Falling for the Hometown Hero

by Mindy Obenhaus

  “A form that basically states you no longer have an interest in the house and removes your name from the deed, freeing me up to sell it.”

  No interest? The house where she’d spent countless hours stripping wallpaper, painting and tearing out flooring. Where she’d learned to tile bathrooms and backsplashes and lay hardwood floors. All in an effort to call it her own. The house that was supposed to be her haven. A place she could finally call home. Where she’d settle down and raise a family.

  How could she possibly have no interest? Even though he did pay her half of what little equity they had in the house.

  “We need to move quickly on this other house, Grace. So would it be all right if I overnighted you the form?”

  The final piece of her once-seemingly-happy life was being ripped from her already-bloodied hands. Just like every other dream she’d had.

  A tempestuous storm arose in her gut, churning with fury. How could she have loved someone so heartless?

  Perhaps she should refuse to sign the form. Tell him she wasn’t interested in selling.

  But that was Aaron’s style, not hers.

  Her body sagging, she dropped her head in her hand and stared at the sidewalk. “Yeah. Send it on.”

  “Awesome. I just need your address.”

  Knowing she’d be at work, she gave the address for Mountain View Tours.

  “Thanks, Grace.”

  Ending the call, she glared at the screen, feeling as though she might be sick.

  “Everything all right?”

  She jerked her head up to find Kaleb standing over her.

  “Yeah.” She forced herself to smile and pushed to her feet. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

  “I don’t know.” Kaleb’s gray-green gaze narrowed. “But whoever you were talking to, you didn’t look too happy.”

  “Oh, that.” She returned the phone to her back pocket, determined not to let Kaleb see what a mess she was inside. “It was nothing.”

  Arms crossed over his chest, he continued to scrutinize her. “You know—” his deeper-than-usual voice didn’t bode well “—over these past few weeks you’ve gotten to know me pretty well. You’ve pushed and prodded, getting me to tell you things I’ve never told anyone else. But there’s not a whole lot I know about you.”

  Which was how she preferred it. Because if she let someone like Kaleb in, her heart might never survive.

  “Sure there is.” Looking everywhere but at him, she adjusted the bag on her arm. “I hope you’re hungry. I picked up your favorite sandwich from the deli. Not to mention some of those homemade kettle chips.”

  “Grace...”

  She hated it when he said her name like that. So comforting and inviting. Yet edged with warning.

  Quickly herding her scattered emotions, she forced herself to look him in the eye. “Yes?”

  His smile was slow as his arms fell to his sides. Shaking his head, he took the bag from her hand. “Let’s go eat.”

  She followed him into the office, breathing a sigh of relief. As wound up as she was, if Kaleb had pressed her, she might have lost it right there on Main Street. And that was so not her.

  However, with Aaron’s request hanging over her head, her nerves would remain as frayed as that worn-out pair of jeans she kept in the bottom of her footlocker. If Kaleb decided to push her the way she’d pushed him...

  She couldn’t let that happen. Wouldn’t let that happen. Because she’d never let anyone past her defenses again.

  Chapter Nine

  Kaleb wanted nothing more than to help Grace. As was typical of his office manager, though, she tried to act as though all was well. But from the moment he saw her sitting on that bench yesterday, he knew she was hurting. The pain in her eyes when she looked up at him only confirmed his suspicions.

  Now, standing at the top of Engineer Pass, hands jammed in the pockets of his jeans, he looked out over the surrounding peaks. Despite a mild winter and an early spring, patches of grass still battled snow for ownership of the gray, barren rock below, while pale gray clouds blanketed much of the sky.

  He wished Grace would have come. Perhaps the change of scenery would have taken her mind off whatever troubled her. Yet even though Sami had offered to fill in, Grace had declined his invitation, claiming she had too much paperwork to do.

  Turning, he watched his guests as they took pictures atop the rocky peak, hoping to capture the beauty around them. Memories they’d carry home to share with family and friends.

  He was in his element, doing what he loved. Helping others experience things they otherwise might never see. Memories in the making.

  So why did he feel so lousy?

  Grace.

  In the few weeks that he’d known her, she’d challenged him in ways no one ever had. She pushed him to look within himself and find the strength to overcome the torment he still harbored inside. And while he had a long way to go, he wished he could do the same for her.

  “Excuse me, Kaleb?” He turned to see two of his guests—Mr. and Mrs. Higgins, as he recalled—a couple close to his parents’ age.

  Mrs. Higgins held out a camera. “Would you mind taking our picture?”

  He couldn’t help smiling. “That’s what I’m here for.”

  The couple wrapped their arms around each other, fitting together as if each were designed specifically for the other.

  “We’re celebrating our thirtieth wedding anniversary,” said Mr. Higgins.

  “Congratulations.” Kaleb aimed the camera. “Let’s make this a good one, then.”

  The couple’s smiles were filled with joy, their love evident by the glint in their eyes.

  Kaleb took two shots for good measure, then handed the camera back, a sudden loneliness leaching into his heart.

  He longed to find that kind of love. That one person God created just for him. Who loved him despite his flaws and that he couldn’t imagine living without.

  Shaking away the thought, he addressed the seven people he’d had the pleasure of taking on a tour today. “Okay, folks. Time to wrap things up.”

  A few rushed to take some last-minute photos, while others climbed back onto the tour truck.

  Once everyone was loaded and accounted for, Kaleb began their descent down the mountain. Sharp, jagged rocks littered the road, meaning he had to move at a snail’s pace or risk jostling his guests right out of the vehicle. They didn’t seem to mind, though. Instead, they were mesmerized by the fourteen-foot snowbanks that lined both sides of the narrow road.

  When they arrived back in Ouray a couple of hours later, Kaleb assisted his guests as they exited the truck, taking the time to thank each of them for choosing Mountain View Tours. Without them, there wouldn’t be a Mountain View Tours.

  “We were thinking about renting one of your Jeeps for tomorrow,” said Mr. Higgins. “Do you think that would be possible?”

  Beside him, his wife clung to his arm, anticipation evident in her eager smile.

  “Absolutely. And it would give you two the opportunity to do some exploring on your own.”

  The man glanced at his wife. “That’s what we were thinking.”

  “Well, if you’d like to come inside, we’ll get you all set up.”

  They followed him through the front door.

  “Grace, Mr. and Mrs. Higgins would like to rent a Jeep.”

  Behind the desk, she jerked her head up, her smile a little too forced, failing to reach her eyes. “Sure.” She hopped off the stool and grabbed a clipboard with the paperwork. “I’ll just need you to fill these out.”

  “Grace will get you squared away. If you have any questions or problems, though, don’t hesitate to let me know.”

  “Great. Thank you, Kaleb.” The man waved as Kaleb headed back outside.

&n
bsp; After removing the cooler and blankets from the truck, along with any trash, he pulled out the hose and sprayed the vehicle down, his thoughts repeatedly drifting to Grace. Something troubled her. Was she unhappy in Ouray? Was there a problem with her mother or Roger?

  The cell phone attached to the clip on his belt vibrated.

  Releasing the sprayer to stop the flow of water, he retrieved the phone and looked at the screen.

  Vanessa.

  His body tensed. Why was she calling him now? Had something happened? Had they decided not to come to Ouray after all?

  Wishful thinking.

  Dropping the hose, he pressed the accept icon. “Hey, Vanessa. How’s it going?” The words came out with far more enthusiasm than he felt.

  “Wonderful.”

  He scratched a hand through his hair. “How’s Hannah?”

  “She’s good. And very much looking forward to our trip to Ouray.”

  “Glad to hear it.” He often worried about Beau’s little girl. Growing up without a dad was never easy.

  “How’s that new business of yours?”

  “Great.” He eyed the steady stream of vehicles easing their way up Main Street, grateful for the small talk. “We had our grand opening this weekend.”

  “Congratulations. I know how much this means to you, Kaleb. Beau used to share your stories about Jeeping and the mountains and say that we had to make plans to go to Ouray one day.”

  Kaleb’s chest constricted. What he wouldn’t give to make that happen.

  “That reminds me. I was looking around the Ouray website the other day and saw that there’s going to be some ribbon-cutting ceremony while we’re there and that you’re one of the guests.”

  He cleared his throat. “At the museum. Yes.”

  “That’s fantastic. Why didn’t you tell us?”

  The knot in his stomach twisted. He shouldn’t have agreed to speak. Especially not when he knew his friends’ families were going to be here.

  “Sorry, guess it slipped my mind. You know, with business and all.”

  “I understand.”

  He breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Okay, so I just wanted to go over a few details, make sure we’re all on the same page.” Vanessa rattled off arrival dates, who all was coming and where they’d be staying.

  “Sounds good.” He watched an express delivery truck as it pulled alongside the curb. “We’ll see you on June twenty-first, then.”

  “And, Kaleb?”

  “Yes?”

  “You will take us on one of your tours, right?”

  For Beau’s sake—“Absolutely.”

  While Kaleb clipped the phone back on his belt, the driver of the delivery truck emerged, carrying a large envelope. Spotting Kaleb, his pace quickened. “I’ve got a delivery for a—” he eyed the address label “—Grace McAllen.”

  Who would be sending Grace an express package?

  Curiosity got the best of him, so rather than directing the driver inside, Kaleb said, “I’ll make sure she gets it.”

  “Just sign here.” The driver held out his device and Kaleb jotted his signature on the screen. “Thanks. Have a good one.”

  Kaleb allowed his gaze to fall to the return address. Aaron McAllen. Jacksonville, Florida.

  A brother, perhaps?

  Hmm... He’d heard mention of a sister, but no brother.

  He knew Jacksonville had been her last assignment, but not necessarily her home.

  Unless... His heart sank.

  Grace was married.

  But wouldn’t she have said something? Or worn a ring?

  A car horn jolted him back to reality.

  Grace’s marital status was none of his business.

  He lowered the envelope and started toward the office, wishing he’d directed the driver inside after all. Maybe then he wouldn’t have this sudden ache in his chest.

  He pushed open the door, noting that she was alone. “Grace.”

  She looked across the desk, strands of her long hair escaping the clip that was supposed to be holding it up. “Yes.”

  “A package came for you.” He approached, laying the envelope on the counter.

  She glanced at it, then at him, just long enough for him to glimpse the sorrow swimming in her eyes.

  “You okay?”

  With a quick shake of her head, she grabbed the package and turned away. “Yeah. Everything’s great.” Definite overkill on the cheerfulness. Meaning things weren’t as great as she claimed.

  He didn’t like to see her hurting and found himself wishing he could take her into his arms and make whatever was troubling her go away. But he knew Grace well enough to know that she’d only push him away. She wasn’t the type to share her burdens. No matter how much she might want to.

  If only he could make her understand that she could trust him. That he was here for her and wanted to be her friend.

  For whatever reason, though, trust didn’t come easy to Grace. Now he could only wonder if Aaron McAllen wasn’t part of the reason why.

  * * *

  Grace locked the front door of Mountain View Tours and flipped the sign from Open to Closed, feeling like a can of soda that had been tossed around and was ready to spew. Aaron’s phone call had hung over her like a dark cloud all last night and into today.

  Now the final piece of her shattered dreams had arrived in the form of a quitclaim deed, with a note that read “Thanks, Grace. You’re the best.”

  Obviously she wasn’t the best or Aaron wouldn’t have betrayed her in the first place.

  She needed to get out of here, find someplace to vent. Someplace safe where she could rant about her troubles and no one would know. Perhaps a long ride on her motorcycle.

  She grabbed her pack from beneath the counter, tucked the express envelope inside then went into the garage to let Kaleb know she was leaving.

  Amid the smells of various petroleum products, he stood at the long workbench, sorting through tools and putting them away.

  She slipped her pack over her shoulder. “I’m heading out.”

  He turned, his easy smile replaced by a look of concern. “I know I already asked you, but are you sure you’re all right, Grace?”

  No getting anything past Mr. Perceptive. Yet for as much as she longed to pour her heart out to him, she didn’t trust herself. He was the kind of guy who would listen attentively and do his best to comfort her. And the comforting was what worried her. It would be so easy to fall into his strong arms and believe that all was right with the world.

  So, for her boss’s sake as much as her own, she’d just have to fake it. “Yeah. I’m just a little tired, that’s all.”

  “I hope you’re not getting sick.” He moved toward her, his concern mounting.

  “I’m fine. I just...” Tell him. Give the guy a chance. “I didn’t sleep well last night.” No fibbing there.

  Wiping his hands on a shop rag, he continued to study her. “That would explain the bags under your eyes.”

  Did he just— “Bags? What do you mean—”

  He laughed. “There’s the spitfire we all know and love.”

  Love?

  Still laughing, he lowered his arms, closed the distance between them and gave her a hug. “Sleep well, Grace.” He smelled of fresh air and masculinity. A toxic mix for someone in her pathetic state. And she missed him as soon as he stepped away. “And remember, I’m always here if you need me.” The sincerity in those gray-green depths nearly had her spilling everything right there in the garage.

  Yet, somehow, she managed to hold herself together. “I appreciate that. But I’ll be fine.”

  Outside, she waited at the corner for traffic to clear, wishing for the millionth time that her father was stil
l alive. He’d know exactly what to say to make her feel better.

  Hands shoved in her pockets, she crossed the street, continuing aimlessly onto the sidewalk. After all this time, after what he did, Aaron still expected her to jump through hoops for him. The gall of that—

  “Grace?”

  She looked up to see her mother standing in front of the hardware store, holding a plastic bag in each hand, worry lines creasing her brow.

  “Mama.” A morsel of peace that hadn’t been there a moment ago settled in Grace’s heart.

  “What’s wrong, baby?”

  Tears sprang to Grace’s eyes and she had to work double time to blink them away.

  Shifting both bags to one hand, Mama wrapped her free arm around Grace. “Come on. Let’s go back to the house so we can talk.”

  Grace simply nodded, knowing that if she tried to speak, the tears she was desperately trying to fend off would overtake her right there. And that was a sight nobody wanted to see. Especially her.

  By the time they arrived at Mama and Roger’s house, Grace had regained her composure. Now in the living room of the quiet two-story, she and her mother sat on the white-slipcovered sofa, shoes off, legs tucked under them as they faced each other.

  “Where’s Roger?”

  “Bowling at the Elks Lodge.”

  “There’s a bowling alley at the Elks Lodge?” The historic brick building didn’t look that big.

  “A two-lane bowling alley.”

  “Two lanes?”

  Mama nodded. “The whole setup is an antique. We’ll have to take you over there sometime.” She reached for Grace’s hand. “Now tell me, what’s got you so down?”

  Grace drew in a shaky breath. “I didn’t think it possible for Aaron to hurt me any more than he already has.” She shrugged as tears again sprang to her eyes. “But I guess I was wrong.”

  “Oh, baby.” Mama scooted closer and wrapped Grace in her arms. “I’m so sorry.”

  Whether unable or unwilling to resist, Grace melted against her mother, her tears falling freely, perhaps for the first time, as she grieved for everything she’d lost. Clinging to Mama, Grace poured out every hurt, every disappointment.