His brother groaned. “I knew I should have said something to you, but Brody said that he—”
“Took care of everything, right?” Caleb opened the barn door and walked inside. “He always takes care of everything.”
“Look, I know I haven’t been around much, but that’s going to change.”
“Not really. You got married, and, just like everyone else, you’ll focus on your own life.” Caleb grabbed a pitchfork and marched to the nearest empty stall, intent on cleaning it out—whether fresh hay was needed or not.
“Am I supposed to focus on someone else’s?”
Caleb shot him a look. “What kind of question is that?”
“One that I apparently need to ask you.” Austin leaned against the stall. “What’s holding you back?”
“You are in my way.” Caleb made to move past him, but Austin grabbed his shoulder.
“Not what I mean, and you know it.” Austin let go of him. “Wasn’t that long ago you were lecturing me about my love life, so I figure it’s my turn to do you a solid.”
“I don’t have a love life.”
“You don’t have life.”
Caleb grunted. His brother was and was not correct. His life centered around the farm and every living creature on it.
“See, you can’t even deny it.”
“What do you want me to do?” Caleb threw the pitchfork into a stack of hay. “Go into town and screw the first willing woman? Get drunk and raise hell? Go off the deep end and lose my damn mind? Let me tell you something, little brother, I did all that after Iris died. I did all that and more, and I reckon I don’t want to go down that path again.”
Austin stared at him in obvious shock. “I’m sorry ... I had no idea.”
“Of course you didn’t. You were only eleven or twelve at the time.” Caleb sat down on a bale of hay. “Hell, only Adam and Elijah know.” They’d been the ones to drag him out of places he had no business being, out of bedrooms of women he had no business sleeping with. He’d been so messed up. So angry and confused. Hurt. A twenty-one-year-old with a chip on his shoulder the size of the Appalachian Mountain Range.
“You still miss her?”
“Every day, but uh ... it’s duller now. Still visit her grave once a week to bring her flowers. She always liked flowers,” Caleb admitted. “Probably not the healthiest thing to do, but...” He shrugged, unable to explain himself.
“Whatever gets you through.” Austin made a face. “That doesn’t involve going down that path again.”
“Yeah.” Caleb stared off into the distance, not focusing on anything. “Just wish I could find a new path.” Maybe one that had a woman waiting for him on it. Someone to come home to. Someone he could talk to at night, share his dreams with ... she would do the same with him.
“You could always go camping with us,” Austin said.
“No thanks. Unlike the rest of y’all, mosquitos and bears besiege me every day. Rather go to the spa with the ladies.”
His brother threw his head back and laughed. “They’d probably like it.”
“I’d never hear the end of it.”
Austin lightly punched him in the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone but Harper.”
“Good call.” Envy rose inside of him, scraping at his heart with sharp claws.
Yeah, a new path would be nice, but that hadn’t happened in over a decade; no use in getting his hopes up now.
***
Sofia sat on a painted bench outside the bus terminal. She’d been siting here for hours, and no amount of talking with the mostly nice lady at the ticket counter was going to change her situation.
At least she had a good view of the prettiest little harbor she’d ever seen. Unfortunately, taking the time to admire it was last on her list right now. Getting rid of the headache that threatened to split her skull in two pieces was her biggest priority. Oh, and eating ... and finding a place to stay for the night.
Except that all of those things required money she didn’t have—thanks to the pendejo two towns back who’d stolen her purse while she’d slept. She had fifty dollars to her name, and only because she had kept tucked inside her bra.
Tears threatened to fall, but she refused to give in. She was a Nogales, after all. Her ancestors had crossed oceans to bring Spanish Mustangs to the Americas. But those men and women had plans when they’d sailed to the New World.
All she had was luck, and it was malo. So very bad. Rubbing at her temples, she took one deep breath after another.
Things could be worse.
Yeah, how so?
You could still be with your ex-boyfriend.
Sofia shook her aching head. No way she was going there. It had been six months since she’d last seen him. “Good riddance,” she muttered. Any man who wanted a woman to financially support him, and his dream to never work again, could take a long walk off a short pier.
“There you are,” a perky voice said, and she jerked her gaze up.
A woman stood right in front of her. She had a kind smile, vivid blue eyes, and light blond hair. Her skin was mostly smooth, but the lines she did have on her face were Sofia’s favorite kind. This woman laughed. She smiled. She enjoyed life.
“I’m so glad you made it safely to Jessamine.”
This woman was also out of her mind.
Sofia bit her lip, then said, “Thank you, but you’re—”
“Late. Yes, I know. Mix up with the hospitality committee and all.” She waved a hand in the air. “I’m sure you’re used to it. Lord knows your momma was never on time either. The two of us were like peas and carrots. In any case, I’ll get your suitcase, Sofia, and we’ll get on home. Supper’s waiting.”
She knew her name? This couldn’t be possible, but her mother—God rest her soul—had always been notoriously late. Not even the priest could make her show up for Saturday night mass on time.
Her heart pinched. Twelve years had gone by since her mother passed, but sometimes, like now, it seemed like yesterday.
Suddenly, her luggage tag caught her eye. There, her name was plainly written in all caps.
“Ma’am, while I—”
“Call me Dinah,” she said, taking Sofia’s battered suitcase. It had belonged to her mother and was covered in vintage stickers that had different city names emblazoned on them. “I know you don’t know me at all, but I promise that I did in fact know your mother, Delfina Gonzales. We were roommates at State—all four years. This was her suitcase.”
Sofia’s eyes widened, and her heart jumped in her chest. “You do know her.”
“Of course I do.”
“But she never mentioned you to me.”
Dinah smiled sadly. “Sometimes friendships go that way.”
“She’s dead,” Sofia blurted.
“I know,” she said softly. “I was at the funeral. You look practically the same, although more grown up now ... and more like your mother.”
Memories of that day swamped Sofia. She’d been so young, only fifteen. It had poured, and all she could see was black umbrellas and somber faces. She remembered whispered condolences and hugs. The comforting touch of the priest’s hand on her cheek before he left her with her abuela. A woman with pale hair and blue eyes filled with tears.
Sofia gasped. “I remember you.”
A dimple appeared in Dinah’s cheek. “I wish it was under different circumstances, but here I am. If you’ll give me a minute to thank Sharlene for letting me know you were here, we’ll be off.”
Sofia nodded, watching in disbelief as Dinah strolled up to the ticket counter and began to speak with the same woman Sofia had spoken with hours earlier.
Just how small was this town?
Dinah laughed, then turned back to Sofia. “Ready?”
“I think so.” Honestly, could her luck get any worse?
“Hope you like pot roast.”
“Sounds wonderful.” Unease began to grow, worse than all her aches and pains combined. “But ... I don
’t have any place to go after dinner. All the money I’d saved up was stolen. I have no job and... ” She sniffed, then squared her shoulders. “I’ve had nothing but trouble since I left Arizona.”
“That’s changing right now.” Dinah placed Sofia’s suitcase inside the trunk. “You’re staying with us, for as long as it takes for you to get back on your feet.”
Sofia almost started crying right then and there. “I don’t know what to say.” Fumbling with her shirt and bra, she pulled out the fifty-dollar bill. Yes, it was all that she had, but she didn’t take handouts or advantage of people. “This for your trouble. It’s not much, but it’s all I have left.”
Dinah took the money, then tucked it into the front pocket of the shirt Sofia wore. She started to protest, but Dinah cut her off with a stern look.
“I can’t take your money, but I can use your help while you stay with us.”
No wonder her mother had been friends with this woman. Sofia’s pride was all that she had left, and Dinah refused to take it from her.
With a watery smile, she nodded and said, “Thank you.”
Chapter Two
The next morning, Sofia woke with a start. She didn’t recognize the room or the bed at first, but then the smell of bacon invaded her senses, and yesterday’s series of unfortunate events came rushing back.
Well, not everything had been unfortunate. She had been rescued and fed by Dinah. Luckily, there had only been the three of them at dinner. Dinah and her husband, David, were gracious hosts and put her right at ease.
Only, they refused to let her pay for her dinner by washing dishes. David claimed that it was his night, and Dinah insisted on taking her on a tour of the large farmhouse so she wouldn’t be too disoriented in the morning.
Sofia smiled wryly and got out of bed, pulling up the sheets and quilt, before moving to the bathroom.
Today would be a different story. Today, she would find ways to pay them back for letting her stay—until she could find a job that could pay rent and allow her to save some money to get to her final destination of Roswell, Georgia. Just outside Atlanta, the town had recently become known for chef-driven restaurants. A former classmate from culinary school had opened a brewery there and had promised Sofia that she would contact her as soon as her venue expanded enough to include a full-service kitchen.
However, Sofia wasn’t the type to wait around. So, she’d emailed Iona to let her know that she was moving her way as soon as possible. Only nothing worked out the way she’d planned.
But had it ever?
*
After a quick shower and a fresh change of clothes, Sofia felt more like her old self. She set off for the kitchen, letting her nose lead the way. The smell of bacon and biscuits grew stronger with each step.
“Good morning,” she said as she pushed open the swinging door that led to the kitchen. “What can I do to help?”
Dinah smiled at her. “You can sit down and eat. Later on, I’ll need your help fixing lunch to carry out to the fields.”
“Of course,” she said, sitting at the table. There were four place settings already, three she knew were for her, Dinah, and David, but the other... “Are you expecting company?”
“Just my son, Caleb. He should be here any time.” Dinah moved to the window over the sink. “Ah, here he is, and David, too.”
Nervous energy flowed through Sofia’s veins. It was bad enough to explain her circumstances to Dinah and David, and now she’d have to endure the inevitable barrage of questions that their son was sure to have.
The back door opened. David walked in first, a smile on his weathered face. Like his wife, the lines he wore were from laughter. And just like his wife, Sofia had taken to him immediately. He didn’t have much to say, so when he spoke, it meant something. She admired that about him and admired the way they complemented one another.
“Morning, Sofia.” He moved to his wife, placing his hands on her hips and kissing her cheek. “My beautiful bride.”
Dinah blushed a little, but it certainly wasn’t from embarrassment. She fairly preened at the compliment. “Wash up and join Sofia at the table before breakfast gets cold. It won’t be fit for the cows to eat.”
“The cows aren’t that picky.”
Dinah tilted her head to one side. “I’m that picky.”
“Yes, you are, and I’m flattered.” David winked at Sofia, and she smothered a laugh as he playfully scooted Dinah out of his way to get to the sink.
The door opened again and she assumed it was Caleb who walked inside, his tall, lean form blocking out the morning sun streaming in. Her skin pricked with awareness before she even got a good look at him.
He turned slightly, his eyes meeting hers. With dark hair, tan skin, full lips, and the bluest eyes she’d ever seen, this man was something out of a magazine. Except she was sure a man like Caleb wouldn’t pose for a camera. The few lines around the corners of his eyes weren’t from laughing. No, they were from a sadness so deep it hadn’t left him.
“Sofia, this is my son, Caleb. Caleb, this is Sofia Nogales. She’s staying with us until she gets back on her feet.” Dinah placed a large platter of bacon, eggs, and biscuits in the center of the table.
“Nice to meet you.” She smiled, mentally bracing for the look of pity and onslaught of questions laced with a bit of accusation. Only, none of that happened.
“Nice to meet you, too,” was all he said before he replaced his dad at the sink.
She blinked. That was it? If a stranger had shown up at her parents’ house, she wouldn’t be so ... quiet about it. But maybe his first reaction was the calm before the storm.
Finally, they all sat down to the table, said the blessing, and began to pass around the plates of food. Surreptitiously, she watched Caleb. He barely said a word to anyone while he ate.
A-ha. He’s pissed.
“Caleb, your parents tell me that you’re a farmer,” she said, knowing how ridiculous her statement sounded. After all, they were on a farm, and he was most definitely dressed for work in his jeans, faded shirt, and boots.
He paused, his brilliant blue eyes fixed on her face. “I am.”
“What do you farm?” she asked, determined to draw him out.
“Corn, wheat ... soy beans. We have cows, too.”
Dinah and David’s gazes bounced from her to Caleb. Sofia felt her face grow warm, but that didn’t stop her from continuing their conversation.
She smiled at him. “What’s your favorite crop to grow?”
He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Don’t have a favorite, but I enjoy freezing corn.”
“Why is that?”
“Because everyone shows up to pitch in and help.” He smiled a little, and her body warmed to it. “Plus, I enjoy eating all day.”
“Sounds fun.” She had no idea what he meant by all that. Why would they eat all day while freezing corn?
He nodded. “It is. Maybe you can come when we do it next month.”
So much for being pissed off. “I’d love to.”
Caleb pushed back his chair, and picked up his plate, utensils, and glass. “Thank you for breakfast. I have to go into town to get some seed from Walter. Nice talking with you Sofia.”
“You, too, Caleb.” Sofia resumed eating, savoring the homemade biscuits and smoked bacon.
Once he left the kitchen, Dinah grabbed her hand. “Do you suppose you could do that again?”
“Eat?” she asked, thoroughly confused.
“No.” Dinah shook her head. “Get my son to talk.”
*
By the time Caleb pulled into the parking lot of Walter’s Feed and Seed, he barely remembered how he got there. He’d driven the entire way, but his body had been on autopilot because his mind had been on the dark-haired beauty sitting at his parents’ kitchen table.
Man, she was pretty with her shiny hair and brown eyes. They seemed to laugh while she spoke, but not at him or anyone else. She seemed to be a naturally happy person. Full of life and c
uriosity ... about him, of all people.
He exhaled.
Although, she could be polite, merely making small talk at a table that was basically full of strangers. Besides, his answers were lame.
Corn freezing.
Maybe you should come.
Who invited a woman to a family event that was a month away?
“Could’ve been worse,” he muttered. He could have driven all the way into town for nothing. Which was exactly what he’d done. There wasn’t anything he needed at Walter’s Feed and Seed.
“What could have been worse?”
Caleb swung his head toward the window. Preston stood there, a smirk on his face.
“Nothing.” Caleb got out of the truck. “What are you doing here?”
“Picking up flowers for Mom’s garden.”
“Bugs getting bad?”
“A little,” Preston replied, falling into step beside him.
One of the things he liked about his cousin was that he didn’t press him to talk or answer his questions.
“Seriously. What could have been worse?”
Okay, so he used to not press him. “Met a woman. Invited her to a Lawson corn freezing.”
Preston’s brows shot up his forehead. “Like a date?”
“I guess.”
“Good for you.” Preston opened the door to Walter’s. “Age before beauty.”
Caleb rolled his eyes. “You’re not that much younger than me.”
“But I am way prettier.” Preston nodded to the owner. Caleb did the same. “Where did you meet this woman?”
“At the kitchen table.”
“Dude, you’re not supposed to date family.”
Caleb gave him a look. “She’s not related to us.”
“And while I’m okay with older women, dating one of your mother’s friends seems ... a bit extreme.”
“She’s our age.”
“Oh.” Preston leaned against a shelf. “Do I know her?”
“No,” Caleb replied tersely. “She’s new in town.” He didn’t know everything about Sofia, just the bare minimum his dad had shared. “Her mom was friends with my mom in college.”
Love So Unexpected (The Lawson Brothers #6) Page 2
