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“Brought my own, thanks.”
Her gaze slid over him and pink tinged her cheeks. She remained rooted where she was for a few moments, then seemed to break out of her trance. Shaking her head, she moved away, heading into the bathroom to set out the towels.
“Pie’s ready,” she said when she returned.
He ditched the hat, ran a hand through his hair, then followed her to the living room, where she’d arranged a place for one at the table in the alcove. A large slab of the dessert, complemented with vanilla ice cream, sat on a plate.
“Would you like milk or iced tea?”
“Tea’d be fine,” he told her. “Thanks.”
She ducked into the kitchen. He pulled out a chair, but didn’t sit. Instead he trailed after her. “You’re gonna join me, right?”
Her face flushed again. Damn she was a pretty thing. Maybe five-foot-seven, with a tight yet curvy body. Extremely feminine. Completely distracting. Caleb didn’t particularly need any distractions in his life, but this one had grabbed his attention from the moment she’d opened the front door and he had a feeling his libido would never be the same.
Her provocative voice stirred all kinds of crazy-wicked sensations in his body as she said, “I have scones to finish making.”
He grinned, hoping to win her over. “They can wait a few minutes, can’t they? Don’t you think we should get to know each other, if I’m gonna be hanging around here for a month or so? I mean, you haven’t even asked for my credit card yet.”
“Oh, yeah. Right.” She shook her head again, as though needing to clear it. With any luck she was having the same thoughts he was.
Again, not that he needed to complicate his life, especially with a divorcee who seemed to have some lingering issues about her split from her ex, since she’d said it wasn’t fine by her. But Caleb had never really been attracted to a woman in this way—finding her appealing sexually, but also sensing something emotionally stirring that drew him in and which, oddly, made him want to discover her secrets. Maybe chase away the sadness that seemed to eclipse the other emotions in her eyes.
He hadn’t come to Wilder to meet a woman. He’d been more than happy to leave the debutants behind, especially the gold-digging ones. No, his intention was to break away from the family constraints he’d found oppressive and do something meaningful with his life. Something that didn’t involve hoity-toity parties thrown to show off new designer duds or his parents’ financial ability to offer a free-flowing river of champagne at every social event they hosted. Though he loved his parents, one thing he could never abide was their lack of civic responsibility. All that money they had… A more substantial portion should go to charitable causes. He believed it in his heart. Now it was time to act upon his convictions.
His goal was a lofty one, so getting sidetracked by a beautiful B&B owner who clearly had emotional drama to contend with wasn’t the least bit wise. But he’d liked her instantly and that couldn’t be overlooked.
“Come on,” he coaxed. “It’s just a piece of pie.”
She laughed softly. A sound he liked hearing, because it was natural and a tiny bit self-deprecating. Not at all calculating or conceited, as was typically the case with the women in his past.
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.” She served herself and joined him at the table. He’d brought along the pitcher of iced tea and two glasses she’d left on the counter.
Settling across from him, she said, “I hear you’re from Dallas.”
“Word travels fast in this town.”
“Yes, be forewarned.” She seemed to fight a frown by reaching for her tea and taking a sip. “Whether it’s good or bad news, someone’s always ready to add something new to the grapevine.”
“I’m guessing your divorce was a headliner.”
She sucked in a breath. Then she let out a sharp snicker that made him cringe. “You’ll likely get the full account whether you want it or not. He cheated on me.”
Caleb sat back in his chair. He hadn’t even touched his dish yet. “That’s bullshit.”
Her gaze snapped up from her plate. “Excuse me?”
Lifting his hands in the air, he said, “Plain and simple, that’s bullshit. You don’t do something like that to someone you’re committed to.”
“No,” she agreed in a quiet voice. “You don’t. Or at least…you’re not supposed to.”
Reaching for his fork—finding it a tad disturbing he was so deeply offended for this woman he didn’t even know—he added, “You’ve realized you’re better off without him, right?”
As he chewed, she seemed to contemplate his question. She sipped her drink again, then said, “You don’t beat around the bush.”
“What would be the point? You could kick yourself until you’re black and blue over this but the outcome would still be the same. You can’t change the fact he messed around. Or that you married him in the first place. But you can move on.”
She picked at her pie, not taking a bite, just flaking away the top crust with the prongs of her fork. “That’s not exactly an easy thing to do in Wilder. Not that I don’t love it here, but the reminders never go away. We’re a population of a little over three thousand, taking into account the vast outlying areas and the lake. Within the town limits, however, you’re looking at maybe two hundred people. Everyone knows everyone’s business in the general community.”
