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

by Morris, T M

  When she had finished cleaning up, she was no closer to answers than she was when Devon had stormed out. She reflected on his mood as she turned off the lights and checked the lock on the front door. Even as angry as Devon was, he had enough control not to slam the door which impressed her. Yawning, she turned and climbed up the stairs to her bedroom. She was going back to bed. Her still throbbing head had made thinking about Devon almost impossible.

  Why had Devon carried his girl into her house? Why had he stayed so long? What had they been doing? He was going to kill Devon. He’d killed before. He would tear him apart making it a slow and painful death. Lucy was his girl and he was going to take her back home. He would keep her safe, not some pretty-faced city boy. No Lucy was his, no one else’s.

  Chapter Twelve

  The next morning, Devon banged on Lucy’s door. He was about to do it again when Lucy opened the door. He shoved a floral box into her hands and asked, “Are you ready?”

  “Good morning to you, too.” Lucy tried to be pleasant. She waved him through the door with a flourish and closed it behind them before she continued, “I’ll just be a minute more. I promise. Why don’t you fix yourself a cup of coffee? Thank you for the flowers.”

  Lucy could hear Devon muttering something as she set the box on the desk and raced back up the stairs, but didn’t bother to try to figure out what he had said. She finished applying her makeup and found her missing shoe under the bed. Within minutes she headed back down the stairs. Devon growled, “Are you ready now?”

  She pretended to ignore Devon’s mood and poured coffee into a cup of her own, which was already filled with cream and sugar. She opened the floral box and without a second thought dropped the thirteen roses in her pitcher before she answered, “I am now.”

  “Then let’s go—we have quite a bit of work to do to make up from yesterday. Who sent the roses this time?” Devon grumbled as he rinsed his cup before setting it in the sink. He headed for the front door without waiting for her. Lucy gulped her coffee down, scalding her mouth in the process, and ran out the door after him.

  “You mean you didn’t give me the flowers?” Lucy asked once she was seated in the truck. “There wasn’t a card.”

  “I’m not in the habit of sending my employees roses.” Devon spat. “Must be your secret admirer, huh?” He slammed the truck door thereby ending the conversation before Lucy could respond. He sped down the road deep in thought. Who keeps sending her roses? She doesn’t know and is still quite happy to get them. Why it could be anyone, Jordan Lancaster or some other crazed lunatic stalker. She’s not even the least bit concerned!

  “Slow down, Devon. There’s no need to break the sound barrier.” Lucy cried. He glared at her then looked down at the speedometer and eased up on the gas pedal.

  By the time they reached the office Devon looked as if he were ready to explode. Lucy, on the other hand, she wasn’t feeling too well. She felt queasy and lightheaded. As they stood at the elevator waiting for it to descend she thought she might even faint. Her vision began to fade. She reached for him sounding confused, “Devon?”

  “What? Are you okay?” He turned to look at her just in time to catch her as her knees buckled and she began to collapse. “Has your headache come back?”

  “No. I just don’t feel well. It must have been breakfast.” Lucy said struggling to regain her feet.

  “What did you have for breakfast?” He guided her into the elevator.

  “Coffee.”

  “That’s all? Coffee?”

  “Do cream and sugar count separately?”

  “And what did you have for supper last night?”

  “Last night? Um—after you left I went back to bed. I don’t remember eating.”

  Devon groaned, “Good grief Lucy—you need to take better care of yourself. I can’t have you fainting or dropping out of commission because you haven’t eaten or you’ve pushed yourself too hard. As soon as we get upstairs, I’ll send Carmella to go after some food for you.”

  “It’s not necessary, Devon. I’m fine.” She protested.

  “If you’re feeling so much better, why am I still holding you up?”

  Lucy attempted to support her own weight but wasn’t able to without her head swimming. “Okay. I concede.” she whispered.

  “That’s my girl.”

  “You don’t have to be so patronizing. I’m not your girl.” Lucy tried to fight back but it was too difficult to fight when she couldn’t even stand on her own.

  Carmella jumped to her feet when they entered, “Devon! What do you mean by dragging our poor Lucy in here when she’s still sick?”

  “She just needs food—she hasn’t eaten since early yesterday before she threw up. She almost fainted in the elevator.” Devon called over his shoulder as she followed him down the hall.

  “Lucy, honey, let me get you some breakfast.” Carmella volunteered. “Why don’t I get enough for everyone? If I know you Devon, you haven’t eaten either.”

  “I’m fine Aunt Carmella.” Devon muttered his foul mood returning, “Just get Lucy something hardy, something with a lot of protein.”

  “Will do.” Carmella smiled as she continued, “I’ll get two of everything in case you change your mind. I’ll be back in a flash.”

  “Could I get some breakfast too, Carmella?” Jack asked as he leaned against the doorframe of Lucy’s office. “What’s all the excitement about anyway?”

  Carmella gave Jack the once over, looking him up and down, as she said, “It looks to me you could miss a few meals, Jack, and come out the other side none the worse.”

  “Carmella, you wound me.” Jack pouted, as he patted the thickening around his middle. “It’s all the restaurant food I’ve been forced to eat on all these road trips I’ve had to take.”

  “Well, then, I suppose one more meal shouldn’t make much difference.” Carmella begrudged. As she left the room to run her errand she chided him over her shoulder, “But you need to cut back, sweetie.”

  Jack ignored her last comment. He turned back to the pair and with avid interest repeated, “What’s going on?”

  Devon eyed his stepbrother, wondering what kind of trouble he was trying to start. “Lucy is suffering from low blood sugar. She hasn’t eaten since early yesterday.”

  “Well, Brother, maybe you should pay her more so she can afford to eat more often.” Jack teased as he sat in one of the chairs across from her. “Goodness, Lucy you look three shades of green.”

  “Nausea tends to do that.” Lucy muttered.

  “Nausea?” Jack’s curiosity was piqued. “I didn’t know low blood sugar made you nauseous.”

  “Yes, well, my coffee this morning isn’t sitting well.” Lucy groaned.

  “Jack, let her be. Lucy doesn’t need you playing twenty questions right now. Besides don’t you have to sample some monitoring wells in Franklin today?”

  “You’re trying to keep me away from her so you can have her all to yourself, aren’t you, Dev?” Jack surmised. “She’s why you have me doing all the road trips, isn’t it?”

  “You have no idea what you’re talking about.” Devon said through clenched teeth.

  Jack had no idea how close he was to the truth. He smiled. After a few seconds he changed the subject when he said, “Are the two of you going to the folks for Thanksgiving dinner?”

  “Thanks for reminding me.” Devon brightened and turned to Lucy to explain, “That’s why I came in here yesterday, but was side-tracked by your migraine.”

  “I’m afraid I don’t follow you.” Lucy said dazed.

  Devon explained, “Yesterday, when I came in here and found you with your head on the desk and asked you if you were okay. You said no and then you ran into the ladies’ room. I came in here to ask you if you would come to Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow at our parents’ home. Needless to say, I forgot in all the excitement.”

  “Oh.” Lucy nodded, “I can see where you would forget.”

  “So.” Jack eyed them b
oth with avid curiosity. “What do you say Lucy? Will you join the family for Thanksgiving dinner?”

  “I-I don’t know. I-I don’t want to impose.” Lucy stammered.

  “It won’t be an imposition, honey. When she found out you don’t have any living family, Mom said you have to come.” Jack said watching Devon hover over her in a protective and possessive stance.

  “My parents are dead. That doesn’t mean I don’t have any family.” Lucy corrected.

  “All the same, Lucy, do you have plans for Thanksgiving?” Devon asked.

  “No. I don’t.” Lucy sighed.

  “Then it’s settled.” Jack slapped his thighs as he stood, “You’ll come to Thanksgiving at Mom and John’s. They plan on eating at five or so. I imagine Big Brother here will make sure you arrive there well beforehand.” He gave Devon a sly knowing smile.

  “Franklin? Monitoring wells? Aren’t they waiting for you, Jack?’ Devon growled.

  Jack laughed, “I’m going. I’m going. Don’t get your shorts all in a wad.”

  “Franklin!” Devon grated. Jack laughed as he sauntered out of the room.

  After Jack left the room Devon turned to Lucy and said, “I’ll be around to pick you up about three-thirty or four. Dad and Sylvia live in Belle Meade. So it will take a while for us to get there from your place.”

  Lucy nodded, “Fine.”

  “Aunt Carmella and Uncle Thad will be there as well as Claire and her newest boyfriend. I can’t remember his name.” Devon said staring at Lucy, “Are you sure you are okay?”

  “I’m still woozy, but I’m sure I’ll be as right as rain as soon as I eat.” Lucy tried to smile. She was beginning to wonder if low blood sugar or something else more serious was wrong. Was nausea part of low blood sugar? She didn’t have the slightest idea.

  Carmella, as if on cue, glided in carrying sacks of food and a tray of drinks. “Here it is. I have sausage and egg biscuits, hashed browns, cinnamon buns and sweet tea. “Now come on you two, dig in. Where is Jack?”

  “He left for Franklin,” Devon said as he passed Lucy one of everything. “Why don’t you join us Aunt Carmella?”

  “Who will run this place?” she laughed as she settled into the seat where Jack had been sitting.

  “I’m sure you can take a few minutes. This place won’t fall down around our ears in as much time as it takes to eat breakfast.” Devon grinned as he lowered himself into another chair next to Lucy’s desk.

  “All right, eat.” Carmella said. “Then you can tell me what I am supposed to do with the Camden people. They want to get started next week, but you have two other Phase Two’s to do next week and—“

  “We will worry about it later. Right now, let’s eat.” Devon cut her off. Carmella raised an eyebrow at his tone but said nothing. Lucy never even bothered to look up. She just played with her hashed brown and sipped her iced tea.

  Devon noticed and ordered, “Lucy, eat, now.”

  To placate him she took a bite of her sausage and egg biscuit. Then she grimaced at him to which he didn’t bother to respond. Silence fell over them like a heavy warm blanket.

  After a while Lucy sighed, “Well, now, I do feel much better.”

  Devon was gathering up his trash. He studied her face as he said, “Are you sure? You still look very pale.”

  “I’ll be fine Devon. I promise.” Lucy was emphatic.

  Not convinced, Devon said, “Aunt Carmella, could you keep an eye on her today? I have to go up to Ashland City.”

  “I’ll look after her, Devon. Don’t you worry none.” Carmella patted his knee.

  “Stop talking about me as if I’m not here.” Lucy grumbled.

  “Finish eating, Lucy. If I don’t see you again today, I’ll pick you up around three-thirty tomorrow.”

  “Fine.” Lucy demurred and he left.

  As he left Carmella asked, “Do you want this other tea?”

  “Yes, I believe I do.” Lucy smiled and as if on second thought she added, “Carmella can I ask you something in confidence?”

  “Of course you can sweetie. What is it?” Carmella answered in her usual pleasant tone, and then took a sip of her own tea.

  “How late do you have to be to find out if you’re pregnant?” Lucy blurted out, avoiding the other woman’s eyes.

  Carmella almost choked, “How late are you?”

  “Almost a week.” Lucy said peeking at Carmella through her lashes.

  Carmella’s face dawned understanding, “You and Devon. In Gatlinburg. You made love, didn’t you?” Lucy nodded and the older woman continued, “Explains why the two of you have been so ill at ease and testy around one another since your return. Why, Devon has been an absolute bear.”

  “Carmella, please. It was an accident. We got lost in the moment. He knows I am in no way prepared to have an affair with him.” Lucy tried to explain her voice plaintive, almost apologetic. “I’m not the kind of person to be careless with my life or anyone else’s. I told Jordan Lancaster the same thing. I told him I would not fall into bed with just anyone.”

  “I know you aren’t the type of person to mess with people’s lives, dear.” Carmella looked straight into Lucy’s eyes. “Are you going to keep the baby if you are pregnant?”

  Lucy looked stunned as she stammered, “I-I would, I-I wouldn’t even dream of getting rid of it—before or after it was born.” Lucy’s eyes began to tear up and overflow.

  Carmella enveloped Lucy in a bear hug. Patting her in an attempt to soothe her, she said, “It’s going to be all right, sweetie. I have one more question if you don’t mind?”

  Lucy dabbed at her eyes. “Yeah sure, what else could you possibly want to know?”

  Carmella straightened to her full five feet-two and asked, “Do you love my nephew? Do you love Devon?”

  Lucy burst into tears again and sputtered, “I can’t, Carmella, he is my boss. I just can’t.”

  “I’m not asking you whether you think you can love him, Lucy.” Carmella insisted. “I’m asking you, do you love him?”

  Lucy sighed and blew her nose before she answered, “Yes, I do. I love him with all my heart.”

  “I thought so.” Carmella nodded. “Don’t you worry, sweetie. It will all work out in the end. These things always do.”

  “I wish I had your confidence.” Lucy muttered, “Please, Carmella, not a word of this to anyone, okay?”

  “Not a word, but you know it will all come out, honey. You can’t keep love a secret.” Carmella said.

  Jack stood in the hall outside of Lucy’s office, his body pressed against the wall. He had stumbled upon Carmella talking to Lucy and stayed to eavesdrop. Well, well, well. Not only is Lucy in love with Devon, she thinks she may be pregnant with his baby and Carmella is her confidant. I wonder how Devon feels about our beautiful little Lucy, he thought as he tip-toed back to his office and then out the back door. He didn’t want anyone to know he had still been in the office. He didn’t want anyone to have to wonder if he overheard any secrets being passed. Somehow he was going to find a way to use this tidbit of information to have some fun—the question was when.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lucy pulled up to the stop sign and flipped on her left turn signal. “Don’t forget to stop at the grocery. Do not forget to go the grocery store, Lucinda.”

  Wham. Her whole body was thrown forward and her head whipped back. She shook her head. Turning on her hazard lights, she pulled her cell phone from the outside pocket of her purse.

  Wham. Again she was thrown forward. Unbuckling her seatbelt she flipped through her contacts to the local police number.

  Wham. She hit the steering wheel with her elbow, blowing the horn. Anger rushed through her. She flung open the door and surged up and out with the phone to her ear.

  “Dispatch. What is your emergency?”

  “Stop. Stop. You idiot! Ugh. I’m sorry I’ve just been rear-ended three times by the same vehicle at the stop sign here—“she gave the names of the streets, “and
then they just drove off.”

  “Don’t leave the scene. An officer will be there soon. Can you tell me the number on the license plate?”

  “No. It flew by too fast for me to catch it, especially since the light over the plate was out. It’s really dark here too.” The dispatcher asked several more questions and Lucy did her best to answer. “I think it was an older white sedan of some sort.”

  Just as the line went dead an officer pulled up. Lucy walked to the back of her vehicle to inspect the damage. It looked to be minor, a couple of dents and a broken tail light, until she tried to open the trunk. It wouldn’t open no matter how hard she tried. At least I can get to it from the inside if I let the seats down, she thought.

  “Hello again, ma’am.” Officer Bradford smiled. “I hate that we have to keep meeting like this.”

  “Me too.”

  Her ordeal of being in a hit and run accident had left her rattled. She still had to stop at the grocery store though in order to pick up a few things to get her through the long weekend. Still shaking from the adrenaline she walked across the parking lot and into the store. She pulled her list from her purse and studied it: Milk, coffee, bread, cat food, cat litter, eggs and a home pregnancy test. I hate that I need to buy one. I shouldn’t have to—dang it! Why couldn’t I have said no? He did ask me if I wanted to stop. Why did I even have to fall in love with him? Lord, I’m in such a mess. How am I going to get out of it?

  Lucy continued to mentally berate herself for loving a man she couldn’t have as she wandered through the store. She ended up buying much more than she intended because she was wandering up and down the aisles of the store trying to avoid the eventuality of getting the home pregnancy test off the shelf and into her grocery buggy without anyone noticing.

  In the end, she concluded it was of no consequence what other people thought—she needed to know. She made a beeline for the aisle where the contraceptive products and home pregnancy tests were displayed. She grabbed one and threw it into her buggy and covered it with the kitty litter.