Celebrate in Good Hope (Good Hope #22)

Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“I shouldn’t have eaten that last s’more.” Roe moaned as she dropped an armful of blankets on the floor of the tent.

“I warned you,” Boone teased.

“I’ve never been good at taking advice.” She chuckled. “All I can say is the second one sure tasted good.”

Boone straightened the blankets, pushing aside the mound of pillows he’d brought from his bedroom.

“I can’t recall the last time I slept in a tent,” he said.

“It’s been a while for me, too.” Roe glanced down at the unfashionable yoga pants, wool socks and sweatshirt she’d donned once they’d finished the s’mores.

She sighed. Frumpy but comfortable.

Boone, on the other hand, looked delectable in his fleece joggers and a long-sleeved tee.

Having the fireplace blazing had kept the furnace from kicking on. Now, with the fire nearly out, a chill had crept into the air. “Do you think we’ll be warm enough?”

“We’ll be fine.” Boone patted the blankets next to him. “Time to lie down and look at the stars.”

He didn’t have to ask twice .

Roe joined Boone in gazing upward as they lay in the darkness, their heads on pillows as they studied the glowing stars and the two moons. She couldn’t stop smiling. The fluorescent paint really did work.

Instead of calling it a night, with the fire simmering in the hearth and darkness engulfing them, they talked. She told him about her brothers, their wives and kids.

Boone reciprocated by telling her about his sister, Lydia, her husband and his two nieces.

“I spent Thanksgiving with them on my way to Good Hope.” His lips curved up. “The girls are getting so big. Aubrey loves all sports, while Amelia is an artist. She did a charcoal sketch of me that is amazing.”

“I imagine it’s difficult for you to see them as much as you’d like.”

“During the season, it’s nearly impossible,” he admitted. “I need to make getting to Dubuque more of a priority in the off-season.”

“What’s going to happen when you go back to Denver?”

“What do you mean?”

Roe chose her next words carefully. “The season will be over when you go back. I don’t know how any of the contract stuff works. Are you guaranteed a spot on the team since you were injured in a game?”

She deliberately didn’t ask what would happen if he physically couldn’t go back. She knew that was something he would deal with if it happened, not before.

“It’s a bit complicated. I’ll try to keep it simple.”

Roe smiled. “I’d appreciate that.”

There was something about the closeness of the tent, the crackle of the fire across the room and the dim light that appeared to make confidence come easily.

“Each team can have up to fifty-three players on its active roster. They start training camp with ninety players, then cut during the summer. I’m on IR, which is the reserve/injured list.” He glanced at her.

She nodded. “I’m still with you.”

“When I’m cleared to practice, it activates a twenty-one-day window during which I must be activated to the fifty-three-man roster. If I’m not, I would be released.”

“You’re saying when the doctor says you’re good to play, after three weeks, the team decides whether to keep you or let you go.”

“There’s a little more to it than that, but basically, yes. Because I’ve played four or more seasons, I’m considered a vested veteran.” He continued without waiting for her to say she understood or ask any questions. “Which means if they release me, my contract is terminated effective immediately, and I’m free to sign with any team I want.”

“Or to walk away from football.”

For a long moment, Boone said nothing. Then he slowly nodded. “But I’ve been an asset to the team, and they know I’m a hard worker. That bodes well for them keeping me. But for now, I’m here and determined to make the most of my time in Good Hope.”

It was incredible, Roe thought, all the factors that had conspired to bring the two of them together at this point in time.

If she hadn’t lost her job…

If he hadn’t been injured…

If Dakota hadn’t offered her the use of the cabin…

If Krew hadn’t offered Boone a place to stay…

They never would have met. It was a sobering thought. She was glad she’d met Boone. Happy she was getting to know him.

She liked Boone. Liked him a lot, in fact. Not just because he was handsome and sexy, but because of the man he was deep down.

Casting a glance in his direction, she found him staring—not at the stars or the two moons shining overhead—but at her.

Her pulse skittered as the air between them began to pulse .

“Roe.”

Just one word. She heard the question and didn’t even need to think about her answer.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and slid her fingers into his silky dark hair. Roe loved how he smelled, a woodsy mixture of cologne, soap and maleness that brought a tingle to her lips and had heat percolating low in her belly.

Even before his mouth brushed hers, she remembered the feel of his lips—the softness, warmth and gentleness. Only this time, the kiss didn’t end quickly, and it didn’t stay sweet.

Shock waves of sensation coursed all the way to her toes as he deepened the kiss. And when his hand flattened against her lower back, drawing her up against the length of his body, Roe heard herself groan, a low sound of want and need that astonished her with its intensity.

She wanted him.

By the heat in his eyes, he wanted her just as badly.

“Clothes off.” He pulled off the long-sleeved tee in a single fluid movement.

“I’m on the pill,” she managed to utter as she struggled to remove her sweatshirt with fingers that visibly trembled.

“I’m clean,” he said, helping her when her hands refused to cooperate. “Let me.”

Soon, the clothes were tossed aside. His mouth was back on hers, and his hands were everywhere, touching, teasing, caressing.

A smoldering heat flared through Roe, a sensation she didn’t bother to fight. She longed to run her hands over his body like he was doing now to hers, to feel the coiled strength of skin and muscle sliding under her fingers.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” The words seemed to come from far away.

Had he asked? Or was that her own conscience ?

It didn’t matter. She couldn’t stop. Didn’t want to stop. Being in Boone’s arms felt so right.

In answer, she wound her arms around his neck and gave him a ferocious kiss.

When Roe entered the house the following afternoon, she found the tent down and Boone dressed for the Y, holding a gym bag.

When his gaze landed on her, his expression was unreadable. “You were up and out of the house by the time I woke up.”

Giving in to impulse, Roe stepped to him and kissed him lightly. “I forgot to mention last night that I was going in early to cover the breakfast shift for Helen.”

“That wasn’t what I meant.”

The slight worry in his voice had her moving closer.

“Last night was amazing. We’ll have to do it again sometime.”

Before she could say more, he gave her a crooked, boyish smile that sent her stomach into flips and melted her heart. Then he gently touched her face before kissing her.

When her hands rose to wrap around his neck, Boone stepped back, regret shining in his eyes. “I really have to leave now, or I’ll be late for my training session.”

Heaving a dramatic sigh that made him smile, Roe dropped her hands to her sides.

But when he turned to go, she remembered she needed to ask him something.

“Hey, quick question for you.” Roe spoke fast, knowing Boone took the time with his trainer seriously and wouldn’t want to be late. “A customer gave me two tickets to this evening’s performance of A Christmas Carol . Would you like to go with me?”

“Sure. Let’s do it,” was all he said before he left.

She hadn’t told him when the performance was, but he returned in plenty of time for them to be in their seats when the curtain rose at seven.

Roe could barely contain her excitement when she saw their seats were next to Fin and Jeremy and their three boys. Seeing them made her smile and think of her brothers.

“You’re just the person I hoped to see.” Fin leaned in front of her husband to speak to Roe.

“I can switch seats,” Jeremy offered, “if you two need to talk.”

“Not necessary. The performance will be starting any minute.” Fin shifted her focus back to Roe. “These next couple of weeks are crazy. I want you to know I’m still interested in having you on the V-Day committee.”

“Whatever time works for you will work for me,” Roe said. “Maybe we could talk sometime after rehearsal.”

“Let me check with the others on the committee.” Fin entered a reminder on her phone. “I’ll be in touch.”

“I’m excited to speak with you…” Roe’s voice trailed off when the houselights dimmed and Fin sat back.

Despite not having the chance to say more, Roe felt her excitement surge. Hopefully, there would be time, either before or after the committee meeting, for her to speak with Fin regarding her contacts in LA.

Settling back in her seat, Roe smiled at Boone. Though they had no specific plans for after the play, before they’d left home, Boone had suggested checking out what was open in the downtown area if the weather cooperated. Roe wore her low-heeled boots just in case.

Though the town maintenance department did a great job of clearing the sidewalks and streets, it had been snowing again when they’d left home.

Home .

How was it that that cabin felt more like home than any apartment she’d lived in since college? Of course, it was also the nicest place she’d ever stayed .

“Ebenezer Scrooge,” a voice rang out, pulling Roe’s attention back to the stage.

Roe loved this play. No matter how many times she saw it performed, its wonderful message never failed to make her vow to be a better woman and do better in her own life.

When Boone reached over and took her hand halfway through the performance, Roe sighed in contentment.

By the time the play ended with a standing ovation, Roe was definitely in the Christmas spirit.

Her plan to speak with Fin after the performance was dashed when the Rakes family exited the row to meet some friends across the theater.

Glancing around, Roe was surprised not to see anyone she knew. She turned to Boone. “Should we check out the downtown?”

His gaze flicked over her cashmere coat and bare head. “Are you sure you’ll be warm enough?”

“I was a Minnesotan.” She lifted her arm and flexed. “We’re tough.”

“In that case…” He offered her his arm. “Let’s walk.”

It didn’t take long to realize that they weren’t the only ones who wanted to savor the Christmas spirit for a little longer this evening.

When they walked past Muddy Boots, the line of waiting customers reached the door.

“Makes me glad we ate beforehand,” she told Boone.

Roe had grown used to the Christmas music that played from speakers positioned along Main Street, but the jarring hard rock coming from the direction of the bay had her cocking her head.

“Do you hear that?” she asked Boone.

He nodded. “It’s coming from the Flying Crane.”

Seeing her puzzled expression, he added, “The Crane is a popular bar by the waterfront. ”

It surprised Roe that he knew that, considering he hadn’t been in town any longer than she had. “Have you been there?”

He shook his head. “Trent goes there all the time. We should check it out sometime.”

Roe nodded but didn’t suggest they walk that way. The play had put her firmly in a Christmas mood. She had a feeling rock music and a crowded bar would pull her out faster than a Santa in a clown mask.

Instead, she tightened her hold on his arm and continued to walk until the jarring music faded, and the sweet sounds of Christmas carols were all that could be heard in the night air.