Page 23 of Redeeming Melodies

"Mom says you're not answering anyone's calls. Are you mad at me?"

Something must have shown on my face because Caleb's expression softened. "Look, whatever brought you here, whatever you're running from - that's your business. But Oakwood Grove's not a bad place to catch your breath."

"That's what the sheriff said."

"Jake's usually right about these things." Caleb stood up, dropping some bills on his table. "I mean it about the stables, by the way. If you need somewhere quiet to think, horses are better listeners than people."

The offer of solitude, after all this forced socializing, was tempting. "I'll keep that in mind."

Caleb settled back in his chair, something shifting in his expression. The overly cheerful welcome wagon act faded into something more genuine. "You said you're not from around here. Big city guy?"

"Something like that." I stirred my coffee, watching the cream create patterns. "Been living out of hotels lately, actually."

"Sounds lonely." No judgment in his voice, just quiet understanding.

"It's fine." The automatic response slipped out before I could stop it, the same one I gave reporters asking about my 'emotional state.'

"Sure it is." Caleb's smile turned knowing. "That's why you're drinking coffee in a small-town diner at seven in the morning, looking like you're ready to bolt if someone breathes wrong."

I should've been annoyed at his read on me, but something about his direct honesty felt refreshing after months of carefully crafted statements and PR spin.

"Just needed a change of scenery," I said finally. "Somewhere quieter."

"Well, you found it. Oakwood Grove's about as quiet as it gets." He glanced at my phone, which hadn't stopped buzzing. "Most days, anyway."

My hand automatically moved to silence another call - Vanessa this time. Fantastic.

"You know," Caleb said casually, "my partner Liam's doing this charity thing at Rolling Hill Ranch on Friday. Local music, good food, nothing fancy. Might be worth checking out if you're still around."

The simple assumption that I might stick around, that I was just another guy who might enjoy some local entertainment - it hit something in my chest I hadn't expected.

"I don't know how long I'll be staying," I admitted. "Got some stuff to handle back home."

"Don't we all?" Caleb shrugged. "Offer stands either way. Liam's pretty good with a guitar, and Nina makes these sliders that'll make you forget whatever you're running from. At least for a night."

The way he said it - not pushing, not prying, just offering a simple kindness to a stranger - made my throat tight. When was the last time someone had invited me somewhere without wanting something from me?

"Thanks," I managed.

"No big deal." He stood up, brushing crumbs from his flannel shirt. "Like I said, horses are good listeners if you need that first.Stables are open from sunrise to sunset. Just follow the signs past the old Miller place."

My phone lit up with Tommy's face again. This time, I didn't ignore it.

"Go ahead," Caleb said, nodding at the phone. "Sounds important. And hey - welcome to Oakwood Grove. For however long you're here."

He left me there with my coffee and my son's ringtone, having somehow broken through more of my walls in twenty minutes than most people managed in years.

"Hey, champ," I said into the phone, watching Caleb's truck pull away through the window. The diner's morning buzz faded into background noise as Tommy's voice came through.

"Dad! Mom said you weren't answering your phone and I got worried and-" His words tumbled out in that breathless way of his.

"Slow down, buddy." I pressed the phone closer, like it could somehow bring him nearer. "I'm right here. Just needed some quiet for a bit."

"Are you mad at me?" His voice went small, making my heart clench.

"What? No, never. Why would you think that?"

"Because Mom said you left after she talked to the reporters, and I thought maybe it was because of me, like maybe I did something wrong-"

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