Seth (The Casella Cousins Book 2) Read online

  “I thought that about Paul, too. And look at us today.”

  “I’m glad for you. But happily-ever-after with Julianne Ford is not in the cards for me.”

  Chapter 4

  * * *

  Julianne sighed.

  At the stove, stirring the gravy, Carmella caught it. “What’s wrong, dear?”

  “I hate imposing on you.” She leaned against the table. “Your family dinner is today.”

  “Which will include you again.”

  She sighed again. “Carmella, I’m not going to be family.”

  “In your mind maybe. To me, you’ll always be a daughter. Now, are the police in your house yet? I haven’t seen their cars.”

  “Yes, the crime scene cleaners are there this weekend. I think I’ll be able to get in my house tomorrow.”

  Carmella checked the pot roasts simmering on burners, set her oven mitts aside and crossed to the kitchen table. “Sit with me.” When they were settled, she asked, “It’s Seth, isn’t it?”

  “Of course. What were the chances that we’d be stuck here together? And I don’t mean any offense to you.”

  “I understand. I wonder if you do?”

  “What are you saying?”

  “You still have feelings for Seth.”

  “I never denied that. How could I not still care about a man who’s been such a part of my entire life?”

  Carmella took Julianne’s hand. “For some reason, no one knows exactly why you broke up all those times. Or a year ago, apparently for good.” Her dark eyes dulled. “But I’d guess my son did something to cause the split.”

  Julianne’s pulse sped up. “Why do you think that?”

  “Because you made the decision to call it quits every single time. I don’t want you to break confidences, but let me tell you one thing. Relationships are hard, and people fight. Lord knows Tomaso and I did. There were some big issues, too, and we came close to separating. But I’m happy I stayed with him through it all.”

  “Hey, Mama,” they heard from the mud room. “We’re here. I put dessert in the fridge in the garage.”

  The twins, raced inside and hugged her. Their smiles came easily. But then a scowling young man came in. Julianne’s mouth dropped. “Petey?”

  “Pete, please. Hey, Jules.” What Seth called her.

  “You’ve gotten so big. You’re a young man.”

  “That he is.” Alessia went to ruffle his hair, but he moved back. She rolled her eyes, but Julianne knew her well and she could see the hurt there, too.

  Julianne stood and hugged Alessia warmly, missing the friendship they’d had. “Hey, Ali.”

  Ali hugged her back. Maybe she missed Julianne too.

  Pete turned to his mother. “Can I go play Mutant Forces on grandma’s TV in the bedroom?”

  “Ask her.”

  “Yes, honey, you can. I’ll come with you to make sure you can set it up.”

  A flash of annoyance flitted on Pete’s face. But to his credit, he turned and walked out with his grandma.

  Ali got a cup of coffee and sat down. “I’m so sorry about the break-in. You must have been scared, probably still are.”

  “Yeah, I was. I’m calmed down now and am going home.”

  Her old friend frowned. “I noticed the tape’s still up.”

  “The crime scene cleaners are there.”

  “All the guys are going to Billy’s parents’ house.” Ali had lost her high school sweetheart and husband at an early age. “I’m sure they would keep them for a few days. I could come stay with you for a bit.”

  Julianne felt her face turn soft. “That is so sweet of you to offer. I wouldn’t ask you to give up all that time, but maybe we can start seeing each other more.”

  “I’d like that. Let’s make plans.”

  “Tell me about you. Have you started fall classes yet?” Carmella had told Julianne Ali was finishing up her teaching degree at City College. Mostly done online, but she had to go into the city once a week.

  “Wednesday. I did well on the one over the summer.”

  “I expect no less.”

  “And I’ve seen Finn when I’ve had to stay overnight.”

  “That must be really fun.”

  “Is it hard being here with Seth?” Ali asked, quietly.

  Alessia was the only one in the family who knew the whole story about her relationship with Seth.

  “Yeah, but I’m dealing with it.”

  “Good for you.”

  They heard noise in the mudroom, then, “Hey, everybody. It’s us.”

  A little boy raced in. “Hello. Aunt Ali, are my cousins here?”

  “Mike and Mattie are upstairs in the playroom, Tommy.”

  Rafe and Kate walked into the kitchen. “Can I go, Dad?”

  Kate grinned at her son. “Sure, buddy. Go ahead.”

  Julianne got up and hugged Kate, then her gaze dropped to her belly. “Wow.”

  “Yeah, big, I know.”

  “About right. You’ve started your sixth month, haven’t you?”

  “I have. And I’m not complaining. I’m thrilled about her.”

  While they sat at the table, Rafe took the bags he carried and put them on the counter. Then he kissed Kate’s cheek. “Me, too.” He squeezed Julianne’s shoulder “How’s it going, honey? Gideon told us you can go home tomorrow.”

  “I can.”

  Kate took her hand. “I’m sorry this happened to you.”

  “You’ve had worse happen as a firefighter.”

  “Maybe, but a burglary is worrisome.”

  She smiled at the woman who could have been her sister-in-law. “Are you still working now that the summer is over?”

  “Hale’s Haven doesn’t have camps through the fall and winter, but they do have some support groups going on. I’m not involved in them, though.” The Hidden Cove fire and police departments had set up a camp for kids whose parents had died in the line of duty. Kate helped manage the main summer program.

  “Ah. So, you’ll stay home?”

  “I asked for a desk job and Mitch said he’d look for one.” She and the fire chief were close.

  “Kate needs activity.” Rafe gazed at her with a sappy grin. “We agreed you’ll stop working at eight months, right, babe?”

  “Yes.”

  Carmella called for the twins and Tomaso to help set the table in the dining room. It was easier to have pot roast in the house though the weather was sunny and warm today.

  Julianne got up, too. “I’m going to help with that.”

  All the family closeness was hurting her heart.

  * * *

  Seth sat outside under the umbrella table on the patio, feet propped up, reading his phone messages when someone came around back.

  “Hi, little brother.” Gideon was dressed in denim shorts and a navy T-shirt, which was damp with sweat. He’d been out front tossing a baseball with his oldest, Cory.

  “Did the kid wear you out?” Seth asked.

  “Not yet.” He shrugged. “He doesn’t have anybody to hang out with here.”

  “Not interested in a 13-year-old?” Petey’s age.

  “He will be, once they’re older.” He sighed. “It makes me think about our cousins.”

  “Those were great times out at the lake.”

  Gideon took a seat and Seth sat up and poured him some lemonade. “How’s Julianne?”

  “Not good. I’m worried about her.”

  His brother sighed. “The police still haven’t found the guy.”

  “I know. It drives me nuts.”

  “Excuse me.” Someone spoke to them from out on the lawn. Neither Seth nor Gideon saw the young man enter the premises. “Do you know what happened next door?”

  Both he and Seth stood. The man started to walk to the patio and Gideon raised his palm out. “Hold on. Who’s asking?”

  “I’m a friend of Julianne’s. I heard about the break-in and wanted to check and see if she’s all right.”

  “Wa
it right there.” Gideon pulled Seth aside, whispered, “Go inside. Criminals often return to the scene of the crime.”

  “I’m not leaving you here alone.”

  “He might have a gun.”

  “You don’t have yours.”

  “Call 911. And get my son and the other kids into the house.”

  “Gid.”

  “Go!”

  Gideon walked up to the guy. Before he closed the screen door, Seth heard, “My brother’s getting her, but I think she went to clean up. Might be showering. Let’s sit on the picnic table over here and wait.”

  “Thanks, but I’ll stand.”

  His heart beating fast, Seth opened the sliding door and took out his phone.

  Rafe stood up from the table. “What’s wrong?”

  He held up a finger to his brother and dialed 911. “We need help at this location. A suspicious person came into our yard. We had a break-in next door this week. He’s asking for the owner of the house.”

  Even before Seth disconnected, Rafe turned to the women. “Alessia and Kate, go down into the den. I’ll get the kids inside.” He headed to the entrance.

  Ali said, “Kate go on down. I’ll be right there.” When Kate left, she turned to Seth. “You aren’t going to take Julianne out there, are you?”

  “We have to see if she knows him.”

  Rafe came in through the living room. “Adults are in the family room or den. Mama took the little ones back upstairs.”

  Ignoring Rafe, Ali added, “She can’t go out there, Seth.”

  Seth pointed to the kitchen window. “She can look through here.”

  “All right.”

  Alessia said, “I’ll get her.” She climbed the back stairs.

  Seth said to Rafe, “We have to keep an eye on Gideon.”

  “I can see them. They’re just talking. You stay with Jules and I’ll go out for reinforcements.” Rafe opened the sliding doors.

  In minutes, Ali came back with Julianne. Her hair was mussed like she’d been sleeping. “Somebody’s here to see me?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why the hush-hush?”

  Seth grasped her arms. “Because Gideon said criminals often come back to the scene of the crime.”

  Her face paled.

  He kept hold of her.

  “I’ll be right here while you look out the kitchen window.”

  “Me, too.” This from Ali.

  Julianne walked to the sink. When she looked out at the yard, her shoulders relaxed some. “I know him, Seth. But he shouldn’t know my address.”

  * * *

  Julianne watched as Terrance Chandler stood on the grass, hands in his pants pockets staring up at the house. Ali and Seth flanked her. “Who is he?” Seth asked.

  “One of my students. He’s nineteen and I give him private lessons.”

  Sirens wailed in the background. Outside, Terrance glared at Gideon. Through the open window, she heard, “What the hell’s going on?”

  Uniformed police circled the house, guns drawn. Instead of answering the guy, Gideon faced the officers. “I’m Detective Casella. This man showed up in our yard, looking for the victim of the break-in yesterday.”

  “Wait a minute,” Terrance said. “What are you doing?”

  “Your call then, Detective,” one officer said.

  “Cuff him.”

  Julianne turned to Seth. “I have to go out there. I know him. They all should hear that.”

  “Wait till Gid calls you out.”

  Which he did right away. Julianne walked outside to the edge of the patio. “Stay over there, Jules,” Gideon said. “Do you know this man?”

  “Yes, he’s one of my students.”

  Terrance shook his head. “Julianne, I read online about the break-in and came to see how you are.”

  “Did the article give my address?”

  “It said 33 Grove Circle had been broken into. That sounded familiar. I asked my parents and they knew your house number because they mailed your checks there.”

  Good God. She never thought not to get studio payments at home.

  “All this is true,” he said. “Check the Hidden Cove Herald and you’ll see it in the police blotter.”

  “They do that, Jules, to alert the community.” Gideon turned back around. “Where were you two days ago, Chandler?”

  “I’m not answering that question. I want to call my lawyer.”

  Which he had a right to do.

  Gideon took out his phone. Clicked into the number he was given, and put the phone on speaker. “Hogan Chandler here.”

  “Dad, I need help.”

  * * *

  The next morning, Seth went to the open door of Julianne’s bedroom and leaned against the jamb. He found her at the desk looking at the screen of a computer. “Good morning.”

  She turned. Her shoulders slumped some and her eyes were bleak. “To you, too.”

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, of course.”

  He folded his arms over his chest. “You didn’t come out of your room after everybody left last night.”

  “I was exhausted.”

  “I hate that the guy was released.”

  “He’s still a kid, Seth. Only a few years older than Cory. And he acts…entitled. I doubt he’d stoop to something like this.” She sighed and stood. “I’m worried about keeping my doors open at the school if I lose private clients.”

  “Really?”

  “I depend on the lessons I give so I can pay the rent.”

  “I didn’t know that. What about all those music therapy classes you run?”

  “They’re on a sliding scale. Three quarters of the kids who come in are underprivileged. Which is what I want, to help those kids. The elementary school pays well, but I can’t survive on just that income.”

  “You only lost Chandler, Jules.”

  He remembered the scene they’d made…

  “I will never let my son near your school,” Hogan Chandler had bellowed. “How dare you try to blame him for just checking up on you?”

  “She wasn’t,” Gideon responded. “Calling the cops was my idea.”

  “Which the mayor of Hidden Cove will hear about…”

  “Then I am sorry about that, though. I’ve got money saved—”

  She held up her hand. “Don’t. I’m responsible for my own welfare. Besides, I have money saved, too.”

  “Maybe we can brainstorm some ways to increase your business to get more high-paying clients.”

  She bolted up. “Seth, stop! You’re taking over for me again.”

  He recoiled. “What? I’m trying to help.”

  “By making plans for me. Decisions. Just stop.” She picked up her purse from the bed. “I’m going home.”

  Wanting to protest, he stepped back so he wouldn’t. Instead, he followed her downstairs.

  His mother was having coffee at the table. “Good morning, dear. Seth.”

  “Hi, Mama.”

  Julianne gave a forced smile. “I got a call. I can go home, now.”

  “Ah, I see. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

  She glanced at Seth. “No, thanks. I’ll make some for myself.” She bent over and kissed Carmella’s cheek. “Thank you for everything.”

  “You’re welcome here any time.”

  “I know.”

  “Can I walk you over?” Seth asked. “It might be hard to go inside the first time.”

  “No, thanks. I can handle it.” Seth watched her go into the mudroom, heard the door open and close.

  “I wish she’d let you go with her.” Carmella’s voice held a note of concern.

  “She says I make decisions for her.”

  “You do. You did, actually. But she’s become very independent since you broke up.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  Seth thought about her words this morning. God damn it, he had to get his act together. He had responsibilities and not to Julianne. To people like Johnny, who he was determined t
o help. “I’m going home tomorrow, Mama. I go back to work in the morning.”

  “Do you have to go?” she said a little forlornly.

  “Yeah, I do. It’s time. But you’ll get to see more of Julianne if I’m not here.”

  “Seth—”

  “No, that’s fine. It’s the truth and I’m finally admitting it.”

  That night, he put her out of his mind, packed up his things and put them in the car. In the morning, he was drinking coffee with his mother when his phone rang.

  “Mr. Casella, this is Johnny Cordello. I might be a little late for our meeting at your office because Grandma just got up and I don’t like to leave until she’s settled.

  “That’s nice of you, John.” He was such a good kid. “I’ll have plenty to catch up on while I wait.”

  A half-hour later, Seth walked into the small Legal Aid building in downtown Hidden Cove. The organization took up the entire space. There were offices along one wall for the full-time people, and cubicles in the main room for the lawyers who worked pro bono and needed to come in. Seth startled when all those present stood and clapped. “Glad to have you back,” Ellen told him, after the applause.

  “Hey, thanks everybody. It’s good to be back.”

  “Half-days, right?” Ellen said, cocking her head.

  “Sure.”

  She accompanied him to his office, cramped quarters at best but big enough to meet with clients. “You’re working the Cordello case. Others have been handling the ones that weren’t settled when you left. Some of them resolved. You can take back those that didn’t, but gradually.”

  “Good to know. I have my hands full right now with Johnny.”

  Ellen looked at him. “Seth, don’t get too personally involved in this one. It sounds like heartbreak waiting to happen.”

  “Not if I can help it, Ellen.”

  When she left, Seth booted up his computer and checked his email. His inbox was full, though he’d cleared it out twice from home. He answered what was urgent, then went online to the NY State Guidelines for Foster Care. Johnny said he’d visited the site, but he didn’t know how much information the boy had found out. In a half-hour, he walked to the doorway. “Hello, Seth.”

  “Hey, Johnny, come on in and sit.”