Catherine's Cross by Millie West Read Free Book Online

language differences went deep into their ancestral roots. Their brogue was sweet and lovely to listen to. What were Meta’s words? “‘We hear she accidentally drown in de river,’” Jenks said softly under her breath. “Was it really an accident?”

    On her way back to Port Royal, Jenks stopped at the Publix Food Market on Lady Island. She was out of almost everything, and she parked her car under live oak trees that shaded the lot.
    Inside the store, she loaded her buggy with a gallon of milk, fresh vegetables—most of the produce selections originating from local farms.
    An older gentleman with silvery white hair yielded his buggy to her as they came close together at the tomato stand. He looked at her, and with a wry smile he said, “There are women who try to be sexy and others who are born that way.”
    She was flustered by his comment.
    â€œYou are the latter version,” he grinned.
    â€œThank you,” she quickly replied.
    As he turned the corner of the aisle, he observed, “You are even lovelier when you blush.”
    Old wolves lurking in the grocery store , Jenks thought.
    When she arrived back at Port Royal, she went to the door off the back porch, unlocked it, and then returned to her Jeep to unload the groceries. As she bent into the car, she felt a strange sensation run down her spine, something like a cold chill, but not exactly. Lifting one of the bags, she turned and almost ran into a man who was standing less than two feet from her. He was attractive and appeared to be in his late forties, with salt-and-pepper gray hair; his skin handsomely tanned.
    She nearly dropped the bag to the ground but grabbed the bottom, securing the groceries against her chest. Before she could say anything, the man held out his hands and said, “Miss Jenkins, could I please help you with your groceries?” His voice was somewhat garbled, and he smiled at her with a broad grin. “I’m Caleb Grayson. I used to help Miss Gigi with heavy lifting.”
    Jenks had never heard Gigi mention this man before and felt discomfort under his gaze. “Thank you for your offer to help, Caleb. I apologize, but my sister never mentioned you to me.”
    â€œThat’s okay. She was my friend. I miss her, and I’m sorry about what happened to her.”
    He extended his arms to take the grocery bag and Jenks released the sack into his arms. “Where would you like me to put this?”
    â€œWhy don’t you put the groceries on the back porch?”
    His speech was difficult to understand, but he smiled at her and started toward the screened porch. Jenks noticed he was wearing khaki shorts and that his calves were well-muscled. He walked with a limp, and he made his way slowly to the rear of the house.
    She chose not to enter the home, but instead waited outside while he returned twice more to her Jeep for the groceries. When he finished his task, he smiled broadly.
    â€œThank you, Caleb,” Jenks said as she reached into her purse for a few single dollar bills.
    When he saw what she was doing, he raised his hands up and said, “No, ma’am, I can’t take your money. It was my pleasure to help you.” As he started to walk away, he turned back and said, “I’m glad to have you for my neighbor.”
    Jenks watched him leave; he had difficulty walking and his left foot dragged to some degree. She concluded that Caleb suffered from both a physical and mental handicap, but his kind heart was evident to her.

    Seth knocked on Jenks’s door at exactly a quarter of six.
    â€œHow was your day?”
    â€œBusy . . . I’ll tell you about it when we get home. I mean, to the Walker’s house.”
    He smiled and helped her into the car, closing the door for her. On the drive to the Walker’s house, they crossed an expansive bridge across the Broad River and continued in the direction of Hilton Head.
    Jenks broke the silence in