Gift-Wrapped Family

“The local real estate agent commented that Harlan never went inside. She said he had a sheaf of papers. He walked the property while consulting his papers, then told her he’d take it.”

“Like I said—it’s odd.” Knowing Harlan hadn’t been inside made it easier for Mia to look through the windows. She gasped at the huge stone fireplace covering the end of one wall, a beautiful chandelier that sparkled in the sunlight and a lovely circular staircase. Suddenly conscious of how nosy she must seem, she backed away. “Excuse me,” she said, her cheeks burning.

“Why?” Caleb shrugged. “Don’t you want a closer look inside?”

Startled, she whirled around and asked, “Can we?”

“While you were soaking in the autumn colors I texted the caregiver and asked her to unlock it.” Caleb turned the knob, pushed the door open and waved a hand for her to enter.

“That was kind of you.” Mia walked past him, heart thudding. Caleb Grant was a very kind man, and very handsome, and very... Forcing her focus off him, she glanced around as the warmth of the house enfolded her like a comfortable quilt.

“Do you like it?” Caleb asked quietly.

“Who wouldn’t? This is what a real home feels like.” Mia ran her hands along a log, reveling in its satin smoothness. She gazed up at the vaulted ceiling. “The details are spectacular.”

“It’s big, I’ll say that.” Caleb strolled through the front room into a dining room and then the kitchen. Mia followed him, mentally placing her few precious items here and there. “Like it?” he asked, stopping in the kitchen.

“What’s not to like?” The big sunny room overlooked a backyard with a screened gazebo, a fountain and a child’s play set—for Lily, the child Harlan never wanted? The child she could never have. That hurt too much so Mia refocused. “The patio has a place for campfires and picnics.” Her mind immediately began envisioning a fall campfire and the scent of burning leaves.

“Look at this room.” Realizing Caleb had moved on, Mia followed his voice. “I think it’s a family room, but the windows give it amazing light. You could paint in here.”

“Plus, there’s another fireplace to make it cozy.” Riverbend was like the house Mia had once cut out of a magazine and dreamed of ever since, though she’d never dared pray for it. That was too much to ask when she didn’t have anyone to share it with, not even a husband now. “It’s a family home.”

“It could be.” Caleb insisted she inspect the four upstairs bedrooms. Each boasted a fantastic view. “It’s a nice place,” he said when they returned to the front porch.

“Nice?” His simple words jerked Mia from her bemusement. She sat on the porch swing and used her toe to push back and forth. “It’s amazing. But I can’t understand why Harlan bought it. It’s not his type of home at all.” She glanced at Caleb and felt her cheeks burn. “At least I didn’t think it was. I guess I didn’t really know him at all.”

“Forget Harlan. I’m starving. Let’s go have lunch.” A moment later they were heading down a gravel road into town. Caleb pointed out different houses and named neighbors. “I live about four miles in that direction,” he said, pointing.

“On a ranch.” Mia heard the squeak in her own voice. Caleb must have heard it, too, but he simply nodded. “I didn’t think of you as a rancher,” she said. “I guess that makes me a bad judge of character again.”

“Actually you’re right. I’m not a rancher.” He didn’t look at her as he said, “I bought the ranch with a friend, as a sort of investment. Lara was Reba’s sister.”

Mia jerked upright, surprised he’d known Harper’s secretary. Some suspicious gremlin in her head warned that Caleb was still a stranger.

“Lara was a veterinarian. The ranch was to be a refuge for injured or displaced animals.”

“It’s not that now?” Mia asked, sensing something had saddened him.

“It was Lara’s dream. I’ve tried to keep her dream going, but I’m failing. I finally took my mom’s advice and listed the place last week.” Caleb pulled into a parking space in the small town. “Brewsters is a good place to eat,” he said, his voice flat, emotionless.

Mia got out of the car, her mind trying to piece together the puzzle of Caleb Grant. This Lara must have been important to him. His voice had softened when he said her name, a trace of fondness lingering as he spoke of her.

Brewsters turned out to be a homey diner with tantalizing aromas filling the air. Most of the lunch crowd had left when a woman Caleb introduced as Paula Brewster greeted them and took their orders. Mia was about to sip her tea when an older woman bustled over and swallowed Caleb in a hug.

“You should have told me you’d be here, honey. I’d have changed my plans and shared lunch with you.” The woman turned sharp inquisitive eyes on Mia. “Hello.”

“This is Mia Granger, Mom. Mia, this is my mother and the town’s mayor, Marsha Grant.”

“Granger?” The woman frowned. “Any relation to Harlan Granger?”

“Mia was his wife.” Caleb shook his head at his mother so subtly that Mia almost missed it. It seemed like a warning. “We were just looking at Riverbend.”

“It’s a gorgeous place. Too bad no one’s living there. It needs a family.” Marsha fluttered her hand at someone near the door. “I’d love to stay and visit, but I have a council meeting. Welcome to Buffalo Gap, Mia. I’m sorry about your husband, but I hope you come back again. Bye, dear.” She brushed a kiss against Caleb’s bristly cheek and then hurried away.

“Your mother seems very nice,” Mia said politely.

“She’s actually my foster mother and she is nice. Also nosy. I’ll be inundated with questions about you later on.” Caleb didn’t seem worried. In fact, a small smile curved his lips.

Foster mother? Mia hesitated a moment, then asked, “Did your family have problems?”

“You could say that.” His harsh laugh shocked her but not as much as his words. “My father murdered my mother. Marsha became my foster mother. She and her husband, Ben, later adopted me. Your mother made sure my father could never get custody of me again.”

* * *

Caleb watched shock fill Mia’s face and wondered why he’d felt the need to tell her the truth so harshly. His personal story was bad enough, but there was no need to couch it in such bitter terms, except that for the third time this week he’d just glimpsed his birth father here in Buffalo Gap, this time right across the street from Brewsters. In a flash the same old anger had bubbled up inside and splashed all over poor Mia.

“I’m sorry.” Her lovely green eyes grew misty with suppressed emotion as she touched his hand in a brief gesture of sympathy. “That must have been very hard for you.”

“I managed.” No way was he going to dump the rest of his sordid life on her. “Marsha and Ben were a godsend. I even got a sister out of the deal. Cindy’s a social worker in Calgary. She and Abby have worked together on several cases at Family Ties.”

Their food arrived. Caleb dug into his soup and sandwich with gusto until he noticed Mia picking at hers.

“Is something wrong with it?” Feeling helpless at the sight of her tears, he said, “Mia—”

“I’m being silly.” She sniffed and forced a smile. “It’s just that I haven’t eaten out in such a long time. Harlan said we had to save money—” He saw anger flash in those green eyes before she looked down. “Anyway, it’s very nice of you to bring me here.”

Caleb’s heart pinched at those words. She was grateful for a meal out? It emphasized the solitary life Mia had led. How could Harlan Granger have treated this sweet woman so shabbily?

“Now I’ve ruined your lunch.” She groaned. “I’m sorry.”

“Nothing’s ruined.” He studied her for a moment. “I want to ask you something, Mia, but I don’t know if I should.”

Her smile flickered nervously. “What is it?”

“Since you’re here in Buffalo Gap anyway, would you like to visit Lily?” Caleb held his breath as he waited for her answer.

“I don’t know.” Mia’s fearful look returned.

“We wouldn’t have to tell her exactly who you are,” he reassured her. “It’s just that with her mother gone she gets lonely and...” He let it trail away, knowing he was asking too much when Lily was her husband’s child with another woman. “Never mind.”

“Actually, I think I would like to see her, as long as you’ll be there.” Mia played with her teacup. “Maybe seeing her would bring some sense to this strange day.”

“Great!” Caleb found himself grinning. “Lily’s a sweet girl. This was Reba’s hometown. She used to come back and visit Lara a lot, so folks in town got to know Lily. In fact, over the years almost everyone in town has taken a turn babysitting her.”

“Even you?” Mia studied him from beneath her lashes.

“Even me,” he agreed quietly, remembering the fun times he and Lara had spent with Lily. “Her aunt and I used to date so Lily calls me her uncle.”