Falling for the Hometown Hero

by Mindy Obenhaus

  “I’m sure they could scan these, maybe blow them up to use in the display.”

  “We can always offer.”

  “Do you have an envelope or a zip-top bag I could put them in so they won’t get lost?”

  “Sure. Just give me one second.”

  While she waited, she continued to sift through the plethora of photos. “You know, at some point, you should consider sorting all these out and putting them in albums.”

  He reappeared, holding a plastic Baggie. “That sounds about as much fun as watching paint dry.”

  Without thinking, she elbowed him in the side. “I’m serious.” She snatched the bag.

  He flinched then rubbed his ribs as though she’d hurt him. “I know you are. Let’s just say it’s not high on my priority list right now.”

  She dropped the photos into the bag. “Well, you should at least think about it.”

  Continuing to look at snapshots, she came across one of Kaleb looking very handsome in his dress uniform with his arms around the waist of a pretty blonde.

  “Who’s this?” A strange sensation fluttered through her as she showed him the picture.

  “That’s Gina.”

  “Your fiancée.”

  “Ex-fiancée.” He looked at Grace, a mischievous grin on his face. “Why? Are you jealous?”

  She cast him an incredulous look. “No.” To be jealous would mean she had feelings for Kaleb. Feelings that went beyond friendship.

  So why is your stomach churning?

  Besides, she’d never been the jealous type. At least not until she found out her then-husband had a girlfriend.

  “I’m just teasing you, Grace.”

  Two could play at that game. “What would you do if I were jealous?”

  “Hmm...” He rubbed his chin, pondering. “Well, first I’d be flattered.”

  “Pfft.” She waved a hand. “Typical male.”

  “And then—” he moved closer, slipping his arms around her waist “—I’d do everything I could to prove that you had no reason to worry.”

  Looking into his smoldering eyes, her heart stopped. She could easily believe that any woman fortunate enough to have a man like Kaleb would never have cause for alarm. But she certainly did. His lips were mere inches from hers. All she had to do was push up onto her tiptoes—

  “Easy, soldier.” She pressed a hand to his chest. “We have work to do.”

  He hesitated a moment, his smile as teasing as it was tempting, before finally moving away. “Can I get you something to drink? Diet Dr Pepper, perhaps?”

  Considering how warm it had suddenly got— “Since when do you have Diet Dr Pepper?”

  He started toward the kitchen. “Since I picked some up at the store the other day.”

  She eased onto the sofa, her legs feeling a bit wobbly. Not only did he know her favorite drink, he actually made the effort to go out and get it.

  “Here you go.” He handed her a cold can.

  “Thanks.” Sinking back into the overstuffed cushions, she surreptitiously watched him as he moved across the hardwood floor and opened another box. A man who loves through actions, not words.

  “Hey, I forgot all about this.” He reached inside the box and pulled out a uniform shirt. But it wasn’t like the others. “This came from my Afghan friend Akram.” He held up the desert camo shirt. “He was one of our translators. He gave me this in exchange for a pair of Nikes.”

  “Really?” She scooted to the edge of her seat, but still didn’t trust herself to stand.

  “He was a pretty cool guy.” Kaleb turned the uniform this way and that. “Think they’d like to have this at the museum?”

  “They might. I mean, it’s definitely not something people see every day.” She popped the top on her drink. Took a sip. “Add it to the pile and let them decide.”

  After setting her soda on the side table, she grabbed another wad of pictures from the box in front of her. The guy had enough photos to fill a hundred albums.

  She shuffled through them. Desert. Desert. Armored vehicle. Hmph. The next image was of Kaleb in full combat uniform, playing soccer with a group of children. She thumbed to the next one. Kaleb sitting with a dog and three little boys, his grin as big as the sun. Another was of him holding a smiling little girl. And yet another of him cradling an infant.

  “Whatcha got there?”

  She hadn’t realized he was beside her. “More pictures.” She handed them to him, her heart twisting as a smile bloomed on his face.

  “Oh, yeah.” His head bobbed up and down as he studied the images. “The kids were great. To see their smiling faces in the midst of such chaos always did wonders for our battle-scarred souls. And they loved to play soccer.” His thoughtful gaze drifted from the pictures to her. “It never ceased to amaze me that, even though they were surrounded by death and destruction, they were always ready with a smile.”

  She reached for her soda can, trying to ignore the ache that leached into her chest. “From what I’ve heard, kids can be pretty resilient.”

  He gestured to the photos. “This is living proof.”

  Though she already knew the answer, she asked anyway. “You really like kids, don’t you?”

  “Are you kidding? Kids are great.” Grinning, he tossed the pictures on the table. “But you’ll find that out soon enough, Aunt Grace.”

  As Kaleb returned to the other side of the room, a tempest of unwanted emotions whirled inside her. Somewhere along the way, no matter how hard she’d tried to fight it or told herself they were just friends, she’d foolishly opened her heart to Kaleb. Allowing him to take up residence in those areas she’d deemed off-limits.

  Now she’d pay the price.

  Thankfully, she was leaving. Because if she were to stay in Ouray, she’d only grow more attached. And seeing the look on his face just now as he spoke about the kids, one thing came through loud and clear.

  She could never be the woman for him.

  * * *

  He had to check out that sway bar link. Whenever a rental vehicle was down, it meant a loss of income. Yet Sami insisted she needed his help.

  Forgoing his internet search for replacement bolts, he dropped his smartphone on the office counter and looked at the computer screen.

  “I’ve got a customer on hold. I’m trying to deduct their coupon, but the computer won’t let me. It keeps showing the original price.”

  This was so not his forte. Vehicles he knew. Computers, not so much.

  He studied the monitor, glancing at the time stamp in the corner, wondering how much longer before Grace would be back. Since Roger was scheduled for a tour, she’d taken her mother to Montrose for a follow-up with the cardiologist.

  “Did you click on Apply Coupon?”

  Sami sent him a look. “Kaleb, I am not an idiot. Of course I clicked Apply Coupon.”

  “Okay, okay.” He contemplated the issue awhile longer. “You’ll just have to tell the people we’ll get back to them with their total and then let Grace handle it.” Technology. It was great when it worked the way it was supposed to, stank when it didn’t. “I’ll be in the garage if you need me.”

  He quickly moved back into the shop, the smells of rubber and petroleum products doing little to calm him. Even he didn’t understand why he was so stressed. After all, his deadline with the museum had been met, business was great and the sway bar could be as simple as tightening a couple of bolts. So why was he wound up tighter than a two-dollar watch?

  Easy. Because the families would be arriving next week and he was supposed to be giving some speech about being a hero at the museum ribbon cutting.

  Regardless of what Grace had said about God’s providence, he still wasn’t comfortable being labeled a hero. He’d relived that night in the Humvee over and
over in his dreams, both waking and not, and in every one of them, he was laughing and joking with his buddies right before the explosion.

  Those were not the actions of a hero.

  Continuing under the lift, he stared up into the carriage of the Jeep Wrangler. This he understood. With the help of an impact wrench, he removed the lug nuts and pulled off the front tires to give him a better look at the issue.

  Wait a minute. He was going to order some extra replacement bolts to have on hand.

  He reached for the phone on his belt, but it wasn’t there. Where had...?

  He groaned. He’d left his phone inside. However, the last thing he wanted was to get drawn into another one of Sami’s computer issues. He shook his head.

  The phone could wait.

  After successfully tightening one bolt and replacing another, he reattached the wheels and lowered the vehicle. He’d need to take it for a test drive before renting it again. Didn’t want customers having any problems. Especially when they could have been avoided in the first place.

  He again made his way into the office, praying Sami wasn’t having more computer issues. “Mom, what are you doing here?” He continued toward the desk and gave her a one-armed hug.

  She held a finger to her lips. “Shh. Sami’s talking to Vanessa.”

  “Vanessa?” Beau’s Vanessa?

  He jerked his gaze to his sister, mortified to see that she was using his phone.

  “A cookout is an excellent idea. And forget about the park—my parents would be thrilled to have all of you over.”

  “Cookout? What?”

  Sami waved him off like a madwoman. “You are not imposing at all. My mother was just mentioning that we needed to have some sort of get-together that first night, so I guess great minds think alike.”

  Seemed everyone and his sister was excited about the families’ upcoming visit. Everyone except him, that was.

  “Aw, I’m looking forward to meeting you, too, Vanessa. See you soon.” Sami ended the call.

  “What are you doing?” He strode behind the desk and grabbed his phone.

  “You left your phone in here. It rang. I saw Vanessa’s name and figured I’d answer.”

  “Yeah, well, you figured wrong.”

  “Kaleb, that is no way to talk to your sister. She was simply trying to help.”

  He looked at his mother. “Sorry, Mom, but that was my business to handle, not Sami’s.”

  “What’s got you in such a bad mood?” Sami glared at him.

  “You.” He slammed the phone onto its clip and started for the door. “I’ve gotta test-drive that Jeep. I’ll be back later.”

  “How much lat—” The slamming door cut Sami off.

  He knew he should feel bad, but he was too agitated to care. He was worried enough about coming face-to-face with his friends’ family members as it was. Now they were planning some big shindig at his parents’? Without asking him? Out of the question.

  But how could he retract the offer now?

  He climbed into the bright blue Jeep. Maybe he wouldn’t have to show up.

  Under a clear blue sky, he headed north out of town, turning off at County Road 14, the road to Lake Lenore and the old Bachelor-Syracuse Mine. Of course, he bypassed both destinations and continued farther up, onto rockier terrain. That should give the vehicle a sufficient workout. It wasn’t uncommon for these bumpy mountain roads to sometimes vibrate the bolts loose.

  His grip tightened on the steering wheel as he maneuvered onto a tree-lined trail. Why did Grace have to be gone today? She wouldn’t have answered his personal phone. Even if she had, she wouldn’t have made plans for him. Now he was committed to something he’d never agreed to in the first place.

  He needed to talk to Grace. Since handing his stuff over to the museum on Saturday, he hadn’t seen her as much. Well, at least not after hours. He couldn’t blame her for wanting to spend time with her mother, but he missed the teasing and playful banter. Even the probing conversations.

  Yeah, Grace could help him sort through all of this.

  Convinced that everything was in perfect working order, he turned around and drove back into town, going straight to Roger and Donna’s. Perhaps he could catch Grace before she went back to the office.

  He pulled up in front of the house only to discover that no one was home.

  Sitting inside the Jeep with the windows rolled down, he drew in a deep breath and allowed himself to get lost in the mountain views. Lord, help me.

  At the sound of gravel crunching behind him, he looked in his rearview mirror to see Grace and her mother pulling up in Donna’s SUV.

  He could feel himself relax a notch as they eased into the drive.

  He exited the Jeep and went to assist Donna.

  He opened the passenger door and offered his hand. “How did the appointment go?” His own issues paled in comparison to what Donna, Grace and Roger had gone through.

  Looking as lovely as ever, Donna took hold and gracefully stepped onto the gravel drive. “He said I was doing great.”

  Grace exited the driver’s side, tossing the door closed behind her. “He also said that she needed to continue to take things easy and come back in two more weeks.”

  “Ack.” Donna waved a hand, looking much like her daughter. “Details.”

  He laid her hand in the crook of his elbow. “When we’re talking about your heart, though, those details can be kind of important.”

  “Yes, I suppose you’re right.” She guided him toward the back door. “Would you care to join us for lunch?”

  “No, Mama. Kaleb and I have to get back to work. You need to rest. This has been the most activity you’ve had since you got out of the hospital.”

  Donna let go a sigh. “Yes, dear.”

  Once Grace had her mother settled, she shooed Kaleb out the door, following on his heels. “What are you doing here?”

  They continued down the back steps and around the side of the house.

  “Oh, I blew up at Sami.”

  “What happened?”

  A pair of broad-tailed hummingbirds whizzed past them, aiming for the feeder hanging from Donna’s porch.

  “Vanessa, the wife of my buddy Beau I told you about? She called.”

  Hands shoved in the pockets of her denim skirt, Grace squinted against the sun. “What does that have to do with Sami?”

  “I made the mistake of leaving my cell phone in the office, so my sister took the liberty of answering it. My mom was there, too. Next thing I know, they’re planning to have some big cookout the night the families arrive.”

  They paused beside the Jeep.

  Grace’s gaze narrowed. “And the problem with that is what?”

  “You know my fears about seeing the families. And just thinking about that speech they want me to give at the ribbon cutting has me so stressed out I’m likely to snap at any moment. Which is pretty much what I did with Sami.” He scraped his boot across the gravel, shrugged. “You always seem to know how to cut to the chase and help me sort things out. How am I going to do this?”

  Crossing her arms over her chest, Grace eyed the leaves on the trees, the neighbor’s dog in the yard next door and the grass before turning her focus back to him. “You want to know what you should do.”

  “Please.”

  She took a step closer. “Get over yourself.” She jammed a finger into his chest. “Those families have spent five years dealing with their own stuff and all you can think about is you. Well, guess what, Kaleb? It’s not all about you.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Grace sat on Mama and Roger’s front porch Saturday evening, knees clutched to her chest, her heart heavy. She couldn’t go on like this. But what choice did she have?

  Memories of her convers
ation with Kaleb Thursday afternoon had plagued her brain. Even now, they made her cringe.

  After realizing just how strong her feelings had grown for him, she’d purposely worked to put some distance between them. Completing the task for the museum definitely made that easier. But after a rough morning with Mama, dealing with her fears of life never being the same, Grace snapped, sounding absolutely horrid, even to her own ears.

  Wearing the most comfy pair of shorts she could find, she stretched her legs out on the white wicker love seat. The evening air was still, the temperature hovering somewhere around perfect. The sun had dropped behind Ouray’s western slope, though there was still plenty of daylight. Maybe, if she kept watching, there’d be an alpenglow.

  She felt bad that she hadn’t apologized to Kaleb for her behavior. But it was probably for the best. That was, if she truly wanted to keep her distance.

  Which she did. Most of the time. Deep inside, though, she missed him. Missed the way he took such pleasure in the simple things, like campfires and Cascade Falls. The way he seemed to know just what she needed exactly when she needed it. Most of all, she missed the comfort of his embrace and how he made her feel special. Wanted.

  The sound of shifting gravel stirred her from her musing.

  Peering over the side of the porch, she spotted a jogger. Every muscle in her body tensed.

  Basketball shorts, a sweaty tank top and a prosthetic. Kaleb.

  She tried to disappear into the brightly colored floral cushions of the love seat, but it was too late.

  Still a house away, he came to a complete stop. His eyes riveted to her. Hands on his hips, he watched her for what seemed like an eternity. His scrutiny was unnerving to say the least, but, try as she might, she couldn’t make herself move to go inside.

  Finally, he started again.

  She released the breath she’d been holding, closing her eyes for a moment.

  “You okay?”

  Her eyes flew wide.

  Kaleb was standing at the bottom of the steps.

  She straightened in her seat, swinging her bare feet over the side. “Fine. Yeah.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’m good.”