Gift-Wrapped Family. Lois Richer

know roses?” Caleb looked surprised.

      â€œI 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.”

      â€œWhy odd?” Caleb sank down on one of the rockers.

      â€œHarlan 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?”

      â€œWhy 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.

      â€œThe 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.”

      â€œLike 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.

      â€œWhy?” Caleb shrugged. “Don’t you want a closer look inside?”

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

      â€œWhile 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.

      â€œThat 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.

      â€œDo you like it?” Caleb asked quietly.

      â€œWho 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.”

      â€œIt’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.

      â€œWhat’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.

      â€œLook 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.”

      â€œPlus, 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.”

      â€œIt 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.

      â€œNice?” 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.”

      â€œForget 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.

      â€œOn 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.”

      â€œActually 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.

      â€œLara was a veterinarian. The ranch was to be a refuge for injured or displaced animals.”

      â€œIt’s not that now?” Mia asked, sensing something had saddened him.

      â€œIt 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.

      â€œYou 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.”

      â€œThis is Mia Granger, Mom. Mia, this is my mother and the town’s mayor, Marsha Grant.”

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

      â€œMia was his wife.” Caleb shook his head at his mother so subtly that Mia almost missed it. It seemed like a warning. “We were just looking at Riverbend.”

      â€œIt’s a gorgeous place. Too bad no one’s living there. It needs a family.” Marsha fluttered her hand at someone near the door. “I’d love to stay and visit, but I have a council meeting. Welcome to Buffalo Gap, Mia. I’m sorry about your husband, but I hope you come back again. Bye, dear.” She brushed a kiss against Caleb’s bristly cheek and then hurried away.

      â€œYour mother seems very nice,” Mia said politely.

      â€œShe’s actually my foster mother and she is nice. Also nosy. I’ll be inundated with questions about you later on.” Caleb didn’t seem worried. In fact, a small smile curved his lips.

      Foster mother? Mia hesitated a moment, then asked, “Did your family have problems?”

      â€œYou could say that.” His harsh laugh shocked her but not as much as his words. “My father murdered my mother. Marsha became my foster mother. She and her husband, Ben, later adopted me. Your mother made sure my father could never get custody of me again.”

      *