Celebrate in Good Hope (Good Hope #22)

Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Boone had taken any number of hard hits on the field over the years. Each time, ignoring the pain and the cameras trained on him, he’d schooled his features and gotten up as if his ribs weren’t throbbing or the hip that he’d injured years ago felt perfectly fine.

Relying on those acting skills now, Boone kept a slight smile on his lips as he listened to Roe read through the pros and cons on her list.

The pros for Good Hope were that she knew all the staff and liked those she’d be working with, as well as loving the community. She said more than once she could see herself putting down roots here.

He understood. Like her, he could see living in this community after his playing days were over.

That’s what he’d told Clay this afternoon when the man had offered him a position at the high school coaching football.

If he had accepted the position, if he had even seriously considered it, Boone already knew what his dad’s reaction would be.

Maury Boone would laugh his ass off .

Boone could almost hear him jeer. A small-town football coach? What was next, a space opera novelist? How far the mighty had fallen.

It wasn’t just his father’s reaction that had kept Boone from taking the offer seriously. He wasn’t ready to give up his position on the Grizzlies or stop playing the sport he loved.

Yet, a tightness filled his chest at the thought of being without Roe. In the weeks they’d been together, he’d fallen for her.

While he was happy she had these opportunities, he’d secretly hoped she would find a position in Denver, or at least close to Denver so that they could be together. He’d thought that when he’d mentioned reaching out to people in Denver, she’d understood what he was saying.

Though they’d gone into this relationship with the understanding of it being a holiday fling, it had morphed into more along the way.

“Sounds like you’ve taken everything into consideration.” Boone could have cheered when his voice came out casual and offhand, just as he’d intended.

He knew she needed a job, but he wished she would turn down both and hold out for something in Denver, even though his own future there was uncertain. He knew that was totally irrational.

Boone was suddenly seized with the overwhelming desire to pack up and return to Denver.

But he knew he couldn’t leave. Not now.

He was the sound guy for Spotlight . At this late date, no one could take his place.

Boone would do his duty and then start the New Year back in Denver.

Without the woman he loved.

Roe glanced at Boone. When they’d made plans last week to go to the Flying Crane tonight, she’d been excited to check out the waterfront bar and support the Giving Tree.

“You’re quiet tonight,” she said when it suddenly struck her that she’d been the only one talking since they’d gotten into the truck.

Boone slanted a quick sideways glance at her. “I was just listening to your tale of the lost diary. I can’t believe you went to all those lengths to find it and came up empty.”

“Like I said, I have no idea how it ended up in the bottom of that box under all those papers.” Roe chuckled and shook her head. “And I really can’t believe that, after all these years, my mother decided to look through that box.”

“Have you had a chance to read any of the entries?”

Roe had been ready to change the topic, but she answered because he appeared truly interested. “A few. I was a really sad kid at thirteen.”

“That can be a tough age.”

She nodded, recalling the pages she’d read. “We’d just moved again, so I was starting over.”

Roe recalled that was the year she’d become involved in theater, but she hadn’t gotten to those pages yet. She’d had to set the diary aside as the loneliness of those early pages had leaped off the pages and tugged at her heart.

“Now, you’ll be moving again.”

Something about the way he said the words made her wonder if he was finding it as hard as she was to see their time together in Good Hope come to an end.

When he’d mentioned returning to Denver after Gladys’s birthday party, she’d wanted to ask him to stay longer. But she was the one who had to find a new life, not him, and she wouldn’t make him feel guilty about getting back to what he loved.

He’d never said anything about them keeping in touch once this time was over. It wouldn’t matter if he had. How many times had friends promised to keep in touch? And they had, but as time passed, their interactions had become fewer and fewer.

But Boone wasn’t just a friend. He was…more.

“Right?”

She blinked, realizing he was waiting for a response to his observation about her moving again. “Unless I decide to stay here. I’d still have to leave the cabin, but I could stay in Good Hope.”

“Have you made your decision, then?”

She shook her head. “I’m still considering.”

He only nodded, and they rode the rest of the way to the bar in silence.

A heaviness settled on Roe’s shoulders, but she shrugged it off. She would not let thoughts of the future without Boone take the joy from their evening together.

She put a smile on her face as they left the car and climbed the steps to the bar. Hadn’t she read somewhere that the simple act of smiling could raise your spirits?

When he squeezed her hand as they reached the door, she realized a smile was no match for a breaking heart.

With sunlight shining through the windows of the Good Hope Living Center, Gladys sat with her friends in the lobby of the place they’d called home for the last handful of years.

They arranged their chairs in front of the massive stone fireplace while they relaxed after breakfast. Soon, Gladys would head to the theater for tonight’s performance of Spotlight , followed by her NYE birthday bash.

As much as she was looking forward to the performance and the bash, Gladys wanted to savor these last few minutes alone with her two best friends. Over the years, she’d come to realize the importance of friends.

Family, well, her husband was gone, and her son had retired to Florida. Her grandchildren were busy with their own lives. However, to her surprise, she’d received a text from her son, Frank, this morning. He’d told her he and his family were all making the trek to Wisconsin to attend her performance and party.

Albert August, her dear friend, now living with his children out of state, had messaged that he wouldn’t miss it!!! His use of exclamation points in the text had made her smile.

It would be wonderful to see them all again and to have them with her on this auspicious occasion.

Family and friends, all together to celebrate her.

Gladys’s gaze lingered on the two women seated beside her. Over the years, Ruby and Katherine were the one constant. Their matchmaking efforts were a blast, and seeing the couples the three of them had brought together lead happy lives was another blessing.

She found herself wondering if Roe and Boone would…

Gladys abruptly straightened and fixed her gaze on Ruby. “Did you ever get the relationship cards to Boone and Roe?”

The deck, filled with questions designed to help couples deepen their connection by sharing personal thoughts, feelings and experiences, had been around for years and passed from one couple to another.

“I have them right here with me in my pocketbook.” A stricken look crossed Ruby’s face. “I know I said I would give them to Roe, but with the holidays, everything has been so busy that I forgot. I could give them to her tonight before the performance and?—”

“It’s too late,” Katherine said before Ruby could finish. She took a sip of her mimosa before continuing. “It also isn’t necessary. When I stopped by the theater last week, I saw the spark. ”

Ruby’s gaze dropped to the cards she’d just pulled from her purse. A tiny smile lifted her lips as she looked up. “Do you realize we’ve never answered any of these questions ourselves?”

Gladys’s hearty laugh had a theatrical quality. “Why would we?”

Katherine nodded in agreement. “We’re not dating each other.”

Ruby’s chin jutted upward. “They’re relationship cards. We’re friends. We should each at least answer one.”

Katherine opened her mouth, and Gladys saw she was ready to reject Ruby’s suggestion. But none of them was getting any younger, and if not now, then when?

“Ruby brings up an excellent point. You don’t extoll the virtues of a particular drink without first tasting it. We should each answer at least one.” Gladys’s tone brooked no argument. “If we draw one more appropriate for a couple, we’ll draw another.”

Ruby’s lips lifted in a sly smile even as she feigned disappointment. “So, you’re saying we won’t answer the ones that talk about sex?”

“Absolutely not,” Katherine responded before Gladys could answer.

“Gladys should go first,” Ruby said immediately. “She’s the birthday girl.”

Gladys wasn’t about to argue with getting top billing.

When Ruby held out the cards, Gladys reached midway into the deck and slipped one out.

“‘When you’re ninety years old, what will matter most to you in the world?’” Gladys rolled her eyes. “It figures I’d get a boring one.”

Ruby pointed to the card. “Boring or not, you still have to answer.”

“Well, since my ninetieth birthday was ten years ago, I will answer how I would now.” Gladys glanced at her two friends. After getting their nods, she milked the moment, tapping a long nail against her red lips as she pretended to think. The truth was, the answer came easily. “What is most important to me is family and friends. I have loved my life in the theater, and it has given me such satisfaction. But at this point in my life, when I count my blessings, it is my family and the two of you who mean the most.”

“Same here.” Sniffling, Ruby dabbed at her eyes.

Katherine, never one to show much emotion, surprised Gladys by reaching over and squeezing her hand. “Your friendship meant the world to me.”

“I’m still here,” Gladys reminded her, keeping her tone light. “Who’s next?”

“I’ll go.” Katherine took the top card and silently read it, her expression giving nothing away.

“Did you get one of the fun ones?” Ruby asked, her voice shaking with eagerness.

“You mean one of the—” Katherine stopped before saying more. She held up the card, her short, serviceable nails perfectly manicured. “‘If you found out today was your last day on earth, what would you do?’”

Ruby made a face. “Talk about the opposite of fun.”

Bringing a finger to her lips, Katherine’s gaze turned thoughtful. “Last day on earth?”

“Party like there is no tomorrow?” Ruby suggested, then added, “Because there isn’t.”

Ruby’s laughter at her joke had Katherine’s lips curving.

“Actually…” Katherine put down the card. “I would do nothing different than I’m doing now. Enjoying a mimosa with friends…” Katherine lifted her glass in a toasting gesture. “Then attending a performance of my favorite actress of all time and celebrating her birthday.”

An unaccustomed lump formed in Gladys’s throat, but thanks to her theater training, her voice was clear and steady when she spoke. “I couldn’t think of a better way either.”

After a nod, Ruby reached for a card .

“My turn.” Ruby heaved a dramatic sigh. “Finally.”

Her eyes lit up when she pulled out a card and read, “‘Is there a part of foreplay that?—’”

She had only gotten halfway through the question when Gladys nipped the card out of her hand.

“Pick another,” Gladys ordered.

“Aww, you’re no fun,” Ruby said, but she was already reaching into the deck. “‘How have your dreams changed over time?’”

Ruby’s smile disappeared, and her expression grew serious as she carefully considered the question. “I don’t think they have. I wanted to marry a wonderful man and build a life with him. I did. I wanted to have a child, and I did. Now, I have a wonderful son, three amazing grandsons and a daughter-in-law who I love as my own. I’ve been blessed with wonderful friends, so I’ve never felt alone. I never had lofty career goals, just family and friends, so I’d say my dreams haven’t changed, and best of all, they’ve all come true.”

Gladys studied her two friends. “Having you both with me on my birthday is the best gift I could have asked for. You two are?—”

“Pick one more.” Ruby shoved the deck into her face.

Startled, Gladys jerked back. “What?”

“You’re the birthday girl.” Ruby’s voice took on the tone often used by carnival barkers. “You get to pick another.”

“You’re just hoping she’ll get one like the one you wanted to answer,” Katherine remarked.

“If you insist, but then I need to get ready for my performance.” With a theatrical flourish, Gladys chose a card.

She read the question and laughed aloud.

“What does it say?” Ruby asked with undisguised eagerness. “What does it say?”

“‘If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?’” Gladys read.

Before she could answer, Ruby waved her hand wildly. “Oh, oh, I know. ”

“This is Gladys’s question to answer,” Katherine reminded her.

“No, let her answer.” Gladys smiled at Ruby. “What kind of animal do you think I’d want to be?”

“A crow,” Ruby said triumphantly, as if getting the final word correct in a spelling bee.

Gladys couldn’t help it. Her eyes widened. She’d imagined a peacock or perhaps a graceful gazelle. But a crow?

“Why a crow?” Katherine asked, apparently as perplexed as Gladys.

“The grandboys love crows and were telling me all about them,” Ruby said, referring to Jeremy and Fin’s three sons. “Crows are extremely intelligent.”

When Ruby paused, Gladys tipped her head in silent agreement. That characteristic certainly fit.

“They have amazing communication skills.” Ruby glanced at Gladys.

“So far, you’re batting a thousand.” Gladys smiled. Who’d have thought she had so much in common with a crow?

“And they’re very loud,” Ruby added, setting the card down.

Gladys winged up one of her dark eyebrows.

“That’s a positive thing,” Ruby hastened to reassure her. “Your caw—I mean, your voice can make it to the back of any theater.”

“One other thing about crows that I think we all have in common.” Reaching out, Gladys grasped her friends’ hands. “Crows are very social and loyal. Just like us, they have lifelong friends. So, they’re not simply smart—they’re very lucky.”