Reunited In The Rockies. Mindy Obenhaus

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       Chapter Two

      Jude eased his truck into the parking spot next to Lily’s SUV, still trying to get Kayla out of his mind. Between last night’s conversation with his father and seeing her today, he was wound up tighter than a two-dollar watch.

      God, I sure wish I knew what You’re trying to teach me. Because whatever it was, he’d just as soon learn it and move on.

      This might be a good night to lock himself in his shop and sort through his thoughts while he turned some spindles. That always seemed to relax him.

      Killing the engine, he stared at the old Congress Hotel. The three-story wooden structure that had once been labeled “the finest on the Western Slope” seemed to be disintegrating before his eyes. The white paint was either peeling or completely gone, the open veranda on the second floor that extended over the sidewalk sagged and much of the trim appeared damaged by the elements and countless years of neglect. He hated to see it. Though its restoration would be a major undertaking for anyone.

      Noting that one of the two doors on the front of the building stood open, he climbed out, eager to learn what Lily was up to.

      Still wearing his uniform—a black tactical shirt and gray cargo pants—he continued across the sidewalk and up the concrete steps until he stood on the vintage wooden floors that graced the hotel’s lobby. With its tin ceiling and antique furnishings, it felt as though he’d stepped into another place in time.

      The sun had already dipped behind Twin Peaks along the town’s western edge, and the remaining daylight struggled to make its way through the hazy stained-glass-rimmed windows along the front.

      “Lily?” He glanced up the staircase to his left before continuing past the ornately carved registration desk. Hearing sounds coming from the dining room, he moved in that direction.

      “Lil—” The sight of Kayla standing on a ladder stopped him in his tracks and sent his mind racing back to their first meeting. They’d both been hired by a local contractor to help with the restoration of one of the largest Victorian homes in town. She’d been standing on a ladder that day, too. And he’d been smitten the first moment he saw her.

      Hauling his traitorous mind back to the present, he cleared his throat. “Do you think it’s wise for you to be up there in your condition?”

      She shot him an annoyed look before returning her focus to the peeling wallpaper. “Trust me, I was doing this long before I was in this condition.”

      “True, but your center of equilibrium is different now. What if you were to fall? What would your husband say?”

      Using what looked like a pocketknife, she carefully pried another sliver of paper away from the plaster. “I doubt he’d care.”

      Confused, he took a step closer and set a hand on the ladder, just in case. “Why do you say that?”

      She closed the knife, tucked it into the pocket of her jeans and stepped down. “Because he’s dead.”

      He stood there, blinking, feeling as though someone had just hit him with a left hook. Her husband was dead? He glanced at her swollen belly. Leaving Kayla to raise their child alone. “I—I’m sorry.”

      “Don’t be.” She collapsed the ladder and leaned it against the wall. “My baby and I are doing just fine.”

      “Sorry, I took so long.” Lily breezed into the room then, stirring up the stale air. “Jude, I’m glad you’re here.” She looked from him to her friend. “Kayla, this is Noah’s brother Jude. He specializes in historic millwork reproduction.”

      He waited to see what Kayla would do. Would she tell Lily that they already knew each other? That they’d fallen in love? Or at least he had. Something that, apparently, hadn’t been reciprocated.

      Kayla’s gaze drifted to his. “Historic millwork?” He thought he saw a hint of a smile. “So, you’re not just a police officer.” Why did that seem to please her? And why did her reaction bolster him?

      “No, he is not,” Lily responded before he had a chance. “I’ve seen his work, and he’s quite talented. He can replicate almost anything, and you would never know it wasn’t an original.” Turning, she sent him a grin. “Which is why I asked you to meet me here.”

      He shoved his hands into the pockets of his cargo pants. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious.”

      “I want to restore this building. The hotel, restaurant, perhaps—” she strode to the center of the room “—and I can just envision this dining room being used for wedding receptions and parties...”

      His suspicions had been right. Scanning the decrepit dining room with its water-stained wallpaper and warped wooden floorboards, he could see Lily’s vision, but—

      “You’re looking at a lot of work, Lily, and that’s going to translate to money.” He crossed to stand beside her. “This room alone looks as though it has a fair amount of water damage. I don’t know where the water came from, but if it was overhead, then the damage is likely worse on the two upper floors.”

      She eyed him matter-of-factly. “I’ve already seen it. And yes, it is. But if someone doesn’t come in here and do something soon, things will continue to deteriorate, and it’ll cost even more.” She sent him a pleading look. “Jude, Ouray has blessed me in so many ways. If I can help save a part of its history, then I don’t care what it costs.”

      He smiled down at the likable woman who had more money than he could ever fathom. “Even if you weren’t marrying my brother, there’s no way I could say no to that. Just tell me what you want me to do.”

      “There’s lot of damaged millwork throughout the building. I’d like you to replicate it and oversee the installation.”

      “Sure, I can do that. Who’s your contractor?”

      “I’m not certain yet.” Lily strolled toward Kayla. “However, my sweet friend here has worked as a house flipper for a number of years.”

      “I work for a house flipper.” Kayla was quick to correct.

      “He purchases the homes, but you’re the one who oversees all of his projects. And you do a fair amount of the work yourself.” Taking Kayla by the arm, Lily again faced СКАЧАТЬ