Caroline

Chapter 18

As they walked toward their cars, Derek said, "I'll follow again."

"No."

"Oh?" She could hear the smile in his voice.

"No," she repeated. "I'm going up the mountain. You're staying down here."

Derek stopped and turned her to face him. "What are you talking about? I'm not letting you go up there and confront him on you own."

Caroline sighed. "Now, see... there are at least two things wrong with that statement. First, I don't think there's going to be a confrontation, though I 'm sure it would come to that if you came with me."

"Are you saying that..." he began, agitation clear in his voice.

"I don't believe Michael himself had anything to do with what went on in there," she interrupted. "But I do intend to find out for sure, which means I don't need you there thumping your chest and trying to intimidate him."

Though the lighting was dim where they stood, she could see that his jaw was clenched.

"Fine," he said, finally. "I'll wait for you at the cabin."

"No."

"Caroline!" he barked. "You are not going alone to..."

"And that's the second thing!" she broke in, louder. "It's not up to you to 'let' me do anything! I will not be kept on a leash, dammit! I am a grown woman, and I am taking responsibility for my own life and my own decisions!"

With this, she snatched the bag from Derek's hand and walked to her car. Before opening the door, she turned back to him.

"Please," she said in a gentler tone. "All I'll do is make sure he and I can nip this matchmaking scheme in the bud. I'll call you later to let you know that I'm fine. Okay?"

Derek put his hands in his pockets and looked down at the sidewalk. After a moment, he said, softly, "I don't like it."

Just as softly, she answered. "It's not your call."

**********

Caroline pulled slowly onto the gravel drive leading to Michael's cabin. She didn't like the way she had left things with Derek, and was angry at herself and her behavior. She'd left him in the first place so there would be no ambiguity. But she understood, better than she'd ever dreamed she could, how a person could forgive and welcome back someone who had been unfaithful. The loneliness she had carried with her was nearly a physical thing. She'd known it, and had tried to alleviate it by making a friend in Michael. One kiss from Derek Hollingsworth, though, and she knew it wasn't just friendship she was missing.

For now, she was parked beside Michael's truck again. She would attend to this first, and then she would try to sort out what to do about Derek.

The house was fairly dark, but she could see a glow between the blinds of the windows of the main room. Whatever he was doing must have covered the sound of her wheels on the gravel, though she thought he should have seen her headlights coming up. A single security light allowed her to walk from her car to his door. She paused before knocking to listen, but heard nothing. With her free hand, she knocked, then listened again. Soon she heard the sound of locks being released.

When the main door opened, a confused-looking hermit squinted and blinked at her. "Jelly? What's up? You ok?"

She held up the bag from the Dogwood to show him. "I'm your delivery driver tonight. Tipping isn't necessary, but always appreciated. "