Harper
It was good to be back at the ranch. It was our second time going since leaving the first time, and it always filled me with excitement. We hadn’t been to visit in some while now. There had been too many things happening at home so we had to put it off for a while. Travis had planned on going a few times a year, but things kept getting in the way. Work, as usual, was very busy. I’d moved to Washington and started my own PR firm a year ago and it had been a lot busier than I thought it was going to be. I thought I’d have at least a year of things being quiet while I tried to find my feet, but that hadn’t happened at all. My boss had been sad to see me leave and she’d referred a lot of D.C. clients my way. I’d been grateful to have work almost as soon as I moved but it had made the move a lot busier than I had intended it to be. For the first six months, I’d barely had the time to settle into my new surroundings.
Travis and I had also moved into our own place. He had a great apartment but it was a bit small for two people and a little bit void of any female traits. I’d laughed when I’d first moved in. It looked like the sort of flat a student would have. We’d found a great little house near the university. So close, Travis could actually walk to work every day. I converted one of the rooms into an office for myself, and I tried to meet Travis for coffee as often as possible. Some days, instead of meeting for coffee, he would sneak home and we’d take a little midday break in bed. It was glorious.
The students had eventually discovered that the student in the back row had been me. Travis had invited me back in order to introduce me to everyone and they all clapped when they found out who I was. They seemed relieved that I wasn’t a student with an ego, but I was sure that some of the girls looked upset when they found out I was his girlfriend. They were probably even more upset when I became his wife-to-be.
I married Travis a few months after moving in with him. We’d gotten married on the ranch, just as I always knew we would. It was one of those weddings that a girl only dreams about having. Everything about it was perfect. We decided to keep it small but we invited the whole group to be a part of it, including Jackson, who arrived fully kitted out in a white cowboy suit. By then, Jillian and Thomas were already married, and she was excited to show him around. The only thing she didn’t do was ride the horses. The last time had scarred her for life and she now didn’t want to ever get on one again. She also didn’t pet the sheep or go near any of the pigs.
I missed Jillian even though I did still see her fairly often. We took turns driving to see each other, and we tried to do it at least once every two months. It wasn’t the same as just meeting up for lunch whenever we needed to talk to, but it was the best we could do. I tried to persuade the two of them to move to Washington, D.C., and I would continue trying to do so until they did. She was happy, though, and she and Thomas were still head over heels in love with one another. The ranch was the best thing that could’ve happened to them. Just as it had been the best thing that could’ve happened to me. I still couldn’t believe that I almost didn’t go. Life would’ve been so different if I had never stepped foot off that shuttle bus that day.
“Ah, it’s good to be back,” I said and smiled. We’d hired a car from the airport and as we stepped out, I took a deep breath. The wide-open space welcomed me in a way that no other place ever could. I knew I would probably never live there. Travis and I liked our city life together. But this place was something special and I knew we could never stray too far from it. We’d come back here every year together, just to disconnect and reconnect. It was simply a part of who we were now.
“I love being back here with you,” Travis said. “It’s hard for me to imagine that I once used to avoid this place. Come on, let’s go and find Mike and Allison.”
Mike and Allison were not home. We’d gone there first but there was a note on the door telling us to meet us at the ranch when we arrived. We held hands and took a walk around the ranch looking for them. I found them out in the field, sitting on a big blanket. From where I was standing I could see a myriad of food around them.
“Oh good. She has food.”
Travis laughed. “She always has food. I love coming here.”
“Me too. The one time of the year that we get good food in us,” I said and chuckled. It had been pretty clear from the start that neither of us were great in the kitchen. Coming to the ranch always gave us such a thrill because we knew what kind of delicious food was always waiting for us.
Mike and Allison stood up as we got closer, and I gasped. Allison had a small but very clear bump and the way she was holding it told me everything that I needed to know.
“Allison! You’re pregnant!” I gasped.
She grinned. I couldn’t believe how beautiful she looked. She’d always been beautiful, but the pregnancy had taken that to a whole new level. “Surprise!”
“Oh Alli, that’s such good news. Congratulations. Mike, you’re going to be a father!” Travis said and went over to hug his brother.
We all took a seat on the blanket while Allison explained how they’d found out a few months ago.
“At first we didn’t want to say anything just in case something happened. It’s always a little scary at the start, you know. Anything can happen. Then, when we realized I was over the worst part and that I really was going to have a baby, we decided not to tell you until you got here.”
“This is the best news ever.”
“It’s so good to see the two of you. And you came on such a good day.”
“July fourth. We had to be here. There’s no better place to watch the fireworks. And now we get to celebrate for more than just Independence Day,” Travis said as he smiled at Allison.
She grinned. “Oh, and dig in. I brought so much food. I figured you might be hungry. I bought a little bit of everything out here today. You know me; I always go overboard when it comes to food.”
I looked at Travis and grinned. “Oh yeah. We’re hungry. Thank you, Allison. We spend all year talking about your food. This is one lucky baby to have a mother that cooks this well. Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl? Have you decided on a name?” I asked as I reached out for some bread and cheese.
“We’re still trying to decide on a name, but we do know that it’s going to be a boy,” she said proudly.
“Travis is a great name,” Travis said and grinned at them.
Mike rolled his eyes. “No thanks. It’s tough enough having just one of you around.”
“So, what about the two of you? Have you considered having children? Sorry, I hope you don’t mind me being so forward. I think I’ve lost my ability to act like a normal human now that I’m pregnant myself. I just want everyone around me to have babies too.”
I chuckled. “That’s okay. I don’t mind,” I said and then looked at Travis and smiled. “Yeah, we’ve discussed it. I think we’re actually going to start trying soon.”
“With your genes, your baby is going to be gorgeous,” Allison said.
I looked at Travis and smiled. “Oh yeah. This is the one man I have to have a baby with. Although let’s not give him a big head. I’m always telling him how handsome he is and he already has all the students drooling when he gets up in front of the class.”
Travis chuckled. “You’re good for my ego.”
“So, when do the fireworks start?” I asked. I was so excited to be there for the Fourth of July. It was the perfect place to celebrate.
“Soon. You know what it’s like here. We like celebrating early.”
“You should’ve planned for your new group to start around this time. I’m sure they would’ve loved this.”
“Yeah,” Allison said. “We thought about that. But we wanted to relax with you guys today and not worry so much about the guests. It’s hard to kick back and enjoy when you know you have guests to attend to. Are you excited about working with the group? Must be weird not to be a guest yourself this time around.”
“I’m so excited!”
The new group was set to arrive tomorrow and Travis and I had offered to help them out. I was even more glad now that I knew that Allison was pregnant. I wanted her to do as little as possible. I could not wait to meet the new group of people. It was going to be strange to see their nervous smiles and their apprehension as they stepped off that shuttle bus for the first time. I felt a little smug about it too, mostly because I had been through it all before. I hoped that there was going to be someone like me in the group: this city person who doesn’t want to be there but ends up falling in love with the place.
“Any idea what the group is going to be like?” I asked.
“No idea. We only know when they arrive that first day. Right now all I have are their names. So we’ll find out tomorrow. Although, I sincerely doubt that the group is going to be as colorful as the one you were in. I don’t think anything will beat that group.”
I laughed. “And by group, you mean Jackson, don’t you?”
They chuckled. “Exactly.”
“Hey, there’s a name for your baby!” Travis said and we all laughed.
We spent the next two hours enjoying our picnic and catching up. By then the odd firework had started going off.
“Well, I think I’m going to head in for a little rest so that I can stay up to watch the big display later,” Allison said as she stood up.
“I think I’ll join you,” Mike said. “I like to pretend like I’m also pregnant so that I can take random naps during the day.”
“That’s so kind of you,” Travis teased. Then he looked at me. “Want to go out for a ride?”
“Yes!” I squealed. I’d been talking about Thunder nonstop for the past few months as we looked forward to coming to visit the ranch again.
We hurried over to the stable and I ran straight up to Thunder and planted a kiss on his forehead. I was so sure that he remembered me. I then went around to say hello to the rest of the animals before making my way back to Thunder. We saddled up and then made our way out onto the field. I’d started riding lessons back in Washington and I went almost every week now. It was a bit of a drive out but always worth it. I was yet to buy my own horse though. I would only do it when I found a horse like Thunder. He was one of a kind.
“I can’t believe Allison is pregnant,” I said as we came to a stop out in the field.
“I know. That was a huge surprise. I’m so happy for them. They’ve been trying for such a long time. Best news ever. It’s also made me realize that I want nothing more than to have a baby with you.”
I chuckled. “That’s always good to hear. So, when do you want to start trying?”
Travis looked around at the open field. We were so far removed from everyone at the moment, and I knew immediately why there was a glint in his eye. He looked at me and grinned. “Now?”
“On the grass?”
“I have a blanket.”
I laughed. “You do? Why do I get the feeling you planned this?”
We climbed off the horses, and set the blanket down onto the floor. As we lay down, the fireworks got louder, and I knew without a doubt that we were about to make a baby. If it was going to happen anywhere, it would be at the ranch. The one place we would always come back to. Our home away from home.
That’s the end.
HERE’S SOME BONUS BOOKS
By Ivy Jordan
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2017 Ivy Jordan
Chapter One
Cade
Three Years Ago
Involuntarily, my eyes squeeze shut. Maybe when I open them, I’ll be alone again.
Wishful thinking in an NFL weight room, I think.
Opening my eyes again, I grunt out a greeting at two of my younger teammates as I adjust my position, a baggie of ice wrapped in an ace bandage around my shoulder. Jake Austin and Malcolm Green are chatting excitedly about the Super Bowl, and I want nothing more than for the room to open up and swallow me whole.
Don't get me wrong. Playing pro football is a hell of a way to make a living. And, I've made a damn good living doing it. Everyone knows who I am. Cade Thomas is household name even in households that don't watch football. I'm the face parents want their daughters to bring home, the man other guys wish they could be, and every woman's fantasy.
I’ve got more endorsement deals than any athlete in any of the major sporting leagues. Name a record... I’ve set it. I've led my team to more Super Bowl s than any other quarterback. In another week, I’ll be playing in another one, and yeah, we’ll probably win and you can add it to the lengthy list of accomplishments I’ve managed to compile.
Doesn’t mean my life is fulfilled, though.
Putting on a smile, I try to get caught up in the two second-year pros’ excitement.
Jake is spotting Malcolm as he works through a rep of bench presses when I walk over.
“Dude,” Jake starts, “I can’t believe we’re going to the Super Bowl. I dreamed about this since I was a kid.”
“Yeah, how long ago was that, two years?” I teased him good naturedly. At thirty-eight, I know I’m nearing my end, that there’s no guarantee for another season. But Jake, he’s just getting started.
“What’s it like?” Malcolm asks, sitting up on the bench.
I look between the two of them. They each played for rival schools in college and came into their first training camp with old, bitter memories that had them thinking they were enemies. Now they were best friends, like brothers.
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” I admit. “Nothing else like it.”
“We’re gonna get so much tail,” Jake says, exchanging a high five with Malcolm.
“There’s more to life than just good tail,” I point out.
“Sure, there’s bad tail, too,” Malcolm laughs.
I shake my head, but the truth is, there isn't anything other than good tail in my life, either, and the thought nags at me. I push it aside as the two rookies continue talking.
“I hope I catch the winning pass,” Jake says aloud. “Not only will there be tons of women wanting to get with the hero, but the money will roll in, right, Cade?”
I shrug. “The endorsements are a definite plus. A big, fat paycheck for a few hours of your life to show up and tell people to buy an energy drink ain't a bad way to make a buck.”
“How many endorsements did you get after your first Super Bowl win?” Malcolm asked.
“Three or four small deals, I guess, but I landed my Under Armour deal after that win,” I tell them. “I've been set for life since I signed that.”
“Man, I hope I get a deal like that one day,” Malcolm says.
“You will after we win this game,” Jake tells him. “We’ve been money all year, right, Cade?”
The team has been on fire all season, I think to myself. We have not only one of the best offensive lines that’s been seen in years, but our defensive line as just as impressive. We’ve been nearly unstoppable.
“Don’t get too ahead of yourself,” I offer as advice. “Keep with it one play at a time and everything will happen just like coach says, you know? If you get too far ahead of yourself, then you set yourself up to fail... But yeah, we got this in the bag.”
They’re both still laughing as I leave the weight room and head for the locker room. Discarding the bag of pretty much melted ice in the trash, I get dressed and grab my things to head out. I wave to a couple trainers and security staff on my way to the parking lot and climb into my matte black Ford F-150 pickup truck. Lots of guys have expensive SUVs and sports cars, but I don’t need a flashy car.
Playing for the Los Angeles Condors has been the best thing about my life for a long time. It’s the team that drafted me, it’s been the team I’ve won with. I really don't have any doubts about winning again this year, either. We are truly the best team this season, one of the best the NFL has ever seen.
But something doesn't feel the same anymore.
I’m still on top of my game, and yeah, going to the Super Bowl is a big deal – but I’ve already got more rings than I do fingers on my left hand. Three years ago, we went to the Super Bowl as underdogs. Three years ago, no one thought we’d make the playoffs. We scraped our way through the season, barely making playoffs as a wild card. Every week, I made it my own personal goal to win that week, and we steamrolled through the competition. When we won our conference championship, my goal became setting the record for number of Super Bowl wins. It ended up being my easiest win to date.
Now, looking back on a career I knew was slowing down, I wondered what I was really living for anymore. I had had it all, and then some. But I didn’t have anyone to share it with. Sure, I had a girlfriend, but did I love her? Not particularly. I didn't even have a best friend. I had fame, fortune, and football. But not love, or friendship, or hell, even a family.
Waiting on traffic to turn out of the parking lot, I lean my head back with a sigh. Maybe I didn't have it all. Maybe I've been wrong. Because what kind of life is a life with no meaning?