WELCOME TO REDEMPTION
Series Collection Books 1-6
by
Donna Kowalczyk
Stacey Joy Netzel
...a small town in Northeast Wisconsin where second chances don’t always come easy,
but if you’re willing to try, anything is possible.
~~~
Copyright 2011
Donna Kowalczyk
Stacey Joy Netzel
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.
Thank you for respecting the hard work of these authors.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
Cover art by Tamra Westbury
~~~
A Fair Of The Heart, by Donna Marie Rogers
A Fair To Remember, by Stacey Joy Netzel
The Perfect Blend, by Donna Marie Rogers
Grounds For Change, by Stacey Joy Netzel
Home Is Where The Heart Is, by Donna Marie Rogers
The Heart Of The Matter, by Stacey Joy Netzel
Golden Opportunity first chapter sneak peek
Lost In Italy first chapter sneak peek
Welcome to Redemption Series, Book 1:
A Fair Of the Heart
by
Donna Marie Rogers
Single mother, and work-at-home beautician, Lauren Frazier can barely keep a roof over her head, let alone stop it from falling down around her. When handyman Caleb Hunter stops by for a haircut, he’s the answer to her prayers—and the attraction is instantaneous. Too bad her troublesome young son isn’t quite as thrilled to have Caleb hanging around. Old wounds have kept Caleb from returning to Redemption, but when he receives word of his mother’s unexpected death, guilt and regret bring him home for good. Though Lauren excites him like no woman ever has, she’s a package deal, and he’s not sure he’s prepared to take on a ready-made family.
Dedication
~~~
Always, to Dulcie.
Chapter One
“I believe this is yours.”
Lauren Frazier met the teasing gaze of the handsome stranger standing on her porch as he handed over the knob to her front door. She promptly burst out laughing, examining the ancient piece of crap with a shake of her head.
“Sorry,” she said, bringing it down to a chuckle. “But the handle on my back door fell off earlier this morning.”
The stranger grinned. “I might stay home today, if I were you.”
“Ya think?” She tossed the knob on the floor beside the shoe rack and stepped back. “So, what can I do for you?”
His keen brown eyes searched her living room and then the kitchen, his confusion obvious. “I’m not sure if I’m in the right place…do you cut hair?”
“I do. Sorry, the beauty shop sign fell off the house a few weeks ago.”
His lips twitched. “I need a trim. The librarian recommended you. Said you work out of your home.” He held out his hand. “Caleb Hunter.”
“I’ll have to send Matt a thank-you note. Lauren Frazier.” She shook his hand, and then gestured him inside. “I work out of my mud room. It’s just off the kitchen.”
He followed her through the house into the mudroom, which doubled as both her laundry room and her single-chair hair salon.
After a quick glance around, he sat down in the barber chair and leaned back with his long legs sprawled out. “Don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these in someone’s house before.”
“I got a deal on it from a salon in Green Bay that closed last year.” Lauren studied him from the corner of her eye as she pulled out a clean plastic cape and her trimming shears. Roughly six feet tall, with broad shoulders, slim hips, and a muscular upper body, Mr. Caleb Hunter could have walked right off the cover of GQ magazine. He had big, bedroom brown eyes, full sexy lips, and a patrician nose that looked as if it’d seen a fist or two. His crowning glory, a thick mop of wavy auburn hair, needed at least an inch trimmed off—Lauren itched to run her fingers through it.
Thank you, Matt.
She stepped up behind him and covered him with the cape, securing it with a hair clip. His heady masculine scent assailed her senses, and Lauren resisted the urge to lean in and get a big whiff of his spicy aftershave. Whoa, girl, get a grip. He met her gaze in the mirror, and she swore she saw blatant interest in his eyes. She ran a comb through his hair. “You’ve got a gorgeous head of hair, Caleb Hunter. So, who’s to thank, your mom or dad?”
He cleared his throat, and if Lauren didn’t know any better, she’d swear her innocent little question had upset him.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to pry. It’s part of the job, you know? Make small talk.”
“I know. It’s just...I lost my mother recently.”
Lauren’s hands froze. “I’m so sorry. Open mouth, insert foot. That’s me.”
“You couldn’t have known. Don’t worry about it.”
Lauren nodded and got back to work on his hair. She’d love to ask him a few more questions, like what’s his sign, boxers or briefs, top or bottom, but thought better of it. Good God, the man’s mother just died. Not to mention, the last thing she wanted or needed was a man in her life—although if Bob Vila showed up on her doorstep right about now, she’d drop down on bended knee so fast it’d make his head spin.
She met Caleb’s gaze in the mirror again. “So, are you planning to go to the fair this weekend?”
“I hadn’t thought about it,” he admitted. “Guess I might take a walk through.”
After brushing the hair clippings from his neck and shoulders, Lauren swept the cape away and tried to hand him a mirror.
He waved it away and pulled out his wallet. “I’m sure it’s fine. So what do I owe you?”
“Ten bucks.” She accepted the twenty he handed her and opened her cashbox to pull out a ten.
“Keep it,” he said. “Put it toward a new doorknob.”
With a grateful nod, she stuck the bill back in the box. “Thanks.”
Caleb winked at her and turned to leave. He stepped on a loose floorboard on his way to the door. “Your husband’s not much of a handyman, is he?”
“I’m divorced. And, no, he never was much of a handyman. Philandering? Now, there’s a sport he excelled at.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
She waved him off. “Consider us even in the foot-in-mouth department.”
He held her gaze for a moment, and then casually glanced around. Lauren inwardly cringed. By the time her ex had left her for greener pastures of the big-boobed variety, the house had pretty much been falling down around her ears. And with only one income to pay the bills, mortgage, and take care of her two kids, there wasn’t much leftover for home repairs.
“I’m not very handy either, as you can see.” She shrugged, making no apologies for her lack of carpentry skills.
He surprised her with a soft chuckle. “Yep. Got that. Listen, I have some free time later this afternoon. It wouldn’t take me long to do some general repairs.”
Lauren stared at him for several heartbeats, at a loss for words. No one had ever offered to help before. “I appreciate it, but...well, truth is I wouldn’t be able to pay you much. And by much, I mean nothing.” She gave him a cheeky grin.
“I wouldn’t accept your money anyway. I was thinking more along the lines of old-fashioned bartering.”
She crossed her arms and cocked a brow. “You’re entering dangerous territory, Mr. Hunter.” Okay, so the guy was a hottie. Didn’t mean she’d jump into bed with him to get a few doorknobs reattached or a few loose boards nailed down. Or the closet door in Emma’s room put back on track, or the screen in Max’s bedroom window patched, or replacing the vanity door hinges in the upstairs bathroom, or—
“I meant supper, Ms. Frazier. As in a home-cooked meal? Haven’t had one in years and thought a couple hours of home repairs might be worth some meatloaf and mashed potatoes, maybe some buttered rolls.”
Lauren’s cheeks grew hot, surprising her. Blushing? Her? Now there’s a novelty. “I can do supper. Although my son, Max, might run away from home if I made meatloaf. How about chicken and rice bake, and some of those pop-open crescent rolls?”
“Throw in dessert, and it’s a deal.”
Lauren leaned a hip against the wall. “Well, now, dessert is a whole other ballgame. Especially ‘home-cooked’ dessert.”
He grinned. “Name your price.”
“Max’s bottom dresser drawer. It’s been stuck shut for months.”
“Chocolate?”
“What else?”
He stuck out his hand. “Deal.”
* * *
Caleb stopped at the library on his way back to Lauren’s house to recheck-out the Electrician’s Handbook. Matt Jacobs looked up when he entered, a grin replacing his studious frown.
“Finally got that mop trimmed, I see. So, did you end up going to Lauren or old man Krause?”
Caleb set the book on the counter and browsed through the stack waiting to be put back on the shelves. “I got called into the barbershop to fix some shelving yesterday. Old man Krause’s hand was shaking so hard, it’s a miracle he didn’t clip his customer’s ear off. I went to Lauren’s.”
Matt laughed. He walked over and picked up the handbook. “What do you think? Ready for the exam?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be. I’d like to check it back out, though, read it one last time before I take the exam. Probably next Friday.”
“Thinking about staying in Redemption then?”
Caleb swiped his hand through his newly shorn hair. After returning to the states from active duty, he hadn’t felt...comfortable returning to his hometown. He’d ended up heading to Chicago with a fellow army buddy, where he’d spent the last thirteen years doing carpentry work, plumbing, and even dabbling in electricity. He’d discovered a talent for the latter, and after several months of studying, finally felt ready to take the licensing exam.
But stay in Redemption permanently? Truth be told, he was torn. He’d only meant to stay for a few days, but upon returning home for his mother’s funeral, Caleb had felt the strongest sense of peace. Usually, he couldn’t wait to get the hell outta Dodge.
He’d talked to his boss just the night before, and the gruff old codger had made it clear—Caleb had one week to return, or he wouldn’t have a job waiting for him when he did. And yet, despite the warning, Caleb took on two more jobs just that morning, extending his stay in Redemption indefinitely.
It wasn’t as if he had anyone special waiting for him back in Chicago anyway. Caleb had dated plenty of women over the years, but he’d never been the relationship type. Not that he couldn’t be faithful to one woman. He’d just never met one that held his interest long enough, or that he’d wanted to get to know on a deeper level.
Until today.
“It’s a definite possibility.” Caleb tossed his keys and caught them with a jingle. “Catch you later, Matt.”
He arrived at Lauren’s house around three-thirty. She stood on the front porch waving a brand new doorknob assembly, still in the package, and sporting a huge grin. A white tank top and stonewashed low rider Levis showed off a great tan and incredible body. Her shoulder-length, honey blond curls were held up on either side of her beautiful face by gold barrettes, and small hoops hung from her earlobes. Eyes as blue as Lake Michigan twinkled up at him.
“Love the tool belt,” she said, gesturing him inside.
“I have backup in my car. Electric drill, power saw, grenades.”
“Funny.”
He stepped inside and sniffed the air. “Wow, if chicken bake tastes as good as it smells, I may start breaking your furniture myself.”
“No need. I make it at least once a week. Both my kids love it.”
At that moment, an adorable little pipsqueak dashed in from the kitchen, blond curls bobbing all around. She wrapped her arms around Lauren’s legs and gazed up at him with wide-eyed curiosity. She was the spitting image of her mother, complete with a perfect Cupid’s bow mouth, flawless alabaster skin, and those same gorgeous blue eyes. In twenty years, she’d also have Lauren’s incredible figure—slim and sleek, yet curved in all the right places.
Caleb crouched down and winked at her. She couldn’t have been more than three years old. “Hey, punkin, my name’s Caleb. What’s yours?”
“Em-ma.” She glanced up at her mother. “I not puck’in.”
Lauren ruffled her daughter’s curls. “It just means cutie pie. Like what I call you.”
“Oh.” She turned back to Caleb and squinted thoughtfully. “Momma make choc’it cake. I helped.”
Caleb’s heart swelled in his chest. He had to clear his throat to speak. “And I bet it’s the yummiest chocolate cake ever.”
Emma gave a solemn nod, and then skipped off into the kitchen.
Caleb stood back up and met Lauren’s gaze. “Well? What should I tackle first?”
She held up the new doorknob package. “Being able to lock my doors at night is my number one priority. And thank you. Again.”
Caleb felt as if he were drowning in those big baby blues. “My pleasure. You did, after all, make ‘choc’it’ cake.”
Lauren grinned. “From scratch, too.”
“Well, then, guess I’d better go earn my supper.”
By the time he’d put the new knob on the front door and reattached the handle to the back screen door, supper was just about ready. He decided a stuck drawer would take all of five minutes, and had Lauren direct him to Max’s room.
Typical boy’s room, he thought as he glanced around. Basketball hoop hanging on the back of the door, unmade bed, sports paraphernalia everywhere. The kid was a huge Green Bay Packers fan: Packer curtains, Packer bedspread, Packer wallpaper border. The room was neater than Caleb would’ve expected, too—not so much as a dirty sock on the floor. No doubt Lauren’s doing.
Caleb located the dresser in question and knelt down to try the drawer. Yep, stuck shut. Once he pried it open, he’d plane it down a bit, which should do the trick. He worked the drawer back and forth, surprised when a couple of folded-up playing cards fell out. Hmm. And the drawer seemed to open and close fine now. A flash of red caught his eye. An all-too-familiar flash of red. Caleb exhaled a hard breath as he pulled out a flip-top box of cigarettes.
“Whad’ya think you’re doing?”
Caleb’s head snapped up. Standing in the doorway, hands fisted at his sides, was a blue-eyed boy who could only be Max. He looked to be about twelve or thirteen, with much darker hair than his mother’s, but just as curly. And he wore a scowl the size of Texas. “Fixing your stuck drawer.” He climbed to his feet and held up the cigarette box. “You do realize these things’ll stunt your growth, right?”
The kid’s eyes grew suspiciously red, but his expression remained mutinous. “You had no right going through my stuff!”
“Maybe not, but lucky for you I did. You’re too young to smoke, son, and—”
“Who the hell are you, and why are you even in my room?” the kid demanded.
The quick beat of feet on the stairs reached Caleb a second before Lauren burst into the room. “What in the world is going on up here? Max, what’s the problem?”
Caleb tucked the cigarette box in his back pocket while Lauren’s attention was on her son. Later, when they were alone, he’d show them to her. Caleb knew the kid was going through a rough time, and while he hated to be the bearer of bad news, Lauren needed to know so she could nip the problem in the bud.
“Nothin’,” Max snapped.
“Your son wasn’t too happy to find a stranger in his room, and he told me so. He thought I was snooping through his stuff.”
Max met Caleb’s gaze, some of his hostility dissipating. Not much, but some.
Lauren eyed them both with suspicion. “Supper’s on the table. Max, go wash your hands, please.”
Max stormed from the room, and a few seconds later a door slammed.
Lauren flinched. “I’m sorry. Ever since his father left, he’s been...different. He blames me. He’s too young to understand what really happened, and I guess it’s easier to make me the bad guy since I’m still here. Ten-year-old mentality,” she finished with a shrug.
“Ten? Wow, big kid.”
“Big father.”
Caleb wished there was something he could do or say to ease her burden. And Max’s troubles were worse than she knew if the kid was smoking. “He’ll settle down, don’t worry. And I’ll help any way I can.”
Christ, what the hell was he thinking, offering to get involved in their family problems? He barely knew the woman. Though if he were being honest with himself, he wanted to get to know her better. Much better.
The thought scared the living tar out of him, but didn’t stop him from taking a step forward.
Chapter Two
Lauren could only stare at this incredible man who’d done more for her in a couple of hours than anyone else had in years. Could he possibly be for real? She’d spent nearly ten years with a man who’d made her feel worthless and sexless, sleeping with any willing warm body he could find. Lauren desperately wanted to believe her time had come, that her numbers had been drawn and she was the grand prize winner. What a pleasure it would be to finally have someone to lean on, to help shoulder the burden her life had become. To love her and only her.
Wow. Where in the world had that come from?
They gazed at each other for several heartbeats before she said, “That’s a mighty generous offer considering you barely know us.”
Caleb took another step toward her. “I was hoping we could rectify that.”
“I...” Lauren mentally chastised herself. What was it about this man that made coherent speech a thing of the past? Or her heart pitter-patter like a teenage girl in the throes of puppy love? Freakin’ embarrassing is what it was.
Caleb propped his hands on his hips. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. It’s just...either I’m way off my game or there’s a spark between us.”
Lauren tucked a curl behind her ear, and then huffed another out of her face. She met his gaze and became lost again in those incredible bedroom brown eyes. All he had to do was look at a woman, and she’d follow him straight into the bedroom. The Pied Piper of Redemption. Lauren swallowed down a giggle. “You’re not.”
“Pardon?”
“Off your game. You’re not. But Caleb—”
“Come on, now, no ‘but’. We haven’t even had a meal together yet, and already with the ‘but’.”
He grinned, and Lauren forgot the rest of what she’d planned to say. He was right. Probably be a good idea to see if he chewed with his mouth open before making a final decision on ‘but’. “Well then, get ready for the best chicken bake in all the land. Complete with green bean casserole, creamy cucumbers, and plenty of crescent rolls.”
He clapped his hands together and gave them a gleeful rub. “Lead the way, beautiful lady, ’cause I’m hungry as a bear.”
Beautiful lady. Wow. Let’s see, he can fix most anything, he appreciates a home-cooked meal, Emma hasn’t stopped chattering about him, and he wins the award for best view in all of Redemption. Oh yeah, this one definitely has promise.
She led the way downstairs, knocking on the bathroom door as they passed by. “Come on, Max, time to eat.”
Lauren tried not to worry when Max didn’t come down for supper. If he wanted to sulk in his room all night, fine. Frankly, she was tired of his piss-poor attitude and snarky comments. It was nice, for a change, eating a meal without insults being hurled at her between bites.
And it was such a joy watching Caleb flirt with Emma, and watching Emma flirt right back. She was her mother’s daughter for sure. Although, she was doing a much better job with Caleb than Lauren. No nervous stutters or sweaty palms for Emma. And if Lauren didn’t know better, she’d swear Caleb was falling just as hard for little Miss Poopy Pants.
By the time Lauren sliced into the chocolate cake, her trouble detector had hit high alert. Max was a big kid for his age, with double the appetite of a normal ten-year-old, and chicken bake was his favorite meal. But if that wasn’t reason enough to worry, Max should’ve raced down the stairs the moment that cake dome was lifted.
After serving Caleb a hunk of cake, and Emma a sliver, Lauren rose to her feet and excused herself. The bathroom door was now open and the light on, so she stuck her head inside. Empty. She checked his bedroom—also empty—then her own room in case he’d decided to play computer games. No Max. She ran back downstairs and checked the spare room in the back of the house where he played video games. Full-blown panic set in when she discovered that room empty as well.
Tears stung her eyes. She dabbed at them with her fingers and composed herself before returning to the kitchen.
Caleb looked up and his smile faded. “What is it?”
She guessed she hadn’t done such a great job on the composing part. “I can’t find Max. He’s not in the house, and since we would’ve heard him if he’d left through the front door, he must’ve snuck out a window.”
Caleb shot to his feet and closed the distance between them. “Has he done this before?”
“No. Never.”
He glanced at his watch. “It’s only five o’clock, so we’ve got a good three hours or so of sunlight left. I’ll take a walk around outside, make sure he’s not just sulking behind the garage, while you make a few phone calls, all right?”
“Thank you.”
Caleb gave her shoulder a squeeze, winked at Emma, and then disappeared out the back door. Lauren raced to the phone.
* * *
Caleb found him at the mini-mart playing an ancient pinball machine with a black-haired boy about the same age, maybe older. Hard to tell since Max was quite big for his age.
Neither boy saw Caleb approach. He walked up and laid an arm across the back of the machine. “Bonanza pinball? Huh, who’da thunk it? I mean, this thing must be thirty years old, at least.”
“It was made in 1964,” the balding, middle-aged man behind the counter informed him. “Got it for a song down in Milwaukee.” He grinned, revealing a broken front tooth, before returning his attention to the portable TV behind him.
“So, who’s winning?”
Max and his friend exchanged looks. His friend shrugged.
“Who the heck are you, and why are you following me?” Max demanded.
“Why did you leave without telling your mother where you were going?” Caleb countered.
“None of your business, old man!”
Old man? Boy, this kid needed an old-fashioned, over-the-knee ass-whooping. “I’m a friend of your mother’s.”
Max rolled his eyes. “Yeah, a friend. Okay. Call it what you want, but stay out of my business.”
Caleb dropped his arm from the top of the pinball machine and took a step forward. Uncertainty flashed in Max’s eyes, but then the little punk found his smart mouth again. “I ain’t afraid of you...my dad’s bigger’n you.”
“Yeah? Well, I don’t see your dad around anywhere, do you?” Caleb knew it was a low blow, but this kid needed a reality check. Caleb knew better than anyone what Max was going through, what he was feeling.
“He’ll be back,” Max said, although his tone lacked conviction.
“He’d be a fool if he didn’t come back. Listen, your mom’s worried sick, so why don’t we put her out of her misery and get you home?”
Max crossed his arms in defiance. “I ain’t going nowhere with you.” A smug grin curved his lips. “You’re a stranger, and my mom told me never to get in the car with strangers.”
Caleb couldn’t help but respect the little stinker’s brass. But enough was enough. “If you don’t come with me right now, I’ll throw you over my knee in front of God and anyone else who cares to watch and give you the spanking of your life,” Caleb promised in a low voice.
Max’s eyes grew round with fear. His friend swallowed hard and backed up a step. “Dude, I’m outta here,” he said before taking off like a shot, the bell over the door tinkling in his wake.
Caleb clapped Max on the back. “Let’s go. Now.”
Max’s face screwed up in a scowl, but he wisely followed Caleb from the store.
They rode in silence for a few minutes, Max staring out the passenger side window of Caleb’s black Chevy Silverado, no doubt thinking up ways to get even with him.
“Believe it or not, I know how you’re feeling.”
Max remained stubbornly silent.
“I was only a few years older than you when my old man took off. Left in the middle of the night like a coward. Never said goodbye, love you, I’ll be back. And I blamed my mom, just like you blame yours.”
Max fidgeted in his seat, but still, not a word. Caleb made a right onto Willow Drive and pulled into Lauren’s driveway. He parked the car, but instead of getting out, he turned to face Max. “It’s not your mom’s fault your dad left, and I think deep down you know that. Maybe you could cut her a break on the attitude.”
Max lifted angry eyes to Caleb, but kept his mouth shut.
Lauren stepped out onto the porch and shielded her eyes from the glare of the evening sun. She dropped her hand as Max got out of the truck, and Caleb found breathing impossible as the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen lit up her face.
Caleb got out, too, but hung back as Max approached his mother.
Lauren tried to hug him, but the kid stormed past her into the house. Caleb strode up to the porch and took her into his arms. She hung onto him as if for dear life. It struck him that they’d only met that morning, yet he’d never felt more comfortable with anyone before, male or female. The thought startled him and he pulled back slightly. “You okay?”
She blew out a shaky breath and nodded. “You’d think I’d be used to it by now, you know? It’s been almost a year since I”—she made the quote signs—“ruined his life. I keep telling myself he’ll get over it, but what if he doesn’t? What if my little boy who hates me turns into a grown man who hates me?”
Caleb smiled reassuringly. “I promise he’ll get over it. Trust me.”
Loud music suddenly blared through the front door, and Lauren rolled her eyes.
“You want me to take care of this for you?” Caleb asked. He let go of her hands and stepped back.
“I appreciate the offer, but no. I need to take care of this myself.”
He nodded his understanding. “Thanks again for supper. Call you tomorrow?”
“I’d like that.”
Caleb was trying to decide whether or not to kiss her when the front door flew open and Emma waddled out. “Momma, Max a bad boy! He call me soopid baby!”
She swung Emma up into her arms, and Caleb’s heart melted like butter on a biscuit as the two most beautiful girls in Redemption smiled up at him. He gave one of Emma’s honey curls a gentle tug, winked at Lauren, and got the hell out of there while he still could.
Lauren watched Caleb drive away with a sense of regret. She was almost sure he’d been about to kiss her when Emma barreled through the door. She kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Lucky I adore you, Little Miss Rotten Timing.”
“’Dore you, too, Momma.” Emma wrapped her arms around Lauren’s neck.
Lauren carried her inside, settled her in front of the TV, and headed up the stairs to confront her son. He was lying on his bed, hands clasped behind his head and eyes closed. Lauren strode across the room and turned off his stereo. Max opened his eyes and glared at her. “Hey, I was listening to that!”
Lauren walked over and sat on the edge of his bed.
“Max, we have to talk about this.”
“What’s to talk about? My dad’s gone and you...”
His words trailed off, and Lauren waited for him to continue, surprised the insults weren’t being hurled quite as fast as usual. She had to constantly remind herself how hard it must have been for him to lose his father like that. And without so much as a letter or a phone call in all these months. Of course, John Frazier had never been much of a father, but she never could’ve imagined he’d abandon his own children like this. “And I…?”
“Forget it.” Max closed his eyes, tuning her out.
“I can’t forget it, and you know it.” Lauren blew out a hard breath and eased up off the bed. “Look, I know it’s easier to blame me since your father isn’t here, but I’m really tired of you using your sister and me as your personal punching bags. Your father left us, Max. All three of us, not just you. And in case you’re wondering, I’ll never leave you. You’re stuck with me, kiddo.”
His eyes remained closed. “I know, all right? Just leave me alone. I wanna be alone.”
Frustrated, Lauren backed out of his bedroom and closed the door. She rushed into the bathroom, locked herself inside, and let her emotions have the floor. She sobbed silently, a wad of toilet paper clutched in her fist.
God, how she hated her ex-husband. John Frazier deserved to be boiled in oil for what he’d done to them, especially his son. How could a man just up and leave his children without so much as a word? And then disappear from the face of the earth? Oh, Lauren knew she could find his sorry ass if she wanted to hire a PI. But since that plan would require taking a second mortgage out on her home, it was never going to happen. Somehow, she knew it would be worse for Max if his father were dragged back kicking and screaming. They were all better off without him, and that was a fact. Her kids deserved much better than the likes of John Frazier. They deserved someone steady and true.
Someone like…Caleb Hunter.
Chapter Three
“Are you sure it was Max?” Lauren clutched the phone to her ear and prayed for patience as Mr. Collier from down the road explained how he’d caught Max and two of his friends throwing eggs at his house. He’d given chase, but they’d gotten away.
“I’m sure. Listen, I don’t plan to press charges, but if I catch him again, I’m calling the cops.”
“As you should. I’m so sorry, Mr. Collier. And of course, I’ll pay for any damage.” Her stomach lurched at the thought of another debt.
“There’s no damage, young lady. I just need to get the hose out and wash the brick.”
“I’ll send Max down to help as soon as I find him.” If I find him, she thought, tempted to call the police herself.
Mr. Collier let out a snorting laugh. “Please don’t. Just find him before he does some real damage.” And he hung up.
Lauren packed Emma into the car, and then started combing the neighborhood for her wayward son. She felt so helpless, so frightened. Max’s antics were getting worse by the day, and she had no idea what to do to help him. All she knew for certain was if she didn’t nip this destructive crap in the bud soon, Max would find himself sitting in a jail cell with a one-way ticket to juvy hall.
By the time she found him—hanging out in front of the hardware store with his friend, Eddie, and two boys she’d never seen before—Lauren was ready to drag him home by his ear.
“Maxwell Frazier, you get in this car right now,” she said through her teeth. Max swung around and, at first, seemed shocked to see her. But then his new friends razzed him a bit, and a scowl replaced his doe-eyed expression.
“I’ll be home later,” he snapped, while his friends snickered and offered comments she, thankfully, couldn’t hear.
Lauren angrily blinked back tears. Without thinking, she swung the door open, but quickly realized she couldn’t leave Emma alone. Max knew she wouldn’t give chase with Emma in the car, so he turned his back on her, effectively dismissing her.
“Momma, Max bad boy,” Emma informed her in all seriousness, which would’ve been funny under normal circumstances.
Lauren blew out a frustrated breath and put the car in gear. Before she could turn out onto Main Street, someone tapped on her window, scaring the bejesus out of her.
“I’m sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.” Caleb leaned down to wink at Emma. “Hey, punkin.”
“Ca’yib! Max bad boy ’gin. He make Momma cry.”
Lauren put the car back in park, then turned and shook her head at the little stinker. “Tattletale.”
Caleb’s expression hardened. He cast a look at Max and his friends, who were all openly staring at Caleb, and then reached in and cupped Lauren’s cheek. “I’ll handle this, if you like.”
Lauren was somewhat surprised by the intimate touch. But in a good way. She’d love to close her eyes and snuggle into his warm palm. “I’d like very much. But if you help me drag him back home, he’ll just run out again. He’ll also resent you ten times more than he already does.”
Caleb waved that off. “He’ll get over it. I’m more worried about what he’ll do in the meantime. I’ve been in Max’s shoes. He’s got a lot of anger brewing inside of him. Mixed with adolescent angst, that’s a lethal combination.”
“Okay, not helping,” Lauren said, her fear escalating.
Before Caleb could respond, a rock whizzed past the windshield, followed by a second, which just missed his head. Caleb dropped to a crouch and let out a curse. “Stay in the car,” he ordered.
Lauren watched in horror as Caleb gave chase. All four boys split up and ran in different directions, but Caleb raced after Max. And my God was he fast. Lauren watched with her mouth hanging open as Caleb caught Max by the collar before he’d even reached the edge of the hardware store’s parking lot. She opened her door and got out of the car, tempted to run over and intervene, but the fact that Emma was in the car kept her rooted firmly in place.
“Let me go! You got no right touching me. I’m a minor! You stupid, son-of-a—”
Caleb clamped a hand over Max’s mouth, and escorted him to Lauren’s car. He yanked the back door open, but before he took his hand from Max’s mouth, he warned, “One cuss word, and you’ll regret it.”
Max met Lauren’s gaze, his eyes red-rimmed and filled with disgust. “I hate you,” he seethed.
Caleb stuffed him in the backseat and ordered, “Put your seatbelt on.” Caleb shut the door and caught Lauren’s eye. He hooked a thumb toward the hardware store. “I have to go pick up a few things for a job tomorrow. I’ll be by as soon as I’m done. Think you’ll be all right?”
Lauren had no idea what to say. Or what to think. Could it really have been just yesterday Caleb Hunter walked through her front door and into her life? In some ways, it felt as if she’d known him forever. It was such a relief to have help with Max. Her mother lived halfway across the country in sunny California, and her father had cut ties with her when his new wife gave him an ultimatum: her or Lauren. Frankly, Lauren had been less than surprised by his choice.
“I’ll be fine, thanks.” She lowered her voice. “Listen, you don’t have to come by. I feel like I’ve taken up so much of your time already. This is my problem, I’ll deal with it.”
“You shouldn’t have to deal with it alone,” he replied in a low tone. “He’s a big boy, Lauren. If he got physical with you, think you’d be able to handle him?”
Lauren bit down on her bottom lip. Max was her son, her little boy. He’d never hurt her, of that she was certain. He did need some male guidance, however, and Caleb was the only man who’d ever shown any interest in her kids.
“Can we just go?” Max whined from the backseat.
Lauren made a quick decision. If Caleb was willing to help her rein Max in, get his anger under control, she’d be foolish to turn down his generosity. And of course it had nothing to do with the fact that the man was gorgeous, or that she craved his company like most women craved chocolate.
Steely determination stiffened her spine. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
* * *
“So, spill. Who’s the handsome stranger I saw fixing your front door yesterday?”
Lauren’s next-door neighbor, Carrie Lowell, handed Lauren a loaf of still warm zucchini bread and strode past her into the house. Once they were seated at the kitchen table, Lauren poured them each a cup of coffee and cut them each a slice of the bread. Carrie had been Lauren’s rock those first few weeks after John had left. Having gone through a divorce herself, she’d known exactly what to say and what not to say, simply listening when Lauren needed to vent, and holding her when she’d needed to cry.
“His name’s Caleb Hunter. Matt sent him over for a haircut, and the house decided to start dropping parts while he was here.”
Carrie chuckled. “It’s just its way of saying hello.”
Lauren grinned. “Well, yesterday, it was in an especially friendly mood. And Caleb, out of pity, offered to do a few repairs in exchange for a home-cooked meal.”
“Uh-huh. For a home-cooked meal. I’m sure it had nothing to do with the fact you’re supermodel gorgeous.”
Lauren rolled her eyes. “Yeah, that’s me, Heidi Klum’s twin. Anyway, he fixed the front and back doors, then Max’s bottom drawer that’s been stuck shut. Only Max wasn’t too happy to find a stranger in his room when he got home.”
“I’ll bet.” Carrie took a sip of her coffee. “So did this Caleb go running for the hills after he met Max?”
Lauren broke off a small piece of the moist bread and popped it in her mouth. “That’s the surprising part—no. When Max didn’t come down for supper, I went up to get him and discovered he’d snuck out of the house. Caleb went out, found him, and dragged him home.”
Carrie’s brow shot up. “Wow, a real man. Didn’t think there were any of those left in the world.”
Lauren gave an absent nod. She didn’t quite share her friend’s cynical views on the male population, but understood where she was coming from. “When he said he’d call, believe me, I had doubts. Then yesterday, Max took off again. I found him hanging out in front of the hardware store with some punks I’d never seen before, and Caleb showed up.” Lauren shared the entire story with her.
Carrie made a face. “Sounds a little too good to be true, if you ask me.”
“I know, right? My thoughts exactly. But Max is exhausting, and I’m scared to death of what he’ll do next. Yesterday I got a call from Mr. Collier. He caught Max and those punks throwing eggs at his house. That’s why I went looking for him.” Lauren blew out a shaky breath, took a sip of her coffee. “Caleb made a comment about having been in Max’s shoes. He didn’t elaborate, but I got the impression his own father pulled a disappearing act, too. Maybe he’s exactly what Max needs, someone who understands how he—” Lauren stopped and gave her head a rueful shake. “Is it terrible of me to let this man, this...virtual stranger, take on my burdens?”
Carrie’s eyes softened. “Of course not. You’re human, and you have a lot on your plate right now.”
Lauren absently picked at her zucchini-raisin bread. “Yeah, but who doesn’t. I’m just desperate for help with Max. He’s drowning in his misery, and I have no idea how to help him. But maybe Caleb does, you know? Or maybe I’m just a terrible mother.”
“Do I need to slap some sense into you? Come on, Laur, you’re a wonderful mother. And there’s nothing shameful about admitting you need help, or accepting help when it’s offered.”
Lauren had to blink back tears. Normally, she wasn’t this weepy and emotional. Her period must be due, she thought with a rueful eye roll. “Thanks, I can always count on you to put things into perspective. And since I invited Caleb to supper again tonight,” she continued with a grin, “your speech came at just the right moment.”
Carrie laughed. “Glad I could help.” Suddenly, her expression sobered. “Hey, did you hear about Rosalee?”
“No, what about her?”
“She passed away a few weeks back. Heard it was a heart attack.”
Fresh tears stung Lauren’s eyes. “My God, poor Hutch.” Lauren and the kids adored Rosalee, who’d been a waitress at Hutch’s Diner for years; long before Lauren and her ex had moved to Redemption. Rosalee and Hutch had been planning to get married this summer…Max and Emma were going to be heartbroken when she told them. “Life really is short, isn’t it?” she murmured.
“It sure is. So quit doubting yourself and start putting your own needs out there, too. Caleb may or may not be what Max needs, but he sure as hell seems to be exactly what you need.”
* * *
“Wow, is this déjà vu or what?” Lauren teased as Caleb walked in the front door. He had his tool belt strapped on his hips, and a sexy grin on his lips.
“Cute.”
She laughed. “Perfect timing. Supper’s ready.”
Caleb unhooked his tool belt and hung it on the coat tree. “Smells delicious.” He followed her into the kitchen. “Keep feeding me like this and you’ll never get rid of me.”
That’s the plan, Stan. “Don’t worry, this house needs so much work, you won’t eat a frozen pizza for months.”
Caleb met her gaze, a slow smile lifting the corners of his lips. “Can I get that in writing?”
“Ca’yib!”
Lauren’s heart swelled when Emma hobbled into the kitchen, straight into Caleb’s arms. For a split second, she wondered if it was wise allowing her daughter to become so attached to a man they’d only just met. For all Lauren knew, she and Caleb might prove to be completely incompatible.
Caleb swung Emma up and propped her on his hip, like an old pro. “And how’s the prettiest little girl in Redemption doing?”
“I helped Momma cook. We make pork chops and corn.”
“Wow, beautiful and a good cook, just like your mommy. You’re going to make some lucky guy very happy one day.”
Lauren playfully rolled her eyes as she took Emma from him. “One day way, way in the future,” she teased as she settled her in her high chair.
“Max!” Emma squealed.
Lauren swung her head around, and sure enough, Max stood at the bottom of the stairs, gaze wary, arms crossed and shoulders hunched. He cast Caleb a dismissive glance before walking around to take his usual seat at the table, directly across from where Caleb sat.
“I’m glad you decided to join us,” she said. “I made those brown and serve rolls you like so much.”
Max gave a curt nod to indicate he’d heard her, but that was it.
Caleb met her gaze and quirked a brow, but Lauren shook her head, so he remained silent. Max was sitting at the dinner table with them, and for now, that was enough.
Lauren would take any little bit of forward progress she could and be grateful for it.
If not for Emma, they would have eaten in virtual silence. Besides her happy chattering, the only sounds to be heard were the scraping of silverware on plates and ice clinking in glasses. Lauren’s hope grew when Max stayed and ate chocolate cake with them. And the whole meal was eaten without one single insult leaving his lips. For the first time in months, Lauren felt a glimmer of optimism.
“Well…” Caleb pushed his chair back. “Guess I’d better go earn my supper. What do you have next on the agenda?”
Caleb spent the next two hours shaving a good chunk off her ‘to fix’ list. And Lauren started to feel like a couple of dinners just weren’t payment enough for all the work he’d done. Not to mention his help with Max. That alone was worth a whole lifetime of home-cooked goodness as far as she was concerned.
Whoa...a whole lifetime? Hell, you don’t even know if the man’s a good kisser yet.
He came up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. Lauren flinched; he dropped his hands. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
She turned to face him and gave her head a self-conscious shake. “No, it’s all me. I was lost in thought.”
“Turn around.”
“Huh?”
Caleb chuckled. He gently turned her so she was facing away from him again, then grasped her shoulders and started kneading.
Lauren closed her eyes as a low groan of contentment reverberated in her throat. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d gotten a massage, and Lord did it feel heavenly. After about thirty seconds, she knew she had to stop him before she melted into a puddle on the floor. She opened her eyes—and met her son’s harsh gaze. He spun around and raced up the stairs.
“Max!” Lauren tore free of Caleb’s magic fingers. She heard a door slam and stood helpless, unsure whether she should race up after him, or leave well enough alone and let him sulk in peace.
“He’s going through a difficult time. It’s hard for a young boy to understand why his father would up and leave him. And even worse when they don’t call or write.”
Lauren turned to glare up at him. “You think I don’t know that? That I’m clueless when it comes to my own son and need you to explain him to me?”
“I didn’t mean—”
Lauren took a deep, shuddering breath. “It’s been a year since John left. He could be dead for all I know, and frankly, for all I care. But my son cares. I live every day in fear that if John doesn’t contact us soon, Max will blame me forever...hate me forever. Do you have any idea what that feels like?”
Caleb propped his hands on his hips and dropped his gaze to the floor. “Look, I didn’t mean to upset you, only to help. I’d best get going.”
When he turned to leave, Lauren’s anger expelled in a big whoosh as she realized she was about to chase away the only person, besides Carrie, who’d ever shown an interest in her kids. “Please don’t. I’m so sorry. I-I just need a day at the spa or something.” She tried to laugh, but it came out more of a croaky sob.
Caleb turned back around and pulled her into his arms. “Lady, what is it about you?” he whispered against her cheek.
Lauren snuggled into his embrace, soaking him in like a dry sponge, wanting nothing more than to stay in his arms forever. But reality reared its ugly head, and she knew she couldn’t indulge herself for long. Not with Max so upset upstairs. “Caleb, I need to go talk to him. I know he’s a big boy, but he’s still only ten years old and doesn’t understand why I would let someone besides his father...touch me.”
He pulled back and cleared his throat. “If you need anything...”
“I know. And thank you. For everything. I’ll talk to you soon, I promise.”
His gaze dropped to her lips, and for a moment Lauren thought he would kiss her. But they both knew the time wasn’t right, so with obvious regret, he stepped back and said, “Call me if you need anything.”
Chapter Four
Caleb stood staring down at his mother’s grave, his heart heavy with guilt, his throat swollen with repressed grief. She’d been asking for him to visit more often the past couple of years, never pressing too hard, just casual comments like, “Sure wish your job allowed you to travel more.” Or “So, you seeing anyone special? I’d love to meet her.” How sadly ironic that when he finally finds a woman who intrigues him like no other, she lives only a few miles from his mother’s home.
Crouching down, he blew out a shaky breath. Rosalee Hunter, Beloved Mother. Christ, what he wouldn’t give to be able to turn back time and do it all again. Make better choices, be less judgmental, more forgiving. Be the kind of son she’d deserved.
If he’d visited more often, he’d have met Lauren sooner and his mother could’ve known her. A smile touched his lips. His mother would’ve loved Emma. And she would’ve turned herself inside out trying to help Max cope with the loss of his father.
Just as she’d done for Caleb.
He reached out and ran a reverent finger across the words etched in marble. If Caleb hadn’t been busy holding grudges, he probably would’ve been there when she’d had her massive heart attack. Maybe he would’ve had a chance to say all the things he should’ve said years ago. Maybe he’d have gotten one last, long overdue “I love you” in there.
Caleb kissed his fingers and pressed them to his mother’s name. He stood and flexed his hands, feeling incredibly uncomfortable in his own skin. A day late and a dollar short. Just like you always said, Mom.
The last few rays of sunlight faded into the western horizon as Caleb walked back to his truck. He needed a drink. Maybe two. Just to take the edge off. And he hadn’t been inside Rowdy’s in years. Besides, if he went back to the house in this frame of mind, he’d probably lapse into a state of depression—like he had when he’d returned home from active duty.
He passed Hutch’s Diner and couldn’t help taking a quick glance inside before pulling into Rowdy’s parking lot across the street. Caleb sat for a moment, fingers laced on the steering wheel, watching as Ed “Hutch” Hutchington poured a cup of coffee for a customer. Maybe the time’s come to forgive. With a silent sigh, Caleb grabbed his keys and climbed out of the truck, ignoring the urge to spin around and head to Hutch’s place instead.
As soon as he yanked open the door, a feeling of familiarity overcame him. A welcome feeling, much to his surprise. The place looked the same, as far as he could remember: plenty of beer paraphernalia covering the walls; signs, mirrors, a clock with a moving waterfall. A country love song played on the jukebox, and Caleb’s gaze was drawn to the young couple dancing in the corner, held tight in each other’s arms while they swayed to the music. A wistful feeling tightened his chest, and he imagined slow-dancing with Lauren, her beautiful blue eyes gazing up at him, full of love and ablaze with promise.
Jesus, Hunter, get a grip. You’ve only known the lady three days. He blinked the image away, gave himself a mental shake, and proceeded toward the bar. Caleb slid onto a stool and folded his arms on the counter. The tallest woman he’d ever seen strolled toward him, and he found himself sitting up a little straighter. As she drew near, he realized she had piercings in her face. Now there was one thing Caleb would never understand, someone wanting to punch a hole through their nose.
“Evening.” She set a bowl of pretzels in front of him. “What can I get you?”
“Give me a shot of Christian Brothers, if you have it, and a bottle of Bud.”
She retrieved a familiar bottle from the top shelf behind her, a shot glass from beneath the bar, and poured him a healthy splash. Caleb tossed the shot back just as she set his beer down in front of him.
“Thanks.” He dug a twenty out of his wallet and tossed it on the bar.
After making his change, she tilted her head to the side. “I don’t think I’ve seen you in here before. You new in town?”
Caleb took a pull on his beer, resisting the urge to glance back at the dancing couple. “No, I grew up here. Joined the Army after high school and haven’t been back much since.”
“Well, let’s hope you’re here to stay this time.” She gave him a wink before strolling off to take care of some other customers.
Caleb nursed his beer, his head a jumble of thoughts. He planned to take the electrician’s exam on Monday, and knew he was as prepared as he’d ever be. He’d been taking odd jobs around town since after his mother’s funeral, and thanks to word-of-mouth, his phone had been ringing off the hook with people in need of his services. The time had come to make a decision about his future—stay in Redemption or head back to Chicago.
Until a few days ago, he’d been leaning toward Chicago, even if he’d never been especially happy there. But it had been home for so long, and he’d made a few friends over the years. Then he’d met Lauren and his whole perspective changed—which scared the living shit out of him. The possibility of a happily-ever-after suddenly seemed real and within reach. He’d never been one to believe in love at first sight, but what else could explain the soul-deep awareness that had cold-cocked him the first time he’d laid eyes on her?
Or maybe it was something more basic, the rational part of his brain reasoned. He was thirty-four years old. Never married, no children. Maybe men had internal clocks, too, and his days of hitting the snooze button were coming to an end. Time to settle down and start a family before he was too old to enjoy them.
But a ready-made family? Not too long ago the thought would’ve terrified him. Now, much to his amazement, not so much. He could easily imagine waking up next to Lauren every day for the next fifty years. And Max and Emma deserved better than a father who’d slunk off in the middle of the night like a coward. A father who couldn’t be bothered to call his own children, let them know where he was, why he left, and when—or if—he’d be back.
Max needed a father who would love and guide him, teach him what it means to be a man, not a coward who runs out on the people who need him most. Teach him that a real man respects women; he doesn’t take advantage of them physically or emotionally.
Emma, on the other hand, needed unconditional love and support. Too young to have any lasting memories of her father, she was a clean slate, and whoever she ended up calling daddy would be a lucky man indeed. Those children deserved the best, and so did Lauren. But was Caleb that man? Was he ready to become a father to those children?
Jesus, Hunter, jumping the gun a little here, or what?
“Hey, Marv, isn’t that the same kid from last week?”
Caleb turned to see who the bartender referred to, and there stood Max, feeding money into the cigarette machine. Caleb should’ve been surprised to see him, but wasn’t. Good God, couldn’t the kid give his mother one friggin’ night’s peace?
“Yup, that’s the one,” Caleb heard from behind him.
“Thought so. I’ll go grab the little punk, you call the cops.”
Caleb rose up and turned to face them. “Listen, I know the kid’s mother, and she’s had a pretty bad time of it lately. Let me take him home, and I promise you won’t see him in here again.”
Marv and the Amazon woman exchanged looks. Marv shrugged. “Fine. But if I see him in here again, I’m calling the cops.”
Caleb nodded. “Appreciate it.” He left his change on the bar and strode across the room until he was standing right behind the little shit. “I thought I told you these things are bad for you.”
Max jumped almost a foot in the air. When he recognized Caleb, he let out a curse and stuffed his money back in his pocket. “Why won’t you leave me alone? I’m tired of you following me around town, like a stalker or something.”
“Hate to burst your bubble, kid, but I was in here first. And I’d be a little nicer to me if I were you. I just saved you from getting hauled off to jail.”