Unchained Memories

by Dena Blake

  She set the rose back in place and got up to leave. She glimpsed someone walking toward her from the road and took off toward her car. She wasn’t in any shape to see anyone, and she didn’t want to be caught in this particular spot. She’d just pulled on the door handle when she heard the voice. “Good morning, Miss Davis.”

  Jillian shivered as she turned to see Steve Wright standing behind her. “Good morning, Mr. Wright. What are you doing here?”

  “I’m one of the caretakers. Teaching doesn’t pay all that much, so this helps supplement my income a little.” He smiled. “I’m sure you can relate to that.”

  “Yes. I know what you mean.” She smiled.

  “You have relatives out here?”

  “No.” She shook her head and looked away, hoping her bloodshot eyes and mussed makeup wouldn’t give her away. “I just have a weird curiosity about cemeteries.”

  “I’d be happy to give you a little history on the place if you’d like.”

  “Oh, that would be nice. It looks like some of these stones have been here for decades.” She really wanted to get the hell out of there as soon as possible.

  “They have been. In fact, some are dated as far back as 1910.” He walked a little distance past where she’d been sitting earlier and pointed out a grave with a single rectangular stone featuring odd-shaped edges. “This one’s been here since 1915. It’s got the whole family listed. Two daughters and three sons. A few of them died pretty young.”

  “Thank God for modern medicine,” Jillian said.

  He weaved in and out of the plots to another old stone. “This one’s been here since 1932. A farmer and his wife who owned a mess of property around these parts. Their kids sold most of it over the years, and now it’s all shopping centers and housing.” He walked back to one they’d passed, a bronze marker that was flat with the surface of the ground. “Military colonel, war hero, 1953.” He shrugged. “No one was left to buy him a stone other than the one the military provided.”

  Jillian walked back to her parents’ headstone. “Do you know anything about this one?” Her voice wavered, and she fought to keep it steady.

  Steve followed her, kept quiet for a few minutes, and then he spoke, his voice soft and low. “Can’t tell you much about this one, but jealousy can do terrible things to a relationship.” He sucked in a deep breath. “It was a tragedy. I mean, with her being pregnant and all.”

  Jealousy? Jillian’s head started to throb, and she kneaded the back of her neck with her finger.

  “Well, I’d better get back to work. You have a nice day, Miss Davis.” Without another word, he turned and walked back in the direction from which he’d come.

  * * *

  The weekend had flown by quickly. Blake and David had spent most of it working on David’s car, and Amelia had been noticeably absent from the house. Jillian had settled in at work, and Abby seemed to have taken Jillian’s advice. She was spending more time with Logan and other kids her age rather than the older boys. She’d also started riding the bus, which gave Jillian more time after school to do research on the group home. Today she’d had enough and had come home to help Coop start dinner.

  Jillian heard the bus arrive from the kitchen and pushed through the door. Abby dropped her books onto the coffee table in front of the couch where Shane and Logan were playing video games. “I’m never gonna get it all done tonight. Logan, can you help me?”

  “He can’t right now. We’re in the middle of a game,” Shane said.

  Logan looked up briefly and then went back to the game. “I will when I’m done.”

  Abby plucked her books from the coffee table, crossed to the dining room, and let the pile drop with a thud on the table. “I can’t believe how much homework that witch gave us.”

  “What class?”

  “Geometry. I’m never going to be a meteorologist.”

  “Is Ms. Rand giving you trouble because of the drawing incident?”

  “No, but I thought she was going to be so cool at first. She’s even got a huge tattoo of a tree on her back.” Abby’s face scrunched. “She gives us freakin’ homework almost every day.”

  “Well, why don’t you start on it now?”

  “I’m starving.”

  “I’ll fix you a snack. Peanut butter and celery?”

  “Chips and salsa.”

  “So nutritious.” Jillian wished she could eat like a teenager again.

  Jillian had just set the snacks on the table when she heard the roar of an engine. “Are you expecting someone?”

  “No. Who is it?” Abby popped up off the couch and looked out the window. “Wow. Nice car. Whose is it?”

  “I think it belongs to the guy you’ve been so nasty to for the past couple of weeks.”

  Abby pulled her brows together. “I haven’t been nasty to any guys.”

  “You sure about that?”

  Abby went out the front door and onto the porch to take a closer look. “That’s David’s old heap?”

  Her expression made Jillian burst out laughing.

  David slipped out of the car and shouted to Abby. “You wanna go to Sonic and get something to eat?”

  “Sure.” Abby was already down the steps and halfway to the car.

  “Hey, what about your homework?”

  She gave her a backhanded wave. “I’ll do it later.”

  “They shouldn’t be gone too long. I’m sure David has homework too.” Blake flipped through David’s textbook, pulled out a loose piece of paper, and unfolded it. “Damn.”

  “What’s the matter?”

  “David’s having a little trouble in school.” He handed her an English paper with a bold, red D written across the top.

  “Oh, wow. I’d say that’s more than a little trouble.”

  Blake dropped the book onto the couch. “Do you think you could help him out? Maybe tutor him a few days a week?”

  “Yeah, sure. I guess.” She could tutor a faltering teen. How hard could it be? “What subject is he having trouble in?”

  “History, math, English. I’ll pay you, of course.”

  “No need to pay me. You could let up on the household chores a little instead.”

  He smiled. “I’ll think about it.”

  “David’s a smart boy. I don’t know what’s going on.” She glanced out the window where the car had been parked. “Look at what he did with that car.” She spun back around. “I know what his problem is. He doesn’t pay attention.”

  “Hence the D.” He plucked the sheet from her fingers.

  She chuckled. “No. I mean, he’s bored and his mind wanders.” She picked up the chips and salsa and headed toward the kitchen.

  “What do we do about that?”

  “Maybe he’s not in the right classes.” She dipped a chip in the salsa and then popped it into her mouth.

  “What kind of classes should he be in?”

  Jillian wiped her hands on a napkin and then planted them on her hips. “I don’t know. Let me see what I can figure out. In the meantime, I’ll set up a study group with Logan and Abby. Then he can get into the habit of doing his homework at a certain time.” She’d sit in, of course. It would make a good spin in her story.

  “Better make it quick, ’cause he’s tanking fast.” Blake lifted the top from the pot on the stove. “What’s for dinner, Coop? It smells great.”

  “Beef stroganoff, but I need some sour cream.” She pulled open the refrigerator. “There’s not much left in here. Did you go to the store this weekend?”

  “Nope. I was busy with David’s car. I’ll go now.” He took the list stuck on the front of the refrigerator and wrote on it. “Big or little sour cream?”

  “I’ll go with you,” Coop answered. “We need to pick up a few other things for later in the week.”

  “Could you get some of those little yogurt cups? Please?” Jillian said in a sugary-sweet tone as she smiled at him. “Abby and Logan like them too.”

  He pulled one side of his lip up in r
eturn. “All right. We’ll be back in a few.” He held the door to the living room open for Coop, and they were gone.

  Jillian turned to the stove, took the lid off the stewing meat, forked a cube, and ate it. It was wonderful. She would never be able to cook like this.

  “Are you dating my brother?” Amelia’s voice came from nowhere.

  The lid clanged and dropped back onto the pot as Jillian jumped and spun around at the sound. “Jesus, you walk like a cat. Someone should put a bell on you.” Amelia had slipped in without her noticing again, and she must have heard the exchange from the living room.

  “Clearly.” She propped herself against the door molding. “Are you?”

  “Am I what?” Jillian was playing dumb and could see by Amelia’s raised eyebrow that she was annoyed. God, she’s cute when she’s like that.

  “Dating Blake? Because I got the feeling the other day you’re more interested in women.” She moved closer into Jillian’s space.

  “Does a girl have to make a choice? Can’t it just be about the person?”

  “No, I guess not.” Before Jillian knew it, Amelia had her backed up against the table with her lips pressed to hers. Sweet Jesus. She was tossed back in time to those steamy days of her teens, only this kiss didn’t feel tentative at all. It was powerful, aggressive, yet soft and tender. It sent her mind swirling like an F5 tornado, and Jillian had no choice but to surrender to it.

  Her knees buckled, and she melted into Amelia as she skillfully maneuvered her tongue through the opening Jillian had given her. Their tongues met in an intense dance that could only be described as euphoric. Then, before she knew it, the whole experience was over.

  Amelia pushed herself away and created some distance between them. “That’s done. There will be no more kissing between us.”

  Jillian swallowed hard, staring into beautiful cobalt-blue eyes, still reacting in ways she didn’t want to. Didn’t know she could. “I get no say in this?” She moved forward, and Amelia put up a hand.

  “No, you don’t. Blake is my brother. If you’re interested in him, you can’t have me.” Amelia turned and stalked into the living room.

  “But I…” Jillian, still wobbly from the mind-blowing kiss, followed her. When Amelia glanced back, Jillian saw the uncertainty in her eyes.

  “You can’t have it both ways.” Amelia sucked in a deep breath and headed out the front door.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The kiss was a bad idea. Amelia was still reeling from the multiple reactions it had provoked within her. JJ had proved to be more than an expert kisser, and Amelia hadn’t been able to resist. If she was going to bow out of this triangle, she’d had to kiss her one last time. She slid into her car and drove the short distance to her office.

  “I need to see the papers on the McIntyre place. Now,” she rattled off as she flew by Julie and flopped into the chair behind her desk.

  “What’s got you so fired up?”

  “We have a couple of new tenants, and I think Blake is expecting more by the end of the quarter. I need to see what the capacity limit is. I was planning to move in over there, but I may have to rethink that.”

  “You know there’s enough room in that house for twelve people, if necessary. What’s really going on in that head of yours?” Julie had always been able to read Amelia, even before they’d become partners.

  “I’m not sure about the new woman. She’s dating Blake.”

  “So. Blake’s a big boy. He can take care of himself.”

  “Yeah, I know he can, but she kissed me.” Amelia stared at Julie, waiting for her reaction.

  “Oh, shit.” Julie sank into the chair across from the desk. “When did this happen?”

  “The other day.” She picked up a file and flipped through it. “Then again, just now.”

  “This is off-limits girl?” The rhythm of Julie’s voice told Amelia it wasn’t a question.

  Amelia blew out a heavy breath and answered anyway. “Yep.”

  “I take it the kiss was good, or you wouldn’t be this upset.”

  “It wasn’t just good. It was phenomenal.” She tossed the file onto her desk. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a kiss that made my toes curl like that?” She hopped up from her desk chair. Julie followed her into the small break room as she grabbed a couple of bottles of water from the refrigerator and handed one to Julie.

  “I do, and now you’re going to give it up because…”

  “I’m not going to compete with my brother for a woman.” She took a long drink of the water.

  “Who says you have to compete? If she’s kissed you…twice, she’s clearly interested in you.”

  “It doesn’t matter. It’s not going to happen again. Not at Blake’s expense.” She had some emotional places she didn’t want to go, and a jealous rivalry with her brother was one of them. Her life had been in a good place, with no complications and no emotional strings. That’s the way she liked it. She needed to find a way to get back there.

  “You ought to stop keeping that door to your heart locked down so tight, or no one’s ever going to try to get in.” Julie moved closer and lightly tapped her on the chest. “I never could find that key.”

  “I’m sorry. I know you tried really hard.” She took in a deep breath.

  “I’m only telling you this because I care.”

  She went back into her office. “I’m fine with my life just the way it is.” Loving someone hurts too much.

  Julie followed right behind. “That may be what’s coming out of your mouth, but that’s not what your body is saying.”

  “Don’t you have work to do?”

  “If you’re not going for it, you want to introduce her to me?”

  “Hell, no.”

  “Just as I thought.” Julie shook her head and pulled one side of her lip up. “No matter what you say, you’re not finished with her.” She turned and left the office.

  Nope. Not even close. Amelia closed the door behind her and flopped back into her chair. What am I going to do about this?

  * * *

  Jillian heard the screen door slap closed and hoped Amelia had come back. She needed to tell her some things, like how she had no interest in Blake whatsoever. She was caught off guard when she saw Maxine standing just inside the doorway. Since when did social workers let themselves in?

  “Dad, Maxine’s here,” Shane shouted from the couch, where he was busy playing video games with Logan.

  “Blake’s not here. He’s gone to the grocery store,” Jillian said as Maxine, smartly dressed in a navy Calvin Klein suit, carrying a Fendi bag, burst into the living room. Social work was certainly paying better nowadays.

  “I came to see how your story is going.”

  Jillian looked behind her to make sure the boys hadn’t caught what Maxine had said. They still seemed to be engrossed in their video game. “I need to check on dinner. Why don’t we talk in the kitchen?” Jillian turned, and Maxine followed her.

  Maxine was barely through the door when Jillian blasted her. “I thought you were going to keep that quiet.”

  “I thought you were going to include me in the story.”

  “I am. We just aren’t at that part of it yet.” Jillian kept an eye on the door over Maxine’s shoulder. “I do have a question, though. Why is there no money to fix anything? Is there a bottleneck somewhere? I checked with the grantor, and there doesn’t seem to be a lack of funds.”

  Maxine’s hand went to her hip, and her demeanor changed immediately. “I don’t know.”

  Jillian watched closely as Maxine averted her eyes and touched her chin. She’s lying. “A lot of things in this house need attention. Not to mention that they need window air conditioners in the bedrooms before summer hits.”

  “Yes.” She nodded. “Those will be necessary.”

  Blake and Coop came through the back door with the groceries. “Hey, Maxine. We weren’t expecting you today. Is everything all right?”

  “Yes. Ever
ything’s fine.”

  “She just came by to tell us she’s received more funding,” Jillian said, and she thought she saw Maxine’s eyes narrow a tiny bit.

  “Awesome,” Blake said as he put the groceries away. “We could certainly use it.”

  “I’ll have the funds transferred by the end of the week. If it’s all right with you, I’ll just take a look around and be on my way.”

  Jillian followed her up the back stairs and down the hall. She pushed open Blake’s bedroom door, then hers and Abby’s. When she reached the first of the boys’ rooms, Jillian grabbed the knob and pulled it shut. God only knew what they’d find in there.

  “We’re not quite finished painting in there yet.”

  “Can I take a look?” Maxine reached for the knob.

  “I’d hate for you to get white paint on that nice suit of yours.” She gave her the once-over.

  Maxine hesitated for a moment and flattened her collar. “I’ll take your word for it.” She turned and headed back down the steps.

  “That’s a very nice purse, also.” Jillian followed her down the front staircase into the living room to find that David had taken Logan’s place on the couch, and Logan was sitting with Abby at the dining room table, studying.

  “Thank you. It was a gift.” Maxine let her fingers move down the strap to rest on the bag. “Looks like things are shaping up nicely around here. I’ll see you all next time.”

  “The funds?” Jillian raised her eyebrows.

  “I’ll check on that first thing tomorrow, and we can talk about the story.”

  “Sure. It was so good seeing you again.” Jillian rushed Maxine out the door to the front porch. “I’ll call you tomorrow, and we’ll set up some time to outline your part of it. Okay?”

  Maxine’s lips spread into a huge smile. “Okay. I’ve got plenty of ideas.”