Page 52 of Roaring Fork Rockstar

“We promise,” he said, offering his pinky to Luna, who solemnly linked hers with his.

I helped Luna gather her things while Holt let Miguel know he was cutting his set short.

At the door, Luna hugged me tightly. “Bye, Mommy. Don’t worry. Mr. Holt will tell me stories until I fall asleep.”

“Will he, now?” I smiled at Holt. The man seemed heaven-sent.

Luna tugged at his hand. “You’ll make me soup too, right?”

“Sure will. Campbell’s finest,” he teased. “Plus, I make a mean grilled cheese to go with it.”

“The house key is under the ceramic frog,” I told him. “Her pajamas are in the second drawer of her dresser. And call me if?—”

“Anything changes,” he finished. “We’ll be fine, right, Luna?”

“Yes, Mommy.” My daughter was already perking up at the prospect of soup and stories. As they walked out into the cold night, Luna’s small hand tucked trustingly in Holt’s much larger one, a warmth spread over me that was replaced by loud warning bells that things between us were moving too quickly.

I threw myself into work, trying to stay focused despite my mind constantly drifting to my daughter and the man who was taking care of her. Miguel shot me reassuring glances, stepping up his pace to compensate for my distraction.

“Keltie?”

I turned to find Sam and Beau weaving through the crowd toward me, a welcome distraction from my spiraling thoughts. Beau stood behind her as she slid onto the one empty barstool, unwinding a scarf from around her neck.

“It’s packed in here!”

“Ski season can be crazy.”

“Want help?” she asked, surprising me.

“Um…”

“I used to run a wine bar, but I’m also pretty good at pouring beer.”

I glance over at the line waiting for drinks and the servers at their station, doing the same thing.

“I’d love that,” I finally replied. “Aprons are on the hook in the hallway.”

“Perfect. By the way, where’s Holt tonight? I thought he was playing.”

“Luna got a fever,” I explained, the worry creeping into my voice despite my efforts. “He took her home so I could finish my shift.”

Sam’s eyebrows rose, but her smile widened. “That’s, err, nice.”

“I feel bad taking advantage of him,” I said quickly, feeling my cheeks warm.

“Don’t. He wouldn’t do it if he didn’t want to. Plus, no one has missed the way he looks at you. The dude’s got itbad.”

The hours passed quickly,given how busy we were. I checked my cell periodically, and each time, Holt had sent a new photo of Luna. The last one was of her snuggled with her bunny and unicorn, sound asleep.

“He’s a pretty good babysitter,” Sam said, looking over my shoulder. “So, how’s she doing?”

I busied myself wiping down the bar, knowing Sam didn’t mean tonight. “We have a doctor’s appointment in Denver soon,” I found myself saying. “For tests.”

Sam’s expression immediately sobered. “When is it?”

“December 30.”

“I can come with you,” she said without hesitation. “For support. I can drive so you can focus on Luna.”

---