Purling Road - The Complete First Season: Episodes 1-10 Read online

  Purling Road

  The Entire First Season

  Episodes One – Ten

  by

  M.L. Gardner

  Table of Contents

  Episode One – A Wink and a Nod

  Episode Two – Striking Out

  Episode Three – Out of Hiding

  Episode Four – Out on a Limb

  Episode Five – Holding On

  Episode Six – A Gut Feeling

  Episode Seven – Brother of Mine

  Episode Eight – Gone the Next

  Episode Nine – Old Demons

  Episode Ten – A Trip to the Garden

  The 1929 Saga continues with Season One of

  Purling Road.

  Start the journey and see where it all began with

  1929 – Book One

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  Purling Road

  Episode One

  “A Wink and a Nod”

  November 1931

  It was an overcast day with a deep November chill as Caleb waited for the others to get to the marina. He paced, nervous. With his mind made up to leave the boats, all he had left to do was tell them. He dreaded their reaction.

  He worried that he was leaving them in a bad spot and how they’d fill his. He worried about them out there in the cold, wind and rain. Having never completely grown comfortable with being on the sea after the accident, he didn’t know how Aryl managed it, having suffered much worse than he. They both had no choice, he supposed. With families to support they had to do what had to be done, no matter how uncomfortable it was emotionally or physically.

  Having stacked the pots the night before, he pulled one off the top, turned his collar up against the wind and sat down, blowing into his hands.

  When Aryl arrived he was yawning, rubbing sleep out of his eyes. His hair was wild and on his face, stubble from the previous day.

  “Good Morning,” Caleb said, standing up.

  “Morning,” he said. “Did you bring coffee? I was running late.”

  “I have a thermos in the wheelhouse. You look terrible. Did you even sleep last night?”

  “Not much,” Aryl grumbled, dragging his feet as he walked.

  Jonathan boarded the boat staring at a piece of paper. “I don’t know what we were thinking taking the weekend off.”

  “We were celebrating Tarin’s wedding,” Caleb said.

  Jonathan looked up, gazing out at morning’s first light. “Well, they’re the ones on a honeymoon, not us. We shouldn’t have. We’ll have to work twice as hard to make it up. Let’s get moving.”

  “Wait, Jon. I need to talk to you about something.”

  “I need to talk to you about something first,” Jonathan said as Aryl joined them. “Where’s Ian?”

  “He must be running late.”

  Jonathan bristled. Tardiness irritated him.

  “Give him a break. He and Maura just reconciled,” Aryl said.

  “I wanted him to hear this, too. I’ve been going over the numbers and I think we should split up and work on separate boats.”

  “We tried that,” Aryl said. “We came in under what we did working together.”

  “Because we were working alone. If we hire someone to work with each of us, I think we’ll come out ahead.”

  “Wait, if we each take a boat and hire some men, we’ll have to pay them. How is that going to work?”

  Jonathan held up the paper. “You’re going to have to trust me. I’ve run the numbers. It will work.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to work with anyone else,” Aryl said, taking a step back. “Maybe I like the way things are.”

  “Liking and needing are two different things, Aryl.”

  “Well, I don’t know if your little numbers helped you figure this out, but there are four of us and three boats. Double check this but, I don’t think that divides evenly.”

  Jonathan threw an unamused glance. “Yes, I’m aware of that, Aryl. Two of us will break off onto other boats and hire help. When we can afford it, we’ll buy a fourth.”

  “It does divide evenly,” Caleb said, looking up.

  “No, Caleb, four into three does not,” Aryl said. “You want some scratch paper to check?”

  Caleb ignored the chiding and looked up at Jonathan. “It does divide because I’m leaving.”

  Aryl swallowed his coffee with a gulp and looked from him to Jonathan and back.

  “What do you mean, Caleb?” Jonathan asked.

  “I’ve thought long and hard about it. I’m a farmer. That’s where I belong.”

  “It’s November,” Aryl said, his tone obviously unhappy with the news. “What are you going to do all winter?”

  “There’s a lot to do. I have a list that grows every week because I can’t get to it all. It doesn’t matter the season. There’s always work.”

  Jonathan blew out his breath and turned as the hand holding his carefully detailed plan dropped to his side.

  “I’m sorry if you have to run the numbers again without me,” Caleb said, glancing down.

  “Have you talked to Arianna about this?” Aryl asked.

  “Of course. She’s happy with it.”

  Jonathan turned to face him. “Well, when is your last day?” he asked. Caleb could see in his face and hear in his tone that this was the last news he wanted to hear.

  “I can finish the week,” Caleb said. “Give you guys time to find someone to replace me.”

  Jonathan stared for a moment, then turned and went to the wheelhouse, closing the door a little too loudly behind him.

  “Caleb, please reconsider. I know Jon thinks we should split up, but I’m telling you that we won’t make more money and we’ll end up working together again.”

  “It doesn’t have anything to do with working together or not. I decided this a few weeks ago, before Tarin’s wedding. I have to do it. I can’t keep splitting myself between land and sea anymore. I can be more profitable by working the land and animals.” He widened his stance to keep his balance as the boat began swaying.

  “Is there any way I can talk you out of this?”

  “No. And if I’ll be happier and more productive, why would you try?”

  Aryl grumbled and looked away. It was for selfish reasons, of course. They had been working together for years and Aryl wouldn’t like it that no sooner were things back to normal, they were changing again. It would make him nervous and uncertain. It opened the door for more change, more uncertainty. They turned to see Ian jogging toward the boat, waving an arm over his head.

  “Let’s get the pots ready,” he said, shoving past Caleb.

  ***

  Jonathan walked in the door and called out, “I’m home!” He heard Jean pounding down the stairs and a moment later, jumped up in his arms with a strangle hold on Jonathan’s neck.

  “Well, I’m glad to see you, too,” he said, grinning as Ava came around the corner.

  She looked apprehensive, clasping her hands together, waiting for him to notice. He blinked once before his head jerked back. He opened his mouth, but didn’t quite know what to say. The long blonde hair she’d had since the day he met her was gone, replaced with a short style, combed over and waxed with little curls and waves over her ear.

  “Do you like it?” she asked, touching the back of her bare neck.

  He set Jean down on the floor slowly, still staring. “You look…it’s…so different.”

  Her confidence started to dip as he struggled and stammered. Jean clung to his hand, looking up at him.

  “Well, I
like it even if you don’t,” she said and spun around.

  “No, Ava, I like it,” he said, following after her into the kitchen. “Give me a minute to take it in. I’m still a bit shocked.”

  She pursed her lips and tilted her head away as she stood by the counter.

  His eyes were wide and she started to squirm under the attention.

  “Who…when?”

  “Arianna came over earlier today,” she snapped, swiping a towel off the counter and turning to the oven.

  “Ava, please stop,” he reached out to touch her as she yanked the oven door open. “Don’t be mad at me for being taken by surprise.” He was grinning now, though he couldn’t figure out why. Perhaps he adored the changes in her over the last few months. She had gained confidence to try new things. Lately, she had him always wondering what was next as she embraced the new freedom she’d found.

  After she set a casserole on the stove he turned her around. She folded her arms and pouted, refusing to look at him.

  “I like it, Ava. In fact, I love it.”

  Her eyes flickered up. “Really?”

  “Really. You look beautiful.”

  Her pout gave way to a smile and then a giggle. “I thought I’d die when she took the scissors and went right across the back,” she said, touching the bare skin below her hairline. “But after she was done and I looked in the mirror, I really liked it.”

  “I do, too. Was this a spontaneous decision or had you been thinking about it?” he asked.

  “Arianna is trying to find ways of making some extra money. She loves doing hair, but she said she needed more practice. I told her to start with me. I just blurted it out and next thing I knew, it was done.”

  “You know what I like about it the most?” he asked, pulling her into a hug.

  “What?”

  “There’s nothing hiding your neck,” he said, giving her a playful bite.

  She giggled, scrunched up and then stiffened, seeing Jean in the doorway watching them.

  “Go wash up, dinner’s ready,” she told him. She pecked Jonathan on the lips. “You, too.”

  Over dinner, Jonathan told Ava of Caleb’s plans to leave the boat. She swallowed, wiped her mouth and nodded. “Arianna told me today as well.” Her eyebrows drew together. “I hope he knows what he’s doing. I worry about them. That farm has supplemented their income, but I don’t know if they can live on it.”

  “Well, he seems pretty determined to find out.”

  “That explains why Arianna is looking to do hair and anything else on the side.”

  “Not sure how many folks can afford to pay for a haircut in this town.”

  “She’s thought of that and is open to barter.”

  “What did you trade her for doing yours?”

  “Advertising. I promised I’d tell people about her everywhere I went.”

  Jonathan nodded. “What she needs to do is make more of the floral arrangements and greenery that she did for Tarin’s wedding.”

  “I suppose she could in the summer and fall when things are blooming.”

  “No, she could dry the flowers in the summer and use them in the winter.”

  “Where would she sell them? She can’t sit at the edge of their property and freeze all day in the fruit stand. Too bad Rockport doesn’t have a winter market.”

  “So, get one started.”

  “How?”

  Jonathan rolled his shoulders. “Go in to town. Ask around.”

  Jean giggled from across the table.

  “What’s so funny?” Jonathan asked.

  “You rhymed,” he said softly and nibbled his bread.

  Jonathan took his attention from Ava and gave Jean a good look over. “You’re awful quiet tonight,” he said.

  Jean’s weak smile slowly fell and he looked down.

  “Want to talk about it?”

  “No,” Jean said, pushing his plate away. “Can I be excused?”

  “Well, first I’d like you to tell me what’s wrong,” Jonathan said, softening his tone. He glanced to Ava, who returned his questioning look with a wide eyed shrug.

  Jean appeared to struggle a bit, stopping and starting several times before getting it out. “Some kids at school are teasing me,” he said, keeping his eyes low. Ava knew his sullen face and downcast eyes meant he was ready to cry.

  “What are they saying to you?” she asked, touching his arm.

  “Just…mean things.”

  Ava’s eyes flashed. “Well, who are they? I’ll go into the school tomorrow and put a stop to it.”

  “No,” he said quickly, looking up. “Please, don’t. I’ll ignore them, I promise.”

  “Jean, why don’t you want Ava to help?”

  Ava’s eyes flickered and then she smiled. “If you’d rather your father go in, I’ll understand.”

  “No, neither of you,” he said. “I’ll ignore it. Can I be excused?”

  Jonathan nodded and watched him leave.

  “Do you think it’s because of his lingering accent?”

  “It could be,” Jonathan said.

  “Do you want me to go to the school anyway?” Ava asked as she began to clear the plates.

  “No, not just yet. He has the maturity to know to ignore them. Let’s honor his request and see if it passes.”

  “I’m sure it will,” she said, smiling. “You know how kids are. Before school let out last year, it was Owin they were teasing, remember?”

  ***

  Caleb ran to the door of the hardware store, stepping inside with minutes to spare before closing.

  The clerk, Gibb, was a senior in high school and closed the hardware store every night. He was busy talking to another customer as Caleb walked by, scanning the aisle for what he needed.

  After a moment the door chimed and the clerk made his way over.

  “Can I help you find something?” he asked.

  “I need a radiator hose for my tractor.”

  “What kind?”

  “A twenty-seven Farmall.”

  Gibb ducked his head this way and that, looking deep into the shelves. Then he poked around a wooden box of parts on the ground.

  “I just sold one a few weeks ago and I’m not sure we have any more. Owner usually stocks those right before spring.”

  “I could really use one now. Can you look in the back?” Caleb asked.

  So close to closing, Gibb didn’t look like he wanted to. He stifled a grumble. “Sure,” he said and broke into a jog. Caleb passed a few moments looking at things he wanted and needed, but couldn’t afford.

  “Evening,” a voice said from behind.

  Turning, Caleb found himself standing in front of the new sheriff.

  “We haven’t officially met,” he said, sticking his hand out. “Sheriff William Hicks.”

  “Caleb Jenkins.”

  His eyes flashed with recognition. “Oh…Jenkins.”

  Feeling self-conscious, Caleb pulled his hand away. He looked over William’s shoulder and wondered where Gibb was, hoping he’d hurry.

  “This is a small town. I heard about everything that happened before I was asked to stand in until the election,” he said, flicking his badge. “Of course I didn’t hear the whole story from town gossip and such. I’ve since read the reports, been all through the files. You and your friends have been through a lot.”

  “We have. I think we’re all looking forward to life settling down a bit, you know? Nice and steady, no surprises.”

  “Can’t blame you there. Still, you could have gone either way with Marvin and his connections. You could have chosen a path that would make you a lot more money, you know? But you didn’t and that tells me you’re good people. I like good people. We need more of you.”

  Caleb relaxed a little and managed a smile. “Well, thank you. I’ll tell my friends you said that.”

  William stepped closer. “Do. And if any of you need anything, anything at all…” He put a hand on Caleb’s shoulder and squeezed it slowly. “You com
e to me.”

  He winked.

  Caleb’s spine snapped straight and he froze. With wide eyes he watched William leave.

  “Got that radiator hose, Mr. Jenkins. Aren’t you lucky, it was the very last one. That’ll be sixty cents,” Gibb said, hurrying to the register. He put the hose on the counter and tapped it to get Caleb’s attention.

  Caleb’s head whipped around. “Did you see that?”

  “The sheriff? Yes, sir. I like him. Nothing like that last one.”

  “No, did you see what he did?”

  Gibb stared at him. “What are you talking about?”

  “He wi—” Caleb glanced back at the door as his mouth snapped shut. “Never mind.”

  Caleb was distracted as he drove home. He gripped the wheel with a furrowed brow and was nearly home when suddenly he slammed on the brakes, turned the truck around and headed in the direction of Jonathan’s house. The last few days of work had been tense with Jonathan remaining quiet and aloof. From the minute Caleb told him he was leaving, he’d felt like the odd man out. He would be glad for his last day, if only to stop watching Jonathan stomp around, grumbling under his breath, turning to Aryl to talk privately and avoiding him as much as possible.

  He pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine. Jonathan could be mad at him all he wanted at work. But he was still his friend and there were things that had to be said if he was going to be able to sleep tonight. Caleb knocked on the door hoping for the best.

  Jean opened it, smiled and invited him in.

  “Ava is in the bedroom with Amy. Dadee is in the kitchen with Uncle Aryl.”

  “Thanks, Jean.” He tousled his hair as he passed.

  Stepping into the kitchen he saw them both hunched over paperwork at the table. He cleared his throat, Aryl stopped talking as he looked up. Jonathan stuck his pencil behind his ear and began gathering papers that were scattered about, covered in scribble.

  “Hey.” Caleb pulled out a chair and sat down.

  “Everything okay?” Aryl asked. Jonathan sat with his eyes down, organizing his papers.

  “Why wouldn’t everything be okay?”