Their Family Legacy Read online

  She folded the dollar bill in half and placed it in the desk drawer in the living room and turned her attention to her next task, getting her new home in order. The house had been closed up like a tomb for years and her aunt had buried herself inside with her possessions, which explained why the rooms had smelled musty when they’d first walked in. Even leaving the windows open for a few days hadn’t chased the smell away completely.

  In the two weeks they’d been here, she only managed to clean out the bedrooms and the family room. Her next objective was to remove the excess furniture and then tackle the kitchen, which was overstuffed with enough food for a decade. She had big plans for this house. With a little paint, some updating and a lot of hard work it could be something special.

  As she made her way to the stairs, her gaze drifted to the front door. For some reason she couldn’t get Jake Langford out of her mind. She had a feeling it would have been a lot easier to dismiss the meeting if he was more like the image in her mind, and not the attractive man he was.

  She hated that she even noticed his good looks. There had been an aura of strength and control about him. His eyes were intelligent and thoughtful. If she’d met him under different circumstances she would have called him warm and friendly.

  But the circumstances weren’t different. Besides, men had no place in her life. Ever again. Her only goal was to provide for her boys. Her new teaching position at Jefferson Elementary started soon and her first faculty meeting was this week.

  Thankfully she’d be too preoccupied with work to think about Langford. She wouldn’t see him again for a year.

  * * *

  Jake finished tying his running shoes the next morning before grabbing his vibrating cell phone. His good friend Harley Evan’s name was displayed. “Hey. Make it quick. I’m going on a run.”

  “Did you know that Coach Baker at Hillcrest High is retiring after this year?”

  Not what he’d expected his friend to say. “No kidding. Is Dave Morrow taking over?”

  “No. That’s why I’m calling. The athletic director is looking for someone younger to fill the spot. You need to put your application in before anyone else does.”

  It was an opportunity he’d been hoping for. Moving back to Hastings had been a blessing, but it had dealt a blow to his long-term career goal of coaching at the college level. “Thanks for letting me know. I’ll check it out. I have to admit I miss real coaching. The junior high kids at Jefferson are great, but I can’t say it’s as rewarding as coaching real athletes.”

  “I hear you, buddy. Don’t put this off. I think you have a real shot at this.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Good. So. How did it go yesterday?”

  Jake rubbed his forehead. He didn’t really want to go over that again, but Harley deserved an answer. He’d been through all of this with him. “Better than I expected.”

  “That’s good. What’s she like? A younger version of her aunt?”

  “No, she’s a complete opposite. She’s pretty and very nice.” There was slight pause before his friend responded.

  “So no angry rants or accusations?”

  “None. She took the dollar and I left.”

  “Interesting. So you’re okay?”

  “Of course.” A bit confused but relieved he hadn’t had to withstand a barrage of hateful speech.

  “Then I’ll see you later. Don’t forget about that application.”

  Harley’s news churned in Jake’s mind, gaining speed as he went through his warmup routine. He needed to get on top of this. He’d go see the athletic director soon and pick up the application in person, show them that he was serious and demonstrate his interest.

  The August weather was intolerable today. High heat and high humidity, but a great day to run. Running always cleared his head and put everything into perspective. After his encounter with Mrs. Shepherd yesterday, he’d spent a restless night, and he needed to sort things out.

  Jake finished his five miles around the neighborhood in record time. He slowed his pace as he turned onto Birch Street, heading home. He saw Mrs. Shepherd coming down her front walkway as he approached her house. Avoiding her was his best option. She wouldn’t be glad to see him, but there was no time to stop and turn around or cross over to the other side without calling attention to himself and appearing rude.

  He slowed to a walk, waiting for her to look up. When she did, her blue eyes widened in surprise and then darkened with the speed of a pop-up summer storm.

  “What are you doing here?”

  He wondered if all her emotions were so easily displayed. “Running. I run every day.”

  “Why here?” She set her jaw and planted her hands on her hips. “Are you stalking me?”

  He didn’t dignify that with a response. He’d expected her to think the worst of him. Everyone always did. “I live here.” He pointed to his Victorian home across the street. “Right there.”

  The look of horror on her face stung. He’d never considered how she might feel about having the man responsible for her cousin’s death so close. Her aunt had been a hermit. He’d lived in the neighborhood for months before she’d realized he was there. He’d only seen her once after that when he’d paid his penance. Not long after, she’d moved to a nursing home and passed a short time later.

  “No. You can’t live here.” She took her hair in her hands and pulled it behind her ears. “Why would you come back to Hastings after what you did? Why would you move into a house so close to my aunt?”

  He squared his shoulders. He should have anticipated this. He took a second to get control. “I moved back because I got a job here, and I live in that house because it’s the only home I’ve ever known.”

  Her eyes widened again but this time from surprise. Like many people, she hadn’t expected him to have feelings or a sentimental streak. After all, he was only a foster kid. He didn’t count. A shaft of cold shot through his chest. Some things never changed. The stigma of being a foster child would stain him forever.

  “Have a good day.” He nodded and then turned and jogged across the street.

  If nothing else, the incident had dampened his curiosity about Mrs. Owens’s lovely niece. As far as she was concerned, he was a pariah. He’d secretly hoped Mrs. Shepherd would be more understanding than her aunt. Apparently not. So be it.

  He had an application to fill out and maybe a campaign to launch. He’d show the powers that be that he was the perfect one to fill the coaching job. In the meantime he’d be wise to mind his own business. As for Annelle Shepherd, he’d have to put her out of his mind until next year. Just because she lived across the street didn’t mean they had to interact. He’d stick to his side of the street and she to hers. Life would go on as usual.

  As his friend liked to point out, he could only control his own reactions, not those of others. No matter how much he wanted to. Just like he could never escape the fact he was a murderer. Not until he met his maker.

  Chapter Two

  Discovering that Jake Langford lived across the street gnawed at Annie’s mind the rest of the morning. The stately Victorian house with its wide front lawn seemed an odd choice of residence for a rugged, athletic man like him. It was easier to imagine him in a contemporary ranch or a sturdy craftsman.

  His words replayed in her mind. The only home I’ve ever known.

  A swell of empathy and understanding rose inside. She knew that feeling all too well. As a foster kid, Langford must have lived with many different families in many different kinds of homes. At least all her moves had been with her mother. She’d never been alone. And she understood all too well the importance of having a real home.

  She pivoted and hurried inside. None of that mattered. What was important was that Jake Langford lived in her neighborhood. Across the street, where she’d have to look at his house when she sat on the porch or drove
down the street. He was a constant reminder of how her cousin had died. It was one thing to face the man once a year, but to encounter him on a daily basis was too much. How was she going to deal with this?

  A throbbing pain formed at the base of her skull. She didn’t have time for a headache. The house needed at least a week more of purging all the old furniture and junk her aunt had accumulated, and her first faculty meeting was scheduled for tomorrow. She’d wanted the house in livable condition before school started since there’d be little time for DIY projects after that, but doing it alone was taking longer than she’d expected.

  There was only one way to deal with Jake Langford. Ignore him. Keep her distance. It shouldn’t be too hard. She’d be working all day and too busy in the evening to notice him. But that didn’t mean she’d stop thinking about him. Her only option was to concentrate on her own life and let Jake do his own thing.

  Her gaze traveled around the kitchen, from the oak cabinets, vinyl floors and outdated almond appliances. Besides, Jake wasn’t her problem. This house was. And it was time to get back to work.

  “Boys.” She hurried up the stairs. “Let’s get started on Ryan’s room.”

  Ryan popped his head out from the back bedroom he was sharing with his brother. “Really? Cool. I’m ready for my own space.”

  Tyler came from the room more slowly. “I’ll get the trash bags.”

  “Thank you, sweetie. Bring the whole box. Most of the stuff in this room will go to the trash or to charity.” She stopped her youngest with her hand as he walked by. “Are you both happy about the room arrangements?”

  Ryan nodded with a big grin. “I am ’cause I got the biggest room since I’m the oldest.”

  Tyler made a face. “Only by four minutes. I like my room ’cause I can see the whole backyard. I can see the moon at night from my bed.”

  “Good. Then let’s get the old junk cleared out of this other room so Ryan can move in.”

  They worked into the afternoon, cleaning out Bobby Lee’s old room for Ryan. She’d been stunned to find her cousin’s room untouched since the day he had died. She’d known that her aunt and uncle had taken their son’s death hard, but she’d never dreamed they’d turn his room into a shrine.

  The boys had run out of interest and gone back outside. It was nice to be able to let them play without constantly watching over them. Tyler and Ryan had hardly been in the house since they moved in. The large backyard with great climbing trees, wide grassy lawn and old shed had provided endless hours of entertainment and exploration. Their life up until now had been confined to small apartments and concrete playgrounds in not-so-safe neighborhoods, where she’d had to be with them all the time. This neighborhood was right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Stately old homes with welcoming front porches lining the street and full-grown trees adding a sense of permanence and peace. It did her heart good to see them so carefree and happy.

  Annie tied up the trash bag and then stood and surveyed the room. All evidence of her cousin had been removed, leaving a strange kind of sadness behind. She’d loved him, but from now on this room would belong to her son Ryan. A warm bubble of pleasure rose inside her chest. Finally she was able to give her sons their own rooms and the security they deserved.

  Her next objective was to clean and paint the room and pull up the stinky old carpet. Not sure how she’d do that yet. But it had to go.

  Pounding footsteps on the stairs alerted her to the approach of her boys. “What’s the matter?”

  Ryan spoke up. “There’s a bunch of kids playing football across the street. They want us to play. Can we? Please?”

  She found these requests difficult since her initial response was to say no. She’d spent most of the twins’ lives keeping them away from danger and away from other rougher kids. But this was a new neighborhood with kids to play with and safe streets to walk on. Ryan vibrated with excitement. Tyler stood perfectly still, only his dark eyes revealing his desire to join in. “All right. Go ahead but watch out for each other and be careful.”

  Ryan rolled his eyes. “It’s football, Mom. You aren’t supposed to be careful. You’re supposed to be tough.”

  There were times when she wished the Lord had given her girls. She felt so inadequate to raise two rough-and-tumble boys. There was so much she didn’t understand about them and so many things they were missing by not having a dad to teach them. Lately, she’d been praying for a male influence in their lives. Someone in this new neighborhood or at their new church who would stand in the gap left by their dad.

  They needed someone to look up to and admire.

  That would be the final touch to the perfect future she was going to create here in Hastings.

  * * *

  Jake drew back his arm and let the pigskin fly, watching as the half dozen neighborhood kids ran across the grass to try to catch it. He loved playing sports with these kids. It’s one of the reasons he’d wanted to be a coach. Two people in his life had set him on a path to becoming a productive member of society: his sixth-grade teacher, who’d seen ability and determination in him and encouraged him to pursue sports, and Mrs. Elliot, the foster mother he’d landed with the summer before his senior year in high school. She’d taught him about manners and responsibility, and brought him to the Lord. He’d backslid for a couple of years after the accident, but he’d eventually found his way again.

  He’d started this game with the kids partly because he enjoyed it and partly because he hoped the physical activity would ease the tension from his encounter with Mrs. Shepherd this morning.

  Joey Mitchell caught the ball and started to run. David Clements grabbed him and knocked him to the ground.

  “David. No tackling, remember? Your parents would not be happy if anyone got hurt.”

  “Hey, coach.” Steve and Johnny Sanderson ran across the lawn, stopping in front of him. “I got the two new kids to come. They’re twins.”

  Jake stared at the boys. The Shepherd twins. He’d seen them coming and going from the Owens house. He had a sick feeling that this wouldn’t be a good arrangement. But he couldn’t turn them away. “Hey, fellas.” Maybe avoiding the niece wasn’t going to be as simple as he’d expected.

  Steve’s brother Johnny spoke up. “This one’s Ryan and that’s Tyler. Most people can’t tell them apart, but I figured it out right away.”

  “Welcome to the game. Glad you could join us.”

  “What are the rules?”

  Tyler met his gaze as he waited for the answer. His twin had already dashed off to join the others. “No tackling. Fair play and no calling names.” The boy considered that a moment and then nodded.

  “Okay.”

  Jake picked up the ball and strode across the lawn. He glanced at the Shepherd house but saw no sign of their mother. Did she know they were here? How did she feel about her boys playing ball with the enemy?

  He felt sorry for the twins because once she found out he was involved, they’d probably be forbidden to come again. It was out of his hands, but he hoped she wouldn’t deny her boys some fun because of something that happened years ago. Harley was the only one who knew the whole truth about the accident and he’d take that to his grave.

  “Okay, kids, we have enough now to make two teams. Let’s divide up.” He tossed the ball into the eager hands of the team.

  Maybe, God willing, someday the truth would come out, and then he’d be able to forgive himself at last.

  Until then, he’d stick with his plan and mind his own business. He had enough to keep him busy with teaching, coaching and working with the youth at church in hopes of keeping them from making the same dumb mistakes he had.

  * * *

  Annie straightened the collar of her blouse and inhaled a deep breath the next morning. Today was her first faculty meeting at her new school. She’d be teaching fifth grade and she’d made arrangements for the twi
ns to attend the same school instead of the neighborhood school to which they’d normally be assigned. As a single mom, having the boys in the same building would simplify her life tremendously by cutting down on commute time and after-school care.

  Downstairs she picked up her purse and keys, and then pulled the front door behind her as she left. The twins were staying with Denise today so she could concentrate on her meeting. Butterflies took flight in her stomach. Her career as a teacher had kept food on the table and a roof over their heads after her husband Rick had died, but starting a new job was always nerve-racking.

  As she stepped onto the front porch she caught sight of Jake’s car backing out of his drive. She wondered where he was going so early and then quickly shut down that line of thought. Her mind had developed a nasty habit of presenting images of Jake Langford, accompanied with a growing list of questions. How long had he been in foster care? What happened to his parents? Why was he single? What had he been doing since the accident? What did he do for a living? There was no denying he was an attractive man. With his dark coloring and his athletically toned physique, he was the kind of man who turned women’s heads.

  Annie slid behind the wheel of her car and started the engine. Thankfully, now that school was starting next week, she’d have too much on her mind to entertain thoughts of Jake. There’d be homework and chores in the evenings and earlier bedtimes. Weekends would be spent working on the house and maybe, now that she had a little extra money, she could take the twins to the zoo or to the beach. All the things they’d been unable to enjoy before.

  Her spirits lifted as she drove across Hastings to Jefferson Elementary. Her gaze scanned the facility as she parked her car in a faculty slot. An old two-story brick building anchored the school, with two awkwardly placed additions jutting out behind. Despite the haphazard design, the structure had a certain charm about it.