Angel's Rest(19)

“I need to discuss my plans for Cavanaugh House with Gabe, and you need to take Archibald to him. In all the confusion last night, he forgot his dog.”

His dog? Nic opened her mouth to protest, but reconsidered and poured syrup onto her pancakes. Celeste had a point. The boxer obviously had chosen Gabe. She’d find it interesting to watch his reaction to the fact. It would tell a lot about the man. “Why would you talk to Gabe Callahan about Cavanaugh House, Celeste?”

“It’s part of my Angel Plan. Dear, have you ever wondered what drew you home in the wake of your divorce?”

She gave it a moment’s thought. “The people. The place. It’s home for me. Eternity Springs … soothes me.”

“Exactly,” Celeste replied with a nod as she filled Nic’s sink with water. “Eternity Springs calls to people in pain.”

Like Gabe Callahan. It made a weird sort of sense, but … “That’s a little woo-woo for me, Celeste.”

“It’s spiritual. You understand. You’re a spiritual woman.”

“I’m not a New Ager. I’m Methodist.”

Squirting green dishwashing soap into the water, the older woman laughed. “Spirituality is part of the fabric of organized religion. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Often it’s simply not as obvious. The healing energy in this valley is significant, although it’s been muted by a sickness of spirit that infected its people long ago. We need to exorcise that sickness and encourage the healing that’s available. All will be stronger because of it.”

“That’s still borderline woo-woo with me,” Nic said. Then she addressed another part of Celeste’s proposal that piqued her curiosity. “So, what, you want to use Gabe as a test case or something?”

“I want to engage Gabe Callahan’s professional services. He is a landscape architect.”

“He is? How do you know?”

“I recognized him. Two years ago his firm designed a play area for a children’s hospital in South Carolina. I was on the board of directors of another hospital, and we researched his firm while considering a similar project. He’s quite well-known in his arena.”

A landscape architect. Interesting. But how did an architect get a warrior’s scars? “So what do you want him to do at Cavanaugh House?” Then, before Celeste could respond, Nic understood. She’d said healing energy. “The hot springs? You’re gonna ask him to design something around the hot springs, aren’t you? A resort like they have over in Pagosa Springs?”

“Not exactly. My idea is bigger than that. This won’t be a tourist facility for skiers with sore muscles. Cavanaugh House will be the centerpiece of a healing center, Nicole, and I want Gabe Callahan to design the master plan. Yes, I want a spa facility and pools for the hot springs, but I also want a healing garden and hiking trails and terraces of prayer. My vision is to make Eternity Springs the Sedona of Colorado.”

Nic set down her fork and sat back in her chair, considering the idea. “The Sedona of Colorado,” she mused. She’d visited Sedona, Arizona, one time. It was a lovely place. Not as lovely as Eternity Springs, but then she was prejudiced. The people of Sedona had been friendly. Different, but friendly. Of course, Eternity Springs folks were different, too. Mountain people usually were.

Winter mountain people, especially.

She couldn’t be certain that Eternity would be as welcoming to outsiders as Sedona, but a steady supply of tourist dollars would surely smooth the way for that. Celeste’s plan would change their town, but after plans A, B, C, and D most everyone understood that change of some sort was necessary for survival.

A healing center and spa. “It fits with our history. When this area was being settled, people moved to Colorado because of perceived health benefits. The air here was considered good for those with consumption. Even Doc Holliday came here to heal. And of course, the Ute visited our hot springs for a long time before settlers arrived.” Her mouth stretched in a smile. “Celeste, I think your idea is inspired.”

“I know, dear. Now, finish your breakfast so you can dry these pans I’m about to wash. Then we can share our good news with poor Gabe.”

“Poor Gabe?”

“Not literally, of course. The man is quite comfortable financially. I mean poor in spirit. Gabe is a perfect example of someone who needs what Eternity Springs has to offer. Unfortunately, he’s too isolated up there, too alone on the mountain. He needs to come to town to work on the project. He needs to be here in Eternity Springs around the people …” She paused as Nic rose to let in the boxer, who stood scratching at her kitchen door. “And the pets who will help heal his wounded heart.”