Reunited In The Rockies. Mindy Obenhaus

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СКАЧАТЬ so early. I mean, the wedding isn’t for another week.”

      “I wanted to be here to help Lily with some of the preparations.” Her hands went to her hips again as her gaze traveled from the redstone cliffs that hugged the back of the park to Mount Hayden’s peak at the opposite end of town. “That and I needed a change of scenery.”

      “Well, we’ve got plenty of that around here.” Though he had no business doing it, he found himself staring again. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. Yet while the hair and eyes were the same, something was different about Kayla. She seemed...troubled. Maybe it was just the awkwardness of the moment.

      Shaking off the notion, he added, “But then, you already know that.”

      She peered up at him through long lashes, sending his heart slamming into his ribs. “I wasn’t sure if you were still in Ouray.”

      Wasn’t sure? Kayla knew better than anyone that this was where he belonged. “It’s my home. Where my roots are.” And while that was the exact reason he could never leave, it was also what had prevented him from asking her to stay. Kayla needed to roam, meaning their relationship would have been doomed from the start and he would have ended up brokenhearted anyway.

      Looking for an escape, he turned his attention to her tire. “I’ll get this taken care of so you can be on your way.”

      “You always were the chivalrous one.” Her smile did strange things to him. Had him feeling things he had no business feeling for a married woman. Things that were going to make this next week excruciatingly long.

      * * *

      Kayla Bradshaw had known that agreeing to be in Lily’s wedding could mean coming face-to-face with the first man she ever loved. Something that seemed relatively benign, until now.

      Jude still had that slightly dangerous look about him. Those piercing dark eyes that seemed to see right through her. To read her thoughts and know her heart. His dark hair had a military cut with close-cropped sides and the longer top brushed to one side. But, oh, that smile...

      Pulling out of the park with a fresh tire, she gave herself a stern shake. It wasn’t like her to be so affected. Then again, a lot of things were different with her lately. Chalk it up to pregnancy. Or stress. After all, when her husband died five months ago in a single-car rollover, she hadn’t even known she was pregnant.

      She continued into the old mining town, eyeing the mountains that enveloped Ouray. She hoped God forgave her for the relief she felt following Shane’s death.

      If only she’d known he was an alcoholic before they married. He was a different man when he drank.

      After his death, she’d wanted nothing more than a do-over. A fresh start for her and her baby. And while she had yet to find that perfect place to begin anew, Lily had done her best to fill in the gap.

      When Kayla decided to sell the house she’d shared with Shane, Lily had encouraged her to move into her place and house-sit while she and her kids spent the summer in Ouray. Four months later, she was still there.

      Kayla puffed out a laugh. She never would have imagined that her friend would decide to stay in Ouray, let alone fall in love with the brother of the man who’d captured Kayla’s heart seven years ago and given her a glimpse of how good life could really be.

      She was surprised, if not a little disappointed, to see that Jude was a police officer, though. With his woodworking talents and love for historic buildings, she’d thought for sure he’d follow his passion.

      Slowing her speed as she entered town, she tried to ignore the question that had been plaguing her brain. But like a nasty mosquito bite, it refused to be ignored. Was Jude married?

      Not that it mattered. Their time together was water under the bridge. He’d made that clear during their last phone conversation. He’d said he was done. Then he’d hung up. And she never had the opportunity to talk to him again.

      She had no doubt Jude assumed she was married, though. The way his gaze moved from her left hand to her baby bump.

      Taking in Ouray’s Main Street, she was happy to see not all that much had changed. Sure, the names on some of the businesses were different, the paint colors may have been altered, but the essence of the town remained the same. Warm, inviting... The kind of place she’d longed for her entire life. A place she could not only call home, but where she felt at home.

      Looking back, she wished she’d had the guts to tell her parents to leave Ouray without her. But she’d been too immature.

      In Denver, though, she’d finally put her foot down, thinking that staying there would satisfy her desire. No more traveling around the country in an RV. Then she’d married and Shane owned a house. Something she’d never had. Yet her longing was far from fulfilled, and her dream turned into a nightmare.

      If only she’d made better choices. If only—

      “Would you stop thinking about Jude already?” Pounding her fist against the steering wheel, she made a left turn onto one of the side streets. “You’re here for Lily, not to relive seven-year-old might-have-beens.” She wasn’t that carefree young woman Jude had once known. Her two years with Shane had changed her. Made her more cautious and unable to trust her own judgment.

      A right turn one block later had her searching for the bed-and-breakfast where she would be staying. According to Lily, Granger House Inn was a historic home owned by another of Jude’s four brothers and his wife. Fortunately, she’d never met this brother, so there’d be no need for explanations. Yet.

      She eased her truck to a stop in front of an impressive sea-foam-green Victorian home with loads of intricate millwork and a gracious front porch. Since Lily’s SUV was parked in the drive, this had to be the place.

      Kayla turned off the ignition, stepped out of her vehicle and stretched as she drew in a deep breath of mountain air. The clouds had disappeared, leaving a beautiful autumn day in their wake.

      She moved up the walk, onto the porch and rang the bell.

      A few moments later, Lily swung the antique-oak-and-leaded-glass door wide. Her long reddish-blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail and her smile was wide. “Kayla!” She hugged her. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

      “Me, too.” It did her heart good to see her friend so happy. In recent years, Lily had endured some tough times. Yet, through it all, she’d clung to her faith. And now she’d found a man who shared that faith and recognized Lily for the special woman she was.

      Kayla could only hope to be so fortunate.

      Lily released her. “Where’s your stuff?”

      “In the truck.”

      “Well, let’s get you unpacked because I have something I can’t wait to show you.”

      “Such as?” Kayla watched her friend as they started off the porch.

      “You’ll have to wait and see.”

      When they returned with her things, another woman stood just inside the door, holding a tiny baby.

      “Look who’s finally awake.” Lily grinned at the child, setting Kayla’s suitcase СКАЧАТЬ