“You’re a wonderful mother. Don’t ever doubt that.” He placed a small kiss on her cheek and then walked out, painfully aware that any hope he’d had of lowering the barrier between them was shattered. If she could never get past her husband’s taking other lives, then he had no hope at all.
Chapter Eleven
Sharee grabbed Annie’s arm the moment she stepped inside the school building the next morning and pulled her into the quiet of the library. “You’ve got to help Jake.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
Sharee kept her voice hushed. “We just got an anonymous call telling Principal Winters to check into Jake’s past because he killed someone.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“Did Jake tell you about the canceled ads? Do you know anything about that?”
“No. What’s going on?”
Sharee pinned her with a glare. “I’ve known Jake a long time and I know what you are to him. It took me a while to figure it out, but I know you’re the niece. You’re the one who’s keeping him locked in that cruel arrangement.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you the one making these anonymous calls and stirring up trouble?”
The woman’s words set fire to her nerves, making her cringe at the truth they held. “No. I would never hurt Jake. Sharee, what’s happening?”
“That’s what I want to know. Yesterday I found out that several of our advertisers pulled out because of an anonymous call telling them they were dealing with a criminal. Now Principal Winters just got the same call and he’s ordered Jake to the office to explain. I’m afraid he could lose his job.”
Annie’s heart chilled. Jake had made a big mistake, but his past shouldn’t be dug up to be used against him and ruin his life. He’d paid for that accident long enough. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Me either. I wish I knew who was behind this. I’d wring his sorry neck.”
Annie replayed the last few days and one name came to mind. “Clark.”
Sharee frowned. “Tullos? I should have guessed. It sounds like something he’d do. That man has been nothing but trouble his whole life.”
Jake appeared around the corner on his way to Mr. Winters’s office. Annie spun and hurried after him. “Jake. Wait.” He turned and faced her. His eyes lit up for a moment and then darkened. It hurt that he no longer looked at her with affection. Her reaction to his addiction had killed that, but right now she had to save his job.
“Jake, I just heard. Mr. Winters can’t do this, can he? Look into your records? You said they were sealed.”
“No, he can’t, but I still have to talk to him.”
“Sharee told me about the ads. Why didn’t you tell me? I’ll go and talk to them.”
“We’ll work that out later.”
“Clark is behind this, isn’t he?” Tears sprung to her eyes. She may not trust him when it came to the drinking, but his past should stay buried. “It’s not fair that you should have this dug up again.”
“Life isn’t fair.”
“How can you be so calm about this? Let me talk to Mr. Winters. I’ll explain everything. Maybe you should have a lawyer with you.”
Jake squeezed her shoulder gently. “Annie, it’ll be fine. I can handle it.”
Jackie Carter, the school secretary, stuck her head out the door. “Mr. Winters is ready to see you, Jake.”
Jake walked into the office, leaving her with a steel vise clamped around her throat. Wrapping her arms around her waist, she paced the hallway. The students would be arriving shortly and then she’d have to be in her classroom. But how could she teach when Jake’s job might be on the line?
“How long has he been in there?”
Annie spun around at Sharee’s question. “Not long.”
She motioned Annie back into the quiet of the library. “He doesn’t deserve any more trouble. He’s been through so much already.”
“You’ve known him a long time?”
“I’ve lived in Hastings all my life. My brother was in Jake’s class. I remember the accident.”
“So, you knew my cousin, Bobby Lee Owens?”
Sharee took a deep breath and nodded.
Annie could see she was hesitant to respond. “It’s all right. I know about my cousin’s reputation. I found out that he wasn’t who I thought he was.”
“He was a wild one. Trouble on wheels, as they say.”
Sharee looked over Annie’s shoulder. “Here he comes. Let me know what happens.” She walked off just as Jake came to her side. She searched his face for an answer, but he was wearing his stoic facade.
“What happened? What did he say? He didn’t fire you, did he?”
“It’s all right. I didn’t get fired. Mr. Winters is not taking the call seriously. He said as far as he was concerned, my record here at the school is all he’s worried about.”
Relief raced through her, stealing the strength from her knees. “Oh, Jake, I’m so glad.” Tears sprung into her eyes. Jake reached out and pulled her close.
“Thank you for standing up for me. I like having you fight for me.”
She allowed herself to take strength and comfort from his embrace. If only she could stay here, safe protected and secure. But there was one area in Jakes life that would never be secure. What happened if temptation regained a hold on him? How safe would she feel then?
She stepped away, willing her heart to slow its rapid beat. “So everything is okay now?”
Jake’s gaze searched her face. “As far as my job is concerned, yes.”
She knew what he was saying. Their relationship was far from okay. The specter of his drinking was a huge barrier between them. “I’m glad. I’ve got to get back to my classroom. I’m so relieved you’ll still be across the hall.”
“Me too.”
Annie turned and walked away, her thoughts in a tangle. Her feelings for Jake hadn’t diminished upon learning he was a recovering alcoholic, but it had ratcheted up her fear to a new level. She cared for him a great deal, but how could she ever risk her heart and her future on a man like Jake?
* * *
The strident cell phone tone pierced Jake’s sour mood. The caller ID showed it was the athletic director from Heritage High School. Why would he be calling on a Sunday?
Jake sat up, rested his elbows on his knees and answered the call. “Hello?”
“Mr. Langford, sorry to bother you on the weekend but this needed to be addressed immediately. I must inform you that your application for the position at Heritage High has been rejected.”
A lump formed in his throat, making it hard to breathe. “I see.”
“It’s recently come to our attention that there are events in your past that might cause problems. We need a man of unquestionable character, someone to stand as a good example for the students and players. Under the circumstances, we must look to the other applicant. I’m sure you understand.”
Oh, he understood all too well. “May I ask who that other applicant is?”
There was a long pause. “Clark Tullos.”
Jake rubbed his forehead. He’d been wrong. It wasn’t Annie he should have been worried about exposing his past. It was Clark. What he didn’t understand was why the man suddenly had it in for him.
Shoving aside his disappointment, he gathered himself for one more task. He’d promised to let Annie know about the coaching job. Given the way she’d stood up for him lately, she might not take the news to well.
He took his time crossing the street to Annie’s. Things between them had been awkward since she discovered his addiction, but during the last week her attitude had shifted slightly. He’d been both surprised and delighted when she’d offered to intervene on his behalf with Principal Winters to save his job. The only thing that bothered him was the lingering caution he kept seeing
behind her eyes.
Even last night as they’d finalized the sponsor signs, the old camaraderie was missing. There was still a small part of him that held out hope for something to develop between them, despite the mountain range of obstacles. Where this optimism was coming from he had no idea. Pessimism was his normal mindset.
Annie opened the door before he topped the steps, scanning his face for some sign. She must have seen him coming.
“Did you get the job?”
Jake shoved his hands into his pant pockets. “No. They gave the job to Clark.”
Disappointment and anger exploded in her blue eyes. “What? Why? You’re better qualified. He’s an arrogant and obnoxious—” She corralled her anger and motioned him inside.
Her staunch defense brought a warmth to his chest. He followed her into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. Annie poured him a glass of tea before joining him.
Her worried gaze met his. “Did they tell you why?”
A sardonic laugh escaped his throat. “No, but given what Benoit said, I suspected he probably received an anonymous call informing them that one of the candidates for the job had been convicted of a felony. Sound familiar?”
“Oh, Jake. But why would the athletic director believe something like that?”
“He has a lot of people to answer to. He can’t afford to ignore anything that might come back to bite him.”
“Why is Clark doing this to you? Why is he trying to ruin your life?”
“He’s always been this way. He enjoys putting people down. I guess it makes him feel like a big man.”
“How could you have ever been friends with him?”
“Annie, we were just a bunch of high school jocks who liked to hang out together. I was a foster kid. I learned early not to get close to people. They were never in my life very long, so there was no point in getting attached.”
“When was the last time you saw Clark?”
“The night of the accident. I’ve always suspected he told the police about me being a foster kid.”
“Why would he do that?”
Jake shrugged. “Like I said, Clark took pleasure in seeing others humiliated.”
Annie reached across the table and took his hand in hers. “What are you going to do now?”
He looked at her hand in his. It felt right. “Keep teaching sixth grade and coaching junior high. It’s not like I’m unhappy doing that. Besides, something will turn up. The Lord must have something better in store.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“He always has before. He won’t let me down this time.” He believed that completely, and he wanted to believe that Annie had a place in his life. What he couldn’t accept was that the something better the Lord might have for him could ever come close to Annie Shepherd.
* * *
Jake settled into Annie’s living room Tuesday, still marveling at the fact that she had asked him to watch the twins while she attended her widow’s group meeting, but he now had renewed hope that their relationship could be salvaged. She’d appeared a bit anxious about leaving him but the boys’ enthusiasm had eased that a good bit.
“Your turn, Coach.” Ryan passed the dice to him.
Jake scratched Sam behind the ears as he contemplated his next move. After securing the dice in his hands, he gave them a good toss and then counted off the number of spaces. He grinned when his game piece landed in the spot he’d been aiming for. He rubbed his hands. “Okay, fellas, my turn to guess. I say it was Colonel Mustard in the hall with the candlestick.” He sat back and waited for the twins to dispute his choices.
He smiled, enjoying the contentment being here had given him. This was his secret dream, a home, sons to spend time with, living a normal family life. For the moment he let himself imagine that Annie was part of the dream and there was no giant wall between them.
“I have the hall.”
Jake checked off the room on his list. “I’m glad your mom asked me to stay with you guys.”
Ryan picked up the dice. “She didn’t want to but we talked her into it.”
Tyler nodded. “Yeah, she was pretty mad ’cause you’re sick like our dad was.”
Hope faded. He shouldn’t have been surprised but it still stung.
Ryan rolled the dice and it landed on Colonel Mustard in the study and selected the weapon.
Lights flared in the room from a car pulling into the drive. Annie was home. Jake took another swig from his bottle, his good mood now punctured.
“I don’t have any of those,” Tyler put his list down and looked at his brother.
“Me either,” Jake handed Ryan the black envelope that held the answer.
The boys’ smiles grew as he pulled out the cards. “Colonel Mustard, in the study with the candlestick.”
Ryan gave out with a shout, Tyler groaned and Jake hung his head. “I thought sure I had that one.” He glanced over at Annie, who was standing in the opening to the living room. She was staring at him wide-eyed. He followed her line of sight and realized it had landed on the three brown bottles on the coffee table, where they’d been playing the game. He knew exactly what she was assuming and his last shred of hope died. He stood, picked up his bottle and walked toward her.
“Fellas, put that away. Let’s not leave a mess for your mom to clean up.” He stood in front of Annie. The disappointment in her blue eyes cut like a shard of glass. There was too much between them to ever overcome. “I happen to love this drink. It’s been my favorite since I was a kid. I thought the twins might like it too.” He pointed to the label clearly marked Root Beer. He held her gaze. “I don’t drink anymore, Annie. And if I were going to, I’d never do it in front of your sons.”
She started to say something, but he didn’t want to hear any apologies or regrets. He went down the steps and across the street to his home. The only home he’d ever known. But now he wondered if he could go on living here with Annie so close and so out of reach. Maybe it was time to look at jobs away from Hastings.
He had a feeling no matter how far away he went Annie would always be in his heart.
* * *
Annie handed Linda the sleeve of paper cups and received a warm smile for her efforts.
“That should hold us through the end of the carnival. Thanks. You’re the best gofer we’ve had.”
“You’re welcome. I’ve been blessed with stamina. Anything else you need?”
“We’re good.”
Annie made her way back through the many tents, booths and setups that had turned the school grounds into a fall festival. But the noise and excitement couldn’t chase away the shame she still carried from her quick and unfair judgment of Jake the other night. The sight of the three brown bottles on the coffee table had caused a knee-jerk reaction, which had forced her to realize that the more she compared Rick to Jake, the less they had in common outside of their shared addiction.
Things between her and Jake had changed. He treated her with the same neutral attitude as everyone else. No tender glances, no kind words. He’d even been cool and aloof as they completed their publicity work for the carnival. Their special connection was gone. She missed it. Missed him. And she’d come to face the fact that she cared for Jake more than she’d realized.
Annie ducked into the teacher’s lounge and stopped at the watercooler. The quiet soothed her soul and the water soothed her throat. The carnival was finally starting to wind down. It had been a fun but exhausting day. Denise had brought the twins by mid-afternoon and she’d barely had time to stop and talk to them, but they assured her when they said goodbye that it was the best carnival ever.
Someone entered the lounge and Annie turned to see Jake walking toward her. “How are you holding up?”
“Ask me after we’ve torn it all down.” She still found it hard to make eye contact with him for more than a second befor
e hot shame crawled up her neck.
“Sharee said it looks like this would be the best carnival so far. Maybe it was because of our relentless publicity drive.”
“And to Mr. Winters for convincing the businesses who pulled their ads to change their minds.”
“I owe him one.” He rested his hands on his hips. “I’ve been sent to dismantle the photo booth. Care to join me?”
“They’re shutting it down early?”
“It’s too close to where the fireworks will be.”
“Oh, well sure. I’ll help.” Maybe she could find a way to explain or apologize or somehow fix things between them.
They made their way out the door at the end of the south hall leading to the playground, where the photo booth had been erected around the monkey bars. The teacher in charge of the booth was carrying the printer and digital camera back to the office.
“How did it go?”
“Great. It was a big hit with the teenagers. But then they’re addicted to selfies so it’s no real surprise.”
Annie glanced around at the simple interior. White canvas served for walls and a few simple strings of hanging lights illuminated the area. A table had been set up with card stock, paste, glitter and other craft supplies for the participants to decorate their photos. A box of fun props like silly glasses, colored wigs, fake mustaches, hats and scarves stood nearby. Annie picked up a large multicolored clown wig and put it on, and then grabbed a pair of giant glasses. Jake had his back turned, busy unhooking the canvas from its clamps.
“Do you need some help there, big fella?”
“Yeah, why don’t you—” Jake glanced over his shoulder, blinked and then laughed. “Nice. The glasses really work for you.”
She made a face as he came toward her. He reached into the box and dug out a stove-pipe hat which got snagged on a bright blue feather boa. He set the hat on his head and draped the boa around his neck, grinning. “What do you think?”
Annie giggled. He looked so silly, not at all like his calm, in-control self. “You are a trendsetter, for sure.” She started to pull off the glasses but he stopped her.
Their Family Legacy Page 14
