Rachel's Redemption

by Jennifer Maitlen

  He shook his head. He was dressed for the event, but he couldn’t make himself go in. Nah, he’d done enough. This was her night. He wasn’t going to be a black spot on that memory.

  Logan turned and left through a side door.

  Chapter 24

  It was time for Rachel to leave. She’d come to Redemption to pay her final respects to Nana. Now that that was done—and in a way truly befitting Nana—it was time for Rachel to get back to Denver, back her job, back to her life.

  She was ready. Mostly. Although it did feel an awful lot like she was leaving behind something very special.

  She shook those thoughts away. He hadn’t bothered to come; he hadn’t tried to contact her. Nothing. Clearly any feelings were entirely one-sided—hers.

  Rachel walked down the steps from the motel office. She’d paid her bill and thanked the owners, not only for coming last night, but for putting up with her all month. She’d woken early and packed her car. She’d said good-bye to Molly last night. They’d both cried, but since the evening’s event was over, it hadn’t mattered that they both had mascara tracks down their faces.

  She’d hugged and kissed and thanked Lila and Alexander and even Sasha and Kiki. The event had been a success and it was largely due to them. Rachel promised to stay in touch and to visit and to let her know where she ended up finishing her fellowship.

  Rachel climbed into her car and drove out of the parking lot. She waved at people on the sidewalk as she left, lifted her hand at drivers in cars as she passed them on her way out of town. It was only a few turns before she was on the interstate, heading west, back to her life.

  Logan sat in his coach’s office, the X’s and O’s in front of him blurring.

  Every time he tried to focus, he saw Rachel in that sexy black dress she’d fretted over fitting into, soaked through in her tootsie roll T-shirt, or naked.

  He pushed back from his desk and dropped his head back on his chair. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Maybe one day he’d get the thoughts of her out of his mind. But that wasn’t today.

  It certainly hadn’t been after the party, either.

  Although God knows he tried. He’d left, driven back to his house, stripped out of his monkey suit and hit the street. He’d run for well over an hour, until he was good and sweaty, then he’d put himself through a grueling weight routine. He’d dragged himself to the shower and all his running and lifting were for naught? Because memory of that woman was all over that shower. If he ever hoped to use it again without thinking of her, he’d have to demolish it and start over.

  So, he’d hauled his sweaty ass to bed, collapsing in a heap of fatigued muscles and slept, not well, not like he had before Rachel, but he’d closed his eyes.

  Now he was working on the playbook for Friday and all he could see was her.

  What was wrong with him? Why couldn’t he be honest with himself? In every other part of his life, he was full-on, full-in. But when it came to Rachel . . . well, he just wasn’t.

  He wasn’t sure who he was anymore. He’d lived so long believing he was just the poor kid, someone to feel sorry for, to pity, that he’d believed it. He’d owned it, became it.

  He scrubbed his hands over his eyes then through his hair. He rubbed at his whisker-covered jaw.

  He really owed Rachel thanks. Because, without that belief would he have driven himself so hard to be the success he’d turned out to be? Maybe Nana had worked her magic on him, too.

  He needed to find Rachel.

  He didn’t want a life without her. What was life for if not to spend it with someone? And, shouldn’t that someone be the one person in the world that gets you? That understands you? That loves you?

  God, did she love him? Could she after all he’d done?

  Said?

  Did he love her?

  He sat up, his legs hitting the floor.

  Yes. Hell, yes! He loved her. Loved everything about Rachel Delany-Tolbert.

  Renewed purpose and energy flowed through Logan. He looked around his office. Charlie could take over. He could lead this team and he’d do a great job. Even Tom was turning out to be a decent coach, although he had a ways to go.

  Logan needed to be with Rachel. Where? He wasn’t sure, but as long as he was with her, if he could convince her to forgive him, he’d be a very happy man.

  But only if she’d have him.

  That was something he needed to find out. He glanced at the clock. He didn’t know how long she planned on sticking around after the event. He couldn’t afford to wait around. He grabbed his keys and headed to the motel.

  The motel lot was full of cars, people who’d driven in for the tribute. He scanned the lot. But no blue Volvo. He punched the steering wheel. Had he missed her? Wait, maybe she was just out, getting breakfast, maybe. He threw the truck in park and raced up to the motel office.

  “Hey, Coach. Great game last night! Didn’t see you at the event? It sure was something.”

  “Yeah, thanks, that’s what I heard. So hey has Rachel checked out yet.

  The clerk frowned. “Sure has.” She looked at her watch. “About two hours ago.”

  Logan resisted the urge to howl. Two hours and she’d be well on her way to Denver. No problem. He’d just head to Denver.

  “Thanks!” He flew out of the office and down the steps. He put the truck in gear and drove out onto Main.

  Maybe Rachel was at Molly’s. Didn’t it usually take women a while to say goodbye? It was worth a chance.

  Redemption was busy this Saturday morning and he had to wait behind several cars as he slowly made his way to Molly’s store. Of course there wasn’t any parking in front, so he swung around to the alley to park. The whole time he was on the hunt for Rachel’s car.

  He jogged around to the front of the shop, nodding and accepting congratulations from people along the way. Logan ignored their strange looks and concern when he didn’t stop to talk plays. He was on a mission. He had to find the woman he loved.

  He yanked open the store’s glass door. Loud classical music rained down on him. He stepped inside and called Rachel’s name. He strode toward he back, where he’d seen her that day, popping out of the dressing room. The drapes were pulled on one of them and his heart surged with hope that Rachel was behind them.

  Molly emerged from the back storeroom. “Hey, Logan.”

  She frowned. “Everything okay?” As she walked toward him, she stopped and adjusted the dressing room curtain, pulling it open and tying it back. The dressing room was empty. The store was empty. Just him and Molly.

  Logan shook his head. The steam that had propelled him from his office, to the motel, and now to Molly’s was fading. Rachel wasn’t here; she was at least two hours gone, on the road back to the life she wanted. Far from Redemption and him.

  Logan backed away from Molly and slumped onto the antique sofa. He dropped his head into this hands. “She’s gone.”

  “Yeah.” Molly sighed, sitting in the chair adjacent to the sofa.

  “Is she going back to Denver?”

  “I think so. She didn’t say for sure, but yeah, I think so.”

  Logan needed a plan. This was just a momentary set back, not insurmountable. Should he head to Denver? Call her? Get flowers then call her? Charter a plane?

  “Logan.” Molly interrupted his thoughts. “I need to run across the street.” She patted his knee. “Don’t take this the wrong way,” she said, eyeing him critically, “but you don’t look so good. Do you want me to get you anything?”

  Logan shook his head.

  “Okay. Be back in a sec.”

  The classical music barely registered as Molly left. He’d missed Rachel. He’d lost her. And, he loved her. He loved Rachel Delaney-Tolbert. A part of him probably always had, which was why it was hurting so bad—why he’d lashed out so hard—when she’d seen him at his weakest.

  Why hadn’t he told her sooner? Why had he avoided her after that day at the barn? Because he was scared, that’s why. He’
d never been so scared. He’d been forced to face the truth about himself and about her. He’d been forced to let go of some pretty tightly held beliefs.

  But, he’d emerged on the other side better for it.

  More alive.

  And, in love.

  Well, forget this moping shit. He’d never backed away from what he’d wanted in his life and wasn’t about to start now. He’d find her. He had her phone number and he knew where she lived—which city anyways. Denver was huge, but it wouldn’t be impossible to find her. He’d find her and when he did, he’d find a way to get her to listen to him. He’d apologize and he’d tell her how he felt. And, then . . . then he hoped she felt the same way. But that was only if he found her.

  He knuckled the cobwebs out of his eyes as “Beethoven’s 5 announced a customer.

  Since he felt like hell and he really didn’t want to talk football, last night’s game, next week’s game or anything related to either, he kept his head down and said, “Molly’s across the street. She said she’ll be back in a minute.”

  “I didn’t come back for Molly.”

  Logan’s head shot up. He blinked then refocused.

  Rachel stood before him, the early afternoon sun shrouding her in light, like the angel she was. His angel. She’d always been watching out for him. And, she was here.

  He rose but he couldn’t make his legs move. He wanted to scoop her up, hold her, keep her from getting away. But he was frozen. He didn’t want to scare her or do anything too fast. She was here and at that moment that’s all that mattered. She was here.

  “Hey, Coach.”

  Her eyes were red and puffy, her skin was blotchy. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “I don’t want to leave.”

  “Okay.” His heartbeat kicked up. That had to be a good thing, right? The urge to hold her was almost more than he could bear.

  She stepped forward. Her eyes never left his. She continued forward until she stood directly in front of him, inches separating them.

  “I love you. I know who I am and who I want to be. I know where I want to be.” She reached out and placed a shaky hand in the center of his chest. It sent heat through to his heart and he nearly died from it. God, he’d missed her. “And, I know who I want to be with.”

  She stood on tiptoe, putting them pretty close to eye to eye. “I love you with all that I am. I love you.”

  He continued to stare at her. Was she saying what he thought she was? Was he hearing her right? He moved his tentative hands to her narrow waist and gave in to the need that had gripped him the moment she’d walked back into his life. He lifted her up, holding her tight against his chest.

  “Okay,” he said.

  “Okay?” Her eyes glittered.

  He laughed then, throwing his head back and letting the deep ruffle of his laughter fill the room and vibrate against her chest. He spun in a tight circle, holding Rachel close. She laughed, too, the lighter sound of her joy dancing with his.

  Logan shook his head. What would he do with a lifetime of her, all to himself? All his. Forever. He couldn’t wait to find out. “I came here. To find you. I messed up, Rachel. I did it all wrong, but I just . . . I just had to figure it out. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, for the event. I’m sorry.

  She shook her head, her green eyes shiny and bright.

  “I was at the high school and it all suddenly made sense. I get it.” He squeezed her tighter to him. “I get it! I’m going to tell the AD he needs a new coach.”

  The smile fell from Rachel’s face. “What? Why? Where are you going?”

  “Wherever you go, babe. Wherever you go.”

  Tears spilled and tumbled down her cheeks. “You can’t leave.” She sniffed and said in a watery voice, “We can’t leave.”

  Logan felt a tremendous weight lift and he hoisted Rachel higher into his arms. Then he kissed her full on the mouth. He meant for it to be a stamp, she was his, and he was hers. A seal. But it quickly turned into a needy, wet tangle of lips and teeth, his tongue dancing with hers.

  At last he stepped back and said, “I’m so glad you just said that.”

  He kissed her again until he couldn’t breathe. If they kept it up they were going to need a room. Then he stopped and sat her down, holding her face between his palms. “What about your fellowship?”

  “Well . . . I made a few phone calls.”

  “You can’t give up anything for me, Rachel.”

  She smiled, the most beautiful, content smile he’d ever seen. “Of course not. I love you, but I am going to be a pediatrician. Just not in Denver. Not now anyways. And, not in Redemption either. They don’t have an opening right now, but Dixon does. So just a short drive . . . nothing like driving back and forth to Denver. It’s all settled. I called them on my way back. Actually, I’d started checking into it a few weeks ago . . .”

  “‘Weeks ago’?”

  She looked shy. “Yeah, I was thinking I really liked being back home, the people, Molly . . . you.”

  “You,” he said and kissed her again. “I’ll go where you go.” He held her close, enjoying the feeling of her warm body against his. “Just promise not to leave without me.”

  Epilogue

  Rachel sat in the high school stands, sweat shirts and blankets spread out along the bench on either side of her.

  “Ms. Rachel, thanks for saving! This place is a zoo.”

  Alexander passed by her, handing her a soda as he did. “The line at the concession was a nightmare.”

  She accepted the drink and asked, “Where’s Michael?”

  Alexander turned and fisted a hand at his hip. “Well, heck, he was right behind me. Oh wait, there he is.” Alexander raised a hand and shouted, “Over here, Michael.”

  Michael’s head popped up, and he smiled. He wove between throngs of fans, down the stadium steps to their row. “Are you kidding? Is there anyone who is not here?” He excused himself past the people that stood so he could get into the row with Rachel and Alexander. “Hello, gorgeous,” he said, leaning in and kissing her cheek. Then he softly patted her small stomach. “How’s baby Delaney-Tolbert-Hastings?”

  Rachel laughed. “She’s fine.” Michael and Alexander, Molly, too, all loved to use all three names. But legally, and to her patients, she was Dr. Rachel Hastings. She’d dropped a few names when she’d married Logan. Now she was Rachel Delaney Hastings. She decided to take Nana’s maiden name as her middle name. Delaney-Tolbert got enough billing as it was, gracing Redemption buildings and more than one wall of distinguished donators.

  Rachel sat back down, having stood to let Michael in. She searched the sidelines. The first game of the season was just a whistle blow away from kick-off. Her husband was surrounded by his players. She loved to watch him. He was so suited to this role. The players rallied behind him, looked up to him, listened to him.

  The Delaney-Tolbert foundation had made a sizable donation to the athletic program earlier this year. Now there were many players playing who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to, due to cost and family situations.

  “Holy-cow! Did you see the parking lot? It’s busier than I’ve ever seen it.”

  “Hey, Molly.” Rachel said, giving her a hug. “Sit. I saved you a seat.”

  “Thank God! Hey, Mike, hey, Alex.”

  Rachel chuckled. Molly was the only one that those two let call them by shortened names. They did the cheek-cheek, kiss-kiss thing and then they all sat.

  “How’s the best-dressed fetus in Redemption doing?”

  Rachel grinned and rubbed her bump. “She’s moving all the time.” Rachel smoothed the maternity top over her stomach. “Thanks to you, I’m a very stylish expectant mother.”

  “Well of course!” Molly exclaimed. She helped herself to a handful of Michael’s popcorn. “Don’t worry, I have you covered clear to your due date and after. I found a fabulous supplier in New York.”

  Rachel waved at Li
la who’d snagged several seats below them. Her son was on the short list for several college teams.

  Rachel, thanks to living in Redemption and Logan’s help, was getting very good at spotting the scouts. Thanks to a winning season last year and a respectable try at the state championship, there were always a few scouts in the stands. Talent was rampant in Redemption and had been for many years. Logan was show casing that talent, giving his players every opportunity to snag the eye of the college scouts that traveled here to see them play. And, Nana was doing her part, too.

  Rachel checked the pager she wore on her waistband.

  She was on call this weekend. Plus, she was the medical staff for all the games. There was an athletic trainer who walked the sidelines, while she watched from the stands. If he needed medical help, he had only to signal her and she’d come down to the field. Luckily, those times were rare.

  Rachel turned her attention to the man she loved and felt her heart swell. He turned, too, his eyes searching her out in the stands. When he found her, she stood and blew him a kiss. He grinned up at her. Then he returned his attention his players and the game. The whistle blew, the kicking team moved toward the ball and the kicker sent the ball hurtling into the air.

  She put two fingers in her mouth and whistled, the sound drowned by the band. She was home. She was home.