He laughed, though. Rich and warm and tender. “I did. And she said yes.”
“Well, it was about time. What happened to her?”
“We dated all through high school, despite the fact that her mom never approved. Then, I made a mistake. Let her take the blame for something stupid. I wasn’t even a smoker but, somehow, I made a total mess of our senior prom night. Tried to be cool. Caught a building on fire. But PJ—that’s her name—she was arrested for it.”
Oh no. Clearly, she’d been wrong about his innocence.
He looked at her, a little wrecked. “I don’t know that I’ve ever forgiven myself for it. That was the day I destroyed our relationship.”
“She didn’t forgive you?”
“She left town. I chased her across the entire country, hoping to beg for forgiveness. I returned home, empty-handed. Left on my football scholarship, then got injured. Went into the Army.”
She nodded. “And you met Caleb.”
“Yes. And then, about ten years ago, PJ came back to town. I’d waited all those years to apologize to her. Hoping we had a future. She accepted the apology, but it was too late.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “She moved on.”
The rejected wedding proposal.
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”
He nodded, as if to shrug it off.
Few men loved like that. None of the men she’d dated. Not Ravil.
Definitely not her father.
That kind of love was rich and passionate and poetic. A man who waited ten years. Ten. So, yeah, either PJ was crazy to have turned down that kind of love or God had a different plan for Boone. And, if Vivien played it right, maybe Operation Summer Love would help Boone find that special someone who could love him back—or, at least, show him the possibilities.
“It sounds like you really did need a change of scenery.”
He turned, his eyes settling on her. Smiled. “Yeah. The change of scenery has actually been good.”
“Isn’t this beautiful? I wanted to show it to you so that whenever you were feeling overwhelmed, you could sneak away to this amazing place.” She nodded toward the lake. “You should also try kayaking. It’s very relaxing.”
“Casper mentioned that.”
“There’s nothing quite like the open water, being so close to it. It’s like you become part of nature.”
“You sound very experienced.”
“I work at Wild Harbor Trading Post.” She winked. “You know, the acting gig doesn’t pay much and I’d be a terrible waitress.”
“So, I’m adding kayaking to my agenda.”
“Yes.” She opened her phone and scrolled to her photo of the Wild Harbor shift schedule to double-check. “How about Friday morning? I have just the instructor for you.”
“Sure.”
Vivien restrained herself from throwing her hands over her head in the universal “touchdown” signal. Instead, she met his smile. “Shall we head back? You probably have football practice.”
“I do.” He walked past her to the driver’s side. “But this time, I’m driving.”
That’s what he thought.
The sunshine cast crisp shadows across the field. Boone inhaled the fresh scent of mowed turf and finessed his grip on the football before giving it a short throw to Caleb. If only he could keep his brain focused on football. Not Vivien. Not the Russian ex-boyfriend who’d asked her back to New York City or the distant memories that stirred for him in the likes of PJ’s Russian brother-in-law.
He’d thought twenty-four hours might have cleared his brain. Nope.
The throw flew over Caleb’s head. Well, at least he’d been able to get his application for chief submitted. Now, he just had to bide his time in Deep Haven until he could get back to the real world. He took off to retrieve the ball.
Caleb held out a hand. “I got it.”
Boone took the opportunity to watch the players on the field. “Keep the ball on the tips, Sam,” Boone called to the backup quarterback. The boy nodded. He could tell they were trying to implement some of what he’d shown them the day before.
Caleb scooped up the ball. “Okay, I know you can throw better than that. I saw some good throws earlier in practice. You were telling the truth about having been the Kellogg High quarterback, right?”
“Sure, Rocket. Don’t you have it all on target?” Boone laughed. “You know—it’s been a few years.”
Caleb scrubbed his hand over his face, only partially concealing his smile. “I don’t think that’s the problem.”
Yeah. But there’d been something about being on the field, working with the kids at several of their practices that had bolstered Boone. Renewed his spirit.
Caleb blew the whistle. “Okay, guys, let’s wrap it up.” The players began gathering equipment and gear off the field.
“Thanks, Coach Buckam.” Johnny Dahlquist, his blond hair darkened with sweat, walked by with Sam.
“You’re welcome.” Boone stood behind the players as they each took a knee.
Johnny tossed a ball to Boone and he and Sam gathered into a jumbled circle with the rest of the team.
“I saw that last pass Boone threw,” Seb said to Caleb. “Are you sure this is the guy we want to help coach the team?” He grinned as he dropped a bag of footballs and cones along the sideline before stepping into position for one last huddle with the team. The hem of his well-worn World’s Best Donuts T-shirt hung in tatters over his athletic shorts.
Caleb looked at his players kneeling and patted Seb’s shoulder. “Tomorrow we’ll split you up for the blue-and-white scrimmage game. But remember—you’re all one team. The scrimmage is just for fun. Kickers, take a dinner break and then meet us back here at six.”
The team gave a single clap in unison. “Okay. Go ahead and get your gear stowed. We’ll see the rest of you back in the weight room tomorrow morning.” Another clap.
Stay focused. Boone’s brain had been a muddle all morning at the prospect of kayaking with Vivien. Oh, sure, he’d played it off. They were friends.
Except she left a vacancy in her absence. Wheedled her way under his skin. Brightened his day.
Like when she’d handed him the script at the auditions and asked him to read the male lead. How she’d nearly kissed him. Okay, maybe he’d almost done the kissing. The way she spoke to him—flirted with him, even—but he couldn’t tell anymore. He had to face it—she was a flirt. But she had asked him to go kayaking. So, there was that.
And when she’d asked, his heart had reached for something his brain wasn’t ready for. Because, for the first time in his adult life, he could feel what he’d been missing and it had thrummed through every part of his body, electrifying his world.
The truth was, it felt good to be invited. Wanted. Being with her always felt a little exhilarating.
Oh, what was he thinking? He wasn’t sticking around. In four more weeks, he’d be back in Kellogg, vying for the police chief job.
“You want to talk about it?” Seb tossed a ball at Boone. “Whatever’s on your mind?”
“Nope.” Boone fumbled the ball and snagged it off the grass.
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with Vivie, would it?” Caleb waggled a brow and walked out several yards for a pass.
Boone sent another high throw at him. Caleb just barely managed to jump and pull it in with one hand. Boone shook his head. “Man, I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me today.”
Caleb held the ball. Gave him a look. “Really? You have no idea? None whatsoever?”
Boone shrugged.
“I’ll tell you what.” He used the ball to point at Boone. “I think you’re rusty.”
“You know I haven’t played in years.”
“I don’t mean football. I think your relationship game is rusty.” He shot the ball to Seb.
Seb caught it. “From what I’ve heard around town, that might be it.”
“Oh, so, what? You two are replacing Chuck Woolery?”
/> “Who?” Seb threw it again.
Caleb laughed. “Some old television dating show host from the eighties and nineties. I’m not even sure how you remember it.” He shook his head. “I’ve got Issy, though. You know she used to have a radio talk show all about finding your match.”
“I’ve dated.”
“I don’t mean PJ,” Caleb said.
Oh, he just had to say her name. Boone caught the ball. Held it. “Not PJ. I’ve dated other women. And, let’s not forget, I’m only here for four more weeks.”
“Those lawyers and ER nurses don’t count.” Caleb walked up and plucked the ball out of Boone’s hands. “Actually, let’s go ahead and get the cones set up for the kickers.”
Seb grabbed the stack of orange cones from the bag and they walked out onto the field.
“What’s wrong with them? They’re about the only women I meet. And, I’ll have you know, there was a reporter too.” Boone took several cones and began setting them up parallel to Seb’s. He wasn’t exactly Romeo when it came to the dating scene. The only time he perused dating profiles or clubs was for an investigation. “Unless I’m arresting them and, well, that’s an automatic disqualification.”
“Well, first of all, none of them have stuck around, have they?”
Okay, well, he had a point. Except… “For the record, I’m usually the one doing the breaking up.”
“And why do you think that is?”
Because, if he were honest, none of them ever captured his attention. They were nice. Kind. Several were even Christian.
But they didn’t spark any part of his imagination. Maybe they had too much in common. The last thing he wanted to do was sit around debating the merits of a probable cause affidavit over dinner.
No. They didn’t make him laugh.
Didn’t make him plunge into new things like…kayaking. Or helping with a playhouse show.
Caleb dropped the last cone and made his way back to Boone. “Seems like you’re keeping yourself busy.”
“I got my application turned in.” Boone puffed up his chest. “You may be looking at Kellogg’s next chief.”
“Is that really what you want?” Caleb folded his arms across his chest. “I mean, I totally support you if it is.”
Boone nodded. “Yeah. Of course.”
Embrace the life you have, not the one…others expect you to have.
This was different. His ticket to public approval. Even though he’d told Caleb several years ago about his mother’s past and her rehab after Boone got shot, he probably couldn’t quite grasp what it was like to grow up in the shadow she’d cast. How many times he’d had to hide her bottles of gin and vermouth as a teen. Keep her from answering the door when her words had slushed together and her legs swayed. Knowing every time he stood next to his father, the question everyone had.
And wondering if his dad had the same question—was he really Boone’s father?
Thankfully, Caleb moved on to a new subject.
“So, now that you’ve helped with a few practices, what do you think of the team?”
“They’re young, huh?” Boone reached his right arm across his chest, pulling it with his left hand into a stretch against himself before alternating arms.
“They are.” The three walked back to the sideline. Caleb picked up the ball. Stared at the field. He wore what Boone had come to know as his standard uniform. Athletic pants and a T-shirt. “What do you think, Boone?”
Boone pressed his lips together in thought, then offered, “I think you’ve got some talent. They just need direction and discipline. Focus.”
Caleb nodded. “I agree with that. It’s like they don’t quite believe who they are yet. They need to quit trying to prove they’re good enough and just let their natural talent shine. Know their strengths and address their weaknesses.”
Boone nodded. “Are there more ways I can help?”
“Maybe just get in there at a few more practices to help the quarterbacks with some skill drills.” Caleb tossed the ball back to Boone. “You’ve always had a knack for relating to people.”
“I can do that, though I’m also committed to helping with the community theater event—” He stopped himself. Too late, judging by the silly grins of his companions.
Seb smiled. “So, the rumor you’re also helping Vivien with her play is true.” He rocked back on his heels. “I heard you even auditioned for it—but I didn’t believe it.”
“Oh, I sure catch a lot of flak for that.” Boone held out a hand. “For the record, I am behind the scenes. I just helped her do a demonstration at the auditions.”
“Right.” Caleb and Seb exchanged a look. “Okay.”
Caleb sat down on the bench and rubbed his thigh.
“Next Friday night’s the big scrimmage.” Seb looked at Boone.
“Got any great plays up your sleeve? An ace to pull when things are in a tight spot and you’re down to the wire?” Caleb eyed Seb.
Seb smiled. “I’m not telling if I do.”
Oh, that was right. Seb and Caleb squared off against each other in the blue-white scrimmage.
Caleb laughed. “Anything like Quarterback Chaos?”
“I still can’t believe you used it against me during our first game.”
“It was a good play. Not the kind you can use all the time—but, on those rare occasions.”
Seb nodded. “Those are the best. I’ll never forget the first time Coach Presley used it.” He laughed.
“That’s Issy’s dad—he was the former coach,” Caleb clarified.
Boone nodded.
“We won homecoming with it against a team we never thought we’d beat.”
“Nice,” Boone said.
“Everyone was screaming—the town went wild. I’ll never forget Vivie—she was freaking out. She was a cheerleader.” Seb started laughing. “She was running at the team, jumped on top of the pile like we’d just won the Super Bowl.” He shook his head. “Oh, my word. That girl.” He looked at Boone. “You picked a real firecracker. There’s no one like Vivie.”
Boone smiled. Well, maybe it was time to just roll with it. Admit that she had done more than pique his interest. “She is pretty fantastic.” He looked at his watch. “And, speaking of—I need to get going. I have a kayaking lesson.”
“Oh, let me guess. You’re heading over to Wild Harbor?” Seb waggled his brow.
“Interesting.” Caleb gave Boone a soft punch in the shoulder, eyeballed him with a self-satisfied smirk on his lips. “It just so happens that Vivien’s an instructor there.”
Boone wasn’t the kind of guy to flush. Get embarrassed. Yet, there was annoying heat on his face. “Yeah. I know. Thanks, ‘Chuck.’”
“Is this a date?” Caleb looked to Seb, who wore a similar smirk. “Maybe he isn’t as rusty as I thought.”
“Maybe not,” Seb answered. “As long as he knows what he’s getting himself into.”
Boone laughed. “I’ll see you gentlemen later—after you run that team of yours through a few drills this afternoon.”
“Can’t wait to hear all about it.” Caleb gave him a pat on the back on his way past.
And, well, maybe those were first-date jitters he felt on the drive to Wild Harbor Trading Post. He imagined the camera-ready Vivien pursuing athletic endeavors. Somehow, out of all his outdoor activities, kayaking was the one thing he hadn’t tried. He wasn’t the guy who took risks unless it involved chasing suspects or leads.
Not putting his heart out there. But he’d found he couldn’t help himself. He’d step out of his comfort zone for her. Even his counselor thought it was a good idea—though he was pretty sure Rachelle meant the kayaking part, not the Vivien part.
There was something about her—both beautiful and capable—that he couldn’t resist.
He entered Wild Harbor and let his eyes adjust to the interior lights. Like so many North Shore outdoor shops, the merchandise was in seasonal transition. Clearance swimsuits hung near winter coats and wool glov
es.
“Hey, Boone, you made it.” Vivien came out from behind the counter, all smiles. She wore an off-the-shoulder blouse and a skirt.
It didn’t quite look like kayaking attire.
“Hey, Viv,” he said. He looked at her feet.
She wore sparkly leather sandals. Nope. It didn’t take one ounce of detective skill to see she wasn’t dressed for kayaking.
“Ready to kayak?” she asked and then glanced at a petite woman, barely five feet tall, who stood in a dry suit behind a rack of brightly colored life jackets, guiding what appeared to be a family of tourists through the selection and fitting process. “I’ll tell Beth you’re here.”
Beth? The library employee?
He caught a glimpse of her face when she looked up at him with big green eyes.
Chapter 7
Nothing soothed the heart and soul like a sweet, new romance. The adrenaline. The excitement. The sheer joy of it all.
That’s exactly what Boone needed.
Vivien cast a gaze across the Wild Harbor Trading Post’s newest collection of outdoor gear to where Beth was helping a family fit their children with life jackets for their vacation. Yes. Summer love—carefree, charming, and deliciously ephemeral.
Law and Order had no idea how grand a day he was about to have. The thought of it bubbled up with the same anticipation of an audition.
“It looks like she’s with customers right now, so I’ll wait. But you look good today.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Everyone keeps telling me how fantastic kayaking is. I’m not sure what to think.” He wore hiking pants and a long-sleeve T-shirt. A smattering of whiskers darkened his jawline and he set those blue eyes on her. And then, the smile. The megawatt, Hollywood-worthy smile. “I’m looking forward to finding out.”
She blinked. Swallowed. Beth. Beth. Beth. Beth was the right girl for Boone. Vivien could write that script herself—the worn-out detective finds renewal and love in the company of a sweet, quiet woman. “You’re going to love it.” She went back around the counter.
Boone pulled out his wallet.
“Oh, no. Today’s an introductory lesson. On the house. Just sign off on the waiver form.”
Then Came You Page 11