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"Go on then, so we can get to the root of the problem."
Kaleb refrained from rolling his eyes. "Bossy, are you?"
"Never gonna change that part of my personality," Scarlet retorted, her lips lifting at the corners.
"I'm sorry for not asking you first, but I've arranged for a contractor to come up here."
"Why?" The small smile fell from her mouth.
"I thought you and Shane might like to have your own place." Kaleb raked his hand through his hair. "I've talked with Grady about it, and he agreed. It’s our wedding gift to you. To build your own house here so that you don't have to search for a place to live."
Scarlet blinked back the moisture pooling in the corners of her eyes. "You want us to stay here?"
"I hoped you would."
Kaleb barely had time to drop the ax near his feet before Scarlet flung her arms around him. "I can't believe you thought of that."
Returning her embrace, he gave a small chuckle. "I can't run this place without you. And Shane's our number one veterinarian. Can't have him too far from the flock."
Scarlet giggled and released him. "You're serious, though? We get to design our own home?"
"Yep. You and Grady both. Unless you want to live in the main house. I'm good with whatever you three decide." Kaleb swallowed down the emotion threatening to escape. He hoped they didn't want the main house. He wanted to marry one day and have a family fill the place with laughter like how he grew up.
"No, no. I'd love to create my own space." Scarlet rubbed her lips together. "Where do you think we'd build it?"
“Follow me.” Kaleb led her away from the house, past the lodge, and into a clearing surrounded by some trees, but not enough to block the sun from flooding a living room with light.
"I figured this would be a good spot for one, and just over yonder, the other." Kaleb pointed down the way a bit. "Gives all of us enough privacy and yet still within range in case we need something."
"I like it." Scarlet clasped her hands in front of her chest. "I can't wait to show Shane." She faced him, her eyes filling with doubt. "Are you sure about this? It'll be expensive, won't it?"
"We've got the money set aside. Besides, I think Mom and Dad would want this for you. They'd be so proud of you, sis." Once again, emotion clogged his throat. What was the matter with him? Was he turning into a girl, crying at the drop of a hat?
Kaleb pushed that thought down before it flew from his lips. Not all women cried. That much he knew.Scarletwasn't one given to her emotions. Neither was Cinnamon. Or, at least, when he knew her well, she hadn't been.
The day they broke up, she didn’t shed a tear in his presence. She argued her points as to why they ought to remain together, but not once did she use waterworks to her advantage.
If she had, Kaleb would've given in the moment a tear slid down her face. That's how often she cried in front of him.
When Sadie, the old owner of Kris Kringle Inn and Cinnamon's boss, passed away from cancer, Kaleb knew Cinnamon would be heartbroken. She shed tears at the memorial service, but not in the hysterical way some of the other residents of Winter Springs had.
"Uh-oh." Scarlet's words drew him back to the present. "What made you scowl like that?"
Kaleb schooled his features. "I wasn't scowling."
"Uh, yes you were," Scarlet laughed the sentence. "You can't tell me what you were or were not doing. You can't see your face. I can."
This time Kaleb did scowl.
"See?" Scarlet pointed, her laughter continuing. "That's the same look you had seconds ago."
"Whatever." Kaleb lifted his eyes to the sky. "Clouds are comin' in."
Scarlet shrugged. "Doesn't matter. Even if it rains, it won’t last all day." She bumped him with her hip. "Now, tell me, what's going on? You distracted me for a short time, but I'm not leaving you alone until you tell me."
A tug of war took place within Kaleb. Sharing what he knew about Cinnamon might relieve some of his frustration. And Scarlet could fill him in on who she was going out on a date with. Did he really want to know?
If her relationship with the man became serious, he'd know soon enough. Better to be on the offensive as opposed to the defensive.
