He’d been able to assist at four more football practices during the week. Rehearsals were okay—Vivien seemed happy with his role, even if he still felt a little ridiculous.
Rachelle had been encouraging at his Wednesday morning appointment and it was hard to beat ending each day with Vivien by his side. Who would have thought he’d be game for a classic movie marathon?
He still felt like he should be helping Caleb down on the field, but Caleb had insisted he take the night off. That he needed to sit back and relax.
Relax? Maybe. He still couldn’t believe Kyle had run into so many dead ends through the week. Vivien had an entire cast of suspects following her around the country. Lady Venom Half Sister. Creeper Fan. The Russian. The Prima Donna. Boyfriend Stealer. Cranky School Board Guy.
Who wasn’t a suspect?
Well, he’d have warned her if he had any idea Sabrina was going to show up in Deep Haven again. It seemed someone didn’t like people knowing she was overspending all her dad’s money.
Surprise, surprise.
Even after the confrontation, Vivien didn’t think she was the one sending the flowers. Maybe. Maybe not.
But tonight, he was going to bury all that. He had Vivien safe at his side, and he couldn’t wait to see how well the teams played.
“Don’t the cheerleaders need these?” He jostled the box of pom-poms as Vivien led them to the front of the parking lot.
“Oh, no. These are to sell. A fundraiser for the cheer squad.” She picked one up and waved it in the air. “Go Huskies!”
Vivien led him to a table near the entry gate where a large banner read Get Your Pom On! Several young girls in blue-and-white warm-ups stood with members of the high school cheer team and Issy.
“Oh, thank you, both,” Issy said.
Boone set the box down. “I definitely need to buy two.” He snagged a pair of pom-poms from the box and handed cash to one of the girls.
“Good luck, ladies,” Vivien said, tugging Boone toward the entry gate. “You know for a fact that I own at least ten blue-and-white pom-poms, right?”
Her smile did silly things to him. “They don’t need to know that.”
She turned around. Poked him in the chest with her finger. “You’re a good man, Boone Buckam.”
He didn’t know why, but the way she looked at him, her eyes filled with appreciation and contentment, made him feel like maybe he could be a good man.
The low rumble of a packed stadium filled the evening air.
It seemed everyone in town had shown up for the Friday night blue-and-white football scrimmage. The stands buzzed, and the smells of grilling hot dogs and fresh popcorn permeated the air.
“I love the sound of a packed stadium.” He squeezed her hand.
“We’ll be here all season.” Vivien looked up at him, mischief in her eyes.
They would. But he wouldn’t. The thought dipped his spirits. But he was getting better. In the last week, he’d finished an entire chapter of the stupid book Landry had given him, attended another counseling session without wanting to run, and even lowered his blood pressure another three points.
Deep Haven for the win.
“Hey, Vivie.” Courtney stood with a thick blanket tucked under her arm, her reddish-blonde hair stacked into a messy bun.
“Hi. Looks like you’re ready for the game. How’s the memorization going?”
“Excellent. I’ve almost got it all down.” She gave Boone a smile. “I saw an online post from Jason—he’s all settled into his home away from home.”
An evening breeze tugged at Vivien’s hair. “We’ll all be saying we knew him when…” She smiled.
“No doubt.”
“I meant to ask his parents how Colleen is doing.”
“I saw Annalise earlier and asked. She’s still in Minneapolis.”
“I sure worry about her.” Vivien turned to Boone. “Annalise is Jason’s mom. Her daughter, Colleen, is an ER nurse at Hennepin County Medical Center.”
“Wow. That’s pretty hard core. They see a lot of traumas there.”
Vivien nodded. “That’s what I’ve heard. I think her parents are always trying to get her to move back home.”
“I think so too,” Courtney added. She waved to someone in the crowd. “Oh—I’d better go grab my spot.”
“Absolutely. Enjoy the game. We’ll see you at rehearsal.”
Even rehearsals had gone surprisingly well—when he wasn’t muddling his lines. Watching Vivien’s gentle guidance and direction. Her tone softening her constructive criticism and her enthusiasm sparking energy from the cast. But his favorite treat? When Ellie Matthews joined them at rehearsal to play piano and stayed a little later to work on songs. Then, he got to hear the full, sweet resonance of Vivien’s voice. Not a car-ride sing-along. Open, flawless beauty.
Boone reached down, slid his hand around Vivien’s, and they walked through the ticket line with the rest of Deep Haven.
Tonight, he wanted to be part of the town with Vivien at his side.
And he let that feeling settle over him like the soft fog on his morning runs.
Vivien leaned in, her breath warm against his ear. “Normally, we wouldn’t have the cheerleaders out for this, but they decided it was a good opportunity to try some new cheers and acrobatics they’ve been working on.” They went through the line, walked through the fencing, and the field came into view. The crowd noise rumbled. She pointed with her free hand toward the musicians warming up. “Same with the band.” She squeezed his hand. “So, you get an extra special treat tonight.”
Oh boy. Her words and smile heated his core. He looked down at her, caught her eyes. “Definitely a special treat.”
She blinked. Smiled. And then he led her through the crowd, jostling for position as they climbed into the stands.
“Do you mind if we sit with Ree and Seth?” she asked, leaning into him so he could hear.
“Not at all.”
“Thanks.”
A voice called from nearby. “Hello, Vivien, Boone. Good to see you.”
Boone looked up to where Cole Barrett sat with a blonde woman and a young boy in the second row.
“My wife, Megan, and”—he paused a beat—“and my son, Josh.”
Megan sat snuggled up next to Cole, blonde hair loose at her shoulders and a Huskies T-shirt visible under her jacket.
“I’ve heard lots of good things around town about you.” Megan smiled, her glance flicking from Boone to Vivien and back again, and she smiled bigger.
Adrian and Ella came down the main aisle of the bleachers, passing them. He nudged Boone’s shoulder and gave a nod toward Cole’s wife. “Be careful. She’s a wedding planner.”
Oh, dear.
Boone turned back to Megan, raising his voice over the din. “You’re the one who made the goodies for the construction crew.”
“Yes. Cole says I’m not allowed to keep more than a dozen cookies or brownies in the house at any given time.”
Cole shot him a look with a smirk. “I’ve gained ten pounds since we got married this spring.”
“With baking skills like those, I’m not surprised.”
Cole leaned forward to let a family pass to the seats behind him. “I spoke with the design team and it looks like the structure can already accommodate the change with the helicopter mount for training if we go that route.”
“Fantastic.”
“Good call. I appreciate your suggestion.” Cole paused. “You know, we’ll be looking for someone to fill the Crisis Response Team Coordinator position. You might be a good fit.”
“Thanks. I think I’ll stick with drywall.”
“Join us any time. We’re eager to get the work done fast.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Sure. Come by and we’ll put you to work.”
“I’ll be there.”
Vivien led Boone down the front aisle, her eyes searching the stands above.
“They’re up there.” She pointed to the spot wh
ere Ree was waving to them.
They’d managed no more than three steps up the stands when another face he’d seen around town smiled and stood. A big man with dark hair and blue eyes.
“You’re the new guy helping coach?”
“A little. Just another body on the field,” Boone answered.
The man held out his hand. “Darek Christiansen. My son, Tiger, said you’ve been really helpful.”
“Boone Buckam. Thanks. He’s a strong player. Great kid.”
Darek gave him a slap on the back. “Enjoy the game.”
Boone nodded. “Thanks.”
They continued up the steps to their seats.
Vivien leaned toward him. “Everyone adores you.”
“I’m just helping out.” Except, her words warmed him. Because, for once, he really wasn’t the cop, the detective, or the town trash. He wasn’t PJ’s ex or Director Buckam’s maybe-son.
He was Boone. And shaking free of all the other personas and anchors that tied him to the past felt…liberating.
Especially since he could share it with Vivie.
They wove down the row to the empty seats Ree had saved.
“Have you met Ree’s fiancé, Seth Turnquist?” A bear of a man with reddish-blond hair. Boone shook his hand.
“Seth moved back to town late last year. Turnquist Log Homes—he’s a custom homebuilder.”
“Nice. How’s business going?”
“It’s been really good,” Seth said. He had his arm around Ree’s shoulders. “There are a lot of people wanting that perfect log house.”
Yeah, Boone included. He’d fallen in love with his cozy log cabin. “I always imagined one day I’d have a nice log home with a lake view.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“The timing’s never been right. And, let’s face it—a lake-view property in Kellogg isn’t exactly in the budget.” Add to that the fact that he’d expected to be married long before his thirty-seventh birthday. Have a family. Share his home with the people he loved.
Seth nodded. “Yeah, Kellogg’s got convenience. Supply and demand—those lakefront properties have become top-dollar sellers. I met a guy at a business meeting last week who’d been hired to remove an old ranch house and build a new custom home on Lake Minnetonka.”
Boone looked to Ree. “So, the question is, who gets to store the giant walleye and trout in their room until next year’s Fish Pic?”
Ree laughed. “You like those?”
Vivien unfolded the blanket. “I’m thinking they should be hung in the library. Maybe in the children’s section.”
Boone cut her a look. “They’ll give the kids nightmares.”
“Oh, stop. They will not.” But her eyes twinkled as she grinned at him.
Boone looked at his watch. “Do you want a hot dog?”
“Is it a football game without one?”
“No, ma’am, I don’t think it is. Pop?”
“Yes, please. Oh, and what about popcorn?”
“I think I can manage that.”
She tugged on his sleeve. “Hurry back so you don’t miss your team.”
“Excuse me.” Boone rose, made his way back to the main aisle before weaving his way to the concessions, letting her words thread their way through him. His team. It was really Caleb’s team. He was just the guy who helped out.
Boone took his spot at the back of the concession line. He recognized the robust form in front of him.
Gordy turned, his eyes meeting Boone’s.
“Hi,” Boone offered.
“Hi.”
Without his angry face on, he didn’t exactly look like the kind of guy who’d go stalking Vivien. He did have a reputation to uphold. Boone didn’t expect Gordy would be a savvy enough criminal to go to the extensive lengths Kyle indicated had been gone to.
Boone gestured toward the stands. “Just about everyone comes out for the big scrimmage game, don’t they?”
Gordy nodded. He looked Boone up and down. “I heard you’ve been helping out with the team.”
Boone nodded. “They’re a great bunch of kids.”
“We love our football around here.”
“I can tell.” He watched Gordy. “You know, Vivien’s doing a great job with the play.”
Gordy pressed his lips together. Just enough of a window for Boone to continue.
“She’s really grateful to be allowed back into the playhouse. She deserves it. Everyone is excited to see the fall show.”
Gordy stepped up to the counter and ordered a hot dog. “You really believe in her, huh?”
“I do. She’s got a big heart for the community, for theater, for the people.”
Gordy took the dog and dug out his money. “You don’t give up, do you?”
“I’m not one to give up.” Ever. Sometimes to his detriment.
Gordy moved away to doctor his dog with ketchup. Boone ordered two Cokes, a hot dog, and some popcorn.
Gordy grabbed a napkin and moved to leave. “You know, it wasn’t solely my decision. The board had to make the call.”
“Thanks. I know you hold a lot of clout.”
Gordy puffed up a bit. “Well, the Arrowood Auditorium’s very important to my family.”
Boone gave a nod and added ketchup to the dog, then found Vivien back in the stands.
Kickoff, and the scrimmage started. The team had been divided into two groups, one blue, one white. A great chance for them to show off their skills, get some practice in, and get the town excited for the new season.
He had to admit, he’d found himself watching Vivien a little more than the game. You picked a real firecracker. There’s no one like Vivie.
True. Throughout the game, no one in the stands cheered with her gusto. Not even close. Which made the game that much better, especially when it came down to the final seconds and the score was tied at fourteen. She’d heckled and hollered, pumping her pom-poms high in the air in between yelling coaching advice from the stands that no one could possibly hear over the crowd roar and jumping out of her seat to whistle at a good play.
As the game neared the final seconds, Caleb’s team had moved close enough for a field goal attempt.
They were clear back at the thirty-yard line. Boone watched as the substitutions left the field and the tight end made his way to the edge of the field with the other players while the kicker set up for a field goal. Except, the tight end stayed in position on the field. Close to the sideline and unnoticed by the opposition.
Boone squeezed Vivien’s hand. Caleb was using his play.
They had one shot to make the play work. It relied on a legal deception—a flag on the play would ruin it.
The snap. The holder stood up with the ball, scrambling out of the pocket instead of positioning it for the kick. The tight end sprinted down the sideline for the end zone, not a single defender close enough to touch him.
Boone hit his feet as the ball sailed through the air.
The tight end nabbed it just as the final buzzer cut through the roar of the crowd.
Touchdown, Blue!
Vivien shot into the air, squealing, throwing her arms around his neck. “Did you see that? The holder threw the ball!”
Boone picked her up, laughing.
“That was awesome!” Ree waved her pom-pom in the air.
Down on the field, Seb was shaking his head, patting the boys on the back as they left the field.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Seth said.
Caleb finished high-fiving his players, then came to stand in front of the teams at the base of the stands. He grabbed the microphone.
He started out with a laugh. “Man, I love football.”
The crowd cheered.
“You know, it takes a whole community to make this season happen. I want to thank our booster club. Also, World’s Best for helping with our ever-popular donut fundraiser. Can we get a little rumble in the stands?” The crowd responded, beating their hands and feet against the stands
until Caleb held up his hand and they quieted down. “I’d also like to thank my old friend Boone Buckam, who’s been working with the team the past two weeks and gave us that pretty spectacular play you saw tonight.”
A murmur tumbled through the crowd.
Vivien sucked in a breath. “That was you?” She looked up at him, her eyes shiny. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about it.”
Boone smiled. Seth held out his hand for a fist bump. “Man, that was awesome. That was like an old-school Presley play.”
Caleb continued. “I know we won’t have him the whole season, but he’s been instrumental in helping bring a solid offense and defense to the field.”
Embrace the life you have. The words poured over Boone’s soul as he watched his friend—a man who stood unapologetic and unashamed, his spirit emboldened not only by the trials he’d faced, but by his faith—speak before the town.
Caleb looked over at Seb, who shook his head and laughed. “Coach Seb says he forgives you, Boone, for giving me that play—as long as you give us a few more before you leave town.”
The audience applauded and Boone raised a hand in appreciation. His eyes scanned the crowd before turning back to the enthusiastic brunette, her fingers in her mouth for an ear-piercing whistle. Their eyes met and she smiled. Big and bright and sweet. For him.
Yeah, a guy could get used to this.
Caleb’s words echoed in his mind when he and Vivien wove their way toward the car. His entire life had been about expectations—to the point, he could probably admit now, he’d done the same thing to PJ. Tried to mold her into who he needed her to be.
He paused, the realization piercing his heart.
She’d rebelled against it.
Could he?
“It’s too bad, you know.” Vivien’s words snapped him back. She looked up at him with bright eyes.
“What’s that?”
“That you’ll be leaving before the season is very far underway.” She crunched up her nose. “You’ll miss what looks to be a championship year.”
“Oh, you think so?”
“I do.” She poked him in the chest with the pom-pom. “You’ve made an imprint on this town. You’ve only been here two weeks and everyone already knows you. And, look—you gave them the winning play of the game.”
He swallowed.
Then Came You Page 20