After the Rain (The Callahans) Read online

  Elle shrugged her shoulders and walked over to take a seat next to her husband.

  “What do you mean, you’ve met?” Faye asked, confused.

  “He means my jeep broke down and he helped me out earlier today. I didn’t know who he was.” Montana spoke this time, her voice that quiet little drawl he remembered.

  “And you didn’t call me?” Faye demanded, glaring at Trey.

  “Why would I call you? I help ten or fifteen disabled’s a day.” Trey walked over and sat down in an empty chair, bouncing Amy up and down, once he was seated.

  “Didn’t you check her ID?” Faye continued, obviously miffed at him.

  He gave her a strange look. “Why don’t you introduce us and maybe I’ll connect the dots here?”

  It was Faye’s turn to look embarrassed. “Trey Callahan, Kylie Rhodes.”

  Trey looked at Kylie Rhodes, still confused. Obviously, he was missing something here.

  “Hello?” Faye’s voice jarred him into looking at her again. “The APB?”

  Now the dots were connecting. “Ah, I get it.” He looked over at Kylie, amused. “You’re the friend who was missing. The one-”

  “Everyone’s looking for,” Kylie finished for him, her face flushed again. “That’s me. My mother tends to panic first and think later.”

  “Why did you call her Montana if you didn’t know who she was?” Faye wanted to know.

  “Because I noticed her license plates.” Trey took a sip of soda. “They caught my eye. I don’t see too many Montana plates around these parts. I didn’t make the connection between her and your missing friend. To be honest, I forgot where you told me she was from.”

  “You told him to run an APB on me?” Kylie said, as though she just now heard the abbreviated letters for All Points Bulletin. “God, Faye, you didn’t.”

  “Felice said you were missing,” Faye said, sheepishly. “What was I supposed to do? He’s practically my brother-in-law and he’s a cop. You’re my best friend and I thought something happened to you.”

  Kylie groaned, covering her face with her hands.

  “If it makes you feel better, I haven’t gotten around to running the APB yet.” He ignored the dirty look Faye sent his way and relinquished control of his niece to her mother, who had finished eating by this point.

  Elle jabbed him in the shoulder as she looked over at Kylie, a playful smile on her face. “You have to watch out for this one. He can charm the socks off of any female, even a two-year-old who is teething.”

  He rolled his eyes, avoiding Kylie’s gaze. Fortunately, the normal banter of a Callahan dinner took over and all talk of Trey and Kylie’s impromptu meeting was forgotten.

  “Why don’t you tell Kylie about the carnival coming up, Trey?”

  He looked over at Faye, his gaze narrowed. The request was random and had him curious as to her motives. He finished chewing a bite of his hamburger and wiped his mouth. He noticed right away that Kylie looked uncomfortable at being singled out again. She was definitely shy, this one. “It’s a charity thing. We do all kinds of games and stuff like that. There are rides and different booths with face painting and crafts, that kind of stuff. It’s in a few weeks on a Saturday.”

  “That sounds like fun,” Kylie said, taking a drink of soda. He noticed right away that she was avoiding his gaze.

  “It is,” Faye said, enthusiastically. Too enthusiastically. “What do you think, Kyle? We could do a little charity work. It’d be fun. We could have our own booth.”

  Trey chewed as he watched Kylie’s reaction. Definitely negative, he figured out. But Faye wasn’t swayed.

  “There’s always stuff to do, or cook. You’re great with face painting. How about that?”

  Kylie looked uncomfortable again. “I’m not that good at it.”

  “She did face painting for the entire cheerleading squad in high school. We were the tigers.” Faye grinned from ear to ear. “I have pictures.”

  “No,” Kylie said firmly. “You don’t.”

  “I do.” Faye looked over at Trey. “Maybe you could find something fun for her to do.”

  Her? What had happened to the us, he wondered? Apparently, so did Kylie because she shot her friend a deadly stare.

  Faye’s pointy-toed sandal connected with Trey’s shin and he grunted, before glaring at her. She just gave him a forceful look. “There’s always stuff to do, isn’t there? And we’re short-handed, right?”

  “I thought you were too busy with the wedding to help,” Joey interjected, and from the look on his face and the grunt he let out only moments later, he received his own kick to the shin from Faye.

  “I always have time for charity. Needy kids.” Faye smiled brightly. “So what do you say, Kyle?”

  Kylie, obviously aware that she’d been put on the spot, just shrugged. “I’ll think about it. I’m not exactly sure how long I’m staying.”

  Trey could see a set-up from a mile away. He didn’t know why Faye had zeroed in on him, but she had—and he wanted no part of it. As attractive as her friend was, he wasn’t touching her with a ten-foot pole. Not only was she Faye’s best friend, but she was also the shy, innocent looking type—the type that appeared sweet as peaches on the surface, but actually had skeletons in her closet a mile high. He’d been married to a woman like her for three years. Three hellish years. No way was he ever going there again. He preferred no commitments and fun—although he hadn’t even had time for that in a while.

  “I have to make my rounds.” He stood up abruptly, ignoring the look Faye was sending his way. He said goodbye to everyone and headed for the door, hoping he had successfully discouraged his future sister-in-law’s meddling ideas. No such luck. She followed on his heels.

  He seated himself in his truck and started the ignition, before he heard her knock on the window. Grimacing, he rolled it down, avoiding her gaze. “What’s up?”

  “I thought maybe I could ask you a teensy weensy favor.” He knew she was smiling her pretty please smile at him, so he avoided her gaze.

  “No.”

  “What do you mean, no?”

  “I know that look. I’m not interested.”

  Faye was quiet a moment. “You don’t think she’s cute?” she asked, innocently, finally letting him know his assumption had been right on the mark. She was trying to set him up.

  He rolled his eyes, his gaze finally meeting hers. “She’s cute. That’s not the point.”

  “Then what is?”

  “I’m not interested.” He stared at her intently, knowing Faye would be relentless in her game if he didn’t meet her head on and nix it.

  She frowned at him. “Just why not?”

  He was thoughtful a moment. “You want the truth?”

  “Of course,” she said, leaning against the door.

  “Okay. First minute I saw her, I figured out she’s got baggage. I saw it from a mile. Probably a boyfriend, maybe a husband—abusive, possibly. She was like a cornered animal when I pulled up to her out on the highway. She didn’t even want to roll down her window when she figured out I was a cop.” He saw her wince and his gaze tightened. “Forget it. Whatever it is, I want nothing to do with it. I’ve had all the troubled female I can handle for one lifetime.” He put the car in gear.

  “You’re being an ass,” she told him, matter-of-factly. “I just thought you could talk to her a little more about the carnival and getting involved.”

  “Why? You didn’t even want to be involved in the carnival yourself until she showed up.” He slid his sunglasses back on to his nose.

  “Because I think it would do her good to get involved in something so positive. And it has to do with kids, which she loves.” She shrugged. “I thought maybe then she’d think about staying a while.”

  “She can’t leave before the wedding, right?”

  “I’m trying to get her involved around here, Trey. Don’t you get it?”

  He stared at her sad expression and then let out a sigh. “You can’t trick her
into staying here, Faye. She has a home somewhere else—a job.”

  “Both of which are expendable if she finds happiness here.”

  “You’re grasping at straws.”

  “Please just talk to her about it if you get the chance. She’s a great girl and she needs friends.”

  He scoffed that off. “Anyone who looks like that couldn’t be too hard up for friends. Joey’s already stepped up to the plate on that one.”

  “She’s not his type and he’s not hers.” Faye stepped back from the truck, glowering. “I’m not saying you have to date her, Trey. Just mention the carnival to her if you see her around the house or something.”

  “Uh huh. I have to go.” He backed away before she could say anything else.

  4

  Kylie turned her head and looked behind her, a feeling of overwhelming tension eating at her. Something didn’t feel right, though she didn’t know what it was. She’d been to visit Benjamin before and never felt scared or uncomfortable. They’d been friends since first grade, much the same as she and Faye had. The Three Musketeers, they called themselves. Usually when she came here to his house Faye was with her and usually they walked together. Typically, they left before dark. That day, Faye had been unable to come. She’d been at a dentist appointment. For some reason, Kylie wished she’d just stayed home too.

  It was those warnings her mother always gave her about walking around in the dark and talking to strangers, she figured. She was always getting lectures about being a fourteen-year-old girl and trusting the wrong person. That was just her mother’s nature. She was a worry wart.

  Kylie smiled halfway, convincing herself that she was just being paranoid. All the same, she knew she should have called her mother to pick her up. She hadn’t realized how dark it had gotten. She didn’t like the shadows creeping around her, in between and all around the thick trees. The reservation was kind of a scary place in the dark, even though it was busy. This particular area was lower income. People weren’t really out milling about. It had rained earlier in the day and everything smelled damp and cold. She shivered, her heartbeat pounding erratically.

  It’s not far to home, she kept telling herself, her feet picking up the pace, without her brain acknowledging their quicker movement.

  And then she heard them—the distinct sound of footsteps behind her. They pounded against the pavement over and over, louder and louder, rustling leaves and debris as they moved closer. She turned her head. She could see a shadow almost upon her in the dark. There was a hand around her mouth before she could react...

  Kylie sat straight up in bed, unaware that the screams penetrating her dream, were her own. She couldn’t get control of her fear. It was deep and ominous as it ate a hole in her heart. She couldn’t feel her legs. They felt like lead. Panic ate at her and she struggled.

  She heard someone swear and somewhere in the deep recesses of her mind, she could see a light come on. Then she felt someone’s hands on her—large and powerful. She lost all control and rolled away from the hands, desperate to find that quiet, safe place inside herself. She hit the floor with a thud, her head smacking against the hardwood.

  “Kyle, it’s okay!” the voice said. It was soft and female. It finally got through to her. She recoiled, her arms wrapping around her legs as she tried to stop shaking. She knew Faye was next to her. She could see her friend out of the corner of her eye reaching toward her, but yet obviously afraid to touch her. There were other voices in the room—all male. Mortified, she stayed the way she was, out of their view and nearly under the bed. The trembling wasn’t subsiding. She knew what was coming next and she couldn’t stop it. She sat up only long enough to throw up all over the floor.

  “Oh Kyle, don’t.” Faye was crying now. She leaned forward and pulled Kylie against her. Finally, the shakes began to subside and Kylie let herself go limp. Faye rocked her in her arms for what seemed like forever and she just lay there, the feeling of safety finally finding its way back into her soul. She was with Faye and she was safe. It had all been a dream.

  “She okay?” A man spoke, startling her. She knew that voice. It only made her feel more mortified. Dusty was in the room. She’d seen a blur of him earlier. He’d tried to help her. She had fought him off.

  “What can I do?” This time the voice was different, although she recognized it too. Trey was also in the room.

  Immediately, Kylie was mortified. This nightmare had come at the worst possible time—which was exactly why she had wanted to stay in a motel.

  “I don’t know,” Faye said, on a hiccup.

  Kylie opened her eyes and immediately realized that was a mistake. Trey was right there crouching next to them, some kind of handgun clutched in his fingers. Their eyes locked. She wanted to die.

  “You okay, Montana?” His voice was soft and she realized he was doing his best not to scare her, having obviously witnessed her reaction to Dusty.

  “Put the gun away, dumb ass.” This came from Joey, who was all the way across the room.

  “You might scare her with it,” Dusty’s voice agreed.

  Trey swore and reached behind him, obviously stowing the gun in the back of his jeans. “I forgot I was holding it.”

  Kylie lifted herself away from Faye, reaching up and trying to wipe her mouth as best she could. She had vomit all over her—all over the floor around her. This couldn’t look any worse. They were all standing there watching her come apart at the seams.

  “Maybe we should wait outside,” Dusty said, and she was instantly grateful. She heard footsteps as the room cleared—all but Faye.

  “I’m sorry,” she finally said, on a hiccup. “God, I’m sorry. I made such a mess.” She backed away from the mess on the floor, her face crumpling again as she looked at Faye’s over-sized T-shirt. It was dirty as well.

  “Don’t, Kylie. Don’t feel guilty.” Faye wiped at the tears on her own cheeks. “You scared me.”

  “Me too,” Kylie found her voice to say.

  “We should get you cleaned up. Can you handle a shower?”

  Kylie nodded her head.

  A few minutes later, Faye walked out of the guest bathroom, freshly dressed in a clean nightshirt. As she expected, there was a crowd in the hallway. Joey sat at the top of the stairs. Trey leaned against the doorway to the hall bathroom and Dusty loitered just outside the bedroom door.

  “What the hell happened?” Joey wanted to know, standing up.

  “Is she okay?” Trey asked at the same time.

  Faye held her hands up, wearily. “She’s okay for now. She’s getting dressed.” She looked at Joey, obviously not knowing how to address his question.

  “She had a panic attack,” Trey figured out aloud. “Obviously, it was triggered by a nightmare.”

  “And?” Joey wanted to know.

  Trey looked over at him. “And, that’s it.”

  Joey glared at his brother. “What do you mean, that’s it? What makes you an expert?”

  “Don’t irritate me tonight, Joe. I’m not in the mood.” Trey looked at Faye. “You okay from here?”

  “I’m fine. I’ll stay in there with her tonight.”

  “She scared the shit out of me,” Joey mused. “It must have been some nightmare.”

  “Go back to bed,” Dusty ordered his brother. “Everything’s fine now.”

  Joey looked uncertain, but mumbled under his breath and disappeared back down the hallway.

  Trey stepped toward Faye, his eyes clearly intent with purpose. “Don’t even try to bullshit me here. I’ve seen too much violence in my line of work to be lied to. I’ve only seen a look of terror like that in the eyes of one person before.” He stared into her face, seriously. “I pulled a five-year-old little girl from under her crack whore mother’s bed back in LA., just after the mother’s pimp had finished with her.”

  Faye shook her head in denial. “Don’t.”

  She and Trey stared each other down for a moment before he finally let out a sigh. “Okay. Have it y
our way. Watch yourself with that one though. Situations like this are touchy. As caring as you are, you’re way out of your league here.”

  5

  Kylie stared into her coffee cup, watching as the steam rolled up and over the rim, disappearing out into the early morning air. It was barely six AM. She had carefully climbed out of bed, so as not to wake Faye, who had slept at her side for the rest of the night after her nightmare.

  Sleep had eluded her most of the night. After an episode like that, she rarely slept the rest of the night. She found herself up and dressed before five. Then she’d crept downstairs and made some coffee, desperate to get outside and take a walk before anyone else got up. She had made it as far as the porch swing outside the front door. Early morning in this town was just too beautiful to pass up enjoying.

  She sat for a good half hour before tension moved in. Everyone would be getting up soon and she wanted to avoid any confrontation for the time being.

  She was mortified at the events of the night before. Faye’s future family had seen her at her rawest. They had witnessed the worst panic attack she’d had in months. Humiliating didn’t even begin to describe the incident. She had a feeling they all knew what had happened to her now. That made it even worse.

  She wished her car was fixed and she could get in it and drive to a place where nobody knew her—a place where no one would look at her with that all familiar pity in their eyes.

  “Good morning.”

  Startled by the voice, Kylie jerked, sloshing her coffee onto the leg of her cutoffs. She looked up, her eyes landing on Trey Callahan, who had obviously crept all the way from the guesthouse and up onto the porch without her noticing. He held a steaming cup in his own hands. His smile faded somewhat.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He stepped a little closer, obviously careful to keep his distance. “You’re up early.”

  “I saw the sun come up,” she said, quietly.

  He followed her gaze. “It’s amazing, huh?”