by Barbara Gee
“Hang on,” he said grimly, swinging out onto the street and coming to a quick stop before putting it in gear and driving smoothly forward, away from the hubbub. Jolene looked back to see the flurry of activity and laughed.
“They were completely caught off guard,” she said happily. “Score one for the good guys.”
Boone chuckled. “I’m glad you can see the humor, I just wish you didn’t have to deal with it. It can definitely be stressful.”
She smiled over at him, her dark eyes warm. “You’re worth it. And it’ll pass.”
The drive went by too quickly, their time together ticking down. Thanks to Boone’s parking access, they got to the terminal well ahead of the paparazzi, and he stayed with her in the security line as she inched toward the conveyor and body scanner. He leaned down and spoke in her ear, so only she could hear.
“Promise me you won’t go back to the ranch and start thinking of all the reasons why this can’t work. Because it can. It will.”
Jolene leaned into him, speaking equally softly, wishing she had the freedom to throw her arms around him for a real goodbye. But people were starting to notice him, pointing and smiling, because in his hurry to get away from the photographers at his house, he’d once again forgotten his cap and sunglasses.
She tried to ignore everyone around them and address his concern. “I’m going to try real hard not to do that. But when we’re apart it starts to feel more like a dream than reality. Then it becomes way too easy to think I’m crazy for believing it’ll last.”
“I know it’s asking a lot. It would be way easier for you to date a guy close to home who isn’t in the tabloids, and who isn’t travelling all the time during the season.”
“That’s not what I worry about,” she said quickly. “I’m willing to work with all that. I’m just worried about whether I’ll be a good fit for you. I’m afraid in the long run you’ll realize I’m not cut out for your lifestyle, and you’ll wonder why you ever thought it could work.”
He looked around, his sharp eyes taking in the fact that the crowd around them was getting excited about his presence. It was only a matter of time before someone asked for his autograph or a picture, and that would open the floodgates for everyone else. Jolene could tell he was frustrated because their conversation had become unexpectedly serious and they had no privacy to finish it.
“You’re a perfect fit for me, Jo, in every way. Trust me when I tell you that.”
She smiled. “Well I guess we’ll find out. I might not be able to put aside all my worries right away, but I’m not going to let them stop me from trying.”
“That’s all I need to hear,” he said, relief in his voice. He put his arm around her shoulders, obviously not caring if people realized they were together. “I’ll call you tonight. Tell everyone back at the ranch I said hi, and if any of them want to come along with you to the game next Friday, I’ll get tickets.”
“You might have some takers on that offer,” she said.
“Do you think you could stay a day or two after the game?”
“I’ll see how the retreat is going by then. Lowell is definitely ready for more responsibility, but I don’t want to be shirking my duties, either. Maddy and Libby are already so generous with me, and I wouldn’t want to take advantage.”
“Just see what you can do. I won’t push it. Your job is important and I don’t expect you to be at my beck and call, but I’ll shamelessly take whatever time I can get.”
“Okay.” Jolene was next in line to get her ID checked. Her eyes met his. “I’ll miss you. Keep me updated on Aaron and Carla. And don’t let the media distract you. Your part is over. It’s up to law enforcement and the courts now.”
He nodded. “I’ll be okay. Bye, Jo.” Ignoring the people around them he dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “Talk to you tonight.”
“Bye, Boone.”
With a final smile, he turned and headed back the way they’d come. Jolene immediately heard people calling his name. A quick glance over her shoulder showed that he’d obligingly stopped and was scrawling his name on something a young boy was holding out. And then the first group of paparazzi burst through the doors. Boone abandoned his efforts to satisfy his fans and moved toward the parking lot exit with long strides, completely ignoring the photographers shouting questions.
“You’re next, ma’am,” said the TSA agent at the booth, holding out his hand for her ID.
She sighed and handed him her ID and boarding pass. A week until the game, she thought. Surely I can make it that long.
CHAPTER 40
It was a struggle. The hours she was at work weren’t so bad, because she stayed busy enough to keep her mind from wandering continuously to Boone. But the evenings got long. He called every night, and they texted a lot, but she longed to be with him. She’d known she would miss him, but she hadn’t realized just how empty she’d feel.
Her friends tried to help. The first full day she was home, Maddy and Tuck invited her for dinner, and Tuck spent the evening giving her all the latest details of the investigation. By then she’d also read all the articles she could find on the case, interested to learn more about the other families who had been affected. Neither of the families who’d had their babies stolen had talked to the press yet. Time would tell whether the relationships with their children could ever be restored.
The oil man and Aaron had both been arrested and were out on bail. The CEO’s wife, like Carla, had been unaware of her husband’s actions. With the other family, however, both the father and mother had been in on the plot, and both of them had also been arrested and bailed out.
Jolene and Boone had talked about it some. He’d tried to avoid the stories at first, but as the days passed and the shocking headlines were on every news and gossip website, he’d begun reading some of them. Jolene knew that a few days ago he’d sat down with a well-regarded local sports reporter and taped an interview. He could have gone on any show, on any network or cable station in the entire United States, but true to form, Boone had given the scoop to a local guy who had always given the Wild good, fair coverage. The interview was scheduled to air the night before the next home game, and there was little doubt the station would have some of their highest ratings ever during that hour. Poor Boone would be so glad when the media frenzy died down.
***
When he called on Thursday evening, Jolene had just returned home from dinner at the ranch house. She dropped into a corner of her couch, drawing her knees up and settling in.
“Finally I can say ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’” she said happily.
“Yeah, too bad we have to wait until after the game.”
“But it’s going to be a whale of a game. One more win and the Wild are in the play-offs.”
Boone chuckled. “If we’d won Tuesday night we’d already be in. The fans are either gonna love us or hate us tomorrow night.”
“Well, you have one more game after that, so all is not lost if you do lose. Which you won’t.”
“Whatever you say, my number one fan.”
They talked for an hour. Boone had spoken to both Aaron and Carla earlier in the day, and he reported that his mom was doing surprisingly well, although she still had no desire to go back to Chicago. She’d tentatively mentioned visiting the ranch sometime during the summer, which both Boone and Jolene considered a very positive sign.
Aaron was having a rough time of it, but to his credit he was accepting the consequences of his actions without blaming anyone but himself. He didn’t have a court date set yet, and his attorney said it was likely things would drag out for a long time.
Boone and Jolene talked a while longer, then she told him he needed to get to bed so he’d be ready for the game.
“I’m already in bed,” he told her. “All I have to do is turn the TV off and I’m in dreamland.”
“Good. I’m glad you take care of yourself.”
“I do what I can,” Boone said. “And I’ll do my best to give yo
u that win you want so bad.”
“I know you will. But I’ll be happy as long as I can see you, Boone. The win would just be a bonus.”
“That’s what I like to hear. Sleep tight, Jo.”
“You, too.”
Jolene hung up and closed her eyes. The thought of being back in Boone’s arms tomorrow made her shiver in anticipation. It couldn’t come soon enough. It was a little scary how hard it had been to get through a mere week, because she knew there would be longer separations than that in the future. She couldn’t fly to St. Paul every week, or even every two weeks. If it didn’t get easier with time, she was going to have to find ways of keeping even busier than she was now so she didn’t dwell on how much she missed him.
The only thing she could do for now was take it as it came and do her best to cope. In the meantime, she would focus on the coming weekend, which she intended to enjoy to the fullest.
* * *
When she got to the game the next evening, Jolene saw that Linc Holt was once more in attendance. “I don’t know how long it’ll last,” the man said with a smile, “but as long as I get calls telling me there’s a ticket waiting, I’m going to keep using it. Pulling that job protecting Boone was like winning the lottery.”
The players soon skated onto the ice and the game began. The crowd was raucous and counting on a win. By the end of the first period, it was clear that it would be a battle the whole game. Although the opposing team had no chance of making the post-season, they put up a fierce fight. When the horn blew at the end of the third period, the game was tied with two goals each. The five minute overtime commenced, with everyone on the edge of their seats. Hockey rules said that the first team to score in overtime won the game, so the pressure was intense.
Boone started the overtime period, but although they came close, his line didn’t succeed in getting a goal. The coach put them right back out there after the next shift came back to the bench, and this time, to the total and uncontained joy of the crowd, Boone himself found the back of the goal.
It was as it should be, Jolene thought as she jumped and whooped and hollered with everyone else. His unexpected return from his injury had given his team the boost they needed to make an incredible late push, and it was only fitting that he scored the goal that guaranteed them that coveted wild-card spot.
Jolene cheered herself hoarse, and as she waited for Boone outside the locker room, she wasn’t sure she’d ever been so excited and happy. She was only minutes away from seeing Boone again, and her hockey team had gotten a huge win. It didn’t get much better than that.
While she was waiting, Sarah approached and gave her a big hug. “I’m so glad you could make the game.”
“I would’ve hated to miss it. Seeing Boone score that overtime goal was amazing. Do you ever get used to this?”
“I haven’t yet,” Sarah said with a laugh. “Some things never get old.”
When Boone emerged from the locker room, Jolene hurried toward him and practically launched herself into his arms. “Great game, Boone! Oh my word, what a goal. And I missed you so much,” she added, her cheek pressed to his.
“Didn’t want to disappoint my girl by losing in overtime,” he said, his strong arms holding her close. “And I missed you, too.”
“Are we going out with the team again?” she asked.
He grimaced. “I’d like to have you all to myself, but I really need to make an appearance.”
“I figured you would, Captain. It’s fine with me. We’ll have our time soon enough.”
* * *
A couple hours later, after a fun time with a euphoric Minnesota Wild team, Jolene had just crawled into bed and was sitting up against the headboard when her door opened. She pulled the blankets up around her waist, then squealed softly when he grasped her ankles and pulled her down to lay flat, coming down beside her, his body warm against her side. He propped his head on his hand and looked down at her.
“Longest week of my life,” he said simply, before lowering his head and claiming her mouth in a kiss that proved the truth of his words. Nothing compared to kissing Boone. Nothing. Jolene wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed closer to him. He slid a big warm hand under her thin top, across her toned stomach and slowly up along the curve of her waist, his fingers trailing fire.
She loved being with him, loved his touch. The only way she could explain it was the old adage when it’s right, it’s right—and it was so very right with him. She longed for more, craved more. But thank goodness they were both on the same page and knew that more wasn’t going to happen, no matter how much they both wanted it.
That didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the moment. Jolene could no longer even imagine ever being with another man. Pursuing a relationship with Boone meant facing some hurdles, no doubt about that, but she’d been a hurdler during her high school track and field years, and she’d learned a thing or two about hurdles. It was all about how you approached them, and having the determination and stamina to get over them. She’d conquered the technique then, and she could do this kind of hurdle, too. The principles were the same.
Boone broke the kiss and pressed his face into the curve of her neck and shoulder. “You smell so good,” he said. “Two months ago I’d have said the best smell in the world is bacon. Now I’d have to say it’s Jolene Tolley.”
Jolene giggled, his humor lessening the erotic effect of his stubbled jawline moving across her skin. Which was a good thing, because she needed to regain her equilibrium.
“Thanks, I think,” she said.
He lifted his head, propping it on his hand once again and smiling down at her. “Every man I know loves bacon above all other foods, so when I say you smell even better, it’s the ultimate compliment.”
She pushed her fingers through his thick hair, then slid her knuckles along his jaw. “You’re going to have to start your play-off beard now,” she told him, grinning proudly.
“Yeah. I hope you don’t mind kissing a man with a beard.”
“I won’t, not if it’s you. I can’t think of anything that would make me not want to kiss you.”
His jade eyes glittered in the lamplight. “I didn’t know it was possible to miss a person so much. Everything’s different with you, baby. Way better than it’s ever been. At first I wasn’t sure why that was, but now I know. I figured it out.”
She rolled on her side to face him, running her hand slowly down his thick bicep, her admiring gaze following its progress. “Are you going to share your newfound wisdom with me?”
“Mm hm. It’s simple, really. It’s different because you’re the first woman I’ve fallen in love with.”
She froze for a second, swallowed hard, then raised her eyes slowly to meet his gaze. “I am?” she whispered.
His lips curved and the corners of his eyes crinkled. “You are. I love you, Jolene. Maybe it’s too soon to tell you, but keeping it to myself doesn’t make it any less true. I figure I should just put it out there so you know how serious I am about making this work.”
Her eyes welled up and she thought her heart was going to burst. “I love you, too. I’ve known it for a while, but I was afraid if I told you it would just put more pressure on you, and you already have so much of that.”
“I don’t feel pressure from you, babe. It’s actually the opposite. Being with you makes all the other stuff bearable.”
Jolene felt her face flush with the wonder of what he was saying. “Are you sure?” she asked softly.
“Sure that I love you?”
She nodded.
“Positive. No doubts whatsoever.” He raised a brow. “Are you sure?”
“No doubts,” she said.
“And it’s not just because I’m your favorite hockey player?”
She smiled, her dark eyes warm. “I love watching you play. I always will. But when I’m with you, I see the man behind the player, and the feelings I have for that man are completely different from my fan feelings.”
; “You’ve accepted all my baggage, Jo. I can’t begin to tell you how much that means to me.”
“Is that what makes me better than bacon?” she teased.
“Everything about you is better than bacon.” He brushed his lips gently across hers. “I love you.”
“Love you too. Thanks for making me so happy.”
CHAPTER 41
All too soon she was back at the ranch, resuming her normal routine and missing Boone. He was busy, but they managed to talk often, and texted when they couldn’t call. The Wild won their last regular season game, and although they had a six day break before their first play-off game, his practice schedule made even a quick trip to the ranch impossible. Jolene didn’t feel she could get away either, as they had a retreat finishing up and that was always her busiest time.
Boone went on the road for the first two games of the seven game series. They split the games, which gave the Wild the home advantage as they returned to Minnesota for the third and fourth games. Jolene didn’t get to those, but the Wild won both. They went on the road again for game five. If they won, they would move on to round two. If they lost, they’d return to Minnesota for game six, and Jolene planned to be there.
They lost game five in overtime. It was a tough loss, but it meant they had a chance to clinch the series in front of their home crowd. Ryan and Hank made the trip with Jolene, and they all lost their voices from cheering so loud when the Wild won the series. Ryan and Hank left the next morning, but Jolene stayed on for two days once again.
Sunday morning they faced yet another goodbye. The next day Boone would be facing the most important set of games in his career, as Captain of his team, and Jolene would be back at the retreat center getting ready for a new group of veterans.
He donned his informal disguise when he took her to the airport, managing to stay incognito the whole time. Before she got in the security line, he tugged her into a secluded corner beyond the ticket counters and held her close.