Chapter 28
They didn’t say much on the way to Caleb’s cabin. But the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. He had reached for her hand early on and held it the whole way. His grip felt solid and steady.
Her body thrummed with anticipation, while her mind wrestled with quieter questions. Was this too fast? Too much? Or exactly how it should feel because it mattered? Because she’d stopped wanting to hold back.
The headlights cut through the dark road.
Mia stared out the window, acutely aware of how close they were in the car.
The radio played softly, something slow and familiar, barely more than background noise.
Every time he shifted gears, his forearm flexed.
Every curve in the road nudged her shoulder against his.
Neither of them commented on it.
Soon they turned onto a gravel path. The tires crunched beneath them as Caleb pointed things out along the way.
Where Joy and Liam lived, the Brotherhood Alliance campus, the Paws for Caring building.
He mentioned Nate lived nearby and pointed out Zach’s cabin, although she hadn’t met him yet.
She listened, filing it all away, liking the way he was letting her into this part of his life.
“Several of the guys live on campus,” he said. “Some because they want to. Some because they’re not ready to move on.”
She understood that kind of staying.
“Ranger’s here?” she asked.
“Yeah. He’s going to be excited to see you.”
The cabin finally came into view, a warm glow spilling from the windows. Caleb killed the engine, and for a second neither of them moved.
“You sure?” he asked quietly.
“I wouldn’t be here if I weren’t.” And she meant it.
He nodded, then stepped out and came around to open her door. Loud woofs echoed from inside.
“We’ve been found out,” Caleb quipped.
Inside, the cabin smelled like Caleb, clean, fresh and an unmistakable hint of dog. Ranger made a valiant attempt to jump up and lick her face before Caleb gently pushed him down. Mia crouched, laughing, and rubbed him behind the ears, which earned her a full-body tail wag and approving snort.
Caleb went outside with Ranger. Mia looked around the cozy cabin. A small kitchen sat just beyond the entry. The living room was done in neutral tones, comfortable and uncluttered with a sofa, some end tables and a few solid chairs and the requisite male touch—a large TV dominating one wall.
She spotted a dining nook and doors out to a back patio.
It felt homey. Lived in. Caleb had mentioned the cabin came stocked with the basics—towels, sheets, cooking gear, plates and glasses—and he had only to bring his personal things. Somehow that made it feel more personal, not less.
Caleb came back in, kicked off his shoes and tossed his jacket over a chair. Then hesitated, like he wasn’t sure what came next. Like he was giving her a choice.
Mia solved that by stepping closer.
Their kiss wasn’t rushed. It was careful, exploratory.
Yes, he’d kissed the dickens out of her the other night, but this was different, slower, sweeter.
A more getting-to-know-you kind of kiss.
His hands settled on her waist, pulling her closer.
Hers slid into his hair, threading her fingers there naturally.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing a little harder, Caleb rested his forehead against hers. “We should probably slow down.”
“I don’t feel rushed.” She felt grounded. Certain.
“Good,” he murmured. “Because I’m trying very hard to do this right.”
She smiled. That mattered more than she let herself say. “Then why don’t you give me a tour and that glass of wine you promised?”
“There’s not much left to see,” he said lightly, nodding toward the hallway. “Just the bedroom and bath.”
Mia laughed. “Then I think I can manage.”
“Wine first.”
He poured them each a glass and put on a slow jazz, easy and familiar. The tour didn’t take much more than a minute. He had a king-size bed in the bedroom. A bath. Nothing flashy. She noted it all and reminded herself not to read ahead. Then they drifted back into the living room.
They spoke about their lives for a few minutes. He talked about how hard it was to visit his parents and have everyone think he was a hero. Her about leaving Haywood Lake and coming home to help her dad, starting over when she hadn’t planned to. It felt easy sharing, honest.
One of her favorite songs came on. Caleb set his glass down, stood and held out his hand. One hand settled at her waist, the other finding hers. They moved together easily. Just a gentle sway. Her cheek brushed his shoulder. His breath warmed her temple.
It felt natural.
They stayed like that until the song ended and another took its place.
Eventually, they sank onto the couch, her legs tucked beneath her, his arm draped along the back. Ranger padded back in and flopped at their feet with a satisfied huff.
Mia’s head found Caleb’s shoulder. His fingers threaded through hers.
Sleep came quietly, without ceremony.
Mia woke up with the sunlight streaming through the windows. She stirred, realizing she was still curled against him, and held still, savoring the moment before it shifted.
Caleb moved, his voice rough with sleep. “Morning.”
“Morning.”
He studied her for a second, thumb brushing her knuckles. “You could stay tonight.” Then added, “Only if you want to.”
The words settled between them, unpressured. The idea made her giddy. And a little brave.
She glanced down at the little blue dress she was still wearing. “I should grab some clothes,” she said.
“Breakfast first?”
Mia laughed quietly. “Definitely breakfast first.”
They had coffee on the back patio, the woods silent except for birds calling to each other. A soft wind rustled the pine trees while Ranger ran around with his nose to the ground, fully invested in whatever small creature had captured his attention.
“It’s so peaceful out here,” she said.
“I love it,” Caleb replied. “It reminds me of Vermont. The city isn’t far, but right here you feel like you’re the only ones around.”
They finished their toast and eggs. Caleb stood and gathered the plates. “Come on. I’d say get dressed but …” His gaze swept over her, openly appreciative.
Mia laughed. “Yeah, it’s time to change.”
He paused. “Will you stay the night?”
“Yes, I’ll bring an overnight bag with me.”
“Will your dad be okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “Roy’s around, and there’s a part-time health aide. Plus, he’s getting better.” She wouldn’t say yes if she was worried about him.
“Good,” he said. “I thought it would be fun to try Cypress Swamp Brewery, that is, if you’re still up for it.”
“I am.”
She paused, then leaned in to kiss him once more. Slow. Sweet. Promising.
“We’re never going to get out of here if you don’t stop doing that,” he murmured.
It didn’t take her long to say hi to her dad. He looked up from his chair with a knowing smile, asked if she had had a good time, the twinkle in his eye impossible to miss. She laughed, kissed his cheek and then hurried upstairs to change and pack an overnight bag.
An overnight bag.
The thought sent a flutter straight through her chest. I’m staying the night. With Caleb. In his cabin.
Her pulse kicked up. Whatever this was between them, it wasn’t casual. And she didn’t think he was a one-and-done kind of guy. Neither was she.
This was a step forward. A big one. One she wasn’t afraid of.
They’d been circling each other for months, careful, cautious, pretending they weren’t heading here. And now, finally, they were. The realization made her breath catch, her cheeks warm. She splashed cool water on her face, steadying herself before heading back downstairs.
Caleb was in the living room with her dad, telling her father about a protection job he’d just finished, calm and confident, like he belonged there.
Like he belonged in her world.
And maybe, if she was honest, he already did.