“What is this, twenty questions?”
“Apparently, so just answer the question, Gage.”
“No. Why don’t you tell me? Or more importantly, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because there’s nothing to tell. I’m not going anywhere.” Except maybe to her condo to have it out with her mother. “All I want to do is get these suites finished so I can increase my revenue.”
“And what about when they’re done? What will you do then?”
“Same thing I’ve been doing. Except I’ll need to add a housekeeper to the payroll.”
“Aren’t you afraid you’ll get bored? That the excitement will wear off? Then you’ll be stuck in boring little Ouray.”
Her hands flew to her hips. “I happen to love boring little Ouray. Especially the boring part.”
“Oh, yeah?” He took a step closer, his stubborn stance mirroring her own.
“Yeah.” There was barely a hairbreadth between them. He was so close she could smell his soap, feel his breath on her skin.
Her heart raced as his eyes morphed into a deep sapphire and the muscle in his jaw relaxed.
She cleared her throat, dropping her hands to her side. “Would it...matter if I left?”
His hands dropped, too. “The town would lose their best cook.”
“Oh.” Disappointment had her gaze drifting away.
“Cassidy and Emma would miss you terribly.” His tone was gentle this time.
Caught up in the moment, she threw caution to the wind.
“And what about you?” She forced herself to look him in the eye. “Would you miss me?”
Slowly, his fingers laced with hers, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “More than I ever imagined possible.”
Her heart soared, then plummeted just as quickly. What had she gotten herself into?
Chapter Eleven
No turning back now.
Gage had admitted how much he cared about Celeste. What was he thinking?
Simple. He was thinking about the way she made him smile. Her nurturing ways with his daughters. The fierce need to be with her whenever they were apart. And the inexplicable need to believe that a relationship with her could actually work.
In other words, he told the truth. It didn’t hurt quite as bad as he expected. Where they went from here, though, he had no clue. At least they had the festival to keep them busy today.
What a day it was, too. The warm sun shone down on them while children of just about every age laughed and ran about. The smell of cotton candy, hot dogs and popcorn filled the air. In a word, perfection.
And Celeste was worried.
Okay, perhaps he was, too. A little anyway. Mostly that the day would be a muddy mess. But thanks to an overnight breeze, the park was mud-free.
Now, if he could figure out what to do about Hillary. He didn’t know what transpired between her and Celeste last evening, only that Celeste was insistent this morning that her mother work the festival. Hillary, however, was not the least bit happy about Celeste’s decision and had been complaining ever since she arrived.
He felt sorry for his mother, who’d offered to team up with Hillary at the cake walk. At last check, Hillary was taking tickets while his mom passed out treats to the winners. Maybe he should offer to take her place.
He started toward the large circle that was flanked by tables laden with baked goods.
“Hey there, Gage. Just the person I was hoping to see.” His friend Ted came beside him with his eleven-year-old son. “Looks like a great turnout.”
“Yeah, it is.” Gage nodded, still shocked that they’d managed to pull it off in such a short amount of time. Thanks in large part to Celeste’s organizational skills. Left to his own devices, the festival would have been a flop, but between the two of them, there wasn’t a detail that hadn’t been taken care of. He eyed the crystal-blue sky. “And we’ve got some great weather to boot.”
Ted chuckled. “Good thing the festival wasn’t yesterday.”
“Dad, there’s Austin and Zach.” Ted’s son pointed. “Can I hang out with them?”
“I reckon. You’ve got your tickets, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“All right, then, I’ll be around here somewhere.” Ted watched after the boy as he ran off. “I might have some news for you.”
“From the mine?”
“Yep.” Ted crossed his arms over his chest, his stance relaxed. “Rumor has it they’re thinking about bringing on another foreman. You might want to give ’em a call or stop by. Let them know you’re still interested.”
Monday morning couldn’t get here soon enough. Gage had been waiting for over a year for this kind of news. “Oh, you know I will, man. Thanks for letting me know.”
“You and I have always been kindred spirits when it comes to the mines. It’d be a pleasure to finally work with you.”
“Gage.” He turned to see Blakely headed straight for him, along with her husband, Trent, who was pushing a stroller.
“Hey, Blakely.”
“This is amazing.” She spread her arms wide. “I can’t believe you and Celeste did all of this. Now that’s what I call teamwork.”
“I’m afraid most of the credit goes to Celeste.” His gaze searched out the woman in question, finding her at the ticket booth, smiling and looking like a model in those skinny jeans, low-heeled boots and a long gray sweater.
“Whatever the case, you two are putting me to shame. Austin has already informed me that this is the best fall festival ever.”
Gage couldn’t help but grin. “Good. I’m glad he’s having fun.”
A tiny whimper came from the stroller and both Trent and Blakely immediately stooped to investigate. Gage couldn’t help looking, too. The sleeping pink bundle stretched and wriggled the way newborns do. Her face contorted as though she were about to let go a cry, then morphed into a smile.
“What’s her name?” Ted addressed the proud parents.
“Katelynn Rose.” Trent preened, settling his arm around his wife’s shoulder. “Named after three of the most important women in our lives.”
“Kate was Trent’s mom,” said Blakely. “Lynn was mine and, Rose is my grandmother, as well you know.”
“Congratulations, you two.” Ted shook Trent’s hand, then gave Blakely a one-armed hug. “I need to run.” He sent Gage an approving nod. “Hope to see you soon, buddy.”
“Hi, Ted.” The sound of Celeste’s voice captured Gage’s attention.
He turned to find her coming toward him.
“I was just complimenting Gage on what a wonderful job you guys did.” Blakely stepped forward to meet Celeste’s quick embrace.
“I know this is supposed to be for the kids, but y’all failed to tell me how much fun I was going to have.” Celeste’s espresso eyes twinkled with a childlike excitement he hadn’t seen before. “I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun.” Holding her hair back, she bent to peer into the stroller. Adjusted a blanket. “So precious.” Straightening, she addressed Trent and Blakely. “How’s she doing?”
“Couldn’t be better,” said Trent.
“Good.” Celeste glanced over her shoulder, in the direction of the cake walk and her mother. “If you don’t mind—” she regarded Trent and Blakely again “—I need to borrow Gage for a minute.”
“Not at all,” said a grinning Blakely. And the way her gaze darted between him and Celeste, Gage had a pretty good idea what she was thinking. What was it with women and matchmaking? “We need to track down Austin anyway.”
Celeste started across the lawn, in the direction of the cake walk, and Gage followed. Her smile had diminished some and he couldn’t help wondering why.
“I think I made a mistake,” she said. “Insisting my m
other help us. She’s being downright rude.”
He jammed his hands into his pockets. “Have you had any complaints?”
“No. But if I weren’t in charge, I’d be complaining.”
“You’re probably just more sensitive to it since she’s your mother.”
“Oh, really?” She lifted a brow. “I heard her refer to this—” she swept a hand through the air, indicating the festival “—as ‘pointless small-town nonsense.’”
Despite having heard a few of Hillary’s remarks himself, he didn’t want anything to ruin Celeste’s fun. He stopped her at the far end of the prize table as the music began for another round of eager cake walk contestants. “Maybe you heard it out of context.”
She looked at him through those long lashes. “Nice try.”
The music stopped and people clapped for the lone victor.
His mom approached the table, winking at them as she retrieved a plate of chocolate cupcakes for the winner.
“See there? Maybe things aren’t so bad after—”
A shriek cut through the air, followed by gasps and muffled giggles. Then everyone in the cake walk area fell silent.
Gage and Celeste pushed their way through the group to find Bonnie holding the now half-empty plate.
He rushed to her side. “Mom, what—?” His gaze moved to Hillary, who was standing just beyond his mother. His heart sank.
“I—I must have tripped.” His mother looked from the plate to Hillary, her blue eyes wider than he’d ever seen them.
“She most certainly did not.” Hillary spat out the words, attempting to wipe a blob of chocolate frosting from her cheek. Instead, she only made it worse. “That wretch did this on purpose.”
“Mom...” Celeste struggled for composure, though she was clearly amused. “There’s no need for name-calling.” She snagged a napkin someone held out and handed it to her mother before covering her grin.
Hillary, however, saw through her daughter’s attempts, which only infuriated her all the more. “Did you see what she did to me?”
“Calm down, Mom. I’m sure it was an accident.”
Hillary recoiled at the notion. “Accident, my eye!” She wiped her face and shirt until the napkin turned a dark brown, then let out a frustrated sigh. She glared at Gage’s mother first, then those gathered around them. Finally, her attention returned to her daughter. “You are so much better than this, Celeste.” Retrieving her clutch from under the table, she stuffed it under her arm and stormed out of the park.
* * *
Celeste pulled her Mustang into the garage, ready to give her mother a piece of her mind. The woman’s behavior had been beyond embarrassing at the festival. Celeste still didn’t know whether to laugh or cry over the great cupcake debacle. Honestly, the whole scene had been quite comical. If she’d seen it in a movie, she’d have laughed hysterically. Who didn’t like it when the enemy got his or her comeuppance?
Unfortunately, this enemy was her mother and she couldn’t help feeling at least a little bit sorry for her. No matter how much she deserved it.
Poor Bonnie. After the way Hillary acted, no one in their right mind would fault Bonnie for her momentary lapse in judgment. And yet she’d wholeheartedly extended a dinner invitation, determined to make things up to Hillary.
Now it was up to Celeste to talk her mother into accepting. Moving Mount Sneffels to Texas might be easier, but she’d promised Bonnie she would try.
She killed the engine, grabbed the pumpkin from her passenger seat and headed into the house, wondering why her mother was still here. Especially since she seemed to despise Ouray. Tomorrow would mark two weeks since her surprise arrival and as far as Celeste knew, she had no plans to leave anytime soon.
Talk about odd. Her mother had never been away from work this long. Although, technically, she was working via her laptop and cell phone, but still, Mom had never been away from one of Magnet Oil’s offices for more than a day.
Upstairs, she found her mother sitting at the dining table, staring at her laptop, nursing a cup of coffee. Not a trace of frosting remained. Her hair was once again perfectly coifed, and a flowing white top made her black yoga pants look downright elegant.
Celeste set the pumpkin on one end of the table, uncertain where to start. Should she come out with guns ablaze or use a more tactful approach? One thing was certain, though, any sign of weakness or backing down and her mother would have the upper hand in no time.
“It appears the festival was a success.” Her mother took another sip without looking up.
“For the most part.”
“You always were good at organizing.”
Celeste’s nod acknowledged the matter-of-fact compliment.
“I suppose I owe you an apology.” Mom closed her computer, moved her reading glasses to the top of her head and leaned back in her chair as she addressed Celeste. “I wasn’t exactly approachable today.”
“That’s an understatement.” Celeste pulled out a chair to sit, then decided against it. When confronting someone, standing always intimated authority. “Sorry, Mom, but your behavior was deplorable. You had no right to come here and belittle Ouray like that.”
Her mother straightened, lifted her chin. “You’re right. I was out of line.”
By the grace of God, Celeste managed to keep her jaw from dropping to the floor, but somebody needed to alert the newspapers, because Hillary Ward-Thompson never admitted she was wrong.
“It’s not me you need to apologize to,” said Celeste.
“Darling, surely you don’t expect me to go door-to-door and apologize to everyone.” Nothing like condescension to inspire a little heel digging.
“No. Just Bonnie.” Celeste crossed her arms over her chest. “Despite your antics, she was nice enough to invite us to dinner.”
Indignation narrowed her mother’s gaze. “I am not setting foot in that woman’s house.”
“Yes, you will. And not only that, you will apologize to her for the way you behaved today.”
“What if I refuse to go?”
“Then you may as well pack your bags and head home, because you’re not going to stay with me.” Though she meant every word, Celeste was shocked that she’d actually said them. She’d never stood up to her mother before.
“So you’re going to choose a virtual stranger over me? The woman who gave you life.”
“No. I’m choosing decency. And you should, too.”
An hour later, Celeste pulled up in front of the Purcell home with her mother in the passenger seat. God was amazing. Yet she knew her mother well enough to keep praying that Hillary didn’t have any sort of retaliation up her sleeve.
Gage emerged from the front door of the two-tone gray Victorian and started down the steps as they got out of the car.
Celeste couldn’t help smiling. Not only because he looked amazing in that dusty-blue long-sleeved T-shirt, but because he was quickly becoming her rock. Someone she could count on to be there for her. A fact she found rather unsettling. Until now, the only person she’d been able to say that about was Granny.
“Welcome, ladies.” He strolled toward them and offered his elbow to her mother. To Celeste’s surprise, Hillary took it.
Perhaps she’d decided to play nice.
“What a beautiful house.” Celeste admired the abundance of intricate millwork.
“Very lovely,” her mother said. “Especially the stained glass.”
Celeste’s gaze drifted to the second-story windows that were bordered by pink, green and yellow glass.
“Believe it or not, they’re original to the house,” Gage added.
Bonnie and Phil, Gage’s dad, met them in the foyer.
Celeste couldn’t help noticing that Bonnie’s hands were clasped so tightly that her knuckles were white.
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“Celeste!” Emma bounced across the hardwood floors and thrust her little arms around Celeste’s waist. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.” Celeste stroked the child’s hair. “Where’s your sister?”
“Right here.” Cassidy moved at a more leisurely pace, but still welcomed Celeste with a hug.
“I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you could make it.” Bonnie hugged Celeste, before moving in front of her mother. “Hillary, I owe you one doozy of an apology. I don’t know what to say, except that I am so very sorry for humiliating you like that.”
Hillary nodded, her shoulders rigid. “I was humiliated.”
Celeste held her breath.
“But I deserved it. I was a bit unfiltered today and, for that, I apologize. I shouldn’t have said those things.”
The corners of Bonnie’s mouth lifted, genuine this time as opposed to nervous. “Perhaps we should start over.” She extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hillary. I’m Bonnie Purcell.”
Over the next few minutes, the remaining members of the Purcell family arrived. Gage’s sister, Taryn, her husband, Cash, and their dog, Scout. Shortly thereafter their older brother, Randy, his wife, Amanda, and their son, Steven, arrived. The men gravitated to the football game on TV in the living room, while the women gathered in the kitchen.
“Celeste, honey—” Bonnie wiped her hands then laid the towel on the granite-topped island “—could I get you to help me set the table?”
“Sure.” Out of the corner of her eye, Celeste watched as Cassidy approached Hillary at the kitchen table.
“Mrs. Thompson?” asked Cassidy. “Would you play checkers with me?”
Celeste froze. Cassidy was a sensitive child. She didn’t want to see her get her feelings hurt.
“Oh, I haven’t played checkers in such a long time,” her mother said.
Cassidy’s shoulders dropped a notch. It must have taken all the courage the child could muster to voice her request.
Celeste took a step forward, then halted as her mother continued.
“So you’ll have to go easy on me. Okay?”
A Father's Second Chance (Contemporay Christian Romance) Page 12
