Mindy Obenhaus - Falling For The Hometown Hero

“Me, too.” Grace thrust her arm in the air like a second grader. “It’d be fun. As a matter of fact—” She waved a hand then dropped it to her side. “Ah, never mind.” Her narrowed gaze drifted to Kaleb. “I’ve learned to keep my suggestions to myself.”

“Oh, no. You’re not getting off that easy.” Sami inched toward her. “Out with it, Grace.”

Grace looked from him to Sami, as if deliberating whether or not to divulge her secret. “What if you had a grand opening? Something that invited people to come in and check out the new Mountain View Tours.”

Sami’s eyes grew wide. “That’s an outstanding idea.” She whirled toward Kaleb. “We could do it Memorial Day weekend. You could have your new trucks on display, offer discounts on tours... We could have cookies, balloons—”

He held up a palm, cutting off his sister. “No. I appreciate the suggestion. However, something like that involves a lot of work. I think we best focus our energies on bringing in business.”

“That’s exactly what we’re trying to do.” Returning her fist to her hip, Sami scowled at him. “Besides, wasn’t it just the other day I heard you say that you were looking for a way to separate the new Mountain View Tours from the old?”

He hated it when she used his own words against him. “Yes. But a party wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.”

“Then what did you have in mind?” His sister’s smug grin only served to irritate him.

He didn’t have a response. All he knew was that painting and parties took time. Time that he didn’t have.

“Kaleb,” Sami continued, “you’ve said a million times how important this first season is going to be. Why not do it right?”

Grace cleared her throat. “All you’d really have to do for a grand opening is set up shop outside. Go to the people instead of waiting for them to come to you.” She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “We’re talking very little time and effort. However, the payoff could be worth it.”

His sister’s expression softened. “So what do you say, big brother? You going to go big or go home?”

He definitely didn’t want to go home. Not only would he be letting his investors down, he’d be lost. He’d been working toward this goal for years.

Scanning the bare-bones office, he could see where it might seem a little cold.

We need to appeal to folks from the moment they walk into Mountain View Tours, if not before.

Of course, the more appealing things were, the more likely people were to be drawn in.

He eyed his sister. “You and Mom will do all the work?”

“And Grace.” Hope lit Sami’s dark eyes. “When she’s not doing things for you, that is.”

“And you’ll get the work done quickly?”

“As quick as we can. After all, Memorial Day is right around the corner.”

He lowered his arms to his sides. Even though he was ready to say yes, he paused for effect. “Okay, you can redecorate. So long as I approve all ideas and colors first. Got it?”

“Got it.” Sami’s grin was so big, he thought she might burst. “And what about the grand opening? Scott and I would be happy to help out. I’m sure Mom and Dad would, too.”

Honestly, the more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. Though he didn’t have to let his sister or Grace know.

“We can probably work something out.”

“Yes!” Sami charged him then and hugged his neck so tight he could barely breathe. “Okay.” Letting go, she began her retreat. “I’m going to run over to the hardware store to look at some paint chips.” After a final scan of the place, she continued. “I can’t wait.” She yanked open the door. “Oh! Hello, Donna.” She held the door for Grace’s mother.

“Hello, Sami.” The woman in her late fifties continued inside, looking as well dressed as ever in her tan slacks and flowing blue shirt. “Kaleb, I hope you don’t mind me dropping by to see my daughter.”

“Not at all.” He could use a break. Being ganged up on by two headstrong women was enough to do any man in. “This’ll give me a chance to run and pick us up some lunch before we get down to business.”

“It’s so good to see you.” Donna embraced her daughter. Her short auburn hair was a contrast to Grace’s long dark brown. However, they shared the same hazel eyes.

“Hi, Mama.” Grace’s hug seemed a bit more tentative. Even awkward.

Perhaps because he was there.

“Grace? Burger or sandwich?”

Her mother released her.

“Burger’s fine. With everything, please.”

“Done.” He started for the door. “See you later, Donna.” Outside, he crossed the street and headed toward Granny’s Kitchen.

Scrubbing a hand over his face, he let go a sigh. Talk of redecorating and a grand opening, while both great ideas, also added to his angst. There was so much to do and so little time in which to do it. Could they really pull it off?

God, I want to get this right.

Honestly, he really liked the ideas Grace and Sami proposed. And if everything went according to plan...

On the flip side—

No. He wasn’t going to go there. Because for as much as he hated to admit it, Grace just might be the key to his success.

* * *

Grace did not want to do this now.

She hadn’t seen her mother since Lucy’s wedding last year. Right after Grace had returned from deployment and learned that her own marriage was over. So why on earth would Mama come to Mountain View Tours—a public place—for their first encounter? What if the place had been filled with customers?

Unless her mother was trying to protect herself, thinking Grace wouldn’t call her out if someone else was around. But now that Kaleb was gone...

“Why didn’t you tell me Roger worked here?”

Mama squared her shoulders in a defiant manner.

“I’m not trying to pick a fight, Mama. The news just kind of blindsided me, that’s all. I wish you would have told me.”

Lifting her chin, her mother said, “If I had, though, would you have taken the job?”

“I guess we’ll never know, will we?” Though resignation laced Grace’s tone, she made sure there was no accusation.

“Grace, you’re my daughter. I miss you. And I’d like to have a relationship with you.”

“Like you do with Lucy.” The two of them were always chatting up a storm about the latest fashion trends, celebrities and such. Things Grace didn’t have a clue about. Especially after spending ten months at sea.

Mama shrugged. “It’s easier with Lucy. She lets me in.”

“I tell you things.”

Her mother chuckled. “Only when I ask. Even then, you only give me enough to get me to stop with the questions. Yet you never had any problem talking to your father.” Mama looked away. “I always envied that.”

Envy? Seriously? Grace’s gut churned with the shock of Mama’s revelation, leaving any words she might have said stuck inside.

She glanced out the window. “Kaleb will be back soon.” And she didn’t know how to continue this conversation with her mother. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

“See what I mean. Instead of allowing anyone in, you avoid whatever makes you uncomfortable.”

She let Aaron in. And look how that turned out.

“This isn’t about being uncomfortable. This is reality. And reality dictates that I have a job, which means I have a boss. A boss who will be back any moment, expecting me to work.” She took a deep breath, contemplating her next offer. “I can stop by tonight...if you like.”

Mama’s expression turned hopeful. “For dinner? I’ll make your favorite.”

Grace’s spirits lifted a notch. “Nonna Gigi’s lasagna?”

“Of course.”

Grace’s mouth watered just thinking about it. Nonna Gigi’s lasagna was the ultimate in comfort food. One Grace had not had the pleasure of indulging in for years.