Chapter Four
CHAPTER FOUR
Caleb walked around the following day with thoughts of Sophia on his mind. He was wracking his brain trying to come up with a perfect way to get the Leica camera back to her. He couldn’t stop thinking about the expression on her face as she had held the camera. It had brought her such joy, and he wanted to see that beautiful look on her face again.
In the meanwhile, he, along with his brothers, was going to be spending some quality time with their mother. She would be in town for a few more days, which would give them all time to catch up on things before she headed back to Arizona.
Daisy looked around the dining room, her gaze intense as it swept across the room. “It’s so interesting how nothing has really changed, yet at the same time everything feels different.”
“You’ve been gone a long time,” Hattie said with a nod. Caleb wasn’t sure as to Hattie’s feelings about Daisy being back, even though she had engineered her surprise return. Back in the day they had been great friends, bonded by their shared love of Red. By all accounts, Daisy had gotten along well with her mother-in-law, but things had changed after Daisy’s departure from Moose Falls. He suspected that his grandmother felt some kind of way about their mother never bringing them back to Alaska.
As they sat down over breakfast, none of them could ignore the strange dynamic humming and pulsing in the air around them. Daisy and Red Stone hadn’t been together in the same space for decades. Once upon a time they had been deliriously in love, yet their fractured marriage had resulted in Daisy’s rapid departure from Moose Falls and a divorce.
“I still can’t believe you’re here,” Landon said, sounding emotional.
For once Caleb couldn’t blame him. As the youngest brother, Landon was the one who always wore his heart on his sleeve. Caleb and Xavier harbored the same emotions, but they weren’t as effusive in expressing themselves. It was all the more impressive that Xavier had been able to open himself up to finding love with True. As much as he wanted to believe it was possible for him as well, his romantic past hung over him like a dark shadow. Not only had he been betrayed, but he had been put on blast by the media and mislabeled as a cheat and a liar. Being kicked when he had been at the lowest point in his life still stung.
It was no small wonder he felt disillusioned by the notion of love. He wasn’t going to let it stop him from doing what he did best—attracting women. Love was just off the table now. Caleb wasn’t ever going to be played for a fool again. He would settle for a fling, something light and flirty.
Sophia’s face flitted through his mind. There was nothing about this particular woman that fit that particular bill. She was the type of woman who would seep into his bloodstream. No, it was best to steer clear of her.
His mother grinned at him from across the table, yanking him out of his thoughts. “I had to come. I was having withdrawal symptoms from not seeing my boys.”
He exchanged a look with his brothers. Forever and always, they would continue to be boys in Daisy’s eyes. It was a running joke among them. For quite some time now they had all been men.
“Anything you want to do or see while you’re here?” Xavier asked.
“To be honest, I’d love to see True’s tavern,” Daisy said. “After all, it’s where you met the love of your life.”
“And nearly had my lips burned off by ghost pepper wings,” Xavier muttered.
“Ouch,” Red said, wincing. “Sounds like a painful meet cute.”
“A small price to pay for meeting True,” Caleb said, giving Xavier a nod of approval. Although it was hard for him to accept that his big brother was getting married and settling down in Moose Falls, he knew True was Xavier’s other half. She was a good woman who loved and cherished his brother. After all Xavier had been through with his ex-fiancée, Heather, he deserved a happily-ever-after. Caleb knew that a part of him worried that the closeness he’d always shared with his brothers would evaporate. He fretted that Xavier’s priorities would shift away from him and Landon.
Maybe, if he was being honest, he was a little envious as well. He had dreamed of a blissful happy ending with Abby, but it had blown up in his face. He had put himself out there and been vulnerable, only to be met with betrayal and disillusionment. No one had really understood his heartbreak other than his brothers and mother. Everyone else had believed that he was playing a role on the reality show and that he had been unable to keep his pants zipped up. The truth was he’d fallen in love with Abby. Yet he’d been given the moniker the Love Rat. Ugh. If he lived to be a hundred, folks would still be calling him by that awful nickname. No wonder he couldn’t land an acting gig to save his life.
Xavier grinned at him. “I would eat a bucket of those wings just to meet her for the first time all over again.” Everyone at the table reacted to his comment by letting out a chorus of aww s.
“Nice,” Landon said. “Look at you showing a mushy side. I knew it was in there somewhere.”
“That’s my sweet X man,” Daisy said, tearing up as she looked at her son. “What a blessing to see you so in love and on the cusp of settling down.” She bit back a sob. “True is such a lovely young woman. I can see how much she loves and adores you.”
“Aww. Don’t cry,” Xavier pleaded. “I’ve found my soulmate.”
“I always told the three of you that you would find your other half,” Daisy wailed.
“No tears, Mom,” Caleb cautioned. “We only want to see smiles while you’re visiting.”
“Okay, okay,” Daisy said. “I’d like to make the most of this short visit, so bring it on.”
“A hike by the mountains would be nice,” Xavier said. “I’m sure Jaylen would love to come with us.” True had been raising her brother for the last eight years after the death of their parents. He’d just turned ten, and he loved outdoor adventures way more than video games. Xavier had stepped into a parental role with Jaylen.
“Why don’t we go to Northern Exposure tomorrow?” Caleb asked. “Aren’t they having a line dancing night?” In addition to line dancing the establishment also had karaoke nights, open mic events, and comedy nights. As the new owner of the tavern, True was always fine-tuning the place to increase business.
“I think so,” Xavier said. “Let me text True and ask her to make sure.”
Daisy clapped her hands together. “Oh, I love line dancing. Let’s go!”
Xavier’s cell phone pinged. “Yep. You were right, Caleb. Line dancing is tomorrow night.”
“How about it, Red? Are you game?” Hattie asked her son.
Red, who had been unusually quiet up to this point, said, “Sure. I may not dance, but the people watching is always entertaining.” Caleb had the impression that Red was dumbstruck in the presence of his ex-wife. According to Landon and Xavier, he had nearly passed out when she had shown up at the engagement party. Of course Caleb had missed out on that scene while being locked away in the attic. He would have paid good money to see their first meeting after such a long time apart.
“I’m with you, Red,” Landon said, wrinkling his nose. “I’ve got two left feet.”
Hattie leaned over and grasped his hand in hers. “Don’t worry. Granny will teach you.”
Landon’s eyes widened. “Are you coming too?”
“Of course I am,” Hattie said, cackling. “You know my motto.”
“‘I may be dying but I’m still living,’” Caleb said, along with Landon, Xavier, and Red.
“Exactly! YOLO. I’ve taught you well,” Hattie said, smiling, as she looked around the table at her loved ones.
“So why don’t we take a hike by the falls?” Daisy suggested, pushing her plate away from her. “It used to be one of my favorite places here in town.” The falls was one of the most picturesque places in Moose Falls—now that temperatures had risen to thirty to forty degrees and sunlight was in effect for at least eleven hours of the day, it was the perfect spot to explore.
“We used to have family picnics there in the summer,” Red said, his gaze focused on Daisy. Caleb didn’t think he was imagining the look of tenderness etched on his father’s face.
Uh-oh. Was Red still harboring feelings for his ex-wife? Caleb didn’t think Red was indifferent to Daisy. Despite the fact that they hadn’t been together in more than twenty years, there were still feelings. Caleb didn’t know all the ins and outs of their breakup, but it was Daisy who had ended things.
“Yes, we did,” Daisy acknowledged, locking gazes with Red. “It was always such a tranquil spot.”
“Caleb, can I speak with you for a moment? There’s something I would like to discuss with you,” Hattie said as breakfast ended.
“Sure thing,” Caleb said, watching as everyone else left the room.
Hattie patted the seat next to her, inviting Caleb to sit beside her. Once he rounded the table and joined her, Hattie gifted him with a beatific smile.
“I have a business proposition for you,” Hattie said, affectionately patting his hand. Over the past four months he had been working alongside Hattie and his brothers at her hard cider company. Despite the fact that Hattie had been out of his and his brothers’ lives for decades, they had grown close ever since his return to town. Hattie held a special place in his heart. Knowing her time on Earth was nearing an end served as a daily reminder to cherish their moments together.
“That sounds intriguing,” Caleb said, curious to hear more. Working at Yukon Cider was interesting, but it wasn’t his life’s passion. He respected the company, but he’d never imagined himself sitting at a desk all day.
“I want you to be featured in the next campaign for our newest flavors. We need to shore up our younger buying base, which is why we are jazzing up the packaging with brighter colors, creating commercials with popular musical artists and bringing you into the mix.”
Caleb was taken aback by the fact that his grandmother wanted him to be part of the marketing plan. “What does that mean exactly?”
“Well, it means that I want you to be in all of the advertising for our new collection, including the print ads and our upcoming commercials. We haven’t done a great job of advertising Yukon Cider, but all of that is going to change. I think you would be a great spokesperson for the company.”
“Me? I-I’m flattered, but are you sure?” he asked, stunned by the offer. This almost sounded too good to be true. Being the face of Yukon Cider could do amazing things for his future in the entertainment industry. Instead of being notorious for a reality show, he would be aligned with an amazing product created by his grandmother.
“Of course I’m sure, Caleb. Look at you. You’re handsome as all get-out, you’ve got an athletic physique, and you’ll increase our sales simply based on your looks and charisma. Trust me, it’s a no-brainer. Plus, from what I hear, you have some acting chops. Why not put those to use to help the family business?”
He bit his lip. “You’re not worried that my stint on the reality show will harm the brand?” he asked, holding his breath as he awaited her answer. Caleb was so sick of his past hanging over him like a dark cloud.
Hattie let out a hoot of laughter. “Caleb, I’m a woman living on borrowed time. I’m not afraid of anything. You’re part of my vision for bringing Yukon Cider into the future.” She winked at him. “So far I haven’t been wrong about a single thing.”
Feeling relieved, Caleb placed his elbows on the table and leaned toward Hattie. “I’m all ears, Hattie.”
The more they talked, the more Caleb was drawn to her idea. If he was being honest with himself, he had missed the spotlight. There was nothing he loved more than the glare of the lights and all eyes focused on him. Back in high school when he’d been cast in a lead role in Othello , he had been transformed by the applause and the accolades. Finally, he had felt that he was good at something. He’d shined on that stage.
Caleb had decided then and there that he wanted to be an actor more than anything else in the world. To this day there wasn’t anything else he truly wanted to pursue as a career more than acting. He enjoyed taking on different personas and creating new characters.
“So I’ll be doing commercials? With lines?” he asked, blown away by the sudden turn of events. It was almost more than he’d ever dared to dream. Maybe being back in the spotlight could put him in a perfect position to relaunch his acting career.
“That’s the plan,” Hattie said. “I want you to be on the team brainstorming our advertising and social media campaigns. I think this will be a great way for us to increase our reach, especially to a younger demographic.” She winked at him. “From what I hear, you’re quite a hunk.”
Caleb chuckled. “You don’t say.” His grandmother was a trip. She had the best personality of anyone he’d ever known. She made him laugh like no other. Even though they had only been reunited for a few months now, they shared a tight bond. He wondered what might have been if they hadn’t been estranged. But there was no use in thinking about things he couldn’t change. All it led to was turmoil.
“So I would like for you to start attending meetings this week pertaining to the ad campaigns we’re going to launch. That is, if you’re on board with this plan. You haven’t really given me an answer.” She eyed him sharply. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head.
Caleb rubbed his hands together. “It’s a yes. Of course I want to do this. It’s right in my wheelhouse.” He hadn’t wanted to complain about being an executive at Yukon Cider, but it wasn’t his passion. Caleb knew he was privileged to be able to walk into the position as Hattie’s grandson and one of her heirs, so he hadn’t balked at the assignment. He had been working hard alongside Xavier and Landon, attending meetings and learning the ropes of Hattie’s operations. But this opportunity to star in ad campaigns and commercials would be extraordinary. Not only would it bring him joy, but he would be able to use his acting skills and show the world that he was way more than a punch line.
Hattie raised her fist in the air in a triumphant gesture. He couldn’t help but notice her arm seemed thinner and she appeared more frail. “Yes! We’re going to have so much fun and you’re going to be a smash hit.” She reached out and tweaked his cheek. “With that gorgeous face, you’re going to make our ciders a household name.”
“No pressure,” he said, throwing his head back in laughter. Hattie had made it clear that she wanted to focus on living and not dying, so he was going to match her vibrant tone measure for measure.
Hattie leaned over toward him. “Have I told you how happy I am that you and your brothers are back home?”
Home. He didn’t quite think of Moose Falls as home, even though he had been born here and had spent the first eight years of his life here.
“You have indeed,” Caleb said, raising Hattie’s hand to his mouth before placing a kiss on it. “But I’m not sure that I’ve told you how grateful I am that you invited the three of us back to Moose Falls. And that you’re entrusting us with your empire. It’s quite extraordinary.”
Hattie’s eyes gleamed. “I know you haven’t made any decisions about whether to stay and run the company, but I want you to absorb everything about Moose Falls. The people. The beautiful Alaskan landscape. Your childhood memories. And, if your heart allows you to, your father.” Before he could respond, Hattie said, “I know he hasn’t done a whole lot to earn your forgiveness, but like my mama used to tell me, it’s good for the heart and soul.”
Caleb knew Hattie was right. He was carrying around a lot of extra weight on his shoulders, remnants from a childhood fractured by divorce and his father’s absence. Coming back to Alaska provided him with an opportunity to heal, not just from his disastrous stint on reality television, but from so many things he’d bottled up inside himself.
A few hours after his discussion with Hattie, Caleb was behind the wheel of a Range Rover driving toward the mountains at his mother’s request. Daisy was riding shotgun while Landon, Xavier, and Jaylen were seated in the back. He cranked up the tunes and played some old-school Prince, his mother’s favorite. As they jammed to “When Doves Cry,” it almost seemed as if he’d been waiting for this moment since he’d returned.
Being in Moose Falls with Daisy was surreal. Caleb was still trying to wrap his head around her being here with them, especially since she had been so adamant about not returning.
“I remember this area so vividly,” Daisy said as they drove past a heavily forested area. “The natural beauty of Alaska is truly magnificent. I once thought I would live out the rest of my days here.” She sounded emotional, and he wondered if the past had more of a hold on her than she had ever been able to acknowledge. This was way more than she had ever disclosed to them about her feelings for Alaska. He shouldn’t be surprised. This visit was complicated, since she’d left under somber circumstances.
“Well,” Landon piped up from the back seat, “Alaska has the highest mountains, the biggest glaciers, and the longest days of any state, so it’s not surprising that it’s the most beautiful.”
“Excellent points, Landon,” Daisy said, turning in her seat to send a smile in her baby boy’s direction. Her tone sounded more upbeat.
For once Caleb was grateful for Landon’s scientific musings and the fun facts he loved to spit out. His comment had lightened their mother’s mood.
“Are we almost there?” Jaylen asked for what seemed like the tenth time.
Xavier chuckled. “Almost. Why don’t you focus on something else like all the birds we’ve been seeing?”
“I guess,” Jaylen mumbled. Caleb wasn’t sure that birds were of much interest to Jaylen. He seemed to prefer football to robins.
Ten minutes later Jaylen let out a whoop of excitement as they reached their destination.
Hiking with his mother, Jaylen, and his brothers on the mountain trails was a nostalgic experience—a true blast from the past. It took Caleb all the way back to when he’d been a little kid. Daisy had always been an athletic and outdoorsy person. Seeing his mother so happy and relaxed made him smile. It was almost as if the years melted away and Daisy was a young woman again. He knew there had been hard times in Moose Falls, especially the dissolution of his parents’ marriage, but there had been happy memories too. Some he remembered, but others he saw imprinted on his mother’s face. It hadn’t all been bad.
Having lived in California and Arizona, Caleb had seen some beautiful vistas. The Grand Canyon. Yosemite. Alaska rivaled them all. There was still a light coating of snow on the ground, but signs of spring were everywhere. The snow-capped mountains of winter had melted a bit, revealing majestic, craggy rock surfaces. The towering peaks were impressive.
The air was crisp and chilly, but not bone-chillingly cold as he had experienced in the winter months. The sun was out, shining down on them with a brilliance that set the tone for the day. As their wonderful outing came to an end, Caleb was pulled to the side by his mother.
“This really filled the well,” Daisy said, patting the place over her heart. “I’ve missed this togetherness we’ve always shared. You boys are my life.”
Caleb could see a hint of fragility in her. Emotions were riding high with Daisy during this visit. “Aww, Mom. I know this hasn’t been easy for you. I’m so glad you came.”
“I waited a long time to come back to Alaska, but I wouldn’t have missed celebrating Xavier and True’s happiness.”
“Why didn’t we ever come back?” he asked. It was a topic she’d always dodged, but being back here made him want the truth. “I’ve always wondered,” he admitted.
“Oh, Caleb, it’s complicated. I won’t be in town much longer. I would rather not focus on the past, if that’s all right with you.”
His heart sank. “Okay,” he said, nodding. “I want you to enjoy your time here, so I’ll let it go.”
Actually, it wasn’t all right. He sensed that Daisy didn’t want to revisit the issues that had kept her and her kids away from Moose Falls. All these years later, and he still was dealing with unanswered questions.
Leaving the house for a night out twice in the span of a few days wasn’t just unusual for Sophia. It was extraordinary. The only reason she had agreed to go line dancing with Patience was because Donny had popped up to exercise his limited custodial rights. Usually he canceled at the last minute or totally blew off his time with Lily. Bless her little heart, Lily had been so excited to sleep over at her dad’s house and spend time with her “bonus mom,” as Donny called his new wife, Zora. From what Sophia had gleaned, Zora seemed to be a kind, caring person, but Donny had always been inconsistent as a parent.
It had taken all of her wherewithal not to drive over to Donny’s house and demand her daughter back. But Patience had talked her down, reminding her that Lily deserved to cultivate a decent relationship with her father. If Sophia stood in her way, Lily might resent her. She couldn’t allow her own relationship with her ex to impact Lily. Sophia let out a sigh. It wasn’t easy taking the high road.
Even though she had major reservations about Donny’s ability to go the distance and remain in his daughter’s life, she had to allow him the opportunity. They had a custody agreement that she had to abide by, even if he cherry-picked the times he devoted to Lily.
She had just arrived at Northern Exposure, where she was meeting up with her sister and a few other friends. She loved line dancing, even though she usually did it in the comfort of her own home while watching it on YouTube. Once she walked through the tavern doors, the smell of cedar wood wafted in the air, along with the aroma of barbecue sauce. Her hunger was piqued by the savory aromas floating around. She hadn’t had time to grab dinner, so she definitely planned to order some appetizers. Chicken wings. Potato skins. Her mouth was watering at the prospect of indulging in some comfort food. On a night like tonight she needed the comfort.
The interior was rustic and full of Alaskan charm. The flooring was hardwood and slightly scuffed, as if many a patron had trod all over it. Large flat-screen televisions hung from various vantage points around the bar and dining area. Retro Alaska signs hung on the walls, emitting an old-fashioned vibe.
This place was True’s baby, and with the backing of Hattie Stone, she had put in a lot of work to renovate the place over the years. Now that True had bought the place from Red, Hattie’s son and the father of the three gorgeous Stone brothers, her friend was over the moon about owning her own business. Sophia didn’t blame her. After all the hard work she’d put in over the years, it was the only thing that made sense, especially with Hattie’s health failing and the sobering news of her terminal illness. According to True, the Stone brothers were working their butts off at Yukon Cider and learning the ropes at the business they were set to inherit.
“Sophia!” Her sister’s voice rang out seconds before she enveloped Sophia in the tightest of hugs. “You made it. I wasn’t sure if I’d have to drag you here kicking and screaming.”
“I’m not in that bad shape,” Sophia said. “I took a deep breath and didn’t make a scene when he picked Lily up.” She flashed an oversize grin. “I deserve a prize for that.”
“Let’s order some drinks at the bar,” Patience said, tugging on Sophia’s arm. “My treat.”
“I’m down for hard cider and some apps.” Hattie had really done something amazing with the creation of the hard cider company, which was why Sophia seized every opportunity to support the local brand. Hattie had put Moose Falls on the map with her hard cider.
“Say less,” Patience said. “I haven’t eaten since lunch.”
When they reached the bar, True was standing there, along with Bonnie Walker, one of her waitresses. They were playing rock, paper, scissors and laughing uproariously. Sophia loved the friendship between the two women. It was a true sisterhood. Although Bonnie was True’s employee and a good eleven years older than True was, they had formed a tight bond. With vibrant red hair and a bubbly personality, Bonnie was beloved in Moose Falls. A recent engagement to her boyfriend, Tucker Jennings, had surprised them all due to Bonnie’s reluctance to settle down after a past abusive relationship. Tucker, however, was the real deal, and he adored his fiancée.
“Hey, ladies,” Bonnie said in a bubbly tone. “What’s your poison tonight?”
“And by poison she means your drink of choice. First round’s on me,” True said with an easygoing smile. As of late, True had seemed happier than ever, now that she’d found love with Xavier and purchased the tavern.
“I’ll have a martini,” Patience said. “On the rocks.”
“Cranberry and apple Yukon Cider for me,” Sophia said. “And can we see a menu? Apps are calling my name.”
“Here’s the menu,” Bonnie said, “but we have some new lobster spring rolls that are to die for.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Patience said. “We’ll take an order of the spring rolls and some chicken wings.” She winked at True. “Just not the ghost pepper variety.”
True covered her face with her hands and shook her head. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?” she asked, chuckling.
“Nope,” Sophia said, laughing along with her. “It’s now firmly engrained in Moose Falls town lore.”
Hattie walked in a short time later with an entourage. Although she was surrounded by her three grandsons, Red, Daisy, and Jacques, all Sophia could focus on was Caleb. Smoking hot, witty Caleb. She hadn’t wanted to like him, hadn’t expected to find him so appealing. And it wasn’t just his good looks, she realized. It was the man himself. The way he walked and talked. The sound of his laughter. Most of all, it was the way he made her stomach do somersaults. As a child she had adored the thrill of the roller coaster, and Caleb was that ride in human form.
She hadn’t expected to be drawn to him like a magnet.
She hadn’t expected to believe that he had been misunderstood on reality television.
She hadn’t expected someone like Caleb to enter her orbit. He was almost like a comet blazing through the sky. If she blinked, he might be gone from Moose Falls in an instant.
Sophia hadn’t imagined he would be here tonight. No, that wasn’t true. She’d known that there was a distinct possibility he might show up. Wasn’t that one of the reasons she’d come tonight? In the hope of seeing him again?
He was walking straight toward her, and she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
Look away! Look away! she urged herself. DO NOT STARE! Being around Caleb made her feel as if she was being treated to a banquet after not eating for months. She needed to be calm, cool, and collected. Completely unbothered by his presence.
Patience jabbed her subtly in the side. “Look who’s coming over here. And he’s staring straight at you, little sis. I guess being stuck in the attic with you made an impression on him.”
“Shush before he hears you,” Sophia muttered. Thankfully, the chatter in the tavern was noisy enough to prevent Patience’s voice from carrying. Her sister was the type of person who didn’t stop and think before she spoke.
Even from ten feet away Caleb was already showcasing a dazzling smile. And those perfectly shaped lips! Stop looking at his lips . Thoughts of kissing him flitted through her mind. Don’t go there! she told herself. With his track record, he was the last man she should be interested in. After her disastrous relationship with Donny, she had vowed not to ignore red flags. Caleb’s past on the reality show was a glaring crimson warning.
Butterflies were fluttering in her stomach, and her mouth felt as dry as cotton. She wasn’t the type of person to be tongue-tied, but she had no idea what to say to Caleb as he sauntered toward her.
“Hey, Sophia,” he said, disarming her with his dimples. He was dressed in jeans, a flannel shirt, and a pair of Timberland boots. Caleb was giving off a rugged Alaskan vibe, even though he normally radiated pure California sunshine.
“Hey, Hollywood,” she said, trying to sound unbothered by his presence. She wasn’t sure, but she thought she might be breaking out in a sweat. He looked that good!
If she could just make it through this evening without making an utter fool of herself over the hottest man who had ever landed in Moose Falls, Sophia would consider that a huge success.