Threads of Love

by Frances Devine

  He heard her catch her breath. “I will, Todd. Well, good night.”

  He pushed END, took his plate from the microwave, scraped the food into the garbage disposal, rinsed the plate, and put it in the dishwasher. His hunger had disappeared.

  He poured a mug full of coffee and went out onto the deck. He stood by the rail looking out over the lawn. Well, he’d always known Carla didn’t belong working in a diner. He’d tried to fight off the feelings he had for her, but he just couldn’t shake the hope that she might love him, too. That he’d be enough to make up for her dreams. Or that maybe he’d be the one to make her dreams come true.

  He laughed. Sure. Him and his diner. He sighed. Maybe if he took Harrington’s offer. But he knew this had nothing to do with his business. Carla loved the diner. This was something entirely different she had to figure out on her own. He wouldn’t try to manipulate her.

  The phone rang again and he grabbed it, hoping she was calling back. But he didn’t recognize the caller ID.

  “Hello, Todd Berry.”

  “Hi, Todd.” He had to hold back a groan at the sultry voice.

  “Hello, Julie. What do you need?” Maybe she’d get the hint and hang up.

  “No, what do you need?” Her suggestive laugh irritated him.

  “Nothing that I can think of at the moment, Julie. Stop kidding around.”

  “Well, you don’t have to be so mean. I just called to invite you again to my dinner party. Have you changed your mind?” How ironic. That’s what he wanted to ask Carla. “Don’t forget, Todd. Daddy will be there, and he really wants to talk to you about backing your new restaurant.”

  Once again, the possibility of having more to offer Carla ran through his mind. He knew he’d have his restaurant someday, but would it be too late? There he went again. He couldn’t buy Carla’s love. If he accepted Harrington’s offer, it had to be because it was the right thing to do.

  “Thanks. I’ll think about it.”

  A sound of exasperation came through the phone. “Oh all right. But don’t wait too long. There are others standing in line for Daddy’s financial backing.”

  She hung up and Todd went inside. This was another thing to think about. If he signed with Julie’s father, he was pretty sure he’d have to put up with his daughter.

  Chapter 4

  Nervous?” Lee grasped her hand and squeezed.

  Carla shook her head as she looked out over the Olympic-sized ice. She’d agreed to come to the arena to meet Vladimir Demetriev, Lee’s coach. She couldn’t deny the excitement that coursed through her to be in the middle of the skating scene again. But she also had an underlying sense of unease and wasn’t sure why.

  She sent Lee an anxious look. “Don’t forget. I haven’t decided yet.”

  He grinned and gave her braid a little tug. “Okay, I won’t forget. Want to take a little spin around the ice while we wait for Vlad?”

  “I guess so. I haven’t been on ice this good in a long time.” She sat and took her skates out of her bag.

  A whispered murmur caught her attention, and she turned to see a dark-haired, petite woman about her age. She looked familiar.

  “Carla?” The woman stepped forward, her eyes guarded. “Lee told me you were back in town.”

  The haughty voice and unfriendly look in her eyes revealed her identity, even if she had changed physically. Although, on closer inspection, Carla could see she hadn’t changed that much. How could she have forgotten her old rival and sometimes downright enemy, Cassandra Winters?

  “Hi, Cassie. Nice to see you again.”

  “I haven’t heard a word about you since you left. I guess you haven’t been competing.”

  Before Carla could stop herself, she said, “That’s right. I thought perhaps you had, too, since I’ve heard nothing about you either.”

  Annoyance flashed across the face that would have been very pretty if the bad attitude hadn’t been written there so plainly. “Well, you’ll hear about me this year. I got a new partner last year, and our coach is certain we’ll make the top three at Nationals.”

  “Really?” Carla nodded. “Well, be careful. The ice is slippery.”

  Cassie tossed her head at the familiar expression and skated out onto the ice.

  Lee grinned. “I see some things never change. Cassie always was jealous of you.”

  “Well, at this point, she has nothing to be jealous of me for.” Carla gave a rueful smile as she watched the brunette pick up speed and land a perfect triple-toe loop. “She’s really gotten good.”

  Lee shrugged. “She’s fine on the practice ice. So is Carl. But they still haven’t won a major competition.”

  “Don’t be mean, Lee. They came in fourth at Nationals one year.”

  He laughed. “Aha. So you have heard about her.” He tweaked her ear.

  “Yes, I was being catty. I’ll have to watch that.” After all, she wasn’t fourteen anymore, and she was a Christian now.

  “Hey, there’s Vlad,” Lee said.

  Carla looked with interest at the tall fortyish man who walked toward them, a huge smile on his face. She didn’t remember him. He must be new to the area. She stood.

  After Lee made the introductions, Vlad asked to see them do a few elements on the ice.

  “No throw-jumps, Lee.”

  “All right, all right.” He took her hand and they skated onto the ice.

  After warming up for a few minutes they did several spins and ended with a side-by-side single jump.

  Vlad was waiting for them. Without saying what he thought of their skating, he suggested they go to the coffee shop and talk.

  The coffee shop was very modern. A far cry from the little break room at the old rink. Only a few people were seated around the room. After all, it was midafternoon. They ordered coffee and found a booth in back.

  “Carla Daniels. Lee has told me a great deal about his first partner. So you are considering a return to competing?” His heavily accented voice was low and soothing, but his eyes scrutinized her. She had a feeling they didn’t miss much.

  “I don’t know that I’m considering it at this point. I agreed to talk to you, that’s all. I haven’t trained since I was barely fifteen. And I’ve been planning to return to college to get my degree in business. I’m not sure I’m willing to give that dream up for one so risky.”

  He frowned and darted a look at Lee. “I see. So you don’t have a true desire to return to skating?”

  “I’m not sure.” She glanced from Vlad to Lee. “That’s why I said I’d think about it. But I do appreciate your willingness to train me.”

  “Yes, but only if you’re willing to put skating first. Ahead of everything else.” He pursed his lips. “Your training schedule would by necessity be brutal. There are so many upcoming young skaters. In order to compete with them, you would have to breathe, eat, and sleep skating.”

  Once more a niggling uneasiness bit at her. Was she willing to do that? Willing to give up everything for the chance that she might make it to Nationals or even the Olympics?

  She sighed. The dream had always been there. Deep inside. Ever since she’d left Colorado. Could she pass up the opportunity to try again?

  “Don’t look so glum, honey.” Lee chucked her under the chin. “You know you want to come back.”

  “Don’t push her, Lee,” Vlad said.

  Carla sighed. “Could I try it for a few days while I think it over?”

  “Absolutely.” Vlad stood. “I’ll expect you both here at six in the morning. Don’t be dragging in here at noon.” He walked away.

  Lee jumped up. “How about another spin around the ice?”

  She didn’t really feel like skating now, but they might as well get the feel for skating together. See if the moves would come back to her easily. How much of her training had stuck with her after nine years?

  “Sure. But just remember, I’m not a child anymore. So don’t try bossing me around.” She threw him a mock frown.

  He l
aughed and hugged her. “It’s going to be so much fun. Just you wait and see.”

  Carla threw her skate bag on the bed and limped over to the table/counter by the bathroom that held the coffeepot and coffee packets. She was bruised and sore from numerous falls the past few days, and she and Lee had skated for two hours after Vlad left this afternoon, taking a break for a quick supper, then skating an hour more. She wasn’t used to skating that much, and the blisters on her feet bore witness to the fact. She hated to think how bad they’d be if she had new skates, which she’d need soon if she decided to continue. Skate boots were stiff even after they were broken in, and new ones were almost unbearable. At least they were to her.

  She made herself a cup of coffee, dumped in a packet of dry creamer, and limped back into the bedroom. She eased into the comfy chair.

  Her mind whirled with thoughts of the day, especially the incident when Cassie ran into her, knocking her over. Of course, Cassie had been apologetic and horrified. But Carla remembered the same thing had happened several times when they were kids. Apparently Cassie hadn’t grown up yet. Several skaters she recognized had come up to her and introduced themselves, but most of the ones she knew were no longer around. Including their old coach, Tom Fordham, who’d retired last year.

  She yawned and glanced at the bed. Maybe she’d call it a night. She’d need to be up at five. She slipped her phone from her pocket and glanced at her messages. One from Todd. A sudden wave of homesickness washed over her. She missed him.

  The memory of his good-bye kiss sent a shiver running through her. She’d always been attracted to Todd’s muscular good looks, and he’d been a wonderful friend to her. But the kiss had suddenly vaulted their friendship into another dimension or something. Was this why she’d subconsciously blocked him out the past couple of days? Even to the extent of forgetting to call him? But that was silly. Todd hadn’t changed. And neither had she.

  She read his message then punched his speed dial number and hit SEND. The call went straight to his voice mail, which surprised her. He seldom turned his phone off except for church or Bible study. She groaned. Of course. This was his Bible group night at the pastor’s house. She left him a message, giving him a short, condensed version of her day, then told him she was going to bed and would call him tomorrow. But an unusually hollow feeling of loneliness clutched at her. What in the world was wrong?

  Todd waved good-bye to Pastor Stephens and his wife and walked to his car. He slipped his phone from his jacket pocket and turned it on. Seeing he had a voice mail, he punched in his mailbox number and password.

  Carla’s voice sounded tired. As she talked about her day, he sensed sadness or depression that didn’t match the words she was saying. Of course, blisters on the feet could bring one’s spirits down, he supposed. He sighed. He wanted nothing more than to put his arms around her and comfort her.

  But who was he to think she needed his comfort? It sounded like she had Lee Swann. Jealousy rose up in him and he berated himself. Hadn’t he just given Carla to God? And now here he was, at the sound of her voice, taking her back again. He whispered a quick prayer and before long, peace enveloped him. He knew that whatever happened, he’d be okay. And so would Carla. God loved her more than he did.

  Not wanting to go home just yet, where he’d be alone with his thoughts, he drove to the diner. Inventory was just what he needed to get his mind off the situation.

  He threw a burger on the grill. When it was done, he slid it on a bun and piled it high with pickles, onions, lettuce, and tomatoes. The only way to eat a hamburger. He sat at the counter with his back to the booth where he’d sat with Carla before she left. He didn’t need any reminders of that kiss. He drank a glass of milk and downed his burger as quickly as possible. He needed to get busy. Halfway through inventory, after moving what seemed like thousands of boxes, he found himself wishing he’d found another way to occupy his mind. How had he ever ended up with so many cans of tomato paste?

  Just after midnight, he got into his truck and drove home.

  He wasn’t feeling much better, but at least he was tired enough he’d probably sleep.

  As for Carla, he couldn’t very well drag her home by the hair, caveman-style. If she cared for him the way he hoped she did, she’d come home.

  Chapter 5

  Relax now. You’ve done this hundreds of times.” Lee’s voice was soothing as he massaged the tight muscles in Carla’s shoulders.

  Carla tried to relax her face so her tension wouldn’t show. They’d been on the ice with competitive-level skaters again today. Cassie and her partner flew by and sailed into the middle of the ice, where they executed a triple throw. Cassie landed perfectly on one foot without even a teeny wobble.

  “I can’t do this.” Carla turned away.

  “Yes, you can.” Lee spoke with confidence. “We’ll stick with the single we’ve been doing instead of the double we practiced last night. You’ll do fine.”

  Carla pressed her lips together. Lee was right. She mustn’t let fear get under her skin. “Let’s do this.” She grabbed his hand and flashed a determined smile. After a week, she still wasn’t sure she wanted to compete again, but she at least wanted to give herself the chance to find out.

  They glided around the ice several times, doing simple lifts and a side-by-side single jump. Carla motioned to Lee not to do the throw. She wasn’t up to it today.

  “Aw, come on, Carla.” The next thing she knew she was sailing through the air again. And two-footed the landing.

  Cassie and her partner passed them on their way off the ice. Cassie gave a little laugh as they skated by. “A little rusty,

  aren’t you?” she threw over her shoulder.

  Lee laughed. “A little green-eyed jealousy?” he called out. “You always knew Carla was a better skater.”

  “Stop it, Lee.” Carla frowned. “That’s childish. Good grief.”

  “Just trying to get under her skin a little bit.” Lee spun her around and gave her a hug. “C’mon, let’s do another throw. You’ll be doing the double in no time. You always were a quick learner.”

  “Hey, you two.” Vlad leaned against the gate, and he didn’t look happy.

  When they skated over to him, he glared at Lee. “What do you think you’re doing? Cassie told me you did a throw-jump out there. I told you not to try that with Carla yet. She hasn’t done throws in nine years, Lee. Don’t be stupid.”

  Lee grinned. “Just having some fun. She’s ready. It’s not like she doesn’t know how to skate. And we’ve been practicing all week.”

  “What do you mean you’ve been practicing?” Vlad glared. “Maybe you need to decide if you want a coach or not.”

  Carla bit her lip. Lee had always been a rebel and never followed instructions well. Funny she hadn’t remembered that.

  After a session with Vlad, the rest of their practice time consisted of simple turns and crossovers. Carla could feel Lee’s impatience, but she had a sense of relief that they were returning to some basic pairs moves. She’d felt rushed and unprepared when Lee had insisted on doing the throw-jump.

  Lee wanted to take her sightseeing after lunch, so Carla asked if they could drive by the Broadmoor. She remembered very little about it, except that it used to have a grand ice arena and the World Championships had been held there for several years. Carlo Fassi had once coached there. But the rink had been torn down soon after she started skating, to make way for a new wing on the hotel, if she remembered right. Now she was curious, because the luxury hotel was where she and her cousins would stay next week. Although she vaguely recalled something about a lodge. She shrugged. Her cousins would know.

  As they drove by, the sheer beauty of the place almost took her breath away. The historic building, with its backdrop of the magnificent Rocky Mountains and a private lake, looked like a picture postcard. It was midafternoon when Lee dropped her off at her car back at the arena. As she drove to the hotel, her glance kept roving to the mountains. She’d missed them
and hadn’t even realized it. She pulled into the parking lot and got out, locking the car behind her. She breathed in the fresh mountain air. Maybe she wasn’t meant to leave. After all, this was her home. Or had been. Could it be that her future did lie here?

  If the skating didn’t work out, she could finish her education here. She could find a job in Colorado Springs as well as in Kansas.

  But as she stepped into her room, a sudden loneliness washed over her. She knew she’d miss her friends. And the diner. She loved the Berry Patch. She grinned at the memory of Todd’s shaking his head whenever she called it that. Todd. She sighed. She’d miss him most of all if she didn’t return home. He’d been a close friend and, she had to admit, lately her feelings had run deeper than friendship.

  Then what about the attraction she’d felt for Lee when she’d first seen him again? A sudden discomfort ran through her at the thought. Whatever it had been, it had dissipated soon enough. If she did decide to be his partner again, it would be a business venture only.

  But Todd? Although she’d managed to keep the memory of his kiss at bay, there was no way she could deny the warmth she felt when she thought of him. He’d been there for her through thick and thin the past few years. And the thought of his rugged good looks sent a shiver down her spine.

  Carla, stop being so double-minded. She laughed and grabbed her robe and headed to the bathroom. A hot shower was what she needed. Maybe it would wash away her confusion as well as soothe her sore muscles.

  The hot water felt so good that every other thought drifted away with the fragrant suds from her shampoo and body wash.

  Afterwards, wrapped in the thick terry robe, she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and stretched out on the bed.