comfort that familiarity offered. Dealing with the steady traffic kept her mind busy, and soon her target arrived, causing her to break into a wide smile of greeting.
Caleb froze upon seeing it. Turning to look over his shoulder in an exaggerated fashion, he found no one behind him. “Well, you’re in a good mood tonight,” he quipped, not really expecting her to reply.
“Yes, I am.” She cast her eyes away from him, unable to remove the grin. “Would you mind if I visited you during my break?”
He stared at her, stunned for a moment and wondering what the little minx was up to. With a small shrug, he nodded his approval and gave her his order. Leaving the counter, he pursed his lips, curious, as she clearly could not be trusted based upon past performance.
Rushing to gather her dinner when the time came, she hurried out to her seat in the booth with her new confidant. Closing his book, Caleb took a long drink from his straw, waiting for her to open the conversation and reveal her motives. Glancing out the window, he could see the streetlights had come on, and the sun had almost set.
“Thanks for letting me sit with you,” she said sweetly, a bit out of breath.
“No problem,” he replied calmly. “I tol’ you we could be friends.”
“Yes, I know.” She nodded, then took a large bite of her burger and washed it down with a swig of coke.
“So whadda you want, Bailey?”
Her eyes flitted up to stare at the forwardness of his question. “Am I that transparent?” She smiled coyly.
“Yeah. We haven’t had a conversation in what, over a week? Now you wanna talk, so what’s up?”
“I want you to tell me about Lawson.” She pasted on a bright smile. “My uncle says he’s taking us there when school is out, and I want to hear all about it.”
“He told you he was taking you to...Lawson?” Caleb’s expression became perplexed.
“Well, the ranch. Isn’t that the same thing?”
“No.” Caleb shook his head, fidgeting with the paper wrapper from his straw. “It’s really not.” Inhaling deeply, he returned his gaze to the window for a moment, then looked her square in the eye. “The Ranch is your uncle’s house—his barn, the horses, those things. Lawson is”—he shrugged—“the community, the people. Each has a different role. The buildings are important, but the people are even more so.”
Bailey felt the warm tingle creeping up her spine, the one that told her she was close to getting what she wanted if she were patient. “Right, that’s what I want to know about,” she encouraged him. “What are the people like? What will it be like to live there?”
Pursing his lips, Caleb wasn’t ready to reveal what he knew and felt fairly certain she wasn’t ready to hear about the small township in the middle of the desert, either, not the truth at any rate. “It’s nice,” he said simply. “They’re hard-working people with a common goal. If you take their way o’ life t’ heart, you won’ ever leave.”
She stared at him blankly, his words not really meshing with his ominous warning from the week before. “Wow,” she breathed. “I can’t wait to meet them.” Her break over, she stood to get back to work. But at least we’re on good terms again, she consoled herself. That means, eventually, he’ll tell me what I want to know.
Walking beside him a short while later, covering the familiar path that led to her new home, she decided to take a different approach. “So, what is it that you do during the day? What job can make a man so dirty?”
“I drive a concrete truck,” he answered flatly. “An’ yeah, it’s nasty business.” He grinned, shoving his hands in his pockets and watching the ground as they walked.
She smiled, aware that his tone had changed slightly, and they paused at the bottom of her stairs. “And where do you stay, if it’s not as comfortable as all of this?” She indicated the complex with an open palm.
“I rented a small camper in a trailer park on th’ other side o’ town. Everyone is there on a weekly basis, like a motel, mostly men who come an’ go with the work,” he explained.
“You’re right. That doesn’t sound very inviting,” she mumbled.
“No, it ain’t. It has a small bed an’ a shower that you can sit on the toilet while you use it.” Something about the description gave the girl the giggles, causing him to laugh for a moment himself. “Anyways, trying t’ do anything in a space barely big enough to turn around in is frustrating.”
“I bet you’ll be glad to get back to Lawson yourself, then.”
“Yeah.” He nodded, straightening to leave. “I guess that I will.”
“This really is a strange place.” She sighed, happy that she had gained a small amount of trust. “Goodnight, Caleb.” She gave him a little wave, making her ascent.
“Goodnight, Bailey,” he called a soft reply before turning and making his way back to his ride and the long drive home.
Sixteen
No Way Out
The days passed quickly, with everyone around her in a buzz about the coming summer break and their future plans. Bailey, however, felt more trapped with each passing day. The realization that she had virtually no way out of the life that lay before her weighed heavily in her thoughts. Her uncle called the shots, and she had no choice but to follow his command.
On a Saturday morning, only a few weeks before their summer was to begin, the head of the household made an unwelcome announcement at breakfast. “I’m gonna invite Caleb to move in with us. He can stay on the couch until we’re ready to leave town,” he stated matter-of-factly while watching her face morph into a stunned expression.
“You can’t do that!” she protested. “There’s barely enough room for us as it is!”
“I can, an’ I am.” He chuckled at her. “More people live in less space all over the world. It’s time you learned to share. Besides, it’s only a couple o’ weeks, an’ we’ll be headed to The Ranch.”
Staring at him with a cold green glare, she knew it would be pointless to continue the debate. What he says goes, she mocked him mentally, dropping her protest with a heavy pout.
That afternoon, Caleb arrived on a motorcycle, which he parked next to Pete’s Suburban. It surprised her to discover that’s how he got around, as she had pictured him owning an old, beat-up pickup or something of that nature.
The bike was a large model, with two oversized saddle bags and a bitch seat between them. The boys were excited by his arrival and made requests over dinner to be taken around and given rides. However, Caleb quickly drew the line.
“Sorry, guys. You’ll jus’ have t’ wait until we get back to The Ranch, an’ you can
ride the four-wheelers again. I really wouldn’t feel right cartin’ you around.”
Bailey had never been up close to one before, much less ridden on one, and she agreed with a toss of her waves. “That’s right. You boys have no business on such an unsafe contraption.”
Her expression shifted to pure shock when Caleb laughed a rebuttal, his blue orbs sparkling. “Well, I wouldn’ say the same t’ you, little bit. I’d give you a ride any time.”
“Not here,” Pete interjected. “You can do all that when we get home.”
Caleb continued to eat, unabashed by having to wait. “Yeah, that’s true. We can wait, an’ we’ll have plenty o’ time.” His smile wide, he genuinely hoped she would accept the offer.
Something about his grin made the girl’s stomach lurch. She had been playing nice for the last two weeks, but so far, he hadn’t divulged anything new about their destination, or anything else for that matter. The high-handed manner of both men bothered her, as they seemed to believe she should, or would, simply follow their commands without question or explanation.
“What if I don’t want to ride your stupid bike?” she quipped angrily. “You know, you guys do an awful lot of assuming.”
The two men stared at her, Caleb pausing in mid bite. “It was just a suggestion, little bit.”
Bailey cringed, the use of his new pet name aggravating. “In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t like it when Uncle Pete calls me Bailey-girl, and I sure as hell don’t like being called little bit. My name is Bailey. Use it.” Standing, she scraped the remainder of her food into the trash and stomped down the hall to her room, closing the door with a slam.
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