A Fair of the Heart

by Donna Marie Rogers

  Max stared straight ahead, but Caleb recognized a trace of vulnerability shadowed in the kid’s expression. Caleb’s throat swelled with unfamiliar emotion. Somehow, the kid had burrowed under his skin, making Caleb feel things he was completely unprepared to deal with. Hell, so had his mother and sister. Christ, he was a goner on so many levels it wasn’t funny. But he could sort all that shit out later. Right now, the only thing he cared about was breaking through the wall of rage Max had built up around himself over the past year.

  Caleb pulled out his cell phone and called Lauren. Turned out Max had snuck out of the house again, and Lauren had been on the verge of panic.

  “I’m just so glad you were there. I’m starting to think kismet isn’t just a pretty word.”

  Despite her attempt to sound composed, Caleb knew this was killing her. He also knew he didn’t have the right to butt into their lives, but Max needed guidance and Lauren needed help—even if she was too stubborn to admit it. An idea occurred to him. “Listen, would it be all right if I took Max to my place for a little while? I could use some help with a project I’ve been working on, and I think he’d be perfect for the job.”

  A slight pause. “I don’t know. It’s pretty late, and I’m already so far in debt to you. I’ll be feeding you supper `til Emma’s in high school.”

  “Just an hour. I’ll have him home by nine thirty.”

  Max shot Caleb a quick look, but remained silent.

  “Can you put him on the phone, please?”

  Caleb held out the phone. “Say hello to your mother.”

  Max ignored Caleb’s outstretched hand. “Hello to your mother.”

  Smart-mouthed little crapper. Caleb put the phone back to his ear. “Sorry about that. You deserve better.”

  “I’m getting used to his disrespect,” she replied, a shrug in her voice. “Fine, one hour. And Caleb, I don’t know what else to say but thanks…again.”

  Caleb ended the call, cast his sullen passenger a quick look, then put the truck in gear and headed home.

  * * *

  “You really made this?”

  Caleb ran his hand over the wooden sign that read Lauren’s Hair Salon. “Yep. Think she’ll like it?”

  Max stared at the sign, his expression guarded. Finally, he gave a reluctant nod.

  “Good, I wasn’t sure. I still need to stain and weatherproof it. Thought maybe you could give me a hand.”

  Max looked up at him. “I don’t know how to do that kind of stuff.”

  “I’ll teach you. It’s easy.” Caleb set the wooden sign down on his workbench and opened the can of stain. After a good stir, he selected a brush, dipped it in the can, and scraped the excess off on the inside of the rim. “Now, you just brush it on, making sure to cover every square inch. Think you can handle it?”

  Max gave him a “duh” look and held his hand out for the brush. Caleb could barely contain his smile as Max took the brush and went to work.

  “The sign is carved on both sides,” Caleb explained, pleased by Max’s eye for detail as he worked the brush into the grooves. “So both sides will have to be stained. And instead of hanging it back on the house, I thought it would look sharp hanging from a post in the front yard.” A grin tugged at Caleb’s mouth. “Maybe I should’ve made sure your mom’s okay with me digging in the yard, first.”

  Max eyed him as he reapplied stain to the brush. “She won’t care, trust me. She’ll probably start crying when she sees it. Just warning ya.”

  Caleb lost the battle with the grin. “Thanks for the heads up.”

  Once Max had the first side finished, Caleb said, “We’ll give this a few minutes to dry before flipping it over. Come on.” He opened the door that led into the house.

  “What?”

  “I picked up some double-chocolate caramel brownies from the grocery store today. Thought you might want to try ’em out with me.”

  Max shrugged and started forward, his steps hesitant.

  “Might wanna move faster than that,” Caleb warned as he stepped inside. “I can eat a dozen brownies in about thirty seconds flat.” The quick staccato of footsteps brought an odd ache to his chest as Max hurried in behind him and took a seat at the butcher block and white finish wood kitchen table.

  Max looked around with open-mouthed curiosity, and Caleb found himself strangely eager for the kid’s approval. The kitchen was done in shades of yellow, white, red and blue, in what his mother had called “country charm.” Lots of stars and hearts, crafts made of wood, buttons, and colored twine. As a kid, Caleb hadn’t much appreciated the homey look. As an adult, he found it as comforting as...chicken bake. He smiled and hoped it wasn’t goofy.

  Caleb set the brownies in the middle of the table and poured them each a glass of milk. Guys didn’t need plates and napkins and forks. Just more stuff that needed washing. They both dug in and grabbed one of the gooey, crumbling brownies.

  They ate in silence for several minutes before Max got up and went to look at something on the refrigerator. A photo of Caleb and his mother taken shortly before he’d enlisted in the army.

  He turned to study Caleb, then back to the photo.

  “Hey, is Rosalee your mom?”

  Caleb nodded, surprised by the question. “Did you...how did you know my mother?”

  “We used to go to the diner after my guitar lessons.” Max walked back to the table and grabbed another brownie.

  “I had no idea you played guitar.”

  Max nodded as he chewed. He took a gulp of his milk. “I quit taking lessons, so we don’t go to the diner anymore. Your mom’s cool. She always lets me keep the can of whipped cream on the table when I order hot chocolate.”

  “Sounds like her.” His mother had known Lauren and the kids. The thought pleased him, somewhat easing the guilt he’d been carrying around like a backpack. Then Max’s words registered. “Max, you do know my mother passed away a short time ago, don’t you?”

  Max looked up, his shock evident.

  “What? No, I...God, I’m really sorry.”

  “Yeah, me too. But I’m glad you knew her.”

  “Rosalee’s…was the best.” Max settled his gaze back on the picture. “I don’t think my mom knows. She’s gonna be super bummed.”

  Caleb nodded, wondering suddenly if his mother had ever spoken about him to Lauren.

  He and Max sat in silence for a moment. One last brownie sat in the tray. Caleb pushed it toward Max’s side of the table. “Go on, take it.”

  “Cool, thanks.” Max scooped it up without a moment’s hesitation.

  Caleb grinned. “You earned it. When you’re done, we’ll finish up that sign. I’d like to put it up for your mother tomorrow.”

  “Why’re you being so nice to me?” Max asked once he’d polished off the last brownie. “I know you don’t like me, and it’s not like my mom cares what I think, anyway.”

  Caleb gulped down the rest of his milk, then got up to put the glass in the sink. He turned and leaned back against the sink, arms crossed, making sure to choose his words carefully. “Your mother cares very much what you think, Max. Maybe if you took the time to actually talk to her instead of snapping at her, you’d have figured that out by now.”

  “She chased my dad away.” Max’s soft-spoken announcement surprised Caleb.

  The kid sounded so dejected, so young, Caleb’s heart went out to him. “Look, son, I know it’s easier to blame your mom for what happened than—”

  “But I heard her! I heard her tell him to pack his stuff and get out.” Max’s eyes grew red and angry. “You think I’m lying?”

  “No, I don’t doubt that’s what you heard. But you have to understand, Max, she had reason. And just because she wanted him out of the house, didn’t mean she wanted him out of your lives. Your father chose to leave, and your mother chose to stay. Maybe you should consider that next time you’re trying to make her feel like crap.”

  Max’s chin started to quiver. “I wanna go home.”

&nb
sp; Caleb took a deep breath. Good going, moron. Next, why don’t you tell the kid his daddy hates him? “Look, I’m sorry. I had no right talking about your dad. I just want you to consider how hard this has been on your mother. Maybe give her a break now and then.”

  “You don’t understand.” Max got up and headed back into the garage. Caleb followed him. “We were supposed to go hunting this year. He said when I turned eleven, he’d take me hunting.” Max uncapped the stain and started on the other side.

  Caleb watched the kid move the brush across the wood, taking care to get in every nook and cranny. Maybe it would be best if they got off the subject of his parents. “You know, you’re pretty darn good at that. Any chance you’d want to earn some extra money? I have several jobs coming up that involve staining.”

  The brush stopped. Caleb could see the wheels turning in Max’s head. Caleb knew times were tight in the Frazier household, so it was a sure bet the kid could use the cash.

  “How much would you pay me?”

  “If your mom says it’s all right, I’ll give you eight bucks an hour.”

  “Cool.”

  Chapter Five

  “You what?”

  Caleb smiled. “We made you a new sign. For your business.”

  “I stained the whole thing, both sides,” Max proudly informed her. “’Cept the post. Caleb already had that done.”

  Lauren’s chest filled with joy as she gazed at her seemingly happy son. Not only was Max speaking to her, but he was smiling as well. And all thanks to Caleb. “I don’t know what to say. You guys are the best.”

  “So, it’s all right if I dig up a hole for the post? I can hang the sign on the side of the house, if you prefer.”

  “No, I’d love to have it hanging in the yard. Wow, I think this has earned you guys a lasagna dinner.”

  Caleb grinned. “Garlic bread?”

  “Apple pie, too. But not homemade,” she admitted with a little shrug. “I have a Mrs. Smith’s in the freezer.”

  Caleb elbowed Max. “Better let her out before she freezes to death, huh?”

  Max chuckled, and the sound was music to Lauren’s ears. She hadn’t a clue what Caleb had said to her son, but she loved him for it.

  Loved? Whoa.

  Lauren cleared her throat. “Well, since I don’t have any appointments this morning, I think I’ll take Emma grocery shopping. I need a few things for supper.”

  “Take your time. I only had one job this morning, so maybe Max and I can try to scratch a few more things off your ‘to fix’ list.”

  “No complaints here.”

  By the time Lauren and Emma returned home, a gorgeous wooden sign, much fancier than she’d imagined, hung from an expertly carved L-shaped post in front of her house. Caleb came out and grabbed the bags, while Lauren unbuckled Emma from her car seat.

  “It’s absolutely beautiful. I don’t even know what to say. It’s worth so much more than a lasagna dinner.”

  Caleb came up behind her and whispered against her ear, “Maybe worth a kiss?”

  Lauren’s heart missed a beat. Luckily, she had a good grip on Emma. She met his gaze for a brief moment before walking past him into the house. Definitely worth a kiss.

  And then some.

  Caleb followed her into the kitchen and set the bags on the table. “I love lasagna. Trust me—I’m getting the better end of the deal here.”

  Lauren set Emma down and started putting away the groceries. “Then I’ll graciously concede and get supper started. It’ll be a couple of hours, at least. Is there anything you need to take care of before it’s ready?”

  Caleb flipped one of her kitchen chairs around and straddled it. He gazed up at her. “The only thing I’d like to do is get to know you better.”

  Hmmm, someone’s grown a little bolder today. Lauren likes. “Sounds like a plan. You can keep me company while I get my sauce going.”

  “Homemade sauce?”

  Lauren laughed softly. His voice had raised a whole octave. “Of course. It’s not that hard to make. Your mom probably made her own sauce.” Too late she realized her blunder. She set the fresh mushrooms on the counter and turned to face him. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

  “Hey, it’s fine. And, yes, she made her own sauce. In fact, I’ve never tasted any to compare.”

  Lauren pulled out her cutting board and sliced into an onion. “Well, prepare to be blown away, Mr. Hunter. I think my sauce would make your mother proud.”

  “Oh, Caleb told you about Rosalee?” Max said as he wandered into the kitchen. He went straight for the fridge and pulled out the milk gallon jug filled with Kool-Aid. “Pretty sad she died. Rosalee was awesome.”

  Stunned, Lauren locked eyes on Caleb. “Rosalee was your mother?” When he nodded, she clapped a hand to her chest. “I can’t believe I didn’t make the connection, I’m so sorry. I just found out yesterday that she passed. The kids and I loved her. What an incredible lady.”

  Caleb’s smile was bittersweet. “I’m so glad you and the kids got a chance to know her.”

  “She was awesome. Made the best strawberry pie in the world and always saved me a piece.” Max poured himself a big glass of Kool-Aid, then shook the jug in Caleb’s direction. “Want some?”

  Lauren’s head popped up in astonishment. Cripes, it was as if the kid had received a complete personality transplant overnight. The phrase “too good to be true” flashed in her mind, but she told it to take a hike.

  “I’d love a glass, thanks.”

  Okay, if they started singing ‘Kumbaya’ she’d know for sure it was time to start looking for the hidden cameras.

  Lauren pulled out her cast-iron skillet and gave it a generous coating of olive oil before tossing in the diced onion and Italian sausage. She listened as Caleb described the jobs he’d booked for the next couple of weeks or so. Cabinets to reface, shelves to build, a brand new kitchen counter and dishwasher for a lady just down the road. Lauren was a little envious over that one. She’d love to have a dishwasher, but would be too old to enjoy it by the time she could afford one. Caleb had also been contracted to replace the wooden fence around the daycare center, and to patch the roof of the VFW.

  “Mom, is it okay if I work with Caleb until school starts? He’s gonna pay me eight bucks an hour!”

  Lauren cast Caleb a quick glance. “Well, I’m not sure. I don’t want him doing anything dangerous.” Sure would be nice for Max to earn some money, though. It broke her heart that she couldn’t afford to spoil her children every now and again. And Max’s attitude had undergone an astounding transformation in such a short time. Lauren couldn’t deny that spending time with Caleb had been good for her son.

  “Course not. I have a lot of jobs that require staining and varnishing, even some light painting. And the kid’s a natural. Has a real talent for it.”

  Max preened in his chair, and Lauren couldn’t hold back a smile. Her respect for the incredible man sitting in her kitchen grew even more. Her ex had never taken the time to teach his son a blessed thing. Hell, he’d never even so much as tossed a ball around with Max. Probably because the only thing the man excelled at was something a ten-year-old boy had no business knowing. “In that case, I think it’s a great idea. Thank you.”

  Caleb shrugged. “Shame for talent like that to go to waste. In fact, I’d like to get him started tomorrow staining the boards for that fence. Maybe between the two of us, we can finish them in a day.”

  Emma waddled into the kitchen and headed for the back door. “Sandbox, Momma.”

  “Max, would you please take your sister outside to play for a little while?”

  He let out an exaggerated sigh and whined, “Can’t we just watch her from the window? It’s not like she can get out of the yard.”

  Lauren propped a hand on her hip and gave him her fiercest don’t-argue-with-me look. Max’s shoulders slumped in resignation.

  “Fine. But just for a little while.” Max got up and herded Emma out the back door
. “And if you throw any sand at me, playtime’s over.”

  Lauren pulled a metal spatula out of the drawer and broke up the clumps of browning meat and onions. “So, just how long of a day were you planning to work?”

  “Don’t worry, honey, I won’t overwork him. Besides, Max is a strong kid. A little physical labor will be good for him. Wear him out so he has less time for troublemaking.”

  A slow smile spread across her face as understanding dawned. She pointed at him with the spatula. “You’re a genius. I should’ve had him pushing the vacuum all this time.”

  “I’m not sure vacuuming would’ve gone over well. Max is a growing boy. He needs male interests, not women’s work.” Caleb grinned.

  Lauren regarded him through playfully narrowed eyes. “Watch it.”

  “Sorry.” His tone suggested he wasn’t the least bit repentant.

  Lauren added crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, a little sugar, and plenty of spices to her pan, and then turned the flame down to simmer. Caleb watched in silence while she mixed two beaten eggs with some parmesan and ricotta cheese.

  “So,” he said, “tell me about your family. Got any brothers or sisters? Does your family live here in Redemption?”

  “No brothers or sisters, my mother lives in California, and I rarely hear from her. My father is remarried, but he hasn’t spoken to me since I disobeyed his direct order not to marry John. And the fact I don’t get along with his wife doesn’t help.”

  Caleb got up and strode across the kitchen, settling against the counter beside her with his arms and his work-booted feet crossed. Lauren couldn’t help but admire the tight fit of his gray T-shirt as it stretched over lean abs and perfectly sculpted arms. She got the impression he wanted to say something, but he remained quiet, shifting a bit as he focused his gaze out the window into the backyard. He smiled, probably over something her silly little peanut did. Lauren’s heart flipped at the thought, and she worried over how hard and fast she was falling for this man.

  “I’m sorry about your dad, and for even bringing the subject up.” He turned back to face her, his smile rueful. “Seems like I apologize to you a lot.”