Rough Terrain (Vista Falls #1)

by Cheryl Douglas

  “He told you that?” Rush asked, sounding surprised.

  “Not exactly, but he didn’t have to. I could tell he wasn’t stoked about the idea.”

  “Wes is one of those guys who keeps his feelings under wraps, kid. It’s not easy to read his mind even when you know him as well as I do. It could be you read him wrong. Maybe if you give him a chance to explain—”

  Nick turned around at the sound of gravel crunching beneath tires. “I can’t believe you ratted me out, man. I thought you were cool.”

  “I am cool.” Rush put Nick in a headlock, making him laugh as he gave him a noogie. “That’s why I’m forcing you two to hash this out—because I care about both of you.”

  Wes walked slowly toward the dock, his keys in his fist. He nodded at Rush as they passed each other. “Hey.”

  Nick looked away, pretending to watch two fishermen in a small aluminum boat wrangle a smallmouth fifty feet away.

  “I’m glad I finally found you. I was worried.” Wes claimed Rush’s spot, hanging his head. “You gonna go on giving me the silent treatment, or you think we can talk about this?”

  Nick had already stated his feelings. He didn’t think there was anything left to say.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t react the way you wanted me to when you asked if you could spend the summer with us.” Wes threaded his hands, looking down. “It’s not that I didn’t want you to. I did. But I had to talk to your mom and Sage about it before I told you it was okay.”

  Nick glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, trying to decide whether Wes was telling the truth or just trying to cover his ass because he’d pissed off his girlfriend. Assuming she knew or cared that Nick had bailed. “You talked to my mom?”

  “Yeah, I just got off the phone with her before Rush texted to let me know you were here.”

  “Did you tell her that we got into it?”

  “No, I wanted to talk to you first, see if we could work this out.”

  Nick didn’t know what to expect, so he held his breath waiting for Wes to say something. When he couldn’t stand the sound of the birds chirping any longer, he said, “And…?”

  “Your mom’s okay with you spending the summer with us.”

  “She is?” Nick didn’t know whether to be hurt or relieved. Apparently she didn’t want him around, but he wasn’t sure Wes and Sage did either. So where did that leave him?

  “Yeah, but I don’t think it was easy for her. She’s gonna miss you, you know.”

  “Maybe,” he said, shrugging. “But I doubt it.”

  Wes pushed his glasses back on his head, glaring at Nick. “Let’s get something straight, Nick. We may not have been mature enough to raise you, and I’m sorry about that. Believe me, you’ll never know how sorry. But your mom was there for you when we couldn’t be, and we all owe her a debt of gratitude for that.”

  “I know, but—”

  “I’m not done.”

  Nick swallowed, wondering what it would be like to be the guy who’d crossed Wes Davis. “Okay, I’m listening.”

  “From everything I’ve seen, she’s a good woman. Can you tell me I’m wrong?”

  “No, but—”

  “She was there for you when you were growing up, when your dad died. And I’m sure she was going through her own hell, but that didn’t prevent her from supporting you, did it?”

  “No, sir.” Nick suddenly felt as though he was talking to his school principal, not the guy who gave him up for adoption.

  “And when she met your stepdad, she asked you how you felt about her dating again, I’m guessing?”

  “Yeah, she did.”

  “And? What did you say?”

  “I told her I was cool with it. I didn’t want her to be sad anymore.”

  “Is she happy now, with your stepdad?”

  “Yeah.”

  “So when did her happiness stop being important to you?”

  Nick knew what Wes was getting at, and his questions were hitting their mark. “It is important to me, but sometimes I feel like she doesn’t care whether or not I’m happy.”

  “Are you happy?”

  Nick rubbed his eyes when they became blurry with unshed tears. He wouldn’t cry in front of Wes. He was too old for that shit. “Most of the time, I guess.”

  “Then I’d say you’re better off than most teens.” Wes smirked. “God, I remember that being the hardest time in my life. I was so confused about everything. I didn’t know where the hell life was going to take me or even where I wanted to end up.”

  “Guess you figured it out, huh?”

  “Yeah, when Sage told me she was pregnant, I think that’s when I finally realized it was time to grow up.”

  “In her book, Sage said you wanted to keep me,” Nick asked, his voice cracking. “Is that true?”

  “It sure is.” Wes shook his head. “But I’m not sure that would have been the best thing for you. I didn’t know a damn thing about being a parent. At that time, I couldn’t even take care of myself. But I vowed if I ever found myself in that position again, with the opportunity to be a father, that I would do right by my kid.” He looked at Nick. “You may not realize this, but I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”

  Nick swallowed, cursing the burn in his throat. “Really?”

  “Really.” Wes sighed. “I didn’t want that sacrifice to have been for nothing. I wanted to make something of my life so if I ever had the opportunity to meet you, maybe, just maybe, you’d be proud of me.”

  Nick closed his eyes before dropping his head. He’d bragged to all the guys at school that the Wes Davis, owner of Backwoods Outdoors, was his biological father. Half of them didn’t believe him until they saw Wes at the football game in Brock. “I am proud of you.”

  “You mean that?” Wes asked, disbelief echoing in his tone.

  “Come on, man. You can’t be surprised to hear me say that. You’re like the richest guy I know.”

  Wes shook his head as a fish broke through the water. “No, I’m not, Nick. I’m sure you know guys a lot richer than I am.”

  “No, I—”

  “My dad was the richest guy I knew. People loved him. He had a lot of good friends, a wife who adored him, kids who looked up to him, his faith…” Wes drew in a deep breath, running his palms over his denim-clad thighs. “He’d be the first to lend a hand to someone in need. He may not have had much money in the bank, but he was rich in all the ways that mattered.”

  “I guess I get what you’re saying, but you can’t deny you are rich. By most people’s standards, I mean.”

  “That’s only because most people don’t get it. They figure if you’ve got a few millions bucks in the bank, you’ve got it all. That’s not true.” He wiped sweat off his brow before leaning back on his palms. “I came back to Vista Falls to see if I could build real wealth here. I’m not talking about my business now. I’m talking about the relationships that mean the most to me.”

  “You mean Sage?”

  “Sage. My mom. My brother. You.” He smiled. “My sister’s halfway across the country, but her too. I have a lot of good friends here, people I left behind when I swore I’d never come back.”

  “So that’s why you came back, ‘cause you were missing everybody?”

  “I came back because there was a void in my life. A huge void. I had some idea that void was tied to you and Sage, but I didn’t know for sure until I had both of you back in my life.”

  Nick smiled slightly, honored to be a part of the group who meant the most to Wes.

  “I’m happier than I’ve ever been since getting to know you, Nick,” Wes whispered, glancing at his son. “And it would destroy me to lose you now.”

  Nick didn’t know what to say. Though he loved his adoptive parents, he’d never told them so. He didn’t think he had to. He just assumed they knew. But listening to Wes made him question whether it was better to say it.

  “I’m glad you’re in my life too. I’ve wanted this for a really long time.�
�� When they shared a smile, Nick said, “I’m sorry for acting like a d-bag earlier.”

  Wes laughed. “So am I. I could have handled things a hell of a lot better than I did. But I’m new at this, and I’m going to need you to be patient with me while I figure it out. You think you can do that?”

  “I think so.” Nick felt better than he had in a really long time. Something told him that everything was going to work out the way it was supposed to.

  “Good. So about this summer…”

  “Don’t worry about that. I know it was a lot to ask. We don’t know each other all that well yet.”

  “I can’t think of a better way to get to know each other.” Wes grinned. “Can you?”

  “You mean you really want me to come stay with you?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “And Sage is okay with it?”

  Wes chuckled. “She was ready to smack me upside the head when she found out I didn’t agree to it right away.”

  Nick was glad to hear that. “Cool. And my mom’s really okay with it? You don’t think she’s just saying that?”

  “No, I don’t. But will you do me a favor?”

  “Sure.” Nick didn’t even have to ask what it was. “What?”

  “When you go home, give your mom a hug. Tell her you love her and that you appreciate everything she’s done for you.”

  That was something he should have done a long time ago. “Yeah, I can do that.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  When Sage and Wes took Nick back to Brock together, their son had done most of the talking. Wes had been uncharacteristically quiet, which made Sage nervous. She had to apologize for the way she’d gone off on him earlier, so when he walked her to her front door, she invited him in for a drink.

  “I should probably get home.” Wes hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “I’m dealing with a bit of a work crisis, so—”

  She grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him in for a passionate kiss. “I know you’re pissed at me, and I’m sorry.”

  He flattened his palm on the door above her head, leaning in until his body was brushing hers. “I’m not mad. I guess I’m just a little hurt that you assumed I didn’t want our son around. I know I didn’t handle the situation very well—”

  “Neither did I.” She sighed as she rested her hands on his chest. “But we’re new to this whole parenting thing. We’re bound to make mistakes, right? Especially with a teenager.”

  Sage would never admit it, but she was nervous about having Nick with them all summer. She didn’t want to say or do anything that would hurt her relationship with him, but she knew that was inevitable unless they intended to let him do whatever the hell he wanted all summer, which was not an option.

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  She threaded her hands through his hair when he dropped his head. “And that’s not the only thing I’m new at, Wes. Relationships have always been hard for me. I haven’t had a lot of experience. Ever since you left…” She diverted her eyes, almost afraid to admit the truth. “Well, I haven’t really had much of an interest in anyone else.”

  “What about that guy who proposed to you?”

  “I never really gave that relationship the time and attention it deserved, but then neither did he. I guess that’s why it didn’t work.”

  He nodded, looking lost in thought. Perhaps he was thinking about his past, about all of the women who hadn’t been able to hold his attention.

  “But I do want things to work with you,” Sage whispered, brushing her lips against his. “I want that more than I’ve wanted anything in a really long time.” Except for getting to know Nick… she wanted that as much as she wanted another chance with Wes.

  Mrs. Banks spotted them as she was taking her trash bins to the curb, prompting Wes to stand up straighter and take a step back from Sage.

  “Evening, Mrs. Banks,” Wes said, nodding. “Nice night, isn’t it?”

  Sage admired his ability to pretend they hadn’t been in the midst of a potentially life-altering conversation because it took her a lot longer to hide her frustration with a fake smile.

  “It sure is.” The petite, white-haired lady who had known both of them since they were kids laughed as though she knew a joke and didn’t intend to let them in on it. “I knew this would happen when I heard you were moving back to town. I told your mama that, Wes. That this here girl was the reason you were coming back, though you were probably too bullheaded to admit it.”

  Sage had always gotten along well with her opinionated but well-meaning neighbor, but tonight, she didn’t have the patience for the woman’s meddling. Not when her future with Wes was hanging in the balance.

  “She was a big part of the reason,” Wes admitted with a half smile. “Though you’re right. I don’t think I even admitted it to myself at the time.”

  Mrs. Banks folded her arms, shaking her head. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you boys today. Back when me and Martin were courting, there was never any doubt we’d get married. It was just a question of when, not if. We didn’t waste our time pussy-footing around, waiting to see if there was someone better out there. We trusted our hearts. And I can only speak for myself, but I never regretted doing that.”

  Wes glanced at Sage briefly before he said to Mrs. Banks, “You’re right. Sometimes we can take too long to figure out what’s right.”

  “But it’s not too late.” She smiled, her satisfaction evident. “You’re both here now and obviously as in love as you were when you were teens. So what’s stopping you from making an honest woman of her?”

  Wes chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck while Sage felt heat creeping up her neck as she grabbed Wes’s hand before fitting her key into the lock.

  “If you’ll excuse us, Mrs. Banks, we were right in the middle of something. I’ll see you at the church fundraiser on Wednesday night if I don’t see you before.” She hauled Wes inside, giving him only enough time to wave at her neighbor before she slammed the door and pressed her forehead against the cool wood. “God, I’m so sorry. I can’t believe she put you on the spot like that.”

  “You have to admit she made a good point.” He stroked the stubble on his chin. “I remember my dad used to say the same thing to me. ‘When you meet the right one, don’t waste time questioning it—just go for it.’”

  Sage laughed, trying to hide her nervousness as she made her way around him. As much as she wanted this conversation to mean the beginning of something wonderful for them, she didn’t want to rush into anything because he felt pressured. That was the reason she wouldn’t consider marrying him years earlier—because she hadn’t wanted him to feel as though he had to marry her.

  He grabbed her around the waist from behind, burying his face in her neck. “Hey, why’re you trying to get away from me? Are you getting nervous with all this talk about marriage?”

  Her heart was pounding so hard she was sure he could hear it. “I’m not nervous. I’m just…” She couldn’t tell him that loving him made her more scared and vulnerable than she ever had felt, but it was true. “Trying to make sense of what you’re saying.”

  “What you said on the porch about wanting this to work, did you mean it?”

  “Of course I did.”

  “So how do you see this working? What’s your ideal scenario?”

  Was he crazy? They’d just started dating again, and he expected her to talk about marriage and babies and every other wonderful thing she’d ever fantasized about sharing with him? “Well, um, I’m too old to be wasting time with someone who doesn’t want the same things I do, so I guess it makes sense to make sure we’re on the same page.”

  “Right. So let’s hear it. What do you want from me, Sage?”

  She removed his arms from around her waist, needing a little breathing room to collect herself. She walked into the living room and sank into an armchair while he followed her into the room. “I want us to spend more time together, to get to know each other all over again.”

&
nbsp; He set his hands on his hips as he stared at her intently. “You said you loved me the other night at the inn. You sure about that?”

  She’d told him dozens of times since then too. How could he doubt that? “You have to ask?”

  “Yeah, I do.” His response was clipped. “Because the way you’ve been acting today makes me wonder where the hell I stand with you.”

  Sage panicked as she felt him slipping away again. “Loving you is the easy part.” She tucked her legs under her and took a deep breath, mentally rehearsing the words before she blurted out, “Figuring out how to keep you happy is the hard part.”

  He frowned as he leaned against the doorframe, watching her. “It’s not your job to make me happy.”

  She tried to hide her hurt when she asked, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Sage, I’ve built my life around doing the things that make me happy. I’m lucky ‘cause my job happens to be one of those things. Spending time with you and Nick and my friends and family makes me happy too.”

  “But I’m just a small part of it?” She knew everything he said made sense. He had taken the time to get to know himself and build a life he loved on his terms. Just because she hadn’t done the same didn’t mean she should resent him for not needing her in order to be happy.

  He walked slowly toward her and sat on the coffee table in front of her while his eyes met hers. “When I left here years ago, I thought I’d never be happy again. That’s when I realized I couldn’t make my happiness so dependent on another person.”

  She swallowed, folding her arms. “Right. Makes sense.”

  “You have to understand how broken I was before you can begin to understand how hard it was for me to pick up the pieces of my life. I know your story, how you felt after I left, because I read your book. But you don’t know my story.”

  “Tell me,” Sage said, feeling her heart opening to him as she imagined the pain he’d endured with only his best friend to see him through it.

  “I felt physically sick all the time, especially the days leading up to your delivery.” Resting his elbows on his knees, he curled his hands over his mouth. “I couldn’t eat or sleep. I just... cried.”