Kel's Keeper Read online

  But it would keep him occupied. “Sure.”

  Luc beamed. “Great. In which case, I’ll feed you at lunch time. That only seems fair.”

  “You’re on.” The thought of the cold meat and salad in his mom’s refrigerator didn’t thrill him. Hopefully Luc had something else in mind. “Let me lock the door, then I’ll be over.”

  “I’ll go find another spade.” Luc got off the ladder and walked off.

  Kel went back into the house and checked his phone. No calls or messages. He fully intended calling his mom, but that could wait until later. Doubtless she’d be making his dad a big breakfast right about then. They liked to sleep in at the cabin.

  He locked the door, after pocketing his phone, then strolled across the boundary that comprised several shrubs and bushes. Whoever had designed the neighborhood clearly didn’t believe in fences: there were few to be seen.

  For some reason, a line from a Robert Frost poem came to mind, something about good fences making good neighbors. Luc seemed to have been a good neighbor so far. He got on with Kel’s parents, as far as Kel knew. Luc bought his house shortly after they’d moved in, so his mom had said once. Kel wasn’t even born at that point.

  Maybe that’s why I feel comfortable around him. Here was a man who’d known Kel since birth.

  Luc was standing by a patch of lawn that he’d marked out with little wooden pegs joined by string. He looked up as Kel approached. “I’ve found an old pair of gardening gloves. Can’t have you getting callouses from using the spade.” His dark brown eyes twinkled. “Your mom would accuse me of slave labor.”

  Kel took a moment to really look at him. There was more gray in Luc’s beard than the last time Kel had seen him: the smattering of black hair was overwhelmed by the more abundant silvery white. It suited him, giving him a distinguished look. Luc wore a woolen cap, but Kel knew it had been a while since he’d had hair up top. He’d taken to shaving his head just before Kel had left for college.

  If anything, he looked better with age. Gruffer. Sexier.

  Kel’s jeans tightened across his crotch, and his cheeks grew hot. Dear Lord, tell me he didn’t see anything.

  “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Luc’s deep voice broke through Kel’s observations.

  Kel swallowed. “Excuse me?”

  Luc studied him. “Since we really talked. Sorry. That was down to me.”

  Relief flooded through him. Firstly, Luc had plainly taken his obviously flushed face for embarrassment of some sort. And secondly, Kel now had confirmation that Luc’s absence hadn’t been his imagination. “I just thought you were busy with your own life.”

  “I was, but you were going off to college, starting a new life… I knew I’d be seeing less of you, and I figured it was a natural break.” He cleared his throat. “Now. We have work to do.” He picked up a pair of worn green gloves from the ground next to him, tossed them to Kel, then pointed to two spades standing upright. “You take the steel one. It’s the newest. I’ll take the one with the wooden handle.”

  Kel pulled the steel spade from where Luc had shoved it into the ground. He peered at the string outline, taking in its size. “You really mean business with this, don’t you? Are you planning on growing enough vegetables to start your own produce stand?”

  Luc snorted. “You can back out now if you think it’s too big a challenge.”

  That did it. “I think I can keep pace with you. I’ve got youth on my side.” Kel grinned.

  Luc laughed, then flexed. Even in his thick jacket, Kel could tell there were sizable arms under there, as well as a wide, strong back. “Oh yeah? Well, I got muscles on mine.” He pulled back his sleeve and glanced at his watch. “How about we work for an hour, then break for coffee and a muffin?”

  Okay, that got Kel’s attention. “What flavor?”

  “Blueberry, and chocolate chip.”

  Kel grasped the handle of his spade firmly. “Let’s get started then.” He watched how Luc took off the top layer of grass, using his spade to chop through it, before laying the sod to one side. “I think I can handle that.”

  Luc chuckled. “Wait until tonight. Your back won’t know what hit it.”

  Kel didn’t care about that. The sun was shining, he wasn’t freezing his butt off, and he was helping a neighbor.

  Good deal.

  “How do you want your burger? Medium rare, well done?” Luc placed two thick burgers on the grill.

  “As long as it’s not still mooing, we’re fine. Juicy is one thing—bleeding is another.”

  Luc laughed. “Nothing wrong with meat that’s a bit pink.” He removed cucumber, pickles, tomatoes and lettuce from the refrigerator, along with a pack of cheese slices.

  “Can I do anything to help?” Kel took a long drink from his glass of soda.

  Luc waved his knife. “Absolutely not. You’ve done more than enough this morning. We’ve really broken the back of it.” He glanced across the countertop at Kel, his eyes gleaming. “And speaking of backs, how’s yours?”

  Kel arched, stretching, his arms in the air. “You were right. I’m gonna feel it tomorrow.”

  “Look, you don’t have to do any more. You’ve been a great help. If you want to call it a day, I wouldn’t mind in the slightest.” Luc sliced the cucumber thinly, before cutting up the tomatoes into thick slices.

  Kel gazed at him speculatively. “Are you gonna quit now?” When Luc shook his head, Kel folded his arms. “Then neither am I.” He grinned. “Can’t have you thinking a guy of twenty-four can’t keep up with a guy of… your age.”

  “Forty-seven. In case you wanted to know but were too polite to ask.” Luc placed the split burger buns on the grill. “Now, I’ve got relish, ketchup, mayo…”

  “Mayo,” Kel said promptly. He gazed at Luc’s kitchen. The layout was identical to his parents’ kitchen, but instead of wooden cabinets, Luc’s were all done in a gleaming white that gave the room a light, airy, modern feel.

  Luc flipped the burgers. “So how’s college? You can’t have much time left, surely.”

  Kel rested his elbows on the breakfast bar. “I’ll be done by June.”

  “Then what? An MBA opens a whole lotta doors. You could take your pick of careers.” Kel couldn’t hold back the sigh that came from somewhere deep inside, and Luc stilled. “What have I said?”

  “It’s my dad. He didn’t want me to do the MBA in the first place.” Kel could still hear his dad’s raised voice, still see his dad’s reddened face.

  Luc placed the buns on two plates. “Onion?” Kel nodded, and Luc proceeded to construct the burgers. “If you don’t mind my asking, what did he want you to do after your bachelors?” His smile faded. “We never talk about your schooling. I get the impression it’s not a good topic of conversation. All I know about you comes from your mom. She’s so proud of you.”

  The question was in his head instantly. Then why doesn’t she show it? Kel brushed aside the unkind thought. Mom had never been good at showing her emotions, although she fared slightly better than his dad.

  “He wanted me to come work with him in his ministry.”

  Luc’s face tightened. “Ah.”

  Something flashed through Kel’s head, a memory of a conversation he’d overheard as a child. “You’re not a churchgoer, are you?” When Luc stared at him, Kel shrugged. “Something I heard my dad say to my mom years ago, about you being okay for a nonbeliever.”

  Luc chuckled. “Yeah, that sounds like your dad. I’m flattered that he thinks I’m okay. He has little time for people who don’t share his beliefs.” He cocked his head to one side. “And what about you?”

  Kel’s heart hammered. “What about me?”

  “You obviously don’t want to work with your dad. Is that because you have other plans… or because you don’t believe either?”

  Kel froze, his throat seized.

  Luc frowned. “I’m sorry. I had no right to ask that question. Your beliefs are private.” He handed Kel a plate, then op
ened a cabinet to pull out a bag of chips. “Can’t have a burger without chips, can you?”

  Little by little, Kel’s throat loosened. He took a sip of soda. “I can’t talk about this.”

  Luc’s mouth went down at the corners, as if a mask of sorrow had slipped into place. “And I don’t expect you to. Forgive me.”

  He looked so miserable that Kel took pity on him. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

  “Of course. You only ate three muffins this morning.” Luc’s lips twitched, and Kel was relieved to see the change in him.

  Kel gaped at him in mock anger. “You counted!”

  Luc helped himself to a pile of chips. “I’d better make sure I get some of these, before you get your hands on them.” That twinkle was back in his eye, and Kel was happy to see it.

  Except for that brief blip, it had been very pleasant talking with Luc while they worked. It was as if the years had fallen away, and Luc was once more the neighbor who made Kel laugh and smile.

  Except Kel knew that wasn’t the whole truth. Luc might not have changed much in the intervening years, but Kel had. And if he was honest, he didn’t see Luc with the same eyes as the little boy who’d broken a pane in Luc’s greenhouse with his ball.

  Now he saw Luc as a man. A mature man who affected Kel in ways the younger Kel couldn’t have understood.

  Not gonna go there. Too many conflicting emotions were tangled up around those memories. Maybe it had been a good thing that he’d seen less of Luc in recent years. It would only have added to Kel’s confusion and guilt.

  “You’re not eating.”

  Kel grabbed the bag of chips. “I was waiting to see if you left me any.”

  Luc snickered, and got on with eating his burger. Kel joined in, pushing aside his thoughts. An afternoon of digging would leave little time for reminiscing.

  Thank God.

  Kel stretched his back. “I think I’ve had it for one day.” They’d turned over the soil, preparing it for the seeds and plants Luc had bought. He gazed at their handiwork with a smile. “Not bad for a day’s work.”

  “Agreed.” Luc wiped his forehead with what looked like a bandanna. At some point during the afternoon, he’d removed his cap and tied the red-and-white bandanna around his head. Then he’d removed his jacket to reveal a plain dark blue T-shirt. What assailed Kel’s nostrils was the smell of Luc’s sweat, mingled with another odor that did something to his insides.

  Why is it when I sweat, it’s disgusting, but the smell of him has me heating up all over?

  “Kel?”

  He gave a start. “Sorry. I must’ve zoned out for a sec.”

  “I was just saying, lunch seems barely adequate compensation for all you’ve done. I’ve got a couple of steaks in the refrigerator, and in the freezer there are onion rings and sweet potato fries. How about joining me for dinner?” He glanced at his watch. “It’s almost six now.”

  Kel was sorely tempted. The mere mention of onion rings and fries had his mouth watering. “I don’t want to impose,” he protested.

  Luc arched his eyebrows. “Why would you think you’re an imposition? I’d like the company. Besides, we’ve got some catching up to do. I want to hear about what you’ve been getting up to lately.”

  As far as Kel was concerned, there were way too many potential pitfalls in that conversation. He gazed around Luc’s yard. Little had changed since he was a kid. The rear of the property was marked by tall trees, which also separated it from the house to the left of Luc’s. Then he realized there was something new.

  “What have you got over there?” He pointed to a row of trees off to the left. “I don’t remember seeing those before.” But it had been a long time since he’d set foot in Luc’s back yard.

  “Those are Leyland cypress trees. And they have a specific purpose.” He beckoned with his finger. “Come and see.”

  Kel followed him across the lawn to a wide gap in the trees. Once inside, he grinned. “You got yourself a pool.” It was surrounded by the trees, its exterior paved. At one end, steps led down into the water, and at one corner was a separate circular enclosure. Kel’s grin widened. “And a hot tub.”

  “Now you see why I planted those trees,” Luc explained. “I didn’t want to erect a fence, because fences don’t go down all that well around here, as you may have noticed.” Kel chuckled. “And doing it this way gives me privacy. I can sun myself out here, without fear of being spotted by one of my neighbors.” Luc bit his lip. “Your parents would probably not approve of my way of sunbathing.”

  And just like that, Kel got an image in his head that he did not want to be there right then. Thankfully, Luc changed the subject. “Let’s go get cleaned up and then I’ll start on dinner.”

  They left the pool and walked toward the back porch, a shady spot with a couple of chairs beneath it. Kel smiled when he saw the porch swing. “At least this is still around.” Memories of sitting on it with Luc, reading one of Kel’s books together, arose in his mind, like it had happened yesterday.

  Luc stared over his shoulder in the direction of the street, his forehead creased in a frown. “Kel? You have visitors.”

  Kel turned to look, and just like that, his heartbeat climbed.

  Two police officers were walking up the driveway toward his front door.

  Chapter Three

  Kel pulled off his gardening gloves. “I’d better go see what they want.” Except it was more likely a case of who they wanted to talk to. It sure wasn’t him.

  “I’ll come with you.” Luc removed his own gloves.

  Kel gave him a grateful glance. It wasn’t as if he had anything to be concerned about, but still….

  They walked across Luc’s front lawn and around the garage to where the officers stood by the door. “Can I help you?” Kel said politely.

  “Are you Kelvin Taylor?” The officer removed his cap, the other following suit. The first officer’s gaze flickered across to Luc, then back to Kel.

  “Yes, although I prefer Kel.” Their grave demeanor was starting to worry him.

  “Could we step inside, please?”

  Frowning, Kel unlocked the door and went in. Luc waited as the officers followed. “You mind if I come in too?”

  Relief poured through him. “I’d kinda assumed you would.”

  Luc stepped into the house, where the officers stood in the hallway, gazing around as if they were lost. Kel gestured to his mom’s sitting room. “You can go in there.”

  The officers entered, but neither sat down.

  Luc’s hand was suddenly at his back. “I think you’d better sit down,” he said quietly. Kel gave him a puzzled glance, but all Luc did was gesture to the nearest chair. “Please, Kel?”

  Still puzzled, Kel sat, and Luc took the chair next to his. He looked up at the officers. “I’m Luc Bryant. I live next door, and I’ve known this family for over twenty-three years.”

  The first officer appeared relieved. “I see.” He switched his attention to Kel. “Your parents are John and Christine Taylor, is that right?”

  Icy fingers skated over Kel’s skin. “Yes.” The word came out in a whisper. “Something’s happened, hasn’t it?” He gripped the arms of the chair, his fingers digging into the velvet. Luc put his hand to Kel’s back, as if to remind him he wasn’t alone.

  “I’m sorry to have to tell you that your parents were found at their cabin this afternoon. The caretaker—”

  “Found? What does that mean, found?” Kel’s heartbeat went up several notches, and cold sweat popped out on his forehead and down his back. “Are you saying they’re… dead?”

  “It seems there was a fault with the furnace. When the caretaker called on them this afternoon, he found them dead. It appears they died in their sleep of carbon monoxide poisoning. There will of course be an inquest.” The officer looked at his notepad. “Is there anyone in the family you can call?”

  Kel couldn’t speak. The cop’s words just didn’t compute. They can’t be dead.

&
nbsp; “Kel’s only relation that I know of is his grandfather, who’s in Africa right now,” Luc said in a low voice. “I have no idea if Kel has any aunts or uncles.”

  “There’s no one else,” Kel blurted out. “Mom and Dad were both only children.” He stared at some point between the officers. “Poisoning?” He was vaguely aware of Luc asking questions but Kel wasn’t listening. That voice in his head kept on repeating, ‘Dead! They’re dead!’ until he thought he was going to scream.

  “Kel. Kel.”

  He blinked. Luc was holding his hand. Behind him, the officers were putting their caps back on.

  Why take your cap off to report a death? Does it make the news any better? His mind was clinging onto the hope that there’d been a mistake, but deep down he knew. They were gone.

  “Kel, the officers are leaving now.” Luc’s voice was so damn gentle.

  Kel swallowed and rose unsteadily to his feet. “Thank you for letting me know,” he said at last. Luc hadn’t moved from his side. Inside, something clicked into place, and Kel straightened. He could deal with this. He held out his hand to the officers, who shook it, then followed him to the door. He stood there as they walked to their car, his back rigid, chin up.

  “I’m going to make you some tea,” Luc announced. When Kel stared at him, Luc sighed. “Sweet tea. It’s good for shock, or so my grandma always said. Mind you, she put brandy in her tea.”

  “Mom drinks this mint tea sometimes.” He tried to ignore the part of his brain that told him he was speaking in the wrong tense. The idea of tea left him indifferent.

  No, not indifferent—numb. He was just… numb.

  “Do you want me to call your granddad? There must be a number where I can reach him.”

  It took a moment for Luc’s question to register. “Not right now, you can’t. No one can. He’s off on some trek into some far-flung part where they don’t have phones or internet. I’ll email him. He can read it when he gets back into civilization.” Kel couldn’t get over how well he was taking this. He wasn’t falling apart. Dad would be so proud of me.