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A Father's Second Chance
Mindy Obenhaus
Repairing Her Heart Businesswoman Celeste Thompson has one goal: to make her restaurant and hotel a success. She doesn't need any distractions, even from handsome contractor Gage Purcell and his two adorable little girls. Besides, single dad Gage is just biding his time before a big job at the mines comes through. But as Celeste's project springs to life, their arguments transform into attraction. Gage isn't looking for romance, especially not with another career-driven woman like his ex-wife. But openhearted Celeste is more than just another work-consumed client. She might just be his happily-ever-after.
Repairing Her Heart
Businesswoman Celeste Thompson has one goal: to make her restaurant and hotel a success. She doesn’t need any distractions, even from handsome contractor Gage Purcell and his two adorable little girls. Besides, single dad Gage is just biding his time before a big job at the mines comes through. But as Celeste’s project springs to life, their arguments transform into attraction. Gage isn’t looking for romance, especially not with another career-driven woman like his ex-wife. But openhearted Celeste is more than just another work-consumed client. She might just be his happily-ever-after.
“Your mother told me you were leaving.”
As much as she loved her mother, Celeste just might have to wring her neck. “Why would she tell you I’m leaving?”
“Aren’t you afraid you’ll get bored? Then you’ll be stuck in boring little Ouray.”
“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 sides. “Would it…matter if I left?”
His hands dropped, too. “The town would lose their best cook.”
“Oh.”
“Cassidy and Emma would miss you terribly.” His tone was gentle this time.
Caught up in the moment, she threw caution to the wind. She knew she was opening herself for heartbreak but went for it anyway. “And what about you? Would you miss me?”
It took MINDY OBENHAUS forty years to figure out what she wanted to do when she grew up. But once God called her to write, she never looked back. She’s passionate about touching readers with biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. Mindy lives in Texas with her husband and kids. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Find more at mindyobenhaus.com (http://mindyobenhaus.com).
A Father’s
Second Chance
Mindy Obenhaus
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Many are the plans in a man’s heart,
but it’s the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
—Proverbs 19:21
To the miners of the San Juans,
both past and present.
Acknowledgments (#ulink_621fd5d8-85d4-5e7d-82d6-fced7e238bd6)
Thank You, Jesus, for using this lowly vessel.
Many thanks to Phil Martinez, longtime miner, for your willingness to share your knowledge.
To my amazing husband, Richard Obenhaus, with much appreciation for your love of history. Only one of the many things I love about you.
Becky Yauger,
I couldn’t have done it without you, girl.
Thanks to Ted and Betty Wolfe
and Brandy Ross for all of your help.
Contents
Cover (#u14c36149-4b4d-51af-ba5a-1f04d724a9d2)
Back Cover Text (#u00cf98da-1638-54ad-843a-1c253828b4ae)
Introduction (#ue08eece3-31ea-5e8a-9db4-73bfb4ba4afa)
About the Author (#u25b4af7a-8398-5c31-afef-eae9b0f8ca66)
Title Page (#ua3b917b1-1df9-5cc0-b794-d3655c1ff330)
Bible Verse (#ued17b7fc-de1a-5075-84ff-deb2696a2bf1)
Dedication (#u8e743af1-e871-5dde-baa9-65165f4907b0)
Acknowledgments (#u05839f90-481d-5689-b296-10c1a48b4930)
Chapter One (#udedeff2e-d590-5024-8aea-9102f3af72cf)
Chapter Two (#ubff2bdde-5fb1-53a2-b8a1-76543cb3ad49)
Chapter Three (#ud289b1c5-dcd2-5a9e-b11a-89a0cb11998b)
Chapter Four (#u90603ba4-1a26-5b94-aa6a-fc523ec721eb)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#ulink_b342faf7-8781-5eda-a8b7-3c2496425334)
Perhaps love wasn’t a fairy tale.
Watching the bride and groom share their first dance, Celeste Thompson was taken aback by the longing that filled her heart. She’d never been one to entertain romantic notions. Yet she suddenly found herself wondering what it would be like to be in love. To share your life with someone. To give that person your whole heart.
Celeste froze, the long pearl-handled knife midway through another slice of wedding cake. She could never trust her heart to anyone. She laid the piece of raspberry-filled white cake on a plate. Precisely why she was the caterer, not the bride.
As the romantic ballad came to an end, her eyes again roamed the crowded, dimly lit reception hall in Ouray’s Community Center. From all appearances, Cash and Taryn were the epitome of forever and always. Yet how could anyone promise forever? People change. At least that was what her mother said. Countless times. Usually followed by a less-than-flattering remark about Celeste’s wayward father.
“Cake, please.”
Celeste glanced down to see small fingers gripping the edge of the lace-covered table. A pair of large sapphire eyes framed by white-blond curls peered up at her.
A smile started in Celeste’s heart, spreading to her face. “Well, hello there, sweet girl.” The child was adorable, her frilly lavender dress making her look like a princess. “You must be the flower girl.”
The little girl nodded, her mischievous grin hinting that she might not be as innocent as she appeared.
“Emma...” A man with dark brown hair and Emma’s same blue eyes sauntered toward them. His hands were tucked into the pockets of his tuxedo slacks and his loosened bow tie dangled from beneath the unbuttoned collar of his starched white shirt. Very GQ. Tall, dark... Of course, at five foot two, everyone seemed tall to Celeste. One of many reasons high heels were her best friend.
He stopped beside the child. “You’ve had enough cake, young lady.” His baritone voice was firm. Unyielding.
Emma frowned. Her bottom lip pooched out as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Cassidy had two pieces.”
“Your sister ate her dinner.” The man stared down at her, seemingly unfazed by the pathetic look.
“No fair.” The little girl stomped her foot.
He held his hand out to the child. “Let’s go see if we can find some more of that brisket. Then we’ll discuss cake.”
Emma’s lip quivered, her eyes welling with tears. Her face reddened and contorted in ways Celeste had never witnessed firsthand. Nonetheless, she recognized the markings of a tantrum. And, from the looks of things, this was setting up to be a good one.
Perhaps she could find a way to change the subject. She opened her mouth, but the man she presumed was Emma’s father held up a hand to cut her off.
“I’ve got this.”
Fine by her. After all, Emma was his daughter.
He dropped to one knee. “Emma, please. Not here.”
His plea was met with a loud wail.
Celeste bit back a laugh. Seemed the poor man had been through this before.
Pulling his daughter close, he begged her to stop crying. His tuxedo jacket was doing a fair job of muffling Emma’s sobs, still...he glanced up at Celeste, defeat and perhaps embarrassment marring his otherwise handsome features.
Surely there was something she could do.
Then again, Emma’s father had made it clear he didn’t need her help.
The child let out another cry. This time loud enough to be heard over the music.
People started staring.
Celeste couldn’t help herself. While she might not be an expert with kids, she’d quelled many an executive tantrum in the boardroom. Perhaps those tactics would come in handy now.
She wiped her hands on a napkin and rounded the table. Knelt beside the pair. “Emma?” She touched the baby-fine curls.
Emma hiccupped then slowly turned her head until her red-rimmed eyes met Celeste’s.
“Have you ever had a birthday party?”
The child nodded against her daddy’s chest.
“And all your friends and family were there?” She looked at Emma’s father, afraid he’d tell her to back off. Instead, he seemed to wait for his daughter’s reaction.
Emma nodded again, this time lifting her head.
Celeste continued. “Now, suppose one of your friends got mad and started crying at your party. How would that make you feel?”
