Under the Oak Tree

by Victoria Ashlee

  Under the Oak Tree

  VICTORIA ASHLEE

  “In you, I have found the place where all my dreams go. I am no longer lost in the night, because your light, like the moon’s silver rays, guide me home.”

  Copyright © 2020 by Victoria Sams

  WWW.VICTORIAASHLEE.COM

  Table of Contents

  Under the Oak Tree

  Copyright

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty One

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty One

  Chapter Thirty Two

  Chapter Thirty Three

  Chapter Thirty Four

  Chapter Thirty Five

  Chapter Thirty Six

  Chapter Thirty Seven

  Chapter Thirty Eight

  Epilogue

  ALSO BY VICTORIA ASHLEE

  Chapter One

  Her body was lifeless, under the oak tree in the middle of Sanderson Field. The sun had started to rise, but her lights went out that night. Her long golden hair was dangling in his arms. The blood had soaked her white shirt and brown jacket. The bruises on her face told a different story than the one she let the world know. They were older, with a green tint. Even with the markings she still had innocence in her.

  *

  “He stayed?” Officer Sims asked when he walked into the Emergency Room. Sims had been a police officer for Franklin County for twenty years.

  “Yes. Right over there.” The nurse pointed across the room. The man she pointed to sat in a blood stained shirt.

  “You think he did it?” Sims asked his partner; Anderson.

  Anderson ran his hand over his mouth, “I don’t know. Word was that she was sneaking around with the two of those boys, could have been either one.”

  “Yeah, but he stayed.”

  “I can’t believe this is Claire Cunningham. She was the homecoming queen of my sister’s class.”

  Sims grunted, “Get mixed up with the wrong guy though, and you’ll find yourself in some trouble.” He looked back at the Nurse. “Do you think she’ll make it?”

  She shook her head, “I’d tell her family to say their prayers.”

  “Her father is Kevin Cunningham. He isn’t going to let this rest until someone is behind bars.” Anderson said.

  “That, we can both agree on.” Sims started walking across the room, “Let’s go. We still have to do our job.”

  Claire

  Three Months Earlier

  Claire was coming home from her family’s annual lake trip. Jason Matthews, her high school sweetheart, had proposed in front of both their families that weekend. The moment she arrived home she rushed to see her friend Jenny Tate at their favorite shake shop. Claire walked in, the bell dinged when she opened the door. A few people stared at her when she entered, but she paid no mind. She was used to the attention.

  “Claire, over here!” Jenny squealed, waving her over.

  Jenny Tate was a lanky brunette, with porcelain skin, and an attitude like a firecracker in July. Claire and Jenny had been best friends since they were five. The town gossips would call them thick as thieves. People always thought Jenny was a bad influence; Claire being a lawyer's daughter, and Jenny being dubbed the town’s wild one.

  “My, my look at the time.” Claire pretended to look at her watch, and then held her hand out for Jenny to look.

  “Oh my word! Look at that diamond! It’s beautiful!” She jumped up, wrapping her arms around Claire’s neck. “I can’t believe it!”

  They both sat at their usual booth, sipping on strawberry milkshakes, sharing stories from their holiday weekend. They picked at a plate of fries in the middle of the table. People stopped by the table to congratulate Claire on her engagement.

  Word travels fast in this town. After all she was marrying Alan Matthews’ son. Alan Matthews came from old money, one of the most reputable families in the area. Claire was the daughter of Kevin Cunningham, one of the most notable lawyers this side of the Mississippi River. The pairing was perfect, especially since Alan and Kevin had a law firm together. Alan had won a huge case a few years back which made him a local celebrity on top of his old money heritage.

  The entire town wanted to be invited to their wedding. Their pending engagement had been the top topic of conversation ever since they started dating their junior year of high school.

  Claire looked down at her ring, “I wanna kick myself. I didn’t even know he was going to propose.”

  “How could you not? Everyone knew.” Jenny sipped her drink.

  “Well I didn’t.” She half laughed. Claire always wondered when she would get married, she had always planned on marrying Jason, but something felt off. She wasn’t as excited as she thought you’re supposed to feel, but she and Jason made sense. So, it has to be right.

  The door chimed, causing Claire to look up, breaking her away from her thoughts. Her eyes caught the sight of Clay Williams. He looked in her direction, and noticed her gaze. Clay was three years older than Claire, but everyone knew him. His father was the local craftsman. If you needed something built, Clay’s father could do it. He stood much taller than everyone, he ran his fingers through his wavy brown hair, and smiled at the waitress revealing his dimples.

  “What are you staring at?” Jenny turned around to look.

  “Nothing,” Claire said quickly, and looked down at her shake.

  “Clay Williams. That boy is trouble. You know his Mom mysteriously disappeared one night, and they never heard from her again? Rumor is that she jumped off the bridge at the entrance of town; couldn’t find a body. That’s probably why he’s so rough around the edges.”

  Claire’s eyes held Jenny’s, “She died?”

  “Killed herself,” Jenny’s eyes went wide. “No one really knows the truth, but he’s pretty dangerous. I watched him get into a fight at a bar one night; beat the guy to a pulp. Built up anger I guess. He’s hot in that dangerous way, but don’t tell my momma I said that. She would not approve.”

  Claire looked up again, past Jenny. Clay glanced in her direction, but didn’t look away when his eyes met hers. She was listening to Jenny talk, but everything blurred when her eyes met his. He looked away when the waitress placed his to-go order in front of him. He smiled at the waitress again, nodding his head. He looked at Claire one more time before walking through the door.

  The door chimed again. Claire exhaled a deep breath that she didn’t realize she was holding. She leaned back in the booth and looked up at Jenny. “What did you say?”

  “Are you ok?”

  Claire smiled, “Yes, perfect.”

  Jenny reached across the table and took Claire’s hand, “Come out with me Friday. It’ll be fun. We can celebrate your engagement. Bring Jason.”

  “I don’t know. My father has that dinner planned with Jason’s family. You know when they get into the whiskey
and cigars they never stop talking.”

  “You better hush. People can’t know that the two of them drink like skunks.”

  Claire rolled her eyes, “Do you think they ever get tired of pretending?”

  “Are you sure you’re ok?”

  Claire laughed, “I’m fine.”

  “So, about Friday, you’ll come?” Jenny gave her a helpless smile.

  “I guess so.”

  Jenny squealed, “Oh it’s going to be so much fun!”

  They finished their shakes, and paid their tab. Jenny planned for Claire to meet her at a small bar called Tenpenny's on Friday. Jenny had a crush on a guy in a band that was conveniently playing that night.

  “Jason and I will be there.” Claire hugged Jenny. “I will tell my father its life or death.”

  Jenny rolled her eyes, “Tell him its death, because I will just die from sadness.”

  Claire laughed, “Bye.”

  Jenny left in her Blue VW Beetle with a wave. Claire walked over to her car, and started digging around in her purse to find her keys. She stood there for almost three minutes scavenging through her purse, dumping everything on her trunk hood. She huffed in frustration and looked back at the restaurant, realizing she must have left them inside.

  She made her way back toward the door, looking down at her phone to find Jenny’s name to see if she had accidentally grabbed her keys. When her hand reached the door, she jumped when the door swung open, causing the bell to chime once again. Clay Williams was standing in front of her, she felt like a deer in headlights. Her eyes traveled down to his hands. One had hold of another to-go meal, and the other was holding her pink keychain dangling in the air.

  “Did you lose something?” He asked. His voice was deep, and commanding. It sent a shiver through Claire. She stood frozen, her heart beating fast. She tried to speak, but couldn’t.

  He gave her a strange look, “I think these are yours.” He held the keys out.

  “Yes, where did you find them?” She stuttered, taking the keys from him.

  “The waitress found them, and asked me to run them out here to you.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him, “I saw you leave earlier.”

  He held up the to-go bag, “My father asked me to come back. He didn’t take kindly to the fact that I had a burger, and all he had was canned soup.”

  “Oh.”

  “Well, have a good night.” He nodded, walking past her.

  “Wait,” She spun around. “What’s your name?” She asked him, very well knowing who he was, but she liked organic introductions.

  A smile formed in the corner of his mouth, “Clay.” He held his hand out to shake hers. “Who might you be?”

  She stared down at his hand, and then placed hers in his, “Claire.”

  “Well, Miss Claire, it was a pleasure to meet you.”

  She smiled, “You too.”

  He left her standing there at the front door of the shake shop. He drove away in an old green truck. The tail gate had a little rust in the corner. You could tell the truck was used for work due to the small dents. She caught herself staring as the tail lights disappeared. There was something about him that made her want to know more. She wasn’t sure if it were the rumors, or because he seemed kind, which contradicted everything she had heard. She looked down at her keys, running the pink keychain through her fingers, and then made her way toward her car.

  *

  It was almost 10PM when she got home. The light from the front porch of her parents two story home was shining bright. She knew they would be waiting for her. How her father’s mood would be was another question. She walked through the front door, and heard her mother call out to her.

  “Claire is that you?”

  “Yes, Mamma. I’m home.” She shut the door behind her, then started up the stairs.

  “Claire, will you come in here?” Her father called out.

  She sighed, walking back down the stairs, and into the sitting room. She was awaiting the impending verbal lashing for arriving home after 9. She might be 21, but her father always kept close tabs on her. She was his prized possession.

  To her surprise she saw Jason sitting next to her father holding a glass of iced tea. She stopped at the entrance of the sitting room, “Oh hi. I didn’t know you were here. Did you tell me you were coming?”

  “Does he need to tell you he’s coming over? He’s lived next door for ten years. Plus he’s about to be family.” Her father’s demeaning voice spouted off.

  Jason smiled, “It’s ok, Sir. I should have told her.” He stood and walked over to Claire taking her hand. “I just couldn’t wait to see you. I felt so bad for leaving the day after we got engaged.”

  “It’s fine. I understand.” Claire forced a smile. Deep down she was a little upset. He never told her why he needed to leave, just that he needed to do some things in town.

  “I’ll let you two visit.” Claire’s father stood, and walked into the kitchen.

  Jason sat down on the sofa, “Where were you?”

  “I was with Jenny at the shake shop.”

  He sighed, “I don’t know why you insist on being friends with her.”

  Claire sat down next to him, “She’s been my friend forever. You can’t just cut people out of your life.”

  “Yes you can.” He said bluntly.

  She furrowed her eyebrows at him, “What’s wrong? I thought you were excited to see me.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “No, you’re in a bad mood.”

  He sighed, “I just think that since we’re getting married we have an appearance we have to keep up. Jenny just doesn’t fit our lives now.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Nothing, your father just said…”

  Claire stood up, “My father?! No, I’m not having this conversation.”

  Jason stood, “Don’t get upset. I’m just looking out for our future family.”

  “I love you, but I won’t live my life by my father’s rules. I don’t care about public appearances. I’ve been friends with Jenny since I was a kid, and I’m going to stay friends with her.”

  “How are we supposed to have a good marriage if you won’t listen to me?”

  She sighed, “So, you want me to not have an opinion? Just follow everything you say?”

  “That would make this easier.” He said firmly.

  “I’ve been back less than twenty four hours, and you’re already arguing with me.”

  “I’m not arguing, I’m advising.”

  “No, you’re telling.” Claire snapped.

  “Claire Cunningham, do not speak to him like that. Have some respect.” Her father stepped into the sitting room.

  She looked at her father, “You put him up to this. You told him I was with Jenny.”

  He stared back at her, confident in his next words, “Do you want to succeed in life, or be grouped in with people less than you?”

  “Stop trying to make him you.” She snapped. “I’m going to bed. Goodnight to the both of you.” Claire walked out of the room, and up the stairs. She slammed her door shut.

  She turned her lamp on, climbing under her purple duvet. She heard the front door shut, and looked out her window. Jason was walking across the grass back toward his house. He looked up at her window, and waved. She gave him a small wave back.

  A knock on her door made her turn her head. “Claire, honey you shouldn’t have stormed off like that.” Her Mom said from the hall.

  “I don’t feel like talking.”

  Her Mom opened the door anyway, “What’s gotten into you?”

  “Nothing. I just don’t like when Dad forces his way into my life.”

  She sat down on the bed, “He just wants what’s best for you.”

  “Does he?”

  She brushed Claire’s hair out of her face, “Of course he does.”

  Claire brought her knees to her chest, “Were you excited when you got engaged?”

  “I was ecstatic
. I felt like I could fly.”

  Claire rested her chin on the top of her knees, “Why don’t I feel that way?”

  “I think it’s just nerves. You’ll get there.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “I’ll let you sleep, but you need to apologize to your father in the morning.”

  “Ok.” She felt defeated. As much as she didn’t want to listen to her father, she didn’t want to disappoint him either.

  Claire’s Mom clicked the lamp off, “Goodnight, Sweetheart.”

  “Night.”

  Claire laid there for a few moments staring at the ceiling. She had always followed the rules her parents set in place for her. She got the best grades, and got into Law School in the neighboring town. She dated the right boy, somehow convincing him to love her, but she wasn’t sure if all she'd ever known was all that was out there. She found her thoughts drifting back to her conversation with Clay Williams. A small smile formed on her face. She only spoke a few words to him, but those few moments stuck with her.

  Chapter Two

  Clay

  Once Clay was in his truck, he glanced back at Claire from his dark windows. She couldn’t see him, but he held her gaze. A girl like her would never be his, but he entertained her conversation; relishing the few words that were spoken. When she introduced herself, he already knew exactly who she was. Claire was the prettiest girl he’d ever seen, and she was the town’s sweetheart. He noticed her from time to time in town, and she was clear out of his reach.

  He started the truck, pushing the idea of her away, and made his way back home. Clay never dated much, nor did he want to. He found it easier to be alone. Too many questions about his past would surface, memories he didn’t want to remember. His thoughts went to Natasha. She was about the closest thing he would claim as a relationship. They met at a bar; Tenpenny's. She was his age, with long brown hair. The thing he liked most about her was that she didn’t ask questions. She pressured him once about a relationship, but backed down. He told her that dating wasn’t for him. She eventually was fine with it.

  The driveway to his house where he lived with his father was a long winding dirt road. It was encompassed by a canopy of trees that lined the entire way, until you reached the clearing at the house. They didn’t have much, but his father did own the ten acres that he inherited from Clay’s Grandfather. A small house came with it, and over time Clay and his father added a smaller second home to the other end of the property for Clay. They were craftsmen by trade, so they would use the scrap lumber from jobs they would work.