Sweet Home Montana (The McKaslin Clan) (6 page)

“You leave it be, you hear me?” he told her with a wink and gathered up his tool bag. He met Spence halfway, dreading every step.

Spence didn’t look happy. “You knew about her and you didn’t tell me.”

“I figured it was Mary’s place to tell you.”

“How long have we been friends?”

“Since we were kids in school—”

“That’s a long time. Secrets. That’s not what I’d expect of a longtime friend.” It was hurt that echoed in the lower tones of Spence’s voice, although he held himself as if angry.

Caleb was sorry for that, too. “It wasn’t my place to get involved.”

“I see. Well, if it’s not your place, then whose is it? Do you know what I saw today?”

“I don’t know. What’s got you all worked up?” He dumped his tool bag into the back of his truck.

“Seeing her with Gran. Acting as if she cared for her, taking her by the hand to help her out of the car, but ten to one she’s no different than Linda.”

“Did you notice Lauren at all? She’s nice.”

“So are a lot of people. Everyone’s got a little nice in them. It’s the flip side of that, that’s the problem.” Spence looked truly troubled. “What about Gran? Have you noticed how scattered she is?”

“Not really.”

“Well, look closer. She’s forgetting things and hiring private detectives to find long-lost relatives. She’s inviting perfect strangers into her home. She’s fragile. I’m worried about her welfare.”

Caleb looked at his friend and saw the past, when he was the one with unplaced anger and frustration, fists clenched and jaw clamped so tightly his teeth ached. It was a helpless feeling watching your loved ones face the last part of their lives. He’d been there. “You’re worried about Mary. I am, too.”

“You don’t look like it to me. She’s wealthy. She and Grandpop worked hard all their lives and she doesn’t deserve to be fleeced by some—”

Caleb knew Spence well enough to guess what was behind his seemingly hard stance. Spence wasn’t harsh, not down deep. He’d served on the board of many community organizations, trying to make a difference. He cared. That was the bottom line. But when it came to family wounds, little else could cut deeper or leave such a lasting effect.

Caleb did his best to see that now. “You
did
meet Lauren, right? You said you did, but you’re not acting like it.”

“Oh, sure. Why shouldn’t she come across as nice?”

“If you bothered to get to know her at all, then you’d figure, like I do, that her niceness is more than skin-deep.”

“How exactly do you know that? You saw her for a few minutes before Gran got here? It takes more than a few minutes—”

This is where it could get complicated, but Caleb bit the bullet. “The truth is, I offered to teach her to ride. She came out and met me for an early morning horse ride. We kept to the pasture, but she seemed so interested in the horses. Maybe she’s a country girl at heart.”

“Don’t be fooled. Linda raised her. Why wouldn’t she be just like her? If she’s true to form, she’ll get close to Gran, close enough to get her hands on enough goods to pawn or get Gran sympathetic enough to write her a fat check and she’ll be gone. Never to be heard of again, if we’re lucky.” Spence looked away, staring hard at the house, his jaw tight.

Worrying about family could do that to a man. You took care of what was yours. End of story. That’s just the way it was. Caleb knew that was all Spence was trying to do, because that’s how he lived his life, too. He’d come home to Montana and left his fiancée behind to take care of the grandparents who’d raised him, so he knew a thing or two about what his buddy was going through. “All I’m saying is get to know Lauren first, before you make all these judgments. Judgments are like blinders. You see all right looking straight ahead, but it’s the whole picture you gotta take careful note of.”

“Yeah, I see what you’re saying.” Spence seemed to consider that.

Caleb heard a car’s faint hum carried on the dry wind. He squinted down the road but couldn’t see the car yet. Probably Lauren, he figured. She’d been on his mind all day. Maybe because they’d started the day together in this field, maybe because spending time with her had been nice. He liked her; it was hard not to.

The beige sedan came into sight around the bend in the driveway, kicking up a small plume of dust—Ava’s new SUV. Maybe Lauren was with her. The thought of seeing Lauren again lit him up inside and the power of it surprised him.

Spence folded his arms over his chest, staring hard at the approaching car. “I think she’s after Gran’s money.”

“You only think that because of the demands your mother made before the divorce. Lauren didn’t have anything to do with that.” He remembered how unsure she was, how alone. “Maybe it isn’t like you think.”

“She’s been gone twenty years. Not a word in all this time. No calls, nothing. They’re the ones who left us. Why would Gran invite her here?”

“Remember, Lauren was too young at the time to make the choice to leave. She’s your sister.”

“She’s a stranger. If she’d been interested in us, she would have let us know before this.” He blew out a frustrated sigh.

“Give it some time and you’ll see.”

“Anything could happen given enough time. That settles it. I’m hiring a private investigator. You can recommend someone, can’t you?”

“I’ve worked with a few good ones over the years. But it’s costly. It’ll set you back at least several grand.”

“I have it. It’s not how I want to spend it, but if it goes toward protecting Gran from someone out to hurt her, then it’s money well spent.”

“Now, don’t jump the gun here. Hiring a P.I. is expensive and not even necessary.” Caleb had a clear view of Lauren in the front passenger seat. There was something about her. He thought of her as he’d seen her this morning, brushed with the rosy-golden glow of the new day’s sun and looking so happy. She’d talked of putting herself through school.

Spence let out a frustrated huff as the SUV slowed to a stop next to the garage. “You’re right. Maybe you could do some preliminary stuff for me. Get a credit check. See if she has a record. That sort of thing. See what that brings up before I dig into my savings to hire a detective.”

“Spence, I don’t think—”

“You think it’s sneaky to have my own sister investigated, don’t you?” It wasn’t distrust but something deeper that darkened Spence’s voice. Worry. Hurt. Who knew? But he sounded sincere. “I’m asking you as my friend. For Gran’s sake. You’d do the same in my place, admit it.”

“I don’t think it’s necessary, Spence.”

“I don’t care. Remember your grandmother before she passed?”

Caleb’s heart squeezed at the memory of his gentle grandmother and how trusting she was. She’d been vulnerable after Pop had passed away. It was love, Caleb knew, and this was one way a man showed his love, to protect those he held dear. “I’ll do a little legwork for you.”

“That’s a great relief to me. Thanks.”

He could see Lauren through the windshield as the SUV circled into the driveway. She lifted her hand in a little finger wave and he waved back. He was definitely drawn to her. He didn’t think Spence’s worries had any merit to them. “I think it’ll be fine, you’ll see,” he told Spence.

Spence said nothing and Caleb hoped, in time, his friend would let his guards down enough to see the truth. The SUV pulled to a stop and Lauren climbed out of the passenger seat, turning toward him. He didn’t think he’d seen any woman more lovely.

The trouble was, he didn’t want to like her.

Chapter Six

T
hrough the kitchen’s picture window, Lauren kept noticing Caleb on the porch, busily husking corncobs. She wasn’t trying to notice. Her gaze simply kept straying to him. She had enough to occupy her thoughts with her sisters in the kitchen. She should concentrate on helping with the dinner preparations and on her sisters, not on a man. So what if he intrigued her? There was nothing more to it than a simple shared horse-riding experience.

Back to work, Lauren.
She dug through the biggest drawer, looking for the beaters for the hand mixer.

“Poor Caleb.” Aubrey came to gaze toward the window, too. “Out there with a mountain of ears to husk. He needs help.”

“I’ll do it!” Ava volunteered from her sitting position on the edge of the counter. Aubrey, as the oldest twin and the one in charge, had banished Ava there to keep her out of the way. “I might as well make myself useful,” she argued.

“You brought dessert, that was useful,” Aubrey said firmly. “Besides, I’m sure Caleb needs actual help.”

“I am corn-husking challenged,” Ava agreed cheerfully.

It was strange watching them, because she was still an outsider. She didn’t know why everyone chuckled in good-natured amusement when Ava had accidentally dropped the colander of newly picked and washed green beans. They’d flown everywhere, and Aubrey quietly gathered them up and washed them off. There had been no anger and no shouting. At least, that was the only family experience Lauren had to draw on. She liked this way much better.

The sisters worked in easy synchronicity. Lauren felt a step behind, but they didn’t mean to make her feel that way.

“I’ll take over mashing the potatoes.” Aubrey’s impressive engagement diamond flashed as she opened a cabinet and grabbed the hand mixer. “I think Caleb’s out there to escape being outnumbered. There’s just him and Spence against all of us. But he looks a little lonely, don’t you think?”

Lonely?
That wouldn’t be the word Lauren would have used to describe the handsome man hunkered down on the top step. The peace she’d felt with him early this morning had stayed all day. It had stuck in her heart like a piece of the hushed Montana morning. No, she would describe him not as lonely but invincible. That’s how he looked silhouetted by the sunlight, as rugged as the Rockies dominating the horizon behind him.

Aubrey plucked the beaters from the open drawer. “He hasn’t dated anyone that I know of since he came back from Seattle. No one special, anyway. How about you, Lauren? Are you dating anyone special?”

Why did she have a feeling that her sister’s question wasn’t entirely innocent? “I’m not really looking to date.”

“Sure. I understand.” Aubrey plugged the beaters into place. “It’s tough to meet the right guy, isn’t it?”

Still seated cross-legged on the counter, Ava rolled her eyes. “Here it comes. Brace yourself, Lauren.”

Brace herself for what? Lauren glanced around, looking to the other women around the room—her sisters. Rebecca was shaking her head in mild disapproval, stirring gravy at the stove.

“What?” Aubrey asked them innocently. “I was just making conversation. Getting to know more about our baby sister.”

“You’re trying to find someone for poor lonely Caleb.” Ava didn’t bother to hide her amused grin. “Hel-
lo?
You can’t fool me.”

“Well, I guess I didn’t mean it like that. I was just saying that he’s lonely and Lauren isn’t dating anyone special. So, why shouldn’t they be friends?”

Lauren thought about Caleb this morning and a cozy curl of happiness wrapped around her heart. Friends would be nice.

“Besides, we all know how hard it is to find the right man.” There was no mistaking Aubrey’s happiness as she reached for the butter dish.

“There are a lot of Mr. Yucks out there,” Ava agreed. “I know. I’ve dated most of ’em.”

That seemed to make everyone laugh. Actually, she pretty much agreed with Ava. Her past had been filled with Mr. Yucks, thanks to her mother. And during her grade school years, even Lauren figured out how trusting the wrong men—and every one of them was wrong—could lead to heartache and devastation.

“I’m just saying,” Aubrey said over everyone’s good-natured comments. “I got lucky with William. Ava, Fate took favor on you with Brice—”

“And probably a little pity,” Rebecca winked.

“Probably!” Ava agreed. “Lauren, William proposed to Aubrey at Katherine’s wedding reception right here in Gran’s backyard. Talk about romantic. She didn’t suspect a thing. He kneeled down to pop the question in front of all of us. It was super.”

“It was,” Aubrey chimed in happily.

“What about me?” Rebecca piped in from the stove. “I know you guys don’t like Chris, but he really does love me. And it just proves that Aubrey’s right. It’s extremely hard to find the right guy. You’ve got to have the same values and you need to have lots of things in common. And, right there, how hard is that to find?”

The lightness faded from the room. Apparently the sisters didn’t quite agree. Aubrey abandoned the mixer and crossed the few yards to the stove. She put her hand on Rebecca’s shoulder and gave her a sisterly hug.

“Rebecca, you are worth so much to us. Remember that. The right man will love you even more than we do.”

“Oh, he does,” Rebecca insisted.

Lauren’s stomach cinched up. See, this was the silver lining in growing up the way she had. She couldn’t be easily fooled by some guy. She’d watched it happen to her mom. Rebecca had grown up with Dorrie, who was obviously the most wonderful mom ever, and with older sisters and Spence looking out for her.

All of them, she realized, had a faith in relationships that she didn’t understand.

“As for Caleb,” Aubrey continued as she sliced fresh cucumbers from the garden. “He was engaged a few years back, but it didn’t work out. He’s been alone ever since.”

Lauren winced. How many times had she heard that now?

Ava picked up where her twin left off. “Plus, Caleb has a serious
wow
factor. He is a definite Mr. Wishable. So you really should go out and help him, Lauren. Really. Even I think he’s a really good guy and I used to be really skeptical.”

She could see what was going on here. “If he’s so great, did any of you ever date him?”

“Not my type,” Ava offered.

“Not mine either,” Aubrey agreed.

“He’s like a cousin or something to me,” Rebecca chimed in. “I’ve known him forever. Besides, I have Chris.”

“We know you do.” Ava shook her head, but not unkindly. “I’m keeping my mouth shut, Becca, don’t worry, but you know how hard that is for me. I’m really trying.”

“I know you are.” Rebecca seemed indulgent as she lifted a frying pan off of a burner and onto a trivet. “Lauren, if you go outside and help Caleb, it should be because you want to help him. That’s a lot of corn for one person to husk. Not because our two engaged sisters have romantic stars in their eyes. I’m on your side.”

“Thanks. I’ve never had sisterly solidarity before. It’s nice. That is a lot of corn, so I’ll just go out to help him. But that’s the only reason.”

“Great.” Aubrey turned off the beaters to add a touch more milk. “Take another paper bag with you. It’s right there by the door. Caleb will probably need it.”

Snagging the folded up grocery bag on the way out, Lauren forced her feet to take her out the door. She wasn’t eager to see how he was doing. Really.

Caleb didn’t look up at the sound of the door closing behind her or at the pad of her flip-flops on the porch boards. He grabbed another ear from the pile and began to part the silks. “I wondered how long it would be before they sent you out here.”

Lauren glanced over her shoulder through the window and sure enough, all three sisters had stopped work to watch them. “Could you hear what they were saying or something?”

“No. But I’ve known the lot of them most of my life. I know what to expect from those McKaslin girls, so don’t let it worry you. Pull up a step and sit for a spell.”

She took the step below him. “It looks like you could use a little help.”

“I wouldn’t say no. Spence went off to take a look at Mary’s pool pump and that’s why I’m alone here with all this corn.” He swiped the stray silks from the bright yellow kernels of the newly husked cob and added it to the pile in the plastic dishpan. “Are those girls still watching us?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t let ’em embarrass you. They mean well.” Caleb added the ear to the almost-full dishpan. “I suppose they mentioned my failed engagement.”

“It was mentioned.” Lauren reached for a corncob and began husking it efficiently.

He reached for a new cob. “Is that a sympathetic look on your pretty face? Or am I imagining it?”

“It’s painful when a relationship doesn’t work out, whoever is at fault.”

“You just leaped to that conclusion, did you?” He tried to keep his tone light; it must have worked because she smiled. This was enough to cover up the sense of regret that had always hung on to him. He yanked at the stubborn green husks. “You’re wondering why it didn’t work out, but you don’t want to ask me.”

“Maybe. I don’t want to bring up anything painful for you.”

“But you’re curious. I can see it.”

“Well, sure. According to my sisters, you’re the best catch around.”

That was a good one, he thought, choking on a laugh. “They were trying to show my good points first, before they told you what happened. Or, they wanted me to do it, because it would probably sound more sympathetic.”

“Why, what happened?”

“Remember when I told you I lived in Seattle?” He kept working, mostly because it gave him somewhere else to look instead of into those compassionate violet-blue eyes of hers. He didn’t want any more reasons to like her, and if she was any nicer to him, that was gonna happen. “You notice how I’m not living there now?”

“You didn’t like living in a city?”

“It wasn’t so bad. There was a lot to like about it. I served on the Seattle PD for four years. I was doing all right for myself. Lived in a good part of the city. Met and proposed to a real nice lady. Then Grandfather fell ill. It was terminal. I came home to help out.”

“And your fiancée didn’t come with you?”

“She said that my going home to help out was one thing. Moving there was another. After Grandfather passed, my grandmother had fallen ill and nothing was going to make me leave her alone. Jayna had been born and raised in the heart of the city and didn’t want to leave.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Me, too. At least I knew where she stood before we’d walked down the aisle. I’ll always wish that she had the same values.” He didn’t look up but reached for another corncob. His sadness seemed to fill the air. “What about you? Did you leave any broken hearts behind in California?”

“Me? Not even close. I don’t date, because I don’t think I can marry anyone.” Lauren inspected the yellow cob, pronounced it silk-free and set it carefully onto the towering pyramid of corn. “I don’t think I can trust anyone that much.”

“Trust? I guess I’ve never thought about it that way before.”

“When you trust enough to marry, you are placing everything in your spouse’s hands.” Lauren went to work on a final corncob. “When you’re married, you’re affected by that other person’s decisions and actions in every single facet of your life. Your money, your happiness and welfare, how you live, where you live, how many kids and how will they be raised, and you can even be legally affected.”

“You’re right, hands down.” He watched her intently, as if he were trying to figure her out. “That’s a pretty extreme view for a pretty young lady to take. You didn’t have a relationship go bad?”

“No. I’ve never let anyone get that close to me. I’ve never been able to believe that there’s a man out there who could be good and kind and faithful and not hurt me in any way. My mom…living with her was lesson enough.”

“That’s too bad.” Sadness—and understanding—marked his face, and he looked away, as if that were answer enough. “I have a healthy respect for marriage. Most of my friends are husbands and fathers. It’s a big job to commit to, provide for and cherish a wife. When I take that step, I want to make sure it’s right. I see it as a promise. I never much thought about the trust it would take.”

“A lot. More than I have.”

“But that’s what marriage is all about.”

How could he imply that it was no big deal? Probably because he had much different experiences in life than she’d had. “You don’t seem terrified by that, but I am.” She gave the cob in her hands one last swipe to dust off the stubborn silks and slipped it into the full dishpan. “There. Done.”

His hand caught hers before she could pull away. His thick, stronger fingers covered hers in a firm grasp, but not an imprisoning one. She
could
pull away if she wanted to, she just wasn’t sure if she wanted to. His touch felt as solid as the stalwart man.

No, she’d never met a man like Caleb before. He’d given up his life and risked a relationship just to care for his ailing grandparents. That kind of care took sacrifice, and she respected him for it.

“I take a more optimistic view of things.” Caleb let her go.