by Jamie Beck
Relief coursed through Trip’s body, making him almost lightheaded, but he did his best to hide that fact from Mason. Was it time he stopped suspecting the worst of his brother? They’d certainly both lost a lot this year, and perhaps, on that common ground, they could build a truce.
“Oh. Well, I think that’s a good decision. I’m sure you’ll be a lot happier near your kids than you are all the way out here. I’m glad Dad buckled.”
“I think he finally realized his grand plan for our reconciliation couldn’t be forced,” Mason said. “Although maybe all the events of these past months have made a small difference. Who knows, perhaps someday things between us can be . . . better.”
“Dad would like that.” It was the best Trip could offer, since he’d be lying if he pretended to want more just yet.
Mason looked over his shoulder toward Kelsey’s office and then to Trip. “Lurking around her office isn’t going to solve your problem, you know.”
“I’m not lurking.”
Mason cocked an eyebrow. “For a guy who projects so much confidence, you sure aren’t bold when it counts.”
“You’ve got no idea what you’re talking about. How ’bout you stay out of it so we can keep this little truce going longer than two minutes?” Trip crossed his arms.
Mason raised his hands in surrender. “Fine. Just don’t go crying in your whiskey six months from now, when some other guy claims the future you had in the palm of your hand.”
“I never cry, Mason. You ought to remember that about me from our childhood.” Trip couldn’t stop himself from tossing immature insults in order to deflect the conversation, even though it made him feel like an ass.
“Fine.” Mason shook his head, just like Grey had done earlier. “Guess next time I see you, it’ll be in Denver.” He stuck out his hand. “Take care.”
Trip shook hands, unable to make sense of any of the fucked-up emotions coursing through his body. Mason turned to go. It wasn’t until he’d taken four or five steps away that Trip finally replied, “You too.”
He stood on the sidewalk, watching his brother walk away. Like some bad scene in a movie, he found himself standing alone, mulling over the choice that took him away from the life he’d led just three months ago to the one three weeks ago and finally to the hell he lived in at the moment. Would anything ever feel normal again?
Before he continued toward Grizzly’s, Kelsey came out of her office and locked the door. She hadn’t noticed him, so he stepped into the shadows and hid behind the columns of a storefront portico. His heart galloped inside his chest, thundering with the force of a dozen hooves. He held his breath, afraid she might actually hear his heart beating so loudly.
He watched her drop her keys in her purse and cross the street south of where he stood, apparently walking home—in the dark—again. He shook his head when he noticed her snow boots had ridiculous heels, which he realized she could probably run a marathon in at this point.
Part of him wished he could just approach her for another piggyback ride, like the one he’d offered back in July. But she’d made it clear she wanted time to move on. If he wanted to see her home safely, he’d need to do it from a distance.
Once she got two blocks ahead, he followed behind, careful to keep out of her sight. He hated how careless she was with her safety but, short of stalking her, there wasn’t much he could do about it, either.
He stopped at the end of her block, watching her until she disappeared into her condominium building. Her windows lit up a minute later. Through the honeycomb shades, he saw her shadow moving around.
He took three steps toward her house before stopping himself. Rubbing the center of his chest as if it could erase the deep ache inside, he stood on the sidewalk, staring up at her windows like a fool.
Each breath fogged his vision. His muscles strained toward her building, but his feet refused to budge. His mouth grew dry, making it tough to swallow the lump in his throat.
Disgusted by his behavior, he forced himself to turn away and jog to Grizzly’s, certain that waltzing through that door would be like coming home. Music, the click of cue balls breaking apart, women dressed to impress . . . all the things he’d always enjoyed.
When he yanked the door open, he’d all but convinced himself he’d stayed away too long.
He strode through the partying crowd to the bar. “Red Rocket.”
In less than five minutes, two women approached him. Pretty, friendly, available, willing women. One—Gail—he knew intimately. It had never bothered him to be in a room with one or more women he’d slept with before, but for some reason, seeing Gail made him twitchy.
“Haven’t seen you out and about in months.” Gail raised her glass. “Nice to have you back.”
“Good to be back.” He guzzled his beer to wash down the lie burning a hole in his throat. He wondered if Gail, like Jessie, had made bets on him and Kelsey. Probably other yahoos in the joint right now were collecting money and joking behind his back.
The atmosphere in the bar and her perfume began to cloy, closing in and making his temperature rise.
“The Bomb Holes are playing over at On The Rocks in a bit.” Gail smiled in invitation. “Wanna come?”
He liked Gail. She was friendly, cute, and cut from the same cloth as him in terms of expectations. She’d be the perfect first step toward getting past all this business with Kelsey and the baby. Yet the thought of leaving with her made him sick to his stomach.
The jukebox continued to blare Dierks Bentley’s “Say You Do” as Trip glanced around the crowd. Couples and foursomes split off, flirting with one goal in mind. Half of the younger ones had their cell phones out, probably checking Tinder to see if something better had come up. A few rowdy guys were growing loud back in the corner. And Gail’s laughter scorched his nerves like dry ice.
He couldn’t believe he’d thought coming here would be a good idea. If anything, depression weighed more heavily on him now.
“Trip?” Gail prodded, brushing against his body.
He looked at her and shook his head. “Not tonight, thanks.” His stomach churned with discomfort. “Actually, I just stopped in for a beer. Thought maybe I’d find Jon. But I’ve got stuff to do at home. You ladies have a good night, though.”
“Okay, maybe some other time.” Gail shrugged, not too upset by his rebuff. “Bye!”
Trip finished his beer and slid the empty bottle across the bar.
“Another?” asked the bartender.
“No, thanks.”
Trip spilled onto the street, glancing up and down at the storefronts and people on the sidewalks. He frowned before strolling through town with no particular destination, his head and heart pounding with the certain knowledge of what he wanted. Who he needed.
By the time he finally arrived home, he had formulated a plan to make it happen.
Kelsey zipped up Fee’s costume and handed her the small plastic pumpkin. The child’s long underwear stuck out from beneath the short sleeves, but she still looked adorable. “All set. No doubt you’ll be the most beautiful princess trick-or-treating tonight.”
“Why aren’t you coming with us?” Fee asked, tugging on Kelsey’s pink satin skirt. “You’re all dressed for Halloween.”
“I’m going to hand out candy so your mommy and daddy can take you and Ty around town. But I’ll be here when you get back, so you can show me the best treat you get.”
“Sara’s mommy gives the big giant candy bars.”
Kelsey widened her eyes, pretending to match Fee’s level of enthusiasm. “Oh, my. Maybe you can hit them up twice.”
Fee nodded with a conspiratorial smile just as Maura tromped down the steps holding Ty, who was dressed up like Humpty Dumpty. “Bill’s almost home. Are you sure you don’t mind doing this tonight?”
“Mind? You know I love all the kids in their costumes.” Kelsey smiled.
Maura tipped her head. “You seem . . . better. I’m glad.”
Kelsey nodded, for
cing herself to steer clear of any regret or doubt. It didn’t hurt that yesterday she’d deposited a substantial commission check from the quick, clean sale of the Copeland property. Within another ninety days she’d own a small apartment building. Taking control over one part of her life had helped her cope with her sorrow. “One day at a time, sis.”
Maura smiled. “You’re the bravest person I know.”
“Me too.” Fee chimed in and hugged Kelsey’s legs.
Before Kelsey could get choked up, she used a trick she’d learned from Trip and deflected. “Where’s the candy bowl?”
“In the kitchen,” Maura said. “Can you grab it so I can finish getting these two ready?”
“Sure.” Kelsey kissed Fee’s head and then walked back to the kitchen. Bill strolled through the back door just as she found the candy bowl.
“Hey, Kels, thanks for helping out tonight. I’m really looking forward to being able to participate this year.”
“It’s honestly my pleasure. We don’t get kids at the condo. This will be fun.”
“Speaking of fun, congrats on your big sale.” Bill opened a mini bag of Skittles and popped a couple in his mouth. “Saw Nick Copeland today at the body shop. He’s glad they didn’t sell to Wade, especially considering the new owner’s plans for the land.”
“Oh?” Kelsey’s gaze flew to Bill. “The lawyer was all cloak-and-dagger, so I never heard a single word about the mysterious buyer or its plans.”
“Apparently the buyer plans to build a community park with a few athletic fields and a playground, maybe more.”
Kelsey’s mind replayed a conversation she’d had with Trip at the Mineshaft a few weeks ago. That spot would be a great place for a sports park, with unpaved parking, a football field, baseball diamond, a playground, and maybe even a skateboard park.
It couldn’t be a coincidence, but how? I have money. Serious money.
“Hey, Kels.” Bill touched her shoulder. “You okay? You look peaked.”
She waved him off, despite feeling woozy. “I’m fine, sorry. I just . . . I don’t know what happened.”
“You looked like you were about to swoon.” He chuckled. “Who knew a park would get you so excited?”
“Hardly.” She lied. “I’m just tired. It’s been a busy week. So, did Nick ever meet the principal?”
It had to be Trip. What other buyer would be so confident that the “Concerned Citizen” wouldn’t pick another fight?
“No. Everyone’s been guessing, but what makes the most sense is that it’s someone who owns a vacation home here and wants to keep a low profile. I say who cares, right?”
Kelsey’s thoughts spun. Had Trip spent six million dollars to make up for the commission he knew she’d lost? Was this the latest in a line of gifts, starting with Cowboy, he’d bought to make her happy?
“Bill, is that you?” Maura called from the entry. “Let’s hustle!”
“Got to go.” Bill kissed Kelsey’s forehead. “Thanks again.”
She was following behind him to say good-bye to the group when she heard Fee’s excited holler, “Prince Charming!”
“Princess Fiona, how lovely to see you again.” Trip’s deep voice rumbled down the hallway, temporarily stopping Kelsey in her tracks. Her mind went blank, but curiosity drove her to take the final steps toward the door.
She fanned herself to cool down.
When she came face-to-face with Trip, she saw him wearing a ridiculous-looking satin Prince Charming costume. The arms of the white jacket were far too short, as were the horrible royal-blue satin pants. He held a toy unicorn-head-on-a-stick in one hand and a bag in the other.
Her jaw slackened, but she managed not to drop the candy bowl. Through a haze, she asked, “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you. Glad to see you in your princess outfit.” He grinned, dazzling green eyes sparkling at her. Then he bent to Fee and handed her the unicorn. “This is for you.”
Kelsey blinked absently, her heart unable to keep a steady beat. “How’d you know where to find me?”
“Avery.”
Kelsey’s mind couldn’t make sense of anything except for the fact that Bill and Maura were now staring at the two of them. “Why are you dressed like that?”
“Trying to live up to the title Fee gave me.” He nodded at Maura and Bill.
Kelsey’s body grew tingly, her head gauzy. “Why?”
“I thought we’d be alone, but maybe it’s better your family’s still here.” He retrieved a shoebox from the bag and got down on his knees. “These are for you.”
Kelsey handed the bowl of candy to Maura while he opened the box. Inside was a pair of crystal-encrusted Jimmy Choo bridal shoes. Suddenly dizzy, eyes watering, she grabbed the doorframe to steady herself. His smile suggested he enjoyed rendering her speechless.
Trip held out his hand for her foot, which she gave him. He replaced her shoe with one of the new ones. “Perfect fit.”
“Like Cinderella, Mommy!” Fee interrupted.
“Shh!” Maura tugged Fee against her side.
When he finished replacing the other shoe, he stood and placed his hand in his pocket to retrieve another surprise. “I hope this fits perfectly, too.”
Kelsey’s body began quaking the instant she saw the tiny black velvet box in his hand. Her knuckles were turning white from the death grip on the door. When she looked into his eyes, she almost cried.
“When you told me you loved me, I should have dropped to my knees right then and there.” A thin line of perspiration formed along his brow, but he pressed on. “I’m sorry I didn’t, but I’m more sorry I never gave you what you needed, when you were giving me everything I never even knew I wanted. But if you meant what you said, and if I haven’t blown it already by being a moron, I’m hoping you’ll let me make that up to you today, and every day from now on. I love you, Kelsey Callihan. Will you marry me?”
Fee jumped up and down, clapping. “Yay! Aunt Kelsey’s getting married, Mommy!”
“Oh, Fee, since you can’t keep quiet, I think we should get on our way and let these two have some privacy.” Maura kissed her sister before hustling her family off the porch.
Trip barely looked at them before he popped open the lid to reveal a sizable peach-pink cushion-cut diamond set in a diamond-encrusted band.
“But you said you’d never get married.” Kelsey wiped the tears trickling down her cheeks. “You don’t believe in it.”
“I was afraid.” He grinned. “Okay, in all honesty, I’m still a little afraid.”
Looking at this giant of a man dressed in a costume in public made it impossible to imagine him being afraid of much, but he sounded sincere.
“Then why?”
“Because I’m more afraid of my life without you in it.” When she couldn’t speak, he removed the ring from the box and dropped to one knee. “Maybe I should try this again. Kelsey, I love you, and only you. Always you. Marry me, please.”
More tears streaked down her cheeks, but she managed to nod while trying to catch her breath.
Trip stood, placed the ring on her finger, and kissed her, only to be interrupted by a sharp whistle and clapping from the crowd that had apparently gathered on the sidewalk and witnessed the proposal.
Trip winked at Kelsey, and then turned around and bowed at the group. The parents released their children, and within seconds, six kids were holding out their bags for candy.
After the group ran off the porch, Trip crushed her against his body. “I missed you so much. I could barely breathe from missing you.”
She feared her heart might literally explode from happiness. “I missed you, too.”
He kissed her again, then stopped and glanced over his shoulder. “Maybe we should go inside.”
“Okay,” she said. When he lifted the unicorn off the porch, she asked, “What’s with the unicorn?”
“When Fee asked if she could be our flower girl, you told her she could wear her costume and ride a unicorn down
the aisle. I thought I’d better be prepared.”
“I can’t believe you remembered that. I didn’t even remember!” She laughed at the refreshed recollection.
Trip grabbed her into his arms again and looked in her eyes. “I remember every moment we’ve spent together, Kelsey. Every single one.”
Kelsey thanked God Trip was so tall and strong, because he was the only thing keeping her from fainting to the ground. “I love you, Trip Lexington, so you never have to be afraid of me, or this,” she said, wiggling her ring finger.
The doorbell rang, making Kelsey suddenly wish she hadn’t agreed to stand in for Maura.
“Guess this is good practice for next year.” Trip shrugged before he bent over to pick up the bowl of candy. He kissed her cheek and opened the door to the sound of another group of loud kids yelling “trick or treat.”
Kelsey watched him compliment the little girls, marveling at how she’d risen from the depths of darkness to the absolute peak of happiness in a matter of weeks. A slight pang pressed on her chest at the memory of the child they’d lost. But together she and Trip would eventually create the family she’d always wanted.
As she stood there in her princess costume staring at him in his garb, she realized dreams really do come true as long as you believe.
Epilogue
A month later, Kelsey came home to her two boys, Trip and Cowboy. Trip was leaning over the dining table studying architectural plans for the park, while Cowboy pranced around his feet.
Her heart stretched open wide like it had every other evening since Halloween. She lifted the kitten to cuddle him while peering over Trip’s shoulder. “Happy with them?”
“They’re just preliminary drawings, but it’s coming together.” He wound an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek before returning his attention to the drawings.
“Have you come up with a name, yet?” She set the kitten back on the floor and noted the toddler playground installation plans.