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Lucy’s reaction to his efforts to sort out her worries had made him want to hold on to her even more. Maybe she was beginning to realize that the other loser on the phone who didn’t take care of her wasn’t worth keeping around. Not that he’d been thinking about her being involved with any other guy when he’d been making love with her. That had just feltright.
Caleb didn’t realize he was holding his breath until they drew up in front of the rambling ranch house with the old red barn set at a right angle to it. The white picket fencing had been replaced with more durable metal and wire, but overall, the place looked the same as it had when he was a kid. There was no sign of his dad, which didn’t surprise him. He wasn’t one to stand on ceremony and was probably out working.
“Let’s take your bags around the back,” Chip said. “I’ll go and see if Isaiah’s in the barn.”
“Thanks for the ride!” Lucy said from behind Caleb.
He’d almost forgotten she was here. What had he been thinking, dragging her into what might turn out to be a war zone?
He picked up the bags, leaving her with the food, and followed Chip around to the mudroom at the side of the house. He wiped his feet and waited to hear his mom’s voice welcoming him home before he remembered she wasn’t there anymore. The kitchen looked cold and uninviting without her at the center of it. He tried to imagine how it felt for his dad, living with that loss every day, and couldn’t.
“I always loved this kitchen,” Lucy said as she set her boxes on the table. She touched Caleb’s arm. “Are you okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because this is the first time you’ve been here since your mom’s funeral.” She hesitated. “I know how hard it can be to realize that someone is not coming back.”
Yeah, she got it, but it didn’t mean he had to like it. Some stupid, foolish part of him had hoped it had all been a mistake—that she’d still be there.
“I know she’s dead, Lucy.” He turned back to the door. “I’ll go and get the rest of the stuff. You stay here in the warm.”
When he returned, Chip had the coffee going and was having a playful chat with Lucy about something her gran had once done or said to him. He liked seeing her in his mother’s kitchen. She made him want to smile.
“Caleb.”
His father appeared at the interior door; his expression as hard to read as ever. He was almost as tall as Caleb but was leaner and had the light coloring of his Scandinavian ancestors, whereas Caleb favored his Scottish mother.
“Dad.” Caleb nodded at Lucy. “I hope you don’t mind me bringing a guest with me.”
“Not at all.” His dad turned to Lucy. “I was sorry to hear about your grandmother’s passing. She was a hardworking woman.”
“Thank you,” Lucy said. “I miss her very much. I guess you’ll understand that seeing as you lost your Annie recently, too.”
For a moment, his dad’s face crumpled and then he blinked hard. “I’ m getting along without her.”
Caleb opened his mouth and then shut it again. He’d just arrived, and Lucy needed somewhere to stay the night. If he got into everything with his dad right now, they’d be ordered off the premises before they’d even unpacked their bags.
“How are things on the ranch?” Caleb asked.
“Same as ever.” His dad helped himself to coffee and looked at Chip. “Haven’t you got work to do?”
Chip raised his eyebrows. “Cool your jets. I’m just visiting with Miss Lucy and Caleb. I’ll be done when I’ve finished my coffee.”
“Good.” Isaiah nodded at Lucy. “Make yourself at home. I’ll be back for dinner around six. There’s a beef casserole in the oven.”
He walked past Caleb and out into the yard, leaving Lucy and Chip staring after him.
“He’ll warm up,” Chip said. “He’s pleased you’re here.”
“Hard to tell when he barely spoke a dozen words to me,” Caleb said. He picked up Lucy’s suitcase. “I’ll show you where the bathroom is, and you can get settled.”
* * *
Lucy followed Caleb down the shadowed hallway, her heart hurting for him. She was occasionally at odds with her parents, but they would never have treated her as coldly as Isaiah had treated Caleb. Despite their frustrations and divisions, they all loved each other, and sometimes that was enough to get them through the hard parts. They passed the family room, where a recently cut pine tree sat forlornly in a tub beside the wood-burning stove. There were two boxes of decorations and a jumble of lights on the coffee table. Caleb noticed her looking.
“Mom used to do all that stuff. I guess Dad hasn’t gotten around to it.”
“I could help if it wouldn’t give offense?” Lucy offered.
