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Caleb and Sam surveyed the fencing around the corrals to assess the necessary repairs. According to an environmental report Caleb had received from a hired contractor—and from his own assessment—hard rains had flooded the grounds a year ago and had washed away the soil around the posts. None of them were steadily standing. The previous owner had left skeletal supplies for Caleb, negotiated in the sales price. He found a wheelbarrow, shovels and racks in the stable. He and Sam agreed to move some dirt to fill in the holes and have the landscaping company plant new grass in the barren areas.
But as they walked from the stable to the back porch of the house, where Reese arranged lunch on a lightweight blanket she’d spread out on the redwood deck, a new thought sprang to mind.
Settling on the floor because there was no furniture, Caleb said, “Maybe adding a new stable isn’t the way to go.”
“What do you mean?” Sam asked as he reached for the spoon in the large tub of macaroni salad. Reese had also put out chips and three halved sandwiches stacked with turkey and ham, apparently expecting Caleb to have a big appetite.
“There’s so much land here,” he said. “I have twelve stalls in the main stable to use for the most severe cases, so I can keep them under close supervision. But rather than add another stable with eight stalls, why not build eight corrals? Let the horses that can manage it—and that need the space—roam a bit?”
“I can’t imagine they’d complain about that,” Reese said.
“You’re probably looking at similar costs, since you’d have to build the second stable anyway.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
They devoured lunch, then Sam took the opportunity, as Reese cleaned up and returned the picnic basket to the SUV, to approach family business. He said, “You know there’s a party in Dallas for Dad after Christmas.”
“Already RSVPed in the negative.”
“That would be the third reason I’m here.”
Caleb snickered. “It’s not even a party for a particular occasion. Well, other than for Mom to show off the new diamond necklace Dad bought her for Thanksgiving.”
“Regardless,” Sam said, “it’d be a good idea for us to go. Show our support for them, as well as our united front.”
With a groan, Caleb told him, “I’ll give it some thought.”
Sam got to his feet and said, “I’m gonna fix a few more posts. Then I’m going into town for dinner, if you both want to accompany me.”
“In need of a place to stay?” Reese asked as she returned.
“As a matter of fact, I am.”
“I’ll give him directions,” Caleb said as he stood.
Later, Reese recommended the steakhouse for dinner. She greeted several people and told them about Caleb and Sam’s undertaking. After they’d eaten their meal, Sam picked up the tab and they all drove to the B&B.
“The second-largest room in the house is upstairs at the end of the hall,” she told him. “It’s quiet back there.”
Sam handed her a credit card before heading up to the room with his bag. She set it on the kitchen counter with Caleb’s. He wondered if she ever planned to charge him. Perhaps Tommy’s words hadn’t quite left her memory. It wasn’t at all a moral dilemma in his own mind. He was living in her house and eating her food, after all. She needed to be fully compensated. If she didn’t run his card soon, he’d bring her cash. She couldn’t ignore that.
As he considered the predicament, she stared up at the landing at the top of the steps. He deduced she needed to find some way to make peace with her own bedroom. Caleb didn’t find it necessary at the moment. His fingers twined with hers and he tugged gently.
“Why don’t you climb into my bed?”
A smile seemed to tickle the corners of her mouth at the invitation. “What about Sam?”
“Let him find his own bedmate.” He strolled toward his suite, taking her with him. “Don’t worry. He won’t mind the racket.”
“He’s on the opposite side of the house. How noisy do you think we’re going to get?”
“Depends on how hard I can make you come.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
His sexy grin made her toes curl
