Rough Terrain (Vista Falls #1)

by Cheryl Douglas

  “What are you thinking?” Wes asked, casting a sidelong glance in her direction.

  “I’m wondering what he’ll look like, whether he’ll be shy or outgoing, how he’ll treat us.” She’d been thinking about Nick almost nonstop since she learned she’d have the opportunity to meet him. When she wasn’t thinking about his father.

  “You’ll have your answers soon enough.” He glanced at the digital readout on his dashboard. “We should be there in about fifteen minutes.”

  “I still can’t believe he was living so close to me all these years and I didn’t even know it.” She shouldn’t have been too surprised. She’d known the family that adopted him had been from their state, but she’d never imagined he would have grown up in the very next county.

  “I think they moved away for a while,” Wes explained. “The lady at the adoption agency told me they moved back after Nick’s dad died so they could be closer to her family.”

  “Makes sense.” Though Sage couldn’t imagine calling on her parents if she found herself in a similar situation. She’d have rather gone it alone.

  “I don’t think he’d have agreed to see us if he wasn’t willing to hear us out,” Wes said, reaching for her hand. “When we talked, he didn’t sound angry or resentful, just curious.”

  With a thin smile, she nodded, almost wishing Nick would yell and scream and let her have it for giving him up when she should have fought to keep him. That was what she felt she deserved.

  “I think he’s had a really good life, Sage. His parents are good people. They love him and gave him a secure and safe home life, something we couldn’t have back then.”

  “Then you think we made the right choice?” She bit her lip as she stared at their joined hands. “Giving him up?”

  “Was it the right choice for us? Probably not. But it may well have been the right choice for him, and I guess that’s the only thing that matters. You were trying to be selfless because you already loved him enough to want to give him the best possible start in life.”

  Her stomach ached when she thought of how her own future plans had factored into her decision. “I’m not as altruistic as you’d like to believe.” She took a deep breath when they passed a hand-painted sign welcoming them to Brock. “I was also thinking about how hard it would be to be a teen mom, all the things I wouldn’t be able to do if I had a baby.”

  “Of course you were thinking about that,” Wes said, frowning. “Your life was just beginning. Anyone would have had those thoughts.”

  She appreciated him for trying to make her feel better, but she had to ask, “Did you feel the same way?”

  He curled his hand more tightly around the steering wheel as he seemed to weigh his words. “You have to remember at that time, I didn’t really know what the hell I wanted. Sure, I was gonna go to college because my dad wanted me to, and I was lucky enough to get that football scholarship. I’d have been an idiot to throw away an opportunity like that. But I wasn’t like you. I didn’t have big dreams. I talked about making it big someday, but I had no idea how it would happen.”

  At her questioning look, he said, “Sure, I had things in my life I was passionate about: you, sports, and the outdoors. But I knew I wasn’t going to become a pro ball player. I wasn’t that good. And aside from being a fishing guide, I didn’t see how I could make a living from my love of the outdoors. At that age, even the idea of starting the kind of business we did would have been laughable.”

  “But I remember you talking about doing something like that,” she argued then bit her lip when the high school came into view.

  The parking lot was filling up quickly with everyone in town showing up to support the home team. After growing up in a small town, she knew those boys carried the weight of a whole town on their shoulders, not wanting to disappoint anyone with a loss at the end of a long and grueling work week.

  “Yeah, but I didn’t think it was a real possibility,” Wes said, drawing her attention back to him.

  “When did you decide to go for it?”

  “Me and Colt were taking a business course our first year of college. We had to write a business plan for this theoretical business. That’s when it hit us—why not do it for real? The worst thing that could happen was we’d fail. But since there was nothing else we really wanted to do, it didn’t seem like much of a risk. So we went for it.”

  “And never looked back,” Sage said, thinking how lucky they were to be living their dream while most people, including herself, only imagined what their life could have looked like if they’d been fearless enough to take more risks.

  “I don’t know about that,” he said, claiming one of the last free spots before cutting the engine and turning to face her. “I’ve looked back plenty, thought about all that I left behind. Especially you.”

  Moments like this made it easy for her to forget they wouldn’t be together at all if they weren’t so desperate to forge a relationship with their son. They would have had no reason to talk if they passed each other on the street, no reason to reminisce about the old days or talk about lessons learned. They would have been polite strangers with some history living in the same small town.

  “Nick was a blessing for me even if I didn’t get to raise him,” she said. “I just hope I can make him believe that.”

  His large hand covered her knee, making her remember a time when that had been the beginning of an exploration that lasted well into the early morning hours. “Anyone can see how sincere you are. He’ll see that too. Just don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, be vulnerable, even if it means you might get hurt.”

  She wondered if they were still talking about their relationship with their son… or each other. “Okay, let’s do this,” she said, reaching for the door handle. “While I still have the nerve.”

  ***

  Wes suspected Sage’s throat must have been raw from all the screaming she’d done, cheering the home team and their son—the star quarterback—to victory.

  “God, I forgot how much fun this could be,” she said as they made their way to the parking lot.

  Wes checked his phone. He’d sent Nick a text to let him know they’d be waiting for him in the parking lot next to a black pickup truck. Nick still hadn’t responded, which made Wes a little nervous, though he wouldn’t let on to Sage.

  “I can’t believe you haven’t been to a game since high school,” he said, resting his back against the passenger door of his truck while she stood in front of him. “That’s just about the only thing to do in Vista Falls on a Friday night.”

  “Too many memories, I guess,” she said, crossing her arms to close her cropped black jacket. “I remember being so proud of you when you played.” A small smile tipped her lips as she looked at the dusky sky. “I felt the same way watching him play tonight. Is that crazy?”

  “Maybe, but I felt it too,” Wes said.

  Nick hadn’t been just another guy with a great arm who knew how to read the game. He was Wes’s blood, and Wes had felt that every time he looked at Nick, even if it had been from a hundred feet away. Inside Wes’s coat pocket, his phone buzzed.

  “Must be him,” Wes said, pulling out his phone. “He says he’ll be out in ten minutes.”

  “Oh God.” Sage took a deep breath, closing her eyes. “I hope I don’t screw this up. I may not get another chance to say everything I want to say to him.”

  Wes understood how she felt, but he chose to believe this would be the first of many heart-to-hearts they’d have with the boy. He closed his hands around her upper arms. “Just try not to put too much pressure on him. Though he’ll probably try to play it cool, this has gotta be a lot for him to deal with, meeting us after all these years.”

  “You’re right.” She smiled. “Maybe it’d be best if I just followed your lead, huh?”

  Wes sure as hell didn’t have all the answers, but he had been a teenage boy himself not so long ago, and at least he and Nick spoke the same language—football.

  H
e pulled Sage closer when a group of rowdy teens almost bumped into her as they piled into a rusty pickup truck next to her, yelling and swearing as they celebrated their team’s victory.

  “Remember when that was us?” she asked, bracing her hands on his chest as she looked up at him. “God, where did the time go?”

  Looking at her now, it felt as though no time had passed. She still looked like the girl he’d fallen in love with, the one he’d been determined to make a life with. The urge to kiss her was strong, but when he was tempted to move in, he heard someone clear their throat.

  “Hey.”

  That single word made Wes breathless as he looked into light blue eyes that mirrored his own.

  “Hey, Nick.” Wes pushed off the truck, wanting nothing more than to hug him, but he offered his hand instead. “I’m Wes, and this is Sage. It’s great to finally meet you.”

  “Yeah, you too.” Nick’s gaze darted to Sage before he shyly offered her his hand. “You too. I mean, uh, it’s nice to meet you too.”

  Her smile lit up her pretty face as she accepted his hand, clasping it between both of hers. “You were amazing tonight. Thanks for letting us come and watch you play.”

  “No problem.” He cleared his throat as he looked around the near-empty parking lot. “So, uh, you guys still want to grab a burger?”

  If Vista Falls was anything like Brock—and Wes suspected it was—there was one popular burger joint where everyone went after a big game. It would be loud and chaotic, with everyone wanting a piece of Nick.

  “Is there somewhere a little quieter we could go? You know, have a real meal, get to know each other better?” Wes asked, hoping he wasn’t overstepping by suggesting an alternative plan.

  “Uh, yeah, there’s a small steakhouse on the outskirts of town,” Nick said, running a hand through his damp hair. “Jack’s? You might have seen it when you were driving in?”

  “Yeah, I think we did.” Wes tried not to be too obvious as he gave Nick a quick once-over. The kid was almost six feet already, with broad shoulders and a trim waist. Wes had been almost the exact same size at his age. “Sound good to you, Sage?”

  “Sure, whatever,” she said, slinging her purse over her shoulder.

  They piled into his truck before Nick commented, “I’m surprised you drive a truck. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a sweet ride and all, but I pegged you for more of a Ferrari kind of guy.”

  Wes was pleased to learn Nick had given him any thought at all. He laughed as he scanned the radio, looking for a Top 40 station that might appeal to a teenager. “I wouldn’t be caught dead in one of those fancy foreign jobs, son.” He bit his tongue when he realized what he’d said. He sure as hell hadn’t earned the right to call Nick his son, but it was too late to take it back, so he ignored it, hoping Nick would do the same.

  “I think that’s cool,” Nick said, buckling up in the backseat. “I mean, that all that money hasn’t changed you.”

  Sage winked at Wes. “I can assure you it hasn’t changed him a bit. I knew him when he was dirt-poor, and he’s still the same guy now he was then.”

  “So you guys are still close then?” Nick asked, obviously trying to figure out the dynamic between his birth parents.

  “We, uh, just reconnected when I moved back to Vista Falls,” Wes explained. “I really wanted to meet you and thought Sage might feel the same way, so I reached out to her before I called you. I hoped this was something we could do together.”

  “I hope you don’t mind that we contacted you,” Sage said, shifting so she could look at Nick.

  “No, it’s cool.” He pointed out the window. “Hang a left here, Wes. Follow this road a couple of miles. You’ll see it on your right.”

  Wes was impressed with the kid. He seemed at ease, comfortable in his own skin, which was no easy feat for any teen. “Got it.”

  “So that team you played tonight was your big rival?” Sage asked.

  “Yeah, they took out one of our linemen with a cheap shot last game we played. We wanted to teach ‘em a lesson.”

  Wes smiled, remembering how he would have rallied his own team after something like that. “You’ve got a hell of an arm. You hopin’ for a scholarship?”

  Nick shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m still weighing my options.”

  They pulled into the parking lot. Wes hoped it wouldn’t be too hard to get a table, but there were only a few empty spots in the lot.

  “The guy who owns this place is crazy about hunting and fishing,” Nick said, jumping out of the truck on Wes’s side. “You mind if I introduce you? His brother is my English teacher.”

  “No, I don’t mind at all.” Wes was honored that Nick seemed proud of his professional accomplishments.

  Sage was already meeting them around the front of the truck before Wes could open her door, but he was able to reach the entrance first and hold the door open for her to enter. He could tell she was relieved that Nick didn’t seem to harbor any animosity toward them, and she definitely wasn’t the only one. Wes finally felt as though he could breathe too.

  “Thanks,” she murmured, smiling at him.

  Once inside, Nick introduced them to the gregarious proprietor, casually adding, “Jack, Wes and his partner own Backwoods Outdoors. Maybe he can hook you up with some new gear for deer-hunting season.”

  Jack’s jaw dropped as he looked Wes up and down. “Damn, I thought you looked familiar. I’ve seen you on TV and at a couple of shows. It’s an honor to meet you. What brings you to our little town?”

  Not wanting to put Nick on the spot, Wes explained, “I just moved back to the area, and I had a hankering for a good steak tonight. I heard you could hook me up.”

  “I sure can, my friend,” Jack said, slapping Wes on the back as he led them to a booth. “Hey, let me bring you a new beer I’m testing out. I’d love to get your take on it.”

  “A cold beer sounds great.” Wes knew it would be his only one tonight since he had to drive home after their dinner. “Thanks.”

  After he’d taken all of their drink orders, Jack gave them some time to peruse the menus, assuring them their waitress would be by in a few minutes.

  “So,” Sage said as she reviewed her options, “what do you recommend, Nick?”

  “That depends,” he said, lifting a shoulder. “You like meat and potatoes, or are you into salads and all that healthy sh—uh, stuff?” He blushed, dipping his head when Wes and Sage shared a smile.

  “I’m willing to splurge tonight,” she said, thanking the waitress with a polite nod when she returned with their drinks.

  “You might like the perch sandwich. It’s my mom’s favorite.” Nick looked at Sage as though he feared he’d said something wrong, and Wes knew it was time for them to lay their cards on the table about what they all expected from this meeting.

  When they’d all placed their orders, Wes raised his bottle. “To new friends.”

  Nick seemed to finally exhale when he touched his glass to theirs, muttering, “Cheers.”

  Wes frowned when he caught Sage studying their son as though she was trying to read his mind. “Nick, I hope you don’t feel weird talking to us about your parents. We’d love to hear more about them. Wouldn’t we, Sage?”

  “Huh?” She shook her head as though she realized she’d been caught daydreaming. “Oh yeah, of course.”

  “There’s not much to tell,” Nick took a sip of his soft drink. “You know my dad died a while back and my mom remarried. My stepdad’s okay. He never had any kids of his own though. Never wanted them.”

  That made Wes wonder how Nick’s stepfather felt about having a teenage stepson, but he knew it wasn’t the time to ask. “Your mom seems like a nice lady. You sure she’s okay with you meeting up with us tonight?”

  “Yeah, she’s okay with it. Actually, I think she’s hoping you’ll take a liking to me. That’d let her off the hook. She wouldn’t feel so responsible for me anymore.”

  Sage looked alarmed as her eyes met Wes’s. �
��Honey, I’m sure that isn’t true. Your mother loves you—”

  “I didn’t say she doesn’t,” Nick snapped. “But things have been different since my old man died. My Mom and stepdad have been talking about retiring to this little cabin he has. In fact, they plan to spend the whole summer there.”

  “And you’re not looking forward to that?” Wes took a pull from his beer as he watched Nick.

  “I don’t wanna go at all, but they say I’m not old enough to stay here by myself. It sucks. They still treat me like a kid.”

  He wasn’t even fifteen yet, but Wes knew he must feel as though he was old enough to make his own decisions. “Still, being at the cabin must give you a chance to do some of the things you enjoy. Your mom told me you’re into hunting and fishing.”

  “Yeah.” He glanced at Wes before setting the white napkin in his lap. “It’s weird, huh? You and me being into the same things?”

  “I guess it is.” Wes wouldn’t have thought so had he been the one to raise Nick, especially since his own father had played such an important role in helping him explore his passions as a kid.

  The waitress returned with a basket of fresh bread and seasoned butter for the table, and Wes laughed when Nick dove in as though he hadn’t seen food in a week. When Wes had been that age, his parents always complained that with two teenage boys in the house, it was impossible to keep the kitchen stocked. That was why they’d had so many fruit trees and a big vegetable garden.

  “Sorry,” he muttered, looking embarrassed as he extended the basket to Sage. “I didn’t get a chance to eat much before the game.”

  She laughed. “No problem. I remember you had a voracious appetite at that age too,” she said to Wes. “Your mother used to make fresh bread every day. And remember those cookies, the ones with the chocolate chunks and pecans that…” She stopped talking when she realized Nick was studying her.

  “You were close with his family?” Nick asked, gesturing to Wes with his butter knife.

  “Yeah,” she said, taking a small piece of bread and setting it on her plate. “Vista Falls is a lot like Brock, I assume. Everyone knows everyone else.”