A Father's Second Chance. Mindy Obenhaus

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СКАЧАТЬ could use this.” She set the cup in front of him and poured.

      “That bad, huh?”

      She puffed out a gentle laugh. “That bear—or at least thoughts of him—kept me awake half the night, too.”

      Bear? He palmed the cup, the warmth seeping into his fingers. He should be so lucky.

      “Cream or sugar?”

      “No, thanks.” He took a sip, trying not to make eye contact. Celeste’s long blond hair was pulled back yet again, her attire more business than casual, and she’d grown at least two inches since last night.

      “Excuse me for a minute.” She replaced the coffeepot on the warmer before continuing into the kitchen.

      Gage couldn’t help wondering what had happened to the overbearing, dictatorial Celeste he met with yesterday afternoon. The one who had been a burr under his saddle. That Celeste he could deal with. The sweet, nurturing Celeste who showed up uninvited in his dreams? Not so much.

      A few minutes later, she returned, carrying a foil pan encased in a plastic bag. She set it beside him. “My way of saying thank you for your help last night.”

      The sight of six homemade cinnamon rolls covered in rich, gooey icing wiped every thought from his brain as his stomach broke into a Snoopy dance. “Where’s a fork?”

      “Not so fast. Those are for later.”

      “What?”

      “Order up.”

      Celeste reached toward the stainless steel pass-through to the kitchen and retrieved a plate. “This one is for now.” Frosting dripped from the steaming, oversize confection she placed in front of him. She handed him a fork and a short stack of napkins. “That is, unless you’ve already had breakfast.”

      “I haven’t.” Filled with more anticipation than a grown man ought to have, he grabbed the fork. “And even if I had...” The warm pastry melted in his mouth while an explosion of cinnamon and creamy sweetness chased his cares away. “This is even better than I remembered.”

      “I’m glad you approve.”

      “Oh, I almost forgot.” He positioned his fork on the edge of the plate and picked up the file. “I finished your quote.”

      Her brown eyes went wide. “Are you kidding?” She accepted the folder. “How did you manage that?”

      No way was he going to let on how the sight of her with Cassidy and Emma had affected him. “Guess that bear riled us both.”

      “Order up.”

      “Drat!” Celeste tucked the file folder on the opposite work counter, alongside rows of ketchup, mustard and hot sauce bottles. “Duty calls.” She retrieved two more plates from the pass-through and was on her way.

      Gage savored the first decent cinnamon roll he’d had in twenty years, washing down his last bite with a swig of coffee. Mission accomplished. The quote had been delivered and even though he’d been here longer than planned, the cinnamon roll more than made up for it. Now all he had to do was finish up some last-minute details at the Schmidts’ and he’d have the rest of the day to himself.

      Standing, he reached for the care package Celeste had given him.

      “This is starting to become a habit.” Blakely squeezed between him and the next stool, not looking anywhere near as chipper as she’d been yesterday.

      He helped her onto the chair. “You feeling okay?”

      “Yeah. I just got some disturbing news, that’s all.” She pointed to the pan of rolls. “Hard to resist, aren’t they?”

      “Morning, Blakely.” Celeste whisked along the other side of the counter.

      “Hey there, Gage. Blakely.” Kaleb Palmer, Gage’s old classmate and the town’s most decorated veteran, waited in front of the register.

      “I’ve been hearing some rumors about you, Kaleb.” Crossing her arms, Blakely leaned her elbows against the counter and looked past Gage. “And I sure hope they’re true.”

      “Well, that depends.” The former soldier who’d lost a leg in Afghanistan grinned and handed Celeste a ten. “What kind of rumors?”

      Blakely’s brow lifted. “That you’re looking to buy Mountain View Tours from Ross Chapman.”

      Their good-natured friend accepted his change and turned to face them. “Then that would be correct.”

      “Yes!” Blakely squirmed out of her chair and thrust her arms around Kaleb’s waist. “Praise the Lord and hallelujah.”

      It was no secret that Ross Chapman, Mountain View Tours’ current owner, had been a thorn in Blakely’s side. Not to mention a poor businessman, nearly running the once well-established business into the ground.

      Kaleb squeezed Blakely’s shoulder. “I just hope we can be allies instead of competitors.”

      “Without a doubt. Trent and I will be happy to help you any way we can.”

      “Good deal.” Kaleb started for the door, the hitch of his prosthetic leg virtually unnoticeable. “Now I’ve just got to get things hashed out with Chapman.”

      Blakely grimaced. “Don’t bring up my name, then. However, I’ll definitely be praying for things to work out.”

      “You can count me in on those prayers,” said Celeste.

      “Me, too.” Gage admired Kaleb’s determination and positive outlook. He had every confidence his friend could do wonders for both Mountain View Tours and Ouray’s tourism industry.

      “’Preciate that, guys.” Kaleb waved as he pushed the door open. “Catch ya later.”

      Celeste grabbed a couple of menus as another couple entered the restaurant. “I’ll be right back, y’all.”

      Gage helped Blakely back into her seat. “That news ought to help shore up whatever was bothering you earlier.”

      “I wish.” She ran her fingers through her strawberry blond hair. “You know the fall festival?”

      “Sure. The girls were just talking about it the other day.”

      “Linda Barrow was supposed to be in charge. I found out this morning that she completely dropped the ball.”

      He eased back into his own chair, studying Blakely’s pinched expression. “What do you mean?”

      “You know her mom’s been sick.”

      He nodded.

      “Apparently time got away from her. Not one thing has been done for the festival.”

      “What festival?” Celeste peeled a sheet from her order pad and clipped it to the wheel on the pass-through before giving it a spin.

      “The СКАЧАТЬ