Out of Focus

by Nancy Naigle

  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 right: 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.”

&nb
sp; 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 don’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.”

  “Wh—You’re kidding!”

  Her excitement rose again. “No. I can’t believe it. Someone called the police department there. They’ve seen Jake.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “The police have reviewed the tapes. The likeness is enough that they’ve called to have me confirm. They’re investigating. Jeremy, this could be it. Jake could be coming home.”

  “What else do they know?”

  “I’m not sure yet. Von and Riley are picking me up and we’re headed down there.”

  “I would’ve taken you,” he said. “You’re not mad at me for stopping by yesterday, are you?”

  “No. No. That’s not it. I’d have gone by myself, but Von insisted. It’s killing me, sitting here waiting on them. I could’ve been there by the time they get here.”

  “What can I do? I can come now if you want.”

  “No. Just give Grem my message. You can toss any prayers you’ve got stacked up around there my way, too. Do you know what it would mean to....” Kasey tried to hold back her emotions, but they were like an undertow—sweeping her off her feet and tugging her under.

  “I know,” Jeremy said. “I know how much you love Jake. Good luck, and keep me posted.”

  Kasey dialed Scott next and asked for a rain date on the fishing trip. Then she called Cody.

  “It worked,” she said after he answered the phone. “It really worked, Cody.”

  “What? Jake?”

  “Yes!”

  “They’ve found him?”

  “Not yet, but a man came forward. He saw the picture of Jake at your concert in Raleigh and couldn’t get it out of his head. His daughter went to your concert down in Louisiana and mentioned it to her dad. When he told her he’d seen a child that looked like Jake, his daughter made him go to the police. Oh, Cody. This could be it.”

  “I hope so. What can I do to help?”

  “Nothing, but I’ll let you know if that changes,” she said. “I can’t thank you enough.”

  “Stop that. No thank you is needed. Let’s just hope this brings the little guy home. I’m prayin’ for you, girl.”

  “Von and Riley are on their way. They should be here shortly. We’re heading to Raleigh.”

  “Will you call me tomorrow to let me know how it goes? Or as soon as you know? Or text me. I’ll be dying, wondering what’s going on.”

  “Absolutely. Thank you again. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

  “Take care. I’ll be waiting to hear.”

  Just as Kasey hung up, she heard a car door.

  “Man, they got here fast.” She picked up her bag, ran to the door, swung it open and stepped forward.

  Scott stood in the doorway.

  “Scott?” She stepped back. “I thought you were Riley and Von.”

  “I don’t think they could get here that fast.”

  He pulled Kasey into his arms. She relaxed into his warm hug.

  “I figured it would be the longest wait ever. I thought you might need a friend.”

  “You’re right. It feels crazy sitting here waiting when I could be halfway to Raleigh by now.”

  “You know these things take time, right?”

  She stepped back from him. “Time? I’ve been waiting since last August, trying to find Jake. I know what time is. It’s torture. I’ve waited so long.”

  “I know, but these leads aren’t always a beeline to the suspect.”

  She nodded and took a breath. “I know, but if that’s him on the tape and he’s alive...and....”

  He pulled her back into his arms and held her. “What time did they call?”

  “I’m not even sure. Not long before I called you.”

  He picked up the handset of her phone and searched back through the list of last calls. “Looks like he called an hour ago. You’ve still got a good thirty-minute wait.”

  Flopping into a nearby chair, she felt like an impatient six-year-old.

  “Do you mind?” Scott gestured toward the kitchen.

  “No. There’s not much in there. Make yourself at home.”

  Scott disappeared into the kitchen. The microwave beeped as he punched the buttons. He came back into the room carrying a mug of tea for her.

  “Nothing for you?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “No. The tea is decaf. It said ‘soothing’ on the tin. Hope it helps.”

  That was thoughtful.

  She lifted the mug to her lips, took a sip, then set it on the side table.

  Scott sat on the arm of the chair. “Turn your back to me.”

  She did. He placed his hands on either side of her neck, and massaged her shoulders. “That feels so good.”

  “Your neck is in knots. Close your eyes. Relax into my hands.”

  Her body went warm as he pushed into her muscles, kneading at the tension in her neck and upper back. He placed his hands on her neckline, then over her ears, massaging her head with his fingers.

  A tear ran down her cheek. “You never told me you were a massage guru,” Kasey said, as she rested in Scott’s hands, her tension seeping away.

  “Holding out on you.” His hands soothed the stress in her weary mu
scles.

  “I like it.”

  Once Kasey relaxed the time seemed to pass more quickly. But her nerves twisted again when she heard Von and Riley pull into the driveway and honk the horn.

  “This is it.” Kasey clenched her fists and let out a deep breath.

  “Don’t forget your new neighbors and friends,” Scott said. “We’re here for you, no matter what you need. We want to help. Don’t be shy about asking.” He kissed her forehead.

  “I knew I did the right thing moving here. Thank you for coming over.”

  “I’ll lock up. Go.” Scott urged her toward the door.

  “Thanks.” She kissed him on the cheek and ran outside, leaving the door wide open behind her. She jumped into the back of the SUV, hugged Riley, and waved to Scott as they drove off.

  The ride to the police station in North Carolina was painfully slow.

  When Von finally took the exit from I-85, Kasey’s stomach began to spin. “I might be sick.”

  Riley hugged her close. “It’s okay. You’re going to be fine.”

  After speeding down the interstate, it felt as if they were slowly coasting along the town roads. Von braked after a few miles and turned in front of a small brick building.

  Kasey sat forward. “There’s no way this is the Raleigh police station.”

  Von looked over his shoulder and released his seatbelt. “We’re in Leighsboro. Just outside of Raleigh. The guy saw the alert at the Raleigh concert, but he saw Jake here in his hometown.”

  Kasey looked doubtful, then it struck her.

  Lala had tied her answer to an ‘L’, a Lee to be more specific, could this be the answer? Finally? She’d owe Lala an apology if Jake was here.

  “My house is bigger than this police station,” she said as they walked to the front entrance.

  Von opened the door and held it for them. “Size isn’t everything.”

  “I’m not responding to that.” Kasey shared a nervous laugh with Riley.

  “I will.” Riley reached up and patted Von's cheek. “Honey, you have nothing to worry about.”

  They stepped inside and lined up in front of a row of four desks.

  Von asked the officer at the first desk to see the police chief.