A Long Way from Home (The Caldwells of Rebel Creek Book 1)

by Morris, T M

  “I wouldn’t worry too much about it.” Devon broke into her reverie. “After all we’ll be staying in Gatlinburg at my cabin. It’s not far at all to the shops on the main strip and there are a couple of outlet malls on the way. There’s even a Walmart. You’ll be able to find whatever you need. And I do have a washer and dryer.”

  “We are staying where?” Lucy’s eyes were close to popping out of her head as she shrieked. Her heart began to pound an erratic beat.

  “My cabin. I assure you, Luce, you will be safe with me. I won’t do anything to compromise your principles.” He sobered. “I am not Jordan Lancaster.”

  Lucy choked, “Why on earth would you even say such a thing? The thought never even entered my mind.”

  As Devon maneuvered the truck onto the interstate heading east out of town he glanced at Lucy then stated, “Darlin’, you are a terrible liar.”

  Lucy didn’t bother to respond, he was right. She had lied. They drove for a half an hour in silence, which didn’t bother her at all. She pondered her relationship with Devon. She wondered when he had started referring to her as ‘sweetheart’ and ‘darlin’. It seemed he very seldom called her by name when he spoke to her now. The closest he came was to call her Luce. She also tried to decide the reason why she didn’t mind his using endearments. She should have an issue with it. After all they had a working relationship, not a personal one. She never would have allowed Jordan such a liberty. So, why was Devon different?

  She found herself sneaking covert glances at Devon’s handsome profile. He was concentrating on the road seeming to be oblivious to her presence. Lucy decided to settle in for the long ride, enjoy the scenery whizzing past and try not to think about Devon or his cabin.

  “Wake up sleepy head.” Devon patted Lucy on her right shoulder. Lucy opened her eyes to find she was using Devon’s long, well-muscled thigh as a pillow. She shot up and looked around.

  “I’m sorry, Devon. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. Where are we?” She sputtered as she tried to straighten her hair and hide her embarrassment. She felt, as if crimson was nowhere near a deep enough shade of red to describe the blush she felt surging up her neck to her hairline.

  “You must have had a late night to go along with your early morning.” He smiled. “You don’t need to feel embarrassed. I rather enjoyed being your pillow. As for where we are, we’re in Kingston.”

  Lucy yawned and stretched. She was stiff all over from her twisted sleeping position. Even though she knew he was watching her she continued to stretch as she asked, “So why are we stopping here?”

  “Two reasons,” He explained as he reached into the glove box between Lucy’s knees to retrieve his wallet, “We need more fuel, and I’m hungry. I thought you might be as well.”

  “Um, yes. I am starving,” Lucy looked at her naked wrist as she continued, “What time is it anyway? I seem to have forgotten my watch.”

  “It’s almost nine o'clock, Eastern. What are you hungry for? We have a choice between fast food and fast food.” Devon smiled indicating with his wallet the two establishments facing each other across the narrow road. “There’s also a greasy spoon on down the road a little ways.”

  “Such difficult decisions. I’m not sure I can decide.” Lucy smirked and gave Devon a sidelong glance.

  He shrugged his shoulders. “Well you can think about it while I fill up the tank.” Devon said as he bolted out of the cab. He shook his head as his feet hit the ground.

  Lucy sighed. She couldn’t believe she had fallen asleep. Not only had she dozed off she had used Devon’s thigh as a pillow. She had fallen asleep on the job. Even though she and Devon had developed what seemed to be a close friendship he was still her boss. He signed her paycheck. She could not allow herself to be this comfortable around him. There would always be an invisible line between them which must never be crossed. Never. She was a professional, for crying out loud, what was wrong with her?

  Lucy looked into the rear view mirror. She looked an absolute fright! Her hair was a tangled, frizzy mess and her face, without makeup, seemed to have no color at all since the blush had faded from her cheeks. She reached into the back seat of the crew cab for her overnight bag. She retrieved her makeup case and rushed to apply eyeliner, mascara, and a light touch of tinted lip balm. She then brushed her raven waves free of their many tangles.

  Another glance in the mirror told her two things: she needed to do something to tame her wild hair and Devon was watching her while he manned the fuel pump. Lucy decided to ignore her audience and put her hair into a French braid.

  From where Devon stood he could see Lucy preening. He turned away to watch the numbers click past on the pump as the now all too familiar churning rose in his belly. If he had to describe the feeling he would have to say it was somewhere between nausea and butterflies. He chastised himself. Feeling like this at twenty-nine somehow felt immature. But he couldn't help himself.

  Ever since he had first laid eyes on her that rainy day in September, he had been fighting the urge to kiss her. He had struggled with it since she declared she would not get involved in an interoffice tryst. He wasn’t interested in a tryst either. He was beginning to feel tortured by her presence, but he couldn't bear to spend time away from her. He didn't know how he had ever functioned in his life before they met. The day she had wept in his arms was the day he knew he had to keep her close. He had this overwhelming need to protect her. He didn’t think he could stand to see her go through such pain again. He also tried to remind himself that she was his assistant—not someone to whom he should be attracted. Then there was an inexplicable and overwhelming jealousy every time more roses showed up from her secret admirer. What was it, six or seven, maybe eight boxes now?

  What was the matter with him? Could his Aunt Carmella be right? A few weeks ago when they had talked, she seemed to believe he was falling in love with Lucy. Impossible. He was attracted to her but he wasn’t falling in love. For one thing, he was in no way prepared to fall in love with Lucy or anyone else. There was no time for love in his life. All he knew was no matter what he felt, he had to keep it to himself. If Lucy knew, she would leave and he couldn’t tolerate her leaving. He finished filling the tank, and went inside the station to pay for the fuel.

  A few minutes later he clambered into the cab of the truck, “Did you get on all your war paint?” he groused.

  Lucy gave Devon a puzzled glance as she responded, “I thought I would at least try to look presentable.”

  “Sweetheart, in your case, makeup is not a necessity.” He grumbled.

  “Thank you, I think. Is something wrong?” Lucy’s puzzlement shifted to concern. He was now agitated when a few minutes before he was quite pleasant and it bothered her. She swore he could change moods faster than a cuttlefish could change its color.

  Devon attempted a smile as he replied, “Nothing’s wrong. Have you decided which drive-thru we will patronize? I, for one, am about to starve.”

  “I don’t believe it matters much. They have the same basic menu and don’t really taste differently.” Lucy’s answer sounded rather crestfallen.

  “Then, let’s stop at this one on our side of the road? It is, after all, in the direction we are going.” Devon said.

  Having filled his tank across the road from Devon and Lucy, he watched as they turned into the parking lot of the burger joint next to the gas station where they had filled up. He had time to run into the station and buy some food for himself and some energy drinks, lots of energy drinks. He needed a few minutes of sleep, just a few minutes. Maybe when they arrived at wherever they were going.

  Devon and Lucy drove through and they were soon on the interstate again munching on breakfast sandwiches and hash browns. After several minutes of continued uncomfortable silence Lucy chanced a glance at Devon as she gathered the wrappers and put them in the paper sack emblazoned with the restaurant’s logo and catchy phrase. Devon still looked as if his mood was far from jovial. Lucy decided she’d leave him alone a
s she turned to stare out the window for the remainder of the trip.

  Two hours later Devon pulled into the last vacant parking space in the front of the Sevier County Courthouse. He reached into the backseat for a manila folder. It was time to get back to business. He handed the folder to Lucy, “Here, you’ll need this. I’ll be here at five o’clock to pick you up.”

  Lucy prepared to get out of the truck, “I’ll be waiting for you. Be careful, okay?”

  “You too, Luce.” Devon said as she closed the door.

  Devon pulled out of the parking lot and was entering the traffic by the time Lucy mounted the steps leading up to the courthouse door. She entered the courthouse and made a beeline to the directory on the wall next to the elevators and located the records department. Why were records always kept in the basement? She walked over to the stairs and headed down to the basement.

  He pulled into the courthouse parking lot in time to watch Lucy march up the front steps. Should he stay here or follow Devon? He couldn’t decide. Deciding he was in desperate need of sleep he pulled into the parking spot Devon had just vacated and where he could see the door and turned off the engine. He could keep a watch on her and have time for a nap. She was always in the courthouse for a several hours.

  Chapter Seven

  Where is he? I hope he hasn’t been in an accident. He’s never late. Using the manila folder as a seat, Lucy sat down on the cold granite steps of the Sevier County Courthouse. It was a little past five-thirty according to the bank clock across the street. It was dark and she was freezing. While she had spent the afternoon in the courthouse pouring over records the temperature had plummeted and she didn’t have a jacket with her; she had left it in the truck. As she checked the bank clock again, the familiar behemoth of a work truck sped into the parking lot and screeched to an abrupt halt.

  Devon threw the transmission into park and jumped out. Lucy, stiff with cold faltered a little as she stood. He pulled off his jacket as he ran up the steps and said, “Lucy, I am so sorry, honey. You must be freezing. It took me a lot longer to get back from the site than I expected. Will you forgive me?”

  He looked so earnest Lucy couldn’t help smiling as she said through chattering teeth, “It’s okay, Devon, really. I’ll be fine as soon as I warm up. I’m just relieved you’re in one piece and not in an accident somewhere.”

  “No, it’s not okay.” Devon said as he wrapped his jacket around Lucy. He then steered her toward the truck. “I told you I would be here at five o’clock and now it’s almost five-forty-five. You’ve been out here waiting for me and it’s close to freezing. If you catch some horrible bug it will be all my fault.” He paused for a moment to allow what she had said to sink into his brain. He asked, “You were worried about me? You aren’t angry with me?"

  Lucy climbed into the truck and snuggled into his coat appreciating the remaining warmth his body had left in the fabric as well as his scent. She loved the way he smelled, clean and woodsy. Lucy tried to put him at ease. “Devon, really. I’m okay. I’m already warming up. And yes, I was worried about you—you’re never late.”

  “As soon as we get up to the cabin you are going to get into the hot tub. A long soak will chase away any chill left in you. And I’ll cook tonight.” Devon said as he threw the truck in gear and pulled out into traffic.

  “Hot tub?” Lucy sat up straighter. “I-I didn’t bring a swim suit. I didn’t think I would need one.”

  Devon gave her a quick glance and smiled, “Always pack a swim suit when you go out of town. You never know when you’ll need one. I guess you can use one of my sister’s. You look to be about the same size.”

  “You have a sister? I’ve known you for almost three months and no one has mentioned her before.” Lucy was dubious. Then she remembered the photo on the credenza in his office. “Wait a minute. The girl in the photo in your office-is she your sister?”

  Devon nodded. “Her name is Claire. She’s twenty-one now and attends the University in Johnson City. She is majoring in Pre-Med. I let her spend some time at the cabin when she needs to get away from all the pressure or to rest. I’m sure she’s left some of her things; she always does.”

  “Eight years is quite a gap in age isn’t it? Are there any other siblings hiding around the state or should I include the whole country?”

  “Claire is the youngest of three and I am the oldest. We had another sister, Debra. She was killed by a drunk driver not long after she got her driver’s license at sixteen.” Devon said without emotion.

  Lucy’s eyes began to tear as she touched his forearm and said, “I’m so sorry, Devon.”

  Devon covered her hand with his and sighed, “We have both lost very important people.”

  “Yes.” Lucy removed her hand from under his. She was unable to deal with the sudden onslaught of conflicting emotions welling up in her breast from his touch.

  How could he have messed up so badly? He was stupid for leaving to get some food and to have a bathroom break. He almost missed his Lucy riding off with Devon. At least he was able to spot them turning onto the main road right as he was about to turn into the courthouse parking lot. He wondered where they were going.

  It was over an hour before they arrived at Devon’s cabin nestled in the foothills bordering the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Driving through the main section of Gatlinburg proved to be quite difficult. As they crept along the main road Lucy marveled, “Seems holiday shopping has already begun up here and Thanksgiving is still a little over three weeks away.”

  "This whole area is a huge tourist draw. It's had an amazing effect on the local economy over the years since the park opened." Devon told her as he turned into the long narrow road which led up to his cabin.

  "Oh! This is beautiful.”

  Devon smiled. "I'm planning to live here one day.”

  "It would be wonderful as long as you don't have to go into town too often." Lucy mused.

  Devon laughed as he unlocked the door and punched in the alarm code. “There are back ways to take. I thought you might like the scenery.”

  “I’ve been to Gatlinburg before.” Lucy laughed as she followed Devon into a large living area with a huge fireplace in one corner, an open kitchen, and a dining area. Lucy gasped as Devon revealed the view when he opened the vertical blinds along the far wall. The blinds concealed a wall of glass looking out over the city of Gatlinburg nestled all lit up against the darkness. It was a breath-taking sight. To Lucy it resembled a sparkling diamond against black velvet.

  "Do you like it?"

  “Do I like it? I love it! It’s beautiful.” Lucy exclaimed. “I’ve never seen anything like it. I mean, I’ve been to Gatlinburg several times on day trips growing up—but we never left the main roads.”

  Devon grinned as he said, “I’m glad. Here, let me show you where you’ll sleep.” Devon brushed past her and she followed. Devon led her to a short hallway beside the fireplace that branched to the right and left on either side of the bathroom door to two bedrooms. The bedrooms were decorated in woodsy themes. The walls were a mossy green above waist high paneling. The carpet was a mottle of browns and greens resembling a forest floor covered with leaves. On the walls Devon had hung more pictures of hunting dogs.

  “Did you get a volume discount on these dog prints or was it a yard sale bargain you couldn’t pass up?” She asked.

  Devon shrugged. “Maybe. Follow me.”

  He also showed her a loft filled with a pile of long wide boards and boxes and boxes of books. He told her he was planning on making it into a library of sorts. It had a wall of glass also, but on the opposite wall it faced the mountain instead.

  “And where’s this hot tub you keep telling me about?” Lucy couldn’t hide her excitement.

  “Come on, I’ll show you.” Devon’s smile grew even wider as he took her hand to help her down the stairs and pulled her through the kitchen door. Lucy’s excitement was infectious and he couldn’t help feeling as excited as she was feeling. Lucy
loved his cabin.

  Outside, a wide deck wrapped around the house. Devon led Lucy to the back of the cabin to where the hot tub sat out of view of the living room’s large window. Lucy surveyed her surroundings and half whispered, “I can see why you bought this place; it’s like a private little paradise. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed living in the mountains.”

  Devon felt as if he had been sucker punched in the gut. He stopped working on the hot tub and stared at Lucy in wide-eyed disbelief. He had thought the same thing the first time he looked out over the valley from where she was now standing. Lucy stared back at Devon confused, “What? Did I say something wrong? ”

  Devon went back to preparing the tub for use, as he took his time to respond, “No… don't worry…you didn’t say anything wrong. It’s—I thought the same thing when I saw this place for the first time.

  “There,” he announced, “We ought to be able to use this thing in a little while.”

  “I think I’m beginning to look forward to it.” Lucy rubbed her arms vigorously.

  Devon stood for a moment watching the water churn. He concentrated on calming his racing heart before he spoke again, “While it’s heating, let’s eat. I’m starving.” He turned and walked toward the door.

  “Great idea.” Lucy agreed shivering, as she followed him with a childlike bounce in her step.

  Inside the kitchen Devon studied the pantry and the freezer. After a few minutes he sighed with dismay, “There isn’t much here. Claire hasn’t restocked in quite a while. The way I see it we have two choices. We can go down and eat in one of the restaurants then go to the grocery to stock up or we can go straight to the grocery and cook something up when we get back.”