Home For the Holidays

by Lisa Plumley

  Tragic, her pitiful heart volunteered. Excruciating, stupid, inexplicable…The adjectives just kept piling up.

  “Completely understandable,” Judy said firmly. “Maybe even inevitable, given the circumstances.”

  “What?” Rachel blurted. “Inevitable? Why?” And if it made so much damn sense, then why couldn’t she understand it?

  “Well,” Judy began. “There’s a few things—”

  On the cusp of knowing, Rachel came to her senses. She held up her hand. “Never mind. Forget I said anything. Thanks for the ride here, but let’s just forget about me and Reno, okay?”

  “Nope.” With the blunt certainty of a woman of a certain age, Judy shook her head. “You need to hear this. Partly because you helped me and Tom not too long ago when we needed it. Partly because I like you, and I doubt that if you were thinking straight you’d be sitting there with that kind of hat-head—”

  Aghast, Rachel clutched her hair. It crackled. Why had she whipped off her knit hat the moment she’d gotten inside?

  “—but mostly because judging by how happy my son has seemed, until recently,” Judy drove on relentlessly, “you two are good for each other, and a mother never stops wanting what’s best for her children. For Reno, that seems to be you.”

  As if. This awkward situation was exactly what Rachel had been afraid of. “I don’t have to sit here and listen to this.”

  “No, you don’t. But I think you will.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Rachel fired back. “You wanna bet?”

  For an instant, Judy Wright’s gaze sparkled with the same can’t-lose spirit that her son’s always had. Rachel had the awful sensation that she’d seriously underestimated her.

  “Sure,” Judy said. “I’ll take that bet. Winner gets your plane ticket to L.A. If I win, I’m going to Disneyland.”

  “What if I win?”

  “I’ll drive you to the airport to catch that flight myself. No Greyhound bus ticket necessary.”

  Hmmm. Rachel really wasn’t keen to ride the bus for an hour or more. Especially while still wearing her ratty cardigan. And toting her luggage by hand. With her red-rimmed eyes and blotchy cheeks, she was barely fit to appear in public as it was.

  “What do you say?” With an audacious wink, Judy stuck out her hand. “Do we have a deal?”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Reno stared at everyone, his gut in a knot and his mind in a whirl. A punter. Nate had actually called him a punter.

  Even if there had been hope for him and Rachel, even if Reno had been somewhat at fault, that kind of name-calling wasn’t necessary. Besides the situation was…complicated.

  “I should go,” he said abruptly. “As all of you pointed out”—his dark gaze slid to Mrs. Kowalczyk—“I’ve been slacking off lately. I have driveways to shovel. Things to repair—”

  “All we need you to do,” Angela said, touching his arm warmly, “is take care of yourself for a change.”

  Frowning, Reno went on, “And since Jimmy is so keen to work today, I’ll let him handle things around here while I’m gone.”

  Jimmy shifted in his boots, appearing discomfited.

  “Dad, take any weights you want. They’re on me. Merry Christmas to your nonexistent community rec room.” Obstinately, Reno shoved past them all. His boots rang in the silence left by his lack of Christmas carols. “Nate, bite me. I’m not a”—a swearword slipped out—“a punter. I’m just trying to get by.”

  “Reno, stop.” Nate put out one beefy hand. “Wait. Wait!”

  For an instant, Reno paused. At the sight of his friend, a sappy, impossible, Vince Papale-style lump rose in his throat. He shook his head. “If I do, I might say something I regret. I’ve already got enough regrets, so…I’ll see you around.”

  He made it all the way to the section of improved hockey sticks before Nate spoke again. “Regrets? What kind of regrets?”

  Reno stopped. It felt as if everyone in the place held their breath. Maybe even him. He’d already said too much.

  “Do you mean regrets with Rachel?” Nate asked.

  That was the last straw.

  “Not with Rachel, you dumbass.” Although there were those, too. Reno turned to face his best friend. “With you!”

  Nate jerked. His whole attitude sobered. “With me?”

  “Yeah.” Silently, Reno squared his shoulders. “With you.”

  Nate’s brow furrowed. It was the same expression he wore when figuring out a new recipe for home-ec class. The effort required was mighty…but his desire for mastery was greater.

  “Why?” he asked. “What do you have to regret about me?”

  Looking at Nate’s bewildered expression, Reno could tell he was on the verge of hurting the big guy’s feelings. It killed him to think that Nate might be unhappy because of him…all over again. That’s probably what made Reno keep talking.

  “Oh, I dunno.” Deliberately keeping his tone light, Reno stuffed his hands in his pockets. He couldn’t look at Nate. Couldn’t stand to see the confirmation of everything he’d feared for all these years. “Maybe I regret that I took the life you should have had. Or that I took the Scorpions contract and football spot you wanted. Or that I took the Super Bowl trip you would have loved. Or that I came home a hero”—and you didn’t, rushed to be said, but Reno’s throat closed up, and he couldn’t manage it—“when you deserved it just as much.”

  “Reno—”

  “No, I might as well finish now.” Reno forced the words past the lump in his throat. “I did all that to you, Nate, and then, when you trusted me to help you, I took the woman you wanted, too. I took Rachel, and she should have been yours.”

  With a mighty effort, Reno swallowed. His whole body felt on edge, taut with tension the way it had before a big kick. He didn’t know what Nate would say or what Nate would do, but he did know there was one more thing he had to tell his friend.

  “I’m sorry, Nate. Sorry for all of it. If I could take it back, I would.”

  For one long moment, there was nothing but silence.

  Then Nate spoke. “Well, that would be a dumb thing to do.”

  Startled, Reno glanced up. “What?”

  “That would be the king of dumb things to do.” Nate spread his arms in apparent exasperation. “Geez, Reno! What the hell would that prove, if you gave up everything for me?”

  “Uh—”

  “I can’t believe all that football stuff is still bothering you.” Nate came closer, his fierce left tackle’s stance almost looming over Reno. “Don’t you know? I only went to training camp because I thought it would be fun to hang out with you. We used to do everything together, remember? Sure, I loved playing ball, but I love being a teacher in Kismet more.”

  “You…what?” Reno frowned up at him.

  “My major was education. I knew better than to count on football for my future. Duh. I’m a die-hard planner, remember?” Nate’s incandescent smile beamed down on Reno. “Once you came back from the NFL, it was even better, because we could hang out together again. That’s all I ever wanted. I hate traveling, and I don’t care about money or fame. That stuff isn’t for me.”

  “It’s not!” Timidly but with clear excitement, Detweiler stepped forward. “I offered Nate a job with Multicorp’s media division as a color commentator. With his personality, he’d be a shoo-in. Major money, too. But he turned me down.”

  “You what?” In astonishment, Reno gawked at Nate.

  His best friend only shrugged. “I’ve got everything I need right here in Kismet. And as far as you stealing away my dream girl goes…dude, I’m so over it.” Nate wrapped his arm around Angela’s shoulders, then pulled her closer. “I’ve got the only woman for me right here. So get over yourself!” He made a goofy face at Reno. “You are not the beginning and end of my life, no matter how much you like to boss me around. Everything’s cool.”

  Reno could scarcely believe it. “Then…you’re okay?”

  “I’m better than you,” Nate said, r
aising his good eyebrow.

  Reno scoffed. “That’ll be the day.”

  “That’s what you think, punk.”

  “Oh yeah? Bite me, dogface.”

  “Not worth it. You’re so little, you’re just an appetizer.”

  “Come closer and say that, you big lummox.”

  “Boys, boys.” Beaming, Angela stepped between them. “Let’s just hug it out and quit with the name-calling, okay?”

  Sheepishly, Reno and Nate looked at each other. They shuffled closer. Their one brisk hug made tears sting Reno’s eyes. Nate stepped away, wiping his nose.

  “All good?” Mrs. Kowalczyk asked. “Everything settled?”

  “Settled,” Reno and Nate croaked in unison.

  “Good.” Eagerly, the older woman rubbed her palms together. “Then let’s get down to strategizing, Reno. There might still be time to patch up you and Rachel Porter.”

  He looked at her. “You really want those doggie clothes.”

  “Darn tootin’, I do. Crackers needs a pick-me-up.”

  “But Rachel and me…” Tantalized by visions of the two of them together again, Reno frowned. He shook his head. “It’s too late. She doesn’t get me. She doesn’t understand—”

  “Did you call her a dogface, too?” his dad inquired mildly.

  “There are a few things that could use improvement in your communication style,” Angela pointed out gently. “For instance, Rachel had no idea you were really setting her up with Nate. You know, until Nate told her about it at Kayla’s school pageant.”

  “Yeah. I kind of…failed to mention that.”

  “So it was probably a big surprise to her,” his sister continued steadfastly. “A big unwelcome surprise, kind of like the one she got in L.A. with her cheating boyfriend. This might come as a shock to you guys, but unless your surprises involve flowers, candy, a trip to Acapulco, jewelry, or foot rubs—”

  Nate gazed at her, practically taking notes with his eyes.

  “—women don’t necessarily like all surprises, Reno.”

  “Amen to that,” Jimmy said fervently…if puzzlingly.

  “Yeah. You can’t give up if there’s still hope, Reno,” Detweiler blurted. “Sometimes you just need to be persistent.”

  They all stared at him.

  He shrugged. “Hey, sales is my business. I don’t quit.”

  There it was again. Quit. At the word, Reno scowled.

  Was that really what he was doing? Quitting? Giving up?

  Or just protecting himself?

  “Listen, Reno,” Nate said in a reasonable tone. “I’ve known you since we were playing with Transformers in kindergarten, right? If I couldn’t tell what you’ve been thinking—about me and football and all that—how the hell is Rachel supposed to know how you really feel about her?”

  Stung, Reno gazed at him. Maybe Nate had a point…

  Agreeing, everyone nodded. But rather than feeling like an ambush to Reno, suddenly their concern felt like encouragement. Hell, he might as well lay it on the line. It felt like love.

  “Don’t wait like I did, son,” his dad said. “If you care about Rachel, tell her now. Before it’s too late.”

  “Too late?” Reno glanced at his father. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean Rachel is on her way out of town.” Tom Wright held up his cell phone. “I just got a text message from your mom.”

  Angela raised her eyebrows. “Another one? Racy!”

  Their father’s cheeks reddened. “Not that kind of message,” he said sternly—but Reno could tell there was some truth to his sister’s comment. Apparently his parents had reconciled…and more. “She’s trying to delay Rachel at The Coffee Cup Diner, but her bus to the airport is supposed to leave in twenty minutes.”

  Twenty minutes. Reno needed more time than that. More time to tamp down his pride, think about his part in his split with Rachel, reconcile what Nate had said, come up with a plan….

  Mrs. Kowalczyk approached him, her winter hat with the earflaps pulled down low and her lipstick shining a vibrant pink.

  “I’m sorry to have to do this, Reno. But it’s necessary.”

  He blinked, distracted. “Do what?”

  “This.” She reared back and kicked him again. “Don’t be a butthead! If you love Rachel, for God’s sake, go after her!”

  “Ouch!” Reno grabbed his shin.

  “Apparently the other kick didn’t stick. Maybe that one will.”

  “Maybe.” Wincing, Reno gazed at his family and friends and neighbors. And also at Detweiler. No scratch that. Detweiler was a friend now, too. He wanted to go, but…“What will I say?”

  “It’ll come to you.” His dad shoved him toward the door.

  “Just speak from the heart!” Angela urged.

  “Remember to kiss her!” Nate added. “Make it good.”

  “Not too much tongue,” Mrs. Kowalczyk warned. “Remember, you’re going to be in public. Be decent. But passionate.”

  “It never hurts to look your best.” Jimmy dashed over, fussed with Reno’s hair, then stepped back critically. “There.”

  Feeling mauled, Reno paused with one foot out the door.

  “Just tell her you love her and you’re wrong!” came the advice from Detweiler, the sixth member of their helpful troupe. “Men are always wrong in arguments. You probably misunderstood.”

  Smiling, Reno fisted his truck keys. He was really going to do this. He was going to get Rachel back. But first…

  “Kayla, don’t you have any advice for your Uncle Reno?”

  After all, it was partly because of her that he’d found the perfect girlfriend. Maybe Christmas wishes could come true.

  “Look! It’s a puppy!” Kayla squealed.

  Reno glanced her way. While they’d been talking, his niece had crept close enough to the checkout counter to snag her Christmas gift a little earlier than planned.

  “Sorry, Reno.” Jimmy shrugged. “We were trying to put a bow on the pet carrier, and the little bugger slipped away.”

  Kayla faced Reno, cooing as she cradled Peanut Butter. Her face shone with exhilaration. “She’s for me, isn’t she? I know it!” She giggled as the puppy licked her fingers. “Look! She loves me already.” Gently, she hugged the puppy to her chest.

  Reno smiled. “Merry Christmas, Kayla.”

  “This is all I wanted, Uncle Reno! Thank you, thank you!”

  Looking overjoyed, Kayla cuddled with the puppy.

  Angela caught Reno’s eye. Thank you, his sister mouthed.

  He nodded at her, then shrugged into his coat, nervous and hard-faced and not at all sure that things would work out. If he was going to do this, he had to hurry. Because all Reno wanted for Christmas—always and forever—was Rachel. If he really moved, he might still be able to catch her.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Rachel settled back in her seat at the diner, gazing at Judy Wright in surprise. “I had no idea Nate played football. Or that he and Reno went to Scorpions training camp together.”

  “I thought maybe you didn’t.” Judy nodded kindheartedly. “Everyone around here knows the story so well, it probably didn’t occur to Reno or Nate or even Angela to bring it up. But in light of everything that’s happened…it’s important.”

  Rachel nodded. “And when Nate didn’t make the team, but Reno did…” Wide-eyed, she considered everything she’d learned in the past few minutes as she’d stayed put to win her bet with Judy. “That must have been tough on them both.”

  “It was.” Judy sipped her milkshake, then gave a mmm. “Reno and Nate were always close, but things changed after Nate came back from the NFL. They changed again when Reno quit football. He was different when he came home to Kismet. More mature.”

  “I was already in L.A. by then,” Rachel said. “I never knew them as adults. I barely knew them growing up.” She gave a rueful smile. “The rebels didn’t mix with the jocks much.”

  Judy nodded. “I know. I was a bit of a rebel myself.”r />
  Hardly able to believe it, Rachel squinted at her. All of a sudden, there it was…a feisty sparkle around the eyes.

  “When they were smaller, sometimes those boys gave me a hell of a time, believe me.” Cheerfully, Judy waved off Rachel’s scrutiny. “But mostly Reno and Nate were best buddies—inseparable from kindergarten onward, all the way to today. Except when Reno was playing ball, they’ve rarely been apart.”

  I risked everything to be with you! Rachel remembered Reno telling her after Kayla’s Christmas pageant. I put my friendship with Nate on the line, over and over again.

  Now those words held new meaning. No wonder Reno had looked so wounded, so angry, so disbelieving when they’d stood on that snowy sidewalk together. No wonder he hadn’t apologized. But Rachel had been too shocked and hurt to consider why he’d been talking about Nate, when all she’d wanted to talk about was the two of them. So she hadn’t let Reno finish explaining.

  “That’s why I knew it was a disaster in the making when Angela told me how Reno planned to fix up Nate with his dream girl—you. By then, I’d already seen the effect you had on my son, Rachel. I knew he wouldn’t be able to let you go—”

  Rachel made a face, remembering exactly how he had.

  “—but I also knew Reno wouldn’t be able to hurt Nate.” Ruefully, Judy twirled her straw. “It was bound to turn out badly and it did. For that, I’m sorry. Reno is a loyal man. He’d sooner lose something for himself than hurt a friend.”

  Ironically, that was a quality Rachel admired in him. Reno had integrity—something that seemed in short supply with everyone else she knew. How, Rachel wondered, could she be mad at Reno for one of the very characteristics she loved about him?

  Feeling her understanding broaden, Rachel thought about everything Reno did for the people here—his rescue mission for Mrs. Bender, his giant Christmas tree for the citizens of Kismet, his hiring of friends and neighbors at his store, his snow-shoveling, repairing, babysitting…it just went on.

  She’d been right. Reno really was the go-to guy of Kismet.

  “So in the end, when it came to you, Reno couldn’t back down,” Judy said, “but in all good conscience, he couldn’t go forward either. Not without hurting Nate. He was stuck.”