Arrested Romance (Oak Spring Series Book 2)

by Sherri McDuffie

  “What about you? Why don’t you stay away from them?”

  Virgil started to say something when the teacher walked up. “Do you two have any questions about the assignment?” They both shook their heads. “Okay, let me know if you do.” She moved to the next pair of students.

  Austin looked at Virgil. He was busy working, chewing on his lip in concentration. He also began writing, leaving the discussion until later.

  When the bell rang, everyone packed their bags and started out of the room. Austin walked out next to Virgil. “Do you want to sit with Page and me at lunch today?”

  Virgil shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess. Do you think they’ll mind?”

  “No way, they’re cool.”

  Page was waiting beside the lunchroom door. She smiled when she saw them and said, “Hi, Virgil. Hi, Austin.”

  The boy next to Austin blushed. “Hi, Page.”

  “I invited Virg to sit with us today. Is that okay?” Austin asked.

  “Sure, there’s plenty of room.”

  They were in line when Frankie walked up behind Virgil. “Are you ready? Let’s go sit down.”

  “Virgil is going to sit with me today,” Austin said. “We’re working on a project together in Ms. Jansky’s class, and we need to talk about it.” He nudged his new friend and said, “Keep going.”

  Page poked Austin. “Come on, guys. Move it. I’m starving.” The three of them inched forward to get their drinks.

  Frankie leaned closer to Virgil. Austin heard him say, “We’ve got some talking to do, too. I’ll see you later.” He grabbed two cartons of milk and walked away.

  Page and the boys sat down. Austin noticed that no one seemed surprised that Virgil had joined them. He was included in the conversations and treated like he always ate lunch at their table. He also noticed that Virgil took one of his three hotdogs, wrapped it in a napkin, and slipped it in his pocket.

  Chapter 18

  Pete stood on the side of the road while he filled out an accident report. A large blue and white wrecker pulled up behind the patrol car. He waved at Derik and watched him climb out of the truck.

  “Hey, what do we have?”

  “Pickup versus tree.” Pete nodded to where several firemen were preparing to cut the door off the truck. “The tree won.”

  “How bad is it?”

  “The driver looks pretty serious. Passenger is awake and talking.” He shook his head. “A couple of kids and a cab full of beer cans.” The roar of the machine filled the air.

  The men leaned against the front of the cruiser. Pete continued working on the report while Derik folded his arms across his chest and watched the workers. After a few minutes of listening to the grind of metal and motors, Derik said, “So, how are things? You and Mikki okay?”

  Pete kept writing. “Yeah, I’ve been busy with Austin, and she and I both worked this weekend, so we haven’t seen each other much.”

  “You worked all weekend?”

  “Not all weekend. I was supposed to work Saturday, but one of my deputies needed to switch at the last minute. I spent the day running errands. What did you guys do?”

  Derik ignored the question. “So, you and Mikki didn’t do anything this weekend at all?”

  Pete kept writing. “Not since Friday before she went to work. Why?”

  Derik shoved a pebble around with his toe.

  Pete looked at his friend. “What’s up?”

  “Mikki and Kelly saw you Saturday, on a motorcycle.”

  “They did?”

  “Yes, Kelly said you were with a pretty woman.” He cleared his throat. “Mikki told her she was an old girlfriend.”

  Pete’s head fell back, and he closed his eyes. “Shit.”

  “I told her you would probably be able to explain everything.” When Pete didn’t respond, Derik kicked a clod of dirt. “So, who is she?”

  “Julie Tanner. She’s Austin’s tutor, and she isn’t my old girlfriend. It’s not what you think. She was my best friend’s girl in high school. We double dated a lot, but I swear there wasn’t anything between us, other than good friends.” He flipped the page and began writing again.

  Derik cleared his throat. “I’m not going to ask what you two were doing together, but you better think of some way to fix things because, according to Kelly, Mikki is pretty upset.” His toe nudged a stick. “Kelly isn’t real happy with you either. She keeps asking me what I know about all of this. And I’ll tell you right now, when my wife’s not happy, no one is happy.” He pushed away from the car and went to his truck.

  “Damn!” Pete said under his breath before he kicked a rock. He pulled out his phone and hit the speed dial button for Mikki. Her voicemail answered, and he hung up.

  After the accident victims were loaded into the ambulance, Derik maneuvered the tow truck around the cruiser. He attached the wrecked vehicle and left the scene without another word with his friend.

  Once the site was cleared, Pete returned to his office and spent the rest of his shift filling out paperwork and typing reports. He tried to call Mikki twice, but it went to voicemail both times.

  Chapter 19

  Mikki yawned and walked into the living room. She rubbed her eyes and picked up her cell phone from the end table. Pete had left several messages and two texts. She started to toss it on the couch when it rang. The number on the screen wasn’t familiar.

  “Hello.”

  A dry cough filled her ear, followed by two sneezes. “Mikki?”

  “Deanna, is that you?”

  Deanna was Mikki’s friend and coworker. After another cough, she said, “Yes, it’s me, or what’s left of me. I’ve already coughed up one lung and sneezed out my spleen.” She coughed again.

  “You sound awful.”

  “Good, that means I’m still alive. Listen, I know you just worked this past weekend, but is there any way you can take my three-to-seven today?” She coughed again.

  “Sure. I went to bed as soon as I got home this morning, and I just woke up. I’m rested and wide awake. Do you want me to bring you some chicken soup or aspirin before I go in?”

  “No, thanks. Travis went to the drug store this morning and bought every brand of cough medicine they had.” She sneezed and said, “Thanks, Mikki. You’re the best.”

  “No problem. You take care and call if you need anything. I’ll check on you later.” She hung up and started preparing for work. When she stepped out of the shower, there were two new voice messages from Pete. She deleted both without listening.

  Before she left the house, she sent Pete a text that read, “Working. Can’t get Austin today, u pick him up.”

  An hour after she arrived at the hospital, Pete sent her a text that read, “I’ll get Austin. We need to talk. It’s not what u think. Come over after work.”

  She waited until her break before answering with “Not today.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Pete was on patrol when he received Mikki’s last message. After reading it, he ran his fingers through his hair and puffed out his cheeks. He drove around the city and went on two calls. He was heading toward the school when his radio crackled. The dispatcher told him there was a 9-1-1 call on the other side of the county. Pete turned his car around and headed in the opposite direction. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed Julie Tanner. When she answered, he said, “Julie, this is Pete. I have a little emergency. Mikki is working and can’t pick up Austin from school. I was on my way to get him, but a call just came in from across town.”

  “Do you want me to watch him until you get home?”

  “Could you? He has a key to the house, so you can hang out at my place.”

  “He can stay here at the school with me until I finish my tutoring jobs, then I’ll take him home. I’ll work with hi
m on his math a little more. He needs it. You just take care of business and don’t worry about us.”

  “Thanks, Julie. I owe you.” Pete notified the office that Austin would be staying with Ms. Tanner after school. Once that was done, he pushed on the accelerator.

  Chapter 20

  When the bell rang, Austin walked Page to her mother’s car then found Julie in the library already working with a student. She acknowledged him with a smile, then went back to her student.

  Austin pulled out a chair at another table and started on his homework. He was concentrating on labeling a map when Julie said, “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yeah, where’s Mikki?”

  “Pete said she had to work, and he is on a call. Sorry, looks like you’re stuck with me. We’ll go to your house and start working on those algebraic equations.”

  ~ ~ ~

  They were working at the kitchen table when Austin’s stomach rumbled. “I’m starving. I’m going to get something to eat.”

  Julie glanced at her watch. “I had no idea it was this late. I bet you are hungry.” She looked around. “What were you guys going to do for dinner tonight?”

  Austin shrugged. “I don’t know, and I don’t care. I could eat a horse.”

  Julie walked to a bowl of fruit and tossed him an apple. “Tell you what, you munch on that, and I’ll find something to whip together. That way you guys can eat as soon as Pete gets home.” Austin ate the apple while Julie searched the refrigerator and cabinets.

  An hour later, Austin was setting the table when Pete walked into the kitchen. “What’s all this?”

  “Hi, Uncle Pete. Mrs. Tanner is making dinner for us. It smells great, doesn’t it?”

  Pete sniffed the air. “It sure does.” He stopped beside the woman standing at his stove. “Julie, I didn’t mean for you to do this.”

  She put the lid on a pot. “I know. I really don’t mind. I love to cook, but since Lonnie died, I don’t get to do it very often. It’s hard to cook for just one.” She peeked in the oven and said, “I hope you don’t mind.”

  “We don’t mind. Do we, Uncle Pete?”

  Pete looked in the pot on the stove and said, “No, not at all. What are we having?”

  “Stuffed pork chops, green beans almandine, and baked potatoes. Is that okay?”

  “Oh, yeah,” said Austin.

  Pete nodded. “I agree. It sounds great.” He glanced at the table. “Aren’t you going to eat with us?”

  “No, that’s okay. I’ll dip this up and get out of your way.”

  “I won’t hear of it. It looks like there’s plenty. You can’t fix a meal like this and just leave. You have to join us. I insist.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure. It beats eating a TV dinner alone.”

  “Austin, get Mrs. Tanner a plate. I’ll get the drinks.”

  “What about Mikki? Do you want me to get a plate for her, too?”

  “No. Mikki said she won’t be coming by tonight.”

  The three talked while they ate. When Julie finished, she took a sip of tea and wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Austin, are you going to the junior high jamboree?”

  He chased a green bean across his plate. “Probably not. I don’t really know how to dance.”

  “Oh, that’s a shame. Pete, do you remember our junior year, when Russell and I won that little trophy at the spring prom?”

  “Yes, you guys were pretty good, but I still say we would have won if my date hadn’t snuck out back with Nerdy Norris Klienman.” He took a sip of his drink and said, “Hey, why don’t you teach the boy a few of the basic moves.”

  “Okay. Come on, Austin. I’ll show you the box step. It’s easy and makes you look like you know what you’re doing.”

  Austin moaned when she stood and held out her hand. “Oh, man. Do I have to?”

  “Yes, you do. The girls love a boy who can dance. Trust me. You will thank me for this one day,” Pete said.

  Julie instructed Austin where to place his hands and how to move to the count. After he stepped on her feet for the third time, she said, “I’m sorry, Austin. It’s not your fault. It’s just hard to teach the man how to lead when I’m used to following.”

  “Here, maybe I can help. Watch me, Austin.”

  The teen stepped back as Pete stood and took Julie in his arms.

  The adults began to dance, while Julie counted the steps. After a moment, Pete stopped and said, “Hang on. This would be a lot easier with music. Austin, hand me your phone.” A few minutes later the room was filled with music.

  “You call that music?” Austin chided.

  Julie stepped into Pete’s arms. “I haven’t heard this song in forever.”

  “Can people dance to that?” Austin said.

  “Watch and learn.” Pete glided around the kitchen floor with Julie. “Now, if you really want to impress the lady, you can always add a little pizzazz, like this.” Pete twirled Julie in a circle, then bent her over his arm.

  They were looking at each other and laughing when Austin said, “Hi, Mikki.”

  Chapter 21

  Pete looked up and saw Mikki standing in the kitchen doorway. Their eyes met for a frozen moment before she turned and walked away.

  “Mikki, wait.” He helped Julie stand as he heard the front door slam.

  Julie said, “Do you think––”

  The sound of Mikki’s tires squealing on the pavement filled the air.

  Pete rubbed the back of his neck and said, “Yeah, I do.”

  “Pete, I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t worry. She’ll be okay. I’ll explain everything to her.” He began to carry plates to the sink. “I just hope she’ll listen,” he said under his breath.

  Julie stacked the dirty dishes. “I’ll clean things up and get out of your way. I really am sorry, Pete.” She loaded the dishwasher while Austin wiped the table. No one spoke.

  After Julie left and Austin went to his room, Pete called Mikki. When her voicemail answered, he said, “Mikki, answer the phone. What you saw wasn’t what you think you saw. I mean, it’s not what it looked like. Come on, honey, please answer the phone.” When she didn’t, he hung up and put the phone in his pocket.

  After pacing the kitchen a few times, Pete called Derik. “I was wondering if you guys could watch Austin for a while tonight. I need to talk to Mikki.”

  “Is this about her seeing you and your old girlfriend on the bike?”

  “Yes. No. I told you, she isn’t my old girlfriend. Mikki dropped in tonight and saw Julie here.”

  “Julie is Austin’s tutor. Didn’t Mikki know that?”

  “Yes, but she wasn’t exactly tutoring when Mikki walked in.”

  “Do I want to know what she was doing?”

  Pete cleared his throat and began pacing again. “Julie had brought Austin home from school because Mikki and I were both working. She did tutor him for a while, but she knew I was on a call. She fixed dinner for us, and I invited her to stay and eat. Mikki walked in and saw us trying to teach Austin a few dance steps. I think she got the wrong impression . . . again.”

  “Mikki saw you and Julie dancing?”

  “Yeah, but we weren’t really dancing. We were just trying to show Austin the box step.”

  “Man, you are so screwed.”

  “Yeah, tell me about it. So, can you watch Austin for a few minutes while I go over and try to talk to her?”

  “I tell you what. It sounds like this may take some time. Why don’t you have him bring his books and clothes? He can spend the night and ride the bus with the boys in the morning.”

  “Are you sure? Thanks, man. We’ll be over in a few minutes.”

  Chapter 22

  Mikki was flipping through channels when she
heard someone knocking. She grabbed a potato chip and opened the door.

  Pete stood on the porch, rocking up and down on the balls of his feet, his hands in his pockets. He offered a weak smile. Mikki clenched her teeth.

  “I think you have the wrong impression about a few things. Can we talk?”

  “No.” She started to close the door, and he caught it with his hand.

  “Okay, then I’ll talk, and you can listen.” He walked in and shut the door behind him.

  Mikki sat on the couch and propped her feet on the coffee table. She picked up the bag of chips beside her and stuffed one in her mouth then began to surf the channels again.

  “Mikki, please let me explain.”

  She ate another chip and turned up the volume.

  “Oh, come on,” he said before taking the remote and turning off the TV.

  She sighed. “What do you want, Pete? Why are you here?”

  “You, I want you.”

  She looked at him for a moment then put another chip in her mouth.

  “I know you saw me on a motorcycle with Julie. It wasn’t what you think.”

  “How do you know what I think?” She thumbed through a magazine.

  “I can tell by the way you’ve been avoiding my calls, and because you’re eating junk food. You only eat junk food when you’re upset.”

  She tossed the magazine beside the chip bag.

  “First of all, Julie was Russell’s girlfriend, not mine. He was my best friend in high school. She and I were friends. That’s it. We all hung out and double dated, but she and I were never together. She isn’t my type. After we graduated, they broke up, and I haven’t heard from her, or about her, since. I didn’t even know she had married, or lost her husband, until she contacted me about tutoring Austin.”

  Mikki studied him for several minutes. “What is your type, Sheriff?”