The Way Forward

by Eliana West

  “So how’s your plan coming along?” Jacob asked.

  “What plan?”

  Jacob jerked his thumb in the general direction of the library.

  “Oh, that plan. I’m making progress but I’m having dinner with my mother at the country club tonight and I’m sure I’m going to get an earful about seeing Callie but it’s a good excuse to try and talk to her and understand why she hates her so much.”

  “You really think your mother is behind these attacks against Callie don’t you?”

  “I do. She’s my mother and I hate to think she could do something like this but I have to go with my gut and she’s my prime suspect.”

  “If you can prove that your mother is behind all of the attacks on Callie have you thought about having her end up in jail?”

  “An older white lady in a small southern town,” Dax shook his head, “that’s not likely to happen. But I can confront her and let her know that I won’t cover for her. It’s going to be ugly.”

  “I’m sorry, this is a shitty position to be in.”

  “I kind of feel like this is part of making amends, if this is the price I have to pay for the things I did in the past, it’s a price I’m willing to pay.”

  *

  “Just let me know what you need from me; you know I’ll support you no matter what happens. Since you’ll be out tonight I’ll keep an eye on things at the library while I work here,” Jacob said.

  “Thanks, man—I’m glad you’ve decided to make Colton your home, and thanks for helping me keep an eye out for trouble.”

  “I like Callie, I just wish her cousin would stay out of my way.”

  “I hate to break it to you, but she’s going to be your neighbor. Mae rented one of the apartments we’re going to be building downstairs.”

  “Great, just what I need, she’s cute as hell but I don’t want someone in my life who refuses to listen.”

  “Maybe you’re saying the wrong thing?”

  “Not helpful.” Jacob downed the rest of his coffee and slung his tool belt over his shoulder. “I’ve got work to do, I’ll catch up with you later.”

  After Jacob left Dax wandered toward the wall of windows that overlooked the town square. Sure enough, there was Callie walking past the gazebo, stopping to smell the roses as she did every morning on her way to open the library. Today she was wearing jeans and another one of her fluttery floral tops and a pair of red ballet flats. The morning sun created a halo around her as it filtered through her curls.

  Dax leaned forward, pressing his hand against the glass. Suddenly, she turned and looked up right where he was standing. Dax pulled back. She couldn’t see him through the privacy film he had installed on all of the windows, but he sensed that she knew he was there. He smiled down, wanting nothing more than to go to her, but he didn’t want to do anything that might jeopardize the progress he’d made. She’d told him she wanted to take things slow and that’s what he planned to do.

  He made his way down to the main floor, running his hand along the new black metal banister that continued the modern-meets-vintage look that he’d envisioned when he first bought the old building. He sat down at his desk and before long he was immersed in creating fire walls and encryptions that would safeguard his clients from any kind of cyber attack you could imagine. A few hours later his phone rang, bringing him out of his work trance.

  “Hi, Reid, thanks for calling me back.”

  “I figured you wouldn’t stop leaving messages until I did.”

  “How have you been?” he asked.

  “Really, is this why you’re calling? What do you want, Dax?”

  “I’m hoping you’ll reconsider and come for a visit. You don’t have to see Mother; you can stay with me. It’s been a long time, Reid, and I’d like the chance to rebuild our relationship.”

  “What do you really want Dax?” His brother sighed.

  “I want to get to know you better. I’ve…I understand a lot of things about our family that I didn’t know before.” He paused. “I’ve learned a lot about myself as well. I’d like to have my big brother in my life. I understand that you don’t want to come here, and if you want me to come up to Chicago, I will, but I’m not going to give up on trying to repair the damage that’s been done.”

  Silence stretched before Reid responded. “What does Mother have to say about all of this?”

  “I didn’t ask, and I don’t care.”

  “I see.” Reid cleared his throat. “I…I’ll think about it.”

  Reid hadn’t said no, and that was progress, and Dax wouldn’t push, not now. “Thank you.”

  “I have to run. I’m due in court.”

  He hung up before Dax could say goodbye. It wasn’t much, but that was the longest conversation he’d had with his brother in years. Dax was grateful, though, and he just needed to keep the lines of communication open.

  White lights strung across the perfectly manicured lawn illuminated the pathway toward the white columns of the Colonial-style two-story building of the Colton Country Club. Laughter drifted toward Dax from the dining room as he made his way inside.

  Presley’s brother met him at the bottom of the grand staircase. “They are in rare form tonight.”

  “It’s good to see you Ash, I’m sorry we haven’t had more time to catch up.”

  “Listen, about that day.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Dax cut him off. “You were trying to help. Callie and I both understand. As a matter of fact you ended up helping me out in a way.”

  “Care to elaborate?”

  “I was planning on stopping by the bank to discuss the details with you, Callie and I have agreed to work together and start a town fund.”

  Ashton’s eyebrows rose. “Wow, that’s really great. I’d like to contribute as well if y’all don’t mind.”

  “We need to make sure Callie is on board but I’m okay with that. There’s just one thing. Callie wants any donations we make to remain anonymous; do you think you can keep this to yourself?”

  “I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

  A loud peal of laughter made them both jerk their heads toward the dining room.

  “Next time I’m bringing noise-canceling headphones,” Ashton muttered.

  “I’m glad you’re here and you and I can talk over dinner, I want to hear what you’ve been up to since I’ve been gone.”

  “Not much besides running the bank and coaching Little League.” Ashton glanced toward the dining room, “We’d better get back in there before my sister and your mother see that you’re here. I’ll get an earful for keeping you from them.”

  “Hey, before we head in, I just wanted to apologize for when we were kids. I got you into a lot of trouble and encouraged you to do stuff… and I’m sorry.”

  “I was a willing participant. It’s nice to know that we’ve both grown up to be better people.” More loud giggles interrupted them and Ashton rolled his eyes. “Not everyone has learned their lesson.”

  Dax forced a pleasant expression as he approached the table where his mother and Presley had their heads together, gossiping.

  “You’re late,” Dorothy greeted Dax, presenting her cheek to him.

  “I thought you were going to wear your uniform.” Presley pouted. “I picked this dress so we’d match.” She twirled in front of him in a sequined red dress with ruffles everywhere they shouldn’t be and a large cluster of feathers that looked like the remains of a bloody peacock perched on her shoulder.

  No uniform would ever match that dress. Dax already wanted to leave the stifling rules and manners of the country club and Presley’s gaudy outfit behind. He’d rather spend the evening on Callie’s porch with her wearing one of her pretty floral dresses with ruffles that kissed her shoulders.

  “Dax,” his mother snapped, “be a gentleman and tell Presley how lovely she looks.”

  Presley wrapped herself around his arm and batted her eyelashes at him.

  “You look…shiny,” he s
aid, batting away at a feather that floated free, unable to bring himself to offer anything more.

  “Really, Dax, did you lose all of your manners since you’ve been gone?” his mother admonished.

  Unable to pry himself from Presley’s grasp he awkwardly dropped into his seat, shooting an annoyed look at Ashton, whose shoulders were shaking with silent laughter.

  Absolutely nothing had changed. Pale blue paint and gold damask drapes covered the walls. Round tables covered with crisp white tablecloths dotted the burgundy, blue, and gold floral carpet. Even the faces at the tables were unchanged except for the unavoidable alterations that came with the advance of time. Dorothy and Presley smiled and waved at longtime club members as they drifted through the room.

  Presley’s father looked up from the sheaf of papers in front of him to greet Dax. The Beaumont and Ellis families had shared the same table for generations. “It’s nice to see you, Dax.” Judge Beaumont shook his hand.

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “I hear you’re restoring the Barton Building—that’s quite a project,” Judge Beaumont said.

  Presley wrinkled her nose. “Why would you want to fix up that dirty old place?”

  “It’s a historic building, part of the town just like the library and the gazebo.” The moment he mentioned the gazebo Presley perked up and Dax instantly regretted including it in his examples.

  “I just can’t wait until it’s my turn to get married,” Presley cooed, winking at him as his mother nodded her approval.

  Rescue came from Presley’s father. “Dax just got back into town. I’m sure marriage is the last thing on his mind,” he said.

  “Daddy!” Presley glared at her father.

  Dax coughed to cover his laugh. The arrival of Mae’s parents drew his attention across the room. He watched as they were seated at a table. “It’s nice to see some positive changes around here,” he said, quietly.

  His mother’s gaze followed his, frowning. She pulled her shoulders back, glaring. Clearly, his mother wasn’t pleased. Dax nodded and smiled at the Colton’s, relieved when they nodded back. Progress. Dax turned his attention back to the table and his mother’s sour expression.

  “Mrs. Ellis, I thought you were going to have them change the rules back so they can’t come here,” Presley said, with a huff.

  Dorothy took a sip of her cocktail. “I tried, dear, but I was outvoted by the board.”

  Dax narrowed his eyes at his mother and Presley. “What’s wrong with the Coltons joining the club?” he asked, knowing and dreading the answer.

  “There are standards,” his mother started.

  Dax held his hand up. “Don’t—don’t you dare. There isn’t anyone in this town who lives up to your standards, is there, Mother? This is the Colton Country Club for God’s sake. It’s disgusting that only half of the Coltons in this town have ever been allowed to join.”

  His mother pursed her lips, her eyes cold and calculating. Presley sniffed and shared a conspiratorial look with Dorothy.

  “It’s important to have standards. We don’t want people who are too loud and crude,” Presley said.

  Without taking her gaze away from Dax, Dorothy patted Presley’s hand. “Good blood will always tell.”

  Ashton choked on his drink. Judge Beaumont set down the papers he had been reading and peered at his daughter over the top of his horn-rimmed glasses that were permanently perched on the end of his nose.

  “Presley Beaumont, I have been neglectful as your parent. It has been easier to ignore your stupidity than take the time and energy to give you the proper discipline.” The judge clasped his hands in front of him, frowning. “I accept responsibility for that. But I will not allow an ignorant racist to live under my roof. If you continue to speak before thinking, your allowance will be cut off and you will be on your own.”

  He turned to Dorothy. “There is a line, and you have crossed it too many times.”

  Presley’s jaw dropped, and the feathers on her shoulder trembled along with the rest of her. Bright spots of color appeared on Dorothy’s cheeks. Her eyes narrowed as she slowly took a sip from her drink, glaring at the judge. But Judge Beaumont had spent over thirty years on the bench and wasn’t intimidated or impressed easily. He stood and reached for the gray seersucker jacket hanging on the back of his chair, shrugging it on the same way he donned his robes. Dax wondered if he had a gavel hidden in one of the sleeves.

  He placed both hands on the table, leveling both his daughter and Dorothy with a stern gaze. “Joseph and Ella Colton are pillars of this community, and I am happy to welcome them as new members of the Colton Country Club.” He glanced over to where the couple sat. “As a matter of fact, I’ve been meaning to arrange a golf date with Joseph. I think I’ll do that now.”

  Dax exchanged a look of agreement with Ashton and they both stood in unison, following the judge, ignoring his mother’s and Presley’s outraged gasp and furious whispers.

  “There’ll be hell to pay,” Ashton muttered under his breath.

  Dax smiled as he approached Mae’s parents. “It’s worth it.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Usually Callie loved a lazy Sunday afternoon but today she had a hard time focusing on the book she was reading and every scene with the hero and heroine kissing had her drifting off picturing kissing Dax again. She wandered out to the porch and plopped down onto the swing, but an unfamiliar restlessness made her jump up again. For the umpteenth time she wondered how Dax was spending his day. She pulled out her phone thinking about sending him a text. When her phone vibrated.

  “Let’s go swimming at Turtle Pond,” Mae declared before Callie could say hello.

  Callie glanced up at the bright blue sky. The morning coolness had already burned away, and it would only get hotter as the day went on.

  “Sure.”

  “Great! I’ll call Emma. I’ll pick you up in fifteen minutes.”

  Thirty minutes later, Callie dipped her toes into the deep turquoise water and leaned back with a sigh.

  “See, I told you this was a good idea,” Mae said, lifting her foot out with a flick that sent an arc of sparkling droplets into the air.

  Callie closed her eyes and let her head fall back. “You’re right, this was the perfect place to spend the afternoon.”

  “Thanks for calling me. I needed a break,” Emma added.

  Callie and Mae exchanged a look. Emma Walker was the unofficial Cinderella of the town. Her father and stepmother kept her working at the family drugstore and rarely allowed her a break. When they arrived at the pond Mae had nudged Callie as Emma pulled off her T-shirt revealing pale bruises on her upper arm. It wasn’t the first time they had seen them. Emma always claimed they were from bumping into the shelves at work, but a keen eye would notice that they aligned with her father’s fingerprints.

  “I’m glad you could come out with us.” Callie gave Emma’s hand a gentle pat.

  Mae reached into the picnic basket at her side and handed them ice-cold beers. They spread their beach towels on a large flat rock that jutted out over the pond and perched on the edge, letting their feet dangle in the cool water. True to its name, a row of turtles rested on a log nearby, basking in the sun.

  “I love this spot,” Mae said, pulling her tank top over her head to reveal a bright, royal-blue bikini top.

  Callie glanced at her cousin as she shimmied out of her cutoffs and flopped down on the beach towel, pulling out her book. She wished she felt as comfortable in her own skin. The sun quickly warmed her body and her shirt stuck to her back. She finally gave in and started to peel off her T-shirt. She applied a thick layer of sunscreen around the pale yellow triangles that made up her own top.

  “I knew that suit would look good on you.”

  Callie rolled her eyes and tossed the bottle of sunscreen to her cousin.

  “Don’t you want some?” Mae asked.

  Emma shook her head. “I put some on before I left.” She glanced down at her freckled arms. �
�I have to use the heavy-duty stuff.”

  She reached into her bag and pulled out a large straw hat, settling it over her pale red hair as she dipped her toes in the water alongside them. She took a sip of her beer and turned to Callie.

  “So, I heard Dax walked you home last week.”

  “I suppose everyone knows by now.”

  “Dax came over and sat with my parents at the country club Friday night,” Mae added.

  “He’s been very polite when he’s come into the pharmacy,” Emma added.

  “I know he’s changed. It’s…new,” Callie admitted.

  “The way he looked at you during book club.” Emma sighed. “I wish someone would look at me like that.”

  Callie rested her cheek on her knee. “I used to think that, but it’s not as simple as a Hallmark movie. It’s a little bit scary wanting…” She bit her lip, trying to find the right words.

  “Are you still worried about his mother?”

  “Not so much worried as annoyed.”

  “I’d be a little bit worried too, she’s terrible, and when she gets together with my father and the sheriff…” Emma shuddered. “I hate it when they have meetings at our house.”

  “You can always come over and hang out with me,” Mae offered.

  They had both offered Emma a place to stay but she always refused.

  “Well I’m not going to sneak around with him,” Callie declared.

  “Does that mean you’re going to keep seeing him?” Mae asked.

  “I like him,” she confessed. “He’s trying to help Colton, and he cares about the people here.”

  “Just like you do,” Emma said.

  Callie scooted to the edge of the rock and dropped into the water. She sank down into the turquoise depths, and when she emerged Emma and Mae were treading water next to her.

  “You don’t have to drown yourself to avoid talking about your love life,” Mae said.

  Callie swept her arm across the water, sending an arc toward her cousin. “Okay, fine, let’s talk about yours.”

  Callie and Emma giggled as Mae held her nose and sank under the surface. Tiny bubbles popped before she emerged, gasping for breath. They swam back to the shore. The midday sun quickly dried them as they lay out on their towels. Callie flopped on her back, admiring the sunlight filtering through the leaves of the trees overhead.