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"I didn't know you were dating anyone." Kaleb's clipped tone set Cinnamon on edge.
"I'm not. It's fairly recent." Cinnamon knelt down and grabbed a large platter from underneath the counter. Not much changed since she'd spent most of her days at the farm when she and Kaleb dated.
The updated kitchen and fresh paint on the walls made the space appear larger and homier at the same time. She missed the familiarity of the house. Mrs. Linden took Cinnamon under her wing and loved her more than her own mother.
Cinnamon shook away the thoughts threatening to overtake her. No use going down that dark road when nothing good came from it.
"What do you want me to do now?"
"You can slice the bread, and then I'll put the meat and cheese on it." She handed him a knife. "I keep the condiments and toppings separate. The guests can create their own subs that way."
Kaleb gave a curt nod. "Sounds good."
Cinnamon regretted accepting Kaleb's help. She should've said no to his offer. Then there wouldn't be awkwardness between them.
"I can cancel if you want," Cinnamon conceded.
"No. That's fine. We'll order pizza or something." Kaleb finished the rest of his task in silence. "I'll take these to the lodge."
Cinnamon dipped her chin in acknowledgment but didn't say a word. What gave him the right to take umbrage with the fact that she had a date? He had no say over her life, and she wasn't about to let him think he did.
Chapter Five
She had a date. Of course, she did. What did Kaleb think? That she'd remain single until the day she died? He shook his head at the absurdity of it all. The pure and simple truth was, he blew it. And he knew it.
Once he dropped the food off at the lodge, Kaleb grabbed the ax from the barn and made his way to the wood pile. A few fallen logs remained tucked against the house. The perfect place to let off some steam.
The ax came down and split the wood in half. Dad taught him well. It felt good to have one skill remain, even if the others his father taught him went out the window.
Like sharing his feelings. Like consulting people before planning their futures for them. After all the wisdom Dad gave, Kaleb still fought the need to always be in control.
Kaleb paused and allowed his gaze to roam the land. Even though he and Grady spoke about building a house for Shane and Scarlet, he still hadn't broached the subject with them. He should have already. Especially since he had a contractor coming up to the farm soon to discuss the details and what it'd take to build two more homes.
Guilt tugged on his conscience. The reason Cinnamon had a date on Sunday was because he made the decision to end their relationship without even listening to her. No matter how hard she tried to convince him to let her walk through the tragedy of his parents' death by his side, he pushed her away, assuming it was best for them both.
The ax cracked through another piece of wood. Kaleb tossed it into the large pile he'd sliced through already. Good thing they could never have too much wood since he spent so much time getting out his frustration building their woodpile higher and higher.
"Something's eating at you."
Kaleb lifted his head. Scarlet's pinched brow and downturned lips revealed she'd been watching him for some time without him realizing it.
"How long've you been standing there?" Kaleb lifted his arms above his head then brought the ax down swiftly and split the wood into halves.
"Long enough. What happened?" Scarlet knelt and gathered the wood.
The clank of the pieces hitting the pile forced him to stop. Kaleb swiped his bare arm across his brow. "Nothing happened," he growled.
"You can't fool me, big brother. I know when you're frustrated." Scarlet waved to the stack of wood. "There's proof."
"Sheep all taken care of?" Kaleb rested his arms over the base of the ax as it cradled the wood block.
"Yep." Scarlet held his gaze, waiting.
Kaleb stifled a groan. She'd stand there all day if she had to, and he knew it. His baby sister had a for making him talk. She'd bug him until he spilled the beans. Trouble was, he didn't want to share. Keeping his thoughts about the beautiful woman in the kitchen to himself seemed easier than having to admit he made a mistake giving her up all those years before.
"You were just fine this morning. Happy, even." Scarlet titled her head, her eyes probing his. "Whatever caused you to do this-" she thumbed over her shoulder, "happened after breakfast. Out with it."
Kaleb straightened and plucked the ax from the wood. "I need to talk to you about something first."
