A Ranger for the Twins

by Tanya Agler

  “It is if there’s whipped cream.” Ethan bounced into the coffeehouse and shrugged under Mattie’s glare. “What? Whipped cream makes everything better.”

  Ah, the joys of being seven, when your stomach ruled the world. Caleb entered the coffeehouse and his eyes adjusted to the dim light. There were quite a few people inside on this Sunday afternoon. The table by the bay window was occupied by three women, one of whom bore a strong resemblance to his mother.

  “Caleb! Surprise!” The woman ran over and hugged him.

  Caleb hugged her back before extricating himself. “Mom. I thought you and Dad weren’t arriving until tomorrow night.” Caleb glanced around the coffeehouse, trying to find his father, who was nowhere in sight.

  “I missed you and Jonathan. The girls are so big now. I didn’t have the heart to wake up your father. He’s asleep at Jonathan’s. But I so wanted to see my friends again.” With some reluctance, Tina released him and tilted her head. “What haven’t you been telling me on the phone? It’s your back, isn’t it? Did something happen?”

  “Are you Caleb’s mommy? I’m Ethan Decker, and Caleb’s the best.” The little boy inserted himself between the two, something akin to hero worship in his eyes.

  “Thank you. I happen to agree with you. Caleb is my favorite child. Decker?” Recognition flared in his mother’s eyes as she glanced from Lucie to Mattie to Caleb then back at Lucie. “It’s been a long time.”

  Not long enough. With his mother’s early arrival, Caleb had to keep her from discussing Justin until he talked to Lucie first. With genuine regret, he might be able to convince Lucie he’d kept it from her for a good reason. But the news had to come from him, not his mother.

  “Is that Diane Harrison at your table?” Caleb rubbed his eyes. “I must be seeing things. That looks like Beverly Bennett with her.”

  Tina nudged his ribs and motioned for him to come close so she could whisper. “I know Beverly used to be...well, Beverly. Apparently, she wants to turn over a new leaf. One thing I’ve learned since my breast cancer diagnosis is life is too short to hold grudges. We’re catching up on all things Hollydale.”

  Looked like he needed a refresher course as well, since he’d somehow missed the news about Beverly’s transformation. “We’ll join you after we order.”

  “Hold on a minute,” Tina cautioned, smiling at Mattie. “I’ve met this fine gentleman, but who is this pretty young lady?”

  “Matilda, ma’am.” Mattie gave a small curtsy and hid behind Lucie.

  Lucie offered a lopsided smile. “Mattie is only shy until she accepts you. Then she’s a chatterbox.”

  Caleb wasn’t quite sure whether Mattie had accepted him or not. While she talked more and more around him and didn’t hold back with the questions, a level of cautious wariness still existed.

  Time would be the best means to overcome that, but he was running out of hours fast.

  Caleb’s mom brightened instantly. “A bit like you, Lucie, if I recall.”

  Caleb inserted himself into the conversation before his mother could say anything else. “I promised Mattie and Ethan something to drink and a small snack. Let’s go.”

  He ushered the three of them toward the counter, aware of his rudeness but not sorry about it.

  Lucie looked over her shoulder. “I think your mother was about to say something else.”

  “What about me?” Ethan tugged Caleb’s shirt. “Am I like Mommy and Mattie?”

  Lucie hugged him. “You’re all Ethan and that’s what matters.”

  When they reached the counter, Mattie ordered apple juice. “Are you sure that’s all you want?” Caleb pulled out his wallet. “My treat. I thought you were a hot cocoa girl.”

  Mattie shrugged. “It’s not a hot cocoa kind of day. I’m sad Sheriff Mike had to keep the tin. I hope we get it back.”

  “Me, too,” Ethan chimed in, although he had, in fact, ordered hot chocolate with extra whipped cream. Caleb was learning fast that nothing could get between Ethan and his stomach.

  “I’ll carry your apple juice for you so it doesn’t spill.” Caleb reached for the plastic cup and nodded at Deb, sticking a five in the tip jar.

  Tina stood when they arrived at the table.

  Caleb looked around. “Where did Diane and Beverly go?”

  “They thought I might like some time with you. We tried to get here in time to attend last night’s Sunset Soiree, but it didn’t work out.” Tina patted Caleb’s shoulder before looking straight at Lucie. “And we definitely have a lot to catch up on.”

  Jarred, Caleb catapulted forward, forgetting he held Mattie’s drink. He tripped over the chair and Mattie’s apple juice landed all over his mother’s blouse. Loud gasps came from everyone before Mattie burst into tears.

  “Oh, Mattie. Don’t cry. It’s only spilled juice.” Tina reached for napkins at the same time Lucie rushed to his mom with a handful. “Thanks, Lucie. It’s been a long day and Drew will start to worry if I’m not home soon.” She laughed. “If he’s up from his nap, that is.”

  “I’m sorry, Mom.” While he hadn’t planned to spill Mattie’s juice all over her, he couldn’t have come up with anything better if he’d tried.

  She smiled and shrugged. “This isn’t the worst thing to happen to me.” She reached for her purse and pulled out a couple dollars. “Here you go, Mattie. This should be enough for a new juice.”

  “You put your money away.” The owner, Deb, came over with a full cup—this one with a lid—and a mop. “I saw what happened.”

  “Thank you, Deb.” Lucie’s sincerity rang through. “You didn’t have to do this, cleaning up our mess and all.”

  “Sometimes helping each other makes life more manageable.” Deb cleaned up as Caleb’s mother tapped his elbow.

  “Dinner at Jonathan’s house tomorrow night. Don’t be late.” She glanced at her shirt, which was sticky and wet. “I’d hug you goodbye but...”

  His mother left the coffeehouse, the lingering apple smell dissipating with the strong aroma of rich coffee and cinnamon. No sooner had he sat than the barista called out the rest of their order. Caleb stood, intending to retrieve the drinks, but Lucie applied the slightest amount of pressure to his biceps. “I’ll be right back.”

  He’d been granted a reprieve, but only a short one. Tomorrow morning he’d be placing suet feeders out for the woodpeckers, and tomorrow night he’d see his parents.

  It had to be tonight. He’d talk to his parents first, then go to Lucie’s and tell her the whole truth about the money.

  * * *

  WAS CALEB PUTTING the cart before the horse? Walking up the path to Jonathan’s house, he figured he’d find out in a few minutes.

  Welcome back to Hollydale, Mom and Dad. By the way, I’m falling in love with Lucie, the same person whose ex-husband stole your life savings. Just thought you should know.

  Not a great speech, but better to hear it from him than someone else.

  He knocked on the front door and heard a muffled command to enter. Wiping his clammy hands on his jeans, he entered, and a missile almost flattened him. “Caleb! I knew you wouldn’t stay away for long.” Vanessa crooked her finger and he bent to her level. “Uncle Drew snores. Everyone’s out back. Come on.”

  Vanessa dragged him toward the backyard patio.

  Jonathan waved from his spot at the grill. “Hey, Caleb. Great timing, as usual. Dinner’s almost ready. You’re more than welcome to stay.”

  Mom came over and hugged him, her new outfit free of the sticky drink of earlier. “As long as Vanessa doesn’t share her juice with you.” She laughed.

  Dad rose from the Adirondack chair and embraced Caleb. “Good to be back in Hollydale.” His father sent a fond look at his mother, their strong bond one of the constants in Caleb’s world. “Heard about the mishap today.”

  “It was an honest accid
ent.”

  “Then you weren’t accompanying that woman and her children into The Busy Bean?” An edge crept into his father’s voice, and Caleb’s stomach tightened. “I wish I’d been there to set Lucie straight for the pain she caused your mother.”

  Jonathan handed Caleb the spatula. “You take over the grill. I’ll bring Izzy and Vanessa inside to get everything else ready.” A current of sympathy passed between them—Jonathan must have already figured out Caleb’s feelings for Lucie.

  The sliding door closed behind Jonathan and his daughters.

  Mom laid her hand on Dad’s arm and shook her head. “Justin’s in jail, and Hollydale is a small town. We’ll have to see Lucie once in a while. Life’s too short to hold grudges. Let’s move on, for all concerned. If you’d seen her with her children...”

  “I saw you having to work during your chemo treatments in order to pay our bills.” Dad’s lips pursed into a thin white line. “What you went through, I went through. We have no secrets from each other. And remember Caleb’s senior year? Lucie was so intuitive—sometimes she knew what was going on with Caleb before we did. There’s no way she didn’t know about Justin. She should be in jail, too.”

  “She’s rebuilding her life. She lost everything.”

  His father’s jaw clenched and he shook his head. “No, she has her home, she has her kids, she has her health.” Dad’s voice broke, and he sat back in the chair and turned his full gaze on Tina. “And I still can’t afford to take you on that trip you scrimped and saved for. One month to luxuriate in the sun. That’s the least of what you deserve.”

  Caleb flipped the burgers, his hand gripping the spatula so hard his knuckles were white. His father wasn’t going to budge from his position. Instead, he rose from his chair and excused himself.

  Mom came over and covered Caleb’s hand with hers. “I saw how you and Lucie looked at each other. Your father will come around.”

  For so long, Caleb had been sitting on the fringes of the world, looking at what others had. In high school, Lucie had dulled the pain of watching his friends celebrate their senior year. At Yellowstone, he’d watched those three boys reunite with their families, the burning ache of Leah’s betrayal fresh. But here in Hollydale, Lucie had opened her home to him, and he’d been part of someone’s life. He’d laughed with the Decker family. He’d felt their pain when Mattie and Ethan had to leave the coffee tin at the police station. And seeing Lucie in that pink dress? That might be his most cherished memory of all.

  Lucie had showed him how to find a real home, not as a stray or an outsider, but as Caleb. She’d accepted him for who he was, not because of his job or because he’d look good around town. She’d brought him into her family fold, and he’d loved every minute of belonging.

  He loved Lucie Appleby Decker, the teenager she’d been and the woman she was now.

  But he also loved his mom and dad. Going against his father wasn’t an option.

  * * *

  THE TWINS INSISTED on an extra game night to make up for their disappointment about the tin can. They’d start as soon as Lucie finished her routine Sunday cleaning of the bunny hutch. The three bunnies hopped around their gated enclosure while Lucie finished tidying the rabbits’ space. Pita whined from downstairs, but the border collie always stole the bunnies’ honey sticks, their weekly treat. She’d just returned the bunnies to their clean hutch when the doorbell rang. Glancing down, she quickly swatted at the bits of bedding and pine attached to her sweatpants, but soon gave up.

  Lucie hurried downstairs, with the dogs barking and jumping around the entranceway. She squinted through the peephole and cracked the door a sliver.

  “Caleb.”

  The single word reverberated in her heart. In such a short time, he’d become her best friend all over again. Maybe more because she didn’t feel the same about this man as she felt about her pals Natalie and Georgie. Not at all.

  “Can I come in before Ladybug and Pita escape?” Caleb brought his face to the crack.

  She racked her mind for a single excuse and came up empty. If he didn’t run off into the night at the sight of her with bunny bedding all over her, she’d come clean about her feelings for him. She wanted more than friendship. This was Caleb, a good guy for keeps. He was no more capable of deception than Ladybug.

  “Of course.”

  Caleb entered and gave each dog his attention. Midnight halted at the top of the stairs before darting toward the hallway, most likely heading for Mattie’s room—the cat preferred Mattie to Ethan, who’d pulled her tail when she was a kitten.

  Caleb’s gaze roved over Lucie’s outfit. “How can I help?”

  A man who offered to help on pet maintenance night was more than a keeper. She wanted more kisses in a gazebo and a genuine relationship. She wanted to reach for the stars.

  “I finished with bunny cleanup and was about to get ready for a special bonus edition of family game night. It’s Ethan’s turn to pick the game. You’re more than welcome to stay.”

  “For the moment, I’m all yours.” He winked.

  “Mr. Caleb!” Ethan ran down the stairs and stopped short, yawning. He shook his head as though fighting sleep. “Thank you for the hot chocolate.” He leaned against the railing and yawned again. This time he rubbed his eyes as though that would help. “Game night will be that much better.”

  Caleb had worn Ethan out without even trying.

  “Let me go check on Mattie.” Lucie went upstairs and found Midnight weaving in front of her daughter’s closed door.

  After a soft knock with no answer, Lucie opened the door. Midnight darted in and jumped on the bed, curling up in a similar fashion to the ball that was Mattie asleep. Lucie edged the picture book out of her hands and turned out the light.

  She found Caleb and Ethan in the living room, Ethan cuddled on the couch under a blanket, his eyes closed. Ladybug rested nearby and Pita guarded everyone from her perch on the rug.

  Caleb brought his index finger to his mouth before nodding toward the foyer. Lucie followed and they slipped outside, keeping the front door ajar in case anyone cried out.

  The stars twinkled and the spring air caressed her arms. For the first time since last year, night insects chirped for mates and the promise of new beginnings filled Lucie with something she hadn’t felt in forever: hope.

  It was glorious to step into her old self and find her glass slippers still fit after all this time. Never before had her porch swing beckoned with such promise, such romance. Building a bridge between her past and her future started now.

  “Lucie—”

  “Caleb—”

  Their voices intertwined and she laughed at how well they fit together. Nature, animals and shared core values brought them close. Those flutters in her stomach whenever he came near confirmed her feelings for this good man.

  Finally, Lucie could trust her own judgment.

  She entangled her hand in his and led him over to the swing. “It’s a beautiful night.”

  Caleb halted and glanced at the porch steps. “The stairs are a better place to talk.”

  “Mattie, Ethan and the entire Decker menagerie are asleep. That doesn’t happen often, so we’d better relax and enjoy the evening.” She pulled on his arm and he followed, sitting next to her on the swing. “Besides, this has to be more comfortable for your back.”

  “If we stay here, I’m going to kiss you.”

  The porch light provided a soft glow that highlighted the dark brown streaks in his hair. Before he could change his mind, she leaned forward and kissed him first.

  Home had never felt so right.

  Lucie poured herself into the kiss, his beard tickling a little, but she soon grew used to the soft hair against her skin. His lips demanded little, but she wanted more from him. She needed more—his truth, his joy, him. Everything faded away until it was only the two of them on th
e swing. His hands caressed the back of her head and threaded through her hair.

  The kiss lasted for forever, but it was still too soon when Caleb pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. “You kissed me first.”

  “Yes. You’re a good man, Caleb Spindler.”

  He winced and scooted to his end of the seat, the soft metal clinking sweet music. “Don’t make me into something I’m not.”

  “How am I doing that? You’re a kind, loving person. I’d stake everything on that.” She lowered her voice and steepled her fingers. “I’m staking my heart on that.”

  He licked his lips and glanced away from her, staring straight ahead. “I didn’t come to the center the first day because of your email. I came because Justin stole a substantial amount of money my parents invested with him. Fifty thousand dollars.”

  Her heart thudded and crashed. She shook her head. “The authorities would have known about them. They weren’t on the list of people Justin swindled. I’d have recognized your last name. Twelve families, not one of whom was named Spindler.”

  This wasn’t happening. Drew and Tina must be the mystery couple the authorities had questioned her about at some length. Since they hadn’t come forward and she hadn’t been involved in the theft, her lawyer had managed to smooth her end of the matter. She wouldn’t let Justin control this situation. She wouldn’t let him dominate everything about her life for always.

  The harsh whistle of her blood rushing into her ears drowned out everything around her. All this time, she’d believed Caleb was being honest with her, yet, for two weeks, he’d held back something important. Calming herself, she promised to listen. After all, this involved his family.

  “Justin was arrested just after my parents handed over their money to him. They waited for some word from authorities, but then my father’s company transferred him. My mother was embarrassed about the swindle—she’s a bookkeeper and thought, who’d hire someone like that to protect their money if they couldn’t protect their own? So my parents stayed quiet.