Chapter 8
Mia almost turned around and drove back to town when she saw a black truck and a familiar face easing down her drive.
Of all days for him to show up.
When she asked Finn about building the barn, he said he’d send someone over since he was slammed with work. She didn’t expect it to be Caleb Jennings.
The man featured prominently in all of her erotic dreams. Broad shoulders, steady eyes, tall, blond and handsome—sex on a stick.
They crossed paths several times: at the Foundry fundraiser for Willow Haven, at another gala she catered, and at a quick trip to a supermarket.
Every time, she felt a subtle pull between them.
And every time, she had pulled away first.
Her life wasn’t so simple anymore since coming home.
Her father needed her. Her business consumed all the free time she had.
She barely slept as it was, and there was definitely no time for a relationship with any man.
But her body never quite got that memo, not when Caleb Jennings looked at her like she was the sun and moon.
Caleb got out and lifted a hand in greeting. “Hey, Mia.”
Thankfully, he wasn’t looking at her like he wanted to scoop her up and have his way with her. Although her stomach did an embarrassing flutter anyway.
No! Not going there.
“Hi, Caleb,” she replied. “Long time no see.”
“Yeah, it’s been a while.” He looked around. “I’m here about the event barn. Finn said you needed someone to take a look.”
“Yeah, that’d be great.”
“Mind if I let my dog out?” he asked, just as a big shepherd barked.
She looked at the dog drooling on the passenger window. “No. I like dogs.”
“He’s gentle, won’t bite.”
“Not worried.”
Caleb stepped over and opened the door. “This is Ranger. I just adopted him. Or he adopted me.” He shrugged and grinned. “Either way, we’re figuring each other out.”
Ranger moved slowly toward Mia. When he was next to her, he licked her hand without hesitation.
“Oh!” She looked at Caleb. “Can I pet him?”
Caleb laughed. “I think he’s already claimed you.”
She crouched down and ruffled his head. “Aren’t you a sweet boy? Handsome too.”
Ranger leaned in, tail wagging furiously.
Caleb shook his head. “Traitor.”
“Nice dog.” Mia stood, smiling. “Why don’t I show you what I have and then what I have in mind? Maybe you can tell me if I have to take a second mortgage on the house or if I can afford it.”
Caleb chuckled. “Whatever your budget is, I’ll work with it.”
They started toward the barn. Mia was careful to stay a step ahead. She needed to distance herself because being near Caleb made it difficult to breathe. He stayed close but didn’t crowd her.
Ranger trotted ahead. At the barn door, he stopped and pressed his head against Mia’s leg.
“I think he likes you,” said Caleb.
“He seems like a great dog. Did you get him for protection?” The second the question left her mouth, Mia winced. Caleb didn’t need a dog for protection, for sure.
Caleb’s brow knitted slightly. “No. Just companionship.” His voice lowered. “I needed a dog again.”
There was a story there. One she didn’t have the right to ask about. But the wistfulness in his tone tugged at her anyway.
They stepped inside. She showed him the kitchen setup and the binder of ideas she’d collected for the event barn.
“So, you’ll be cooking here and hosting at the event barn,” he said, scanning the space.
“Yes. This space works for me.” She looked around. “Let’s go down by the pond and I’ll show you what I’d like.”
They walked slowly toward the pond. Roy was on the opposite bank staring at them.
Caleb’s voice dropped. “So … I met Roy this morning. Does he live here?”
Mia stopped near the water’s edge. “Roy? God, no. He’s been helping me and my dad around the farm. Used to work for my dad at the hardware store. Now he does odd jobs.”
Was that a sigh of relief she heard? Did Caleb think she had a boyfriend? A husband? Was he jealous? The idea warmed something in her chest that she had no right warming right now.
Not that it mattered. She still didn’t have time for a relationship.
And then there was the fact that Caleb also worked with the Brotherhood Alliance. She wasn’t sure what they did, but it sounded dangerous. She had no space in her life for danger. Not the life-or-death kind, nor the heart-in-your-throat kind. Lainey and Tessa had filled her in with their stories.
“Okay then.” Caleb’s voice brought her back to the present. “You want a structure here with additional seating looking over the pond. I’m assuming you want a roof over that part. Are you thinking of a space for about one hundred people max with dancing?”
Mia nodded. “Is there enough space? Will that cost a lot?”
“I’ll have to do a workup,” he said. “But since you’re not putting a full kitchen in, that saves you a chunk right away. You should be fine.”
Fine?
Nothing about this felt fine.
Not with Caleb standing so close that she could feel the heat from him.
Not with Roy staring holes in her back.
And not with her heart racing and remembering how it felt to want something she’d told herself she couldn’t have.
Caleb wasn’t sure what Roy’s problem was. The man stood there staring at them for a long time before going back to work.
Mia’s body language told him that there was some tension between the two of them. She didn’t say anything, and he wasn’t asking. But he would be keeping Roy Spencer on his radar.
They walked toward his truck and stopped.
“Thanks for coming, Caleb.” Mia’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “When do you think you can get back to me with costs?”
“It won’t take long. A couple days?”
Ranger bumped Mia’s hand. She gave a soft laugh and leaned down. “You come visit again.”
He woofed as if he actually understood her.
Caleb swallowed. “Come on, buddy.”
Ranger hesitated, actually hesitated, before finally following him to the truck, glancing reluctantly over his shoulder at Mia.
Caleb climbed in, started the engine and glanced again at the pond. Roy had gone back to work, but something about him struck Caleb.
He trusted his instincts, and every one of them was whispering that Roy Spencer was trouble.
As he backed down the driveway, Mia gave a small wave. Ranger barked once.
Caleb smiled to himself.
“Well,” he muttered, ruffling Ranger’s ear, “that was interesting.”
Ranger woofed his agreement.
But Caleb couldn’t decide what unsettled him more. The man down by the pond or the woman who’d been trying to avoid him since the first night he met her.
Either way, this project was going to change things.