Last Call (A Place to Call Home Book 3)

by Laura Browning

  Deep in her gut, Leah feared the life—as unsatisfactory as it might be—that she had carved out for herself was about to change. She was standing on the edge of a cliff. Staying where she was, wasn't an option. She glanced at her son. She had to get Jonah out of her parents' house for both his physical and mental health. But stepping off the edge was going to mean a showdown with Caleb. The way his family was that probably meant a showdown with the entire Allred clan. Daunting to say the least.

  She swallowed nervously as she drove. Her father had railed against the more prominent families of Mountain Meadow often enough. Even as he had employed Caleb and Noah to help re-shingle the house years ago, he had bad-mouthed them and all the Allreds behind their backs. Beneath her father's inordinate dislike of the Allreds, Mercers, and Richardsons was an underlying truth: they had power and influence other families didn't.

  So if Caleb was angry enough to drag them through a custody hearing, Leah wasn't sure she would end up on the winning side. No way could she lose Jonah. He was all she had. And hadn't Caleb forfeited his right to have a say in Jonah's life by not answering her letters to him?

  "Stop it!" she said as she negotiated the narrow road. The last thing she needed to do was anticipate trouble. She had enough of her own without stacking on concerns for events that hadn't happened. Yet.

  With automatic movements, Leah signaled her turn off the highway and eased down the pot-hole riddled driveway of her father's small, rocky farm. She was doing her best not to awaken Jonah until she absolutely had to.

  The house was dark. Her parents went to bed early. She found the key her mother had left for her before she returned to the van to get Jonah from his car seat. As quietly as possible, she carried him up the stairs and down the hall to the room the two of them shared. After laying Jonah on her bed, she let out a tired sigh. He looked so exhausted, she simply didn't have the heart to wake him again to put him in the tub.

  She changed him from his clothes into his pajamas, adding a pull-up to get him through the night. He might be in big boy pants during most days, but nights were still an issue, especially since she didn't have the heart to wake him up to pee.

  Leah lifted him once more and tucked him into the toddler bed she'd moved to the end of her bed. It was her first move toward getting him used to sleeping in his own bed in his own room. She sure hoped that would happen sooner rather than later.

  Leaving the small lamp next to her bed lit, she eased out of the room and down the stairs to the kitchen. Still too keyed up to go to bed, Leah put the kettle on the stove to heat water for a cup of tea. It was so much easier at work where she popped a cup in the microwave, but that was yet another convenience her father didn't believe in. She wondered how much of it was really belief and how much was outright stinginess.

  "What do you think you're doing?" her father growled from behind her, as if merely thinking of him had conjured him from thin air.

  Leah faced him cautiously. Dealing with her father was a bit like handling rattlesnakes.

  "Making a cup of tea, Daddy. Would you care for some?" she added conciliatorily, hoping to keep him from lashing out.

  "No, I don't want any tea in the middle of the night."

  Leah did not attempt to point out to him that ten was hardly the middle of the night.

  "Have you been out whoring again? Getting' yourself knocked up by another one of them Allred boys? You always were eyeing them."

  Leah struggled to keep from snapping at him, but she knew from bitter experience what repercussions that might have.

  "I was working, Daddy. I couldn't leave before I collected the plants rented for the evening."

  Her father stepped closer. "I bet all those Allreds were there, weren't they? Which one was it, Leah. Which one did you spread your legs for?"

  She pressed her lips together. This had been an ongoing interrogation ever since Jonah had begun to favor Caleb's family, but she had never admitted to her parents who had fathered her child. She had listed it on Jonah's birth certificate, in case anything ever happened to her, but had refused to tell her parents.

  "Answer me, damn it! It's about time you quit playing this game and got what's owed you from that family."

  "They don't owe me anything. Jonah is my son, my responsibility!"

  Crack! Her father's hand hit her cheek with a stinging force that knocked her sideways. Leah narrowly avoided knocking the kettle from the stove. As it was, she burned the side of her hand on the red hot element. She cried out in pain from both the blow and the burn, pushing past her father to get to the sink where she turned on the cold water and jammed her hand beneath the flow. Dizziness hit her, and Leah had to grasp the counter edge to keep from falling.

  "Don't you ever sass me again, girl!" her father snapped and stomped from the room.

  The sound of the running faucet and the rattle of the tea kettle were just background noises to the way Leah's breathing rasped as if she'd run a mile. She wasn't sure what was worse, the pain in her cheek or the pain in her hand, but she did know which one she had to deal with first. After shutting off the faucet, she turned off the burner and moved the kettle to the back. She'd lost any desire for tea.

  On the inside of the pantry door, her mother kept a first aid kit. It wasn't elaborate, but it did have burn cream and a bandage to cover her hand with through the night. Once that was taken care of, Leah found a plastic bag and some ice, wrapped it in a cloth and pressed it to her cheek. She only prayed her father's slap wouldn't leave a bruise.

  This wasn't the first time her father had struck her, but it was the first time he'd hit her in the face. As she turned off the lights and trudged up the stairs to her room, Leah had to face the truth. It was time to leave whether she had everything in order or not. The anger and violence inside her father was escalating. If it were just her, that was one thing, but no way was she going to continue to put Jonah at risk.

  There was a room at the back of Mountain Plants that currently contained only empty boxes. Maybe she could convert that. Mack was seldom in there, so if she was lucky, she might even be able to stay there for a day or two without him being any the wiser.

  However it worked out, she had to get herself and her son out of this house. The window of opportunity to accomplish that was now while Mack's van was parked out front. There wasn't much to take. Their belongings were meager at best. She packed as quickly as her injured hand would allow and waited until the last moment to rouse Jonah.

  "Come on, baby," she whispered. "We're leaving. You need to be as quiet as a mouse, okay?"

  Leah held her breath as she carried her son out to the van and buckled him into the child safety seat. She was parked on a slight hill, so after getting behind the wheel, she turned the key enough to unlock the steering and moved the gear shift into neutral. As she hoped, the van began to roll. Once she was a hundred feet or so from her parents' house, Leah fired the ignition, stepped on the gas, and didn't look back.

  Chapter 6

  One thing about living in a small town Caleb hadn't quite made his mind up about was how central the church seemed to be to everything going on. In the case of his family, it was Mountain Meadow Baptist Church where Joe Taylor was minister. Joe's preaching was a far cry from the guy who'd stood in the pulpit while Caleb was growing up. Many a Sunday morning, he could remember his mother elbowing him in the ribs when he would begin to nod off. She'd lean over and whisper for him to sit up straight before turning to her other side to repeat the instructions to Noah.

  Joe wasn't loud, but he was interesting. Caleb studied the congregation as they filed out after the service. He saw plenty of familiar faces, but not Leah or her parents. As he recalled, they had attended a small church on the outskirts of town. Judging from the outfit she'd worn the previous evening, he wouldn't be surprised if she was still attending that same church.

  Just ahead of him, Jake was leading out his twins, one on each side of him. Their size and dark hair reminded him of the little boy Leah had sai
d was hers. She'd also said she wasn't married. What did that mean? It could be anywhere from widowed to not knowing who the baby daddy even was, but somehow Caleb couldn't imagine that was the case. She didn't strike him as someone who would go from one man to another. Did she date at all?

  At the bottom of the front steps, most of the Allreds were grouped together. That usually signaled discussions about where to gather to eat. Noah was conspicuously absent. Oh well, that would be more food for Caleb wherever they ended up.

  "The wedding was beautiful," Holly was telling his mother. "Everything was perfect, and the flowers at the reception were incredible."

  "I didn't know Mack Landrum could do that kind of work," Mary Allred said with a laugh.

  "Oh, I'm sure it wasn't him," Holly said. "Leah Scott handles most of the flower arranging."

  "Scott? Like in Bill and Esther Scott's daughter?" His mother turned to him. "Didn't you and Noah do some work for him back in high school?"

  "Yes, and it's the same people. Leah has a little boy now," Caleb put in, hoping he might be able to glean some information from his sister-in-law. Holly seemed to have a handle on everything going on around town. Never mind Jake was the police chief, Holly was one of those people everyone confided in.

  "Who did she marry?" Mary asked.

  Holly frowned and looked at Jake. "I'm not sure. Do you know?"

  "I heard it was somebody from out of state. Sure didn't last long. Nobody says much about it. She's been working at Mountain Plants since she got out of high school. Mack started her part time until he figured out how valuable she was. I'm not sure she ever left, but she must have."

  "Oh!" his mother exclaimed. "I almost forgot. I need to return the flower vases that were on the altar to Mack. I hate to make a trip back into town today after we eat. I guess I can do it tomorrow. I set them in the sacristy."

  "I'll do it," Caleb offered. Now he had the perfect excuse to see her again. Maybe he'd figure out what it was about her that bothered him so much. He might also find out if she ever dated. "It's easy enough for me to grab them and run them by on my way."

  His mother looked relieved. "Thank you. We'll be eating around one. Don't be late."

  Of course he wouldn't be. If they were eating at his parents' house that meant all Noah had to do for a meal was get his butt down the stairs in the barn and walk across the farmyard. Caleb wasn't going to lose his share of his mother's hash brown casserole to his twin.

  When he set foot inside the sacristy behind the sanctuary, Joe was hanging up his clerical robe. His smile would make him look angelic if it weren't for the keenness of his sky blue eyes. Caleb had learned through experience Pastor Joe, as everyone called him, was an uncanny judge of people, not to mention a wickedly talented poker player.

  "You need some help, Caleb?"

  Caleb gestured to the vases sitting on the counter. "I came to get these. I'm taking them back to Mountain Plants for Mom."

  Joe nodded. "Right. Leah was going to swing by to pick them up, but she called to say Mack wasn't in, so she was by herself and couldn't get them. I'm sure you taking the time to return them would be much appreciated. She works really hard."

  Caleb stepped forward but stopped before he picked them up. "How long have you been in Mountain Meadow, Pastor?"

  "Call me Joe. Close to five years now. Why?"

  Caleb cleared his suddenly dry throat. "I was a little curious about what you knew of the Scotts...of Leah?"

  "They're not part of my congregation, so not as much as I might. I believe they attend services at Brother Crowder's church."

  "But not Leah, I have to assume," Caleb said, "since she must be at work."

  "I believe it's been a bone of contention with her father." Joe's voice held a hint of reserve, as if he were reluctant to say anything negative.

  Caleb nodded. He remembered all too well seeing her father slap her all those years ago.

  "She had her little boy with her yesterday."

  Joe's smile was angelic now. "Jonah is the light of her life. It hasn't been easy for Leah."

  "Because she's not married?" Caleb probed.

  Joe tilted his head. "Maybe, though I've heard there was a husband. I'm sure that's another sore point with her father, but no. I was referring to Jonah's asthma. It's been a real struggle for both of them. Why are you so curious, Caleb, if you don't mind my asking."

  Caleb drummed his fingertips on the countertop. "She seems so familiar. I knew her in high school, of course, even if she was a few years behind me. Mountain Meadow's not big, so it's hard not to know everyone. But I feel like I should know her from somewhere more recently."

  Joe smiled. "There's one way to find out."

  "What's that?"

  "Ask her."

  Caleb laughed. "That's your best advice?"

  Joe shrugged. "I've discovered open, honest communication is the best way to handle most relationships."

  "No relationship. Just curiosity." Caleb picked up the vases. He needed to end this and get out of here. Joe Taylor was way too perceptive. "I'll get these out of the way. See you around."

  Caleb hurried from the church, storing the vases on the back seat of his SUV for the short drive to Mountain Plants. Other than the van Leah had been driving the night before, the graveled lot was deserted. Caleb wasn't surprised. What did amaze him was that Mack actually opened before about one on Sundays. Mountain Meadow was big on going to church, so not a lot of folks were thinking about gardening before afternoon.

  After hefting the vases, he bumped the door open with his hip and let himself inside the cool interior of the florist's area. The bells tinkled as he walked through the door, so he was sure Leah would be out in a moment. From the back of the building, he heard a childish giggle followed by footsteps coming his way.

  The first thing that struck him when she emerged from the shadows was how smoothly and quietly she moved, as if she were accustomed to making as few waves as possible. He did remember her from high school. She had avoided attracting attention then too. As she stepped into the light, he noticed something else, and his jaw tightened.

  The right side of her face was slightly swollen and discolored by a bruise, and her left hand was wrapped in a bandage.

  Caleb's hands curled into fists inside his pockets. He had no patience with anyone who hit a woman or a kid.

  "What happened to you, Leah?"

  Her gray eyes widened. Her hand flew to her face, covering the injury.

  "I-I fell." She averted her gaze. "When I was unloading the van."

  She was lying. Protecting her father? Probably. "I hope you let Mack know."

  The question in her gaze told him all he needed to know. If she had truly had an accident while she was unloading the van, then she would have let Mack know, but Caleb doubted seriously Mack knew anything about her face or her hand. His gaze narrowed on the bandage.

  "And your hand?"

  When he raised his gaze to her again, her gray eyes were hostile.

  "I appreciate your concern, but it's not needed." She'd raised her chin, making it perfectly clear that not only was it not needed, it wasn't wanted either. Caleb couldn't leave it alone, though. He leaned over the counter.

  "If you need help," he began, but she cut him off.

  "We're fine...I'm fine," she corrected.

  Caleb's eyes narrowed. Something else was going on here she wasn't being up front about. At that moment, Jonah stumbled into the room, his face was pale, his lips were bluish, and he was struggling for air.

  "Mama?" He wheezed, pressing a chubby fist to his chest.

  Leah reached into her pocket and pulled out an inhaler at the same time she rushed to her son's side. Without waiting for permission, Caleb rounded the counter and squatted next to her. Leah had the inhaler up to Jonah's mouth.

  "Quick puff, Jonah," she said. Caleb knew she was trying to sound reassuring, but tension laced her voice. Watching the little boy struggling to breathe was painful. "Again," she said, and h
er voice sounded shakier.

  "How can I help?"

  The gaze she turned on him was panicky. "Take us to the emergency room."

  "No problem. Let me hold him while you lock up and get your purse."

  "Here. Get him to take a couple more puffs while I lock up."

  He cradled the boy in his arms, a ripple of shock going through him as he stared into wide eyes as green as his own. "Come on, sport. Let's get you out to my car."

  He'd just set the boy on the back seat and had him puff once more on the inhaler when Leah skidded to a halt next to him.

  "I don't have a kid seat," Caleb said.

  "I'll sit in back and hold him," Leah said. "Hurry, Caleb. His color's getting worse."

  She was right. Jonah looked more blue than pale now. Caleb practically vaulted over the hood of the SUV and leaped into the driver's seat. As he cranked the engine, he glanced over his shoulder. "Ready?" At her nod, he ordered, "Hang on."

  Caleb ignored every speed limit sign in the town of Mountain Meadow as he raced toward the hospital. He was trying to remember who was on duty. It wasn't as if there were a ton of choices, which meant chances were good Doc Jenny might be there. Caleb hit the call button on his steering column and placed a call to the hospital to let them know they were coming in and what was going on. When he turned into the circular drive in front of the ER, he was relieved to see a couple people were waiting for them.

  Doc Jenny opened the rear passenger door as Caleb shifted into park.

  "Your dad still smoking around him?" Jenny took Jonah from Leah's arms so she could get out of the SUV.

  She shook her head. "We left last night."

  Jenny raised a brow. "You left?"

  Leah cast a glance at him over her shoulder as she slid out of the vehicle, then turned back to the doctor. "I'll explain in a little bit."

  Jenny briefly turned her gaze on him before focusing on Leah. "All right. We'll get him on a nebulizer and go from there. What have you already given him?"

  Their voices faded as they moved away from his car and someone else shut the door. Caleb frowned as he stared after them, feeling left out and wondering why it should even matter. He'd done his good deed. He glanced at his watch. One o'clock. He could still make it out to his mother's for brunch.