Page 54 of The Cowgirl's Chosen Love
The other man tapped his finger against his lips. “I’m working on a couple of things myself that might tie in nicely with this. Tell you what. Let me ask a couple of questions before I commit to anything. It should only take a few days.”
An answer in the future was better than no ideas at all. “Appreciate that.”
“Have you seen Lisa lately?” Finn asked.
There was another tangle to unwind. “This morning.”
Finn’s grin flashed for the briefest second before it vanished. “You were quiet.”
Josiah picked up the nearest pillow and casually flung it into Finn’s face.
The man laughed. “You know when Karen’s coming to town?”
“I imagine she’ll show up soon to see the new baby.” He eyed Finn, curiosity and protectiveness battling. “You plan on dropping in?”
“Nope. Not in the middle of ‘meet the nephew’ time.” Finn shook his head. “I was upfront about my plans to pursue her, but I’m not going to steamroll in. First off, because it won’t do any good.”
“I don’t think you can keep it quiet that you’re in the area,” Josiah said. “It’s not the kind of secret Lisa would stay mum on, even if you asked her to.”
“I’ll let fate decide what gets said. I’m not worried about that.” Finn stared out the window. “I need to get everything in place before I make my move. As it was pointed out, Karen doesn’t actually live here. She can avoid me for as long as she likes until I’m ready.”
Josiah looked the man over. “You get too creepy and I promise the evidence will be gone before anyone notices you’re missing.”
“First Caleb, now you?” Finn snorted, but he raised a hand. “I solemnly swear I won’t harm a hair on the woman’s head. We just need to clear up some old misunderstandings and get our feet under us so we can head down the right trail.”
Mostly satisfied, Josiah offered a final warning: “Still going to keep an eye on you.”
The other man cracked another brief grin. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
12
She must have rushed her trip, because only two days later, Karen arrived at Heart Falls. She slipped into the Silver Stone ranch house and wrapped her arms around Tamara, squeezing tight.
A second later she stepped back and glanced around. “Okay, enough of that. Where’s my nephew?”
Laughter danced through the room as she swooped down and stole Tyler straight out of Caleb’s arms.
“Hello to you, too, Karen.” It was said dryly, without any true censure. Caleb rolled to his feet and embraced her, kissing her cheek.
“What? You know you’ve slid way down the list for greetings.” But she snagged an arm around his neck and squeezed tight. “Congrats, favourite brother-in-law. You done good.”
“I’m your only brother-in-law. And Tamara did it all.” He took the few steps across the room to his wife’s side to pull her into his arms. “I’m so thankful they’re both safe.”
“Plus, no more puking my guts out,” Tamara added. “Bonus.”
Caleb kissed her before heading toward the door.
Karen caught him by the sleeve. “Dad should arrive sometime within the hour. I convinced him to stay overnight, but he wanted to bring his own truck. Said something about picking up supplies in Calgary on the way home.”
“I’ll keep an eye out for him, then.” He examined Tamara again, his gaze drifting over her. “If you need anything, call.”
“I’m fine,” Tamara insisted. “I have both my sisters with me in case I want to order them around, which I won’t need to because I feel fine.”
Caleb smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Call me.”
He slid out the door.
Tamara all but growled at him after it clicked closed. “Frustrating, stubborn, caringjackassof a man.”
