Page 82 of Cupcake of the Month
Finally he nodded and turned to the stove. “Good bye, Jay. Good luck.”
Chapter 16
Son of a bitch.
God damn fucking son of a bitch.
And the horse he rode in on.
Josh trimmed the skin off the squash and dropped it into the food processor, feeling much like the orange gourd did at this moment. Shredded into pieces.
He had kept everything from her in college because he had hoped the investigators were wrong, that he was wrong and Marian and Clint would have an explanation for everything. They said the truth would come out in court, and then they jumped bail.
It was good Jordan was leaving. He could keep figuring out his life with Zach, anticipate a new job once Ms. Eulalee returned from Paris, not be pestered by the constant reminder of Jordan’s presence. He wouldn’t have to see her every morning and wish away his need to see her smile and brighten the world around her.
Fuck. Pushing her away last night had taken everything he had. He hadn’t burdened Jordan with it eight years ago because he had believed Marian and Clint and their claims everything would be resolved, that it was a misunderstanding. When it became obvious they had broken the law, he couldn’t face the betrayal he had meted out to his own family. Until Clint had called in the middle of the night and told him they were leaving. Without Zach. And that the house had been part of the bail collateral.
Josh had to say goodbye to his old life, knowing the cloud of suspicion and scrutiny that would always follow him.
His cell phone rang with an unfamiliar number, bringing him back to reality. Maybe this was a call from one of themultitude of restaurants he applied to. Maybe something good was finally coming his way.
Not likely, but maybe.
“Mr. Revere?”
Zach’s last name. His mom’s married name. This did not sound good. He took off his hat and swiped his forehead with his arm. “Who is this?”
“This is Beau from Basset Busses in Macon. I’ve got young Zach with me here. Now, he’s fine, but he’s in a mite bit of trouble.”
The man’s words chilled Josh’s blood.
He ran into the dining room and down the hall, stopping when he saw Jordan lingering at the doorway to the ballroom. He snapped to get her attention. Her eyes narrowed at the summons, but he couldn’t do anything about that. He covered the receiver with his hand. “Get Wendy.”
“What’s going on?” Jordan asked.
“Just get Wendy. Please.”
She searched his face for a second, then nodded and hurried down the hall.
“What happened?” Josh asked Beau as he rushed back to the kitchen. And why the hell was Zach in Macon? How did he even get there?
“Well, sir, what happened is he tried to buy a bus ticket to Jacksonville, Florida. When he couldn’t prove he was seventeen and could travel alone, he tried to stow away.”
Vines of frustration curled around him. This went far beyond anything he thought Zach might do.
“He gave us this number for you,” Beau continued. “We won’t call the police if you or his mom can come get him now.”
Josh pulled off his apron, not bothering to correct the assumption. “I’m about an hour or so away. Let me talk to him.”
Muffled voices came through the phone until Zach spoke.“Josh?”
“Zach. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Josh assessed his brother’s tone. Not scared or worried. Slightly defiant. “How did you even get there? Why are you trying to buy a bus ticket?”
“Does it matter? I wasn’t able to do it anyway.”
