A Long Way from Home (The Caldwells of Rebel Creek Book 1)

  A Long Way from Home

  The Caldwells of Rebel Creek: Book One

  T M Morris

  Rocky Creek Publishing

  Nashville, TN USA

  Copyright © 2015, Rocky Creek Publishing

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means—electronic, mechanical, photographic (photocopying), recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission from the author.

  ISBN 978-1-4951-7652-4

  Table of Contents

  A Long Way From Home

  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

  Epilogue

  Chapter One

  Shoving the remains of a cheeseburger into the sack Lucy grabbed for the keys on the passenger seat, slid one into the ignition, and gave it a turn. Nothing happened. She gave it another turn. Nothing happened. Absolutely nothing. Slumping over she rested her head on the steering wheel and muttered, “Great. Just great.”

  Lifting her head from the steering wheel she glanced at her watch. If she was to arrive on time to her next interview, she’d have to run full throttle to cover the fifteen blocks. She should have worn more sensible shoes. Her feet were already complaining. What was she thinking when she donned four- inch heeled pumps this morning?

  Looking in her wallet, she thought maybe, if she were lucky she could get a cab or maybe the buses were on schedule. Lucy scrambled from the old beater with briefcase and umbrella in tow. She raced down the garage steps and out onto the street just as a cab was passing. She waved it down not noticing a man also waving toward the same cab.

  “This is my cab,” said the dark- haired man who towered over Lucy as she reached for the door. An unusual sense of smallness came over her. It was rare for her to meet someone so much taller than her.

  “Excuse me, but I waved it down.” Lucy cried, as she looked up into the most incredible blue eyes she had ever seen.

  “So did I and I have to get to an appointment.” the blue-eyed stranger grated between clenched teeth.

  “And I’m going to be late to an interview, so please get out of my way.” Lucy insisted, tears glistening in her eyes as she looked up at him. Sleep deprivation and nearly exhausted savings left her on the verge of losing the last shred of her composure right in front of the handsome stranger. She had to make it to the interview on time—why had she stopped for lunch? In the back of her mind she was ashamed of her behavior, but she would think about it later. Now she had to get to the interview and this man was in her way.

  “Somebody get in before I leave you both here standing in the rain. What should I care?” The driver called through the window, “Make up your minds, one or both, get in or I’m going!”

  “Where are you going?” Big, Broad, and Gorgeous asked. Lucy noticed how his voice had softened.

  “Umm.” Lucy stammered taken aback by his sudden shift.

  “Maybe we could share the cab,” he suggested, “unless we are going in opposite directions.”

  “Oh. Of course.” Lucy blinked back more unwelcome tears. “I need to get to the Parker building by one o’clock.”

  His face registered surprise. He smiled as he said, “Great! I’m going to the exact same place myself. Get in, we’re getting soaked. Your umbrella isn’t doing you much good.”

  She found herself obeying as the man gave the cab driver the address. She was captivated by him. He was attractive in a flyboy sort of way. Maybe it was the haircut. Long, thick eyelashes, the kind any woman would kill to have, framed his eyes. His eyes were a beautiful blue. Of course, she did have a 'thing' for blue eyes. As her eyes moved to his mouth she realized his lips were moving. He was speaking to her. “I’m sorry what did you say?” She couldn’t believe she had been caught staring at him.

  “I was just saying we’re lucky to be heading to the same place. If we had to stay out in the rain much longer we’d both have been soaked clear through to the bone.” he favored her with a nonchalant smile.

  “I know. My interviewer wouldn’t even give me a second glance if I showed up late, soaked, and looking like a drowned rat. First impressions, you know.”

  “With what company are you interviewing?” he asked as he tried to gather up the several rolls of what appeared to be blue prints.

  “James Dalton Environmental,” she replied.

  He paused in his paper gathering, “Oh. Are you an engineer?” his eyebrow lifted to emphasize the question.

  “Oh no,” Lucy blushed. “No. I’m applying for the Assistant position.”

  “Do you live downtown?” The man asked.

  “I live a little ways outside of Nashville. As if it is any of your business.” she answered, wondering why he would ask.

  “Right. It isn’t any of my business.” His voice was cool. “Why did you decide to take a cab? Do you not own a car?”

  “I could ask you the same question,” Lucy said.

  “Yeah, I guess you could.” he grinned. “My truck is being modified at the moment, so I’m without transportation. What about you?”

  “I drove downtown this morning for an interview and when I finished my old car wouldn't even turn over. I think this time there is no hope of resurrection.” she explained with a sigh.

  “Did you leave on your headlights?” he asked.

  “My headlights? I-I don’t remember.” Lucy stammered. Had she left the headlights burning? Could she have a dead battery and not a dead car?

  “Well, if that’s the problem it should be easy to fix.” He drawled and told her a place where she should go to have it checked.

  “But don’t I have to get it started first?” She asked with a wry smile.

  “I reckon you do,” he chuckled. “So why are you looking for a job?”

  She studied him closely for two or three heartbeats. “Since I’ll probably never see you again, I’ll tell you. My previous employer wanted me to show my appreciation for my promotion by falling into his bed.”

  “Why didn’t you sue?”

  ‘No lawyer I could afford could beat his army of lawyers.”

  Mr. Handsome nodded as if he understood. “Here’s our stop. I’ll take care of the fare.”

  “Oh no, let’s split it.” Lucy tried to refuse the man’s generosity.

  “No. You’re looking for a job. I figure it wouldn’t hurt to help you out a little, kind of my good deed for the day. I was an Eagle Scout.” He grinned.

  She groaned. “You can’t be serious.” He shrugged.

  He was very attractive. Lucy couldn’t keep her eyes from staring at his mouth. She tilted her head to one side considering what he’d said. “You mean you’re serious? No, you must be joking.”

  “Nope. I’m paying the fare.”

  “Well, thank you. Thank you very much.” Lucy smiled up at him trying to blink away the mist in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I apologize. I was so rude to you earlier. I'm a little stressed, but there is no excuse. Please forgive me.”

 
; “Think nothing of it, ma'am, it’s my pleasure.” He smiled back at her. “Good luck with your interview." He handed the fare to the driver.

  “Before you go,” the driver said to them as he took the payment, “If you enjoy international foods, my sister has an Ethiopian restaurant you might like to try. Here are some cards with a menu on the back.”

  Her companion thanked the driver and handed her one as he repeated, “Good luck with your interview.”

  The smile faded from her face as she glanced at her watch. “Thank you. I’d better get in there, find a restroom and tidy up first. I must be a mess.”

  “There’s a ladies' room on the other side of the elevators.” He pointed as he held the door open to let her pass.

  “Thank you and goodbye.” She smiled at him over her shoulder.

  “See you around.” With a loose salute he disappeared into the stairwell.

  “Of all the days to rain it had to be today.” Lucy muttered as she refreshed her makeup. She rushed to redo her hair. Nodding in satisfaction, she retrieved her briefcase and her dripping umbrella from the floor. She left the restroom, crossed to the elevators and pressed the button which opened the doors immediately. Resting against the back wall of the small cubicle she regretted the time she’d wasted on the earlier interview. They didn’t want someone with her skill set. They wanted a gofer with an intimate knowledge of every type of coffeemaker known to man. She let out a gusty sigh as the doors slid open. With her hair back under control and her makeup refreshed, Lucy pushed open the glass door to the front office of James Dalton Environmental Consulting, Inc. A woman, who appeared to be in her late forties or early fifties, looked up from her work.

  “Hello, I’m Lucy Caldwell. I have an interview at one o’clock.” Lucy smiled with all the confidence she could muster. The clock above the woman’s head read twelve fifty seven.

  “Yes Lucy, I’ve been expecting you. I’m Carmella, Mr. James’ secretary. Please have a seat while I tell him you’re here.”

  As Lucy took the nearest seat she wondered why she hadn’t done a little more research to discover James Dalton was not one person but a partnership. What else had she failed to find out about this company? Was she getting sloppy in her desperation? She worried with the hem of her skirt which flirted with the top of her knees when she was sitting. She crossed her ankles, uncrossed them and then crossed them again.

  “Lucy?” Carmella motioned for her to follow her down a short corridor and into an office. “Sit down and make yourself comfortable, hon. Devon will be in a moment. Would you like some coffee or a cold drink?”

  “Thank you for offering, but no.” Lucy replied to the woman who smiled in return and left her alone in the office belonging to Mr. Devon James. As she sat in one of the burgundy leather chairs in front of the large mahogany desk she looked around the room. Out of the window she could see downtown Nashville’s skyline above the building across the street. The pictures on the wall were those classic hunting dogs with dead birds hanging from the dog’s mouths. The room was in desperate need of an update. On the credenza along one wall were several family-type photos.

  From out of one frame smiled a beautiful woman with sandy brown hair and sparkling hazel eyes. Beside her, a man stood who looked a little familiar. He had black curling hair, blue eyes, and a very fetching smile. She thought the photo must be of Mr. James and his wife, as her eyes moved along the rest of the photos. Most were of the man she surmised was Mr. James and his young son with a prize fish or a deer or a pheasant. Mr. James seemed to enjoyed the outdoors very much.

  Another picture caught her eye. It was an older Mr. James with another woman, two young men and a teenaged girl. This woman was nothing like the first woman. She was blond, but judging from her black eyebrows it was not her natural color. She had a trace of a smile on her lips, but it didn’t reach her brown eyes. . The girl looked very much like the first woman, except she had Mr. James’ dark hair and blue eyes. One of the young men had brown hair and mischievous brown eyes. The other young man—“Oh my Lord!”—was the man she shared a cab with ten minutes earlier. Her stomach dropped, landing with a crash at her feet. A sense of doom fell over her. Mr. Drop-dead Gorgeous Eagle Scout was probably right now in another office telling his father not to hire her. She couldn’t be very responsible if she didn’t maintain her car, not to mention, she was rude. Worse she had told him why she left Lancaster Industries. Before Lucy’s thoughts could continue down their steep downward slope, the door to the right of the desk opened. She stood up and braced herself for the worst.

  “Hold all calls for me, Carmella. I don’t care if Sydney Mossman’s trapped in a burning building, do not put her through. Tell her to call the fire department." He called over his shoulder. He met her half way between the door and her seat and clasped her small hand in his for a firm handshake. "So we meet again, Miss Caldwell. Please sit down.”

  “Yes…thank you. You should have told me you work here. I was so rude to you. I apologize again. I can’t apologize enough.” Lucy blushed as she returned to her seat. “Will your father be coming in soon? His secretary…Carmella, she said he would come in a minute.”

  “My father?” he asked as he followed her line of sight. “No. I’m Devon James.”

  Lucy’s blush deepened to crimson. “Oh. I am sorry Mr. James. I’m so sorry. I saw the pictures and figured it was his office and now I’m babbling. This isn’t going very well is it?” She crinkled her nose as she met his eyes. She picked up her briefcase and umbrella as she stood up again. “I’ll just go; I don’t want to waste your time…”

  Devon smiled as he lowered himself into the large burgundy leather chair behind the desk. “Sit down.” He continued to smile at Lucy as she collapsed back into her chair. He studied her features.

  Her dark brown, almost black, wavy hair was pulled up into some sort of twist. She was wearing just enough makeup to accent her obvious beauty—but her eyes were what captivated him. Her eyes were a bright, almost emerald green with little flecks of gold. Devon had never before seen eyes so green. He had a sneaking suspicion he could get lost in those eyes. He also took note of how slim she was and she smelled good too. That was something he had noticed in the cab. He figured her to stand and about five feet eight or nine. Devon’s eyes roamed over her and she wriggled with unease under his gaze. She asked, “Since you haven’t thrown me out, what are you looking for in an Assistant, Mr. James?”

  Drawing him out of his thoughts and back into the present, he repeated her question, “What am I looking for in an Assistant?” He paused before continuing, “I’m looking for someone to handle Phase One Assessments. Do you know what those are?”

  Lucy sat back in her chair frowning. “I’m afraid I don’t.”

  Devon went on to explain what a Phase One Assessment involved. It meant going to a site and looking around for obvious signs of contamination, obtaining a survey, and taking pictures. He also said a lot of time would be spent in courthouses searching the deeds filed for previous owners and uses of the property which may have caused possible contamination. “Pretty much,” he finished, “Your job would be to ensure our client isn’t buying a contaminated piece of property and if it turns out to be contaminated, those responsible can be located to pay for the cleanup.”

  “I see. It sounds simple and very time consuming.”

  “They can be extremely time consuming." He nodded. "Time I don’t have, which is why I need someone else to do them while Jack and I concentrate on Phase Two Assessments and Clean-ups.”

  “What do Phase Two Assessments entail?” Lucy asked fascinated. She had thought James Dalton Environmental was some sort of group dedicated to environmental conservation. She definitely should have done more research into this company..

  “Phase Two Assessments,” Devon leaned back in his chair, “Continue where the Phase One research ends. If the possibility of contamination is present we take soil samples at the surface and core samples from varying depths, to a labora
tory here in town to be tested for contaminants.”

  “What contaminants are you looking for in particular?”

  “We test for petroleum by-products, heavy metals, pesticides, other contaminants. If any are found we design a cleanup plan and install it, simple as that.”

  “What you call simple I’d call pretty complicated.” Lucy grinned as she also leaned back in her chair. She was beginning to relax in this man’s magnetic presence.

  “Well, it’s pretty straight-forward. However, sometimes it can get complicated. But what I want to know,” Devon said as he stared deep into her eyes, “is can you do a Phase One Assessment? Your resume is quite impressive for someone who looks to be fresh out of college.” She managed a small smile. “Your last job was with Lancaster Industries. What did you do there?”

  “I was Jordan Lancaster’s Assistant. I was responsible for initiating all company takeovers. It was my responsibility to find out which companies were ripe for takeover or whether they were interested in selling. During the time I was Mr. Lancaster’s assistant I accomplished six takeovers and was in the process of initiating three more when I left the company. ” Lucy explained.

  “So you would be well-versed in the research aspect this job would require.” Devon paused for a moment as he wrote a note in the margin of her resume. “So why—I was going to ask you why you left Lancaster, but you already told me in the cab.”

  “I, er, um,” Lucy stammered, “I guess I should explain—“

  “It’s not necessary.” Devon’s eyes seemed to penetrate straight into her brain. Not even the smallest hint to what he may be thinking was evident in his startling blue eyes.

  Lucy sat in silence, praying he would be different from the other would-be employers, praying he would not tell her she was over-qualified or ‘not quite what they were looking for’. She was growing more and more uncomfortable, having to fight the urge to squirm when he finally spoke. His voice was hard and low. “You shouldn’t feel bad for telling me about Lancaster. You were smart to leave.”