McCallan's Blood

by Theodora Lane

  “I don’t want anything from you.” He sighed. “That’s not true. My mother wants you to come to supper Sunday afternoon. She wants to meet you and see the baby.”

  Silence. Rebecca cleared her throat. “She wants to see the baby?” Rebecca sounded as if she didn’t believe him.

  “It’s her first grandson. This is a big deal in our family.” How could he explain without going into everything and having her think he was insane?

  “I have to think about it.”

  “It would mean the world to my mom.” He licked his lips, knowing there was more he needed to say. “Also, I’d like to talk to you about Trey, and that night.”

  “You have all the facts you need to know, Mr. McCallan.” Better. Now he was Mr. McCallan.

  “Call me Jake. Please.” He wanted to hear her say his name. “It’s you who doesn’t have all the facts.”

  “What do you mean?” Now he had her interest.

  “I don’t want to talk about this over the phone. Look, can we meet? At your house, if it’s convenient?”

  “What time?”

  “What time is best for you?”

  “Be here at four. Ben should be down for a nap by then.”

  “Thank you, Rebecca.”

  Without another word, she hung up. Jake let out a huge breath and slumped back in his chair. Two hours until he saw her again.

  Picking up the orders sitting in a stack on his desk, he began to sort through them. He had plenty of work to do to keep his mind occupied until then.

  * * * *

  Jake ran his hand through his hair, took a deep breath, and knocked. Rebecca opened the door. Damn, she looked so good. Her auburn hair fell loose and soft around her shoulders. Jeans hugged her hips and a camisole top bared just enough skin to make him want to lick every inch of her he could get his hands on.

  Feeling his heart pound, he stepped inside, bracing himself. It was useless. Her scent hit him, and his loins reacted.

  She motioned to the couch and then sat in her glider. She was too far away. He needed to be next to her, touching her. Taking a deep breath, he regained his control.

  “Now, what do I need to know?” She crossed her legs. Everything about her called to him, even the sandal that dangled off her toes drove him crazy.

  “This is difficult, Rebecca, but it has to be told. You deserve the truth.” He looked at her, fighting the image of her in Trey’s arms. It was too painful. “Trey used some sort of drug that night. He put it in your drink.”

  Her eyes narrowed and she looked as if she were far away. Going over the events, he assumed. Her mouth formed a perfect O as the realization hit her. Glaring at him, her hands clutched the arms of the glider as she struggled with this new knowledge.

  “He drugged me.” Her voice was flat.

  “Yes.” Jake licked his lips and waited for her to say the words he knew were coming.

  “He drugged me.” Much stronger this time. “That bastard.”

  “Yes.” Jake sighed and hung his head, ashamed his brother had done this horrible thing, and that he had to be the one to tell her. He prayed she wouldn’t shoot the messenger.

  “I wasn’t drunk.” She ran her hand over her face and sat back.

  Jake shook his head. “No, you weren’t. It wasn’t your fault. It was all Trey.”

  She looked down into her lap. Her tongue did a slow pass over her bottom lip.

  “Where is he?” She looked up, determination shining in her eyes. “I want to see him.” Her knuckles went white under the grasp of her fingers on the arms of the chair.

  “I understand. However, typical of my brother, he’s fled. Left the country.”

  “Fled?” She looked stunned.

  “Yes. To Europe. I have no idea for how long.”

  Rebecca met his eyes and held him in her stare. “What do you want from me?”

  “To file charges against him.” Jake sighed.

  “You want me to file charges against your own brother?”

  “Yes. I spoke to a friend of mine. He’s a cop. He said he’d help you with all the forms, with as much privacy as you need. Everyone, including my mother, believes Trey should be brought to justice.”

  “What charges?” She cocked her head to the side and narrowing her eyes.

  “Well, rape for a start. Assault. I’m not sure what else Barker can dig up, but it’s a beginning.”

  “Rape.” She licked her lips and sat back. For a moment, her eyes closed. “No. Just assault.”

  “But, he drugged you. Had sex without your consent. That’s rape in anybody’s book.” Jake could barely keep his anger in check.

  “I won’t have my son finding out he was a product of a rape.”

  “What?” This came out of left field and hit Jake between the eyes. “What?”

  “Think of it. It would be public record. Benjamin would eventually find out. How would he feel?”

  “He’ll find out anyway.”

  “No, just you and I know.” She shook her head.

  “And Trey, Barker and my mom.”

  “Can they keep a secret?” She leaned forward, her green eyes pinning him in place. “Will they keep it?”

  “Yes. If you’re sure it’s what you want to do.”

  “It is. Trey is Ben’s father. However, there is no proof. His name isn’t on the birth certificate. I’ll deny it, if I have to. And I’m sure the last thing Trey wants to do is to prove he’s the father.”

  “To protect Ben.”

  “To protect Ben.” She nodded.

  “I have to respect your decision. Even if I don’t agree.” He sat back, knowing there was no point in arguing with her. Like his mother, Rebecca was determined and stubborn.

  “Tell your mother thank you for the invitation, but I can’t possibly come. It might be construed as admitting paternity.” She began to glide back and forth.

  Jake felt his stomach clench. The boy wouldn’t have the McCallan name, just the god-awful legacy. Jake’s mother wasn’t going to get the chance to see her grandson. Despite everything, Jake’s loyalty lay with Rebecca and Ben.

  “It’s going to kill my mom not being able to see him.” Jake gave it one more try.

  “I’m sorry. Really.” She stood up. The audience was over.

  Jake stood and moved to the door. “Rebecca, please think this over.”

  “Goodbye, Jake.” She held out her hand.

  As he slid his hand into hers, he knew it was a mistake. Looking into her eyes, Jake rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand, feeling the softness of her skin.

  Rebecca’s pupils went wide and dark. She didn’t jerk her hand away, but let him touch her. Her breasts rose and fell with her deep breathing.

  “Jake.” Her voice was so soft he could barely hear her.

  “Rebecca. Please.” His other hand reached for her, cupped her face.

  She rested her head against his palm and closed her eyes.

  Jake leaned in, unable to stop himself. He focused on her lush lips.

  Rebecca blinked and pulled away. “Goodbye, Jake.” Her hand dropped from his, breaking contact.

  Feeling as if he’d been socked in the gut, Jake stepped back. “Rebecca. Can I see you again?” The words were out of his mouth before he could think about it.

  For a moment, his hopes rose. Her eyes softened and the edges of her mouth began to curl in a smile. Then a curtain of sadness fell, along with his hopes.

  “That wouldn’t be a good idea.” She shook her head. “Bye.”

  The door closed, shutting Jake out again.

  * * * *

  Sitting at the head of the kitchen table, Jake took a bite of his sandwich. He’d fixed a po’boy, French bread stacked high with thick slices of rare roast beef and slathered with brown spicy mustard. A cold bottle of Abita beer stood next to his plate.

  The back door opened and his mother stepped inside.

  Jake stopped in mid-bite. “You’re back late.”

  “I was with Leon W
ong.” She took off her jacket and put it on the back of a chair. Pulling it out, she sat down next to Jake.

  “The retired physics professor?” Jake knew his mom was seeing the man, and was fine with it; his dad had been dead for ten years, at least.

  “That’s right.”

  “Nice man.” He took a swig of beer.

  “Glad you approve.” She grinned at him.

  “Mom. Anyone you pick has got to be just fine.”

  Leaning back, she looked at her son as he took another bite of the sandwich.

  “What’s the problem, Jake?”

  “I messed up with Rebecca. I told her about Trey using drugs on her. When I suggested that she file rape charges she refused. Said she didn’t want Ben to find out his father had raped her. Didn’t want him ever to know who his father was. Said she’d deny it was Trey.”

  “Really?” His mom seemed to take in that information and chew it over.

  “She won’t be coming for supper on Sunday.”

  “Well, I guess not.” She placed her hands on his arm. “I’m sorry, Jake. Don’t worry. She’ll come around. She has to. Ben needs her to and even though she doesn’t know it yet, she needs you.”

  Jake looked into his mom’s smiling face. Damn, did everyone know how he felt? Was it that obvious?

  “I can’t stop thinking about her, Mom.”

  “And if it’s anything like when I first met your dad, Rebecca can’t stop thinking about you either.” She gave his arm a squeeze. Standing, she brushed a lock of his hair from his brow. “If this is her, your lifemate, it will happen. You’ve touched. Marked each other. She’s yours, whether she admits it or not.”

  “Was it like that with you and Dad?” He knew it had been, but he loved to hear her talk about his father.

  “Your father was magnificent. So tall and steady. Confident, yet never cocky. You’re so much like him, Jake. The first time I saw him, I couldn’t keep my eyes off him. I knew right away I was meant to be with him. But he fought it. Said he was too young to settle down.” Jake saw the tenderness of the memory in her eyes.

  “But he did.”

  “He kissed me. End of story.” She shrugged.

  “I knew it too, the first time I saw her,” he said.

  “Give her time. It’s a lot to take, all at once. Her life’s been turned upside down, and her hormones are all over the place.”

  “From me?”

  “From having a baby, Jake.” She laughed.

  “Oh, right. Thanks for talking, Mom.” Jake stood and kissed her cheek. Taking his plate and empty beer bottle, he cleaned up.

  “Any time, son.” She left and went to her rooms.

  * * * *

  Rebecca was daydreaming and it was eight o’clock at night. There she was, lost in thoughts of Jake as she pushed Ben’s stroller down the sidewalk on her nightly stroll to the coffee shop. He had his big plastic keys in his tight little fist, banging it on the side of the stroller in feeble attempts to get it in his mouth.

  “How’s it going, son?” She kept a steady stream of chatter up as they went along.

  “Look at the car, Ben.”

  “Hear that. It’s a dog. Dog. Ruff ruff.”

  Ben cooed.

  “Do you want a double espresso this time, big guy?”

  The keys rattled as his fist shook them.

  “No? How about some au lait when we get home?”

  They were coming to the cross walk. She stopped and waited for the light to change. Across the two-way street, the café waited. Three tables with chairs sat on the sidewalk outside. An older couple sat at a table, a dog beside them.

  “Look, there’s a dog.” She pointed to the yellow lab stretched out on the ground between the chairs. “Dogs go ruff, ruff. Or bow wow.” She giggled.

  The light changed and pushing the stroller, she stepped off the curb.

  Halfway down the block, a dark pickup with no lights on pulled out of a parking spot.

  “Look out!” The man at the table shouted at her.

  Rebecca’s head turned. A black shape, a blur, headed towards her and the baby. For a second, she froze. Then she bolted forward, pushing the stroller ahead of her trying to save Ben.

  She stumbled, let go of the stroller and dove forward. The truck sped past, just missing her. The roar of the engine rumbled in her chest as a rush of wind and the smell of hot exhaust fumes hit her.

  “Ben!”

  Climbing to her knees, she brushed her hair out of her face and looked for the stroller. It rested against the far curb and the woman from the table leaned over it.

  The man rushed to her. “Are you all right?”

  “How’s my baby?” She sat back on her heels and pushed her hair out of her face.

  “He’s fine, honey.” Welcome reassurance and a warm smile from the woman.

  “Take it easy, missy.” The older gentleman helped her to stand. “Your knees are skinned up pretty badly.”

  Rebecca limped to the sidewalk and inspected Ben. He seemed just fine. The keys were still tight in his grasp. However, her hands burned. She looked down at them. Angry red scrapes on her palms throbbed and both her knees were bloody.

  Touching her chin, she wiped away blood.

  “What a mess,” she muttered.

  The woman held up a cell phone. “I’m calling the cops, honey. That driver nearly killed you. I’ll just bet he’s drunk as a skunk.” She shook her head.

  “Come sit down, missy.” The man led her to the table and pulled out a chair.

  One of the baristas came out. “I saw what happened from the window. Can I get you anything?”

  “Maybe just some water, please.” Shaking, Rebecca sank into the chair.

  In the near distance, she heard the siren of the police car. Flashing blue and red lights cut the night. The cop car pulled up and double-parked in front of the café.

  “Are you all right, miss?” The officer was out of the vehicle and at her side in a few long strides.

  “We saw it all, Sergeant,” the older man said. “The pickup pulled out, hell bent, and almost ran her and the baby over.”

  The cop turned to Rebecca, took out his notebook, and held his pen ready. “Let me take some information from you. What’s your name?”

  “Rebecca Miller.”

  The cop stared at her as if she’d grown an extra head. He swallowed and then wrote her name down. “Excuse me, miss. I need to make a call.”

  Rebecca watched as he stepped to the side of his car, pulled out his cell phone and punched in some numbers, then waited as the number rang.

  * * * *

  Jake tried to keep from speeding, but the needle on the speedometer kept inching up. As he hit town, he dropped down to thirty-five. He was sure he could have shifted to wolf form and run faster to her than drive the truck at this slow speed. Not a good idea.

  Telling himself to calm down, Barker had things under control, he eased his foot off the pedal. The corner was coming up. He saw the cruiser parked in the street. No ambulance.

  Thank you, God.

  Jake let out a deep breath, pulled into a space and parked. He got out and trotted over to the corner. There was a small crowd of people standing outside the café.

  Spotting Barker’s cap above the crowd, he gave a soft whistle. Barker’s head swung up, he spotted him, and mouthed, “She’s all right.” Jake’s heart, pumping with adrenaline, slowed down only a little.

  Pushing through the crowd, he stood at the edge of the circle. Rebecca held the baby in her arms. At first glance, they both looked good. Then Jake noticed her torn pants, bloody knees, and the scrape on her chin.

  Rage seethed in him at who had done this and at himself. He should have been here. He should have protected her. Somehow. It was insane, he knew it, but it was how he felt.

  Rebecca looked up and their gazes met. For a moment, he froze, unsure whether to go to her or stay back.

  She bit her trembling lip.

  “Jake.” The need in h
er voice propelled him forward.

  She stepped into his arms as he engulfed her and the baby. Jake rested his chin on her head as she wrapped one arm around his body. The baby lay nestled between them.

  “Rebecca, baby. I should have been here.” He was still kicking himself for not protecting her. She was his mate and he’d failed her.

  “It was just an accident. I’m all right. Just a little scraped up. And Ben’s perfectly fine. See?” She leaned away from his body and lifted her son up for him to see.

  The child looked up at him. Jake got a glimpse of soft brown wisps of hair, deep blue eyes, and rosy cheeks, before she pulled the baby back to her chest.

  “He looks like an angel.” Jake couldn’t hide the awe in his voice. “He’s so beautiful.” He wanted to see more of the child, wanted to hold him, but Rebecca snuggled back into Jake’s embrace, sighed, and then stepped away. Jake felt the distance between them yawn as cold and empty as a canyon. All he wanted was her back in his arms, giving warmth to his life.

  “How did you know about the accident?”

  Jake jerked his head at Barker. The big cop stepped up.

  “This is Barker Sims. My best friend. We’ve known each other since junior high.” Jake gave Barker a grateful smile.

  “When I heard your name, I knew I had to report in to the boss.” Barker laughed.

  “You’re the cop at the station Jake wanted me to talk to, right?”

  “That’s right. I’m still available, whenever you’re ready.”

  “Thanks. I’m still thinking about it.” She turned to Jake. “You really do run this town, huh?”

  “No, it’s not like that. Not at all. Barker was just being a friend. He knows how I…” Jake stopped. “That I’d want to know about this.”

  “I want to go home now. I need to clean up and get the baby down for the night,” Rebecca said.

  “I’ll walk you home, or do you want me to drive you in my truck?” Jake pointed down the street.

  “You don’t have a car seat. I’ll walk. It’s just around the corner and down the block. Is there anything else you need from me, Officer?” She turned back to Barker.

  “No. And call me Barker. You’re family.” He grinned.

  She looked from man to man and then sighed. “I just want to go home.”

  “Right. I’ll call you later, Barker.” Jake gave him a look that said, “Count on it.”