The Circle Eight: Caleb Read Free

he was the oldest Graham, responsible for the entire brood, including his own little group.
    “I had orders in this direction. I was over in Espejo and thought I’d stop by for a visit.” Caleb set Margaret down and hugged Matt briefly. “It’s good to see you.” To his surprise, Caleb meant it. For so long he had resented his brother, lived in his shadow, under his rule, especially after their parents were murdered nearly five years ago. Now that Caleb had his own life and was his own man, he no longer had any hard feelings for Matt.
    “Caleb Ezekiel Graham.” Hannah, Matt’s wife of four years, was a beauty in her own way, with glossy brown hair and expressive brown eyes. She was also extremely pregnant.
    Caleb’s mouth dropped open. “You’re having another one?”
    “If you came around more than twice a year you might know that.” She swatted his arm and then pulled him into a hug. The babe in her belly picked that moment to kick him. “See, the baby agrees with me.”
    Caleb laughed and hugged her back. They hadn’t started off as friends when Hannah married Matt, especially since it was a marriage of convenience. Yet he quickly discovered how strong and incredible his sister-in-law was. She was one of a kind and he had nothing but love for her.
    Two brown-haired teenage girls watched him from the other side of the table. At sixteen, Elizabeth had their mother’s beauty and grace. She was also too smart for her own good, the quietest of the Grahams. Rebecca was wild at thirteen, not quite as wild as Catherine, but a close second. At least she was wearing a dress.
    “ Hijo .” Eva appeared at his elbow. The petite woman was much more than a housekeeper and cook. She was the heart of the family, the second mother they had known all their lives. When their parents died, Eva was there for them, kept their home together when they might have fallen to pieces.
    Caleb found his throat tightening as he leaned down to hug her. She squeezed him surprisingly hard and he kept his touch gentle. The olive-skinned woman had aged gracefully, with beautiful black eyes and an elegance about her that few women had. She also always smelled good, like home.
    Damn, there was that strange thought again. The Circle Eight hadn’t been his home in four years. He had to stop thinking it was the place to go. There was no way he would stay or, God forbid, settle there for good.
    “I missed you, hijo .” Eva finally let him go and waved a finger in his face. “You stay away too long.”
    “I have a job, Eva, an important one. The Republic of Texas doesn’t take a holiday.” He looked around and wasn’t surprised Catherine was missing. “Your angel baby whooped my as—me in a race. You need to get her out of those trousers and give her a sewing needle.”
    Six females smacked him at once, on his arms, his shoulders, his back and even his knees. Exclamations of disgust preceded them leaving him alone. Finally. Too much family time made him break out in hives.
    “Sit, everyone. It’s time to eat,” Eva ordered and they obeyed. Everyone sat down quickly, eager for the delicious treat ahead.
    Caleb noted three empty chairs. One was obviously Catherine’s. “Lorenzo and Javier?”
    “They had to go into town today for supplies. They might be back in time but I made enough for everyone. Even unexpected guests.” Eva raised one brown at him and emphasized the word guests.
    Caleb didn’t want to think he was a guest, but at the same time he wanted to stop thinking of the Circle Eight as home. He couldn’t have it both ways.
    “I get here when I can, Eva. I’m not avoiding you.” He sat in Catherine’s chair and hoped she appeared so he could make her try to move him. That would teach her to beat him in a horse race. Brat.
    Everyone heaped their plates with hot tortillas, spicy beans and peppers. Eva was a traditional Mexican cook and her food was the best he had ever eaten, no exaggeration. The first bite of the stuffed