A Father's Second Chance. Mindy Obenhaus

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ with her meal, she pulled Gage’s business card from the folder. The sooner she gave him the go-ahead, the sooner he could start.

      She picked up her cell phone.

      “Celeste?” Karla poked her graying head around the corner. “Health inspector’s here.”

      “Now?” She’d been anticipating a visit. And while she had nothing to hide, the timing could have been better.

      By the time the inspector—who was very friendly, though a bit chatty—left, Celeste needed to set up for dinner. Thanks to Karla, the Mexican rice was simmering and enchiladas were in the oven, so tonight’s special was covered.

      Celeste gave the fifty-something woman a hug. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Karla.”

      “That’s quite all right, hon. I didn’t do anything you wouldn’t do yourself.”

      Keeping one eye on the restaurant via the pass-through, Celeste grabbed a stack of red plastic baskets and lined each with a wax paper sheet so they’d be ready for tortilla chips later. Granny’s Kitchen always had more guests on enchilada night, so she wanted to be prepared. Next, she placed a stack of small bowls beside the baskets. They’d be needed for the salsa she made earlier in the day.

      The door swung open then and two little blond-haired girls entered.

      Celeste’s heart lightened as she rounded into the dining room.

      “Celeste!” Cassidy and Emma cheered in unison when they saw her, sending her over the moon with delight.

      She gave them each a hug, scanning the area outside for signs of their father.

      “We want cupcakes.” Emma climbed onto a bar stool.

      “No, Emma.” Her sister did likewise, though with more finesse. “It’s a cupcake class.”

      “Oh, you mean you want to sign up for Cupcake Mania?” Celeste moved Emma to the center of her seat so she wouldn’t fall off.

      “Uh-huh.” Emma’s head bobbed emphatically.

      Celeste again watched for Gage. “Where’s your father?”

      “He’s at the hardware store.” Cassidy adjusted the plastic headband that held her long hair away from her face. “But he said we could see if you were here.”

      Something about that statement made her feel warm and fuzzy. “Well, I’m so glad you did.” She contemplated offering them a cookie, but decided against it since it was almost dinnertime.

      “It smells good in here.” As if to prove her point, Emma took a deep breath through her nose.

      “Well, thank you.” She patted the child’s back. “That’s always a good thing in a restaurant.”

      “Can we eat here?” Emma looked at her, very matter-of-factly.

      “I, uh...well...” Where are you, Gage? “That would be up to your father. But I’d certainly love to have you.” Boy, she needed to stay on her toes around this little one. “So, did your daddy tell you about the cupcake class?”

      “No. My friend Bella said she was coming and that I should come, too.”

      “And me,” Emma was quick to inject.

      Out of the corner of her eye, Celeste saw Gage walk past the front windows.

      He held the door open for Rose Daniels and Florence Griffin. “Ladies.”

      The two elderly women were always first in on enchilada night. Although Celeste wasn’t sure if either one of them actually believed themselves to be elderly. They had more spunk and spirit than people half their age.

      “Good evening, ladies.” She snagged two menus from beside the cash register.

      “You can put those away, Celeste.” Rose, Blakely’s grandmother and one of Granny’s best friends, approached the counter. “Florence and I know exactly what we want.”

      “Gage, these girls of yours are growing like weeds.” Florence fluffed her silvery hair, her hazel eyes bouncing between Cassidy and Emma.

      “They sure are.” Gage took off his ball cap and ran a hand through his dark hair. “I don’t suppose you ladies could give me any pointers on how to prevent that, could you?”

      Both women chuckled.

      “Just enjoy them while you can,” said Florence.

      “It was hard to tell you two youngsters from the big girls at Taryn’s wedding.” Rose’s smile reached her warm blue eyes as she regarded the girls. “Did you like getting all dressed up?”

      “Yes, ma’am,” said Cassidy.

      “I likeded the cake best.” Leave it to Emma to speak her mind.

      Celeste tucked the menus back in their place and followed the women to their usual booth at the center window, so they wouldn’t miss anything that might happen outside. “Two enchilada platters then?”

      Rose unwrapped the silverware from her napkin, her gaze flitting toward the counter. “Gage always was a handsome one. And there’s nothing quite as attractive as a loving father.” She looked up at Celeste, the corner of her mouth lifted. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

      Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

      Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

      Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

      Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.

/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAgEAYABgAAD/4Rv5RXhpZgAATU0AKgAAAAgABwESAAMAAAABAAEAAAEaAAUA AAABAAAAYgEbAAUAAAABAAAAagEoAAMAAAABAAIAAAExAAIAAAAcAAAAcgEyAAIAAAAUAAAAjodp AAQAAAABAAAApAAAANAADqYAAAAnEAAOpgAAACcQQWRvYmUgUGhvdG9zaG9wIENTMiBXaW5kb3dz ADIwMTU6MDY6MDMgMDc6Mjg6NDcAAAAAA6ABAAMAAAABAAEAAKACAAQAAAABAAAB9KADAAQAAAAB AAADFwAAAAAAAAAGAQMAAwAAAAEABgAAARoABQAAAAEAAAEeARsABQAAAAEAAAEmASgAAwAAAAEA AgAAAgEABAAAAAEAAAEuAgIABAAAAAEAABrDAAAAAAAAAEgAAAABAAAASAAAAAH/2P/gABBKRklG AAECAABIAEgAAP/tAAxBZG9iZV9DTQAB/+4ADkFkb2JlAGSAAAAAAf/bAIQADAgICAkIDAkJDBEL CgsRFQ8MDA8VGBMTFRMTGBEMDAwMDAwRDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAENCwsN Dg0QDg4QFA4ODhQUDg4ODhQRDAwMDAwREQwMDAwMDBEMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwM DAwM/8AAEQgAoABlAwEiAAIRAQMRAf/dAAQAB//EAT8AAAEFAQEBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAMAAQIEBQYH CAkKCwEAAQUBAQEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAQA СКАЧАТЬ