“He’s gentle, won’t bite.”
“Not worried.”
Caleb stepped over and opened the door. “This is Ranger. I just adopted him. Or he adopted me.” He shrugged and grinned. “Either way, we’re figuring each other out.”
Ranger moved slowly toward Mia. When he was next to her, he licked her hand without hesitation.
“Oh!” She looked at Caleb. “Can I pet him?”
Caleb laughed. “I think he’s already claimed you.”
She crouched down and ruffled his head. “Aren’t you a sweet boy? Handsome too.”
Ranger leaned in, tail wagging furiously.
Caleb shook his head. “Traitor.”
“Nice dog.” Mia stood, smiling. “Why don’t I show you what I have and then what I have in mind? Maybe you can tell me if I have to take a second mortgage on the house or if I can afford it.”
Caleb chuckled. “Whatever your budget is, I’ll work with it.”
They started toward the barn. Mia was careful to stay a step ahead. She needed to distance herself because being near Caleb made it difficult to breathe. He stayed close but didn’t crowd her.
Ranger trotted ahead. At the barn door, he stopped and pressed his head against Mia’s leg.
“I think he likes you,” said Caleb.
“He seems like a great dog. Did you get him for protection?” The second the question left her mouth, Mia winced. Caleb didn’t need a dog for protection, for sure.
Caleb’s brow knitted slightly. “No. Just companionship.” His voice lowered. “I needed a dog again.”
There was a story there. One she didn’t have the right to ask about. But the wistfulness in his tone tugged at her anyway.
They stepped inside. She showed him the kitchen setup and the binder of ideas she’d collected for the event barn.
“So, you’ll be cooking here and hosting at the event barn,” he said, scanning the space.
“Yes. This space works for me.” She looked around. “Let’s go down by the pond and I’ll show you what I’d like.”
They walked slowly toward the pond. Roy was on the opposite bank staring at them.
Caleb’s voice dropped. “So … I met Roy this morning. Does he live here?”
Mia stopped near the water’s edge. “Roy? God, no. He’s been helping me and my dad around the farm. Used to work for my dad at the hardware store. Now he does odd jobs.”
Was that a sigh of relief she heard? Did Caleb think she had a boyfriend? A husband? Was he jealous? The idea warmed something in her chest that she had no right warming right now.
Not that it mattered. She still didn’t have time for a relationship.
And then there was the fact that Caleb also worked with the Brotherhood Alliance. She wasn’t sure what they did, but it sounded dangerous. She had no space in her life for danger. Not the life-or-death kind, nor the heart-in-your-throat kind. Lainey and Tessa had filled her in with their stories.
“Okay then.” Caleb’s voice brought her back to the present. “You want a structure here with additional seating looking over the pond. I’m assuming you want a roof over that part. Are you thinking of a space for about one hundred people max with dancing?”
Mia nodded. “Is there enough space? Will that cost a lot?”
“I’ll have to do a workup,” he said. “But since you’re not putting a full kitchen in, that saves you a chunk right away. You should be fine.”
Fine?
