Music blared from the laptop’s speakers as the PowerPoint began. “Ventura means...VICTORY.” Wow. That sounded like the guy who did movie preview voice-overs. “In a world...'
Faces of cheerleaders, their hair pulled back and festooned with bows, appeared on the screen. “We have a long tradition of cheer at Ventura, a spirited legacy that continues with the next generation of students to come through our halls.”
Video of formations—amazing ones—played on the screen. Liann had to admit she missed the gymnastics portion of cheer—the physical skills and pyramids. The catches and flips. Music with a pounding beat accented the performances.
“Should you join us at Ventura, you will join us in bringing cheer to the next level. Higher, stronger, louder. The question is: Are you worthy?”
Liann blinked when the lights came on. No, she didn’t know if she was worthy. “That was quite a presentation.”
“It’s brand-new this year,” Misty said, taking a seat across from Liann. “All right, Ms. Rivers, now that you’ve seen the presentation, do you have any questions?”
“So, what’s your position on hazing or bullying, even among cheerleaders?”
“We have a zero tolerance policy for such behaviors.” Misty blinked. She probably didn’t get asked questions like that every day.
“That’s great.” Liann paused. A sudden realization stopped her. Ventura wasn’t for her, not the cushy position, the polished glamor. She would have been excited several month ago at this opportunity, but not now. She'd exchanged that dream for a new one. She belonged in Starlight. She was sorry it had taken renting a car and taking up Misty Rossetti’s time, but, at least she knew. Liann stood.
Misty did as well, a questioning look on her face. “Is everything all right, Ms. Rivers?”
“Yes, it is. I just realized, Ventura’s not for me.” She shifted, avoiding Misty’s eyes. How could she explain? “I wish you the best in finding a coach, though. Thanks for meeting with me.”
“Thank you.”
Liann left Misty, her mouth still gaping.. By the time Liann found her rental car, her hands were shaking. What had she just done? She’d prayed last night for clarity. Oh, she’d received clarity, all right. Watching the images paraded across the screen, she realized they were just that. Images.
“Lord,” she said as she started the car, “I have no idea where I’m going, or what I’m doing. I know now what I’m not doing. That was easy today. But what’s next?” She found I-35 and headed south, home to Starlight. Home? Home for now, anyway.
She turned on the radio as she zipped along the highway. Maybe she could go back to college. She’d studied education, but what she really enjoyed was helping students. Matt was half-right. She did want to help young people. She could always go back to school to become a counselor or an adolescent psychologist. She still had a lot to learn. She would have kept herself at a better emotional distance from her students, for one thing. Emotions seemed to run high when she cared.
Liann thought back to Monday, how she’d given Jake a verbal lashing. He hadn’t said he wouldn’t stand up for her. All he’d said was he needed to be careful. But still, that said something. If he did love her—not that he’d ever said he loved her—he’d put his heart’s desire on the line for her. This time, she wasn’t going to settle for a man who loved himself and his position in life above her.
“I love you, Jake Tucker,” she said aloud in the car. “The question is: How much do you love me?”
#
“Emma Waters and her daughter are behind these ridiculous allegations,” said Jake before the school board on Monday night. “I appeal to you to look at the facts of what happened—which really have nothing to do with Ms. Waters and have everything to do with Tim Rollins and my sister, Madelynn Tucker. Ms. Rivers brought concerns to me on several occasions due to conversations she’d had with Maddie, as well as my sister’s Facebook page. I appreciate that. She was doing her job as a teacher who truly cares for her students, both on and off the clock. You will see that these young women who allege they were harassed were, in fact, the ones doing the harassing. Of my sister.”
The school board was assembled in one row along with the superintendent. The president of the school board spoke. “Coach Tucker, we thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. There are a lot of facts and statements to sort through, but we will get to the bottom of it and give our ruling to the Human Resources department.” She smiled at him.
“Thanks, ma’am. I won’t take up any more of your time.” He wished others could have been there, to hear him stand up for Liann. But his parents, Aunt Zalea and Uncle Herb, many others supported Liann.
He owed her an apology, he knew, but tonight he’d essentially put his job on the line and addressed the school board. He could probably kiss the head coaching job a long goodbye. Blann would find someone else, probably one of the egomaniac assistant coaches who would love to spend time rubbing Jake’s nose in the fact that he’d thrown away the position over a woman.
Not over any woman. The woman he loved.
In his pocket, he carried a polite letter from Kansas Tech, thanking him for his interest in being part of the athletic coaching team for their institution.
Although you exhibit many fine qualities of a coach that we look for when recruiting for our staff, you have not been selected for a position at this time.
#
Liann had spent the three days since her bombed interview for Ventura helping Aunt Chin Mae close the hives for the season. October had blown in with cooler temperatures, and mornings held a crispness in the air that energized rather than drained her.
Azalea Bush had called last night, singing Jake’s praises. “Oh, darlin’, it was just like David and Goliath, him in front of the school board with his five smooth stones. You just keep prayin’, and we will too.”
No answers had blown in on the wind, although she had received assurances from the teachers' union that her interests were protected, and she needed to continue carrying out her teaching duties, which she'd done. She had also looked at the catalog for Texas A&M Central Texas. The university was close enough for her to pursue more studies, once she’d lived in Texas long enough to be considered a resident. However, she couldn’t imagine Starlight without Jake, or her in Starlight without him.
A pair of vehicles pulled up in the driveway, one of them a large boxy van and the other, Jake’s truck. Its bed brimmed with boxes tied down by bungee cords. Was he moving?
Some kind of fuss was going on beside the van as Liann approached. Maddie settled onto the seat of a wheelchair with a couple helping her. The man was an older version of Jake with touches of gray in his hair. The woman, Maddie’s mother, had dark hair like her daughter, kind brown eyes, and a big smile that Maddie had inherited.
“Ms. Rivers!”
Liann ran to them. “Maddie!” She hugged the girl, who immediately began sobbing.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. All you ever did was push me to do better. You stuck up for me, and now you're in trouble. And it’s all my fault.” Maddie buried her face in Liann’s shoulder.
“Don’t cry. It’s going to be okay.” Liann straightened and stood to face their parents. Jake’s parents. What must they think of her?
“Melvin Tucker,” Jake’s dad said, extending his hand. “I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for our Madelynn.”
“I’m June Tucker,” said Maddie’s mom. “And I’m a hugger.” With that, she enfolded Liann in a motherly embrace. The gesture made Liann miss her own mother. Liann stepped back, glancing at Jake.
“And you know me.” Jake quirked a grin. “Listen, about last Monday—”
“Don’t.” Liann shook her head. “I was upset—really upset. I’m sorry. I said some things I probably shouldn’t have.”
His voice grew soft. “I didn’t want to let you down. That’s the last thing I’d ever want to do.”
“I think we’ll go say hi to Chin Mae an
d Bert,” June said. She grasped the handles of the wheelchair and pushed it toward the house.
Liann stood fixed where she was. If Jake was leaving, she didn’t want to rake her heart over broken glass.
He stepped closer.
“So,” she heard herself asking, “you heard from Kansas Tech?”
He nodded, and she felt her heart splinter. “I got a letter. They said thanks, but no thanks.”
“You mean?”
“I’m staying here.”
No, her heart wasn’t splintering. “What about your job here in Starlight?”
“I’m still assistant coach, for now.”
“You’re not leaving, then?” He wasn’t going, and neither was she, so that meant...
He shook his head. “No, this is all of Maddie’s stuff. We’re moving her up to Colorado to be with Mom and Dad, where she ought to be. She’s been suspended for a week because of leaving campus without permission like that.... Starlight ISD is putting that on her record and sending it to Colorado. We’re actually leaving for Colorado now. I have some personal days I can take, and I plan to be back here in time for Friday night’s game.”
“I’m sure going to miss her.”
“So what about you? Are you going to Ventura?”
“No. I got all the way up there, heard their spiel, and realized I don’t want that anymore. I decided to stay here. I’ve grown partial to spinning flags and tossing rifles.” She stepped closer to him. “I’m also looking at going to grad school, to be an adolescent counselor.”
A grin slid across his face. “You’re staying? Here?”
She nodded then threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, not caring if anyone happened to glance out the window. “I’m not leaving, Jake. I want to be here, with you. That’s what I really want. To ride Patch and Misty, and get stranded, and go fishing, and find out more about Billy and Justine’s cottages. I want to dig for fossils and harvest honey and go through the Dairy Queen drive-through. And go to Austin for some really good shoe shopping.”
Jake pulled her into his arms, lifted her up and spun her around. “I think all that can be arranged.”
“Good, because I’m staying. You’re stuck with me,” she said as a laugh tickled her throat.
He kissed her. “Good, ’cause I’m not going anywhere either. Except to Colorado and back.”
Liann frowned. “I’m going to miss you. I feel like we have lost time to make up for.”
“So come with me right now. Today.”
“To Colorado?”
“Of course. I could use a driver. It’s a good fourteen hours probably, longer with Maddie. Mom and Dad are along, too. I know they’ll enjoy getting to know you.”
“I’ll pack my bags now.” When Liann pulled away from him, he clamped onto her hand.
“Not so fast. One more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I love you, Liann Rivers. More than my job, more than any of this.” He kissed her one more time.
“I love you too, Jake Tucker.” She had come to Starlight, praying God would turn the mess she’d made into something beautiful. And so He had, for all of them.
Epilogue
“Guess who’s getting married?” Aunt Chin Mae marched into Liann’s apartment, waving a newspaper.
“Me! That’s who!” Liann felt like she’d reverted to a giggly teenager again, but when she looked at herself in the full-length mirror, she saw herself in a wedding gown. April, the perfect time for a wedding in Texas, with the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush gracing the fields outside with riots of color.
And downstairs, outside at the beautiful view of the west from her aunt and uncle’s property, rows of white chairs faced an outdoor altar underneath the ancient live oak. In less than fifteen minutes, Liann would head down the steps with her father, cross the parking lot and walk down an aisle of fresh grass to become Mrs. Jake Tucker.
“Not just you getting married, silly.” Aunt Chin Mae laughed. “Your old Matt. See?”
“I don’t care,” said Liann’s mother. “I’m finally getting to wear my mother-of-the-bride dress today.”
“Let me see.” Liann reached for the paper. She’d always wondered what happened to Matt. There he was, on the society page of the Austin American-Statesman. Matthew LeFleur set to wed Christina McElvey on June 22nd. Ironic, almost a year to the day of what would have been their old wedding date. “‘The groom-to-be is the youth pastor at Grace Covenant Church. The bride-to-be is an physical education teacher in Austin Public Schools, as well as a piano player at Grace Covenant Church.’”
“What? Let me see that.” Tamarind, wearing her bridesmaid dress in a gorgeous shade of periwinkle, leaned over her shoulder. “I knew there was something fishy about him.”
Liann laughed at the irony. One of her last memories before everything caved in, was Matt wanting her to learn to play piano. Ancient history. All things were now made new. She shook her head and tossed the paper back to her aunt. “Can someone get me a damp cloth? I need to get this ink off my hands.” She silently wished Matt well then put him out of her mind forever.
“Right here,” said Justine, removing a wipe from a package in her purse. “I’m well prepared.”
Maddie crossed the apartment with only the slightest of limps. “You’re so beautiful, Liann. I’m so glad I’m getting another sister.” She’d healed up and blossomed during her time in Colorado and had decided to let her mother homeschool her. Tim Rollins was working and finishing his senior year, preparing to enter the work force to help support his baby boy.
“Ladies, we need some bridesmaids lined up downstairs right now,” Billy called up the stairs.
“Guess that’s us!” Maddie went to grab her bouquet on the table.
“Okay, mother of the bride, too,” came Billy's voice again.
“That’s right,” Liann’s mother said. “I don’t want anyone to miss me in this dress.” Nobody would, not with all the sequins. “C’mon, Chin Mae. You can walk behind me.”
“I’m not supposed to be here. I'm supposed to be in my seat” But Aunt Chin Mae trotted after Liann’s mother.
Liann was left with her four bridesmaids, Maddie, Justine, Tamarind, and Beth. “Ladies, thank you all for every way you’ve added to my life since I’ve moved to Starlight. I once thought it was one of the worst mistakes I’ve ever made, but now my life is full to overflowing.”
Maddie nodded. “Plus, you’ll have the best seats at the football games next fall, married to the head coach of Starlight High Yellowjackets.”
“Yes, I sure will, won’t I?” A laugh bubbled up inside her at Maddie's words. “But I’m not going to wear that hideous yellow shirt anymore.”
At that, the women laughed as Liann’s father climbed the stairs. “Baby girl, we’re ready to go now.” He looked distinguished in his tuxedo, and Liann wished now that California wasn’t so far away.
“Daddy, you never told me what you think of Jake.” She had no doubts in her heart about him.
“You did good, Li. You did good.”
With that, Liann placed her hand on her father’s arm and stepped downstairs into her new life.
THE END
Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed another journey to Starlight, a sweet little town with lots going on in the heart of Texas, near Fort Hood. Starlight is a blend of all the cities and towns in the area, where in fall, high school football is king. During August, the marching bands and football teams step up their game to give their towns a season they'll never forget. Rebecca's Kitchen is a real restaurant in Kempner, Texas, that serves delicious pie and good downhome country cooking.
Don't miss books one and three in the Lone Star Hearts series, Catch A Falling Star and The Sweetheart of Starlight
Catch A Falling Star is available here: http://amzn.com/B018YEG77I
The Sweetheart of Starlight is available here: http://amzn.com/B01A1BDRAC
Here's a sneak peek at book three, The Sweet
heart of Starlight:
Prologue
August, Oklahoma City
Tamarind Brown could barely lift the trophy in all its electroplated glory, but she grinned anyway as digital cameras clicked and flashed in her direction. Sweat snaked a fresh trail down her back and along her temples. She surveyed the cheering crowd and allowed herself a moment under the great shining sun. That's right. The title is mine. Mine! If only Daddy had come to see this one. Three days, sweating over the smoker. Trying not to worry, praying as she coaxed tendrils of smoke from the apple wood to infuse the meat roasting on the rack above.
“Congratulations, Ms. Brown.” The emcee of the Great Southwest Barbecue Extravaganza handed her an envelope. Tamarind already knew what the check amount was inside. Enough for gas money home, and then some.
“Thanks, Bud.” She smiled at him as she shifted the ginormous trophy to her hip. Bud winked at her before she scanned the crowd again. Sorry, Bud, you're old enough to be my dad.
Another smiling face in the crowd, though, made her pause. Rick Mantovani, grinning at her with those snappy dark eyes of his and applauding. He gave her a nod, then whistled through his fingers. Sure, he'd won in the pulled pork category, placed second in chicken. They'd chased each other throughout the Southwest this summer from one barbecue competition to the next. But no, she'd won the overall title with her beef barbecue points. She gave him a nod, complete with plenty of her own personal sauce.
Then the crowd swarmed after Bud declared the competition over, and Tamarind lost sight of Rick's Cheshire Cat expression. He'd probably hop the next flight back to New York. That thought alone almost made her quit smiling...just a little. Wasn't he going to tell her goodbye, at least? He mentioned something about shooting her an e-mail after they both returned to their respective homes, his in northern New Jersey and hers in central Texas.
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