The Way Forward Read online

  Chapter Seven

  Each swipe of the rag revealed a little more of the mahogany surface of the old desk that had been left behind in the Barton Building. Once the surface was cleaned and polished, Dax pushed it closer to the front windows. He couldn’t depend on the ancient wiring, and until he could get the solar panels installed on the roof and all of the electrical replaced, he’d need the natural light.

  He glanced across the park toward the library. He hadn’t seen Callie since going to the book club meeting. If looks could kill, the Jewels could be the greatest secret weapon the Army ever owned.

  It shocked the hell out of him when she agreed to meet him for coffee. He thought back to the day before when her gray eyes looked at him with a combination of curiosity and wariness as she watched him over the rim of her cup. He cringed, remembering all the cruel things he’d said about her eyes.

  “Black people can’t have blue eyes. What happened to you? Were you some kind of a freak experiment?”

  He drew in a sharp breath. Those childhood taunts had made him feel so superior before he knew just how much damage a word could do compared to a bullet. Bullets could kill in an instant; cruel words were a slow death, each letter inflicting pain. Over coffee he learned that she had a blog and wrote book reviews along with her work at the library but it wasn’t enough. he didn’t want to learn about Callie—he wanted to get to know her. He wanted to ask questions during long walks or over dinner. I want to take her on a proper date.

  He pushed away from his makeshift desk and paced the room. Why did Callie have to be the one he couldn’t stop thinking about? His pacing slowed as a memory shimmered in the corners of his mind. He was sitting at the dining room table with his brother and parents.

  “Reid, sit up straight and take your elbows off the table,” his mother admonished before turning to Dax. “How was your day?” She asked the same question every night.

  She never asked Reid about his day.

  “I saw the Coltons’ granddaughter at the library, and she has the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen.”

  His chest tightened, remembering his excitement in sharing the news with his mother.

  His father cleared his throat and loosened his tie, his eyes darting between Dax and his mother. Why was he so nervous?

  His mother narrowed her eyes, “Richard Colton’s granddaughter?” she hissed.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he answered unaware of his mother’s growing displeasure. “She’s here for the summer.”

  “I see.”

  Two words that, as he relived the moment, he realized meant so much. His father hadn’t said anything, but the color drained from his face at the mention of Callie’s name. There was a tenseness between his parents after that night Just a few days later Reid was sent to boarding school.

  He connected Callie’s arrival in Colton with his brother’s departure.

  “I blamed her,” he said to himself.

  The realization was a gut punch.

  Even though he’d said those words to Mae, he was still coming to terms with just how much his brother being sent away affected him. He needed to talk to Reid. What did his brother remember about that night?

  His phone vibrated in his pocket, distracted, he answered without looking at the caller ID. “Ellis,” he snapped.

  “I guess I picked a bad time to see how the homecoming is going.”

  “It’s good to hear your voice, Winters,” Dax said, because it was. Jacob Winters had been his best friend for years.

  “My paperwork just came through, and I’m headed your way.”

  Dax looked up at the cracks in the ceiling and the crumbling plaster medallions. “You may not be so enthusiastic when you see how much work there is.”

  “Not worried about it,” Jacob answered easily.

  Dax had proposed the idea of Jacob moving to Colton when they both retired, and, to his surprise, Jacob took him up on it. Settling in the Mississippi Delta would be a big change for his friend—hopefully, a welcome one. “Good,” Dax said. “It’s been a little hectic since I got back, but the good news is that there’s enough work for you to set up Winters’s Construction, and I already have one project set up for you. It’s going to be good to have you here, I could use a friend.”

  “You never had trouble making friends before.”

  “Yeah, well…I wasn’t the most popular guy when I left here.”

  “Sounds like there’s a story you haven’t told me yet.”

  “You’re right.” Dax swallowed. “I just hope we’re still friends after I’ve told it.”

  “I’ve had your back for six years. I’m not going to stop now.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “Look for me in about forty-eight hours,” Jacob said. “But anything else you want to tell me first?”

  Yes, I want to tell you I was an asshole who terrorized a little girl, but I’m afraid you’ll hate me when you find out. “Nope,” he lied.

  Uncle Robert ambled in, fanning himself, just as Dax finished his conversation. “Whew, it’s gonna be a scorcher today.”

  “I’d forgotten how heavy the air can get here.”

  Robert dropped his hat on the desk. “No, you just didn’t want to remember.”

  “That was my friend Jacob I’ve been telling you about. He’s headed this way. I hope you don’t mind if we both bunk with you for a while.”

  “You and your friends are always welcome at my place, you know that.”

  “Did you let him know that there might be some work for him at the bookstore Callie’s been trying to open?”

  Dax nodded. “I did, but I don’t understand why it’s been so hard for her to get it finished.”

  “Your mother’s managed to run off every contractor within a fifty-mile radius.”

  “Hell,” he muttered.

  Dorothy Ellis was a hard, shiny diamond. The woman could cut through anything before it cut through her.

  “Well, Jacob doesn’t scare easily.”

  Uncle Robert laughed. “I’m gonna get a lawn chair and an ice chest full of beer because it looks like the Fourth of July is coming early this year, and I don’t want to miss the fireworks.”

  His stomach curled in dread thinking about the battle that was coming with his mother. Avoiding a confrontation that had been a long time coming was part of the reason he’d stayed away from Colton for longer than he should have. But his Mississippi roots ran deep, and he had to come home and soothe his soul. Despite the trouble he’d caused growing up and his difficult relationship with his mother, he’d come to appreciate the sense of community a small town offered. It’s what he’d loved about being in the Army—being part of a team. He hoped he could get Reid to become part of the team as well, but his brother wouldn’t even come back for the holidays.

  “Have you heard from Reid lately?” he asked.

  “I tried to call a few weeks ago but he didn’t have much time to talk.”

  “Or he just didn’t want to.”

  Robert tugged on his cap. “He’ll come around. He’s just not ready yet.”

  “I’ve been thinking about him a lot since I’ve been home. I haven’t seen him for more than a couple of hours in years. He treats me more like an acquaintance than a brother. I want to see if I can change that, I’d like for us to be close again.

  “Just keep trying.”

  “I plan to. Hopefully, one day he’ll forgive me too.”

  Uncle Robert cocked his head. “Forgive you for what?”

  “I should have stood up for him when Mother…she never had anything nice to say about him.”

  “That wasn’t your fault. Reid knows that.”

  Dax wished he could believe his uncle. “Does he?”

  Robert looked away. “Don’t give up on him.”

  “Would you tell me if you knew why they sent Reid away?” he asked.

  “Your father and I argued about that more than once. I don’t know why they did it. All I know was that your mother insist
ed. There’s always been rumors.” He rubbed his hand over his jaw. “I caught my brother out with Callie’s mother one time, but then Callie’s mama ran away to Seattle and your dad got your mother pregnant. They had a quickie wedding, and she went with him for his last year of law school. She never really bonded with your brother. Maybe they were just too young…”

  “Dad and Callie’s mother?” Dax leaned forward. “Is that why Mom hates the Coltons so much?”

  “I’m sure it had something to do with it.”

  “Ever since I came back, I’m uncovering more secrets than answers.”

  “You’ve been working hard to make things right. The answers are out there—give it time.” Robert pushed himself off the desk and glanced toward the front window. “I’ve got a hankering for some of Tillie’s pecan pie. Let’s head over. Maybe the world will make more sense with coffee and pie in our bellies.”

  They just missed the lunch rush at the Catfish Café, but there were still quite a few people lingering over their coffee and pie. The sheriff sat at the counter, reading the paper, and the Jewels were ensconced in a booth by the front window. The sheriff acknowledged Dax and Robert with a wary look and a brief nod.

  “Good afternoon, ladies. Don’t y’all look fine today.” Robert beamed at the Jewels and tipped his hat as they walked by.

  Opal and Pearl both nodded with grim faces, but Ruby’s stern expression was softened by the light in her eyes when she looked up at Robert. Dax paused for just a second. Was the Jewels’ presence the reason for his uncle’s sudden craving?

  They slid into a booth in the back of the restaurant and Tillie appeared at the table with a coffeepot in one hand and a slice of pie in the other, placing them on the table in front of Robert. Today she wore an orange gingham shirt that would have matched her hair color before it faded to a softer hue. She must have a different gingham shirt for every day of the week, since for as long as Dax could remember she had never worn anything but a gingham shirt with jeans and white sneakers.

  His greeting died on his lips when he saw the sharpness in her gaze.

  “We were all pretty upset to hear about what happened to Callie’s bike,” she said as a greeting.

  “He was with me that night,” Robert said, quietly, over the rim of his coffee cup. “Stop glowering and give the boy some coffee and pie, Tillie.”

  Her fingers flexed on the handle of the coffeepot, and for a moment Dax wondered if she was going to pour the coffee over Robert and smash the carafe over his head. Instead, she turned on her heel to grab a cup off the counter. She pursed her lips, poured Dax a cup.

  “Don’t forget the pie,” Uncle Robert called out when she turned away.

  Of all the missions Robert undertook for his country, this may have been the most dangerous one of all. No one ever told Tillie what to do.

  A minute later, a large slice of pie slid onto the table.

  “I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions. Old habits are hard to break I guess.” Tillie put a hand on her hip, but her expression had gentled. “I’m glad the two of you are trying to find out who destroyed Miss Callie’s bike,” she announced loudly enough that everyone in the café had no doubt Tillie believed in his innocence. “It’s not like this one is going to do anything about it,” she continued, jerking her thumb toward the sheriff as she walked away.

  Dax sputtered and choked on his coffee. Sheriff Crosby stood, purple rising from his collar to his face as he slammed down a handful of change on the counter and stormed out.

  The whole café breathed a sigh of relief when the sheriff left, and the normal buzz of conversation resumed.

  “No one makes better pecan pie than Tillie Reynolds,” Robert said, lifting another forkful to his mouth with a sly grin.

  Dax took a bite of the sugary, gooey sweetness and popped it into his mouth. He closed his eyes, savoring the memory of the same flavor from his childhood.

  “We spent a lot of time at this table before I left for college.”

  “We did.” Robert nodded. “I miss those days.”

  “I find it hard to believe you miss trying to keep your degenerate nephew out of trouble.”

  Robert slowly set his fork down and leaned forward, his elbows on the table. “Spending time with my nephew, who I like to think of as the son I never had, is a memory I will always treasure.”

  Dax froze. “Thanks Uncle Robert.” He managed to get the words past the lump in his throat. “You’ve been a better uncle than—”

  Robert held up his hand. “Don’t say it.”

  They finished off their pie in companionable silence. Dax noticed his uncle glanced toward the Jewels every once in a while, and Ruby was sneaking looks at their table as well. Dax opened his mouth, a teasing comment on the tip of his tongue, but he snapped it closed again. He had no right to tease anyone about their love life.

  As if the thought alone was enough to summon her, a flutter of pink caught his eye as Callie walked toward the café. She stopped at the front door and reached for the handle but jerked back when their eyes met. She frowned and backed away. Dax wanted to rush out to call her back, but that wouldn’t help. He forced himself to stay put, waving Tillie over instead.

  “Would you mind putting together whatever Callie usually orders and asking the Jewels to take it over to her?”

  Tillie wrinkled her forehead, obviously perplexed by his request.

  “I don’t want her to miss her lunch because I’m here,” he said, pointing to Callie’s back retreating from the door.

  Tillie’s eyebrows shot up. “I’ll take care of it.”

  “It will get better, son, I promise,” Uncle Robert said.

  It was going to be a long road to redemption. Dax hoped he could manage the miles ahead.

  Chapter Eight

  The low, powerful roar of a motorcycle echoed through the town square. A minute later, Callie and Mae looked up in unison as the library door flew open. Callie’s eyes grew wide while Mae’s hand flew to her chest.

  A giant lumberjack at least six feet tall and wearing a gray plaid shirt, dark denim jeans, and a pair of work boots filled the doorway. He stroked his auburn-brown beard, looking from Callie to Mae with his dark blue eyes.

  “C-can I help you?” she asked.

  The man smiled and held out his hand. “One of you must be Callie Colton,” he said.

  Callie gingerly returned his handshake. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

  “Dax Ellis sent me. My name’s Jacob Winters. He told me that a pretty lady needed a carpenter.” He looked from Callie to Mae again. “I’d be happy to help more than one pretty lady if she needs the help.” He winked at Mae.

  Mae took a step back, her eyes growing wide.

  This knight in shining armor routine from Dax was starting to get on her nerves. “Mr. Winters, I appreciate your offer, but I can’t accept.”

  “Nope,” Jacob interrupted, “your friend made it very clear that this was supposed to be my first stop when I got into town.”

  “Dax isn’t my friend,” Callie said, quietly. Mae reached out and gave her arm a gentle squeeze.

  Jacob looked around the library with curious eyes. “This is a nice space you have here. I noticed the sign on the door for the bookstore on the window next door. Is that the place you need help with?” he asked, ignoring her statement.

  “Yes, but—”

  “Look, why don’t we pretend I never mentioned that Dax sent me here? I’m just a contractor looking to bid on a project.”

  Even if she could do that, she would still be accepting help from Dax. Stubbornness warred with practicality. Dorothy Ellis spread the word around town that she’d make sure anyone who worked on the bookstore wouldn’t be hired in Colton or anywhere else in the county. It was ridiculous, but she had enough influence to make life difficult for anyone who defied her. There weren’t many trades left in Colton, and Callie didn’t blame anyone for not wanting to take on the dragon lady.

  “Mr. Winters, I can’t accept.
If you do any work for me, you won’t get work anywhere else.”

  Jacob crossed his arms. “First off, you’ll have to start calling me Jacob if we’re going to be working together. I don’t know what’s going on, but between this job and working with Dax on his building, I have plenty to do.”

  How could she explain small-town politics and Dorothy Ellis? Before she could try, Mae jumped in.

  “Dax’s mama runs this town, and she hates Callie, so if you’re going to help her, you’ll be on her shit list too, and I guarantee you won’t get any other work around here.”

  Leave it too Mae to cut to the chase.

  “I’ve never been one for playing by the rules. I’m not worried.” He glanced toward the storefront next door. “How about we take a look at your project? Do you have permission from the landlord to make the changes you want?”

  “I own the building so that’s not a problem, and I have all of the permits. I just need someone to do the work.”

  “Callie’s grandfather owned all of the buildings on this side of the square. This has always been the Black side of the town,” Mae said with pride.

  “The Black side of town?”

  Mae smirked. “You’re in the South now. Even the cemeteries are segregated. There are more unwritten rules in small Southern towns than cotton in the fields.” Mae gestured to Callie. “We are the Black Coltons, descendants of the slaves from the Colton Plantation. Your friend Dax gets to claim General Absolem Madden Colton as a relative.” Mae stepped close enough that she had to crane her neck to make her next point. “There are Black Coltons and White Coltons, and one of the rules—” she emphasized rules with air quotes “—is that the two don’t mix.”

  Jacob frowned.

  “A lot of things have changed, and they’re changing every day,” Callie added.

  “Dax filled me in on some of this stuff. If you think you’re going to scare me away with your rules, you are going to have to try harder. I’ve fought insurgents in hellholes you can’t imagine.” He pointed at Mae. “And you may be fierce, but you don’t scare me, pixie.”