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“What’s that groaning noise?”
She listened along with him. “Snow on the branches?”
“More than that.” He picked up his fork. “Do you run on a generator, or are you connected to the town grid?”
“We have both.”
“Sensible.” He chewed slowly. “Then maybe it’s your water heater?”
“I had that replaced three months ago.”
“Boiler?”
Lucy paused to consider the sounds. “Maybe.”
“I’ll take a look at it after I’m done eating.”
“You will?”
He frowned. “I grew up on a ranch. I’m still good with my hands.”
“Really?” Lucy opened her eyes wide and sighed. “Ilovea man who’s practically inclined.”
His gaze dropped to her mouth and lingered there before he abruptly looked away.
“Do you think you’ll ever come back to run your place?” Lucy asked hastily.
He shrugged. “Dad’s never indicated he cared either way. In fact, whenever I ask him how things are going, he tells me not to worry my head about it, like I’m five.”
“Maybe he finds it hard to let go of being the boss,” Lucy suggested. “My gran was like that. It’s one of the reasons none of her own kids stayed on here to manage this place.”
“He doesn’t think I’m capable,” Caleb said bluntly. “He’s never forgiven me for going away to college.”
“That was sixteen years ago.”
He shrugged. “He made up his mind that I was gone, and nothing I’ve said or done since has changed his opinion.”
Lucy bit her lip as she considered him, and he raised an eyebrow.
“What?”
“Sounds like you need to sit down and talk it out.”
“Like my dad believes in any of that touchy-feely stuff. If my mom couldn’t persuade him to—” He stopped talking. “Anyway, he’s a lost cause.”
“And I think you’re wrong. Every time he comes to town and your name comes up, he brightens up. He’s so proud of you.”
Caleb leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, an all-too-familiar obstinate look on his face. “Funny how he never says it to me.”
“Do you ever tell him you’re proud of him, too?”
“Hell no!” Caleb was scowling now. “He’d probably catch on fire with embarrassment if I said anything like that, and run for the hills.”
“Have you ever tried?”
“My mom tried. She wore herself out loving that man, and forgiving him, and—” He stood up. “Thanks for breakfast. I’m going to take a stroll down Main Street to get some fresh air. I’ll look at the boiler on my way back in.”
He picked up his coat and hat she’d left airing by the fire, stepped into his boots, nodded brusquely, and went out the back door, leaving Lucy feeling more confused than ever. Something was obviously up between him and his father. With his mom gone, was there any way of repairing the damage? Lucy wasn’t sure, but if she could wish for one thing for Caleb while he was home for the holidays it would be that. And that he saw her in a new light, of course, but that was totally selfish.
