by Sable Hunter
“Be careful. Just go there and back. And call your friend, the nurse, so she’ll be looking for you.” Since the incident with the cross and the graphic graffiti, he worried about her.
“All right. I’ll do that.” She picked up her purse from where it was hanging on the back of a chair.
Derek stopped painting, turning to look at her. She looked so pretty in a soft red dress with a short bolero jacket. “Do you want me to go with you?”
Yes! “Oh, no. I’ll be fine. You don’t want to go hang out at the nursing home. The excitement level is pretty low there.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yea, I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay. I brought a couple of steaks to grill. How’s that sound?”
She beamed at him. “Wonderful.” Shae went to Derek and gave him a kiss. “Thanks.”
“Be careful,” he called as she walked to the door. When she waved at him, he felt his chest grow tight. “I’ll be waiting.”
Once she was gone, he dipped his paint brush in the varnish and made a few more swipes before his phone rang. Laying his brush across the top of the can, Derek pulled his phone from his pocket. When he saw his lawyer’s name, he hit the Answer button. “Zane?”
“Yea, Derek, I’ve got Rylen here.”
Derek felt his blood pressure skyrocket. “Is June okay?”
“Oh, yea. She’s fine. Her mother’s fine. We’re still watching them, we’ve picked up some odd information, but nothing for you to worry about at the moment. We’re still sorting it out, trying to see if there’s something there we can use in your behalf.”
“So…what’s up?” Derek felt an odd twisting feeling in his gut.
“Let me let you talk to Rylen, he has some news for you.”
“Okay.” Derek waited, his heart thudding in his chest.
“Derek, this is Ry. Uh, I’m just gonna lay it out for you. We’ve got Provo’s phone bugged and one of the things we’ve learned is that they’re putting a tail on you.”
“Someone’s following me?” He jumped up from where he was squatting and walked to the window, staring out into the yard. “Are you sure?”
“Yea, they’re planning on building a case to have you declared unfit.” There was some whispering and Zane came back on the line.
“Unfit? Really, Zane?” Derek felt like throwing up.
“Yea, I agree. I’d tell you not to worry about it, but we need to cover all your bases. As bad as I hate to say this, especially knowing the circumstances, but I think you need to distance yourself from Shae. At least for now.”
“Wait…I don’t understand. What exactly are they doing?”
“Rylen overheard Provo receiving a report from someone who is headed to Longleaf. This individual is gathering information on you for the custody case.”
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” He raked his hand through his hair. “If they start talking to people…”
“Right. Like I said, put some space in between you. There might be rumors of you being seen with her, but as long as they aren’t able to get any video or photographic evidence, we might be able to counter whatever they come up with.”
“All right.” What else could he do? “I don’t have a choice. Right?”
“Not if you want custody of your little girl. I think we have a good chance of turning the tables on them, but I don’t want you to take any risks. I know this is too important.”
“Fine.” Remembering Shae’s smile when she left and his promise to wait on her, Derek felt like shit. “I…I’ll deal with it.”
“Look, tell her the truth. I’m sure she’ll understand.”
“Yea.” Derek ended the call, bowing his head against the weight of remorse settling on his shoulder. “She’ll understand.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
“I’m home!” Shae bounded in, petting her puppy as he ran to meet her. She was in such a good mood. “I brought ice cream!” Things had gone so well at the nursing home, she’d stopped to buy them a treat on the way home. “Coretta was so glad to see me. It was almost like old times. I think she’ll be able to move in with me as soon as you…finish.” When she moved into the kitchen, Shae saw all of Derek’s tools were gone. The work wasn’t completed, of course – but everything was put away and straightened. Even more confusing, Derek was standing by the counter with his duffle bag in his hand. “What’s wrong? Are you leaving?”
Derek felt like there was a big rock where his stomach used to be. “Yea, I’ve got to go.”
“Oh?” She placed the bag from Dairy Queen on the kitchen table. “Is something wrong?”
He pressed his lips together and bowed his head. “Blair has hired someone to follow me. He’s gathering info to have me declared unfit.”
“What? You’re a great dad! What could they possibly…” Even as she spoke, the truth dawned on her. “Oh. Me.”
“I’m sorry.” Derek didn’t know what else to say. “I don’t want to do this, but I don’t have a choice.”
“No, I understand. So, you won’t sleep over…”
“I won’t be back.”
“Won’t be back?” she repeated, sounding lost. “At all? Ever?”
Closing his eyes, he swallowed. “No, I have to put June first. I need to win this custody battle.”
“Oh, yes, of course you do.” She backed away from him, giving Derek a wide berth.
“You’ll find someone else to do the work.”
“Yea, sure.” She knew he knew how unlikely that possibility was. “Somebody else.” Shae didn’t want anyone else. She wanted him. And she wasn’t talking about the renovation work. “So, this is…”
“Goodbye. Yea.” Derek moved toward the door. He had to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. The urge to throw everything down and take her in his arms was overwhelming. “Take care, Shae.”
Seeing him head out the door sent Shae running in behind him. “Wait. I have money for you.”
Derek stopped. He hated to take it from her, but he was going to need it.
“Let me get my purse.” She stepped away quickly, returning with a wad of cash in her hand. “Here you go. I hope you get June back.”
He took the money from her and crammed it into his pocket. “Thanks.”
“So, good luck. And be safe.” Tears were streaming down Shae’s cheek. “Thank you for everything. I enjoyed you so much.”
He looked back once and raised his hand. “Take care. And lock the door.”
“I will.” She wasn’t worried about her safety. Shae waited until he got in the truck and closed the door, then she cried out as loudly as she could, “I love you!”
He looked around, but she had no idea whether he’d heard her or not. She leaned her head against the screen door as her heart broke into a million pieces.
…Over the next few weeks, Shae languished in her sorrow. She didn’t leave the house, except to briefly check on her grandmother. She didn’t eat. Didn’t sleep. Didn’t write. All she could do was remember every moment she’d spent with Derek and wish there were more to come.
As she lay staring at the ceiling, holding Mojo, the ringing of her phone caused Shae to almost levitate off the couch. Who could that be? She didn’t get phone calls. Worry for Coretta crossed her mind as she set the dog on the floor and hurried to find her cell. It also crossed her mind it could be Derek, but she knew that was probably wishful thinking.
Hurrying to her bedroom, she could hear it buzzing, but it took a few seconds of shuffling things around to find the small phone on her dresser. Glancing down at the read out, Shae was stunned to see Cathy’s name.
“Hello?”
“Shae.”
“Cathy, how are you?” Despite everything, Shae was glad to hear her friend’s voice.
“I need to come over. Can I?”
The request floored Shae. “Uh, of course. Yes.”
“Okay, I’ll be right there.”
Shae held the phone, standing still for the longest while she processe
d the idea of seeing her best friend once more.
Woof! Woof!
Hearing Mojo bark broke her reverie and she returned to the living room. “What is it, boy?” She moved hesitantly to the window. There’d been no more trouble since the cross burning. The police chief had promised Derek that a cop car would make a regular pass by her house to keep an eye on things. When she glanced outside, Shae was surprised to see Cathy climbing from her car. With a smile, she opened the door. “That was quick.”
Cathy looked sheepish. “I was just down the street when I called.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” Shae said as they stared at one another. “Come here.”
With a grin, Cathy accepted the hug. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too.” She stepped back and gestured for her friend to come further into the room. “Please sit down. I’ll make us some coffee.”
“Hey, boy.” Cathy took a moment to speak to the dachshund, who seemed thrilled to meet her. After taking a seat, she glanced around. “Oh, things look nice. Mr. Alden is doing a great job!”
Mention of Derek’s name caused Shae to drop the canister of coffee. Thankfully, the top didn’t come off or she would’ve spilled the contents all over the floor. “Yes, he did.”
“Did?” She glanced around. “He’s still working here. Right? I mean you two are seeing one another.”
“How did you know?” Shae asked.
Cathy waved her hand. “Everybody knows. Girl, you’re the local celebrity. Everything you do is hashed and rehashed by everyone in town.”
“Good grief.”
“Like it or not, you’re famous. Word has spread beyond Longleaf. I saw a notice on Facebook about a book club meeting in Jasper and they’re reviewing your books.”
“I think infamous might be a better word.” Shae filled the coffeepot with water. “Derek quit and we aren’t seeing one another any longer.”
“Oh, no! Why?”
“It’s complicated.” No, it wasn’t. “He’s trying to win custody of his daughter and I’m…a distraction he doesn’t need.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Cathy sounded genuinely remorseful.
“Thanks.” After plugging in the old-fashioned drip pot, she came to sit by her friend. “So, how have you been?”
“Fine.” Cathy’s face dropped. “Actually, not so good.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Well, I missed you for starters.”
“Oh, thank you.” Shae felt like she might cry.
“You’re welcome.” Cathy gave her a tremulous smile. “And I’ve been watching your progress. Reading your reviews on Amazon. You’re doing well.”
“I’m doing good on that front. I can’t complain.” Her personal life wasn’t quite as successful. “Coretta is doing well also. She’s forgiven me.”
“I’m so glad.” Cathy played with the salt and pepper shakers. “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but they’ve announced a wave of layoffs at the plant. Lynn lost his job.”
“Oh, no! I’m so sorry.”
“Yea, he was pretty shocked. The timing was unexpected. They’d just started plans for Longleaf Day. In addition to their regular duties, Lynn and his crew were asked to build some deer stands to raffle off for their queen candidate.”
Shae understood. “I’d forgotten Longleaf Day was coming up.” The town and the mill sponsored the event every other year to raise money for civic causes and scholarships. There was a parade with floats, the area high school bands all came to march, and a big BBQ was held for the whole town and surrounding area to celebrate the crowning of a new Miss Longleaf. Leading up to the festival, there were fundraisers galore, everything from bingos to Miss Cow Patty, where a grid was painted on the football field and everyone bought chances on squares, trying to guess where a cow would poop. “I don’t even know who the queen candidates are this year.” Usually, she was super involved, just like everyone else in town. “What will you do?”
Cathy shook her head. “Move. Find other work. What else can we do?”
Remembering the day Jo Powers mentioned Cathy, she had to ask. “Did Jo ever contact you?”
“No. Why?”
Shae shook her head. “She asked about you one day. Did Lynn ever turn his resume in to that address she told you about?”
“Not yet. This just happened. We’ve got to get started looking, though. Knox gave the men they laid off only three month’s severance pay, that’s all.”
“I’m so sorry,” Shae reiterated again. “I guess this is just the first step to closing the mill.”
“I think so,” Cathy said sadly.
“I hate it so much,” Shae muttered. “This town will die.”
“Yea, and there aren’t any jobs around. The timber industry is facing hard times.”
Shae had strong opinions on the matter, but she never wished such hardship on people she’d known all her life. “Yea, the church won’t survive. The stores will close. Longleaf will become a ghost town.”
Cathy laughed sadly. “If I were you, the way you’ve been treated, I’d celebrate.”
Shae shook her head. “No, this is my hometown.”
“You’re a bigger person than I am, Shae St. John.” Cathy pointed at the coffee pot. “I think our brew is ready, the red light came on.”
Shae jumped up. “Good. I’ll pour us a cup.” She wanted to ask the real reason for Cathy’s visit. “I’m glad you came today, I just hate it was under these circumstances.” An idea popped into her head as she was placing the cups on the table where they were sitting. “Do you need money? I have some extra. The books have been selling well.”
“No.” Cathy spooned sugar and creamer into her coffee and began to stir. “You give me money every month for the books I helped you with, remember?”
“Well, that doesn’t count. I’d be glad to help you out any way I can.”
Cathy shook her head. “I didn’t come for that.” She gave Shae a sad smile. “I just needed to talk to someone and you were my first choice.”
Shae wanted to cry. “I’m so glad.” She thought a moment. “Hey, I’m meeting Jo tomorrow to talk about her being a beta reader for me. Would you like to join us?”
“I would. Yes.” Cathy brightened.
“Great, it’s a date. We’ll leave around ten, if that’s all right.”
“Perfect.”
“Do you think Lynn will mind?” Shae remembered that he’d asked Cathy not to be seen with her anymore.
Cathy waved her hand in dismissal. “He’s over that, this town hasn’t been good to us either.”
“I am so sorry this happened to you.” She covered Cathy’s hand with her own. “But I’m not sorry to see my best friend.”
Shae’s heart was still broken over Derek, but at least she had something to look forward to.
* * *
“Sorry, Alden. I had no idea this would happen.”
“Thanks.” He took the envelope from his boss. The job at the mill had fallen into his lap, and just as quickly fell out of it. “So, is the word on the street true? They’re shutting this place down?”
“Yea, I think it’s curtains for Knox Lumber, at least in Longleaf. We’re just not showing a profit large enough to please headquarters.”
“Oh, well. Easy come, easy go.” He waved the envelope. “Thanks for this.” Derek turned to leave, seeing all the other despondent faces on men who’d worked at the plant for most of their lives. He wasn’t the only one who received his walking papers today. Stuffing the check into his back pocket, he headed for his truck. Along the way, he saw a line of booths they’d built for Longleaf Day. “Well, I guess that celebration is canceled. This town isn’t going to have much reason to celebrate.” He could remember attending the event as a kid, he’d always loved the carnival atmosphere. He would save up money and buy chances on the car the bank always raffled off to raise money for their queen candidate. Derek smiled at the memory. “I don’t know what I would�
��ve done with a car at ten years old.” He could remember how he’d planned to sit on a box to reach the steering wheel. “Not sure how I would’ve been able to work the brakes and gas,” he mumbled to himself.
As he climbed into his truck, he removed the check from his pocket and threw it on the seat next to him. He needed to go to the bank soon and deposit this and the money Shae had given him. “Shae. Hell.” He shook his head, his heart aching at the thought of her. He’d heard her cry out her love for him as he drove away and it had taken every morsel of grit he had to leave her there. If the circumstances were any different, if June weren’t the reason, he’d say to hell with the world and ride off with her into the sunset. Maybe… If things worked out…
“Don’t do this to yourself. There’s no use making plans until you know how things will turn out.” But they had to work out. He couldn’t risk his child being in danger. Sometimes his arms ached to hold his little girl. And now they ached to hold Shae.
When he arrived at the homeplace, he parked underneath the big pecan and headed to the porch. He wondered if he’d ever think of the old house as anything but his Uncle’s place. Probably not. Derek’s plan was to finish fixing it up and when things got straightened out with June, he’d sell the house and the land. He had no desire to settle long-term in this town, especially after he witnessed what they’d done to Shae.
Striding up the steps, he ran his hand along the bannister. “I had plans to bring her over and show her what I’ve done here.” He didn’t get the chance. There was so much he’d planned to do with her. Walking away from Shae had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done. Only leaving June behind had been harder. Derek wondered if she’d found anyone to replace him. He doubted it. Maybe with the mill closing, someone would need money badly enough to take the job. “Idiots.” Thinking about her in the house with any of those close-minded rednecks incensed him. What if they decided to hurt her? Rape her? “God!” How was he going to be able to stay away from her?
Once inside, he went to the dresser in his room and opened the top drawer where he’d stashed the cash. Carrying the money, check, and his checkbook into the kitchen, Derek sat down to make out a deposit slip. When he began to count the cash, it dawned on him quickly that she’d given him more than he was owed. Much more. “Damn it, Shae.” He didn’t need to ask what she was doing. This wasn’t a ploy to get him over to see her. No, she just wanted to help him. Had he ever met anyone with a bigger heart?