Gift-Wrapped Family. Lois Richer
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world so much, I think itâs wiped out your ability to love, Caleb. All I can feel is your hate for your father. Itâs consuming you. Deepening our relationship with your hate for him between us isnât going to work. You need to let forgiveness heal your heart before we can talk about a future together.
Forgiveness? Impossible when Caleb couldnât rid his mind of the image of his father shoving his mom and her falling backward down the stairs. That was his last memory of her. An hour later she was dead, and his world had never been the same. Sometimes late at night, alone on the ranch, he could still hear her telling him about God, how He loved Caleb, how they had to forgive his drunken father as God forgave them.
Caleb couldnât do it. How did a man who killed his wife deserve forgiveness? How could God forgive a sin like that? It didnât matter that scripture insisted that God forgave no matter what. Caleb couldnât forgive. That inability to reconcile with God ate at his soul like an acid that left only bitter wounds in its place.
His past drove Caleb to go beyond mere duty to ensure every child from Family Ties went to a home where love ruled. That was also what compelled him to find justice for sweet Lily, a delightful child whose father never bothered to know her. How could God forgive that?
Calebâs phone chimed. He read the texted answer to his last question, then sent another. The stream of responses piqued his interest. Bella might try to shut him out of Miaâs affairs, but Caleb had contacts. He intended to use every one to find out the truth, because somewhere in this mess was Lilyâs birthright.
âI can go now.â
Caleb looked up from his phone, surprised to see Mia standing in front of him. They walked to his car in relative silence, but once they were inside, the intensity of her clear green gaze focused on him.
âThank you for taking me to Bella. Sheâs quite a character.â Mia continued to study him. âIs it rude to ask how you met?â
âI was her law clerk. She taught me a lot.â Caleb started the car before realizing he didnât know where to take her. âDo you want to go home?â
âI suppose so.â The way Mia said it made Caleb think she did not relish a return to her dowdy home.
âWhat would you like to do?â he asked, curious about her thoughts. She looked slightly dazed, but then who wouldnât after hearing they had a trust fund theyâd never heard of, that her husband had betrayed her and that heâd left behind a child? And that wasnât even mentioning the attempt to steal her inheritance, information that had just been confirmed.
âItâs kind of you, but I donât want to take up any more of your time,â Mia said after a tiny hesitation. âI can take the bus from here. You donât have to drive me home.â
âI donât have to, no.â Caleb could see there was something on her mind. âIâm offering. Is there something else youâd like to do?â
âYes.â The response spilled out in a rush. âIâd like to see this Riverbend Ranch you mentioned.â Her eyes softened to misty green. âA ride out of the city would be lovely. Space, freedom, nothing but green grass, hills and treesâitâs been so long since Iâve been away from home.â The light in her eyes faded. âBut thatâs too much to ask.â
âThe place is yours. You should see it.â Caleb felt a smug satisfaction saying that. He wanted to be the one to show Mia Riverbend Ranch, to watch her eyes stretch wide with wonder, hear her breathy gasp when they drove up the circular driveway. Somehow he knew that Mia would appreciate everything about the ranch.
âOf all the things Bella explained to me, I understand this ranch business the least. Why would Harlan buy such a place and keep it a secret from me?â Her voice quavered. âI must have done something.â
âNo. You did nothing, Mia.â Caleb clenched his hands on the wheel, wishing he had more to offer than paltry words to soothe her wounded heart. âIt was Harlan. There was something wrong with him that made him go outside his marriage for companionship.â
âI canât understand that, either. Youâre sure he and Rebaâ?â Her tone told him she wanted it to be otherwise.
âIâm pretty sure. You saw the resemblance for yourself.â Caleb hated saying it, hated the hurt filling her eyes and the wash of tears. But heâd feel bad for any woman in this situation. âIâm sorry.â
âOur marriage was a sham.â Mia choked out the words. âIâd accepted that it was only because of my mother that he married me, but now I suspect he really married me to get her money.â
âYes,â Caleb agreed.
âWe had nothing in common. Harlan didnât care about God or keeping His commandments, but this is so far fromââ For a few moments she gave way to bitter tears.
Caleb wanted to fold her in his arms and soothe her, but that wouldnât be proper. He barely knew Mia and yet he longed to make her world right? Silly and impossible. His own past had taught him that nothing could erase the betrayal she must be feeling. So he let her cry, knowing she needed the release.
âYou said Lily is five?â Mia hiccupped a sob. âThat means theyâve been together about as long as weâve been married. Why stay married to me if he was in love with Reba?â She dashed a tear from her cheek. âWhy not marry her? Create a family with her?â
âThereâs no way youâll ever know.â Caleb refused to restate the obvious lure of her money. He wasnât sure she had an inkling of how much her mother had left her, but his sources told him the number was high, very high.
âHe knew how much I love children,â Mia said on a sob. âI would have liked to meet Lily.â Suddenly she gulped and her eyes went dead. âI guess he thought Iâd hurtââ
Caleb waited, curious about the comment.
Mia paused, licked her lips, then continued in a quieter voice, âHarlan said he never wanted to have children.â
âJudging by the amount of attention he paid Lily, Iâm guessing that part was true.â Caleb frowned. Iâd hurtâ? Mia wouldnât hurt a flea. He knew that for certain, though how he knew it was a question heâd ask himself later.
âIf he didnât want a child, then whyâ?â Her wounded voice died away.
âMaybe it was Rebaâs idea. Maybe she hoped having Lily would solidify their relationship. Or maybe Lily was an accident.â He wanted to lift Miaâs spirits and wondered why it seemed so important to do that.
âI donât believe any child is ever an accident,â Mia said firmly. âEvery birth is a promise from God. I wishâI wish I could have a child.â She began to weep as though her heart was broken.
Caleb watched helplessly, thinking what a wonderful mother this caring woman would make. Somehow he knew that Mia was cut from the same cloth as his mother had been. Mia would welcome a child, make it feel loved, the most important person in her world. Mia would intrinsically know how and when to give a hug. Things Caleb lacked. Because of his father.
âMay I give you some advice?â he asked when he couldnât stand to watch her weep any longer.
âOf course.â Mia blinked away her sadness. Hope fluttered in its place.
âHarlan betrayed you. Thereâs nothing you can do about that. But heâs gone.â How odd it was to advise Mia to do what he couldnât. âIâm sure you did your best to be his wife, but now you have to forget