Lois Richer - Gift-Wrapped Family

“It’s so beautiful.” Mia gaped at the magnificent house. Set against a stand of dark green evergreens, the log home stood proudly, waiting to welcome whoever stepped through the massive door. She could feel its warmth and hospitality drawing her from here.

“Come on.” Caleb waited for her to exit the car, then shoved the door and grabbed her hand. “Let’s explore.”

Walking beside him, Mia felt funny, odd and yet somehow wonderful with her hand dwarfed in his. Tall, strong, dependable Caleb. Though leery of trusting anyone, she somehow felt Caleb Grant was the kind of man you could always depend on. Still, mistrust had taken root in the past few hours. She wasn’t going to depend on Caleb for anything more than some help.

“I grew up in a house like this.” He paused to gaze at the structure. “My parents still live there. I’ll take you to meet them sometime.”

Questions about Caleb’s family multiplied. Maybe someday she’d know him well enough to ask them. Her thoughts scattered at the sight of the roses climbing the railings.

“Aren’t they glorious?” Mia let go of his hand because his touch made her stomach woozy. She bent to inhale the scent of the whitest bloom. “Persians always smell the best.”

“You know roses?” Caleb looked surprised.

“I grow them in my back garden, though never as big as these.” She climbed the three front steps, turned and took in the view. “I can see for miles. So beautiful yet so odd.”

“Why odd?” Caleb sank down on one of the rockers.

“Harlan hated the outdoors, animals, anything not city. He liked sleek and modern, not oldie moldy, as he called it.” She shrugged. “Maybe he bought this place for Reba.” She turned to look at him. “Do you think so?”

“Why would he? Reba had a condo in Calgary. Besides, her name isn’t on the deed, only his. And he’s owned this place for several years.” He voiced his theory. “For the past three years there’s been an upswing in ranch sales around Buffalo Gap. I wonder if he hoped to resell this place for a nice profit over what he paid for it.”

Mia waited, realizing Caleb had something else to say.

“The local real estate agent commented that Harlan never went inside. She said he had a sheaf of papers. He walked the property while consulting his papers, then told her he’d take it.”

“Like I said—it’s odd.” Knowing Harlan hadn’t been inside made it easier for Mia to look through the windows. She gasped at the huge stone fireplace covering the end of one wall, a beautiful chandelier that sparkled in the sunlight and a lovely circular staircase. Suddenly conscious of how nosy she must seem, she backed away. “Excuse me,” she said, her cheeks burning.

“Why?” Caleb shrugged. “Don’t you want a closer look inside?”

Startled, she whirled around and asked, “Can we?”

“While you were soaking in the autumn colors I texted the caregiver and asked her to unlock it.” Caleb turned the knob, pushed the door open and waved a hand for her to enter.

“That was kind of you.” Mia walked past him, heart thudding. Caleb Grant was a very kind man, and very handsome, and very... Forcing her focus off him, she glanced around as the warmth of the house enfolded her like a comfortable quilt.

“Do you like it?” Caleb asked quietly.

“Who wouldn’t? This is what a real home feels like.” Mia ran her hands along a log, reveling in its satin smoothness. She gazed up at the vaulted ceiling. “The details are spectacular.”

“It’s big, I’ll say that.” Caleb strolled through the front room into a dining room and then the kitchen. Mia followed him, mentally placing her few precious items here and there. “Like it?” he asked, stopping in the kitchen.

“What’s not to like?” The big sunny room overlooked a backyard with a screened gazebo, a fountain and a child’s play set—for Lily, the child Harlan never wanted? The child she could never have. That hurt too much so Mia refocused. “The patio has a place for campfires and picnics.” Her mind immediately began envisioning a fall campfire and the scent of burning leaves.

“Look at this room.” Realizing Caleb had moved on, Mia followed his voice. “I think it’s a family room, but the windows give it amazing light. You could paint in here.”

“Plus, there’s another fireplace to make it cozy.” Riverbend was like the house Mia had once cut out of a magazine and dreamed of ever since, though she’d never dared pray for it. That was too much to ask when she didn’t have anyone to share it with, not even a husband now. “It’s a family home.”

“It could be.” Caleb insisted she inspect the four upstairs bedrooms. Each boasted a fantastic view. “It’s a nice place,” he said when they returned to the front porch.

“Nice?” His simple words jerked Mia from her bemusement. She sat on the porch swing and used her toe to push back and forth. “It’s amazing. But I can’t understand why Harlan bought it. It’s not his type of home at all.” She glanced at Caleb and felt her cheeks burn. “At least I didn’t think it was. I guess I didn’t really know him at all.”

“Forget Harlan. I’m starving. Let’s go have lunch.” A moment later they were heading down a gravel road into town. Caleb pointed out different houses and named neighbors. “I live about four miles in that direction,” he said, pointing.

“On a ranch.” Mia heard the squeak in her own voice. Caleb must have heard it, too, but he simply nodded. “I didn’t think of you as a rancher,” she said. “I guess that makes me a bad judge of character again.”

“Actually you’re right. I’m not a rancher.” He didn’t look at her as he said, “I bought the ranch with a friend, as a sort of investment. Lara was Reba’s sister.”

Mia jerked upright, surprised he’d known Harper’s secretary. Some suspicious gremlin in her head warned that Caleb was still a stranger.

“Lara was a veterinarian. The ranch was to be a refuge for injured or displaced animals.”

“It’s not that now?” Mia asked, sensing something had saddened him.

“It was Lara’s dream. I’ve tried to keep her dream going, but I’m failing. I finally took my mom’s advice and listed the place last week.” Caleb pulled into a parking space in the small town. “Brewsters is a good place to eat,” he said, his voice flat, emotionless.

Mia got out of the car, her mind trying to piece together the puzzle of Caleb Grant. This Lara must have been important to him. His voice had softened when he said her name, a trace of fondness lingering as he spoke of her.

Brewsters turned out to be a homey diner with tantalizing aromas filling the air. Most of the lunch crowd had left when a woman Caleb introduced as Paula Brewster greeted them and took their orders. Mia was about to sip her tea when an older woman bustled over and swallowed Caleb in a hug.

“You should have told me you’d be here, honey. I’d have changed my plans and shared lunch with you.” The woman turned sharp inquisitive eyes on Mia. “Hello.”

“This is Mia Granger, Mom. Mia, this is my mother and the town’s mayor, Marsha Grant.”

“Granger?” The woman frowned. “Any relation to Harlan Granger?”