Chapter Eight
Aunt Phoebe must’ve gotten in her head because when Kelsey got off that Ferris wheel, she felt like she and Nick were going steady. Whatever that meant. Okay, so they were only seeing each other for the week on a monogamous basis. How difficult was a week of monogamy anyway? But somehow the kiss on the ride took things to a deeper level. And all that talk about meeting up once they knew what they were doing in their respective careers had been very, very promising.
After Nick went back to work, Kelsey wandered around the festival in a state of bliss, taking pictures for the carnival and the Sapphire Falls website. Maybe one of her pictures would even make it onto the Sapphire Falls brochure. For a small town, Hailey had really made it a fun destination for tourists, with all of the parades, festivals, and dances. She got some pictures of Nick working the basketball game, encouraging little kids to stand a little closer and handing over big teddy bear prizes with a smile.
Her heart squeezed.
She knew she had it bad when she found herself the next day uploading the pictures to her laptop and then enlarging the pictures of Nick just to gaze her fill. She couldn’t moon over him like that in real life or he’d think she was nuts. It wasn’t just the gorgeous face and gorgeous body; now that she knew him, she saw his tender side, his open acceptance of other people with no judgment. He was gorgeous inside and out. Damn, she’d gone and done it. Falling for Nick in the middle of a tumultuous time in both their lives.
She forced herself to focus and sort through the best of the pictures for the website. She’d design a new banner at the top for them with an updated logo too. She could always put the old one back if Odd Todd didn’t like it. After several hours she had a design she liked and uploaded it. Then she texted Nick to have his uncle take a look at it.
An hour later, he texted back, He loved it.
Awesome. He texted his uncle’s number too so she could check in with him directly. She worked some more and came up with a design she liked for the home page. She did it in Photoshop for now before she started mucking around with the website coding. Time flew and she realized she’d spent hours designing and working with pictures and hadn’t even noticed it was past sundown. Now that was the kind of work she wished she could always be doing. The kind that you could lose yourself in for hours and not mind because you were passionate about it.
She had another hour before she met Nick for the fireworks, so she did a quick Google search for website design fees. Could she really do this as a business? The fees were enough with regular work to make a go of it. But that was the question—could she find enough business to keep it going? It was a leap of faith. She had some savings, and her job had paid well. She could last three months before she’d really need money. She glanced at the time and closed the laptop. Time for fun.
She got ready, wearing her favorite purple and pink diamond-patterned sundress. The fabric was a soft cotton jersey that was super comfortable and flattered her petite figure rather than hiding it. She took off her panties, deciding to make the screwing on Klein’s Hill as easy as possible for Nick. No bra either.
A short while later, she pulled up to the square in her dad’s truck, waiting for Nick. She figured if the hill was too crowded with other couples, they could drive to a secluded spot and make good use of the truck bed. Or better yet, spread out a blanket on the ground near some trees for a private oasis. Damn, she was good at all this clandestine sex stuff, considering how her previous experience was limited to a bedroom. Something about Sapphire Falls in the summer made sex outdoors under a starry sky oh-so-appealing. Or maybe that was Nick.
Speaking of the man who rocked her world, he opened the door of the truck and climbed in. He grinned. “Hey, Goddess, ready to go all the way?”
She smiled back. “I’m not wearing panties, so yeah.”
He made a weird choking sound, and she laughed, pleased that she’d topped him in the sexual suggestion game.
“Awesome,” he said in a strangled voice.
She pulled out into the street and headed for the fireworks. “I’ve been thinking more about doing the website thing as a job,” she told him. “I had a blast working on the carnival website this afternoon.”
“My uncle really liked what you did so far. Me too. You’re really talented.”
“Aww, thanks. It’s kinda my thing.”
“So would you stay in Sapphire Falls?”
“I’m thinking about it. I do love it here. I’m doing some work for the Sapphire Falls tourism office too.”
“Wow. That was fast. You’ve already got two clients in a week.”
“Yes, but can I keep bringing in new clients? That’s the question. I’ve never really tried to run my own business. It’s a lot more than just the design and photography side.”
“You could learn that stuff. My uncle could probably help you too. The carnival has been his own business for years.”
“Cool. Thank you.” She wanted to suggest he stay in Sapphire Falls too and work for Mason’s Africa project, but some part of her felt it was too much too soon, so she backed off.
“I’ve started running again,” Nick said.
“Really?”
“Yeah. I mean, I know I’m not in training anymore, but I feel better when I work out. I’m used to a really intense physical regimen. I’m going to start lifting weights again, building muscle. It just feels good to use my body like that, to really push myself.”
“Nick, that’s awesome!”
“Thanks. I might try another sport. Just for fun.”
“You totally should.” He was an athlete, still young enough to excel at a lot of sports.
“Welp. Yeah, we’ll see. First I need to get back in shape.”
“You never got out of shape,” she replied, squeezing his bicep.
He chuckled. “I used to be much more in shape, but thanks.”
They got to Klein’s Hill and found the field was already pretty crowded. He turned to her, a clear lusty question in his eyes. “I’ve got a plan B,” she said. “Blanket in a private spot just beyond those trees or the back of the truck.”
“Private spot sounds good to me.”
She grabbed the blanket and a small camping lantern and guided him through a copse of trees where they could have some privacy. Most people would be watching the fireworks in the opposite direction from them. Perfect.
They settled on the blanket, lying side by side in the glow of lantern light. Nick spoke up. “If you stay in Sapphire Falls and I work at my family’s farm, I could visit you. It’s about an hour from here.”
She felt breathless at the idea. It was what she wanted, for them to keep seeing each other, but was it really what he wanted? If so, why was he traveling with his uncle’s carnival instead of farming back home right now?
“Do you actually want to work on your family’s farm?” she asked.
He hesitated before finally stroking her hair and saying, “I want to be with you.”
“I want to be with you too,” she said, “but I want you to be happy. We’re talking about your future job. Once you’re settled in there, your family will count on you. If you’re not happy, you’ll be stuck.”
He rolled to his back and threw his arm over his forehead. “I know it’s not ideal, but it’s all I could come up with. I’ve always known I’d go back to the farm some day. It’s good honest work, and without football—”
“What do you think about farming with a twist?”
He propped up on one elbow. “What do you mean, a twist?”
“I mean would you like to work a sustainable farming project in Africa?”
“That’s specific.”
She laughed. Now that she knew he really wanted to keep seeing her, she felt okay about bringing it up. “You remember Mason from the party? He owns Innovative Agricultural Solutions?”
“Yeah, yeah. I remember. That guy knows his stuff.”
“Yes! And IAS does work all over the world. His wife, Adrianne, said they’re looking for people to go over to Africa for their new project. If you’re interested, she’ll set up a meeting with Mason.”
“Wow. But Africa’s so far.”
“She said it’s three months to start and then regular shorter visits. You can be based out of Sapphire Falls, working at the IAS lab or in the fields with Mason.”
“It’s kind of perfect, actually,” he said. “It’s what I know but not quite settled down back home. I want to see more of the world before I’m rooted to one spot.”
“I know. I’d love to travel more too.”
“You should come to Africa with me,” he said.
“That’s sweet, but I’m not a farmer. Honestly I think the conditions might be a little rough for me. I meant I want to travel more of our country.”
“Oh. Well, I guess that’s good too. So, okay. Set up a meeting. I’m definitely interested.” He pulled her close, wrapping her in his arms. He whispered in her ear, “If I make Sapphire Falls my home base, will you be at home waiting for me?”
“You mean a home together?” she whispered.
He pulled back to look in her eyes. “Yes,” he said solemnly.
“Yes,” she replied just as solemnly.
They grinned at each other. Then she launched herself at him, rolling on top of him and covering him with kisses. “I love you!” she exclaimed.
He went stock-still.
Crap. Maybe she shouldn’t have—
“I love you too,” he said in a husky voice before rolling her under him. He kissed her tenderly, reverently, and they made love under the stars, absorbed in their own fireworks.
~ ~ ~
Nick was feeling content for the first time in a long time. He’d met with Mason this morning over coffee at Scott’s Sweets, and the job in Africa was his if he wanted it. They were always looking for young people who had the stamina for the long hours required, Mason said, and apparently Nick had made a good impression on Mason at the river party. The guy had remembered their conversation on sustainable farming in great detail. He must’ve had a near perfect memory or something. Nick headed back to the trailer he shared with his uncle to tell him the good news. He was halfway across the square when his cell rang.
“Is this Nick Hansen?” a gravelly voice asked.
“Yes.”
“This is Coach Gary McDonald with the San Antonio Rockets.”
Nick nearly lost his footing. The Rockets were a new NFL expansion team in Texas. He’d hoped to get drafted by them because it was his best chance to come up as a rookie and get some serious field time. “Yes, hello, Coach. How are you?”
The coach laughed, a rusty sound. “I’m fine, son. I’m calling because Darryl Thomas tore his ACL and he’s out for the year. How you feel about joining us for training camp in August?”
Nick’s mind spun with the possibilities. Daryl was their wide receiver, and a damn good one too. He couldn’t believe it. He hadn’t missed his chance. Hadn’t missed his dream after all.
“Son?”
“Yes!”
“All right then. I’ve had my eye on you. It was close between you and Darryl in the draft, but then you flubbed the tryouts. Well, we worried you couldn’t hold up under pressure—”
“I can! It was a personal thing that held me back, but it won’t happen again. The Rockets will have my absolute focus.”
“Well, now, we’ll see, won’t we? I’m sticking my neck out on the line for you here. Don’t make me sorry I did.”
“With all due respect, sir, my last season I had seven hundred fifty receiving yards—”
The coach barked out a laugh. “Now that’s the fighting spirit I like to hear. Camp starts August first. I’ll overnight you the papers.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Looking forward to seeing what you can do for the Rockets, Handsy.”
“Nick.”
“Yup. Bye.”
Nick hung up and did a fist pump. “Yes!” He ran back to the trailer to tell his uncle the good news when it suddenly hit him that he had two pieces of good news, two opportunities, and he could only choose one.
Of course he had to choose football. He already had. Football had always been his dream.
But Kelsey wanted to stay here in Sapphire Falls. He couldn’t bring her to training camp. It wasn’t even a definite he’d be on the team. They could still cut him loose at the end of August when training camp ended. Even if he did get a contract with the Rockets, his life would be on the road, playing stadiums all over the country, living in hotels and planes. Hopefully for the next ten years or more.
He slowed his steps. He could always see Kelsey in the off-season, right? It wouldn’t be all that different than if he went to Africa for three months. But some part of him knew it was different. Farming was something he could always settle down with after a year or so of international work and then put down roots. But football? Football would become his life.
What was fair to her?
He went for a run, hoping the activity would help him think through the problem, but by the time he finished, nothing was clear. He’d been handed a rare do-over. He’d told himself if he ever got the chance again, he’d focus one hundred percent on football. His focus was already split, though, because he’d fallen for Kelsey. This was where he should cut ties. This was where he had to sacrifice for football. Falling for Tara and the subsequent heartbreak had nearly destroyed his dream. It would be so much worse if that happened with Kelsey down the road. Now that his dream was within reach, he couldn’t risk another fumble.
Dammit. Why couldn’t he have met Kelsey after he’d made something of himself? He knew it wasn’t fair to ask her to wait around for that to happen. He headed across the square toward his uncle’s trailer and looked up at the Ferris wheel, remembering how excited and happy Kelsey was to have her first festival kiss at the top with him. He couldn’t bear to look back at the Haunted Mansion, remembering the time they’d had there. This should be the happiest day of his life, and instead he was all twisted up and confused. Maybe his uncle could help him figure stuff out.
He opened the door to the trailer, where his uncle was sitting on the sofa, listening to his favorite show tunes from Wicked while he played an imaginary piano in the air.
“Hey,” Uncle Todd said, “guess who just quit?”
Nick grabbed a bottled water from the mini-fridge. “Who?”
“Our folk metal cowboy.”
“Really? Why?”
“Got invited to join a folk metal band back in Omaha.”
Nick took a long swallow of water. “That’s a thing?”
“Apparently.”
“You don’t sound too torn up about it.”
“He wasn’t that popular, and it saves us on payroll. He was only with us a couple of seasons. Anyway, his trailer’s free, so…if you want it, for you and Kelsey, we’d love to have her with us for the rest of the season.”
Nick sat next to his uncle. “That’s generous. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. We all like her.” His uncle grinned, the light reflecting off the diamond T in his gold tooth. “Whenever she’s around, you look just like Danny when Sandy showed up in her black leather pants during the school carnival.”
Unfortunately, Nick knew exactly what his uncle meant from that scene in Grease. He must look like a dope half the time he was around Kelsey. “I just had big news.” He took a deep breath. “The San Antonio Rockets want me at training camp.”
His uncle was silent. Nick glanced over to see his uncle deep in concentration. “Sorry,” Uncle Todd said. “Never heard of them.”
“They’re a new expansion team.” At his uncle’s blank look, he added, “For the NFL. A pro team. Their wide receiver is injured, and they want me to take his place.”
“Wow! That’s great, Nicky!”
Nick grinned. “Thanks.”
“Wait, what happens when their other wide receiver gets better?” Nick had thought of that too, but the bench wasn’t deep. Hopefully they could both have a place on the team.
“I guess we’ll both play. That’s up to the coach. He can play three wide receivers on the field at the same time.” His uncle didn’t follow football at all. He only knew touchdowns.
“So you’re on the team?”
Nick rested his elbows on his knees. “If I prove myself at training camp, chances are good I’ll be on the team. For now, no contract.”
His uncle put a hand on his shoulder. “Why aren’t you jumping for joy?”
Nick blew out a breath. “I’m not sure what to do about Kelsey.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I don’t want to hurt her, but I need to focus on football. You know how I lost focus before over Tara.”
“It wasn’t just her. You were out of shape because of your injury.”
He dipped his head. “I’d been cleared for a month, and I did nothing but mope around.”
“You’ve got heart. That’s what makes you a good player.”
That was also what made him a bad player. He’d learned his lesson the hard way. The only way for him to keep focused on football was to push all that emotional stuff down.
Nick grunted. “I’m going to hit the shower.”
“I know you’ll make a good choice,” his uncle said, which made Nick feel ten times worse.
He reminded himself he’d only known Kelsey less than a week. They probably wouldn’t have gotten in so deep if they both hadn’t been at a point in their lives where they felt lost. They shared an inner tube in the river of uncertainty. That was all. Now he needed to get off the ride. He had a definite goal—one that required strict discipline to training. They should just go their separate ways when the carnival left town on Monday. Yes, it would hurt. But they’d both get over it and move on to where they were supposed to be in their lives. He wouldn’t ask her to be a backup plan to football in case things didn’t work out with the Rockets; he had to be all in with her or not at all. All in with football or not at all. It all made perfect logical sense.
So why was his gut churning over just the thought of dimming her sunny smile?