“I don’t believe I ever met Buckeye.” Chase reached out to shake her Grandpa Harland’s hand.
“Clover’s foal. You’ll remember her.” Her grandfather slapped his hand on Chase’s back in an open hug he only ever reserved for those he liked. “Good to see you, son.”
Grandma Marie embraced Chase, then Nichole. “The boys can check on Buckeye while we put out supper.”
Supper? Nichole had only planned to drop off Wesley, stay long enough for a glass of fresh lemonade and maybe a cookie or two. She hadn’t mentioned supper to Chase. Supper had long been her grandparents’ main and longest meal of the day. Supper was an occasion, inviting family and guests to settle in around the dining room table, reminisce and bond. Nichole released her grandmother. “We can’t...”
“We can’t eat too much at supper or we won’t have room for apple pie.” Chase set his hand on Nichole’s lower back. His voice, dynamic and excited, overrode any pain he might be feeling. “I heard a rumor about apple pie.”
Wesley laughed. “It’s not a rumor.”
“If this apple pie has two scoops of homemade vanilla ice cream on each slice, then it sure is real.” Grandpa Harland high-fived Wesley.
“The pie is already in the oven.” Her grandmother brushed at the water stain on Chase’s shirt. “We’ve got warmer clothes inside the house. I’ll get you a dry shirt.”
“You always did look after me.” Chase pressed a kiss to her grandmother’s sun-stained forehead. “Any chance we can have dessert before supper?”
“The answer is still no.” Her grandmother touched Chase’s cheek and shook her head, loosening several pure white curls from her bun. “You always did like to live in reverse.”
Chase laughed, released her and walked to the stables with Grandpa Harland and Wesley.
Nichole wrapped her arm around her grandmother’s waist, both for comfort and support. The pair strolled back to the house. “What did you mean that Chase likes to live in reverse?”
“Your grandfather always said Chase jumped first, then looked for a good place to land.”
“Unlike me.” Nichole opened the front door for her grandmother.
Her grandmother chuckled and patted Nichole’s shoulder. “You always looked and looked. Then you’d look again. You spent so much time looking, you never jumped.”
“Until the one day I jumped.” And ended up pregnant, alone and heartbroken. She followed her grandmother into the open kitchen and stared at the feast spread over every counter. Nichole hadn’t confirmed Chase would be coming. “This looks like Thanksgiving.” For the neighbors and their families.
“I knew you’d bring Chase.” Her grandmother checked a pot on the stove.
Nichole hadn’t known until right before they’d left. And she’d only forced Chase to ride along to rest his injured shoulder. At least she hadn’t jumped yet with Chase. Hadn’t let her heart float too long in those deceptive clouds.
Her grandmother tapped a spoon against a saucepan. “You do know you ended up with the best gift ever—your son—when you took that leap.”
Nichole opened the silverware drawer, took out forks and knives and stepped into the routine as familiar and comfortable as a worn pair of jeans. She’d always set the table while her grandmother cooked and her grandfather finished in the barn. Normal bolstered her. There was strength in the typical. In the known. “I want Wesley to be proud of me.”
“We all are.” Her grandmother squeezed Nichole’s arm, her warm gaze full of sunshine and love.
“I feel like I’m getting this parent thing wrong most days. And making it up the other days.” Now she’d allowed Wesley and Chase to bond. Surely that was a mistake. She should’ve dropped Chase at his house like he’d requested. But she’d sensed the loneliness inside him and only wanted him not to hurt anymore.
“You’re too busy second-guessing yourself. You’re missing all you’ve done right.” Her grandmother retied her apron as if to support her insight.
“Wesley is a great kid.” Nichole added plates and napkins to the table. “He’s funny, smart and works hard.”
“You’ve taught him that.” Her grandmother handed her a serving bowl of creamed corn.
“I want to protect him.” From Chase. From getting hurt. From suffering. And she wanted to protect herself. But she worried she might already be too late.
Her grandmother shuffled back to the stove. “Sometimes the best we can do is love them with all we’ve got.”
“And when they get hurt?” Nichole picked up the salad bowl.
“We love them that much harder.”
Nichole clutched the stainless steel bowl against her stomach. “Is that enough?”
“Love is always enough.” Her grandmother smiled and tipped her head toward the wide windows.
Her love hadn’t been enough before. Nichole watched the trio crossing the yard from the stables. Wesley chattered between her grandfather and Chase. Both men laughed and added their own commentary to Wesley’s story. Three generations together. Wesley could learn from both her grandfather and Chase. Things she couldn’t teach her son. “Love is also a big risk.”
“Some risks are worth taking.” Her grandmother opened the stove and poked at her apple pie.
Nichole turned her back on the window and everything she was too scared to want. “But if I risk and take the leap, I might land wrong.”
“Or you might land exactly where you’re meant to be.” Her grandmother carried a large roasted turkey to the table.
How could she trust that? She’d landed wrong before.
Wesley burst through the back door and announced, “Grandpa Harland says we can ride tomorrow.”
“In the corral only,” Nichole cautioned.
“He’s ready for more.” Her grandfather pressed a kiss to her cheek.
Nichole shared a look with her grandmother and admitted, “I’m not.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“I DON’T NEED to eat again until Friday.” Chase tugged the seat belt away from his too-full stomach.
“It’s only Monday,” Nichole said.
“I had three helpings of turkey, too many scoops of mashed potatoes and an extra piece of apple pie.” And way too much fun with Wesley, Nichole and her grandparents. Time was forgotten like it always was with his own family and he’d enjoyed every minute as if he was a part of Nichole’s family too. Chase motioned to the back seat. “And Grandma Marie sent me home with an oversize to-go carrier with leftovers.”
“She’s worried I won’t feed you.” Nichole stopped at a red light and glanced at him. A smile in her voice. “After all, she knows I don’t cook.”
“But she’s going to teach me how to make her piecrust.” Chase pulled off his sunglasses and tucked them inside the case. Supper had extended into the early evening and now the sunset hovered. “That recipe has only been handed down from mother to daughter each generation, you know.”
Nichole’s nose scrunched up. “I can’t believe she’s willing to alter a family tradition for you.”
“I promised her I’d teach her how to make pasta.” And he’d promised both her grandparents that he’d watch over Nichole. Always. That vow had been rather simple to give as he wanted to protect Nichole. Even if he wasn’t with her, he wanted to know she and Wesley were safe. Still, more and more he preferred being right beside her.
If he stayed too long, he might start listening to his heart. Might be tempted to believe his heart—his love—could be valuable to her. But his love had never been worthwhile. Not even for his own father. Love required too many conditions. He’d find better ways to keep his promise and watch over Nichole and Wesley. “Grandma Marie and I made an even trade. And we both agreed to let you taste-test our creations.”
“You had no choice.” Nichole laughed.
The whimsical sound soothed Chase like
the balm Mallory always encouraged him to use. He was full, not only from Grandma Marie’s feast, but also from the day itself. A day spent with those he cared about. He adjusted the seat belt around his shoulder and watched the sun dip lower. Now he’d return to his house and only hope he was full enough to displace the emptiness that waited for him.
“How’s your shoulder?” Nichole asked.
“Ready for ice and JT’s acupuncture needles.” Although his therapy session would need to wait until tomorrow morning. It was going to be a long, long night. “Any chance you might be willing to put together one of your infamous ice packs? My freezer is empty.”
“I’ve got an array of frozen foods at my house.” Nichole glanced at him with concern on her face. Worry coated her words. “How bad is it really?”
“Let’s just say the rope wall and mud crawl were two of the worst decisions I’ve ever made.” Chase grimaced at the reminder of the obstacle course.
“Even worse than paragliding off the cliff?” Nichole added, “Or cave diving?”
Chase nodded. At least in cave diving he hadn’t gotten injured and only suffered a mild case of the bends. And in paragliding he’d been lucky, and the wind hadn’t swept him back into the cliffs, only farther out over the ocean.
“Say no more.” She pulled into the parking lot of a grocery store and parked the truck.
“What are we doing?” Chase unbuckled his seat belt.
“You’re waiting here. I’m getting ice pack supplies.” Nichole opened the door and leaned back inside. Her smile brightened the dim cab. “Still like cookie dough ice cream and popcorn?”
“Definitely.” Chase wondered how he’d get used to not seeing her smile every day. “Why?”
“We’re having a movie night at my house.” She shut the door before he could protest.
Not that he would have. At least not much. He wasn’t ready to return to his house with only the pain in his shoulder for company. Besides, he couldn’t recall the last time he’d indulged in a movie and ice cream night. He definitely hadn’t spent an evening at home with his past dates. But something about Nichole made him want to settle into the evening with only her beside him.
His phone rang, disrupting his unusual thoughts. He’d never wanted to sit at home. Never. He answered the call and greeted Drew Harrington. Outside, he watched Nichole work her way around several cars and head toward the truck. He relayed the information Drew requested, thanked him for his assistance. He ended the call before Nichole opened the back door and dropped the grocery bags on the seat.
Nichole bounced into the front seat, her eager words tumbled across the console. “Vick just called. They want to know if we can meet them in an hour at Sapphire Cellar to discuss the next steps and some contract details.”
Chase willed the dull ache in the back of his skull to recede. Drew had just requested Chase give him a day or two to look into Fund Infusion. Then he’d asked Chase not to entertain any meetings with Fund Infusion until Chase had heard back from him. Chase had agreed, thrilled Drew hadn’t brushed him off and had taken Chase’s concerns seriously. Meeting Vick and Glenn in an hour would certainly be considered the kind of meeting Drew wanted Nichole and him to avoid. Chase rubbed his forehead as if the motion would conjure a good explanation for Nichole.
“Chase.” Nichole’s hand landed on his thigh.
Chase closed his eyes. Tried to ignore the warmth and kindness in her touch. He should tell her about his phone call with Drew Harrington. He should tell her about his wariness of Fund Infusion. He should admit how much he really cared about her. He curled his fingers around hers. “Sorry.”
“It’s your shoulder, isn’t it?” Nichole clenched his hand. “We need to get home.”
As if they shared a home. As if they had taken vows to protect, love and cherish. To put each other first. “What about Glenn and Vick?”
“It was last-minute,” Nichole said. “Vick mentioned they’d understand if we couldn’t make it.”
“But...” Uncertain how to finish his sentence, Chase let his voice drop away. He should tell her to go without him. It was her deal—her dream—after all. Yet Drew might find something. Something that would change her mind. What if she signed tonight and Chase wasn’t there to caution her to wait?
“It’s fine.” Nichole started the truck. “I don’t want to go without you anyway.”
Neither do I. But they were both going to have to go on without the other one soon. That had always been the plan. “Maybe we can reschedule for later this week.”
“They’ll be out of town until Friday.” Nichole chewed on her bottom lip.
“Friday we’ve been invited to dinner at Travis’s house.” Chase opened the invite in his email. “He wants to go over our statement and some publicity things.”
“Then I’ll schedule Vick and Glenn for early next week.” Nichole nodded. A grin relaxed across her face. “That gives me more time to work on a few coding errors in the app before I show the full program to them.”
“Then movie night is back on.”
“Absolutely,” Nichole said. “I call first pick.”
And Chase called one more night to pretend. A few more hours to pretend they could be a real couple. That movie night was their own weekly tradition. That what they shared could be enough.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
TWO MORE MOVIE nights rounded out the week. One had been a given after both Chase and Nichole had agreed they couldn’t leave the fantasy trilogy unfinished. The second night had resulted from Chase’s confession that he hadn’t seen The Maltese Falcon and Nichole’s determination to resolve that oversight.
Between therapy sessions, visiting Nonna and Nichole’s work on her app, it had been go, go, go. Chase had even stepped in as a test user on In A Pinch. He’d also introduced Nichole to one of his local sponsors who wanted to become a vendor on her app. More than one kiss had been shared. But it was holding her hand, sitting beside her and simply being with Nichole that had enriched every day.
Chase parked his truck in Travis’s horseshoe-shaped driveway, grabbed Nichole’s hand and pressed a kiss against her knuckles. “If I failed to tell you before, you look terrific.”
“Thanks.” Nichole squeezed his fingers. “Why am I nervous? It’s only dinner.”
“With the man who negotiates my career.” Chase opened his door and laughed. “He’s no big deal.”
“That’s not helping.” Nichole shut her door and scowled at him.
Chase wrapped his arm around her waist. A motion that was becoming more and more natural. If Nichole was in a room, he wanted to be right beside her. Letting her go was quickly becoming less and less appealing. “Travis likes details as much as you. You’ll like him.”
Nichole stopped on the doorstep and turned to Chase. “Will he like me? Will he believe we’re married?”
“Of course.” Chase almost believed they were married. He should eject himself from the game. He’d stepped out of the neutral zone. And yet he kept running toward Nichole. He tipped her chin up and pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. “He’ll like you because I like you.” A lot.
But his feelings were nothing he couldn’t handle. Nothing he couldn’t control just as he controlled the plays on the field to help earn a win for his team. Besides, liking Nichole a lot was far from confessing to something stronger. Something deeper and terrifying, like loving Nichole.
Nichole set her hand on his chest, her voice confession soft. “I like you too.”
Time-out. Offside. Too many men on the field. Chase searched for a penalty flag. All he saw was Nichole. All he felt was her hand resting over his heart. She said the word like delicately and carefully as if the word deserved special handling. As if the word possessed more meaning. His pulse raced, loud enough for his own ears to listen. She liked him too. But they hadn’t agreed on that.
The front doo
r swung open and Travis flung his arms wide. “Security cameras are a thing of beauty. Welcome and get in here. You’ve had more than enough private time. We can’t start the festivities without you both.”
“Festivities?” Chase frowned at Nichole and linked his fingers with hers. His pulse tripped over his sudden unease.
Travis greeted Nichole and ushered them through the foyer and massive great room. An expansive outdoor living area spread from the patio doors toward an infinity edge pool. The view would’ve been spectacular if not for the crowd gathered outside.
Nichole’s hand clenched his. Chase’s steps slowed. His words came out measured and deliberate. “Travis? What’s going on?”
Travis nudged them onto the patio and shouted, “They’re here. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have finally arrived!”
The one hundred or more guests cheered and yelled, “Surprise!”
Nichole gasped. Chase swallowed and searched for his smile.
At the front of the crowd, Mallory and Brooke high-fived each other. Mallory pointed at them. “We did it. We surprised you both.”
Brooke pressed champagne glasses into their hands and announced, “Happy wedding reception.”
Wedding reception. This was only supposed to be a simple dinner to discuss publicity and appearances as a couple. Later, Nichole and Chase would’ve added their own private discussion: their breakup plans to the conversation. Chase lifted his glass, greeting Elliot and his teammates, several offensive coaches. He anchored his smile into place and willed his cheeks to relax. The Pioneers’ owners, Charles and Claire Faulkner, and the team’s general manager, Keith Romero, waved from the opposite side of the pool.
Nichole’s friends descended from the outdoor bar and kitchen area, wrapping Nichole and Chase in enthusiastic hugs. For the first time ever, Chase had no interest in being the life of the party. He wanted to tug Nichole through the side gate and disappear. Before he could anchor Nichole to his side and plot their escape, his sisters swept her away.
“Before you follow your new bride, and I don’t blame you, can I have a word?” The amused voice stalled Chase’s own retreat.
Her Surprise Engagement Page 20