At the end, there would be two champions in each event. One was the average winner, who won the NFR by having the best cumulative time or score in his or her event over the ten rounds. The other was the world champion, the person who finished the year with the most money, including what he or she earned at the NFR. For each event, the average winner and world champion might be the same person.
Once Billy got to Las Vegas, he rode better than ever, consistently placing first or second in every round. Before and after each ride, he’d find them in the crowd and wave. She and Renie were the recipients of several dirty looks from girls in the stands whenever he raised his hat and smiled in their direction.
Ben sat in The Goat nursing a coke, a little out of it. There wasn’t enough snow to ski, the boys were with Christine, and he was bored. Worn out from the tour and the emotional roller coaster with Liv, he didn’t want to play, or write songs, or do much of anything.
When he looked at the big screen TV on the other side of the bar, the last thing he expected to see was Liv, but there she was with Junior, bigger than life. The news ticker across the bottom of the screen read, “Billy Patterson, NFR’s Saddle Bronc Champion.” Based on the smile on Billy’s face, it was Liv he planned to celebrate with.
Ben felt as though someone sucker punched him.
22
It snowed Christmas morning, and a beautiful white blanket covered the ground. Liv and Renie were joining the Pattersons later, and Billy promised to take them out on a sleigh ride after dinner.
“Let’s go skiing tomorrow,” Liv said to Renie when they finished opening presents.
“That sounds wonderful. Are you sure you’re up to it?”
“Won’t know for sure until I’m on the slope.”
“Where, Mom?”
“Where else would we go, Renie? Crested Butte.”
“Is there something you want to tell me?”
Liv hadn’t heard a word from Ben since the night in the hospital. For a couple weeks, she continued to check the social media feeds.
She saw photos of his boys that he posted right after Thanksgiving, an outing the three of them took together. They were beautiful boys.
Liv closed her eyes, and imagined how their Christmas morning would be. In her daydream, Ben’s boys were with him, at his parents’ house. Will and Matt, and their wives, were there, too.
Whenever she thought about Ben, she could see him so clearly, as though she was with him. Like every other time, she didn’t want to open her eyes and have him go away. He crept closer, so close she felt his breath, his arms, his kiss. The ache for him spread throughout her body.
“I have to see him, Renie. I have to try. I love him.”
“Come in here and talk to me for a minute,” Ginny said to Ben.
Ben smiled and gathered his mother into him for a hug. “Yeah, Mama?” Thank goodness he had his family around him today. They distracted him enough that morning that he only thought about Liv two or three hundred times.
“I’m worried about you, Ben. Is there anything you can do?”
“About?”
“Don’t. You know what I mean. Let’s not waste time playing games.”
“It’s over. There isn’t anything to do about it. If you work that hard and it still doesn’t come together, it’s time to give up and move in another direction.”
“She’s the one for you.”
“Thanks, Mom. It makes me so happy to hear you say that.” Ben walked away from her.
“Do something about it, Ben. Do something.”
“What? What the hell am I supposed to do? Jesus—”
“What’s going on in here?” Bud asked, coming in through the kitchen archway. “You’re raising your voice to your mother on Christmas, Ben?”
“I’m sorry, Mama.” He pulled her into another hug.
“I’m sorry, Dad.”
“It’s okay, Bud. I started it. I’m pushing him to contact Liv, which means I’m pushing his buttons.”
Bud shook his head and walked back out of the kitchen.
“We’re both so worried about you,” his mom continued.
“She’s with somebody else.”
“How do you know that?”
“I saw them together.”
“Oh.”
Even if she wasn’t, Ben wasn’t sure he had the balls to try again with her. She hurt him. Bad. He couldn’t imagine opening himself up to her again.
She knew where to find him. If she wanted him, she could make the first move this time. Which, obviously, she hadn’t. Again, he had his answer. He needed to keep reminding himself she meant more to him than he did to her.
“We’re leaving in the morning,” Liv told Dottie after dinner. Renie and Billy were sitting in the family room, in front of a roaring fire.
“Who’s leaving in the morning?” Billy asked Renie.
“We are. We’re going skiing. Billy, do you ski? Why don’t I know that about you?”
“Not my thing.”
“Have you ever tried it?”
“Can’t say as I have. Where you headed?”
“Crested Butte,” Liv answered.
“That’s where Ben lives.”
“Yes, it is, Billy.”
“You gonna see him?”
“I’m going to try.”
Dottie put her hand on Liv’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you, sweetheart. You gotta take the chance. The same way you have to get back on Micah and race again.”
Both things terrified her, but Dottie was right. She had to take the chance. She’d never forgive herself if she didn’t.
All these years she resented not chasing her dream, but her dream wasn’t just to barrel race, her dream was to spend the rest of her life with the man she loved, and she could only do that if she told him so.
He saw Renie first. He was next in line for 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?
Seconds later, Ben saw her, the woman who held his heart. Liv was skiing, and it was a beautiful sight. She was laughing, talking to her daughter, and skiing toward 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.
“Sorry,” Ben murmured to the lift operator. They couldn’t get out of line, so they moved up and took the next chair. Ben hoped he’d be able to find her when they came back down. If not, he’d camp out at the base of the mountain until he did.
Liv was in Crested Butte. That had to mean something, didn’t it? She had to know there was a chance she’d run into him. He wondered when she had gotten here. Surely they would’ve spent Christmas at home.
And where was Junior? Was he here with them? Just because he’d only seen Renie and Liv didn’t mean he wasn’t a minute or two behind them.
“How did it feel?” Renie asked Liv after they’d gotten their hot chocolate.
“Amazing! 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.”
“You look happy.”
“I’m having such a good time with you, Renie. Thank you for coming with me.”
“Are you going to call Ben? You’re not avoiding it, are you?”
“No, I’m not avoiding it. I’m going to call him tonight. I wanted to have a day with you first.”
“Okay, as long as you’re not backing out. I’m gonna hit the ladies room, and then you wanna take another couple runs?”
“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 on anything with her clunky ski boots, and bumped into someone.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t…” Liv tilted her head and looked up at the man she bumped
into.
“Ben! Oh my God.” She gasped and started to fall backwards. He caught her and righted her on her boots. Liv couldn’t take her eyes off him—here he was. She longed for this and dreaded it at the same time. Now what?
“Liv,” he said softly, “there’s a couple of people I want you to meet.”
His boys, she’d recognize them anywhere. They were such beautiful boys, 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, 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 for hot cocoa. Am I right?”
They nodded, and Renie motioned for them to follow her.
“Wait,” said Ben, trying to hand Renie money.
“Don’t worry, I got it.”
He watched them walk away, and took a deep breath before he turned toward Liv.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi.”
“I’m always bumpin’ into you.”
“I never watch 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.”
Liv took her helmet and gloves off and followed him. He motioned for her to take a seat on the couch next to the fireplace. Liv waited until he sat down, and then sat next to him.
“Good to see you’re back out on the slopes.”
“It’s great to be back. I just told Renie, I hadn’t thought about whether I’d be able to ski. Not until Christmas morning.”
“Did you have a nice Christmas?”
“It was okay, how about you?”
“Not the best, 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.”
“Ben, I—”
“How long are you in town?”
“Until the second. Ben…”
Ben reached out and touched her face again. Her eyes closed and she leaned her cheek into his hand.
“Is there anyone else with you?”
“No, we’re alone. Why?”
“I wondered if you brought a new boyfriend along with you.”
“Nope, no new boyfriend. What about you?”
“Nope, no new boyfriends for me either.”
“Very funny.”
“Ask.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I’m afraid to, Ben.”
He reached out, cupped her neck with his hand and pulled her closer to him. “There’s nobody. Nobody. Only you.” His eyes were dark, 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 lodge, all disappeared. He couldn’t hear anything other than her soft, sweet murmurs.
Liv pulled back from him. “Your boys,” she said.
His boys. He’d forgotten about his boys. Not that he minded them seeing him with Liv, but she was right―he needed to take a step back, at least while they were in the lodge.
Ben stared into her eyes. Nothing was any different. 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, they’re on boards, but they should be able to keep up.” Renie turned and smiled at the boys, who were about to argue.
“What about you, Ben? Are 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.
The five of them spent the afternoon together. Liv and Renie skied, Ben and the boys snowboarded. When they announced 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 the last time she was this relaxed…and happy. She took off her helmet, 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, cowboy.”
Ben leaned forward, his mouth 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 we need to talk first.”
“Wait, what? You want to talk. I can’t tell you how much that turns me on, baby.” He nipped at her neck.
“I know. Who am I?”
“Will you and Renie have dinner with us tonight?”
“We’d love to.”
“She’s good with my boys. They love her. You’ll be a distant second I’m afraid. They’re already 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 when he said today was one of the best he’d had in as long as he remembered. The last time he was this happy was the day they drove back from Woodward, Oklahoma, before her accident.
“I want pizza,” Ben heard Luke say when Renie came into the lodge, his boys in tow. Luke always wanted pizza, that didn’t surprise him.
“I’m sick of pizza,” argued Jake, standing up straighter than Ben had ever seen. “We should go to Uncle Matt’s restaurant.”
“What’s there?” asked Renie.
“Sushi.”
“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.
He shook his head, and smiled. Family and Liv. It’s what he wanted more than anything. He wanted forever with her, it was what he’d always wanted. Did she want the same thing? Is that why she came to Crested Butte?
“Sushi, then?” Ben asked Liv.
Liv smiled. “Sounds great.”
“Luke, you like sushi. Plus Uncle Matt will 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. He loved it.
When they walked into the restaurant, Matt stood near the end of the sushi bar. When he spotted Liv, Ben thought his brother might have strained his neck, his head spun around so quickly.
“Well, hello. This is? Remind me your name again.”
Ben almost choked. As if Matt didn’t remember her name. What a crock.
“Liv…Olivia. And this is 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,” Ben answered, 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, or tuna pizza, how’s that sound?” Luke started giggling and fell sideways, right into Liv. She reached around and hugged him closer to her, laughing with him. Suddenly Luke realized where he was—and there it was, Ben knew that look. Luke had fallen in love with Liv, too.
Luke monopolized the conversation with Liv for the rest of the night, which 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 at the beginning of December. She talked about the cowboys and the bull fighters and the barrel racers.
“Do you really race around barrels?” Luke asked.
“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.
“We call it chasing the cans,” Liv whispered in his ear.
“O-o-h…cool,” said Luke, as though he’d 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 pleasure ran through his body.
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’m sure Renie would say her childhood was perfect.”
Liv shook her head and laughed. “I doubt that. No father in her life, no siblings. There are definitely times I regret my choices and what they meant for her.”
Fall for Me (Cowboys of Crested Butte Book 1) Page 21