Free A McKaslin Homecoming (The McKaslin Clan) by Jillian Hart Page B

Hiring aP.I. is expensive and not even necessary.” Caleb had a clear view of Lauren in the front passenger seat. There was something about her. He thought of her as he’d seen her this morning, brushed with the rosy-golden glow of the new day’s sun and looking so happy. She’d talked of putting herself through school.
    Spence let out a frustrated huff as the SUV slowed to a stop next to the garage. “You’re right. Maybe you could do some preliminary stuff for me. Get a credit check. See if she has a record. That sort of thing. See what that brings up before I dig into my savings to hire a detective.”
    “Spence, I don’t think—”
    “You think it’s sneaky to have my own sister investigated, don’t you?” It wasn’t distrust but something deeper that darkened Spence’s voice. Worry. Hurt. Who knew? But he sounded sincere. “I’m asking you as my friend. For Gran’s sake. You’d do the same in my place, admit it.”
    “I don’t think it’s necessary, Spence.”
    “I don’t care. Remember your grandmother before she passed?”
    Caleb’s heart squeezed at the memory ofhis gentle grandmother and how trusting she was. She’d been vulnerable after Pop had passed away. It was love, Caleb knew, and this was one way a man showed his love, to protect those he held dear. “I’ll do a little legwork for you.”
    “That’s a great relief to me. Thanks.”
    He could see Lauren through the windshield as the SUV circled into the driveway. She lifted her hand in a little finger wave and he waved back. He was definitely drawn to her. He didn’t think Spence’s worries had any merit to them. “I think it’ll be fine, you’ll see,” he told Spence.
    Spence said nothing and Caleb hoped, in time, his friend would let his guards down enough to see the truth. He would pray for him. The SUV pulled to a stop and Lauren climbed out of the passenger seat, turning toward him. He didn’t think he’d seen any woman more lovely.
    The trouble was, he didn’t want to like her.

Chapter Six
    T hrough the kitchen’s picture window, Lauren kept noticing Caleb on the porch, busily husking corncobs. She wasn’t trying to notice. Her gaze simply kept straying to him. She had enough to occupy her thoughts with her sisters in the kitchen. She should concentrate on helping with the dinner preparations and on her sisters, not on a man. So what if he intrigued her? There was nothing more to it than a simple shared horse-riding experience.
    Back to work, Lauren. She dug through the biggest drawer, looking for the beaters for the hand mixer.
    “Poor Caleb,” Aubrey came to gaze toward the window, too. “Out there with a mountain of ears to husk. He needs help.”
    “I’ll do it!” Ava volunteered from her sitting position on the edge of the counter. Aubrey, as the oldest twin and the one in charge, had banished Ava there to keep her out of the way. “I might as well make myself useful,” she argued.
    “You brought dessert, that was useful,” Aubrey said firmly. “Besides, I’m sure Caleb needs actual help.”
    “I am corn-husking challenged,” Ava agreed cheerfully.
    It was strange watching them, because she was still an outsider. She didn’t know why everyone chuckled in good-natured amusement when Ava had accidentally dropped the colander of newly picked and washed green beans. They’d flown everywhere, and Aubrey quietly gathered them up and washed them off. There had been no anger and no shouting. At least, that was the only family experience Lauren had to draw on. She liked this way much better.
    The sisters worked in easy synchronicity. Lauren felt a step behind, but they didn’t mean to make her feel that way.
    “I’ll take over mashing the potatoes.” Aubrey’s impressive engagement diamondflashed as she opened a cabinet and grabbed the hand mixer. “I think Caleb’s out there to escape being outnumbered. There’s just him and Spence against all of us. But he looks a little lonely, don’t you