Page 57 of Caleb

"I think they call that progress," Caleb deadpanned, leaning back in his chair.

Eugenia narrowed her eyes, wagging a spectral finger at him. "Progress, my foot. Don’t think for one second I’m letting you run off to some windy city without giving me grandchildren to meddle with. You hear me, boy?"

"Don’t worry," Caleb muttered under his breath. "I’m hearing you loud and clear."

“Why that job?”

Caleb nodded, his jaw tight. “Big promotion. Big opportunity. Bigger than me, apparently.”

"Did you ask her to marry you?" Eugenia’s voice cut through the quiet like a whip. She crossed her arms, her ethereal form shimmering faintly in the evening light. "Did you ask her to stay here? To build a life with you?"

Caleb tensed, his grip tightening on the porch railing. He avoided her gaze, staring out at the horizon as if it could give him an answer.

Eugenia’s tone sharpened. "Or did you just do what you always do, Caleb? Run."

He flinched, the accusation hitting home. “I didn’t run,” he said, his voice defensive, though it lacked conviction.

“Really?” Eugenia arched a brow, her usual sass returning. “Because from where I’m standing—or floating—it looks a hell of a lot like you handed her the door and told her to walk through it.”

“I told her to do what was best for her and Liam!” Caleb shot back, turning to face her.

“And why, exactly, didn’t you thinkyoucould be part of what was best for them?” she countered, her eyes narrowing. “Because you’re scared? Because you’re convinced you’ll screw it up? News flash, sweetness—life isn’t about guarantees. It’s about showing up. And from where I’m standing, you didn’t.”

“My father didn’t want to marry my mother,” Caleb said, his voice low and tight. He turned away, gripping the porch railing like it was the only thing holding him up. “If Taylor doesn’t want to marry me, then I’m not going to force her.”

Eugenia let out a sharp laugh, the sound both incredulous and biting. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Caleb Burnett, what century do you think we live in? Force her? You’re not dragging the poor woman to the altar by her hair.”

He glared at her, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “You don’t get it, Eugenia. If she wanted this—wanted me—she wouldn’t be looking for reasons to leave. She wouldn’t be taking a job halfway across the country!”

Eugenia floated closer, her expression softening as she studied him. “And did it ever occur to you that she’s taking that job because you made it seem like you didn’t want her to stay? Maybe she’s as scared as you are, and instead of fighting for her, you’re telling her to go?”

Caleb flinched, her words landing like a punch to the gut. “She didn’t ask me to go with her,” he muttered, his voice defensive.

Eugenia rolled her eyes. “Of course, she didn’t. She’s not going to beg, Caleb. Taylor’s too proud, and honestly, I respect the hell out of her for that. But pride only goes so far. Love, real love, requires a little humility. A little risk. You’d know if you weren’t so busy hiding behind your father’s mistakes.”

Caleb stiffened, her words cutting deeper than he wanted to admit. “I’m not hiding.”

“Oh, really?” she challenged, tilting her head. “Because it seems to me that you’re using your parents’ mess of a marriage as an excuse to keep yourself from having something real. Your father didn’t want to marry your mother? Fine. That’s his failure, not yours. But don’t you dare use that as an excuse to let history repeat itself.”

Caleb looked away, his throat tightening. “What if I’m like him?”

“You’re not,” Eugenia said firmly. “You’re your own man, Caleb. And Taylor isn’t your mother. Stop punishing yourself—and her—for things that aren’t your fault.”

Her voice softened, and she floated closer, her ghostly form glittering faintly in the moonlight. “You bought that engagement ring because you love her. Because you believe in something better. Don’t let fear steal that from you.”

Caleb stopped, turning to face her. “You don’t understand,” he said, his voice low. “You didn’t grow up in that house. You didn’t see what my parents were like.”

Eugenia waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, please. I’ve witnessed what goes on in this family for well over a hundred years. And let me tell you, Caleb, your father was a piece of work. But here’s the thing:you’re not him.”

Caleb clenched his fists. “I don’t want to end up like him,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Then don’t,” Eugenia said. “Honestly, it’s not that complicated. Love didn’t ruin your parents. It was their fear. Their stubbornness. Their inability to get out of their own damn way.”

He blinked, stunned by her bluntness. “You don’t pull any punches, do you?”

“Why should I?” she shot back. “You’re a grown man, Caleb. You’ve got a son who looks up to you and a woman who—let’s face it—would marry you tomorrow if you weren’t being such a ninny.”

“A ninny?” Caleb repeated, incredulous.

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