A Father's Second Chance. Mindy Obenhaus

      “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 fall festival,” said Blakely. “All the churches in town come together to put on a carnival for the kids,” Gage explained.

      “Sounds like fun.”

      “It is.” Blakely folded her hands atop the counter. “Especially for the kids.”

      “But it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen this year.” Gage shook his head. “Which is a shame. A lot of kids are going to be disappointed. Mine included.”

      “No. They’re not.”

      Both Celeste and Gage stared at Blakely.

      “Austin has always loved the festival.” She absently rubbed her belly, as though considering the child growing inside her, too. “I couldn’t bear the thought of losing such a wonderful tradition. So...I said I’d take over.”

      Gage narrowed his gaze. “At the risk of sounding like Captain Obvious, you do realize you’re about to have a baby, don’t you?”

      Blakely laughed. “Not for another month. The festival will be over long before my due date.”

      “Still, you can’t take this all on by yourself, Blakely. How can I help? Besides sustaining you with cookies and cinnamon rolls.”

      Their friend grinned. “Well, I wasn’t exactly planning on doing the whole thing by myself. Just the organizing. I’ve got to come up with some people willing to solicit donations of food and prizes, create and set up games, recruit volunteers to work the festival...”

      “I can do the recruiting and solicitation.” Celeste’s expression turned serious.

      “You need a bounce house?” Gage downed the rest of his now lukewarm coffee.

      “I almost forgot about that. Yes.”

      “I know a guy in Montrose. I’ll give him a call. What else can I do?”

      Blakely took a deep breath and smiled, her blue eyes glistening with unshed tears. Probably just hormones, though it still made him uncomfortable. “You guys are amazing. Honestly, I was only coming in here for a cinnamon roll. But you’ve encouraged me so much.” She wiped at a tear. “With the three of us working together, I know we can make this the best fall festival yet.”

      Together? Gage had no problem with Blakely. But Celeste?

      Working