Chapter Seventeen
Caroline drove along the roads feeling free with the convertible top down. On her way into town, she saw the grocery store when she reached the stoplight. Her heart raced as she considered whether going inside alone might be a bad idea.
“Come on, ya ninny,” she chastised herself. “It won’t take more than twenty minutes to pick up some things.”
Pulling into the stall, she put the roof back up on the car and grabbed her purse. She locked the door and scanned the parking lot, searching for anyone who appeared suspicious.
Her heart pounded in her ears as she quickened her pace to enter the store, thinking of safety in numbers.
People glanced her way as she grabbed a cart and went to the center of the store before she changed her mind.
A man watched as she pursued the cookie aisle.
When she found one of her old favorites, she placed it in her cart.
Turning into the next aisle, she saw the man again, making her pause and turn down the next.
She made it a quarter of the way down and stopped to add a can of peaches to her cart when the man appeared again.
This time, he smiled at her. Her already overloaded nervous system told her to run.
Not wanting to appear like a crazy woman, Caroline turned her cart and headed to the register.
She swiped her card and ran to her car. She struggled to get the door unlocked with the newfangled key fob, making her anxiety rise.
When she managed to get the door open, she shut herself inside and hunkered down in the seat until she felt safe enough to drive the rest of the way to her dad’s.
When she arrived, Nancy showed her to the pool house.
“I’ll have dinner ready in about forty-five minutes. Will you join us?” Nancy asked, setting the small bags from the store on the table.
“Of course. Only if you agree, I can cook tomorrow,” she bargained, taking her suitcase into the bedroom.
“You have a deal,” the older woman said. “Thomas nearly got up and danced a jig when you called. I can’t tell you what having you here has done for him.”
“I feel the same way,” she said, returning to the living room. “Do I have a separate entrance? A friend of mine will be arriving early in the morning, and I don’t want to bother you.”
“Yes. There’s a gate to the left of the suite. Your guests can enter there,” Nancy informed her, pointing out of the French doors.
“Perfect,” Caroline said, taking the bags to the small kitchen. “Can I help you with dinner?”
“Nope. I already put a casserole in the oven. Get unpacked and settled. If you finish, pop on over and visit with your father. I doubt he’ll rest at all with all this excitement. Don’t be surprised when he goes to bed early,” Nancy explained, heading toward the door.
“I hope I didn’t mess with his schedule too much,” she said, worried. “He seems tired already.”
Nancy chuckled. “It’s our age. Our hearts and minds feel like we’re in our twenties, but the rest of our body feels our true age.”
“I’ll see you in a few minutes,” Caroline said as Nancy opened the door and left her to unpack. Taking out her phone, she sat on the couch and texted Rebecca.
Hey. It’s Caroline. My father invited me to stay with him. The counselor agreed to do virtual meetings until I find a therapist here. I cleaned the cabin, and it’s ready for the next survivor. Thank you for everything.
Rebecca texted
Why didn’t you stop by or call us? You’ll come for dinner and visit with us, right?”
Yes. I’m not far away. We can always do lunch.
I felt like I needed to make a clean break.
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to seem rude or ungrateful.
I’m thankful for everything. If it’s all right with you, I’ll bring my dad out to see your wonderful program.
He’ll feel better knowing all of you helped me.
Did you tell Jameson?
Caroline’s finger hovered over the phone.
I plan on telling him next.
Keep in touch. We’re here for you day or night. Rebecca assured her.
Thank you. I will.
Scrolling to Jameson’s name, Caroline pulled up the text bubble. She sat for a minute, trying to find the words she wanted to convey. Nothing seemed or felt appropriate.
Thank you for setting up the meeting with Victoria. I feel better about James. I’ve decided to take my father up on his offer, and I moved my things this afternoon. When do I need to return the car? It’s a sweet ride, and I love driving it. I may have to buy one when I save up enough money.
What about our agreement?
He texted back immediately.
You can’t watch over me day and night. You have a job to do. There are more survivors out there. They need you.
She insisted.
Three dots showed and then disappeared. He didn’t respond. Somehow, it hurt more than she anticipated.
Jameson pulled into the driveway, shutting off his lights. He watched Caroline set the table while chatting with her father. From the outside, she appeared happy as she lovingly caressed his cheek.
Nancy entered the room, carrying a large baking dish. Thomas gazed through the window, and he seemed to have a hint of a smile on his face.
His eyes traced Caroline moving into the kitchen when his phone rang.
“Jameson,” he answered.
“Hello, young man. I wondered how long it might take until you showed up. You might as well come in and eat dinner with us. We’re having baked ham with scalloped potato casserole and salad,” Thomas informed him.
“I don’t think Caroline wants me showing up at the door. I’m fine, sir,” he assured him.
“I insist. You saved my daughter and, therefore, me. You’ll always have a seat at my table. I’ll expect you in five minutes,” Thomas said before hanging up.
Banging his head on the steering wheel, he debated with himself. Part of him wished to walk inside and haul Caroline over his shoulder, demanding she return to the ranch. The other side argued, she needed this time with her father, and he didn’t have the right to interfere.
Getting out of his truck, he scanned the neighborhood. Everything appeared the same as the first few nights he watched the house before confronting her father.
Ringing the doorbell, he waited for someone to answer.
The door opened, and Nancy greeted him with a smile and a wink.
“Jameson. It’s nice to see you. Come on in,” she said, moving out of his way. “We’re sitting for dinner. Do you want to join us?”
“Thank you,” he said, nodding. His eyes scanned the room until he found the woman he searched for. Caroline’s eyes grew big before her cheeks turned pink.
“Jameson…I texted you. Did you check your phone?” she asked hesitantly, surprised to see him there.
“Yes. I saw your text,” he said coolly.
“I invited Jameson to dinner,” her father interjected. “Come have a seat, son.”
Jameson waited for Caroline to refuse, but she hurried to her chair next to her father, avoiding his gaze.
“Tell me about this ranch, Jameson. Do you bring everyone you save there?” Thomas asked.
“I’m not allowed to discuss the specifics, but everyone gets a choice. They can stay or return home,” he said, staring at Caroline.
“What happens to them if they should decide to stay?” Thomas asked, passing the rolls toward him, making Caroline take the basket and hand it to him.
“Thank you,” he murmured, seeing Thomas regarding the two of them. The old man appeared sneakier than he originally thought. “Then we help them rebuild their lives.”
“You’re welcome,” she replied, digging into the casserole.
“Tell me, Honeybee, what will you do for a job?” Thomas asked, taking a sip of tea. “You can’t sit with your old man every day.”
“I’m searching online for a position. I might have to take something in the interim,” she said, taking another bite.
“You can’t work yet,” Jameson interrupted. “It’s a safety risk. We do it with everyone.”
“How long will I need to wait?” she exclaimed. “I’ll have to make a living.”
“It’s all right. We have a fund to get you started until we assess the risks,” he explained.
Shaking her head, Caroline made a face. “No. After seeing some of those survivors, I can’t take money. I’m one of the lucky ones.”
“You still have battles to fight. You never should’ve left. We made an agreement,” Jameson reminded her.
“You’re not the boss of me,” she gritted out, thinking of her friend, Riley.
“I see you’ve hung around Riley. When you give me your word, I expect you to follow it,” Jameson seethed. “What if something happened to you on your way here?”
“Will I ever be safe?” she said, rising from her chair. “I’m sorry, Dad. I’ve suddenly lost my appetite. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Honeybee. He knows what he’s doing. Maybe instead of reacting, you might try listening,” he suggested.
Caroline rolled her eyes. “He said everyone has a choice. I made mine.”
Jameson rose, wiping his mouth with his napkin. “Excuse me, sir. Nancy, thank you for the dinner. Caroline, may I speak with you for a minute?”
“No. I want to forget about what happened and get on with my life. I can’t do it with you always lurking around,” Caroline said, slamming her napkin on the table and stomping toward her pool house.
“Wait,” Jameson called as she swung open the patio door. “Damn it, Caroline. I’m sorry. Go back and enjoy dinner with your family. I’ll leave,” he offered.
“I texted you and told you my whereabouts. Why did you come?” she demanded as rage filled her.
“You agreed when I gave you the car. Why did you change your mind?”
“Victoria told me what happened to James. I’ll never get any closure.
Cain will find someone to replace me. Why can’t I go on with my life?
I’ve spent the last six years being told when to eat, where to sleep, how to fuck, and forced to ask permission to pee.
Don’t I deserve happiness? I’m tired of feeling despair, fear, and heartbreak,” she sniffled, but the tears refused to stop flowing.
“You deserve a happy life. I’m trying to keep you safe,” he justified. “I can’t do it when you don’t tell me where you’re going.”
“I’m not a child. You can’t follow me forever. The team must save the others still out there,” she said, putting the coffee table between them. “Go, Jameson. I don’t know what’s going on between us, but we can’t be anything else. Your father made it impossible.”
“Did he have sex with you, Caroline?” he whispered. “Did my father rape you?”
“No. Another woman held his attention. I became nothing more than a transaction between his friends,” she confessed. “There’s nothing you need to feel guilty about. You saved my life. You did your job and kept your promise. It’s time to move on.”
Jameson swiped his jaw, staring at her. Her stance appeared rigid as she steeled her backbone. Caroline reminded him of Victoria, which seemed likely since his father put them both through hell.
“The team will keep an eye on you. If you plan to leave, contact Rebecca,” he said softly before turning toward the door. “I’ve never treated you like a job. You’ll always be more.”
Jameson felt like someone reached into his gut and twisted it into several knots. It took everything to walk away from her, yet Caroline’s refusal of him hurt him to the core. She discovered his last name, and like everyone else, she discarded him like garbage.