by Dianna Love
“I did some work over there on Nickel Creek, too,” said the shorter of the two men “I hauled all the debris from the demolition away. They gutted that place.”
“Chaz was telling me about it. I never saw the house before it was done. My husband surprised me with it.”
“How romantic,” Angie said, elbowing Dusty. “Why don’t you ever think of sweet stuff like that?”
Ignoring his wife’s comment, he shifted his attention back to Kasey. “Aw, man. You should have seen it. What a mess. We hauled junk for three days before they could even start the demolition. We all thought the guy was nuts. I couldn’t believe it when I came back to do the tile work. That place is a miracle makeover.”
“I wish I had pictures of it before the renovation,” Kasey said, feeling more comfortable with them already.
“Is your husband coming over later?” Dusty asked.
Kasey took in a sharp breath. She’d been fine up to that point.
Scott jumped in. “Remember that accident over the summer? The pickup truck in the Nottoway and the missing child? That was Kasey’s husband and son.”
A chill ran through Kasey.
Angie put her arm around Kasey’s shoulder. “Sorry. We didn’t know. We’re glad you’re here. You’ll love this town. The people are wonderful.”
Kasey gave her a wan smile. “I can see that. Thanks.” Her eyes grew moist. “It’s still kind of hard.”
“I’m sure,” Angie said. “Don’t worry about tears. We understand. Most of us were out there helping look for your little angel.”
Everyone in the small group nodded.
“You know, Kasey,” Dusty said, his tone upbeat, “I would bet money that Chaz has pictures of that place from before y’all bought it. If he doesn’t, Garrett Malloy will. He did most of the renovation work. Let’s ask Chaz when he gets here.”
“That’d be great,” Kasey said, relieved at the change in subject.
“Kasey is a professional photographer,” Scott said.
With that Kasey reached for her camera bag and lifted it out of the case. “Be forewarned. I was telling Scott: it’s an occupational hazard. Does anyone mind if I take pictures?”
“No, no, we don’t mind.” Everyone shook their heads smiled.
Before Kasey could snap her first photo, Chaz and his wife walked in, followed by Scott’s duck hunting buddy, Jeff, and the dispatcher from the police station, Allison.
“Hey, everyone,” Chaz said in his booming voice. He grabbed a beer from a tub of ice, tossed a diet soda to his wife, and handed a beer to Allison. Then he noticed Kasey. “Hey-ey-ey, I see you’ve met the new girl in town.”
Kasey waved from across the room.
“How did you and Scott meet?” Chaz’s wife asked.
Kasey and Scott shared a look, then laughed.
Kasey put up her hands. “I’m not talking.”
Everyone looked curious.
“I sprung her from jail after Deputy Dan arrested her,” Scott said, and paused for a reaction.
The room got quiet.
Allison almost choked on a swallow of beer. “Oh, no. You’re not the one he accused of stealing Scott’s car, then threw you in the slammer?”
Kasey nodded and put both of her hands in the air. “Guilty.”
“Man. We’ve been riding him all week about that. That man gets in more fixes.”
“All right,” Scott said. “Now let’s be fair. Everything worked out, and we got to meet our new neighbor. How about a toast to our new friend Kasey?”
Everyone raised their glasses and cheered.
Allison waved from across the room, capturing Kasey’s attention. “You know, you look so familiar. I just can’t place you. Have we met?”
“I don’t think so. I haven’t been here long,” Kasey said.
“And you’re a photographer?” Allison asked.
“Yes.”
Allison’s brows pulled together. “Really? Like at the Walmart?”
Kasey smiled, trying not to snicker. “No. Not exactly. I shoot advertisements and calendars, commercial photography. Celebrities, cars, that kind of stuff.”
Allison squealed in a pitch so high that the people around her leaned away. She snapped her fingers. “Oh. My. God!” She bounced as she spoke. “I know who you are. You’re the Kasey Phillips that was on tour with Cody Tuggle. I can’t believe it. I just love him. You were dating him?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Kasey felt the color drain from her face. “No. No. No. You can’t believe everything you read. I was shooting his tour. It was a job. That’s it.”
“But you’re like friends, right?”
“Yeah.” Her mood lifted a little. “Yeah, I’d call him a friend.”
“I keep hoping he’ll come to the Carolina Crossroads. I'm dying to see him in concert.”
“I photographed the tour for a book that will be coming out later this year,” Kasey said. “I’ll get you a copy.”
“Oh. My. Gosh! Like, he is so freakin’ hot, and I read in that newspaper—which one was it? —I don’t remember, but I did see y’all on the cover together. You looked pretty cozy. I am so jealous.”
A momentary look of discomfort crossed Scott’s face.
Kasey said, “Strictly business. He’s a nice guy. We were running to the car and dodging paparazzi. That’s it.”
Allison winked at her. “Oh. Okay.”
“I’m serious.” Kasey could tell there was no changing Allison’s opinion. To her that gossip rag was gospel. Kasey started to say something else, but figured there was no point.
Thankfully, Chaz shifted the conversation and the group headed out to the patio.
Scott’s outdoor kitchen was as nice as the one indoors. A propane grill took up at least five feet of one end of the deck. Scott plopped the steaks on the sizzling grate of the stainless steel monstrosity, and then everyone split into teams to throw horseshoes.
Kasey had never played, and she didn’t have beginner’s luck. Her new friends were getting a good laugh over of her lack of skill. That was fun for a little while, but she decided she’d do better taking pictures than playing. She took some candid shots. When Scott halted the games so he could flip the steaks, she got everyone together for a group picture. She set the timer on the camera and joined the group for the photo.
Chaz’s wife was fluffy and had an outdated hairstyle. Her cheeks plumped from the smile that never left her face. She was the kind of person you instantly liked. “I just love photographs, Kasey. I hope you won’t mind getting me copies of a few of these pictures to remember this nice day.”
“My pleasure. I love to scrapbook. I’d be happy to put something together for you.”
“I’m a scrapbooker, too! We should get together sometime.”
“I'd like that. And I want to thank you personally for the delicious cake you baked for me. I really enjoyed it. That was such a sweet gesture.”
“I am glad you liked it, and I’m glad you’re here. It will be nice to have some new young folks around this old town.”
Scott clanged a dinner bell from the porch. “Okay troops, soup’s on.”
Everyone lined up around a long oak table and piled their plates high. Once they took their seats, they bowed their heads for a prayer that Chaz led before they dug into the bounty. Kasey eyes misted as Chaz said the prayer and everyone held hands. She felt so much comfort and love with this quirky group of folks that seemed to accept her as one of their own. No questions asked. Well, except for Deputy Dan, but she figured he’d show up with an apology one day and she’d have to accept it.
After dinner, they all moved inside since the sun sank lower and the air grew chilly. Folks departed, few by few, until Kasey and Scott were left alone.
“I had the best day. Thank you so much for inviting me.”
“You were the best part of it.”
Kasey swallowed hard, searching for a response. “You have a beautiful home and terrific friends,” she said. “And you’re righ
t: you do make the best steak around.”
“Thanks.” Scott hesitated as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t decide whether he should. He put some leftovers in the refrigerator, then leveled his gaze on her. “So, I have to ask. Did you really date Cody Tuggle?”
“No. That was just a gossip rag lie. You can’t believe anything they print in those things.”
“Good. I don’t think I could compete with a country star.”
The comment caught her off guard. As nice as he was, that wasn’t something that she could even imagine. “Well, I’m no prize,” she said quietly. “I’ve got more baggage than the airlines and I doubt this old heart will ever be the same after what I’ve been through.”
He nodded once. “I didn’t mean it. Actually, yes...I did mean it like that.” He let out a loud breath and then shook his head. “I’m sorry. I know it’s lousy timing. But you’re nice. I like you.” He shifted awkwardly. “You know, I was married once.”
“You mentioned an ex-wife. You don’t seem the marrying kind, though.”
“You saying I’m ugly?”
“No,” she responded—almost too quickly. “You just seem very well settled into your bachelor life.”
“It is pretty sweet.” He smiled easily. “But I miss having someone in my life.”
“What was your wife like?”
“A little like you. A city girl. Ruth and I met in college. She was from Atlanta.” He shook his head and frowned a bit. “Man, I loved that girl.” He walked into the living room.
“What happened?” she asked as she followed.
“I guess the country sounds more charming than it is.” Scott sat on the couch and motioned for Kasey to join him. “She was lonely, hated the quiet and being so far from shopping and fancy restaurants. She couldn’t stand being so far away from folks, and she didn't like the fact that there wasn’t much privacy in a small town.”
Kasey sat next to Scott.
“She spent most of her time begging me to transfer to a bigger town. Ruth hung in there for almost two years. She was miserable and...well, before we knew it, we both were. I wasn’t going to live in the city. I’m not the type, and she couldn’t live here.”
“Different worlds. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Sorry that happened to you.”
“Yeah, me too. But hey, we get through what we have to, don’t we?”
“Yep.”
He put his arm up on the back of the couch. “How are you liking the country life so far, Miss City Girl?”
“Loving it. So far, so good.”
“No regrets?”
“Not one.”
“It’s only been a week,” he reminded her.
“Hey, give me a break. I can handle the country. I did live on a farm out in the country in Pungo, remember?”
“That’s pretty close to Virginia Beach, though. You could go to the mall without much trouble, or to a nice restaurant.” He brushed her hair behind her shoulder. “But I hope you’re right. It will be nice to have you as a neighbor.”
“Thanks.”
“What are you doing on Wednesday?” Scott asked.
“I’ll probably get some of my stuff put away. I don’t know. Why?”
“It’s my day off. I’m going fishing. Why don’t you join me?”
“It’s kind of cold, and isn’t it supposed to rain?”
“Nothing more peaceful than sitting on the dock listening to the rain splatter.”
“Could make for a bad hair day.”
“You could wear a hat,” he said.
A man with an answer for everything.
She started to turn him down, but why? “What should I bring?” she asked with a smile.
“Just that smile. Rain or shine. We get started at seven.”
“In the morning?” She rolled her eyes. “I’m still hugging a pillow at the time of the day. I’ll bring coffee.”
“Sounds good. I think you’ll have fun. If you don’t catch a fish, maybe you’ll at least catch a good picture or two.”
“How could I say no?”
He nodded. “You’re my kind of gal.”
He leaned in and kissed her softly on the mouth.
When they parted, she opened her eyes and blinked.
“Holy shit.” The moment froze in her brain. She blinked, so stunned she stated the obvious: “You just kissed me.” She touched her lips, still warm from his soft, moist kiss.
He held her close. “Not sure where that came from. I just couldn’t resist.”
“It’s okay,” she whispered. “I think it’s okay. It was kind of nice.”
“Well, this is certainly a little awkward now, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Conflicting emotion made her dizzy.
“Ready to head home?” he asked.
“I think I should.”
“All-righty then. Let’s go.”
“Should we finish cleaning up first?”
“No. I’m not sure I can trust myself with you bent over my dishwasher.”
That lightened the moment. “You’re being silly. But okay.”
The drive home was a little quiet. She was thankful it wasn’t that far.
As Scott neared her driveway, they saw another car parked next to Kasey’s Porsche. “Looks like you have company.”
Kasey stiffened.
“Do you know who that is?” Scott asked.
“Yes, but I don’t know why he’s here,” Kasey said. “He works for my grandmother. He already stopped by this morning. I wonder why he’s back. I hope something hasn’t happened to her.”
“You weren’t expecting him?”
“Nope.”
Scott stopped the car and she got out.
“I wondered where you were.” Jeremy’s voice sounded full of possessive desperation.
“What’s wrong?” Kasey approached him, embarrassed.
“I forgot to give you some mail that came to the estate. When I came back, your car was here but you weren’t answering the door. I thought something was wrong.”
“I have my cell. You should’ve called. How long have you been here?”
“Hours.”
Scott stepped next to Kasey. “If you were so worried, why didn’t you call the police?”
Jeremy shuffled his feet and shot Scott an angry look.
“I gotta go. Your mail is on the porch.” He stomped off.
Kasey stood dumbfounded as Jeremy got into the car and pulled out of the driveway. She and Scott looked at each other. “That was the oddest thing.”
“I won’t disagree with that.” Scott stepped over to where Jeremy had been standing next to the car and scooped up a handful of bright yellow wrappers, twisting one in his fingers. “He must’ve been here a while.”
“Kojak had suckers, Jeremy has butterscotches.”
“Does he always pop up unexpectedly like that?”
“No. I don’t know what got in to him. I guess he’s a little protective of me sometimes.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
The next morning, Kasey woke to the phone ringing. Not her cell, but the house phone. She ran into the living room to answer it. She fumbled with the cordless phone as she tried to answer. Every time the phone rang, her nerves twitched—wishing, hoping for good news.
“Hi, Kasey. It’s Von.”
“I was asleep. What time is it?” She walked into the kitchen and checked the clock on the stove.
“It’s early. I’ve got some news.”
She stopped in her tracks. “News? You mean....”
“About Jake.”
Her heart beat double-time. “Is it good?”
“It’s not bad,” Von said.
Thank God!
“A man has come forward. He thinks he’s seen Jake. More than once.”
“I knew it. He’s alive.” She sat on the floor, pressing the phone close to her ear. “Thank you.” She’d dreamed of this call for so long. Her heart swelled with hope.
“Now hang on. I d
on’t want you to be devastated if the child this man's seen isn't Jake.”
“It has to be him.”
Von sighed.
Not get my hopes up. Is he crazy?
“Where is he?” she asked. “Let’s go get him.”
“Not so fast. The report was taken near Raleigh.”
Kasey looked to heaven and tried to not hyperventilate as Von filled her in on what they knew. “When can we get him?”
“It’s not that simple, and it’s not a guarantee, Kasey. They are talking to the guy now, and following up on the report. We should know more in a couple of days. Maybe sooner, but—”
“A couple of days? I’m not waiting here. Waiting. Wondering. It’s all I’ve done for months. Let me grab a pen and paper. Where do I need to go?”
“How did I know you'd say that?”
“Because Riley told you I would.”
“She was right,” Von said. “Again.”
Kasey heard Riley in the background telling him, “Told you so.”
Von cleared his throat. “She’s already packed. We’re coming to pick you up.”
Kasey’s heart raced. Good thing they were coming to get her. She was in no shape to drive. “Thank you. I’ll be ready.”
“Hey, before you hang up, I wanted you to know that the lead came from someone that recognized the picture from Tuggle’s concert.”
“Hurry.” Kasey hung up and then raced around the house to get dressed and packed. That all took less than seven minutes. It was going to be a long hour-and-a-half until they got here. She put her overnight bag next to the front door, then sprawled on the couch and closed her eyes, letting the tears fall.
Tears of hope.
Relief.
“Please let this be him, Nick. I need Jake home with me. I miss you both...so much.”
She got up, paced the room, then straightened the kitchen. It would still be over an hour before Von and Riley arrived.
She dialed Grem’s number, knowing she would want to hear the good news.
Jeremy answered on the first ring. “Jeremy, it’s me.” Kasey tried to control her excitement.
“Hey, girl. How are you?”
“Great. Is Grem around?”
“She’s napping. What’s up?”
“I wanted you both on the phone so I could tell you at the same time. I’ve got news. I’m getting ready to go to Raleigh. There’s a lead on Jake.”