Read Online Under Currents by Elaine Meece - Free Book Online Page A

to work both jobs for a while. I’m trying to save enough for college. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
    Mr. Higgins rubbed over his chin. “Could you work at night after closing?”
    “Sure can. Doing what?”
    “Cleaning the place and restocking shelves. Only pays minimum wage, but I’ll give you an employee discount on what you buy.”
    “That’d be great.”
    “You can start Tuesday night. Be here at closing, and I’ll go over what needs to be done.”
    Caleb wanted to hug the old man but figured he’d scare the hell out of him. “Thank you, Mr. Higgins. You don’t have any idea how much this means to me.”
    “I’d appreciate you not mentioning this job to anyone. You can park out back.”
    “Sure. I understand.” Caleb pulled out his wallet. “How much do I owe you?”
    “Fifteen dollars and eighty cents.”
    Caleb handed him a twenty. Like the week before, he stuffed his change into the container for the kid with cancer, then left the store. He stared at the supermarket, thinking about buying a half of gallon of ice cream to take to Ally.
    This late, Mr. Baker probably wouldn’t be there. He entered the store not bothering with a cart, and after grabbing a box of ice cream and a package of cones, he headed for the checkout line. Without saying anything, he placed the items on the counter, paid, and left before the lady recognized him.
    When he got home, a police car was parked in Julie’s driveway.
    Shit, what's happened?
    Had someone vandalized her business again? Worse, had she or one of the kids been hurt? He thought about going over and asking, but it’d only cause problems.
    Caleb put away the ice cream, then walked into his dark living room. He stood at a side window, peering through the blinds to see if the cop was still there.
    Julie’s front door opened, and she walked out with Frank Grear. At his car, the deputy pulled her into his arms and lowered his mouth to hers. When Julie struggled to free herself, Caleb wanted to crack the bastard’s jaw. Julie managed to pull away.
    An odd sense of relief filtered through Caleb. He couldn’t make out what they were saying, but he had the impression Julie wasn’t too happy with the guy.
    Hoping to hear their conversation, Caleb moved over to the front window and raised it slowly, then eased down onto the old sofa. His view wasn’t as good, but he could hear their raised voices.
    “Damn it, Julie! I worry about you and the kids living next door to a low-life like McGregor,” Grear shouted. “The man’s been in prison. There’s no telling what filthy thoughts he’s had about you.”
    Guilty as charged.
    Caleb had fantasized about Julie every night. Hot stuff.
    “I can’t believe you let your kids have anything to do with him.”
    “It’s none of your business who I let my kids visit.”
    “For an educated woman you don't have a lick of common sense.” Grear opened his car door. “You going to the Spring Dance with me?”
    She shook her head. “No, Frank.”
    “It’s about time you let your hair down. Then you might not be so damn uptight.”
    “It’s not going to happen.” She backed away from him. “I’d better get inside.”
    “Come on, Julie. Go to the dance with me.”
    “No. So just drop it.”
    That’s my girl. Send him on his way.
    Caleb had no claim to Julie, yet he couldn’t help feeling like the lady next door belonged to him. Fat chance that’d ever happen. Not in this millennium or the next.
    Even after Julie returned inside, the officer sat in his car. Afraid Grear would glance in his direction, he leaned away from the window. Grear backed down Julie’s driveway and left. Caleb released a pent-up breath. For a moment, he thought the deputy planned to pay him a visit. He wasn’t looking forward to another confrontation with the deputy.
    Caleb waited twenty minutes to make sure the man was gone before grabbing the ice cream and cones. In the dark, he crossed over to Julie’s yard, climbed the