Her Unexpected Homecoming

Inheriting her estranged father’s property isn’t the reason Robyn Warner wanted to come back to Pine Hollow. She thought she’d make amends with her father—but his sudden death made that impossible. And when she learns the identity of the handyman fixing the run-down cabins, Robyn is ready to flee Pine Hollow again. Caleb Sloane, the cop responsible for her father’s accident, just wants to uphold his promise and then return to the force. But he can’t seem to walk away. After all, he understands about guilt and regret. And he’ll do everything he can to help Robyn find healing, happiness and—just maybe—a lifetime of love.

“Now you know the whole truth. I’m only sorry you got hurt.”

“I’m not hurt,” she said, more for her benefit than his.

“I am.”

The whispered words sent a shiver through her. She wanted to believe him so much that it caused a dull ache, a longing she couldn’t explain.

Caleb approached, standing between her and the door. His shoulders sloped, and for an instant he appeared as deeply affected as she. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but I promised myself I’d be totally honest when I came back this time. About everything.”

“You’re right—I don’t.” She looked everywhere but at Caleb. She didn’t dare.

“I just want to say that if circumstances were different, I believe we might have had something between us.” A pained silence followed. “At least, I felt it.”

GEORGIANA DANIELS

resides in the beautiful mountains of Arizona with her super-generous husband and three talented daughters. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and now has the privilege of homeschooling by day and wrestling with the keyboard by night. She enjoys sharing God’s love through fiction, and is exceedingly thankful for her own happily ever after.

A Daughter’s Redemption

Georgiana Daniels

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MILLS & BOON

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Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,

forgiving each other, just as God in Christ

also has forgiven you.

—Ephesians 4:32

To my husband, Troy, who works extra hard

to afford me the freedom to follow my calling.

You amaze me!

Acknowledgments

A very special thanks to my agent

Tamela Hancock Murray

and my editor Emily Rodmell

for believing in this newbie! To crit buds

Betsy St. Amant and Erica Vetsch, for the prodding, stretching and love that went into the critiques.

To Gina Conroy, for cheering me all the way

to the finish line.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Excerpt

Chapter One

If the rest of the property was in the same sad condition as the front porch with its missing rails and bowed floorboards, Robyn Warner would be in Pine Hollow, Arizona, far longer than she’d anticipated. She wheeled her suitcase over the flagstone walkway and paused at the foot of her father’s home to absorb the onslaught of memories.

It wasn’t too late to turn around and hand the keys back to the lawyer managing her father’s estate, though the sad huddle of cabins hardly qualified as such. What had once been a cozy mountain resort now looked pitiable and highly susceptible to a stiff wind. Her father certainly hadn’t done her any favors by willing the property to her, but after more than a dozen years of silence, she was glad to be remembered at all.

Gravel crunched near cabin two—Robyn’s favorite during her summer vacation stays as a child. A man in work pants and a paint-splattered T-shirt meandered out from between the ramshackle buildings. “Can I help you? It’s easy to get lost out here.”

“It certainly looks different than I remember, but this is the right place.” She shaded her eyes to get a better look at the man who was tall and muscular without being imposing. He was the most clean-cut maintenance man she’d ever seen—and a nice contrast to the surfers with sand in their hair she was used to back at the surf shop she managed in California. She propped up the suitcase. “I’m Robyn Warner. And you are?”

“Caleb.” He gestured toward the road. “Pine Hollow Resort is on the other side of the wash, about five miles down. Are you sure that’s not where you were headed?”

“I’m here to check out...” She caught herself before referring to Lakeside Cabins as hers. “I’m staying here. Dan Dawson was my dad.” She fished the keys from her pocket and held them up. “I’ll just let myself in.”

The handyman scrutinized her as though assessing her legitimacy, much the same way her half siblings, Brad and Abby, had during the funeral last week. Gauging her motives and questioning her right to be there. Her right to grieve.

He swiped his brow with his arm and slid on a pair of sunglasses. “No one told me you were coming or I’d have cleared out.”

“If it makes you feel better, the lawyer didn’t tell me about you, either.” She offered a tentative smile. “Or maybe he did, and I was still in shock.” She recalled her conversation with Phil Harding, who’d upended her world when he contacted her after the funeral and said Lakeside Cabins was hers, though all her father’s personal items would go to Brad and Abby. “Do you work here?”

Caleb shuffled the paintbrush from one hand to the other. “I’ve been fixing Lakeside up, but I can leave if you’d rather have the place to yourself.” His tone held a hard edge.

“Not at all. I’ll be glad to have your help. It looks like we have a lot of work to do.” Though she didn’t have a clue how to pay him. She made a mental note to ask the lawyer if there were provisions of some kind. After taking an unpaid leave from the surf shop, she was living on savings—meager ones, at that. “The sooner Lakeside is all fixed up, the sooner I can sell it.”

“It could take a while.” Caleb’s neck bobbed with a hard swallow, as though he wanted to say more. His sunglasses kept her from further reading his expression, though it was becoming clear she made him uncomfortable.

“With the two of us working together, it’ll speed things along.” She smiled, hoping to defrost his stoic demeanor. Having an easy rapport with the handyman would make the work and the memories of Lakeside less painful. “Either way, I’ll be here as long as it takes. But please, keep doing whatever you were doing.” She gestured toward cabin two. “Every little bit helps.”

Caleb offered a curt nod before he crossed back over the clearing and disappeared behind the small building.

Wind moaned through the trees, sending birds skittering from the branches. Robyn rubbed a chill from her arms. Something about being in the quiet space where her father lived so many years without her, so many years without birthdays and Christmases and simple phone calls, left her unsettled. She wished she’d disregarded her mother’s repeated warnings to leave her dad and his family alone, that she was no longer welcome to visit. She should have at least tried to make peace. Now she’d never have the chance.

Robyn drew a fortifying breath before inserting the key into the lock. She worked the key and turned the knob several times, but it refused to budge. Before she could shimmy it out and try again, the phone in her pocket rang. Her thumb hovered over the button until she finally worked up the courage to answer. “Abby, how are you?”

“As good as can be expected. Listen, Brad and I haven’t finished moving everything out yet, so he wants to make sure you don’t take the armoire in the bedroom.” Abby’s voice had matured and no longer resembled the giggly preteen Robyn remembered.

She plugged her ear to drown out the wind. “I haven’t even been inside yet. Trust me, I wouldn’t have a way to move the furniture out even if I wanted to.” She glanced at the rental car she’d put on her painfully thin credit card.

“Sorry, I know it’s awkward.” A long pause stretched over the line. “Brad just wants me to remind you that the furniture and personal belongings are ours. We’ll be back to get them.”

“I haven’t forgotten.” She swallowed her sadness. She and Abby had once been close until the argument that drove Robyn away from Pine Hollow—an argument with their father about how she felt less important than his other children. Lately she’d begun to crave the closeness of a real family, and now that circumstances had brought her back, she’d do whatever it took to restore her relationship with Brad and Abby. To find some sort of normalcy.

“Good. We wouldn’t want any misunderstandings.”

“Abby, I would never take what doesn’t belong to me.” She fingered the cross on her necklace and prayed for wisdom. “Maybe when you come out for the furniture we can have dinner. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

Silence pulsed between them until Abby cleared her throat. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. We’re still shaken up.”

So was she. The tragedy of losing a parent—even an estranged one—was overwhelming.

“I mean, why would Dad leave Lakeside Cabins to you? No offense, but you haven’t exactly been around.”

The words stung with truth, and her face heated from the rejection. “I understand. Give me a call when you’re ready to come by.”

The line went dead.

“Is everything okay?”

She whipped around, disconcerted. “Caleb, you startled me.” She scanned his face to figure out how much he’d overheard. His expression remained neutral behind the sunglasses, which left her even more flustered.

“I heard voices and thought maybe you were talking to someone.”

“I was. It was a private conversation.” She jammed the phone into her pocket.

“I was only trying to help.” Caleb held up his hands in surrender, then turned and stalked off.

“Wait.” She scrambled down the stairs, her sandals slapping the wood. Exactly why she chased after the maintenance man or even cared what he thought, she’d have to reason out later. “I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

Caleb angled toward her, his mouth quirked. The masculine scent of turpentine and hard work drifted off him, and for some reason, it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. “Apology accepted.” His somber tone seemed to say otherwise.

Robyn ran her hand through her hair, snarled from the wind. “Really—I’m sorry. I’m not exactly great company right now after what happened to my dad. I’m normally easy to get along with—you’ll see when we fix this place up, and before you know it I’ll be long gone.”

Judging from Caleb’s formidable posture and the twitch of his jaw, her departure wouldn’t be soon enough.

* * *

Caleb stormed into the office of Harding and Company and bypassed the receptionist. Without knocking, he entered the office of Phil Harding, attorney-at-law. “Why didn’t you tell me she was coming?”

Phil tapped the keys on his computer without missing a stroke. “Almost finished. Then we can talk.”

“You should’ve at least given me a heads-up.” He pulled the door closed with a thud. “Didn’t you think I might need that bit of information?”

All the way from the outskirts of Pine Hollow, he had rehearsed the diatribe he wanted to unleash on his so-called friend. But none of his imagined scenarios included Phil calmly pecking away at the keyboard.

Phil closed the program and spun around in his leather chair. “I presume you’re talking about Robyn.”

“Who else?” He dropped onto the cushioned seat, and if he dirtied the upholstery with his paint-stained pants, so be it.

“What’d she do?”

“She showed up.” Simply arriving at the cabins was enough to infuse him with a jolt of reality. What originally seemed like a brilliant way to fulfill his promise quickly turned into the single worst idea he’d ever had the moment Robyn, with her sun-bleached hair and sorrow-filled eyes, told him she was Dan’s daughter.

“Look, Caleb, I realize it’s a little awkward.”

“You think?” He blew out a frustrated breath. “I tried to play it cool in front of her, but you have no idea what that was like.”

Phil removed his wire-rimmed glasses and wiped them with a handkerchief. In a placating tone, he resumed. “I can’t control every variable. Did it occur to you I might have other projects I’m working on?”

He pushed out of the chair. “A phone call, Phil. That’s all I needed.”

“She came in only an hour ago and asked for the keys. I wasn’t expecting her back in town so soon.” Phil steepled his fingers and assessed Caleb with a concerned look. “I did mean to call you when I got the chance, but you’re right. I should’ve made sure you were aware.”

The admission took Caleb’s boiling blood down to a simmer. He gripped the back of the chair and stole a few deep breaths. It wasn’t entirely Phil’s fault. The unease that chewed on Caleb day after endless day had fueled the tirade. “I shouldn’t be this upset.”

“You’re under a lot of stress. It happens.” Phil came around the desk and palmed Caleb’s shoulder. “I know you want to do penance or something by fixing up Dan’s place, but if you ask me, you should be home. You need time to recover.”

“That’s what the chief told me, but it was code for ‘stay out of the police station until we decide whether or not you can keep your badge.’ Waiting for the decision is killing me.” A knot formed in his windpipe, cutting off his air. This was not the time to have a meltdown.

“It’s procedure. Don’t take it personally. You need to let go of the guilt.”

“My career is personal. It’s the one thing...” He stopped short of telling Phil it was the only reason his own father had accepted him and that carrying on the family tradition had come to mean everything after his father’s untimely death while on active duty. Caleb took a moment to compose himself. “Bottom line is that I made a promise I intend to keep.” He flinched at the unbidden memory of crouching over Dan on the sidewalk after he’d been hit by the reckless teen Caleb had been chasing. The older man had pleaded for help, and Caleb had looked into the dying man’s eyes and promised to do everything in his power to make it all right—a promise he wasn’t able to keep. At least not during the few remaining moments Dan was alive. Caleb swallowed the emotions that threatened to choke him. “I couldn’t help him then, but fixing up his property is what I can do now. This isn’t about me or guilt. It’s all about keeping my promise to Dan.”

“If that’s what you need, fine. Don’t worry about Robyn. She seems friendly enough, but it’s not like you have to talk to her. Of course, she’ll probably have some ideas about what she’d like to have done, but you pretty much have a handle on the situation.”

“Her being friendly has nothing to do with how she’ll feel once she knows.”

“There are some things you can’t control.” Phil rubbed his temple. “I know you’re worried about what happened, but I’ve looked into the station’s policy myself. Legally speaking, you’re not necessarily in the wrong. There’s room for an officer to use discretion when a subject flees.”

Too bad Caleb’s discretion had led to Dan’s death—the worst tragedy in Pine Hollow’s history.

At the time, he was sure pursuing Aaron Dirkson was the right decision. How could he have known the teen would take the corner too fast and hit Dan? Still, he was compelled to defend himself. “The kid was a troublemaker. I was sure he’d been drinking that day, and I had a responsibility to get him off the street.”

“You don’t have to convince me.” Phil met Caleb with a soft look. “You may not have been officially cleared, but I have faith Aaron will be convicted, and you’ll be back patrolling the streets before you know it. In the meantime, give Robyn the benefit of the doubt. She might be surprisingly understanding.”

“I don’t want to borrow trouble.” Caleb rubbed the back of his neck to ease the building tension. “I know I need to tell her, but as soon as I do she’ll probably make me quit working on the cabins. I have to have something to keep me busy while I wait to hear whether or not I have a career left.”

“Giving up your work at Lakeside wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.” Phil’s gentle tone burned like acid on an open wound.

Knowing his decision cost a man’s life slammed his conscience as much as if he’d been the one behind the wheel. How would he quiet the guilt if he couldn’t keep his promise to do everything he could for Dan? It was all he had left, especially if they stripped his badge.

“You don’t understand.” He paused for a deep breath. “I made a promise to a dying man, and if fixing up the cabins is all I can do to keep it, then that’s what I’m doing.” He gripped the back of the chair, knuckles white, and locked gazes with Phil. “Just give me a few days and let me tell her in my own way.”

The intercom buzzed. “Yeah, Marge.”

“Robyn Warner on the line for you.”

Phil shot a reassuring glance. “I’ll take it.” He picked up the phone. “Robyn, what can I do for you?” His forehead wrinkled. “Stuck? You haven’t been inside yet?”

Caleb shook his head as a warning.

“No problem. I’ll send Caleb out there right away.” The lawyer disconnected. “She needs help. The door’s stuck.”

“I gathered that.” He narrowed his eyes. “Look, I’ll figure out a way to talk to her. In the meantime, whatever you do, don’t tell her who I am.”

* * *

The sight of Robyn on the porch swing sent a fresh rush of adrenaline through Caleb. Though he’d driven all the way out to the lake with his sunglasses off, he slid them on before approaching her.

“Thank you for coming back.” The swing creaked as Robyn stood. Her wide and honest eyes, the color of robin eggs, perfectly mirrored her name. “I tried several times, but I couldn’t get the door open. So I hung out down at the dock for a while hoping you’d come back. Then when you didn’t, I called Phil. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Phil gave me a key for the side door.” Caleb motioned for her to follow.

The suitcase Robyn tugged clunked down the stairs. Without asking, Caleb grabbed the luggage handle from her and carried the suitcase over the stony ground to the side entrance.

“You don’t have to do that.” Robyn quickstepped to keep up with him. Her unassuming manner was refreshing, and for an instant, his mood lightened.

He caught himself before accidentally engaging in conversation. He yearned for the days when he could speak without measuring his words. When he could behave as though there wasn’t a millstone crushing his conscience. When he could wake without counting how many lives he’d destroyed.

In the distance, sunlight glinted off the lake and the chatter of birds filled the pine-scented air. The property had potential, and Caleb was determined to help maximize its value before he revealed his identity and Robyn booted him out.

He fished the key from his pocket and inserted it into the lock.

“Wait.” Robyn grabbed his forearm. “If you don’t mind, I’d...” She left her comment hanging.

Caleb stopped and dared to really look at her. Wavy, golden hair flowed freely down her back. Her shorts were faded and frayed. She wore sandals so flimsy they could hardly be considered footwear. Robyn Warner seemed to have just stepped off the beach, and the look suited her.

“I’d like to go in alone.” Her vulnerable gaze peeled back Caleb’s layers, softening his heart toward the grieving woman. “I need a few minutes to take it all in, if that even makes sense.”

“Of course. I should’ve thought of that.” He backed away from the door, allowing the key to dangle in the lock. “I won’t need those while you’re here.”

Robyn’s eyes moistened. “I appreciate your understanding.”

He nodded and started toward the front of the house.

“Wait,” Robyn called. “How well did you know him?”

The question sent a nervous tingle down his back. He refused to turn around. “Not very well.”

“It’s just that I’d like to talk to someone.” Robyn paused as though silently asking him to face her. “It helps, you know?”

The woman obviously had no clue who she was speaking to or she’d kick him off the grounds. Ignoring her was going to be a problem. How could he? She was Dan’s daughter. “I’m sorry about your dad.”

“I didn’t realize how much I’d miss him.”

Slowly, Caleb turned. “It hurts to lose someone you love.” He, more than anyone, knew how hard the unexpected loss of a parent was. And some days were decidedly harder than others.

“Most people don’t think I did.”

“Did what?”

“Love him.” She cast her gaze to the rocky ground. “It doesn’t matter now.”

“I’m sure it’ll take a while to adjust.” He closed the gap between them, rifling through his thoughts for something appropriate to say. “In the meantime, you’ll be hanging out here. It’s the perfect place to get away.”

“That, it is.” Robyn’s eyes locked onto him, as though seeing through the mask he’d donned every day since the accident. “What about you? Do you sometimes need to get away from it all?”

“I can’t,” he blurted before he could censor himself.

“Why not?”

Caleb shook his head and walked away. Answering the question was impossible. There was no way to explain to Robyn Warner that the one thing he wanted to get away from was the one thing he never could.

Himself.

Chapter Two

It wasn’t the memories inside the house that assaulted Robyn; it was the lack of them.

The night closed in, trapping her inside her father’s home. She moved from what had once been the check-in desk to the kitchen, from the living area to the bedroom, searching for evidence, no matter how minute, that her dad had loved her. She would have happily settled for a picture of them together, the clay handprint she’d made when she was nine or even the stash of clothes she’d left behind. But by the time she dropped to the couch to sleep, she’d come up with nothing.

It didn’t help that Brad and Abby had already stripped the home of all the valuables, including everything electronic or sentimental. Even the edibles were gone, except for an old can of coffee. It left Robyn with entirely too much time to think.

When the sun cracked the horizon, she was itching to head to town, but she knew it’d be a while before Pine Hollow woke up. Instead, she took time to pray and devour the half-eaten candy bar she’d found at the bottom of her purse. After that, she dressed and ran a brush through her hair.

Her outlook for the day buoyed, and she shuffled into her sandals and meandered down the winding path that cut through the forest toward the lake. The water had always been her favorite place to clear her head when she was a kid, feeling left out after her father married and had two more children—a family that lived with him, when she only had a few weeks during the summer.

Caleb sat at the water’s edge on a boulder, chucking pebbles. He didn’t turn, but from the hunch of his shoulders as she approached, he knew she was there.

“You’re here early.” Robyn rubbed her arms, wishing she had a better line. If she wasn’t so starved for conversation, she would’ve hightailed it back to the house. She wasn’t used to spending time alone, nor was she used to having to prod someone to talk. If Caleb didn’t open up, working together would be unbearable.

“It’s a good place to think and pray.” Caleb focused on the sparkling water, never sparing her a glance.

She smiled at the thought of Caleb being a praying man. It was a refreshing difference from the guys Robyn worked with at the beach. She hooked her thumbs through her belt loops, refusing to take the hint and leave. It was her property, after all. “You don’t talk much, do you?”

“Only when I need to.”

“All the time or just for me?” She lightened her tone and willed him to let his guard down.

“Everyone, lately.” Finally, he glanced up at her. He appeared gentle, despite his square-cut jaw and military-precise haircut. “Did you need something?”

A friend—not that she’d ever admit it out loud to someone she’d just met. Her throat constricted as she shook her head.

Caleb tossed the rest of the pebbles to the ground and stood. Slowly, he advanced. “If you need something, you can ask.” Behind his shades, it was hard to tell what he was thinking. He stood close—too close—and the smell of his crisp aftershave made her lose track of her thoughts.

She risked a smile. “I’m just trying to figure out where to start. It’s hard to come back after all these years and sort through—” she motioned toward the cabins, unsure exactly what she was sorting through besides her tangled emotions “—things.”

“Doesn’t sound like anything I can help with, so while you sort through ‘things,’ I need to head back to town.” Caleb started up the path. “I’ll be back later.”

“Didn’t you just come from town?”

“The hardware store called. My lumber order is in, plus I need more paint.”

She hurried up the path after him. “Shouldn’t painting be last on the list? Let’s walk the property and decide what else needs to be done.”

“Make your list, and I’ll look it over.” His stride widened.

“I don’t know how you’re getting paid, but I’m sure it’s safe to assume you won’t be working indefinitely so we might as well focus on the big stuff, like the floorboards on the porch and replacing the window on cabin one.”

Caleb halted. He opened his mouth but seemed to think better of saying what was on his mind. “The lumber I ordered is for the porch. We can talk about what you’d like done when I get back.”

“I want to come with you.” Robyn lifted her chin.

“Like you said, there’s a lot to do. Maybe you should concentrate on making a list for me.” A line formed between his eyebrows, as though he was trying to read her.

“As long as you’re going to town, I’m coming, too. I have a vested interest in picking out colors and whatnot. Besides, I have my own list to deal with.”

Caleb’s morning whiskers rasped like sandpaper when he rubbed them. “All you have to do is tell me what you want and I’ll pick it up while I’m there.”

“Can you pick up a Realtor?” She challenged him with a raised eyebrow.

His mouth tightened. “Fine, you can come. But I doubt anyone is open.”

“They will be soon enough.” She walked quickly and prayed for him to soften. “When we get back, we can do a walk-through. There’s a leak under the kitchen sink, and the porcelain in the tub is cracked. I think we can get most of the repairs knocked out in a few weeks.”

“We?” Caleb’s tone took on a gruff edge. He stopped and faced her.

She smiled broadly. “I thought I mentioned that yesterday. The job will get done much faster if we work together.”

“No offense, but I tend to work better alone.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and blew out a long, exasperated breath.

“We don’t have to stand side by side.” She tossed a casual glance toward the cabins. “There’s plenty to keep us both busy. It seems like the whole property has been neglected for a while.” She bit back further comment, not wanting to offend Caleb over the job he’d done—or not done—so far. “How’d you come to work out here anyway?”

“Long story.” He took off up the hill.

She quickened her steps to keep up. “I’m curious.”

“You know what they say about curiosity.”

“If you don’t want to talk about you, then maybe you can tell me more about my dad. Since you worked for him, you probably know more about him than you think. It’s been a long time since I saw him. Of course, you probably knew that.” She hoped he’d tell her more without her having to spell out every detail of their estrangement.

“I wouldn’t assume too much if I were you.” His lips held the barest trace of a smile, or perhaps it was more akin to a frown. Either way, he lost the gritty expression he’d clung to from the moment she’d introduced herself.

“I guess I’d just like to know what my dad said about me.” If anything. Robyn was nearly out of breath when they emerged from the pine trees into the clearing. What had once been lush with grass and a flowerbed was now hard-packed dirt overrun with weeds. Why hadn’t Brad and Abby done more to help their dad? After all, by growing up here full-time they’d been close to him in a way Robyn never could be.

“I talked to Dan a few times. We ran into each other every now and then at church. I wasn’t someone he confided in.” A look that Robyn supposed was sympathy crossed his face. His jaw flexed. “I’m sorry I don’t know more, but I only came here to work...after.”

After. She knew he meant after the accident.

An unexpected swell of grief surged in her chest. The rapid change of emotions she’d experienced since her father’s death was new and would take some getting used to.

She ambled toward Caleb’s black truck, hiding her watery eyes. “After all this time away from here, I’m surprised how much I miss him.” She stopped herself from opening up to Caleb any further. Finding out he hadn’t actually worked for her dad made him a virtual stranger. Even her mom, as free-spirited as she was, warned Robyn against being so open and friendly. Still, Caleb’s presence was calming, and he seemed safe enough.

He shook his head regretfully. “One thing I do know is that your dad was a good man. Everyone misses him. You can’t go anywhere in town without someone mentioning Dan.”

Robyn gripped the door handle, trying to move past the sadness pressing against her chest. It was time for her to think about logistics, rather than dwell on her feelings. “Do you mind if I ask how you’re getting paid? I suppose that’s something I’ll need to take care of now that I’m here.”

He hesitated. “Don’t worry. It’s being handled.”

That was all Robyn needed to know—about that topic, anyway. She still had questions, myriad questions. Like what Caleb knew that he wasn’t saying. Or why her dad willed the run-down cabins to her after a twelve-year estrangement. But most of all she was desperate to know if he’d forgiven her or simply done what he felt was his duty.

Questions she’d likely never have answers to, no matter how hard she searched and prayed.

* * *

The drive to town was pure torture.

Rather than ride in silence, Robyn asked Caleb about himself. He tried to be vague, but she was impossible to ignore, especially with a scent that reminded him of an ocean breeze wafting off her. Even worse, her eyes sparkled with a quiet hope whenever she mentioned Dan. Caleb imagined Robyn was highly likable when she wasn’t walking through a tragedy, which reminded him that being her friend was one hundred percent out of the question.

“I hear Ginger’s the best Realtor in town.” He parked his truck curbside and let it idle.

Robyn peered out the window at the sign on the door. “Ginger Hanson?”

“You know her?” He shifted in his seat, wondering who else Robyn knew. Who else had the potential to rip the cover right off him? Not that he enjoyed withholding the entire truth from Robyn but he had his own issues to deal with before purposely heaping more sorrow on a woman he’d just met.

“I spent a few weeks every summer with my dad when I was a kid.” Robyn turned to him, a full smile illuminating her features. “Ginger and I were together every day at Lakeside Cabins, checking in guests and cleaning rooms. We lost touch after I stopped coming.” Her gaze shifted to her sandaled feet. “I didn’t see her at Dad’s services.”

Caleb tightened his grip on the steering wheel at the mention of Dan’s funeral. In order not to upset half the town, he’d opted not to go. “I can pick you up when I’m finished at the hardware store.”

“It looks like Ginger’s office hasn’t opened yet. We can come back later.”

There she went with we again. The word sent prickles down his back. He had to figure out a way to tell her who he was. He’d prefer waiting until after the cabins were in salable condition so she wouldn’t force him to leave before the job was done, but Robyn’s insistence on working with him would make that next to impossible.

Against his better judgment, he let her tag along.

Joe’s Home and Hardware was already alive with activity. For decades, it’d been a meeting spot for contractors, do-it-yourselfers and retirees. Despite Caleb’s work hours on the police force, he made it a point to stop by on occasion, if for no other reason than to get a beat on the town.

Caleb whipped a cap out of the glove compartment and pulled it low over his eyes before entering the store. If he made it out with paint and his lumber order without someone giving him away, he’d consider it mission accomplished.

Cold stares and whispers greeted him inside, and people turned their backs when he walked by. Dan Dawson had been part of the daily gathering at the hardware store, and no doubt his buddies missed him.

“Why don’t you pick out the paint, and I’ll head back to get the lumber.” Caleb broke away from Robyn before she had a chance to protest.

He inhaled the comforting smell of sawdust. He’d spent his college summers on various job sites back when he thought he wanted to be a contractor instead of a cop. Though he’d eventually chosen a different path, he was thankful to have the skills he needed now to do repair work at Lakeside.

“’Morning, Caleb.” Old Joe, the store’s owner, eyed him.

“I came to pick up my order.” Caleb pulled the receipt from his pocket and handed it over the counter. His eyes darted around the store, searching for Robyn. He didn’t want to imagine the scene if she wandered back and one of the regulars asked why she was there with Caleb Sloane.

Joe’s arthritic fingers riffled through papers in a file bin. The small store hadn’t quite caught up to the computer age. “Here it is. I’ll have one of the guys load it for you.”

“I’m parked out front.” Caleb tucked the receipt inside his wallet, his eyes making another sweep of the store. No sign of Robyn. The tension in his gut ratcheted up another notch. A few more minutes and they’d be out of there.

Joe’s stare closed in on Caleb, years of history passing between them in seconds. “Still working out at Dan’s?”

“Doing my best.”

“Just not the same around here without Dan. He always had time for a cup of coffee and a story or two. He was a good ol’ boy.” Joe leaned away from the counter, his comment stabbing Caleb in the gut. “I don’t suppose your best really makes up for it.”

With nothing left to say, Caleb headed for the paint department.

Robyn shuffled through paint chips like a hand of cards. “I like lighter colors, but it might stand out too much in the forest.” She locked into his gaze, causing his heart to react in ways it had no right to. “Maybe we should stick with brown. What do you think?”

“I was going to keep it the same color Dan chose, but it’s up to you.” He snuck a glance around the area for workers or customers who might know who Robyn was. So far, everyone but Old Joe seemed content to ignore him. “Why don’t you choose, and I’ll finish up in here.”

“We’ll stick with dark brown then.” She stashed the fan of paint chips on the display. “I probably shouldn’t worry over the details so much. It’s just that I really want to get this right. It’s not all about selling and the money. As much as I hate to admit it, this is my last chance to do something for him.”

Mine, too. Caleb steeled his emotions, blocking out every runaway memory that threatened to surface. He held out his keys. “Go ahead and wait in the truck. I’ll pay.”

“I thought that was my responsibility.” She narrowed her eyes, as though not quite believing his motives were pure.

“I told you that it’s all been handled.” He jingled the keys in front of her, briefly wondering if he was doing the wise thing by using his own savings. He wanted to do right by Dan, who’d obviously fallen on hard times before his death, but it wasn’t like his bank account was anything to brag on. “I’ll be right out.”

Robyn stuffed her hands into her pockets, the corners of her mouth tilting in what would be a teasing gesture under any other circumstances. “Are you giving me the brush-off? I have to warn you—” she leaned in close “—I’m not that easy to get rid of.”

His heart skidded. The fact that she wasn’t going to be easy to get rid of—and that her shimmering eyes and easygoing confidence were already wearing down his protective wall—was precisely the problem.

Chapter Three

Robyn spent the better part of the next morning trying not to notice Caleb, who was clad in a fitted white T-shirt and baggy jeans. As he fixed the leak under the kitchen sink, he finally appeared to relax and carry his end of the conversation, though he still seemed reluctant to venture beyond talk about plumbing and floorboards. She wondered if Brad and Abby had gotten to him with negative comments about her before she arrived.

Since she hadn’t found Ginger Hanson the day before, she headed into town while Caleb sawed wood for the porch. She made a mental note to swing by the grocery store since she’d had to skimp by on stale crackers and tuna she’d found in a cupboard. At least Brad and Abby had left something.

Seeing Ginger for the first time brought back a rush of memories, as did the windy stroll through the town square where the women stopped at a coffee cart.

Iced mochas in hand, Ginger launched into the conversation as though not even a year had passed, much less a decade. “The news about your dad was a shock. I didn’t find out until I got back from vacation. I was hoping to see you, but I figured you’d be gone by the time I got back.” She gently laid her hand on Robyn’s arm.

“It looks like I’ll be stuck here for a while.” As they walked, Robyn sipped her mocha and soaked in the sights of the lazy, secluded town. The Tasty Pastry, the ice cream parlor and the pizza joint hadn’t changed a bit. Across the road sat a new bookstore and a youth center to complete the town square. Several people milled about the courthouse lawn, despite the storm looming overhead. She’d forgotten how quickly the weather changed during monsoon season.

“Stuck? How so?” Ginger’s jet-black hair fluttered in the wind.

“Believe it or not, Dad left the cabins to me, and they’re in pretty bad shape. I was surprised to be named in the will. I figured everything would go to Brad and Abby since I haven’t seen or heard from any of them in over a decade. Actually, I think they were more surprised than I was.” Robyn hadn’t a clue why her father had picked her over the children he’d raised at Lakeside with his wife. As a real family. She refused to dwell on the past or the fact she’d faced some of the hardest years of her life without a father and with the constant reminder she was the product of an illegitimate relationship.

Ginger’s gaze penetrated Robyn’s thoughts. “He was your father, too. Of course he’d leave you something.”

“Still surprising. Anyway, I was sad to see how they’d been let go. I remember Lakeside being alive with guests, but now it’s like a ghost town.” Robyn veered down a path that bisected the courthouse lawn. “When I saw Abby and Brad at the service, they treated me like an outcast. I thought maybe we’d all grown up enough to be civil. But I was wrong. Really wrong.” She missed the secrets and fun they’d shared growing up. While she hadn’t expected to pick up where they left off, she also hadn’t anticipated the cold indifference. How would she even begin to restore their relationship? It was a long shot, but she had to try. She didn’t want to go through her entire life without her family.

Ginger sat on an empty bench at the edge of the town square. “They never did change. I mean, they have to be pushing thirty years old.”

“I think Brad just turned twenty-six.”

“Still, they act like kids. Spoiled—both of them. No loss for Pine Hollow when they moved to Phoenix. Your dad was always the nicest man, but those two took after their mom. They seemed to get even worse after Marilyn died.”

Dad had married Marilyn Bell, the hometown sweetheart, who’d hounded Robyn for the smallest mistakes. Treating her like an outsider in her father’s home, even though she was there before Marilyn. Robyn squirmed. “I thought they were the perfect family, that they didn’t need me or even have room for me in their lives.”

“His wife may not have come to terms with him having a daughter from a previous relationship, but that’s not your fault. I’m sure Dan never felt like there was no room for you in the family.”

Robyn settled herself on the bench and tried to block out the memories that said otherwise. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. Once my mother told me that I wasn’t welcome to come back, I did my best to forget all about Pine Hollow.” She spoke past the knot forming in her throat, remembering the Lord’s promise to be a father to the fatherless. “That should never have included you. After I left, Mom and I spent years drifting from one beach to the next, and I never really felt settled.”

“As much as I like the beach, I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like not to have a place to call home.” Ginger’s mouth slid into an easy grin. “But as for our friendship, thank the Lord for new beginnings.”

“I’m glad I found you.” She was thankful for another chance with her childhood friend.

Ginger held up her phone. “Once I have your number, you won’t be able to get rid of me. Now, am I right in guessing you’d like me to sell the property? It’s going to take a while for the estate to settle. I can look at it anytime, but we won’t be able to list it yet. You’ll have to get an appraisal and whatnot first, but it’ll give us more time together—at least once I get back from a conference I have to attend in Phoenix next week.”

“I took an indefinite leave from my job, so I’m staying until it’s sold.” Even though a few nights spent in her father’s home had left her more disquieted than ever, especially since she hadn’t found any clues about her dad’s feelings for her.

“Have you already found a contractor? I know a few people.”

“The lawyer hired someone, but I don’t think he’s a contractor. More like a handyman.” Robyn’s pulse jumped as she remembered the scent of Caleb’s cologne and the way he held the doors open for her every time they entered one of the cabins. He was a refreshing change from her surfer buddies who’d never heard the word chivalry. She chucked her cup into the trash can next to the bench.

“Hopefully it takes months to fix up the cabins.” Ginger grinned. “I want to keep you here as long as possible.”

“That’d be nice, but sooner or later I’ll have to get back to work—back to something close to normal, whatever that is.” She waved to Mrs. Jones, who stood at the door of the bakery.

“I don’t believe my eyes. Is that Robyn Warner?” Mrs. Jones called out. “You make sure to stop in and see me.”

Her heart warmed, remembering the lazy afternoons she and Ginger had shared with chocolate on their cheeks, shirts caked in powder from the donuts. “You bet I will.”

A few moments passed. Ginger shifted awkwardly on the bench until she finally spoke. “I felt awful when I heard about your dad. This town isn’t the same without him.” She clutched her chest. “The whole situation is unbelievable. And the fact that the kid who did it walked away with minor injuries... I’m just glad the case will be a slam dunk.”

Robyn’s chest pounded in time with a low rumble of thunder. “It’s hard to think about it. I keep imagining the worst.”

“I won’t pretend I understand what you’re going through, but try to remember that your dad’s at peace now.” Ginger patted Robyn’s hand again, and shook her head slowly. “But I still can’t believe they didn’t fire the cop.”

“Cop?” She sat straighter and searched her memory for any mention of a police officer. “What am I missing? What are you talking about?”

“The cop who was involved.” Ginger pulled an umbrella out of her leather tote. “I don’t know the details, but the whole town is in an uproar. I’ve never seen people take sides like this.”

Robyn swiped away the first drops of rain that fell like pinpricks from the sky. “Back up a second. I thought a teenage driver hit my dad. No one mentioned an officer.”

Ginger’s eyes rounded, and she opened her umbrella with a snap. “Oh, no. Maybe— I don’t want to be the one to say. And of course, all my information is secondhand. Like I said, I was out of town when it happened.”

“Please, tell me what you know.” She fingered the cross on her necklace. Maybe it was better not to hear the details.

“It was a chase. From what I heard, the kid ran a stoplight, and a cop tried to pull him over. When the car refused to stop, the cop followed him through town, rather than letting him go. The kid was trying to outrun the police when he swerved and—” Ginger winced “—people are saying the officer violated a no-pursuit policy the department has.”

Robyn’s stomach clamped. Her mouth dried, and her erratic heartbeat drowned out the thunder. She licked her lips, taking a moment to order her thoughts. “Do you mean to tell me the whole thing was preventable?”

Ginger’s eyes filled with sorrow. “Some people think it was and that the kid wouldn’t have spun out of control if he wasn’t being chased.”

“Tell me what else you’ve heard.” Robyn grasped Ginger’s arm.

“I guess the officer is on suspension.”

“Someone has to hold him accountable. You’re sure he wasn’t fired?”

“I’m sure he will be. Or...I don’t know. I’ve been out of town so much I haven’t heard the details.”

Robyn stood and slung her purse over her shoulder, ignoring the fat drops of rain that pelted her skin. “It looks like I have a few questions that need to be answered. Whatever it takes, I’m going to get to the bottom of this.”

* * *

Spending time with Robyn had been worse than Caleb imagined. Way worse. More than once he’d found himself smiling and engaging in conversation before he remembered why he couldn’t. His relief was palpable when she left for town—until Phil showed up and tried to take him to lunch.

“I have to finish cutting these boards before it rains. I don’t have time to stop.” He glanced toward a cabin, remembering Robyn’s contagious grin when they’d walked the grounds.

“Since you’re working like a madman, I assume you told her.”

Caleb remained silent.

“Wait, you mean you haven’t said anything yet?” Phil’s question hit like a sucker punch.

“I’m trying to keep to myself.” He was failing miserably, but trying. He focused on a squirrel scampering up a nearby pine tree.

“Just get it out in the open. I’m telling you, if it wasn’t for—you know—I think you would hit it off. She’s cute.”

Cute was an understatement Caleb wasn’t willing to acknowledge. “That was a low blow.” He slid his protective goggles over his eyes and powered up the circular saw.

“Sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” Phil’s voice cut over the grating whine of the blade.

Caleb powered down. “I don’t want to talk about her—or any of this. Everything was fine when I was here alone, but this is getting ridiculous.”

“So stop.”

It sounded simple enough, but he had a promise to keep. A little hammering and painting was the least he could do, and he wasn’t about to give it up, though it didn’t minimize the stress of dealing with Dan’s daughter. If the situation were different, he might actually enjoy her company and the seemingly endless stream of friendly conversation. The interest sparkling in her eyes that he knew he had no right to return. The more time they spent together, the tighter he had to guard himself—at least until he devised a way to reveal the truth.

Phil pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Forget all this for a while. Let’s grab some lunch.”

“You should’ve called first.”

“I tried. You didn’t answer.”

“Leave a message.”

“I’ve left three. Look, man, you can’t hide out forever. People don’t hate you if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“I never said that, but let’s be honest. People in town are getting pretty ugly.” Caleb fixed his eyes on the pile of lumber at his feet. “Now if you don’t mind, I have a porch to rebuild. I have to keep busy until the review board hearing. You have no idea what it’s like to have your job and your reputation hanging in the balance.” It was a crushing weight that never left him room to breathe or the freedom to rest. The review board’s recommendation to the chief would determine his future.

“Working yourself to death isn’t going to make time speed up. Maybe what you need is to forgive yourself.” Phil checked his cell phone. “There’s still time to grab a bite to eat before my next appointment. Come on. It’ll do you good, and it wouldn’t hurt your cause to be seen out and about. Let people see that you have nothing to hide.”

“I don’t have anything to hide. And I don’t want to keep my job based on PR moves that came from my lawyer friend.” Caleb removed the goggles from his head. He worked the elastic with nervous fingers. “My career means everything to me. I have to keep it based on merit, based on the review board’s belief I did the right thing. Any other reason isn’t good enough.” Not for him and not for his father’s memory.

“It’s all about perception.” Phil gestured with his hands. “Face it, doing work out here makes you look bad. Like you believe you were wrong.”

“I don’t care what it looks like. I’m here because I promised Dan I’d do everything in my power to help. I couldn’t do it at the scene—” he choked down the familiar knot in his throat “—so I’m doing it here.”

Phil leaned against the sawhorse Caleb set up in the clearing between the cabins. “I’m telling you what the perception is. It’s important that you know. Now come to town with me.”

“Lunch won’t solve anything.” It wouldn’t help him forget his career was in jeopardy. Or forget Robyn’s hopeful smile when she offered him coffee—the only thing she’d found in the cupboard. No, stopping long enough to eat was a bad idea.

“Will I at least see you at church this week?”

A vise gripped Caleb’s stomach. For the past few Sundays, he’d done his best to keep a comfortable distance from the church—and Dan’s friends inside of it. “Maybe.”

“Hang in there.” Phil clapped Caleb on the back.

The silence after Phil drove away was short-lived. Robyn’s rental car swerved into the dirt lot, kicking up a dust cloud. She barreled out and slammed the door.

Caleb searched her face for what had caused this uncharacteristic level of emotion. “You’re back early. Need help bringing in the groceries?”

Robyn stopped short of the table, arms folded. “It’s unbelievable.”

“What’s wrong?” His instinct was to offer her a shoulder and tell her everything would work out. Instead, he stayed rooted behind the sawhorse and hoped his expression didn’t betray his worry over what she may have discovered in town. “Didn’t you find Ginger?”

“I’m not upset over Ginger, and I never made it to the store.” Robyn’s words were pinched, her eyes fiery. “She told me more about my father’s accident.”

Adrenaline slammed through his veins. He’d known this moment was coming, but there was nothing he could’ve done to prepare. He shot up a silent prayer and wheeled in a large breath. “There’s always more to the story.”

“You’d better believe there is.” Robyn fisted her hand on her hip, and a gust of wind stirred her hair. She swept the strands away from her reddening cheeks. “Evidently, the whole situation was preventable.”

He swallowed, then nodded for her to continue.

“I was under the impression that a teenage driver hit my dad on the side of the road and that was it.” She covered her mouth and took several moments to collect herself. “But Ginger told me that a police officer was chasing him. That despite the station’s policy, the cop pursued. He endangered the public, and look what happened.”

Caleb stood tall despite the dread that pummeled him. It was time to take the consequences and trust the Lord to handle the outcome. There was no fear in truth, of that he was convinced. So why did his conscience burn with every word from Robyn’s mouth?

“As it turns out, the cop hasn’t even been fired. If it wasn’t for this officer’s bad judgment, my dad would still be alive.”

His heart wrung with a bitter mixture of guilt and relief. Obviously no one had told her who he was, but it was only a matter of time—time that would run out quickly in a town the size of Pine Hollow. An apology hummed in his chest, trying to pressure its way out. He resisted, unsure he could live with the confession. Certain he would implode without it.

“I don’t know why this had to happen. It probably sounds ludicrous, but I planned on making things right with my dad one day. Now I never can.” Robyn’s face turned to stone. “But I intend to find out who did this, who ruined our lives. And believe me—he will pay.” She brushed away a lone tear, her mouth drawn tight.

Caleb stood, dread pressing against his rib cage like an anvil. He wiped the sweat beading on his forehead and waited for his nerves to calm. How could he ever admit to Robyn that the person she was looking for, the one who destroyed her chance to reconcile with her father, was him?

Chapter Four

Caleb’s face blanched, and his throat bobbed with a swallow. He sat on a nearby stump. “I’m sorry.”

“Not at all.” Robyn waved him off, regretting her outburst. She drew a deep breath to compose herself. “I didn’t mean to sound so hysterical. It’s just that...” She glanced toward the tree line at the sound of an approaching vehicle. A silver truck rounded the bend—one she recognized from the funeral. Her mouth went dry. “It’s Brad.”

“He was here before, clearing the place out.” Caleb stood, a guarded expression in his eyes. The truck stopped abruptly.

She smoothed the hem of her shirt and braced herself. She’d been praying for a chance to talk to Brad and Abby before they left town, before they all parted ways again—this time for good. Now was her chance, and she hoped she appeared calmer than she felt. “You’ve met my half brother?”

“Not exactly.” Caleb’s jaw flexed when Brad shut off the engine. “He didn’t say much when he was here, other than telling me he knew exactly what was on the property. His meaning was implied.”

Robyn cringed, wondering how bad their encounter was. “Why’s he here? There’s not much left except heavy furniture, and he’d need help for that.” She schooled her features as Brad slammed the truck door and closed the gap between them. “How are you?”

“Fine.” He whipped off his shades. “Where’s the rest of the paperwork?”

“What paperwork?” She stepped back.

Brad walked toward her, then halted when he noticed Caleb off to the side. “Don’t play dumb. Dad’s files. What’d you do with them?” He nailed her with his gaze and raised a pointed eyebrow.

“I haven’t seen any files.” She forced a smile, despite the uneasiness growing inside her. She chose her words carefully, rather than slipping back into big-sister mode and demanding to know what had gotten into him. “Come inside, and I’ll get us some coffee.”

He brushed past. “I need to have a look around.”

Robyn started to follow, but Caleb gently tugged her elbow. She turned toward him. “I’m going to help my brother.” Even though she didn’t have a clue what he was looking for, and didn’t appreciate his attitude. But more than anything, she wanted to make a connection with him while she could. She’d already learned life didn’t give a person unlimited time to repair relationships.

Caleb shook his head, his gaze trailing Brad. “Let him go. Something’s not right.”

Anxiety wormed through her as she watched her half brother storm into the house. Maybe if she helped, he’d be less agitated. “You don’t understand.” She pulled away from Caleb, vaguely aware his hand had been steadying her. She started toward the house. “It might be my only chance.”

“Your only chance to what?” Caleb’s gentle tone reeled her back.

“To talk to him.” It pricked her conscience to know she’d waited so long to reconcile that she was down to chasing her angry brother, who clearly didn’t want to be bothered. She closed her eyes to clarify her thoughts. “I know it sounds ridiculous, but if I don’t go after him now, that might be it.”

Caleb held up his hands. “I won’t stand in your way. Be careful.”

The warning lingered in her head as she made her way up the steps. What did Caleb know that she didn’t? She reached for the door at the same time Brad opened it. He pounded down the steps.

She stumbled out of his way. “Did you find what you were looking for?”

Brad wheeled to face her, his stale breath assaulting her. “Does it look like I did?”

Frustrated, she counted to three before answering. “You didn’t have time to find anything. Let me help—”

“You can help by telling me what you did with the rest of Dad’s files. There had to have been more.” Brad raked his hand through his dark blond hair.

Robyn walked down the steps into the clearing, thankful for Caleb’s presence. This wasn’t the little brother she remembered—mischievous, but kind. This seemed like someone else altogether. “I haven’t seen any files or paperwork, but I’ll keep my eyes open. How about I call you if I find them?” She pulled her phone out of her pocket.

“Like that’s going to happen. I know you took them.” Brad fisted his hand and made a sudden move toward her.

Caleb cut him off. “Calm down, bud. There’s no need to accuse Robyn. Let’s talk this out.”

Brad pointed at Caleb’s chest. “This is none of your business.”

“I’m making it my business.” Caleb stood firm, arms crossed.

Silence shrouded the clearing long enough for Robyn to swallow the nervousness rising in her throat. She shot up a quick prayer. “I’m only trying to help.”

Brad’s jaw ticked, and even with Caleb between them, Robyn could feel the anger coursing through her brother. “I don’t know why Dad left this place to you, but one thing is sure—you don’t deserve it.” He pointed at her. “According to the will, everything on this property that’s not nailed down belongs to me and Abby. If I find out you’re holding back...” He let his threat hang as he turned and made for his truck.

Robyn exhaled, hands trembling. “I’ve never seen him like this.” She looked at Caleb, drinking in his cool demeanor that reassured her during this unexpected encounter. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been here. I mean, I’m sure he would’ve calmed down eventually. He’s probably still upset about Dad—we all are.”

“Don’t make excuses for him.” Caleb retreated behind the sawhorse.

“I’m only saying that he wouldn’t act that way if it wasn’t for the circumstances.” She searched his eyes for understanding.

“His behavior isn’t excusable.” Caleb pulled out his measuring tape.

“You’re right.” She shook her head, trying to get her mind around what just happened. “Thanks for stepping in.”

“Anyone would.” He marked the lumber and didn’t meet her eye.

“I think most people don’t like to get involved.”

“You might want to stay away from him.”

“I can’t. He has every right to come here and get our father’s belongings. I hate to admit it, but he made me uneasy.” Robyn rubbed a chill from her arms, then dipped her head to lock into Caleb’s gaze. “I hope you’re here when he comes back.”

* * *

She wouldn’t be saying that if she knew who he was, and the realization stung.

What was coming over him? He couldn’t deny the surge of protectiveness that blasted through him when Brad appeared to threaten Robyn. To believe it had anything to do with the way she looked at him with those hopeful blue eyes would only further derail his plans to reveal his identity.

Why hadn’t he unburdened himself of the truth when he had the chance? The moment he’d arrived at Lakeside the confession stuck in his chest like wood glue. And bringing it up now while Robyn expressed her gratitude after the encounter with Brad didn’t seem right, either.

“He almost completely ignored me at Dad’s services, but I could understand that. Then after we found out Lakeside went to me, he stopped talking altogether. But this—I don’t know what to make of what happened just now. Maybe I should call Abby and see what she thinks.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.

“Who’s Abby?” Caleb leaned on the sawhorse, gauging Robyn’s emotions.

Tears glittered in her eyes, but she maintained her composure. “My half sister. She’s close to Brad, so maybe she can tell me what’s going on and what paperwork he’s looking for.”

That must’ve been the woman who’d come with Brad when they hauled out most of the furniture. Since he hadn’t been to the funeral, he didn’t know who was who in terms of the family. Thankfully, they didn’t know him, either. Caleb measured the lumber propped on the sawhorse, his mind working overtime to focus on anything but Robyn’s sweet demeanor. It wouldn’t do him any good to get distracted from his mission. “If that’s what you want.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said.” He marked the cut line and hoped it was right.

“If you have something to tell me, spit it out.”

Boy did he, but judging by the tremor in her voice and the red splotches in her cheeks, she was still traumatized. Adding to it seemed cruel. Neither could he stand here and pretend he’d be around the next time her crazy brother showed up—or pretend he was innocent.

“Just keep your guard up. He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who’ll let family loyalty keep him from getting whatever he’s after.” Caleb set down the pencil and measuring tape, exhaled and began to pack his tools. Though there was still a good four hours of daylight left, he was ready to shut down. He needed quiet time to think. To pray. To dig up enough courage to come clean and hope Robyn let him continue to work at Lakeside, though judging by her outburst before Brad showed up, he may as well be packing his tools for good.

Then what would happen to her? He’d seen guys like Brad before—who used intimidation or whatever means necessary to get their way. Men who picked on women were cowards—and needed to be watched.

“You’re right—again. I don’t really know him anymore.” Robyn shoved her phone back into her pocket. “My mom’s been telling me for years that I’m too trusting.”

No joke. He could be an ax murderer, and she’d still be chatting away like they were having a picnic. After the way she made excuses for her brother, Brad could very well cheat her out of the property Dan had specifically wanted her to have. And while Caleb’s promise was to Dan, he didn’t want to see all his hard work benefit Brad.

“Are you done for the day?” Robyn watched him. “I was hoping you’d show me how to patch the walls in the house. I saw the drywall kit, and I’d like to get started.”

Caleb wiped the sweat from his forehead. The breeze rustled the tall grass in the clearing, cooling his face. “Tomorrow.”

She folded her arms. “You’re sure cutting out early.”

That’s right—she thought he was hired help. If he were being paid, instead of funding the whole project himself and laboring for free, it would be early. Realizing the futility of resisting her, Caleb nodded. He whisked past her toward the main house, determined to finish quickly.

“Just give me a few minutes. If you show me how to do it, I can finish the job. Trust me, I want to help so we can get this place on the market.”

“Anxious to leave?” He refused to turn around and let her see the spark of interest he was sure was in his eyes. Every encounter with Robyn made it harder to smother the attraction, and he spent an enormous amount of energy to keep from looking at her. To stay quiet and aloof. He held the door open and allowed her to pass.

She paused a beat before answering. “There are a lot of memories here, and some of them I’d rather not relive. Besides, I have a job and a life I need to get back to.”

“Understandable.” He turned over an empty paint bucket and sat near the part of the wall needing repair. Leaving this job to her wasn’t a good idea, but it was her house. “Are you sure you want to start the walls on your own?”

“I’m perfectly competent, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Caleb dared to look into Robyn’s eyes. His heart jackhammered in his chest, and his mouth dried like the Arizona desert. What was it about her that had his head turned inside out? In the few short days since they’d met, he found his thoughts veered toward Robyn more often than not, and he looked forward to seeing her even though he knew with unshakable certainty this couldn’t end well.

“So show me what to do.” She picked up a putty knife and smiled.

“If you wait until tomorrow, I can do it.”

“It’s only right for me to fix it since I’m the one who put it there.” Robyn’s smile waned as she set down the knife. “You know how this hole got here? One day Abby and I were practicing for the softball tournament and whack!” She chuckled. “Instead of fixing it, Dad moved the high-back chair in front of it. As you can see, he wasn’t really handy.”

“Did you get in trouble?”

She tilted her head, lips tight. “Not at first. We were younger, and Dad hardly ever got riled up. But when my stepmom saw it—” she exhaled before continuing “—she let me have it. Not Abby, of course. Just me.” She cast her gaze to the floor. “I was ten when that happened, when I started to realize that she only tolerated my summer visits, but I wasn’t really welcome.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

Robyn straightened and waved him off. “That was a long time ago. I’ve had a great life—it’s just that coming back here reminds me of the hard parts.” She stepped away and gazed out the window. “I don’t even know why I’m telling you this. I get chatty when I’m nervous.”

Poor woman must be nervous all the time.

“How about you? Are you from Pine Hollow?”

“I’m a transplant from Flagstaff.” He tried to keep a brisk tone. The less questions, the better—at least until the time was right.

“I know all about being a transplant. But Brad and Abby—they had a rock-solid childhood here. It’s no wonder he’s not really happy about me taking over Lakeside.”

Talk about an understatement. Who knew what Brad might have done had Caleb not been around? He hated to judge, but Brad set off every internal alarm he had. “When do you suppose he’ll be back?”

Robyn shrugged. “Hopefully not until he calms down. I just want to be part of the family again. After being away for so long, I know it won’t be easy, but I’m starting to realize family is the only thing that matters.” She turned over another empty paint bucket and sat next to him. “You’re right. I really don’t want to do this today. Mostly I wanted to keep my mind off what happened. I guess I’m more shaken up than I thought.”

And with good reason.

In that moment, he made a decision he hoped he wouldn’t regret. Leaving Robyn alone to face her brother wasn’t acceptable. If that meant he had to keep to himself a few more days until the ruckus blew over, he’d do it. Only then would he tell her who he was—and what he’d done. After all, the best way to keep his promise to Dan was not only to restore the property but to look out for his daughter.

Chapter Five

Raindrops streaked the windshield and pattered against the roof of the truck. Caleb parked in front of The Tasty Pastry, then reached behind the seat to grab an umbrella. But before he could offer it to Robyn, she hopped out. Caleb pocketed his keys and followed.

“I forgot how much I love monsoon season.” She turned her palms upward.

Caleb fed the parking meter, then glanced around for anyone who might have noticed him with Robyn. He refused to be caught off guard, and while coming to town was taking a big risk, he hadn’t been able to tell Robyn no when she asked to ride along. In fact, he was starting to realize the word no wasn’t in her vocabulary not only when she wanted something but also when asked for help. He liked that about her, even if half the time it drove him crazy.

“What time should I meet you back here?” Her gauzy shirt billowed in the breeze and made her eyes sparkle.

The sight of her slender form and dimpled cheek distracted him. It had distracted him all morning while they worked on patching the walls. He’d found himself sneaking glances at her far too often when he should have been focusing on the repairs. He prayed he’d have enough time to finish before it was necessary to tell her who he was.

“Caleb, did you hear me?”

He snapped back to the present. “An hour.”

“Sounds great.” She waved at someone down the road. “There’s Ginger. See you,” she called over her shoulder.

He ducked inside The Tasty Pastry, where the smell of fresh bread and coffee greeted him. The tables sat empty, and only the owner occupied the tiny shop.

“Caleb Sloane, you’ve been away too long.” Ida Jones came around the counter and smothered him with a maternal hug.

“I haven’t been away, just laying low.” He stepped back and perused the display case.

“That’s plain silly.” She grabbed a towel and wiped the counter. “I know half the town is having a conniption, but they need to get over it. You didn’t do anything wrong, and if you ask me, we’re all better off with Aaron Dirkson behind bars so he can’t hurt anyone else.” She sighed. “Like Dan. Anyway, you did what you thought was right.” She fisted her hand on her ample hip. “You know I once caught Aaron trying to set fire to the trash in the Dumpster out back? That’s the least of what he was into, from what I hear.”

And Caleb knew she’d heard plenty. “I appreciate your vote of confidence, Mrs. Jones.”

“Someone told me they’re going to let people have their say when the review board meets. I plan to give them a piece of my mind.” With a flair, she pulled her apron strings tighter. “Now when is that, again?”

A fresh wave of anxiety punched him at the mention of the hearing—and with it the possibility of losing his job. “They pushed the date back. It’ll be a month from yesterday.” Every day more nerve-racking than the one before.

It’s in Your hands, Lord.

Despite his mistake in judgment, God still had a plan. He had to keep on believing it or he’d go berserk. Yet living like he believed it proved to be another matter.

“You don’t have a thing to worry about. Maybe folks will settle down by then.”

Or get more worked up. No, he had to stop thinking that way. Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep working at Lakeside. “It’s good to know people like you still have a good opinion of me.” He glanced over his shoulder to make sure no one was on their way into the shop, then leaned on the counter. “What have you heard about Brad Dawson?”

A frown creased Mrs. Jones’s brow. “It depends. What do you want to know?”

“For starters, what he’s normally like. I had an...encounter with him.”

Mrs. Jones edged closer and lowered her voice. “You wouldn’t be the first person. I’m not one to gossip, so anything I tell you is common knowledge.”

Caleb nodded for her to continue.

“He was the sweetest little freckle-faced kid you ever saw. Dan used to bring him in all the time, along with his sister Abby. She was younger and quieter and always followed his lead. But when he became a teenager and his mom was ill, he changed—and not for the better.”

“Did he have a temper?”

Mrs. Jones kneaded a towel as she spoke. “He had the shortest fuse this side of Phoenix. Then there was the drugs and alcohol, and it’s no secret he’s got money troubles.” She shook her head. “Reminds me a lot of Aaron Dirkson.”

Reminded Caleb of what his life might have been, had a worker at the recreation center he frequented not prayed some sense into him. “So it’s safe to assume Brad is trouble.”

“Unless he’s changed. People do, you know.” She set down the towel. “The town practically breathed a sigh of relief when he moved to Phoenix. That must’ve been about the time you came to Pine Hollow. Oh, dear, I should’ve done more praying for that boy.”

“Thanks for the heads-up. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing more of him.” Caleb drew back and pointed to the glass case. “I’ll take all the chocolate donuts and croissants you’ve got.”

“You always know how to make my day.” She grinned, appearing ready to pinch his cheeks if she got the chance. The bell above the door tinkled, and she waved before turning back to Caleb. “Are you taking these to the youth center to share with the kids?”

“’Course he is. He can’t eat those. He’s got to keep an eye on his figure.” Phil clapped Caleb on the shoulder. “I was wondering what happened to you. Expected you next door ten minutes ago, but I knew where to find you.” He winked at Mrs. Jones.

“I didn’t want to come back for the first time empty-handed.” Caleb’s heart lifted at the thought of the youth center he’d started last year. Seeing how small-town life was affecting the teens of Pine Hollow and the activities they’d try to alleviate boredom, he felt compelled to take action. Securing grants for funding and a location and finding volunteers had been a monumental task. One that was well worth the effort.

“As long as you’re back, I don’t think the kids care.” Phil peeled off his glasses, fogged them and wiped the lenses.

Mrs. Jones peeked up from behind the case. “See, we all agree you should hang around more, Caleb.”

“It’s hard to stay away, but for now I’m checking in.” He buried his hands inside his pockets. “I’ve got my work cut out for me at Lakeside.” At least until Brad was no longer a threat, he came clean with Robyn and she told him to leave. Despite his fervent prayers last night, he couldn’t see any other way for the scenario to play out—and it irritated him to realize how much he wanted a different ending. It’d only been a few days, but already Robyn had burrowed into his daily routine and most of his thoughts.

And if he wasn’t mistaken, the feeling was mutual.

* * *

Caleb had stood up for her. A warm sensation filled Robyn when she remembered his protective stance, the way he’d taken charge of the situation. Would anyone else have done the same? None of the men she knew had the courage, or if they did, she hadn’t noticed. In fact, Caleb was the first man who’d turned her head in years, despite how carefully guarded he seemed.

“Are you paying attention?” Ginger nudged her.

Robyn tried to appear interested in picking out blinds, but with yesterday’s confrontation with Brad, not to mention her rapidly shrinking bank account, window coverings ranked low on her list of priorities. “There’s so much to choose from.”

Ginger peered over her shoulder as she leafed through the sample book. “I’ll bet these would look great in the front room.”

“Are you sure we have to do this?”

“Window treatments make all the difference to the look and feel of a room. And without them, the light shines straight in and highlights the problem areas. You’re the one who mentioned how bad it looked.” Ginger ran her finger down a column of measurements and checked it against the notes Robyn had made. “Besides, it’s only for the main house. The cabins can stay as they are.”

Only for the main house. Casual words for someone who actually had money to her name, but for Robyn, only the main house meant wiping out her bank account. As it was, she’d had to turn in the rental car, and the refrigerator was nearly empty. She had to make what little money there was last until she got paid again. She made a mental note to ask Phil what provisions existed for renovating.

People meandered around Joe’s Home and Hardware, chatting with one another as though they had no business but to catch up on the day’s events. Between the full mugs and fun-filled laughter, it was hard to tell if this was a hardware store or a coffee club. Had her dad been part of this group, hanging out with his friends?

“These seem to be the most reasonably priced.” Ginger tapped the page, then frowned. “Is something bothering you?”

“Brad came out to Lakeside yesterday, and we had a run-in. I can’t stop thinking about it.”

Ginger pulled up a seat, the legs of the chair screeching against the concrete floor. “What did he want?”

“He said he was missing some of Dad’s paperwork, but he wouldn’t give details.” Robyn leaned against the sample book and rubbed her forehead, though the real pain was in her heart. “I have a feeling that getting on his good side will be harder than I thought.”

“Are you sure you want to?”

Robyn sat next to her friend. “I know it sounds crazy but yes. Now that I have a chance, I’m taking it.”

Ginger raised one highly suspicious eyebrow before her features softened. “I won’t pretend to understand, but you and I can have a long talk when I get back from my conference.”

Robyn stood. She twisted the wand on the display blinds. Open, shut, open, shut. “I’m sure what happened yesterday was a fluke. Let’s get the saleslady and finish up. I’m supposed to meet with the handyman soon.”

The salesclerk came over and drew up the order. Robyn handed the woman her debit card, hoping it wasn’t declined. She prayed there would be enough money made on the sale of the property to cover what was still owed along with the expenses she was incurring.

After they finished, they strolled out of the store. A rainbow hung over Pine Hollow, and the scent of rain permeated the air.

Ginger grabbed Robyn’s forearm. “Don’t look now.”

Robyn looked. Abby sauntered out of a boutique like she owned the sidewalk, nose tilted skyward. She waved and hoped her half sister was in a better mood than their brother. “Hi, Abby. I thought you had headed home to Phoenix for a while. What brings you back so soon?”

Abby straightened her collar. “Business.” The clipped word made her cringe.

“I’ll leave you two alone.” Ginger backed away to peruse a window display.

Robyn forced a smile and prayed for the right words. “Ginger and I were ordering new blinds. I think they’ll look good in the house.”

Abby responded with a simper. Where was the sister she’d played with as a kid, the one who splashed around in the lake with her, made mud pies and whispered secrets late into the night? A sister—a whole family, really—was the only thing Robyn wanted. What could she say to bring peace?

“Abby, look—why don’t we call a truce? I don’t know what you and Brad still have against me after all these years, but I want to get along.”

“You really don’t know?” Abby’s eyes narrowed.

“The past is the past.”

“And sometimes the past bleeds over.” The venom in Abby’s words struck their target, and after a few moments, her features softened, if only a little. “But even now, I have my reasons.”

She tried to ignore the attention they drew from the other pedestrians. “Tell me. I’ll do whatever I can to make it right.”

For the first time, Abby’s composure was shaken. “You can’t make it right. Like I said on the phone the other day, there was no reason for my father to leave Lakeside Cabins to you. That was my home growing up. You left, and yet you’re rewarded?” Her pitch rose with intensity. “I don’t think so.”

“I may have walked out, but I was sixteen years old and full of emotions I couldn’t get a grip on. But you’ll never know how much it hurt to be told that no one wanted me to come back.”

Abby huffed. “I don’t know anything about that, but it serves you right. My parents had nothing but trouble whenever the subject of you came up, and it really hurt our family.”

At least you had one. Robyn swallowed the comment in order to focus on what was important now. “Look, I don’t know why Dad left the property to me, either, but it’s the only hope I have that he actually cared about me. I want to get along with you—and with Brad. It’s not like we have to be friends, but can we at least not be enemies?”

A dark cloud passed over the sun, and the breeze stilled, as though all of Pine Hollow was pausing to hear Abby’s reply. “There is one thing you can do.”

Robyn’s heart fluttered with fresh hope. She’d do whatever it took to make peace with her sister, no matter the cost. “Tell me.”

“There’s a hearing coming up, for the police officer who was involved in the accident.” Abby’s eyes turned to stone. “Brad and I are going to have our say and hopefully get that person off the force. You can prepare a statement, too. After everything that’s happened, you owe it to Dad to speak up.”

Anger bubbled inside her at the mention of the cop, but she’d never been one for vengeance. “I’m not sure what to say.”

“Say yes.” Abby’s mouth tipped up at the corners. “It’s the least you can do.”

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