Falling For The Hometown Hero. Mindy Obenhaus

the flip side—

      No. He wasn’t going to go there. Because for as much as he hated to admit it, Grace just might be the key to his success.

      * * *

      Grace did not want to do this now.

      She hadn’t seen her mother since Lucy’s wedding last year. Right after Grace had returned from deployment and learned that her own marriage was over. So why on earth would Mama come to Mountain View Tours—a public place—for their first encounter? What if the place had been filled with customers?

      Unless her mother was trying to protect herself, thinking Grace wouldn’t call her out if someone else was around. But now that Kaleb was gone...

      “Why didn’t you tell me Roger worked here?”

      Mama squared her shoulders in a defiant manner.

      “I’m not trying to pick a fight, Mama. The news just kind of blindsided me, that’s all. I wish you would have told me.”

      Lifting her chin, her mother said, “If I had, though, would you have taken the job?”

      “I guess we’ll never know, will we?” Though resignation laced Grace’s tone, she made sure there was no accusation.

      “Grace, you’re my daughter. I miss you. And I’d like to have a relationship with you.”

      “Like you do with Lucy.” The two of them were always chatting up a storm about the latest fashion trends, celebrities and such. Things Grace didn’t have a clue about. Especially after spending ten months at sea.

      Mama shrugged. “It’s easier with Lucy. She lets me in.”

      “I tell you things.”

      Her mother chuckled. “Only when I ask. Even then, you only give me enough to get me to stop with the questions. Yet you never had any problem talking to your father.” Mama looked away. “I always envied that.”

      Envy? Seriously? Grace’s gut churned with the shock of Mama’s revelation, leaving any words she might have said stuck inside.

      She glanced out the window. “Kaleb will be back soon.” And she didn’t know how to continue this conversation with her mother. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

      “See what I mean. Instead of allowing anyone in, you avoid whatever makes you uncomfortable.”

      She let Aaron in. And look how that turned out.

      “This isn’t about being uncomfortable. This is reality. And reality dictates that I have a job, which means I have a boss. A boss who will be back any moment, expecting me to work.” She took a deep breath, contemplating her next offer. “I can stop by tonight...if you like.”

      Mama’s expression turned hopeful. “For dinner? I’ll make your favorite.”

      Grace’s spirits lifted a notch. “Nonna Gigi’s lasagna?”

      “Of course.”

      Grace’s mouth watered just thinking about it. Nonna Gigi’s lasagna was the ultimate in comfort food. One Grace had not had the pleasure of indulging in for years.

      Mama sure knew how to dangle the carrot.

      “I don’t get off work until six.”

      “That’s all right. We typically don’t eat until six thirty or seven.”

      “One burger with everything.” Kaleb blew through the door. “Along with some of the freshest French fries in Ouray.”

      She caught a whiff of the enticing aroma as he walked past. If they tasted half as good as they smelled...

      Her mother eased toward the door. “I’ll get out of your hair so you two can get back to work.”

      Kaleb set the white paper bag on the counter and turned to face them. “Did Grace tell you we’re going to be doing some redecorating in here?” He gestured his hand about the office.

      “She did not.” Mama paused, her hand on the doorknob, a smile at the corners of her mouth.

      Evidently, now that he’d had time to think, Kaleb decided the suggestion had been a good one.

      “Looks like we’ll be doing some painting and who knows what else to get the place in shape.”

      “Oh, I’d love to help.” Having transformed many a bland military house into a warm and inviting home, Mama not only loved, but had lots of experience with decorating.

      Working alongside her, though?

      Slinking toward the desk and the tantalizing aromas, Grace spotted the local newspaper on the corner of the counter.

      “That’d be great, Donna. Like my grandmother always said, many hands make light work.”

      Try as she might, Grace couldn’t share Kaleb’s enthusiasm. Too many memories to be objective, she supposed.

      “What’s Roger up to today?”

      “He’s substitute teaching at the school.”

      Talk of Roger had Grace wishing she were already on that cruise ship. She picked up the newspaper and thumbed through the pages. Maybe there was another job in Ouray that she might enjoy. One that didn’t involve working with her stepfather.

      “Grace?”

      “Hmm...?” She looked at Kaleb first, then her mother.

      “I’ll see you for dinner, then?”

      She closed the paper. Folded it. “Just as soon as I get off work.”

      With her mother gone, Kaleb opened the bags and sorted out the food.

      Grace accepted her burger. “Sorry my mother interrupted us like that. I’m sure she won’t make a habit of dropping in.”

      “Don’t worry about it. After missing you last night, she was probably eager to see you. I understand.” He passed her a small bag of fries. Thin-cut, just the way she liked them. “Pull up a stool.” He pointed behind the desk.

      While he unwrapped his burger and took a bite, she grabbed the basic wooden stool and sat down, her appetite waning.

      “Something wrong with your burger?”

      “No. Just thinking about this evening.”

      Kaleb jerked his head up, a blob of mayo clinging to his bottom lip. “Problem?”

      He grabbed a napkin and wiped his mouth.

      She picked up a fry, rolling it between her forefinger and thumb. “I just don’t know how I’m going to handle spending an entire evening with Roger.”

      “Why? He’s a great guy.”

      “So people keep telling me. But what kind of guy goes after a woman whose husband has been dead less than a year?”

      Kaleb settled his sandwich on top of the flattened bag. “Did you know Roger lost his wife to cancer, too?”

      “I knew he was married.” But beyond that...

      “For thirty-five years.” Kaleb wiped his hands. “Everyone around here worried about him after Camille died. My mom said he looked like a dead man walking. Until he met your mother.”

      Grace tossed the fry she’d been holding back into the bag. “Sometimes life really stinks.”

      “Yep. The buffet line of life is notorious for throwing stuff on our plates that we don’t necessarily like.” He shrugged. “Doesn’t mean they’re not good for us, though. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right?”

      Staring at her handsome boss, who seemed to have the world at his feet, she puffed out a disbelieving laugh. “What could you possibly know about it?”

      He narrowed his gaze on her, as though