“Follow me,” Lily said, looking pleased at her task.
Caleb followed behind her, and after he placed each plate down, Lily put a napkin beside it. Sophia came behind them and added glasses, along with utensils. Within minutes they gathered at the table and sat down. Much to his surprise, Lily insisted on sitting next to him. During dinner she kept stealing glances at him. He wasn’t really used to being in the presence of small kids, but she was making him feel like a welcomed guest. A few times he looked back at her, which caused her to giggle.
As promised, the ribs were finger-licking delicious. During the meal they engaged in lively conversation, which he was actively involved in. He loved being in the presence ofpeople, even those he didn’t know very well. The Brands made him feel like he was part of their crew. He couldn’t have felt more at home if he’d known them all for years.
“The meal was delicious,” Caleb said, placing his napkin down on his empty plate. There wasn’t a single morsel left on his plate. Just bones. “Thanks for including me.”
“It was our pleasure,” Patience said. “We hear you’re going to be the face of Yukon Cider.”
“That’s the plan,” Caleb said. “We’ll see how it goes.” He didn’t want to get too carried away as Xavier had warned him about this morning. Sometimes it all came down to everything working out just right. Serendipity. Although he didn’t want to let Hattie down, he had decided not to stress over failure or success. After what he’d been through in the last few years, he had a healthier attitude toward what it meant to be successful. It wasn’t all roses and moonlight. There were plenty of thorns and storms along the way.
“I think Caleb is going to be a smash hit,” Sophia said, a knowing look on her face. Her belief in him made Caleb feel ten feet tall.
“You’re the real star,” he raved. He looked over at Skip. “Your daughter is immensely talented. If I make any impression at all, it’ll be due to her talent.”
“Sounds like the two of you make an amazing team,” Patience said from across the table. He wasn’t sure, but he thought she was smirking at them.
Sophia gave her sister a look, and it appeared as if the two of them had a silent conversation. He easily recognized the behavior since he and his brothers had been engaging in the same sort of communication since they were kids.
As dinner ended and they all pitched in to clear off the table, Caleb found himself stacking dishes in the dishwasher with Sophia.
“You really don’t have to do this,” she protested.
“I know. But it gives me an excuse to hang out with you a little bit longer,” Caleb said.
“Is that so?” she asked, looking up at him with her big brown eyes. They were the type a person could get lost in. And little by little he was forgetting all about his true goals for being here in Moose Falls. Falling for a stunning single mother hadn’t been on his bingo card.
“Sophia, I haven’t met anyone who draws me in the way you do in a very long time. I want to get to know you better.”
Patience walked into the kitchen. “Sorry to interrupt, but there’s a little lady upstairs who’s requesting a bedtime story.”
“I can finish this up,” Caleb said, taking several plates from Sophia’s grip. “Go see to Lily.”
“Umm, no. It’s not Sophia who’s being requested. It’s you, Caleb,” Patience explained with a snicker. “Clearly, you’ve made a huge impression.”
Sophia let out a sound of outrage. “She’s a fickle girl, dropping the rest of us like hot potatoes when a handsome man comes to dinner.”
Caleb smiled extra wide. He knew Sophia thought he was handsome, but he never tired of hearing her say it. He loved the way she didn’t hesitate to lift him up.
“Wow. I won’t be able to walk out of here, now that Lily’s given me a swelled head,” Caleb said with a chuckle. “Point me in the right direction,” he said, rubbing his hands together. “I can’t wait to read to her. If it’s all right with you.” Caleb looked over at Sophia to make sure it was okay.
“Of course it is. It’s rare that I get a night off from reading to her before bedtime,” she said. “On the other hand, it’s shocking that I’m so easily replaceable.”
“I’ll tell you what,” Patience said. “Why don’t the two ofyou head upstairs and I’ll finish up. Then I’ll head into the TV room to make sure Dad hasn’t dozed off.”
“You’re the best, Patience. Follow me, Caleb,” Sophia said, heading out of the kitchen and toward the staircase. He followed after her, glancing at the framed photographs on the landing. A few were portraits, but the majority were photos of the Alaskan landscape. He recognized local spots in Moose Falls, Kachemak Bay, Denali, and Homer Spit. Sophia’s talent was limitless. Caleb was in absolute awe that he had the privilege of working with her. Hattie had scored a major coup by hiring Sophia to work at Yukon Cider. He had the feeling that in a few years she would have made quite a name for herself in the industry.
At the top of the stairs Sophia turned left then entered the first door. A soft light glowed from inside.
Lily was sitting up in a little pink bed with a frilly comforter and heart-shaped pillows. She was wearing purple fuzzy pajamas and a stuffed lamb sat beside her. A pink canopy hung over her bed. Pictures of castles and fairy-tale princesses hung on the walls.
“Caleb!” Lily cried out. “I was waiting for you.”
“Hey. What about me?” Sophia asked. Caleb could tell by the smile twitching at her lips that she wasn’t at all offended.
“Caleb, sit,” Lily said, patting the spot beside her. Once he sat down next to her, Lily handed him a book with a brown-skinned princess on the cover. “This one, please.”
“Oh, I’m sensing a theme here,” Caleb said. “Princess of Hearts,” he said, reading the title out loud. Lily let out a squeal of approval, which went straight to Caleb’s heart. She was so excited and endearing.
