Falling for the Hometown Hero

by Mindy Obenhaus

  Hands on his hips, he glared down at her. “And how are we supposed to do that without the logs?”

  “I don’t know. But we’re both smart people and you’ve been a guide for a long time. I’m sure we can figure something out.”

  Still staring at her, he pondered her suggestion. “I don’t know.” He scrubbed a hand over his face.

  “Look, why don’t we take a break? Maybe grab a bite to eat.” Grace looked at the clock. “It’s after one. I don’t know about you, but I’m fading.”

  “I can’t think about eating with this deadline hanging over my head. This is my life, Grace.”

  “I know it is. However, if you don’t get some sustenance, you might not have a life to worry about.” Moving back behind the counter, she grabbed her pack and unzipped it. “I think some food will revive us both. What are you in the mood for?” She pulled out her wallet. “Burgers or a sandwich?”

  “You go on.” He started toward the garage. “I’ve got to keep looking.”

  “And just how effective do you think you’re going to be?”

  He shot an annoyed glance over his shoulder.

  Unwilling to be deterred, she again moved toward him. “You’re exhausted, Kaleb. Both mentally and physically. You need food. Not to mention some fresh air to clear your head.”

  “I hired you to manage my office. Not me.”

  Instinct had her narrowing her eyes, though she quickly caught herself. “A good lunch will also improve your disposition. Now come on. We won’t be gone that long.”

  Hunger audibly rumbled in his gut and she shot him a satisfied grin.

  “All right.” Changing directions, he aimed for the front door. “But just long enough to grab a quick bite.”

  Outside, she squinted against the midday sun, wishing she’d thought to grab her sunglasses. Temps were beyond perfect. Not too hot, not too cold. The kind of day no one wanted to be cooped up inside.

  “So what’ll it be?” Grace faced him, shielding her eyes with her hand.

  “This way.” He headed north at a pretty good clip. Despite his artificial leg, she practically had to double-step to keep up.

  “What’s the rush?”

  Pausing, he whirled toward her, his fiery gaze boring into her. “Don’t you get it? If I don’t find those logs, I lose everything. Which means you’ll be out of a job.”

  “That’s not true and you know it.” She wagged a finger in front of his face. “We can figure this out. But you need to chill.”

  With a growl, he started again, crossing Eighth Avenue at a brisk pace. “I’ll relax once I get those permits.”

  “And how is Mountain View Tours’ newest owner doing?” A cute strawberry blonde smiled up at Kaleb with a baby on her hip. “Whoa. You don’t look so good, Kaleb.”

  “Thank you,” Grace said behind him.

  “Blakely, this is Grace, my office manager.” He glanced her way. “Blakely owns Adventures in Pink over there on Seventh Avenue.”

  Ah, another Jeep tour place. “Blue building, right?”

  “That’s right.” Blakely smiled, adjusting the adorable child, who was chewing on a set of toy keys. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Try as she might, Grace couldn’t ignore the baby. “And who’s this little cutie?”

  “This is Katelynn.” Blakely took hold of her daughter’s arm and tried to make her wave. “Say ‘Hi, Grace.’”

  Katelynn was interested in only the keys.

  Smoothing a hand across her daughter’s back, Blakely again turned her attention to Kaleb. “So what’s up? I’ve never seen you so downcast.”

  Grace looked from Blakely to Kaleb, suspecting Blakely more friend than foe. If that were the case, she might be able to advise Kaleb on how to come up with usage estimates. That was, if he were willing to ask.

  “We’re just busy gearing up for the season.” He scratched a hand through his hair.

  Perhaps Grace ought to stick her neck out and ask for him. Or at least prod him a bit. Of course, she might only succeed in irritating him even more. Though if it helped, it would definitely be worth it.

  Grace held up a hand above her eyes to shield them from the sun. “How long have you been in the Jeep tour business, Blakely?”

  Shifting the babe to her other hip, she said, “It was my grandfather’s place, so practically all my life. This is my third year as owner, though.”

  “Wow. I bet you’ve got things down to a science, then. Like all the paperwork and things like permits?”

  Blakely chuckled. “It took me a while, but I’m finally getting the hang of it. How are things going with you guys?”

  Grace dared a glance at Kaleb. To her surprise, he actually appeared interested in the conversation. Ask her, ask her...

  He drew in a deep breath.

  Go on. Do it.

  “You know the permits we have to get from the BLM?”

  Grace mentally fist-pumped the air.

  “Yes.”

  He hesitated a moment, seemingly surveying the mountains. “Any suggestions on how to come up with usage estimates?”

  “I usually use the previous year’s drivers’ logs.”

  Kaleb looked at Blakely. “What if you didn’t have them?”

  “Oh.” She thought for a moment. “Well, do you have any logs at all?”

  “Less than half.”

  “Okay.” Blakely nodded. “Did you happen to keep your own logs when you worked for Ross?”

  “The last couple of years, yeah.”

  “So pull together everything you’ve got, your personal logs and whatever you have from the other drivers and come up with an average.”

  Grace couldn’t help herself. “What a great idea.”

  “I guess that would work.” Kaleb shrugged, but Grace could see the wheels turning.

  Katelynn began to fuss.

  Blakely stroked the child’s dark hair. “Looks like somebody’s ready for their nap.” She faced Kaleb again. “I’d better run. But if you have any problems, please, don’t hesitate to give me a call. I know how challenging it can be to get a grasp on some of this stuff.”

  “I will.” He almost smiled as she walked away. “Thanks.”

  Arms crossed over her chest, Grace welcomed the breeze that skittered over her face as she stared up at her boss. “So, looks like there is another way to get those numbers.”

  Looking a little chagrined, he scraped his boot across the sidewalk. “I guess I should have listened to you.”

  “I want Mountain View Tours to succeed every bit as much as you do, you know.”

  “I fully believe that, Grace.” He watched her with an intensity she’d never seen before. “I apologize for giving you such a hard time.”

  Knowing she’d pushed the envelope enough for today, she lowered her arms. “Ah, don’t worry about it. But I do have a question.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Do you know where your logs are?”

  “Remember that room full of boxes?”

  “Yeah.” She cringed just thinking about it.

  The corners of his mouth twitched. “There’s a file cabinet tucked in the back. Everything is sorted by month and year.”

  This time she really did fist-pump the air. “Let’s grab some lunch. Then we’ll head to your house to get those files so we can start working on those estimates?”

  “Sounds like a plan. But, Grace?” His smile evaporated.

  “What?” She searched his gaze, fearful that she might have crossed another line by broaching the subject with Blakely.

  He stared down at her, the light returning to his gray-green eyes. “Thank you for believing in me. And Mountain View Tours.”

  * * *

  By the close
of business Saturday, Kaleb was ready to celebrate. Not only had he and Grace met the designated BLM deadline yesterday, thanks to a temporary permit, they’d capped it off today with not only one, but two official tours.

  Standing outside The Outlaw restaurant, Grace shot him a wary glance. “I thought we were going to work through some of your memorabilia tonight.”

  “We will. Right after we eat.” That was, unless he could think of a way to get out of it. “But considering the week we’ve had, we deserve a little splurge.”

  “If you say so.”

  They moved past the clusters of people gathered outside and into the small, rustic restaurant that always bustled with activity.

  Kaleb caught the eye of his friend Neil, the manager of The Outlaw, and held up two fingers.

  After a quick perusal of the restaurant, Neil pointed to a corner table.

  Kaleb waved his thanks.

  As he and Grace moved toward their seats, he touched her elbow, urging her closer. “You like John Wayne?”

  “I like steak more.”

  Did the woman know how to coerce a smile out of him or what? “Well, in case you’re interested—” he pointed across the room “—there’s his hat.”

  “Ooh...” Though her eyes were wide with feigned interest, she barely glanced at the well-worn cowboy hat on the wall.

  Surrounded by the din of other patrons and ragtime music, they settled in at their table.

  Grace picked up a menu, while Kaleb scanned the restaurant. He’d been here so many times he knew the menu by heart.

  “I’ve always loved this place. Even as a kid.”

  Grace laid her menu down, her attention shifting to Kaleb. “What was it like growing up in Ouray?”

  He shrugged, not giving it much thought. “Not so different from growing up anyplace else, I suppose. We just got into different kinds of trouble. And when we did, you could be certain that anyone who saw you not only knew who you were, but knew your parents, too.” Resting his forearms on the table, he leaned forward. “I remember this one time—I guess I was about seven—my friend Max and I were trying to climb the rocks at Cascade Falls—”

  “That’s near town, right? I’ve seen the sign.”

  He blinked. “Wait a minute. You’ve been here for almost two weeks and you haven’t been to Cascade Falls? How is that even possible? I mean, for most people, it’s one of their first stops.”

  Looking a tad sheepish, she leaned back in her chair. “I’m working all the time.”

  He sent her a perturbed look. “No, you’re not.”

  Apparently out of excuses, she remained silent.

  “Okay, we need to hurry up and order. Because we’re going to Cascade Falls.”

  “Tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  An hour later, after Grace had tackled every last scrap of her New York strip like a Broncos linebacker, they exited the restaurant into the mild evening air.

  Main Street was alive with shoppers, onlookers and those happily enjoying ice cream on one of the town’s many benches as they took in the scenery. He and Grace headed north, dodging young and old alike, as well as the occasional four-legged canine friend. Though Memorial Day weekend was still a week away, the town’s population had already begun to swell. Only a precursor of what was to come as they headed into the high season.

  With Grace at his side, they turned onto Eighth Avenue and continued east, the rocky road growing steeper with every step. Behind them, the sun slid below the mountains and, while it was still daylight, shadows had begun to fall over Ouray.

  “Perhaps we should do this another time. Earlier in the day.” Grace sounded a bit winded. “I mean, what about the stuff for the museum?”

  “Sorry, Grace, but I cannot let another day pass without you experiencing Cascade Falls.”

  “Why?” She stopped.

  So did he. “Because it’s very important to me.”

  She let go a sigh. “Lead on, then.”

  Before long, the sound of rushing water touched their ears.

  “Are we getting close?” Her expression was hopeful.

  “Yep. Keep walking.”

  “Just so you’ll know—” she huffed and puffed “—my muscles are burning. Doesn’t this climb bother your leg?”

  “Nah. I’m used to it.” He slowed his pace so she could catch up. “This was my first stop after returning home.” He loved this place. Always had. But even more so since the IED.

  Excitement coursed through him as the falls came into view. He couldn’t wait to see Grace’s reaction. Stepping out of the way, he glimpsed the slow smile that overtook her face.

  “Oh, Kaleb.”

  The sight of silvery-white water as it plummeted over some ten stories of craggy rocks never ceased to move him. And the roar of the falls, coupled with the gentle breeze that carried the songs of sparrows, filled him with a peace he longed to share with Grace. Because for all of her business smarts, all her plans, something was amiss. At times, he’d detect a deep sadness, an emptiness. If only he could find out what it was.

  “Let’s get closer.” He nudged her across the wooden bridge and onto a narrow path. When they emerged, they were on the other side of the stream, mere feet from the falls.

  The gentle mist touched their skin.

  Grace rubbed her arms. “This is...stunning.” Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply. When she opened them, she peered up at him through thick lashes. “Thank you for urging me to come up here.”

  As daylight faded into night, he looked down at her. “You can’t simply be in Ouray, Grace. You’ve got to experience it.” Whether it was the faith she had in him or her genuine desire to make Mountain View Tours a success, Grace stirred something in him that had been long dormant. Something he’d do well to ignore since she’d be leaving at the end of the summer.

  “You said this was the first place you came after coming home. Why is it so special to you?”

  Taking a step back, he shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and took in the familiar surroundings. “It never changes.” He had to raise his voice to be heard over the falls. “Sure it might appear different throughout the seasons, and nature sometimes has a way of relandscaping—” he gestured to the boulders and logs that littered the valley floor “—but the falls, the mountain... They’re unchanging.” He turned toward her now. “They remind me that while that IED may have changed my body, the God that lives inside me never changes. And regardless of what I’ve lost, He’s promised me so much more.”

  With the slightest tilt of her head, she watched him, her gaze probing. “You really believe that, don’t you?”

  “With all my heart. The way I see it, when the going gets tough, we can either cling to God or run away.” He shook his head. “But it’s impossible to outrun God.”

  Her brow lifted. “I think your faith may have faltered a bit this week. When you were freaking out over the drivers’ logs.”

  Chagrined, he lowered his head. God had brought him through far worse, and yet, instead of reflecting on God’s faithfulness, Kaleb worried. Forgive my unbelief, Lord.

  His gaze met Grace’s. “You’re right. Instead of trusting in God to provide, I trusted in myself. And I failed. I’m just glad God didn’t.”

  Nodding, she toed a rock. “I’m curious, then. What was your reaction when you found out you’d lost your leg?”

  The evening air stirred then, sending a shiver up his spine.

  “Mind if we sit down?” He gestured toward a massive boulder that sat several feet away.

  As daylight faded, they eased onto the rock, close enough that they wouldn’t have to yell to hear each other over the rushing water.

  Grace wrapped her arms around herself.

  “Are you cold?”

  “Co
ol, but I’ll be okay.”

  He drew in a deep breath. “To answer your question, when I first heard about my leg, I wished I’d died with my buddies.” He saw Grace’s body sag. “For six months, I merely existed in that hospital, doing whatever they told me to do. But deep inside—” he pointed to his chest “—I’d given up. I’d lost my leg, my fiancée and, as far as I was concerned, my life.”

  She straightened. “You were engaged?”

  “Her name was Gina. She was tough as nails. Or so I thought. But as soon as the going got tough, she bailed. I’m just thankful I discovered that little character flaw before we said ‘I do.’”

  Grace’s gaze drifted to the turbulent stream in the distance. “Sometimes people profess to love without ever really knowing what it truly means.”

  The remark caught him off guard. Somehow, he didn’t think she was talking about Gina.

  Looking at him again, she said, “What brought you back around?”

  “Sami.”

  Grace’s eyes widened. “Really? What did she do?”

  “She showed me a picture.”

  “Of what?”

  “Jack. Of course, we didn’t know it was Jack yet.”

  Grace appeared confused.

  “It was Jack’s first sonogram. Kind of looked like a gerbil to me—”

  Her soft chuckle eased the inevitable, albeit momentary, grief that usually accompanied his story.

  “While I pretended not to listen, Sami went on about how she’d always looked up to me and how she wanted her baby to do the same. She told me to stop feeling sorry for myself. To stop focusing on what I’d lost and thank God for everything I still had. Then she taped that picture where I’d be sure to see it.”

  “What did you do?”

  “Continued to sulk. But the more I looked at that picture, something grabbed hold of my heart. Not only did I want to meet my niece or nephew, I wanted to be part of his or her life. To teach them all those things Sami and I used to do when we were kids. Suddenly, Jack became my reason to live.”

  “That explains why you’re so close to him now.”

  “Yeah. I couldn’t love that kid any more if he were my own.”

  “He’s lucky to have you.”