by Barbara Gee
The Full Heart Ranch Veterans Retreat Center operated on a “two weeks on, one week off” schedule, and today was Thursday of an off-week. That meant only staff, interns and volunteers were using the cafeteria.
It also meant he wouldn’t have to wait as long for Kay’s rolls and a large cup of coffee. That was good, because Vince was starving. His stomach growled loudly to prove it, making Boone laugh.
“Checking cattle always makes me hungry, too,” Boone said. “It’s the fresh air or something. We should’ve warned Kay we were coming. She might not have made enough rolls.”
As soon as he said that, the woman in question poked her head out of the kitchen and saw them. Her face split into a huge smile and she hurried out, enveloping her son in a huge hug, and then Vince.
“I’ve been watching for you boys. I’m keeping a whole pan of rolls warm for you. Go find a table and I’ll get the frosting on and bring them out to you.”
“I’m not about to argue with that fine plan,” Vince said readily. He glanced at Boone then nodded toward the coffee bar. They slid out of the line and went directly to the coffee urns. After filling their cups, they found a table in the corner where they’d hopefully be left alone.
Kay joined them soon with a pan containing at least a dozen cinnamon rolls. Vince chuckled when she put it down between them.
“I don’t think even the two of us can eat all those, Kay, but we’ll give it a valiant effort.”
“Whatever you don’t eat now, you can take back to your cabin for later,” Kay said, patting his shoulder fondly. “I’m so glad you came back to us, Vincent. Don’t let Boone work you too hard. After the season you had on the ice, you deserve some relaxation.”
“What about my season?” Boone protested. “I was only three goals short of him in the play-offs.”
Vince raised his chin and narrowed his eyes. “And how many short during the regular season? Wasn’t it like….twelve?”
“Just because you had a super-human year,” Boone grumbled. “I was ten points better than the year before, then you go and make me look like an under-performer.”
“You boys were a thrill to watch,” Kay said proudly. “There were many evenings I was glad we don’t have any close neighbors. Virgil has become quite a loud spectator.”
“What about you?” Boone teased. “Do you cheer for us as loudly at home as you do when you come to the games?”
Kay chuckled. “I might have the occasional outburst.” She finished cutting the rolls and put one on each of the plates she’d brought out. “What else do you boys need? Juice? Fruit?”
“I’m great with just coffee and these heavenly rolls.” Vince grinned at her. “I’ve missed them. They’re actually a big part of the reason I came back to the ranch.”
She waved a hand. “You’re too charming for your own good. You and my son both.”
A moment later her gaze was caught by something across the room. “Oh, there’s Callie Green. I need to go ask her how her grandfather’s doing. You’re sure you don’t need anything else here?”
“If we do, we can get it,” Boone assured her. “Thanks for these,” he added, pointing at the rolls with his fork.
At Kay’s words, Vince had immediately turned his head to look for Callie. He spotted her dark hair toward the end of the breakfast line where she was standing with Brittany.
He spoke quickly, before Kay could hurry off. “Boone and I met Callie and Brittany this morning when we were out checking the cattle. They seem like nice girls. Is there something wrong with Callie’s grandfather?”
Boone grunted, his eyes gleaming wickedly. “News flash, Kay. Vince wants to marry Callie. He’d appreciate any information you can give him about her.”
Kay’s brows rose sky high and her jaw dropped as she looked at Vince, probably waiting for him to deny it. He just shrugged and grinned. “Keep it to yourself, if you would. I don’t want to scare her off.”
Kay looked confused. “But didn’t you say you just met her this morning?”
“Yep. For about two minutes.” Vince took a bite of roll and chewed, closing his eyes blissfully. “I’m happy to say you haven’t lost your touch. These are incredible.”
She sat down and leaned across the table. “I’m glad you’re enjoying them, Vincent, but what about Callie? I assume you’re exaggerating things.”
Vince gave her a sheepish look. He’d gotten to know Boone’s mom well during his stay last summer, and they’d talked about a lot of things, including his much too colorful history with women. He didn’t expect her to understand his reaction to Callie Green, but he laid it out there for her anyway.
“It might be a slight exaggeration, but I do have to say—I’m drawn to her, Kay. It’s like she cast a spell on me or something. I know it sounds crazy but there was something there, and I’d sure like to see her again.” He glared at Boone, who was chewing a bite of roll with a huge grin on his face. “Even if it means putting up with this guy’s smart remarks,” he added.
Kay’s brow furrowed and her eyes were concerned. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Vincent. Not because you aren’t a lovely man—you know we’ve all become very fond of you. But Callie has a lot on her plate. I’m not sure she’d be up for a man like you right now.”
“And what kind of man am I?” Vince asked, genuinely curious to know how Kay saw him.
He wasn’t asking to try to get a stroke to his ego. He’d learned the hard way he was nothing special just because he played a professional sport. Many people thought he was, though, including a lot of beautiful girls, and that had messed with his head for many years. When you had people hanging around trying to feed off whatever fame you earned in your sport, it was too easy to start thinking way too highly of yourself. Too easy to feel big and important and invincible.
Then find yourself totally lost when it all comes crashing down.
Vince’s first crash had come two years ago, when he’d broken his right leg. It had been his first major injury, and he hadn’t been mentally prepared for how seven weeks off the ice would affect him. After the doctors declared him fully healed, he’d expected to pick right back up where he’d left off, but it hadn’t worked that way.
He was shocked to find his game had deserted him. Nothing went right. His speed was off, the timing of his passes was off, and he couldn’t put the puck in the net to save his life. Or more literally, his career. After the season ended, he’d been traded to the Minnesota Wild for a second-round draft pick. Talk about a huge wake-up call.
Thankfully, the trade had ended up being a great thing for him. Playing with Boone and several other experienced hockey veterans had helped to settle him. They’d encouraged him, believed in him, and his scoring touch had returned with a vengeance. During that first season with the Wild, he’d had month after month of strong play, putting up an impressive number of points and earning a lot of playing time on the first line. The fans of his previous team were furious he’d been traded so quickly, while the Wild fans cheered their good luck. He was definitely feeling the love.
Then, two thirds of the way through the season, his right hand had been badly cut by a skate in a freak accident during practice. Since tendons had been involved, he’d needed surgery. He had the operation and healed up in time to hit the ice two weeks before the first round of play-offs, only to find his hand strength and motion were badly impaired. He had to have another surgery, this time to correct the first one. He was out for the season, and it had been an incredibly trying time.
As he recuperated the second time, his mind got the best of him. He couldn’t help thinking back to what had happened after his leg injury, when his game had taken a nose-dive. He’d been terrified of history repeating itself, and that fear had put him at a low point.
That was when he’d arrived at the ranch for rehab. Looking back, it was scary how close he’d come to throwing away his hockey career because he’d lost his confidence so completely. He’d come here secretly believing it would
be best to leave the game while he was still on top, rather than trying to come back from his injury and failing. He didn’t want to be the subject of either derision or pity—it would be better not to play at all.
His contract required him to rehab, however, so he had to at least go through the motions. Thankfully, Izzy James, his main physical therapist here at the ranch, had picked up on his struggle and forced him to open up. Soon Izzy, Boone and Jolene had teamed up to work with him, both on the ice and in the physical therapy room, and he’d gradually regained the confidence he’d lost.
Their faith in him, along with his own determination and hard work, had paid off, and he had just come off his best season ever. But never again would he think he was special. He’d hit bottom and had to fight his way back up, and now he knew only too well he was as human and fallible as the next man.
He hoped Kay saw that in him—he hoped she could tell he’d been taken down a whole bunch of notches, and had learned from the experience.
She was smiling gently, almost as if she knew exactly what he was thinking. “You’re a wonderful man, Vincent, we all know that, but dating you would be a complicated matter. Exciting, perhaps, but complicated. Poor Callie doesn’t need any more complications. Her grandfather is very sick. She’s basically taken over running his ranch as well as watching over him, not to mention helping out here when she’s needed. The poor girl is already being pulled in so many directions, I’m not sure how she could fit you in.”
“But maybe I could help her,” Vince said, hating the idea of Callie struggling. Really hating it, to the point where his chest felt tight and he had an overwhelming desire to make it all better. What was it about the girl that had grabbed hold of him and refused to let go?
Boone’s eyes narrowed at Vince’s offer of help. “What are you going to do, cowboy? Exercise the horses for her?”
“Depends how fast you can teach me to ride,” Vince replied gamely.
Kay patted his arm. “You’re a sweetheart. I’m not going to discourage you completely, because maybe you will be able to help. Just don’t push it too hard. She’s a little fragile right now.”
“How long have you known her?” Vince asked, hungry to learn more and not caring if the other two knew it. “Are you family friends?”
“She and her grandfather started coming to our church when she was in the first grade. I remember, because I was her Sunday School teacher that year. I fell in love with her instantly.”
Vince grinned at Boone. “See? I’m not the only one.”
Boone rolled his eyes. “Come on, Kay, don’t encourage him. Next he’s going to want to borrow a car to go pick out a diamond.”
“Nah, I’ll settle for eating breakfast with her.” Vince turned to Kay hopefully. “If you’re going to go talk to her anyway, how about you tell her and Brittany we have a whole pan of your warm, fresh rolls over here and we’re willing to share to save them standing in line.”
Kay looked a little uncertain. “What if she doesn’t want to come over? That would be kind of awkward for you.”
He grinned. “I’ll take the chance. I can’t let my pride get in the way of true love, right?”
Kay thought about it a moment longer, finally giving him a conniving little smile. “All right, then, if you’re willing to risk it, I’ll tell them. But if they stand you up, don’t blame me.”
Boone groaned and rubbed his eyes. “Oh man, I feel like I’m in high school.”
Vince laughed. “I’m afraid you’ll feel even more like it when Brittany gets over here, but bear with me just this once. I really need to talk to Callie again, and her friend comes with her. This time,” he added.
“You owe me, Vinny. Try to charm her quickly though, so I can leave. Jolene should be over in the PT rooms by now, and I’d much rather hang with her than sit here and watch you try to get a date.”
Kay giggled at her son’s teasing and hurried over to the girls. Vince ate another bite of roll, trying not to appear eager. Kay talked to Callie for a few moments, leaning in to hug her at one point, which made Vince wonder if her grandfather had taken a turn for the worse. At least now he knew the reason for the shadows in her pretty green eyes.
He looked at Boone and lifted his coffee cup, blowing on the steaming liquid. “I really do need to learn to ride. If you don’t have time to teach me, who should I talk to? You think any of your dad’s ranch hands would do it?”
Boone looked toward the girls and Kay, then leaned back in his chair. “I think Brittany would be happy to,” he said softly, raising a brow and motioning almost imperceptibly with his head.
Vince casually turned his head to see Brittany walking toward them, a big smile on her face. She was alone, and for a few seconds he thought maybe Callie had chosen to leave rather than come over, but then he saw her at the coffee station.
“Well hello,” Brittany said, sliding into the seat beside him. “I was hoping to run into you again, but didn’t know it would be so soon. Kay said you have rolls to spare over here. It’s so nice of you to share.”
“Fresh from the oven,” Boone said.
“We felt sorry for you ladies waiting in line,” Vince said gallantly. “Figured you worked up an appetite with that early morning ride.”
“Did we ever,” Brittany said, inhaling the yeasty scent of the rolls and giving a satisfied sigh. “Callie’s getting plates and forks for us.” She grinned, looking back and forth between them. “I can’t even believe I’m sitting here right now. I don’t suppose you’d let me take a selfie?”
Vince winced, reluctant to have her post a photo with his whereabouts. “I’m trying to keep my presence here low-key, if I can.”
“How about if I promise not to share it anywhere? If it’s just for my own personal viewing pleasure?”
“Maybe next time,” Vince said noncommittally. Glancing to the side, he saw Callie approaching. He didn’t want to stare, but he found it impossible to look away. She was incredibly lovely, although she didn’t appear to be overly pleased about joining them.
“Hey, Callie,” he said, hoping he’d be able to change her small, stiff smile into a real one.
“Hi again.” She laid two plates on the table and sat down across from Brittany, clutching her coffee cup. “Thanks for saving us from having to stand in line,” she said politely. “Cinnamon roll day always has the longest one.”
Vince pushed the pan of rolls toward the girls. “Help yourselves. Kay was hiding these in the kitchen for her boy, here. Being his friend has its perks.”
Brittany gave Vince a slow smile as she dished up a roll. “I would imagine being yours has some perks, too.”
Vince glanced at Callie in time to see a slight frown, as if she didn’t approve of her friend’s comment. He’d like to think that was because she wanted to be his “friend” herself, but it was probably just because it sounded a little too suggestive.
Boone came to the rescue. “Kay said your grandfather is ailing, Callie. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Oh, um, yeah, he’s having a tough time of it,” Callie said softly, accepting the roll Brittany handed across the table to her.
“Anything we can do to help?” Vince asked.
She glanced over at him, obviously surprised by the offer. Then she shook her head and looked away. “No, but thanks.”
Brittany spoke up. “Callie’s better at giving help than receiving it, I’m afraid. She’s hardly getting any sleep, but she still insists on taking care of him all by herself.”
“He’s not an invalid,” Callie said quickly. “He just has trouble sleeping at night.” She gave her friend a little glare, which told Vince she wasn’t thrilled to be talking about something so personal with two virtual strangers. He wondered about her parents and why they weren’t helping out more, but he changed the subject so as not to upset her any further.
“So you live on a ranch?” he asked.
Callie nodded as she swallowed a bite. “The Double Nickel. It’s my grandfather
’s.”
Boone pointed at Vince. “I should warn you again this guy thinks he wants to be a cowboy. Does that scare you half as much as it does me?”
Her lips curved into a reluctant smile. “Only because we need him on the ice far more than on a horse. I’d hate for him to get hurt.”
Vince laughed at her unexpected comment. He opened his mouth to reply, but Brittany beat him to it.
“So, do you need some riding lessons? I don’t live on a ranch, but I’ve been in the saddle since I was three. I’d be happy to do my part in making you a bona fide cowboy.”
It was hard to know how to answer. He definitely did want riding lessons, but he wanted them from Callie, not Brittany.
“We’ll have to see if Boone gives me any time off from the rink,” he said vaguely.
His teammate’s eyes sparkled evilly. “All I ask is that you’re there during the retreat sessions,” he said. “Other than that, and of course our early morning workouts, your time is your own.”
Vince just barely managed to keep from kicking him under the table. Boone was being a terrible wingman. Forcing a smile, Vince told Brittany he might take her up on her offer sometime soon.
“You just let me know when. I’m working at my dad’s hardware store for the summer, and I can set my own hours. Come fall, I’ll be back to teaching at the elementary school in town.”
“You’re a teacher? That’s cool.”
“I teach third grade.” She leaned toward him, letting her shoulder just barely brush his. “I’m serious about teaching you to ride. I’d enjoy it.”
“Yeah, thanks. I’ll let you know.”
Boone pushed his chair back. “If you all will excuse me, I’ve had three rolls already and I need to get away from this table before I go for number four. Plus, Jolene’s waiting for me in the PT department. I’ll leave my buddy here to finish his breakfast with you ladies.” He stood and gave Vince a nod. “I’ll catch up with you at the rink later, man. You can pick up a golf cart at the admin building so you have a way to get around.”