“The Golden Girl.”
Celeste’s heart dropped to her feet.
She swallowed hard. “What kind of accident?”
“I’m not sure. But there were an awful lot of rescue personnel headed that way.”
God, please let Gage be okay. As well as everyone else.
She drew in a bolstering breath. Gage was fine. She had to believe that. However, she couldn’t sit back and do nothing.
Her mother stormed into the restaurant. “Anybody know what’s going on with all of the sirens?”
“Yes, Mom. There’s been an accident at the mine.”
“The mine?”
Celeste knew what her mother was thinking. “Yes, the Golden Girl.”
Refusing to give in to the mounting tension, she gathered the rampant thoughts that were trying hard to overtake her common sense and tossed them into a darkened corner of her mind.
“All right. Those emergency workers are going to need food. Karla, are you able to stay?”
“I was hoping you’d ask.”
“Good. I’ve got a pot of chili on the stove. We’ll take that.”
“There’s leftover roast beef and smoked turkey breast in the refrigerator,” said Karla. “Why don’t I slice them for sandwiches?”
“Perfect.” Celeste paused. “Wait. My bread order isn’t due until later today.” She turned to her mother. “I need you run to Duckett’s Market and get me every loaf of white or whole wheat bread you can find.”
“How about some fruits and vegetables?” her mother asked.
“Most of these people are men, Mom. They need hearty food.”
“Apples and bananas make a filling snack.”
“Okay, fine. Get some bananas and apples. Just hurry.”
With that, her mother was out the door.
While Leslie covered the dining room, Celeste set to work with Karla in the kitchen. By the time her mother returned with the bread, the meat was sliced and they’d set up an assembly line with everything else they’d need.
Celeste tore open two loaves and began putting together sandwiches. “One more thing, Mom. I need to borrow your vehicle.”
“Whatever for?”
“Because it’s a four-wheel drive. My Mustang won’t make it up the mountain.”
“All right. I’ll go get it.”
Thirty minutes later, Celeste, Karla and Hillary were loading up the back of the SUV. The chili and sandwiches had been placed in large coolers and there was a basket with apples and bananas. A box of chips and a tray of cookies rounded out the offerings, along with disposable bowls, utensils and napkins.
“Please, be careful,” her mother said as Celeste closed the hatch. “I don’t want those rescue people having to rescue you.”
“Don’t worry, Mom.” She hugged her. “Will you do me one more favor?”
“Of course, darling.”
“Will you manage the restaurant while I’m gone?” She waited for the cringe, wince or some other indication that her mother loathed the idea.
Instead, the woman smiled. “I’d be happy to.”
Relieved, Celeste headed south of town and maneuvered her mother’s rental up the county road that led to the mine. But when the road narrowed and she found herself navigating winding curves that were no more than one-car-width wide and bordered by a wall of rock on one side and a sheer drop-off on the other, her anxiety heightened. To think, people actually did this for fun.
Since she hadn’t driven up here before, she wasn’t sure how far the mine was. She only knew that it would be impossible to miss.
Again, her thoughts drifted to Gage. Yet instead of dismissing them, she allowed them to linger. Dear God, please keep him safe. Cassidy and Emma need him so.
What would she do if she saw him? If he saw her? Would he think she came to check on him?
Ridiculous. She had a trunk full of food. She was there on a mission and that’s all there was to it.
Coming off a sharp curve, she spotted a small sea of vehicles, emergency and otherwise, parked to her left. As she drew closer, she saw a wooden bridge with an open gate. Piles of crushed rock flanked the road leading into the compound. A compound that consisted of one very large building and several smaller ones. Though the larger one appeared to extend from the conifer-covered mountainside.
Following the lead of the other cars, she parked beside a large pine tree, exited the SUV and jogged toward a group of people who were clustered outside the larger building. She’d let them know about the food and find out where to leave it.
The frigid wind tossed her ponytail until it beat against her cheek. She cinched the belt on her wool coat and held tight to the collar, grateful that she’d worn her riding boots with the high shaft and low heel today. Walking on layers of crushed rock in heels would have been quite a challenge.
“There’s Celeste.”
Hearing her name, she scanned the group, her gaze stopping on Gage’s mother.
Celeste picked up her pace, noting that his father, Phil, was there, too.
The noose around Celeste’s heart tightened. Please, let Gage be okay. Please, let Gage by okay...
Bonnie hugged her, long and tight. “I’m so glad you’re here. Gage will be happy to see you.”
They obviously didn’t know about last night.
“Where is he?”
Bonnie released her, keeping hold of her hands. Only then did Celeste notice her red-rimmed eyes. “You mean you don’t know?”
“I was just bringing some food for the rescue workers.” She pointed toward her vehicle.
Phil stepped closer, laid a hand on her shoulder. “There’s been a cave-in, Celeste. Two people are missing. Gage is one of them.”
* * *
Over the past few hours, Gage’s emotions had gone from panic to frustration to anger and, finally acceptance. There really was nothing they could do but pray and wait for help from the other side. If he and Ted attempted to dig through the rocky mass that blocked their passage, they might find themselves in worse shape than they were now.
Instead, they remained in a fifteen-by-twenty-foot space, surrounded by eerie silence. Sounds he usually took for granted were now conspicuously absent—mechanical noises, the wind rustling through the trees, birds chirping and children playing. Things you normally don’t think about. Until they’re gone.
He picked up a rock shard and tossed it across the space. “What do you think’s going on out there?”
“Oh, I’m sure there’s a bunch of people here by now.” Ted sat on the floor, leaning against the wall, his arms folded across his chest. “Rescue workers and mine people are strategizing the best way to get to us.”
“They don’t even know if we’re dead or alive.”
“You know the rules, Gage. They’re going to assume we’re alive until they have proof otherwise.”
“True.” Gage drew his knees in the air and rested his forearms on them. “I wonder if our families are out there.” He imagined his mother sick with worry, while his father reminded her that God had it all under control. Something Gage could stand to be reminded of, too.
“Probably. Sure wish I had some way to let Laura know I’m okay.” Since the drift they were working was new, lines for mine phones hadn’t been run yet. And cell phones didn’t get reception until you were almost to town.
“I hope somebody remembers to pick my girls up from school.” Though how his mother or someone else would explain his absence to Cassidy and Emma remained a mystery. He could only pray that whoever it was would put a positive spin on things. He didn’t even want to think about how his girls would react if they feared for one second that they might never see him again.
Thoughts of Celeste crept into his mind. She was one of those people who’d always
been good at putting things in a positive light. He was still in awe of how she was able to thwart Emma’s tantrums. Even when disciplining the girls, Celeste found a way to make them obey without raising her voice or making them feel as though they were in trouble.
But she wasn’t a part of their lives anymore. He straightened. The girls’ well-being was far more important than his wish for a wife and helpmate, right? Celeste was used to looking out for number one. Just like the girls’ mother.
“You know—” Ted started and Gage welcomed the distraction “—when we were kids, we would have thought it was the coolest thing in the world to be trapped in a mine.”
“Are you kidding? I used to pray for it.”
“Well, then, looks like God answered your prayers.”
Gage chuckled. “Yeah. You know what they say. Sometimes He says yes, sometimes He says wait. Guess I never figured I’d have to wait this long.”
“That’s why they also say, be careful what you pray for.” Ted shifted against the rocky wall. “I hate to bring this up, but we might want to consider dousing our lights for a while. No telling how long we’ll be in here. I know these LED things don’t use as much power. Still, if we’re talking days...”
“I hear ya, man. I don’t like it, but I hear you.”
Gage reached for his lamp, as did Ted.
Surrounded by the darkest blackness he’d ever known, Gage’s thoughts returned first to his girls, then, even though he knew he shouldn’t, to Celeste. What would she do when she found out he was trapped? Would she be sad? Would she worry?
Yes to all of the above. But more important, she’d pray. Regardless of how he’d treated her, she would pray for his safety and for his girls.
Why did that seem like such a revelation?
Because Tracy wasn’t the praying kind. A worrier, yes. Prayer warrior, no.
Celeste isn’t Tracy.
Despite the silence, that small, still voice seemed to grow louder.
What are You trying to tell me, God?
“So what happened between you and Celeste?”
In the darkness, it was as though God had spoken to him. Except he doubted that God had Ted’s voice.
Now he had to figure out how to respond. He could ignore the question, but he knew Ted well enough to know he’d keep asking until he got some answers. Considering they’d probably be stuck together for a long while, he may as well throw his friend a bone.
“I learned something about her—about her past—that caused me to rethink our relationship.”
“Ah, yes, the dreaded past. Last time I checked, you have one of those, too, Gage.”
“You’re hilarious, Beatty.”
“No, I’m actually quite serious. I mean, are you the same person you were five or ten years ago?”
Gage chuckled. It had been only nine years ago that he and Tracy married. He’d never forget the way she stressed over that wedding. Everything had to be perfect. The thing was so big and lavish, you would have thought they were royalty.
Unfortunately, her quest for perfection didn’t stop with their wedding. Tracy had to have the perfect house, the perfect job, the perfect car...
Then Cassidy came along and he soon realized that a child didn’t fit into Tracy’s perfect plans. Plans that placed a higher value on career than children.
He shook his head. “No, I’m not.” He’d like to think he was wiser. Definitely more cautious.
“So what makes you think Celeste is?”
“Ted, I know what you’re trying to do here, man, but things aren’t that simple. Protecting Cassidy and Emma is my first priority.”
“You think Celeste is going to hurt them?”
“Not physically, no.”
“But emotionally.”
Gage rubbed his palms on his jeans, feeling the dusty grit beneath his fingers. “It’s possible. I mean, they’re Tracy’s flesh and blood and that didn’t stop her.”
Ted was silent for a moment. Then he said, “I have no doubt that Cassidy and Emma were hurt when their mother left. But I’m not convinced that this breakup with Celeste is entirely about them.”
“I’ve told you, man, the girls are priority number one. I love Celeste. So if it wasn’t about Cassidy and Emma, what possible reason would I have for breaking up with her?”
“Because you’re afraid of getting hurt again.”
The words hit Gage like a sledgehammer. Ted was way off base. Gage longed to argue that it wasn’t true, but the words refused to come.
Swallowing his pride, he tilted his head upward. Lord, is that what I’m doing? Using my daughters as an excuse?
“Think about it, Gage. What if God put Celeste in your life to be the mother I know you want your girls to have?”
Chapter Sixteen
Missing?
That could mean Gage was...
No. Celeste refused to even think it.
White-knuckling the steering wheel, she drove her mother’s rented SUV down the mountain, willing the tears that stung the backs of her eyes to go away. Maneuvering these switchbacks was difficult enough without blurred vision.
Besides, she’d told Bonnie she would pick Cassidy and Emma up from school, and she needed to be strong for them. Gage would be okay. She had to believe that. If for nothing more than her own sanity.
Apparently her faith wasn’t strong enough, though, as every worst-case scenario shot through her mind. Only one way to remedy that.
“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know...” She sang it loud and proud, just like Granny taught her, all the way back into town, slaying the dreadful images that threatened to drag her under.
Her faith was bolstered and the tears banished. That is, until she stepped into Granny’s Kitchen.
“Well?” Her mother rounded the counter.
“Mission accomplished.” She removed her wool peacoat and started toward the kitchen. “I dropped off the food and they were most appreciative.”
“They who?” Karla was right on her heels.
“The workers, of course.” She was avoiding the inevitable and she knew it. They wanted details about the accident but, despite her little praise-and-worship session in the car, she found herself not wanting to deliver the news about Gage. Because she might fall apart doing so.
Her mother took hold of her elbow, stopping Celeste’s retreat. “What did you learn about the accident?”
She draped the coat over her arm, refusing to look at either woman. “There was a cave-in. Two men are missing.” She took a shaky breath. “One of them is Gage.”
Karla’s hand flew to her mouth. Not exactly what Celeste needed right now.
Her mother continued to study her. “Do they know if they’re alive?”
Celeste shook her head. “Not yet.” She checked the time on her watch. Two twenty. “I promised Bonnie I would get the girls from school.” She again focused on her coat, removing imaginary signs of lint from the dark brown wool. “I’d prefer not to bring them here. If they overheard someone talking—” She shrugged. “So I’m going to close the restaurant early today.”
“Nonsense.” Her mother waved a hand. “I can handle dinner and closing.”
Celeste couldn’t have been more shocked if Gage walked through the door at that very moment. Twice in one day her mother had agreed to work the restaurant. This time she’d even volunteered.
“Are you sure?” she asked her mother.
“You forget I used to work in this restaurant as a teen.”
“I’ll stay, too.” Karla dabbed at her eyes. “Make sure she stays out of trouble.”
“Trouble?” Her mother dug her fists into her hips. “You’re the one who used to get into trouble. Why, I remember when you and Rosemary Hiccum—”
“W
ait a minute.” Celeste held up a hand, trying to piece things together. “You two know each other?”
Karla poked a thumb in Hillary’s direction. “Sat beside her in just about every class from kindergarten all the way through graduation.”
Celeste’s gaze moved from her mother to Karla and back again. The two women were so different that it hadn’t dawned on her that they were likely the same age. Sometimes she even forgot that her mother had grown up here.
She laid a hand to the side of her face. “Well, if that don’t beat all.”
With assurances that tonight’s special was already in the oven, Celeste shrugged back into her coat, exited the restaurant and started in the direction of the school. A brisk northerly wind had her tugging the fur-lined leather gloves from her pockets and making her wish she’d opted to drive. Hopefully the girls had warm coats. Either way, hot chocolate would definitely be in order when they got back to the condo.
Outside the beige brick building that housed every grade from pre-K through twelve, Emma was the first to spot Celeste. And the smile that exploded on her face brightened Celeste’s somber mood.
“Hello, sweet girl.” Celeste knelt to greet her.
Emma charged toward Celeste, her pink Barbie backpack and the pom-pom on her knit cap bouncing with every step, until she threw herself into Celeste’s waiting arms.
When Cassidy found Celeste a couple of minutes later, her smile was just as big.
Celeste gave her a hug. “How was your day?” She brushed the hair away from Cassidy’s face.
“Good.” The girl cocked her head to peer up at Celeste. “How come you’re picking us up?”
“Well—” she couldn’t tell them the whole truth, so she’d have to settle for part of it “—your daddy had to stay late at the mine and your grandmother was busy.” She took hold of both their mitten-clad hands. “So I get to have you girls all to myself.”
“Yay!” Emma cheered.
Celeste turned toward Cassidy. “Do you have any homework?”
The child shook her head.
“Well, all right. Looks like we get to play.”
“Play?” A curious smile lit both their faces.
A Father's Second Chance (Contemporay Christian Romance) Page 16