Imagine That: A Small Town Big Love Novel

by Collins, Kelly

  “You should have never quit.” The cop leaned toward the cuffed guy. “You got tackled by a Denver Bronco. Bam Bam.”

  Kevin’s face burned.

  “Not to mention her boyfriend. Make sure you jot that down.” He tugged at the cuffs. “I’m so suing all of you.”

  “Good,” whispered Kevin in as scary a voice as he could. He stepped toward the man and watched him flinch.

  “Get me out of here before he hurts me again,” begged the cuffed man.

  “Okay,” said the cop with a big smile on his face.

  The cuffed man was walked to the squad car and tucked into the back seat. The cop and Kevin shook hands.

  “We can talk tomorrow,” the officer told Maya. “I know you want to get home, but we do have to get a statement.”

  “Sorry, Togi.”

  “Why?” Her voice was matter-of-fact. “It’s over. We’re not likely to ever have that kind of excitement here again. It’s done.”

  “You still want to be my sponsor?”

  “Yes.” She waved her hands around like she was swatting mosquitos. “You didn’t cause this.”

  Kevin looked at Maya’s arm and then deep into her eyes. “Can you drive?”

  “Yes, but I’ll have to take it slower.”

  “Oh, good.” Togi bounced on her feet with excitement. “We might actually live until tomorrow.” She looked back toward the door, where several people craned their necks to see what was going on. “I would ordinarily suggest we finish the meeting, but I think we’ll just be a distraction.”

  “I’ll see you at John’s.” He brushed Maya’s lips with a soft kiss and completely ignored Togi’s snarky reply.

  “I look forward to it,” Maya purred. She kissed him one more time before they parted ways.

  Chapter Eight

  Maya

  Maya and Togi strapped in for the ride home. She had a gazillion things swirling through her mind as she put the key in the ignition. Togi touched her hand.

  “Let’s take a second,” she counseled. “Were you telling the truth—are you okay to drive?”

  Togi had a mother’s voice that made her want to cry. Now that the whole thing was over, she was becoming emotional, but she sucked it up.

  “Are you and Kevin a thing?” she asked. Her question had the tone of warning in it.

  “We’re about to be.” A flush of warmth heated her insides. “I hope.”

  “Remember, you just got sober. You also got attacked in a meeting and kissed by a cop. On top of that, you asked me to be your sponsor. Let’s get grounded. Maybe limit our changes to one or two a month, rather than per day.”

  “If you’re asking me which changes to make and which changes to keep, I pick Kevin first. I’ll pass on the attack.”

  Togi laughed deeply. There was a gravelly character to her voice that made Maya think she had been a smoker at one time. She didn’t seem to be one now.

  “You wouldn’t be the first person who put a person in front of their recovery.”

  “Did you?”

  “Oh, hell yes. I work in the diner. I get to lay eyes on every good-looking man who lives in Blackwood and then some that don’t. I have worked there for half my life. Honey, I fell in love a lot. As long as you don’t pick up drinking again over it, you’ll live. From now on let’s take it one thing at a time. Are you well enough to drive? Did this guy hurt your arm?”

  “Yes, and yes. It hurts, but it’s not broken or anything.”

  “Okay then, while you drive, tell me the story about the guy they just hauled away. Any idea why he might think you owe him?”

  “No.” She turned the key and her car purred to life. “When I gambled, people pegged me for a Blackwood and they swarmed around me like bees to a hive.”

  “Because you have money?”

  “Yes.” She backed out of the spot and turned toward Blackwood. “I am fortunate, but I have to tell you, it brings out the crazies.”

  “Get a strong foundation under your feet, you won’t have to worry about a thing.”

  “I’ll try, Togi.”

  “Hopefully, this will make a colorful story to tell everyone when you become a speaker on the circuit. You sounded like a natural in there.” Togi reached over and touched her arm warmly. “It’s important to give back. There’s a person out there waiting to find recovery. Kind of nice if you made sure you were ready to help when he or she arrives.”

  Even though she could not wait to be back in Blackwood and the evening had been dramatic, it hadn’t been a total disaster. She’d found a friend in Togi. As she drove down Interstate 70 toward Blackwood, her head filled with thoughts of Kevin. He was a lot more pleasant to ruminate about than the drama she was driving away from. The image of him running to rescue her was seared into her brain. He was like a bull and he used his body so smoothly as a weapon. What he must have looked like on the field. She was consumed by him.

  She must have been on automatic pilot because suddenly she was pulling up in front of Togi’s house. Letting her go felt like she was breaking up with her.

  “Thanks for going with me.” She laid her hand gently on Togi’s arm. “I think you and I are going to work well together. I don’t know how you did it, but despite all that happened, I still wanna come back, and I want to give back.”

  Togi smiled a rare smile.

  It warmed Maya’s heart.

  “Just wreckage from the past. Not your fault.”

  The once crusty waitress had transformed into a spiritual mentor and Maya considered herself fortunate.

  “You know, at some point today I asked for direction and I got it. Thanks for taking me up on my request.”

  “Even if it was a half-assed joke?” grinned Togi.

  “Yeah, even if.”

  She waited for her to leave her car and make it safely into her house. It was all she could do to hold off from calling Kevin. She pulled forward just enough so she rolled into the shadows. She took her phone out and dialed his number. She felt like she was sneaking a drink. Only she knew he wasn’t a shot of whiskey or a glass of wine. He was a straight-up moonshine kind of a man and that might be more addictive than the booze.

  “Hi,” she whispered.

  “Where are you and why are you whispering?”

  “I just dropped Togi off. I’m in my car and about to head back to my house, I mean unless—”

  She didn’t want to go back to her house. It had been a long day and she still needed more of him.

  “I know it’s kind of late—” He paused as if he was considering her words carefully. “Do you think we can talk?”

  “Sure.” Her heart rate ramped up to a frenzied pace. The pounding in her chest made it hard to breathe. “Wanna meet at the saloon?”

  “Do you think that’s a good idea? Kind of the way we began our day.”

  “I’m fine, Kevin. It’s not like there isn’t alcohol everywhere you go and some places where you don’t expect it. The saloon is open and it’s close.”

  “Why not John’s house?”

  “Because it’s twenty minutes away and Clem is there,” she argued. “Why not your place?”

  The truth was she was impatient to see him.

  Kevin laughed.

  She loved his laugh, but he was avoiding something again. She felt it in her bones.

  “Clem being there is probably a good thing.”

  She got his meaning. They would be all over each other if they had the opportunity to be alone. Though they’d known each other for a while, it was all new and rushing things wouldn’t be wise.

  “We should talk, but what I have to say is personal, and I’m not sure I want to have the conversation in a saloon.”

  “I would have you over to my house, but I’m a bachelor and would rather get it ready for a guest.”

  “A guest?” She questioned. “Who are you calling a guest? I’ve never been to your place. That’s silly to think I’d judge you by the tidiness of your living room.”

  �
�You’re right but still …”

  “Okay.” She let out an exasperated exhale. “John’s house then. See you in a few.” She looked down at her phone and pressed the red dot to end the call. What am I going to do about Kevin?

  Once again, she headed through the nearly empty town on the route back to her cousin’s house. The more she left Blackwood, the more she hated to leave. She thought more and more that maybe she and her family had sold the town in haste. They’d missed the important step of checking it out first. She wished that it had always been her home. Maybe the decision to sell wouldn’t have been so easy to make.

  She turned onto the private road and wound her way to John’s house. Each time she pulled into the garage it felt less like home to her. It was a beautiful house, especially at night. Its immense pitched roof gave it the appearance of a ski chalet. It had the feel and look of a getaway. Its lighting had a magical hue, but it lacked something, mostly furniture. What there was, though, was at least comfortable.

  The couch in the living room was super sumptuous and almost the width of a twin bed, but that was about all there was there. The bed in the room she’d chosen for herself was also nice. It happened to be the same bed that Kevin slept in when he first stayed there, a fact which had crossed her mind when she lay awake in it. Now that he had kissed her, it would be a different experience.

  Otherwise, being at John’s felt like she was just staying there temporarily. He had said she could do whatever she wanted to it but she’d done nothing. It wasn’t her house. Maybe she didn’t like it because it had been a bachelor pad, or maybe John didn’t have a designer’s touch. Her lack of excitement about the house could have been a thousand things, but she knew without a doubt that her dislike of the place was because it had no heart.

  Those were the thoughts that ran through her mind from the car to the door. It was just evidence to her that she was ready to transition into her own life. That was the theme of the day.

  She let herself in through the garage. She could see Clem’s light spilling out from under the door. Though he might be awake, Kevin and she would have privacy in the living room. Kevin would show up in a few minutes, but it would feel like forever.

  Finally, there was a tap on the door. Maya had kicked off her shoes and let the plush feel of the carpet soothe her soles as she made her way to greet him.

  His expression was serious. He didn’t rush to kiss her as she’d hoped he would. She was so eager to feel his lips on hers, but she followed his lead. He stepped forward and kissed her on the forehead, and then he kissed her on the bridge of the nose and then her lips.

  It was a soft, sensual kiss, but after a moment, he withdrew from her like he was putting the brakes on. She couldn’t believe how vulnerable she was all of a sudden. Her emotions were coiled into a tangled mess.

  He took her by the hand and led her to the living room.

  She was a grown woman, but she felt like a schoolgirl holding hands with her guy. They sat down, still apart like friends but a lot touchier. He didn’t let go of her. He was trembling, which was so not like him. He always seemed so unflappable.

  “I like you a lot,” he began, his voice shaky.

  She believed his confession to be true. She wanted to rush in and reply but she bit her lip and listened.

  “But you’re making a lot of changes in your life, and they’re important ones.” His soft look caressed her face. “I don’t want to be a reason you don’t do well.”

  Maya tilted her head, taking in his words. Words similar to Togi’s. Cautionary words she didn’t want to hear.

  “I don’t plan on going back to where I was when I came here. I never had a problem before my husband died.”

  “I know, sweetheart.” He reached out and stroked her face. “But—”

  “I’m good, Kevin.” Her voice held conviction. “You don’t have to worry about it.”

  He took her arm that the guy at the meeting hurt.

  “How’s this doing?”

  “It’s sore.” Suspicious he had just changed the subject, she narrowed her eyes at him.

  “We can go to Idaho Springs Hospital tonight or tomorrow,” he said. “My mom works there.”

  “Not tonight.” She looked down at the skin that was already bruising. “Are you okay with me meeting your mother? I mean, especially under these circumstances?”

  “Yes. I’m okay with a lot of things. It’s taking everything for me to not act on impulse right now. I want to do this right.”

  “What are you saying?” Her insides were melting with the heat of desire. “Do you want to come upstairs?”

  “I would love to.” He kissed her in between each word. “But I have to do this right. We’ve waited this long to act on our attraction, or at least I’ve waited this long to tell you how I feel. I can wait longer.”

  “How long?” she asked, tensed with impatience. “When did you know you liked me, because I have been crushing on you for a long time?”

  He smiled and kissed her again.

  “I better stop doing that or I’ll change my mind. How about you come over to my house and let me cook you dinner.”

  “I get to come over and see the bachelor pad?”

  “You do if that’s what you want. There’s no rush.”

  “Are you a good cook?” She smiled after finding one more thing about him that was utterly attractive.

  “Don’t you remember?” he asked. “I cooked for you while I was here.”

  She made a face like that was a blur because it was. She was still missing chunks of time from her life.

  “Okay, so that’s the plan? You’re going to make dinner for me?”

  “Yes.” His smile warmed her through and through. “I have stuff to tell you I didn’t before.”

  Her chest tightened with fear. Was he going to answer the question about why he was unattached and why he’d waited so long to make a move? Was this where he told her she wasn’t exactly his type?

  “Maya.” He took her hand in his. “My mom is in recovery too.”

  “Yes, Togi mentioned that today.” She let out a laugh.

  It wasn’t the right response to such a heartfelt disclosure but she was so relieved that what he said wasn’t a big deal.

  “I meant thank you for telling me.” She held his hand tighter, hoping he wouldn’t let go. “Now I get why you’re so good with me.”

  He seemed bothered. “So Togi talked about me?” He arched his brow.

  “All good,” she assured him.

  He pinched his lips together and shook his head. “So yes, my mom was or is an alcoholic. When I was young and because she was sick as we used to call it, and my father never wanted to be at home to deal with her, I was in charge.”

  She reluctantly let go of his hand and cupped his cheek. “That was awful, I’m sure. You were just a child.”

  Her parents weren’t home much, but at least they’d had nannies and never had to do much for themselves.

  “Is that how you learned to be a great cook?” she asked.

  “Yep.”

  “Kevin, I think it’s high time someone cooked for you.”

  “I’d like that.” He leaned into her touch. “How about I go first, and then you take as many turns after that as you want?”

  He lowered his head and kissed her. Those few sentences told her so much. They explained why he was so careful. He had a lifetime of missteps. He didn’t want to invite trouble into his world. A flood of realization poured into her consciousness as she got it on so many levels.

  She wrapped her arms around his massive body and held on. His hands roamed her back until they cradled her. His wet, warm tongue swept inside her mouth and she was in heaven. Then his forearm grazed her arm and she winced.

  “That bad, huh?”

  His voice was never truly angry sounding when he was mad, so it was hard to tell what he felt now, but she was getting more attuned to him and she knew he was upset because her arm was injured. He walked them into the k
itchen where the light was brightest. He looked at her bruised spot and felt it gently.

  “I don’t think it’s broken.”

  “I don’t think he could break it by just grabbing me.”

  “He could,” Kevin spoke with authority. “Someone rushes you with force and just the right angle and you end up with fractures. I didn’t push you to go to the ER right away but I should have. It’s easy for people when they’re injured to dismiss it but take this seriously.”

  “On the other hand, I think he might have to get a few x-rays,” she chuckled. “Good Lord. You were like a locomotive. I wished I’d seen you in action back in the day.” She replayed the tackling scene once again in her memory.

  “It was kind of fun.”

  “You will probably get sued.”

  “Yeah, probably,” he said with a nod and a grin.

  “You don’t care?”

  “Not a bit.”

  Chapter Nine

  Kevin

  Hard as it was for him to wait, Kevin decided he and Maya would have dinner on the evening of his next day off, which was two days away. On the first of those two days, he started off his morning as he always had, driving through the streets, checking on everyone. Only this morning, he was ridiculously tired because he had lain awake with thoughts of Maya so vivid that it was as if they’d spent the entire night together.

  He checked in with Damon at the saloon before heading to the diner for a cup of coffee. Many of the people who lived in Blackwood were blue collar and they rose early. Being there when they rolled in for breakfast was a great way for Kevin to connect.

  There were a number of customers at the diner counter. There was a lone man sitting in a big booth, staring out the window where pitch black veiled the Rocky Mountains. He appeared to be perpetually asking the question “Why?”

  The man was Samuel Clemens Blackwood named after the novelist. Clem as he was called, was Maya’s brother. Kevin slipped onto the bench in front of him. The man looked so distraught.

  “Hey.” He knew he interrupted the view and his presence would force Clem to engage.