And Then You Fall (Crested Butte Series)

by Heather A Buchman

  Liv thought about it for a minute. “No Renie, I can’t spend New Year’s Eve in Crested Butte. It’s too much.”

  “If it is, we’ll come home. But if we want to stay, I want us to be able to. We don’t have to ski all six days, we can take day trips and do other things.”

  Liv supposed if they ate at the ski area every night, rather than going downtown, they’d have less of a chance of running into Ben, if he was even around.

  Maybe she’d check Twitter and see if he’d posted anything. But she’d do it later. They were late as it was getting to the Pattersons.

  “We’re leaving in the morning,” Liv heard Renie say to Dottie later that night, after dinner. They were sitting in the Patterson’s family room, in front of a roaring fire.

  “Who’s leaving in the morning?” Billy asked.

  “We are. We’re going skiing. Billy do you ski? Why don’t I know that about you?”

  “Not really. Not my thing.”

  “Have you ever tried it?”

  “Can’t say as I have.”

  “Why don’t you come up with us? You can give it a try and if you don’t like it, there’re plenty of other things to do there.”

  “Where’re you headed?”

  “Crested Butte.”

  Liv saw Billy tense up. “That’s where Ben is from.”

  She was surprised to hear Billy knew that. “Yes, it is, but Renie and I have been going there since she was a little girl. It’s our favorite place to ski. I’m not going to avoid it because an old boyfriend happens to be from there.”

  “How long you stayin’?”

  “Renie made reservations through New Year’s Eve.”

  “I can’t come up tomorrow, but maybe I’ll head up later in the week.”

  “I’ll be back in a minute.” Liv got up and went into the kitchen. Dottie followed her.

  “Hey sweet girl, whatcha lookin’ for?”

  “Oh nothing, just needed to stretch my legs.”

  “Renie told me you’re headed to Crested Butte.”

  “I don’t know Dottie, this feels wrong. It’s his home.”

  “You gotta take the chance Liv. Just like you gotta get back on Micah and race again. You gotta live sweetheart.”

  ***

  He saw Renie before he saw Liv. He was next up to get on the lift and was focused on Jake and Luke, making sure they had their boards lined up and were paying attention. He looked up and there she was, flying down the hill. She looked behind her, who was she looking for? Was Liv with her?

  And there she was, the woman who held his heart. Liv was skiing, what a beautiful sight. She was laughing, talking to her daughter, skiing over to the racks. They must be taking a break.

  “Daddy!” Luke yelled. Ben hadn’t been paying attention and they hadn’t moved forward to get the next chair.

  “Oh sorry.”

  They moved up and took the lift. He’d look for her when they got back down the mountain. He hoped he’d be able to find her. If not, he’d camp out by the ski racks until they came back. Even if it wasn’t until tomorrow morning. They’d have to get their skis sometime.

  She was here. In Crested Butte. That had to mean something. She had to know there was a chance she’d run into him. He wondered when she had gotten here. Maybe yesterday. Surely they would’ve spent Christmas at home.

  And where was Cowboy Patterson? Maybe he was here with them. Just because he’d only seen Renie and Liv didn’t mean he wasn’t a minute or two behind them.

  ***

  “So how did it feel?” Renie asked her after they’d gotten their hot chocolate.

  “Amazing, it felt so amazing. I love to ski so much. I was so wrapped up in not being able to ride again it didn’t occur to me that I might not be able to ski. I’m so thankful I can.”

  “You looked great Mom. And you look happy.”

  “I’m having such a good time with you Renie. Thank you for doing this, getting me to go.”

  “My pleasure, I’m just glad you finally agreed. We are going to have a great week.”

  “We are that.”

  “I’m gonna hit the ladies room. You ready to get back out there yet?”

  “You bet. I’ll meet you down by the skis.”

  Liv paid the bill, refastened her boots, and put on her helmet and gloves. She walked toward the door, looking down to make sure she didn’t trip over anything with her clunky ski boots, and bumped into someone.

  “I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking . . .” Liv tilted her head up and looked straight at the man she’d just bumped into. Ben Rice.

  “Oh my God,” she gasped and started to fall backwards. Ben caught her and righted her on her boots. “I’m so sorry.”

  She tried to flee, but he still had his hand on her arm.

  “Slow down for a minute. Just take it easy.”

  Liv stared up at him. Here he was. She longed for this and dreaded it all at the same time. Now what?

  “Liv,” he said softly, “there are a couple of people I’ve always wanted you to meet.”

  Liv looked in the direction Ben was and saw his boys. She’d recognize them anywhere. They were such beautiful boys, just like their father.

  “Olivia Fairchild, I’d like you to meet Jacob and Lucas Rice.” Liv extended her hand and both boys shook it. They were polite too, again, just like their dad.

  “It’s very nice to meet you both,” said Liv.

  “You too, ma’am,” they said in unison.

  “Ready Mom?” Renie said adjusting her helmet and goggles. “Oh! Hi Ben.”

  “Hi Renie, it’s nice to see you,” Ben answered. “These are my boys, Jake and Luke. Boys this is Liv’s daughter, Renie.

  Renie took her helmet back off and tossed her head around to fix her hair. “Helmet head,” she said, and both boys laughed. “Bet you’re in here looking for some hot cocoa. Am I right?”

  They nodded. Ben realized at that moment what a beautiful girl Liv’s daughter was. His boys would likely follow her to the ends of the earth, just like he’d follow her mother there.

  Renie motioned for them to follow her.

  “Wait,” said Ben, trying to hand Renie some money.

  “Don’t worry, I got it.”

  He watched them walk away, and took a deep breath before he turned and looked at Liv.

  “Hi,” he said.

  “Hi.”

  “I’m always bumpin’ into you.”

  “I’m never looking where I’m going.”

  Ben touched the side of her face. “It’s so good to see you.” Someone else bumped into Liv and he realized they were standing in the doorway.

  “Come with me,” he said. “Let’s get out of the way.”

  “I should probably—”

  “Please Liv, come with me,” he said again, in that stern voice he used that made her melt a little.

  She took her helmet and gloves off and followed him. He motioned for her to take a seat next to the fireplace. There was only a sofa open, she sat down near the end and he sat right next to her.

  “Good to see you’re back out on the slopes.”

  “It’s great to be back. It feels so good to ski again. I was just telling Renie, I hadn’t thought about whether I’d be able to ski. Not until Christmas morning, when she suggested we go.”

  “Did you have a nice Christmas?”

  Jesus, she thought, were they making small talk? “Yes, it was nice. How about you?”

  “It wasn’t the best ever, but Christmas is always fun with the boys.”

  “So they were with you then?”

  “After about mid-morning. They’re used to waking up with their mom then coming to my place a couple hours later.”

  What were they going to talk about next, oh God, she couldn’t do this. It was so awkward between them.

  “How long are you in town for?”

  “Quite a while actually. Renie reserved a room for us through the first.”

  Ben reached out and touched her fa
ce again. Her eyes closed and she leaned her cheek into his fingers. It felt so good, she hadn’t meant to do it, her body just reacted to him instinctively.

  “Is there anyone else with you?”

  “What? Um, no. Just Renie and me. Why?”

  “I thought maybe you brought a new boyfriend along with you.”

  “Nope, no new boyfriend. What about you?” Oh no, what made her ask him that? If he had someone in his life, she absolutely did not want to know.

  “Nope, no new boyfriends for me either.”

  “Very funny.”

  “Ask.”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t want to know.”

  “Why not?”

  “Ben, stop it,” she moved so her face was further away from his fingers.

  Ben reached out, cupped her neck with his hand and pulled her closer to him. “There’s nobody. Nobody. Just you.” His eyes were dark, dangerous, angry when his lips covered hers. His kiss was just as angry, just as dangerous.

  Her cry was stifled by his mouth on hers.

  He licked her lips with his tongue, bit her bottom lip and crushed his mouth back into hers for more. There was nothing like kissing her. Nothing.

  Whoever else was sitting near them, the rest of the people in the restaurant, all disappeared. He couldn’t hear anything other than her soft, sweet murmurs.

  Liv pulled back from him. “Your boys,” she said, looking around behind her.

  His boys. He’d forgotten about his boys. Not that he minded them seeing him with Liv, but she was right, he was out of his head with wanting her. That wouldn’t be good for his boys to experience today.

  Ben stared into her eyes. Nothing was any different. All the hurt, longing, anger, pain—none of it mattered. He loved every single thing about this woman, the good, the bad, all of it.

  Renie returned with Ben’s boys in tow. “They’re ready to go back out. Do you want me to take them? I’m on skis, looks like they’re on boards, but they should be able to keep up.” Renie turned and smiled at the boys who were just about to protest her dig.

  “I can head out too,” Liv said. “Ben, how about you? You ready to get back out on the hill?”

  No, he wasn’t. He wasn’t ready to do anything but get Liv alone and out of her clothes. But for now, he’d get back on the hill anyway.

  The five of them spent the afternoon together. Liv and Renie skied, Ben and the boys snowboarded. When the announcement came over that the lifts would be closing in fifteen minutes, Renie offered to take Jake and Luke up one more time if Ben and Liv wanted to relax for a few minutes.

  “That was the best afternoon I’ve had in a very long time,” Ben said. “I’m sure my boys would agree.”

  “Me too.” Liv didn’t remember ever feeling so relaxed . . . and happy. She took off her helmet and gloves and started to unfasten her boots.

  “Here, let me help you with that,” Ben offered. He knelt down and ran his hand up the inside of her leg.

  “Uh, my boots are in the other direction mister,” Liv teased.

  Ben leaned forward so his mouth was next to her ear. “I cannot wait to be alone with you Liv. Am I wrong about this? Please tell me you want this as much as I do.”

  “I do Ben, but I think we should talk first.” She almost couldn’t believe she said it. He was the one who always wanted to talk about everything, not her.

  “Wow, you want to talk. I can’t tell you how much that turns me on baby.” He nipped at her neck playfully.

  “I know. Who am I?”

  “Will you and Renie have dinner with us tonight?”

  “I’ll have to ask her, but I’m sure we’d love to.”

  “She’s good with my boys. They love her. You’ll be a distant second I’m afraid. They already look smitten.”

  “I will not begrudge my daughter your boys’ affection. I’m generous that way.”

  There were so many ways she was generous. She had no idea. He hadn’t been exaggerating, today was one of the best he’d had in as long as he could remember. In fact, the last time he remembered feeling this way was the day they drove back from Woodward, Oklahoma, before her accident.

  This was something new for them, Liv would be spending time with his boys. He had no idea what to expect. She interacted with them on the hill, but they were so taken with Renie and getting her attention, they didn’t pay much attention to their father’s girlfriend.

  Renie came in with the boys.

  “No, I want pizza,” he heard Luke say. Luke always wanted pizza, that didn’t surprise him.

  “I’m sick of pizza,” said Jake, clearly trying to look more worldly, or more mature. “We should go to Uncle Matt’s restaurant.”

  “What’s there?” asked Renie.

  “Sushi.”

  “Oh, a man after my heart. I love sushi.”

  Ben watched as her response took his son completely over the top. Renie Fairchild may very well be Jake Rice’s first love. This would make family get-togethers interesting.

  He shook his head, he couldn’t believe that was where his thoughts went. It was what he wanted, and he intended to get it. He wanted forever with Liv, it was what he’d always wanted. This time he wouldn’t let go of it.

  “Sushi then?” Ben asked Liv.

  “You know it’s good by me.”

  “Luke, you like sushi. Plus Uncle Matt will pretty much make you anything you want.”

  “Pizza? Will he make me pizza? ’Cause that’s what I want Dad.”

  Ben ruffled Luke’s hair. This was what happiness felt like. It was a very good feeling.

  When they walked into LoBar, Matt was standing near the end of the bar. When he spotted Liv, Ben was afraid his brother might have strained his neck, his head spun around so quickly. Matt walked toward them.

  “Well hello. This is? Remind me your name again.”

  Ben almost choked. As if Matt didn’t remember what her name was, what a crock.

  “Liv . . . Olivia. And I don’t believe you’ve met my daughter. Renie, this is Matt, Ben’s brother.”

  Renie stepped up to shake his hand. “Pleasure,” she said.

  “A table tonight Ben? Something away from the noise of the sushi bar?”

  “That sounds great,” answered Ben, not bothering to look in Matt’s direction. His eyes were focused on Liv’s smile, and he intended to keep them there.

  Matt led them to a table near the back, hidden away from the rest of the place. “You’ll get fewer interruptions back here,” he said as he placed menus in front of Liv and Renie.

  “Daddy said you’d make me pizza,” said Luke.

  “You want pizza, you’ll get pizza . . . how about squid pizza, or octopus, maybe tuna pizza, how’s that sound?” Luke started giggling and fell sideways, right into Liv. She reached around and hugged him closer to him, laughing with him. Suddenly Luke realized where he was and looked up at her. And there it was, Ben knew that look, Luke had just fallen in love with Liv too.

  Luke monopolized as much of the conversation with Liv as he could, for the rest of the night. It was okay with Ben, he enjoyed sitting back and listening to the two of them. Luke was a huge rodeo fan, and Liv told him about going to the finals only a few weeks ago. She talked about the cowboys and the rodeo clowns and the barrel racers.

  “Do you really race around barrels?” Luke asked her.

  “I do, but I’ll tell you a little secret, if you promise not to let anyone else know, unless they’re a real rodeo insider.”

  Luke nodded his head in agreement.

  “We call it chasing the cans,” Liv whispered in his ear.

  “O-o-h . . . cool,” said Luke, as though he’d just learned the secret of the universe.

  Ben reached his arm around her and pulled her back closer to him. He leaned down so his mouth was close to her ear. “I love you so much Olivia Fairchild.”

  She turned to him, and smiled before she brushed her lips across his. A shudder of p
leasure ran through his body.

  Chapter 21

  After dinner they walked down Elk Avenue. The boys wanted frozen yogurt and Renie made fun of them for wanting something cold when they were already freezing.

  “She’s very playful,” Liv commented to Ben as they walked behind them. “It’s too bad she never had any brothers or sisters.”

  “I think Renie would say her childhood was as close to perfect as one could be.”

  “I doubt that,” laughed Liv. “No father in her life, no siblings. There are definitely times I regret some of my choices and what they meant for her.”

  “Your daughter is one of the most gracious, seemingly well-adjusted people I’ve ever had the pleasure to get to know. You did a great job as her mother Liv.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate you saying so.”

  “You have no idea. It always takes me a while to remember.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You sincerely have no idea how great you are.”

  “Oh come on. I’m a sure thing cowboy, you don’t have to pile on the charm.”

  Ben thought he might lose it right there on the sidewalk in the middle of his hometown. Had she really just said that? Yesterday he would’ve predicted he’d never see her again. Tonight it was as though no time had passed at all since they were together happily. The hard times forgotten for now, for tonight. Unless that was what she wanted to talk about. He almost dreaded it. He didn’t want to talk about anything, he just wanted to hold her as close as he could get her. Skin on skin.

  “Will you stay at the house tonight?” he asked.

  “I don’t think you want to stay in the hotel room with Renie and me, do you?”

  “Uh, no,” he laughed.

  “Well then, I guess I better stay at your house.” She said if softly, demurely, seductively. Very, very soon Ben was going to have a difficult time walking.

  “I’m thinking horror movie marathon,” he heard Renie say to the boys.

  “Yeah,” said Jake.

  “Nooo,” said Luke. “Liv, I don’t want to have a horror movie marathon. Can we watch somethin’ else, just you and me?”

  Oh no, Luke wasn’t horning in on his time with Liv tonight. No way. There’d be plenty of time later for movie marathons with his boys. Tonight she was all his.