“Grace doesn’t give us a free ride.”
“It’s acceptance. Wherever you are.”
“I don’t know how to be anything else. I’m not sure if that’s acceptance or just brutal reality.”
She reached out, slid her hand down his arm until their palms touched, then wove their fingers together. “You don’t have anything to prove, Boone.”
“Says you.” He leaned back against the couch. “Little Miss Proving Herself.”
“Okay, yeah. Maybe.”
“Vivien, there’s no maybe about it. You know why I have to prove myself.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “What’s your story?”
Why-oh-why did she have to chase down answers about his past? Ask so many questions.
“Um, well…I told you about my dad.”
“Right—but that doesn’t explain walking away from a cool theater gig in New York City.”
“I went off to New York City. Twice. And twice I came running back to Deep Haven.”
“Why?”
“I think the first time, I was just overwhelmed by the city. The world of theater in New York City. I wasn’t in Kansas anymore. I was in acting school and I froze. Just completely froze on stage. I dropped out of acting school—even though it was my big dream.”
He nodded. “That’s understandable. You were all alone in a new city—a huge one, at that. And the second time? Was it because of Ravil?”
She closed her eyes. Shook her head.
She let out a breath. “I told you how Joslyn and Ravil…”
He nodded.
“She was my understudy in New York and, well, something happened right before I went on stage one night and I froze. Just stood there under all the stage lights. A packed house. And I choked.” Her shoulders dropped. “Joslyn got my role and my boyfriend.”
“You don’t want a guy like that.”
She let out a sad laugh. “No.”
“What happened that made you freeze?”
She lifted a shoulder. “I had this fan. Dennis Campbell. He was a bit…overzealous.”
“What does that mean, exactly?” He frowned, a bit of the cop inside flashing into his eyes.
She gave him a smile she didn’t feel. “He’d show up in a lot of different places I frequented. Around my neighborhood. Around the theater.”
Boone straightened. “Did you contact the police?”
“Nothing he did ever ventured into the criminal. Just troublesome.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “One night, I went into my dressing room and he was there. And there were roses everywhere and he was telling me how much he loved me—” She shivered, the hairs on her neck standing at the memory. “Somehow, he got between me and the door, and then, he cornered me.” She could still smell the onions on his breath. Feel his cold, clammy hands on her arms.
Boone’s jaw flexed. “Vivien…” And she could read the question in his eyes.
“No—nothing happened—I screamed and Ravil came in. Threw him out. But then, I had to go out on stage, and I just—I just froze.”
“Why didn’t you call the police?”
“Ravil said it would be bad for the show. Bad for business.” She shrugged. “I believed him.”
“You’re more important than business.”
“Well, it didn’t matter. I was fired anyway. That’s when Joslyn got my role.” She swallowed. Blinked back the moisture in her eyes. “Ravil’s mom had been extremely sick with a rare form of cancer. He needed the show to be successful to pay for her treatment.”
“So, you came back to Deep Haven.”
She nodded. Twisted the hem of her shirt in her fingers. “I figured I could come back here and give to the community what theater gave me growing up. If I can do that, maybe I’m not a complete failure. I want to make a difference. Not just be a pretty face.”
“You are making a difference here. Look at the cast list. I’ve heard people talking around town about the show.” He studied her. “But you still want to go back to New York City?”
“Sometimes. I think about it. I mean…it’s hard to give up something you’ve worked your whole life for.”
He nodded. “Yeah. It is.”
She picked up the stack of papers and shoved it into her tote bag with her pen. “Thanks for helping me do this.”
He nodded. “Anytime.”
She stood and tugged her bag onto her shoulder. “I’d better go. I told Ree I’d be home by seven for our movie night. I’m super late.”
“Right. Okay.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and didn’t make any move to kiss her.
Which was good, maybe?
At least, that’s what she told herself when she walked to the car. Because he was leaving and she absolutely, definitely, certainly did not need a relationship of the romantic variety.
No. Not at all.
She slid into the driver’s seat. “I’ll…see you tomorrow?”
“Yes, you will.” He closed her car door and walked back to his deck, where he stood like a sentinel to see her off.
Vivien’s feet hardly touched the porch steps when she arrived back at her house. She pretty much floated right past the walleye and trout and let herself inside.
“Where have you been all this time?” Ree sat on the couch in the living room, wearing her pink flannel pajama pants and oversized T-shirt, a large bowl of fresh popcorn in her lap, and two sodas on the coffee table. “You got off work hours ago.”
“With a friend.”
Ree smirked. “A friend named Boone?”
“Yes, Ms. Nosy.” Vivien plopped on the couch next to her. She grabbed the nearest soda and popped it open. Took a drink.
Ree grinned. “I’m a reporter. I can’t help it. My business is other people’s business.”
“Right.” Vivien slid off her Converse and worked her tired toes into the long shag of their area rug. “Where did you and Seth go tonight?”
“We caught the Blue Monkeys at the VFW and then stopped for ice cream.”
“Very sweet.” Vivien scooped popcorn from the bowl.
“Yes, he is.” Ree tucked her feet up on the couch. “Speaking of sweet, when are you going to dish on Boone?”
“There’s nothing to dish.”
“For such a good actress, you are a terrible liar, Viv.” She narrowed her eyes. “Have you kissed him?”
Vivien squirmed under Ree’s gaze and shifted in her seat. Heat crept up her neck.
Ree sucked in a breath. “Vivien Calhoun kissed Boone Buckam,” she declared like she was rattling off the lead for a news story.
Vivien stood and took a step toward the kitchen, but Ree snagged her sleeve and pulled her back onto the couch.
“Who-what-when-where-how?” She leaned forward and threw a handful of popcorn into her mouth.
“You left out why.”
“I’ve got two eyes. I know the why.” Ree grinned, playing with the engagement ring on her ring finger.
“Stop. It was a mistake.” She covered her face with her hands. “I made a terrible mistake and set him up with Beth for a kayak lesson-slash-date.”
Ree paused, a handful of popcorn halfway between the bowl and her mouth. “You did what?”
“It was a great idea.”
Ree blinked at her. “No. I’d say it wasn’t.”
Vivien shook her head. “It was. She’s exactly the kind of girl he needs.” She looked up at Ree, whose head was tilted.
Her friend’s mouth still gaped. “Really, Viv? If that’s true, how did his date with her end up with him kissing you?”
Vivien’s shoulders slumped. “The kayak lesson was a disaster and he got dumped in the lake.”
Ree’s eyes widened. She finished eating the popcorn in her hand.
“And then he left, mad.”
“I’ll bet.” Ree grabbed her Coke and took a drink.
“You’re not helping.”
“Okay, go on.”
“So, I went to find him and before I headed up to his cabin,
I picked up a coffee to take to him. He wasn’t at his cabin, but his car was there. And then I found him on the shore near his cabin and we were talking and I apologized and we kissed.”
“Wow—that’s some apology.”
“There was more conversation, but, I don’t know, he was standing there, looking at me like…like I’ve never had a man look at me. And I couldn’t help it. There was this tiny little pull, like a thread between us, and I don’t know…I just walked right up to him and grabbed his shirt and then suddenly he was kissing me. Really kissing me.”
Ree clutched her hands to her chest while still holding her Coke. “That’s so romantic.”
“Except, then he apologized and hightailed it back to his cabin to help me cast the play.” She frowned.
“Ouch.” Ree set down the popcorn bowl and soda onto the coffee table before wrapping her arm around Vivien’s shoulder.
“Right? Who apologizes for kissing someone who’d most certainly kissed him back?”
“So, you’re just as responsible for this kiss as he is.”
Vivien made a face. “Really, Ree?” She grabbed a handful of popcorn. “Don’t we have ice cream?” She finished chewing her popcorn. “Besides, he made absolutely zero move to kiss me again.” Vivien licked the butter from her fingertips. “But, it’s for the best. We’re friends, after all.” She grabbed another handful of popcorn. “And you know what? That’s all we can be. He’s got an opportunity for a promotion in Kellogg and I don’t even know if I’m staying in Deep Haven or going back to New York—so, really, it’s a good thing.” Probably.
“Just friends, huh?” Ree pulled the bowl away when Vivien reached for another handful.
“Just friends.”
She put the popcorn bowl back between them. “Okay, girl who says she’s not going to date anyone for a really long time but kisses the guy anyway and is upset he apologized.”
“Hey—you’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I just can’t figure out if it’s your pride that’s upset he apologized and didn’t make another move to kiss you or your heart that’s hurt over being slighted by someone you really care about.”
Yeah, well, Vivien didn’t even know the answer to that. “Let’s just watch our movie before all the popcorn’s gone. Did you decide on Roman Holiday or Casablanca?”
“I was thinking It Happened One Night.” She grabbed the remote. “Oh. Before I forget, there’s a package on the kitchen table for you.”
Vivien hopped off the couch, ready to leave all conversation about Boone behind, and walked into the kitchen to grab it. “I ordered a few props for the play. I was hoping they’d arrive before our first practice.” She carried the box back to the living room and opened the drawer of the coffee table, shuffling through until she found the scissors.
Ree rose from the couch and padded over to the kitchen. “You’re right. We’re going to need more popcorn. What do you think?”
“That sounds good.” Vivien slid the open scissor blade down the length of the box and popped open the lid. Frowned. “This isn’t my order.”
The box held another box. She looked at the original packaging for a return address, finding only a PO box.
“Did you forget what you ordered again?” The air popper started whirring and Ree walked back into the room. “That’s what happens when you shop online too much.” She laughed.
Vivien opened the second box and looked inside.
Breathe. Just breathe.
Except, the smell made her gag. She swallowed. Tried to still her shaking hands while she fumbled to close the box.
“Viv, what is it?” Ree came to stand next to her and tugged the box flap down so she could look inside. Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, the smell! Are those more black roses?”
Vivien closed the box lid on the burned roses and the basket that held them. Out of sight, out of mind. “It’s nothing.” She tried to shake away the stench that stung her nostrils.
Ree grasped Vivien’s wrist as she tried to shove the smaller box back into the larger one. “That’s something, Viv. Don’t think I’m letting you sweep this away again.” She took a deep breath and pulled open the box again.
It wasn’t any better on the third look. Not only burned, they smelled…putrid. Like they’d had remnants of a dead animal with them. “That’s disgusting and it’s creepy and you’re going to call the police.”
“We don’t need to involve the police.”
“Then call Boone. See what he says.”
“I’m not going to involve Boone. For one thing, this isn’t his jurisdiction. For another thing, the man came here to unwind. De-stress. Bug out. Under no circumstances am I going to call him about this.” So, what? She’d be labeled trouble just like that girl PJ? Nope. “Not happening.”
“Then you need to contact the police.”
“Let’s see, I was sent roses, so I’m going to the cops? I’m pretty sure that would be a first for them.”
“Those aren’t just any roses. They smell like death. They don’t whisper sweet nothings or good tidings. Not at all.” Ree sat down next to her. “You call the police or I will.”
“Come on, Ree. Just let it go.”
“You tried that once and it didn’t work. Call or I will.”
“Fine. I’ll file a report. But when it shows up in the Deep Haven Herald police log as ‘Single woman reports delivery of unwanted flowers,’ I’m blaming you.”
Ree handed Vivie her phone. “Here. Call the non-emergency number. It’s already in my contacts.”
“No. I can’t.”
“Then call Kyle.” She took the phone back and pressed the screen several times before shoving it back into Vivien’s hands.
Vivie pressed it to her ear, but even as she waited for him to answer, it added little comfort.
Boone walked through the unfinished Crisis Response Team headquarters early Saturday morning hoping to fill the restlessness he’d been fighting since he’d kissed Vivien. Since she’d poured out her story to him. Since he’d found himself looking forward to their next meetup.
And how she’d listened to him. Didn’t look at him differently after she’d found out about his family.
He’d tried reading his book. Spent far more time thinking about it than actually doing it. And staring at the lake had just let his thoughts take over. Left him wrestling with himself.
He blew out a breath and shook out his shoulders. He needed to get his mind off Vivien.
Because he only had four more weeks in Deep Haven. And then, he had a job to return to. A promotion, even, if he played his cards right. And that’s what he wanted.
Validation.
Because despite what Vivien said, grace was for someone else.
“Drywall or insulation?” Cole Barrett led the way through the building in his blue T-shirt with North Woods Crisis Response Team printed across the back.
Boone skirted around two buckets of paint. “Drywall.”
The headquarters building for the team had large bay doors along the first floor for vehicles and equipment. Most of the second floor held offices along with bunk rooms, locker rooms, and a kitchen.
“We’ll have a helicopter pad on the roof.” Cole’s voice echoed in the open, two-story end of the building they had stopped in. “There will also be a storage hangar for the helicopter in the winter.”
“Are you putting a climbing wall and rappelling platform in here?” Boone pointed to the bare wall where a walkway extended along the far side.
Cole leaned against the wall. “Yes, sir.”
“One of the posts I trained at was set up that way—we actually had a helicopter body mounted. If you have some creative welders in your arsenal, you could do something like that. Otherwise, you could just design it with a platform and skids.”
“Interesting idea. I’ve seen it done outdoors, but it’d be helpful to have it indoors for year-round training.” Cole looked up at the two-and-a-half story bay, as if considering it. “Tha
t’s a really good idea. I’ll have to look into which way we could go with it.”
Boone nodded and followed Cole down the hallway. See? He could do this—relax and get things done on vacation. Contribute. Not think of Vivie or the way she’d kissed him back.
Or the way his world had sort of exploded there, for a bit. He’d somehow put himself back together. Managed not to kiss her again.
Focus.
Cole made a note on his paper pad. “So, Army, huh?”
“I was. Served with Caleb Knight.” And if he had to guess, Cole had served too. “You?”
“Ranger.” Cole turned back down the hallway. “I never expected to land back here in Deep Haven. Not to stay. I actually had plans to become a US Deputy Marshal.” He lifted a shoulder. “God had other plans. Better than I could have imagined.”
That probably had something to do with the cute blonde wife with him at the parade.
Cole handed him a bucket of drywall compound. “I heard you’re helping Caleb coach.”
“I don’t know how much coaching I’m really doing, but I sure love being back on the field. I’m having a good time working with the quarterbacks and receivers.”
“It’s really a great group of kids.”
They continued down the hallway. “This is our kitchen-slash-break room and adjoining dining area.” Cole led him through the next door where the lower half of a plumber’s body was sticking out from under the sink. “Don’t mind us. Just passing through.”
A hand with a thumbs-up stuck out from open cabinet doors. “No problem. I’m almost done here and then you’ll be good to go for your kitchen space.”
Back in the hallway, Cole pointed to the far end of the hall. “Down there we have the women’s barracks and locker room.” He pointed in the opposite direction. “And the men’s is down this way.”
“Nice.” Boone nodded in approval.
“So, the team is new, too, not just this building?”
“Right. The area needs a higher level, organized response team. I was tapped as the sheriff’s department liaison and team coordinator. I’ll remain the department liaison, but the team will be hiring its own coordinator to take over management and training.”
“You’re giving that up?”
Then Came You Page 14