by JoAnn Durgin
“Go right ahead.” He was glad she’d taken the initiative.
As they bowed their heads, Caty prayed first, and he went next. When he began to wrap up their prayer, Lauren jumped in to add a few words. Caleb’s heart swelled with pride.
“I think we’ve started our own tradition tonight,” he said as they concluded.
Lauren nodded. “Caty, will you stay here with me tonight?”
“I need to work tomorrow, sweetheart.” Caty darted an uncertain glance his way. What to do? He wasn’t good at making decisions like this. He’d love for Caty to stay at the house, but for several reasons, it wasn’t the wisest idea.
“Not tonight, Lauren. You have Max here, and Caty’s right about having to work tomorrow. I’ll see you in the morning, baby.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and smiled when Caty gave his daughter a hug.
“You know, this family prayer time makes it seem like you’re my Mom.”
This time, Caleb darted a glance at Caty. Thankfully, she didn’t appear blindsided.
“Maybe one day, Lauren.”
“Really?” He noted Caty had lowered her gaze, but he sensed she agreed.
Turning to go, Caleb shook his head when Lauren reached for the headphones. “No more tonight. You have school in the morning. It’s time for bed.”
“Okay. You would not, could not, dare be late.” After pulling her sheets higher, Lauren rolled onto her right side.
“Is Lauren a Dr. Seuss fan?” Caty asked as they descended the front staircase together.
“She used to love the books, and she started saying that recently. Out of the blue. Kind of like someone else I know. Uncanny, in some ways.” He turned to face her as they reached the bottom landing. Reaching for Caty’s hand, Caleb tangled his fingers with hers. “I know it’s late, but do you have time to talk for a few minutes before I take you home?”
Her smile was weary. “Let’s talk tomorrow. To be honest, I’m beat.”
“You’re right. My impatience is showing.” He didn’t like leaving things unsaid, but they’d had an eventful last few hours. Their date had turned into something a whole lot more complicated. Story of his life these days. In some ways, it didn’t seem fair to drag Caty into the mess of his life. On the other hand, she’d made it clear she wasn’t going anywhere.
Thank you, Lord, for this strong woman beside me.
The ride to the townhome was another quiet drive. Based on her soft, regular breathing, Caty had fallen asleep. He didn’t have the heart to wake her and could only hope he wouldn’t be up half the night.
As Caleb pulled the car to a stop outside her front door, he shut down the engine and watched her sleep. He brushed his fingers over her cheek, but she didn’t stir. So lovely. He allowed his gaze to roam over her features, so serene and peaceful in her slumber, and then he touched a strand of her silky dark hair. Should he kiss her awake? Tempting.
Pushing open his door, Caleb climbed out of the car. When she still didn’t stir after he opened her door, he scooped her into his arms and then carried her to the front door.
“Hmm,” she murmured, groggy with sleep. Snuggling into him, Caty moved one hand over his heart. Although he understood it was an unconscious move, Caleb sighed. When she moved her fingers on his chest, stirring everything male inside him, he knew he needed to keep moving.
“Do you have your keys?” he whispered, his voice husky.
“In the pocket of my sweater. It’s only the house key.” He was surprised she hadn’t brought along her purse. At least for tonight, she’d traveled light.
Shifting her in his arms, he felt awkward while reaching into her pocket. He quickly retrieved the key and inserted it in the front door. She must not have a security system. Maybe he should check into having one installed for her.
No, you can’t run her life. You don’t have the right.
With Caty still in his arms, Caleb stood in the middle of the living room, debating what to do. After all the decisions he’d made, he found this decision an especially difficult one. Go figure. With a quiet chuckle, he gently lowered her to the sofa. Then he gently eased off one red boot, putting it on the floor, followed by the other. Spying an afghan over a nearby chair, he grabbed it and draped it over her.
“I love you, Catherine.” Leaning close, he dropped a light kiss on her lips.
“Love you, too, Caleb.”
“See you tomorrow.” As he departed, he double-checked the front door a few times. Satisfied it was locked, he climbed into the car and departed.
~~♥~~
“Eliot? It’s Caleb.”
“You’re up late, buddy.”
Sitting on the edge of his bed in shorts and a tank, Caleb glanced at the clock. Almost one in the morning. “I know. Can’t sleep. Did you get my message and have time to talk?”
“Let me call you back in five.”
“Sure.” He heard the muffled sounds of a woman’s voice in the background.
“Hey there, Oil Man.” Marta’s upbeat greeting made him smile.
“Hi, Marta. Listen, I’m sorry to call so late. I didn’t realize Eliot was home. I figured I was calling him across the globe somewhere.” His cheeks burned. His call might have interrupted their reunion. His timing could have been better.
“No worries,” Marta assured him. “With my International Man of Mystery—that’s Caty’s name for him—you never know where you might find my husband at any given moment. I actually just got home from the studio a few minutes ago. Eliot’s going into his office if you can hang on a second.”
He heard a click on the line. “I’ve got it, babe. Thanks.”
“See you soon, Caleb,” she said. “Before I go, can you, Caty, and Lauren have lunch with us on Sunday? I’m sure Kevin and Rebekah would like to come if that’s all right.”
“Sounds terrific. I’ll check with Caty and you two can work out the details. I’ll be happy to treat if you’d like to go out somewhere. You pick the place.” Caleb leaned back against the headboard. How long had it been since he’d been at a gathering with friends? Not since a few years before Helena’s death. Too long.
“Great. It’s a plan.” Caleb heard the line click as Marta signed off.
“Hey, Caleb. I got your message in-transit or I would have called you back earlier. Tell me what you found out.”
He filled Eliot in on the latest, including the observations from Lieutenant Taylor. “Eliot, am I putting Caty in potential danger? She doesn’t have any kind of security system in her townhome.”
“My gut feeling is that she’s not, but if you’d feel better, I can schedule protection for her. If it helps, Sam insists that his TeamWork ladies take a self-defense course. I feel safe in saying Caty probably took one, too, either in Dallas or Lubbock.”
“Good to know. I love her, Eliot.”
He heard his friend’s soft chuckle. “I know, buddy.”
“That obvious, huh? If I had my way, I’d marry her to keep her by my side. Then again, until this is resolved, that’s probably not the best idea. Then I think that this may never get resolved—”
“Don’t get yourself worked up over the what ifs,” Eliot advised. “You could suggest to Caty that she move back in with her parents, or Sam and Lexa, until we can figure out who’s behind the threats. However, knowing Caty, she’d shoot down that idea.”
“I think we’re close, Eliot. I also have a strong suspicion they’re connected to the accounting issues.” Caleb told him about the latest unexplained withdrawal and his ban on all tobacco products in the Reidco stations and convenience stores.
“Before I left the office today, I made it known via an email to all Reidco employees that there have been financial discrepancies. I put all personnel on alert that their files, records, emails, and computers could be subject to review and inspection.” Caleb blew out a weary sigh. “I didn’t want to do it, but if they are connected, this action could force these jokers into action.”
“I think it was a good decisio
n,” Eliot said. “It’s a proactive move. I think you’re right. It could very well flush them out so they make a move. If it’s an inside job, they’ve been purposely stringing you along these last few years. Trying to break you down, drive you crazy, make you realize your limitations.”
“Don’t remind me,” Caleb muttered, massaging his fingers over his brow. He felt a headache coming on and swallowed a rare curse threatening to escape his lips. That wasn’t his way, and he wouldn’t start now.
“We’ll get them, Caleb. We’ll figure it out, turn them over to the authorities, and then let the justice system take over. Josh Grant has friends in high places. He’ll take care of us.”
“I appreciate your positivity, my friend. Sounds like TeamWork has friends around the globe in all walks of life.”
“That’s one of the best things about it,” Eliot said. “The slogan for TeamWork is ‘Rebuilding Lives Worldwide and Binding Souls for Christ.’”
“I would expect nothing less. Did you get the list of Reidco employees from Cordelia?”
“I did, yes. I’ll start working on it tomorrow. If I need any personnel records, I’ll call you on your cell and let you know.”
“Thanks. I neglected to tell you one of the most important things about the events here at the house tonight.”
“What’s that?”
“Lieutenant Taylor gave Max full credit for thwarting the break-in here at the house. I owe you one for that recommendation.”
“Glad he’s working out.”
“Me, too. He’s quickly become a member of the family.”
Chapter 45
Standing in front of the kitchen window the next morning, praying as he ate his oatmeal—his version of multitasking—Caleb scowled as an image of his late father popped into his mind.
“Go away,” he muttered, tapping his spoon against the ceramic bowl. He’d made a conscious effort not to think about his father, but lately, the man kept pushing into the forefront of his mind.
Why now, Lord? He didn’t want to think about him. He had more important things to consider. Because his father had rarely been there for him, Caleb had always placed a higher value on loyalty and family ties. He’d been raised by a mother who’d taught him right from wrong. He might have strayed from her teaching at times, but he’d always managed to find his way back.
His mother was the one who’d also taught him lessons in forgiveness he’d never forgotten. “Letting go of the anger and the bitterness is the first step,” she’d told him. “God doesn’t want your leftovers, Caleb. He wants it all, the good and the bad. Surrender your father to God and let Him deal with your feelings. If you don’t, you’ll be eaten up alive with bitterness, and it’ll render you incapable of moving on to find the joy that God wants for you.”
Wise words from someone who’d been rejected by someone she loved. He knew the feeling. Caleb would not, subject another human being to that same kind of pain.
“Okay, I get it,” he said finally, finishing his last bite of oatmeal and lowering the bowl into the sink. After running water over it, he lowered his head.
Father, I surrendered Helena to you. Now it seems it’s time to surrender my leftover anger about my dad to you. Forgive me for my unkind thoughts. He no longer has any power over me, and I’m sorry he’s gone. Sorry for the things left unsaid, sorry for what we could have meant to one another. I ask you to help me because without you, I am nothing. With you, I am everything. Be with me as I try to figure out the source of these kidnapping threats, try to figure out what’s happening with the Reidco account, and talk with Caty today to see if everything’s okay between us. I love her, Father. Thank you for bringing her into my life, and Lauren’s life. I don’t deserve her, but I hope to spend the rest of my days thanking you for the blessing of Caty. I ask these things in the name of your precious Son, Jesus. Amen.
Oliver had already left for Greenbriar-Browne with Lauren, and the house was quiet. Lettie was elsewhere in the house. Grabbing his briefcase, he prepared to depart through the side door to the garage. Something caught his eye from the corner of the kitchen. More like an odd sound.
“Max,” he said on a sigh, chuckling. Resting his briefcase on a chair at the kitchen table, he crouched beside the forlorn-looking dog. “Are you lonely, buddy? Come on. Let’s go take a walk outside.” Opening the door to the backyard, he stepped outside and inhaled the fresh scent of the roses. He was so thankful for this garden, and he knew how much Oliver enjoyed tending to the blooms. Max darted ahead of him, bounding around the yard.
He stopped on the walkway, enjoying Max’s antics. Picking up a stray branch from one of the trees, he tossed it to the dog. For a few minutes, he laughed as he threw it to Max. The dog would catch it and then dutifully bring it to him, dropping it at Caleb’s feet.
“Caleb?”
Startled, he turned and smiled. “Hi, Lettie. I didn’t hear you.” The look on her face alerted him that something wasn’t right. She held a piece of paper.
“What do you have there?”
Dear Lord, not another threat.
“I was cleaning through some more boxes upstairs, and I found something I believe you should see. I would never have opened the letter if I’d known of the personal nature of its contents. I’m not sure why no one found it before now. It was in a box from the bedroom in the Dallas house, sandwiched among some of Helena’s other personal mementos.”
He arched his brows, his curiosity piqued. “May I see the letter?”
She held out what he recognized as one of Helena’s signature notecards, and her hand shook from nerves as he took it from her.
“It was written by Helena a month before she died before she…rapidly declined.” Lettie lowered her gaze and cleared her throat. “Once I started reading, I couldn’t seem to stop, Caleb. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
“Of course, Lettie.” His smile disappeared, and his pulse raced.
“I’ll be in the kitchen if you need to talk.” Lettie turned to go.
“Thank you.” Caleb strolled into the alcove and sat heavily in one of the chairs. The only sounds were from the birds chirping and rustling through the trees, and the soothing water cascading in the waterfall.
Max bounded over to him and sat at his feet. Caleb reached for the dog and rubbed his head. Fingering the pale blue stationery, he smiled at the H embossed in silver on the front before opening the notecard. Until recently, he wouldn’t have been able to smile in looking at her notecards.
Inhaling a deep breath, he began to read.
Dearest Caleb,
This hideous disease is going to claim me soon, and with that knowledge comes a certain amount of soul-searching. I’m sorry for the way I’ve treated you at times, sorry for the hurt and pain I’ve caused you. That was never my intention. You always have been, and you will always be a wonderful man, and the best husband a woman could want. I’m honored to have been blessed by your love. Your faith is a large part of who you are, and I regret not sharing in that part of your life the way I should have for too many years, even though Jesus is my Savior, and I have the security of knowing I’ll spend eternity with Him in heaven.
A large part of me is ashamed of my childish behavior through our years together. We were both kids when we met and married. I’ve let you down, and I’ve let myself down. Please know how much I love you and our daughter. How much I’ve always loved you both. When I’m gone, I know you’ll be the best father Lauren could ever have.
When we fought that awful night, before I ran off to Paris, I said horrible, despicable things to you. Things I didn’t mean, things that were incredibly painful for you. Words you didn’t deserve. If I could take them back, I would. Please know that. I should have told you this before, but I didn’t know how to admit my shame and the horrible damage I’d done to you, and to our marriage. I’ll be forever sorry for hurting you. Even now, I can’t seem to find the courage to tell you these things in person. I am so weak.
; Caleb, nothing happened in Paris. I know you’ve wondered. I did meet a man there, and at the time, I was confused about us. I had drinks and danced with him, but I went back to my room alone, not that it makes my actions any less of a betrayal. And then you called me, and we talked, and I knew I wanted to come back home. Same thing with those nights I disappeared. You were working hard to secure our future, and my doubts led me to act irresponsibly.
With all that said, please know that—in spite of appearances, at times—I remained faithful to you always. You are the only man I have ever loved. I deeply regret making you ever doubt whether or not Lauren is your child. You are her father in every way, Caleb—flesh, blood, heart, and soul. All the proof you need is to look at her. She’s you in her physical features, but Lauren also has your fierce determination, stubbornness, intelligence, and fighting spirit. She is the best part of me and the best of who we were together. Lauren is the legacy I entrust to you.
I only wish I could have been more for you, my darling. You’re much too good a man to remain single. I pray you’ll eventually find the woman of God’s choosing who will complete you and love Lauren like her own.
With my love always,
Helena
Tears streaked down Caleb’s cheeks. The words that pierced his heart were at the end of her letter. I only wish I could have been more for you. For so long, he’d wished he could have been more for her.
Max crept closer to him. Looking up at him with those big soulful eyes, the dog rested a large paw on his knee. Through his tears, Caleb stroked one hand over his head. He did love this big old dog. A hummingbird flitted by, making him smile. Helena had always loved them.
“Oh, Helena. We were quite the dysfunctional pair, weren’t we?” Why couldn’t she have shared these things with him when they’d still had time to talk about them? Before it was too late? Their marriage had increasingly become a series of miscommunications and fights over inconsequential, trivial things. A roller coaster of emotional highs and lows. Everyone had their own decisions to make in life, and Helena had made hers in choosing not to tell him before her death. Knowing the contents of this letter five years ago, three years ago, at any point before now, would have been good.