Pecan Pie and Deadly Lies (An Adams Grove Novel) Page 7

  “Hi! I didn’t know you were here.” Jake looked excited. “Are you riding to school with us?”

  “I am if you’re okay with it.”

  “Yeah! Can we ride in your bus instead of Mom’s car?”

  Kasey said, “Not today. Some of the guys are still sleeping on the bus.”

  “Oh. Someday?” Jake added, “Please?”

  “I tell ya what, one of these days I’ll even let you drive the bus on my lap. Is that a deal?”

  “Yes. I like that deal.” Jake climbed into the car with his lunch box and backpack.

  Kasey spoke across the top of the car. “You know you have to keep promises you make to these kids. They don’t forget a thing.”

  “Cool by me.” Cody leaned in and whispered to Jake. “Is she a good driver, Jake?”

  “My mom’s a really good driver,” he said. “She got a ticket once though.”

  Cody closed the back door and got into the passenger seat.

  “Only one ticket?” Cody eyed her. “Ever?”

  She shrugged, trying to look innocent as she started the car and headed toward the school.

  Jake played the role of tour director, pointing out local landmarks as they drove through town. He even explained each of the crops and how the train tracks weren’t really used anymore.

  When Kasey pulled into the parking area, a blue shirted “helper” met them at the car. She buddied Jake up with another child and collected more students as she headed toward the school leading the train of linked children.

  Kasey leaned forward over the steering wheel watching Jake all the way to the door of the school. “He’s growing up so fast.” She put the car in gear and backed out of the parking space. “If you’re not in a huge hurry, and you’re hungry, Mac’s Bakery has the best bear claws I’ve had anywhere in the country. Want to pick some up for the guys?”

  “They’d love it.”

  “Great. I’ll give you a little tour of my new hometown.” She turned down Main Street and cruised up the block. She slowed down in front of the brightly painted orange building. “Do you mind if I stop here for just a minute?”

  “No. I’m not in any hurry.”

  “Awesome.” She pulled the car next to the curb in front of the vacant storefront on Main Street. She got out and peered in the window, then jotted down the phone number from the FOR SALE OR LEASE sign propped in the window.

  Cody got out and followed along. “Are you opening a photography studio or something?”

  “Maybe a frame shop.” She turned and looked at him, her cheeks reddened. “I have to figure something out now that Jake is in school.” She peered through the window again.

  “But you love those photo shoots.”

  She turned and let out a breath. “I do, but I love my son more.”

  “You could get a nanny.”

  She looked doubtful.

  “It’s not that crazy an idea. People do it all the time.”

  “Not people like me.”

  “Maybe there’s another creative solution that wouldn’t mean giving up the photography. It’s such a big part of who you are. If the nanny isn’t appealing, maybe you homeschool Jake on the road, or put him in a boarding school with some flexibility during those times you travel. I have friends that take their kids on the road. There are other options.”

  “In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not rock-star rich like you.”

  “You do okay.”

  “I’ll figure something out. I’ll do whatever it takes to do the right thing by Jake.”

  “I know you will. Just don’t rush it. Something will work out. It always does.”

  “I hope you’re right,” she said as she walked back to the car.

  They got in and she drove up to the next block and parked in front of Mac’s Bakery. The bright blue awning shaded the arched letters on the glass.

  “That smells great,” Cody said.

  “Wait until you taste the bear claws.” She took the keys from the ignition. “Do you want to wait here?”

  “Why? You embarrassed to be seen with me?”

  She laughed. “Hardly. I just thought you might want to keep your visit to Adams Grove on the down-low.”

  “No. Don’t be silly.” He stepped out of the car and walked inside with her. The kid behind the counter was probably in his midtwenties and it was obvious he recognized Cody. His eyes darted back and forth between Cody and Kasey.

  “Yes, Derek. It is who you think it is,” Kasey said.

  Derek wiped his hands on his apron. “Cody Tuggle?”

  Cody shook Derek’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Derek. I hear you have the best bear claws in the world.”

  “My dad’s recipe. Yeah. They’re a town favorite. We sell more of those than anything else. My specialty is the cakes.”

  Cody shoved his hand into his front pocket. “Can you get us a dozen of those famous bear claws to go?”

  “Yes sir.” Derek ran to the back and came out with two white boxes. “Here you go. On the house.”

  “No. No way.” Cody peeled off a couple of twenties and placed them on the counter. “Thank you. I appreciate the thought, but I’ve got this.”

  “Would you mind autographing something for me? You know, just to prove you were here?”

  “Sure. What do you want me to sign?”

  Derek looked around, and then grabbed a big circular piece of cardboard that he used underneath tiered cakes. “How about this?”

  “Got a pen?”

  Derek handed him the whole pencil cup.

  Cody took out a marker and began to write and then stopped. “Wait a second.”

  He opened the box and took a bite of one of the bear claws. He turned to Kasey. “You were right. But then you always are.”

  To Derek at Mac’s Bakery

  Best bear claws around!

  ~ Cody Tuggle

  “Thank you so much!” Derek placed the cardboard up on the rack just below where the prices were hung.

  As they walked out, Kasey said, “Thanks for being so nice to him. You made his day.”

  “Made mine too.”

  When Kasey pulled into the driveway, most of the guys were up and moving around. They’d already rolled some of the bigger boxes out of the trailer and were wheeling Cody’s motorcycle down the ramp.

  “Want to go for a ride on my bike?”

  “No. You’ve got places to go.”

  “Come on. It’ll be fun. It’s a gorgeous day and there’s plenty of time before I’ll head out.”

  “I don’t have a helmet,” she said.

  “I’ve got an extra.” They climbed out of the car and Cody took the box of pastries over to the guys. “Best bear claws in the world, says our hostess.”

  The guys dug in and nodded their approval.

  Cody disappeared into the trailer and walked back out with a helmet. “Just a quick ride.”

  She looked unsure, but finally came around. “Just a quick one and you can’t go real fast.”

  “Promise,” he said. He laid the black half helmet on her head and helped her buckle it and then put on his own. He straddled the bike and Kasey put one foot on the back foot peg and swung her leg over like she’d done it a time or two.

  He started the bike and the pop-pop… pop-pop… pop-pop pause echoed through the custom pipes. “Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  He’d kind of hoped she’d be clinging to him like Velcro but she seemed perfectly fine with one hand on the back rail.

  He talked to her over his shoulder. “You’ve ridden before.”

  She leaned forward. “Don’t get that many gigs shooting cars and motorcycles without riding a few.”

  Cody lowered his arm and let it hang on the outside of her leg as they rode through the scenic countryside. It felt good to let go and just ride. Kasey was the perfect passenger. Totally neutral through all the curves and he liked it when she giggled when he patted her thigh just to let her know he knew she was there.

 
; They only passed a few cars on the ride. He’d promised to keep it short but he could have ridden all day with her on the back of his bike. He turned left at the end of the next road and all of a sudden, Kasey freaked out.

  “No,” she slapped his shoulder. “Don’t go this way.”

  “Why not?”

  “Scott’s mom lives down this way.”

  “So?”

  “So, I don’t want to start any gossip.”

  Gossip in general, or just gossip about you and me? Cody turned around at the next wide spot and headed back to her house.

  Kasey stood on the pegs of the bike and lifted herself up and off, stepping down as she unhooked the helmet. “That was fun.”

  It was until you went paranoid on me. The Jake thing he could understand, but maybe it wasn’t about the kidnapping and more about just who she was. “Thanks for coming along. You’re an old pro. I thought I was treating you to something new.”

  “Well, it was new with you.”

  “We’ll do it again sometime. I’d love to take you for a ride down my favorite path at home. It goes by an old grist mill. Really pretty.” Only he somehow doubted she’d ever agree to really do it.

  “Sounds beautiful. I’ll bring the camera.”

  “Of course you will.”

  She stood there for an awkward moment. “I guess you probably ought to head on down to Raleigh now.”

  “Yeah. Might as well shove off.” So why aren’t I moving?

  Kasey shrugged. “Wish me luck at Arty’s tonight. If he asks about you, I’ll say that I just talked to you and you said you were getting married and leaving the music business.”

  Cody whistled. “Yeah, do that. It’ll send him right off the deep end. Be sure to have your camera ready for that shot.”

  “Count on it.”

  He pushed the bike back and turned it toward the road, then took off.

  When he got to the end of the driveway he could see her still standing there staring at him.

  What are you thinking right now, Kasey? I sure would love to know.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Just as Cody reached the stop sign on Route 58 and Nickel Creek Road, huge raindrops fell with the weight of malt balls and they were coming fast. A lightning bolt flashed, followed by an immediate crack of thunder. A little too close for comfort.

  It’s got to be a sign.

  He turned around and headed back to Kasey’s house, squinting against the pummeling rain. She must have heard his motorcycle because when he turned into the driveway she was already motioning from the front door for him to pull around to the garage.

  He drove the Harley into the garage bay and gave it one rev before he shut it down and took off his helmet. “Where the heck did that come from?” His shirt was soaking wet so he took it off too and draped it over the handlebars. “I guess that road trip wasn’t meant to be.”

  “You aren’t letting a little thing like rain stop you, are you?”

  “You’re giving this visit more potential than it deserves. It’s fine. There’ll be another time.”

  “Or not.” She walked over to a cabinet next to the door and then tossed a key chain to Cody. He snagged it in midair.

  He looked at them. Ford keys? “What’s this for?”

  “The car in the other garage behind the house.”

  “Why are you so determined to get me out of your hair?”

  “It’s not that. You helped me. I’m helping you.” She walked toward the garage door. “Follow me.”

  He unsaddled from the bike and took her hand. “Ready?”

  “Yes.” She took off running with him at her side. “That is the coldest rain,” she squealed.

  “Yeah, it is. At least you have your shirt on.” He tugged her along faster toward the backyard.

  She grabbed the handle on the carriage house garage and Cody helped her open the door.

  A blue tarp covered a car in the middle of the space. This garage must have been intended as her husband’s man cave.

  She lifted one corner. “Help me uncover it.”

  He grabbed the other side of the cover and they walked it forward. The baby-blue Thunderbird looked showroom ready. “It’s a beauty.” Cody stood back, admiring it.

  “I used to love riding in this car with Nick. I come out and start it once a week for good measure. Other than that, it’s just sitting here.”

  He looked at her like she was crazy. “Kasey, I can’t drive this car. I bet it’s never been in the rain.” He hadn’t seen an old Thunderbird this nice since he took his ’39 Chevy down to the Barrett-Jackson auction to raise money for Wounded Warriors. “Nineteen fifty-seven?”

  “Good guess. You know your cars. It’s fine to drive it in the rain. It’s a dependable car, and Nick drove it all the time. He loved this car. I think sometimes he drove it in the rain just as an excuse to spend more time shining it up.”

  He walked around to the side and opened the door. “Man. You just don’t see them like this every day.”

  “There’s another one almost just like it right here in Adams Grove, believe it or not.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, except it’s not stock like this one. That one has satellite radio and power everything. Scott Calvin has one. He was driving it the day we met.”

  “What are the odds?” Even just hearing that guy’s name bugs me. He closed the door. “I’m not sure I feel right about driving this. I appreciate it, but I’ll wait.”

  “In the grand scheme of things it’s just transportation. It won’t rust. It’s just sitting in here gathering spiders. Drive it. That’s what it was made for.”

  He opened the driver’s side door and sat inside. “She’s a beauty.” He was so tempted. Not even because he wanted to see Lou, but because it would be fun to drive this machine. “You sure?”

  “Yeah. I’m sure. I know it’s not too low-key, but then you never are.”

  He nodded. “True. Thanks. I’m going to go get changed into some dry clothes first though.”

  Kasey stepped out toward the driveway and peered outside. “I thought I heard someone drive up. Riley’s here.”

  Cody got out of the car and put the keys in his pocket. “I guess this is it for a while then?”

  “Guess so.” She stepped back. “I really hope it all goes well with Lou and that y’all have so many fireworks you set off a smoke alarm.”

  “Wow, you know how to put pressure on a guy.”

  He walked back to the bus wishing he were going to be the one riding with Kasey to northern Virginia instead of Pete.

  “Not a good day for a bike ride, is it?” Pete teased.

  “Not so much.”

  “Kasey and Riley are getting ready to go pick up Jake. She said she’ll be ready to roll as soon as they get back.”

  “Thanks. I’ll be ready,” Pete said.

  Cody closed the door to his room behind him. Trying to think positive about the trip, he tossed a change of clothes in his duffel bag. He changed into a charcoal gray shirt with diamond-shaped snaps and tucked it into his jeans. Then, he grabbed his custom Bailey guitar and pushed the cowboy hat down on his head, before heading back out to the garage to get the T-bird.

  He backed the car out into the driveway and adjusted the mirrors, then punched the manual buttons to find a radio station. The first one he pushed was a sports talk show. Good taste, Nick. Women. Cars. Radio stations. We probably would have been friends. He typed Lou’s address into his phone for directions.

  Right at a two-hour drive. Not bad.

  Once he got on the interstate it was smooth sailing. The car handled nicely and it was kind of a cool feeling to know that the nods and looks he was getting were for the car and not for him.

  He took the US-64 bypass exit toward Raleigh, and now that he was starting to get closer he found himself feeling a little nervous about being on Lou’s turf.

  Maybe you really can’t go back. When he and Lou were a couple, times had been lean. He was just barel
y making ends meet playing smoky bars and doing session work whenever he could get it. Back then going up to the local ice cream shop for a lime sherbet freeze was a celebration. One they didn’t afford often. Mostly it was at home with the generic stuff. Still good memories though. We’ve come a long way.

  That was a good memory, though. He hadn’t had a sherbet freeze in years. He swung the car into the next strip mall and parked in a spot toward the middle of the lot so no one would bump the car.

  Feeling good about the idea, he tugged his hat down and jogged up to the grocery store. He took a cart and started heading for the frozen food section to get lime sherbet, then over to the soda aisle for a bottle of lemon-lime soda. He passed up the brand name and went for the generic store brand. That’s all they could afford back then. It seemed like a fun thing to do, and a nice memory to relive.

  Aisle six had no one waiting so he wheeled the cart up to the counter and put his things on the belt. The woman ringing him up never even made eye contact with him. She looked like she wasn’t having a very good day the way she swept the items across the scanner and then dropped them into the plastic bag.

  “Do you mind if I get a paper bag for that?”

  She looked up at him like he’d asked her to strip and dance naked on the belt.

  “Do you have paper bags?” he asked.

  She sighed, locked the register, and slogged around the end of the next aisle to get one.

  “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. You can just put the plastic bag right inside there.” He smiled his famous smile and she softened a little. “You’re an angel.”

  That did it. She smiled.

  He handed her a twenty and she counted back his change.

  “You have a great day, ma’am.” With the grocery bag tucked in the passenger seat, he started the car, reset the GPS, and turned back on the main road. He’d been driving for about fifteen minutes when the GPS indicated a left turn ahead. He took the left into a heavily treed neighborhood.

  A really nice neighborhood. Deep paved ditches lined both sides of the road with huge trees and fancy light poles along a sidewalk lining both sides. The houses were huge. He cruised by at least twenty that each had to be on at least five or six acres. Most of them were fenced and many had horse barns in the back. The neighborhood wasn’t new; it had the look of a community that had history. The size of the trees told a story of generations of people, wealthy people, living here.