I nod. “I had dinner with Chloe and Hunter.”
She tilts her head. “I noticed you weren’t home. How are they?”
“Good.”
I study her for a moment. I’m not going to tell her about Emma—not yet. Not when her and Dad had to help pick up the pieces for the broken-hearted sixteen-year-old I was.
“I’m going to head out to bed. I just wanted to check in.”
“You’re a good man, Caleb.”
“Goodnight, Mum.”
Nine
Emma
I’m a little nervous today.
It took everything in me to be brave enough to call someone for help.
Noah would help me—I know he would, but I need to be able to do things for myself. Freedom doesn’t automatically come with confidence, but I’m working on it.
The next challenge is facing up to someone new and deal with all those things my husband used to take care of.
A sharp rap at the door breaks me out of my thoughts, and nerves pinch in my stomach.
I can do this.
“Coming,” I call out.
I swing the door open, then catch my breath as the tall, brunette man standing on my doorstep turns.
I’d know those eyes anywhere.
“Caleb?” I’m breathy, but I’m not sure why.
Who am I kidding?
It’s been twenty-seven years, and he’s still as handsome as ever with the chiselled jaw and the faint scar near his right eyebrow that he got from colliding with someone while playing rugby.
“Hi, Emma.”
“I … I’m expecting someone.”
What the hell is wrong with me?
He grins. “I’m here about the work you need doing. You called me.”
My eyebrows rise. “I didn’t know.”
“I guessed as much. Now …” He leans forward a little. “Are you going to invite me in?”
“I … I …” My heart races. I knew there was a chance I’d see Caleb coming back here—I wanted to see him. But this has caught me by surprise because I wanted to plan it.
I’m not prepared.
If he’s going to do the work around my house, he’ll be here for a while.
