Page 48 of Caleb's Cause
CHAPTER 17
Ryan lookedover at Caleb and sighed heavily. “I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“Your father not being here today.”
“I’m not worried about that,” Caleb waved that off. “I know he’s home keeping Katherine’s mother safe.”
“Then why the long face?” They were in Caleb’s cabin where Ryan was getting ready for his wedding, that was due to start in a couple of hours. Reid, his best man, would be joining him soon. “Are you upset that I asked Reid to be my best man?”
“Uncle Ry, stop. I’m fine. I’m a big boy. If you want to get technical, you’ve known Reid longer than you have known me. We both know that Karen refused to allow you to see me. You were only allowed to spend time with me if Dad got us together. I’m not worried about that, nor am I worried about Dad not being here.”
“Then what are you worried about?”
Caleb remained silent for several minutes, then sighed heavily. “Is Katherine really going to be safe today? I know we have all these extra people, and I know we’re locked in here, but people from town will be here also. Do we have to worry about them?”
“No,” Ryan said with such conviction, that Caleb raised his brows. “One, there is a guest list. People from town will be on the list, and they will be checked against driver’s licenses when they arrive. Hank’s men will be checking the list. Two, ten of the men invited, are former military. They were informed of the situation. Three, with Erin’s permission, there will be two dogs present today. They are search and rescue dogs, but they are also trained in protection. The man who trained his dog is former military and his dog is huge.”
“What type of dog is it?”
“Bull mastiff.”
“Oh, wow. Okay.”
“Correct, and four, some of Hank’s men will escort you and Katherine from the wedding to the reception barn. We’re not saying she has to stay inside at all times, but it will be highly suggested to her. Five, one of the women helping get Pru ready is a deputy sheriff. She’s read the entire file, the original one Hank made a copy of and brought back with him. She’s also married to Stone, a member of Jake’s team. She knows Katherine’s innocent. She was the one that brought up the fact that Katherine can’t be tried again. If she is, it’s called double jeopardy.”
“Which is?”
They looked up when Reid entered the cabin after knocking once. He looked spiffy in his black button down, black jeans, and his hair cut in a fresh military high tight.
“Hey, you’re not supposed to look better than the groom,” Ryan laughed at him as he swung his black leather vest on over his own white button-down shirt, tucked into his black jeans, and he even had cowboy boots on his feet. He too had a fresh high and tight haircut.
“What were you talking about when I arrived?” Reid asked.
“Caleb was worried if Katherine would be safe over at the reception barn.”
“Yes, she will. We will make sure of it. One of Jake’s guys found a different way to the reception barn from Broken. They will take you and Katherine in that way, and you’ll be away from the crowds. I don’t think there should be any problem with the guests.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because Jake and his men went to Ryan’s guests and talked to them about the news reel, and the truth. I know these people, and I trust them to keep their mouths shut.”
Caleb nodded, not knowing what else to say. He didn’t see Reid and Ryan exchange looks. He didn’t look up until Ryan spoke.
“Caleb?”
“What?”
“Do you like Katherine?”
Caleb drew in a deep breath and sighed heavily. “I do. I know we share this cabin, but she has her own room. There have been nights, especially since that Patterson guy came last week, that she wakes up screaming. I rush into her room, and hold her until she can get herself under control. I tuck her beneath the covers, and I sleep on top of them. As much as I want to have a sexual relationship with her, that’s not what she needs right now. She needs someone to keep the demons in her dreams away. If I can do that by holding her while she sleeps, then I’m all for it.” He shook his head sadly and rubbed the back of his neck. He finally looked directly at his uncle. “If Katherine hears me say this, she’ll probably kick my ass. She’s a tough woman, and I admire her for it, it’s when she’s vulnerable in her sleep that the demons come out.”
“Okay, but why would she kick your ass?”
“I think she needs to talk to someone. I mean professionally.” He watched as Ryan and Reid exchanged looks. “What am I missing?”
“Do you realize what that office building next to yours is?”
