Beau, Mom and Dad can stop worrying about me.”
Jake punched his shoulder playfully. “That’s what families are for, little bro.”
“Yeah,” Caleb smiled in his easygoing way, realizing he was getting a bit sensitive.
“Wait a minute.” Beau saw the extra plate in the sink. “Caleb, did you have waffles this morning?”
“Sure did. The best Mom ever made.”
Althea walked in, hearing the conversation. “Sit down, boys, and I’ll make a fresh batch.”
Caleb kissed his mom. “I’ve got to run and I’ve already had waffles. Guess I’m the favorite.”
Guffaws followed that.
“Now, boys,” Althea said, but she was smiling.
Caleb hugged his dad. “Son…”
“I know, Dad.” Caleb hugged him tighter. “I’ll be careful.”
“I’ll let everyone know when I get back.” He gave Katie a quick hug and a kiss and walked out. Jake and Beau followed him.
They embraced before Caleb got in his car. “If you need anything, just call us,” Jake said.
“Even if it’s in the middle of the night,” Beau added.
“I will, and thanks.”
“Have you talked to Eli?” Jake asked.
“I spoke to Tuck, but I’ll call Eli when I get to my office. Being a newlywed, I didn’t want to intrude on his morning.”
Caleb drove away knowing whatever happened he had the love and support of his family. And he had a feeling he was going to need it.
CHAPTER THREE
WHEN CALEB REACHED his office, Eli, his half brother, was waiting for him. Tuck was Eli’s foster brother and had told him the news. Because he’d been the one who’d rescued Belle, at times he felt responsible for her life.
“How is she?” Eli asked, a note of worry in his voice.
Eli was a big muscular man and the only son who had Joe McCain’s blue eyes.
“She’s scared.” There was no reason to lie.
“She’s been scared for a long time.”
“Yeah. But this is different.” He sank into his chair. “I think I’m a little scared, too.” That wasn’t easy for him to admit.
Eli watched him. “Let me take her back. End the relationship now and spare yourself the pain.”
Caleb slowly removed his hat. “Would you have let me help Caroline?”
“Hell, no.”
“My answer is the same.”
Eli nodded. “Then I’ll go with you. Between the two of us, we can protect her and make sure no one gets the chance to hurt her again.”
Caleb lifted an eyebrow. “What about Caroline?”
“She’ll understand.”
She probably would, Caleb thought. They both cared and worried about Belle. But something held him back.
He laid his hat on his desk, running his finger over the rim of the Stetson. “I have to do this alone. I have to do it for her—and for me.”
Eli nodded, understanding as Caleb knew he would. “Just nail the bastard who put her through hell.”
“I intend to.”
“And Caleb…”
“What?” Caleb saw the concern in Eli’s eyes and knew exactly what the concern was about. “I’ll be fine, Eli.”
“But it won’t be easy.”
“No.” It wasn’t going to be easy to return Belle to another life—a life without him in it—and Eli understood that. Even though they’d only known each other a short time, their bond was close—as brothers should be.
They talked a bit more then Eli left for his office. Caleb took care of things that needed his immediate attention before the trip, then he headed home, packed his clothes and dressed for the ball.
BELLE WAS IN A RUSH all day and didn’t have time to dwell on a lot of painful thoughts. Gertie had a hundred things for her to do and she was glad to soak in a hot tub before she dressed for the evening. She stared at the black gown with a V-neck and long sleeves. Sequins decorated the bodice and glistened like tiny stars. The pencil-slim skirt had a slit up the side, showing off her leg and ankles. The dress was expensive and she’d balked at the extravagance when she’d first started working for Gertie. But Gertie insisted it was part of the job. Belle had to dress the part, so she acquiesced. But she was sure she’d never worn clothes like this before. They didn’t feel familiar.
She braided her hair, entwining a sparkly ribbon through it, and coiled it into a knot at the back of her head, curling several loose tendrils around her face. She’d done her hair like this before. When she was small, her mother had done Josie’s hair the same way. Many times. Marie would brush Josie’s hair until it shone, then she would braid it to keep it out of her eyes. As Josie grew older Marie would interweave a colorful ribbon to match Josie’s clothes. For the prom, Marie had done Josie’s hair just as it was now.
Belle’s cheeks felt warm from the memory of her wonderful mother. She was remembering more now and her heart hammered so fast she had to take a deep breath.
Later she would relive the memories until they were permanent, never to be forgotten or destroyed again. But now she had to concentrate on the evening.
She slipped on sandaled heels and buckled the strap across the ankle. Standing, she felt light-headed from the height. Good grief, how was she supposed to walk in these things? Wearing heels this high obviously wasn’t a part of her daily life. After a few trips around her bedroom, she went to help Gertie.
CALEB WAS AT GERTIE’S on time and when he saw Belle, his heart stopped. She was more than beautiful. She was radiant, and Caleb felt privileged to have her on his arm.
The night was melancholy. Caleb and Belle were both aware that tomorrow their lives would change. Caleb put it out of his mind and enjoyed the evening. The ball was in full swing and Caleb held her close as they danced the slow tunes and laughed as they cut up during the fast ones. They didn’t talk much. They didn’t need to.
They circled the dance floor to “Moon River,” his hand at her back, her head on his shoulder. Through the thin fabric of her dress, his fingers felt the scars on her back. He forced down the anger in him, not wanting any reminders of what the cult had done to her.
“I like to dance,” she said.
“I know.” They’d been dancing several times in the past year.
“Some things you just don’t forget.” She raised her head, her eyes twinkling. “We dance so well together, Caleb McCain. I must have known you in another life.”
He just smiled, wishing that was true—that he was the man in Belle’s life. But he was her protector, her friend, and another man was waiting for her. Of that Caleb was certain. But tonight she was his.
Several other men asked Belle to dance and he stood on the sidelines trying to let go. He was just amazed at the change in her. A few months ago Belle was a frightened woman, not wanting anyone to touch her. She was now unafraid of human touch, but she still had issues about her back and didn’t want anyone to see the scars. When Josie surfaced completely, he wondered how she would deal with it.
The auction started and Belle and Caleb took their seats. Gertie’s bird-hat was a big hit and Caleb almost choked when it sold for ten thousand dollars. Gertie had obviously gotten the word out.
It