Gift-Wrapped Family

“Hilda and I will both be there.” He smiled. “I’m so glad you’re doing this. You’ll love Lily.” Caleb made the call and after a few minutes’ drive they were at Hilda’s.

Caleb saw Mia’s face soften when she caught sight of the little girl sitting in a corner of the porch. She studied Lily intensely, taking in every detail of her stepdaughter.

“Welcome. I’ve made us some iced tea. It’s so lovely today we’ll drink it on the porch,” Hilda said after Caleb had introduced Mia.

He wasn’t surprised to see Lily hang back. Since her mother’s death she’d become unsure and tentative about most things. He hated the way the little girl clung to Hilda’s skirt as if fearing she’d be abandoned again. Caleb knew he wasn’t capable of giving her what she needed, but he had a hunch Mia could, if she would.

“Iced tea would be lovely. Thank you.” Mia smiled. The warmth in her words reached Hilda’s heart judging by Hilda’s wide smile.

“Have a seat. It won’t take me a minute.” The older woman bustled inside.

Caleb knew Lily would have preferred to follow Hilda, but that would have meant walking in front of Mia, thereby revealing her damaged leg. He felt his heart squeeze with regret, saddened to see the formerly bubbly child now standing silent in the corner, dark blue eyes riveted on Mia. He struggled to find a conversation opener and came up blank.

“It’s a lot of hair, isn’t it?” Mia mused aloud, reaching a hand to her head. Though she didn’t actually look at Lily, it was obvious the child was the target of her remark. “Sometimes I wish it was shorter like yours. Your hair is so pretty. Those ribbons are perfect.” Mia caught her own hair in her hand and tried to twist it into a ponytail like Lily’s.

“You look like a clown.” Lily promptly burst into the giggles.

“I know.” Mia pulled out a small tablet and a pen from her purse and began sketching a clown with big curly hair, a bulbous red nose and striped balloon pants. “Like this?” she asked, holding out the pad.

Clever, Caleb silently applauded. Why had Mia been afraid when she was so obviously at ease with children?

Mia held the drawing so that Lily had to move nearer to get a good look, which meant she awkwardly shifted her leg. Mia didn’t seem to notice. Instead, she kept drawing, adding to the sketch. In moments Lily was fully vested in the picture, pointing out areas that needed enhancement.

“Can you draw a dog, a brown one?” Lily asked.

“I’ll try.” Mia began sketching until under Lily’s tutelage the face of a chocolate Lab appeared.

“It’s perfect.” Lily grinned. “That’s the dog I want. And I’m going to call him Mr. Fudge.”

“That’s a great name,” Mia said. “Who doesn’t like fudge?”

The air left Caleb’s chest in a rush of relief. This relationship was going to be a success. Mia would make it so because that was the kind of woman she was: caring, gentle and full of love just waiting to be expressed. Maybe her fear had to do with Lily’s father, and yet he saw no fear in Mia now, just a sweet spirit that Lily was warming to. He’d been right to bring them together.

He studied the two heads, one so dark, one shimmering with light, just like her mother’s. He had a hunch that Mia would one day make some lucky child an incredible mother. Some child—like Lily?

Caleb seldom prayed anymore. God seemed too far away. But this afternoon the soundless plea slipped from his heart.

Can You find Lily a new mom, God?

As Lily’s giggles filled the air, Caleb couldn’t think of anyone he’d rather see her with than sweet, gentle Mia.

Chapter Three

“Lily’s an incredible child.” Mia couldn’t conceal how moved she was after meeting her husband’s daughter.

“You didn’t feel a barrier because she’s, well, your stepchild?”

“Not at all.” Her certainty surprised Mia. “It’s obvious Harlan was her father. Those eyes and that chin give it away, but Lily is her own person. She isn’t responsible for Harlan’s betrayal. She’s just a little girl who’s lost her mother.”

“I’m glad you feel that way,” Caleb said warmly. The admiration and appreciation in his gaze warmed a lonely place Mia always kept hidden.

Perhaps it also emboldened her because she blurted, “What happened to Lily’s leg?”

“A riding accident.” Caleb shuddered. “A year ago she was on a horse for the first time and it threw her. Lily broke her leg. It was a complicated break and hasn’t healed well.”

“Can it be fixed?” Mia asked.

“Reba told Lara she couldn’t find a surgeon willing to try another operation.” Caleb’s forehead furrowed. “I haven’t had time to check into that. Abby Lebret, the woman who runs Family Ties and is trying to find Lily a home, might have more information.”

“Family Ties—oh, yes, the adoption agency you mentioned. So you’ve handed care of Lily over to them?” Mia said, not managing to hide her disapproval.

“It seemed best. I’m not father potential,” he said, defensively, Mia thought.

“I thought you were very loving with her, exactly as a father would be.” She mentally replayed her meeting with Lily. “She reminds me of myself at her age.” She didn’t realize she’d spoken her thoughts aloud until she heard Caleb’s voice.

“How is that?”

“I was a sickly child. I missed a lot because I was often in hospital or at home recuperating.” Wishing she’d kept silent and fearing Caleb would press to hear more, Mia explained, “It was hard socially when I joined school after the others had already made friends.”

“You think Lily’s missing out like that?” The idea seemed to startle him. “I’ve been so intent on getting her affairs worked out that I never gave much thought to her social state.”

“She seems a bit restrained. That’s probably due to just losing her mother, but I have a feeling her leg also holds her back from being more outgoing.” Mia shrugged. “I may be way off base. I’m not a child expert.” She gave a harsh laugh. “Far from it, in fact.”

“Actually you’re right. Before the accident, Lily was bubbly, giggling all the time. You’re the first one I’ve heard make her laugh in ages.” His frown reappeared. “I should visit her more often. Maybe take her out so she doesn’t brood. I’ll have to do better.”

Caleb’s soft voice, his thoughtful words and the gentle goodbye kiss he’d brushed across Lily’s cheek all revealed his soft spot for her. Mia found it indescribably attractive that this hard-nosed lawyer became putty in Lily’s tiny hands.

“Thank you for taking me to meet her. She’s a darling child. It’s Harlan’s loss that he didn’t really know her.” It was the first time she’d ever said anything negative about her husband, but after meeting Lily, Mia was annoyed that he’d apparently ignored the sweet little girl, his own daughter.

“You and she seemed to bond.” Caleb’s mild tone made her check his face. Nothing unusual there, but the way he’d said it, almost smugly...

“Who wouldn’t bond with Lily?” Mia was immediately sorry she’d said that because they both knew Harlan hadn’t bonded with her. “I wish you the best in finding her a new family to love her,” she added, hoping to dissuade him from considering her as a candidate for Lily’s mother.

“Thanks.” Caleb fell silent.

Mia bit her lip. If Caleb knew about her past, the mistake she’d made that had cost a child his life—she refocused, saw his face alter into that blank-mask look he favored.

“So what’s next for you, Mia?” he asked.

“That’s the second time you’ve asked me that question.” Wondering at the reason for his query, Mia searched his face for a clue. “Why?”

“Just wondering if you’d come and visit her again,” he said.

Visiting Lily alone was the last thing she could do.

“I have no way to get out here. I don’t drive, remember?” The joke fell flat when Caleb suddenly slowed and turned right. “Wh-where are we going?”

“To do some driver training.” He flashed a grin before pulling onto a seldom-used gravel road. “Ready?”

“I can’t—” Mia gulped, then swallowed her words when he jumped out of the car. When he opened her door, she reminded him, “I don’t have a permit.”

“We’ll rectify that later. This is my land, so right now you’re perfectly legal to drive on it since I’m with you. Trust me. I’m a lawyer.” He gave her a cheeky grin. “If you get into trouble, I’ll bail you out, or sweet-talk the cops.”

Trust wasn’t something Mia was ready to give, but what choice did she have?

“You may regret this,” she advised. When it became clear he wasn’t backing down, she sighed her resignation, walked around the car and climbed in on the driver’s side. “Fasten your seat belt,” she ordered as if she knew what she was doing.

Caleb obeyed with a deep-throated chuckle. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Now what?” She prayed she didn’t ruin his vehicle. It looked expensive. She flicked the key as told and flinched when the motor ground too long.

“Twist, then let go,” Caleb directed calmly. Mia repeated the action with better results. “Good. Now you need to start moving. Right pedal is the gas.” He waited for her nod. “Left is the brake. Keep your foot on that while you put the car into gear and then gently press on the gas pedal.”

Mia followed his words and gave a little squeal when the car started rolling forward. She froze, her fingers clinging to the wheel as the car headed for the ditch.

“You do have to steer,” Caleb said in a mild tone as he turned the wheel so the car returned to the middle of the road. “Don’t worry about oncoming traffic. I’m the only one who lives on this road. I moved out here after Lara died.”

It took all Mia’s concentration to keep the car centered. She knew he was impatient for her to speed up, but she was terrified to do so.

“You can move a little faster,” Caleb hinted after she’d driven at a snail’s crawl for five minutes.

“I’ll try.” She pressed the gas, but the wheels felt squishy, so she slowed down until she was comfortable. Well, as comfortable as she could be driving his car. “I like this speed. I don’t feel as if I’m losing control,” she said when he hissed in a breath of frustration.

“Maybe it’s the gravel,” he suggested. “I doubt you’ve driven on that before.”

“I’ve never driven on anything before,” she reminded him with an impish smile. “Oh, there’s your house.” She studied the sprawling ranch home. “It’s nice.”

“Eyes on the road,” he reminded her.

“Oh, dear.” Mia jerked the wheel to center the car once more then realized the road turned in a circle. Steering around it wasn’t as easy as it looked. When she found herself heading for a massive pine tree, she pressed her foot against the brake pedal with all her strength.

Caleb gave an “oof” as he slammed back against the seat. Mia risked a look at him, disgusted to find he was laughing.

“It’s not funny,” she said, irritated that he’d put her in this situation.

“Yes, it is.” His silver eyes glittered with amusement. “You drive like a scared girl.”

“I am a scared girl,” she growled, but he only laughed harder. “I think it’s time for you to take over.” She lifted her hand to unclasp her seat belt, but Caleb laid his over it. “What?”

“You’re still in gear, Mia.”

Too aware of his warm hand on hers, she shifted the lever into Park then glanced at him. “Okay?”

“Uh-uh. One thing you’ll learn early on is that when you get in a driving pickle, you have to get yourself out.” His gentle voice soothed her skittery nerves. “Don’t expect to do everything right at first. You haven’t done this before. It’s natural to make mistakes.” He drew his hand away. “I’m sorry I laughed at you.”

“No, you’re not,” Mia contradicted, frowning as the corners of his lips tipped up.

“No, I’m not,” he agreed. A chuckle burst from him. “You’re a good sport, Mia.”

“Thank you. I think.” Her breath caught as she met his gaze. Why did Caleb Grant have to be so good-looking?

“Now try again,” he ordered.

She sighed, shifted back into Drive and turned the wheel, slowly easing down the road.

“Very good,” he praised. The words sounded like music to her ears.

“I’m sure most women have their driver’s license long before they’re my age,” she said, suddenly awkward in his presence. “I must seem like a dinosaur to you.”

“Pretty young dinosaur. Actually, I think you have a lot of guts.” The quiet compliment drew her glance his way. Caleb smiled. “Not everyone would meet her husband’s daughter and then take on learning to drive after what you’ve been through today. I don’t think Harlan had a clue about what a strong woman you are. You have a lot of courage, Mia.”

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