* * *
Leslie smiled wickedly as she watched Katherine hold up the long johns in front of her body. Katherine took a big sip of coffee just as Leslie announced, “Dumpster.”
* * *
Katherine blew coffee through her nose as Leslie roared in laughter at her reaction. Fanning her face from the scalding hot liquid and gasping for oxygen, she wiped tears from her eyes and hurriedly blew her nose. “That’s not even funny and that ‘effin hurt!”
* * *
Crying from laughter, Leslie grabbed a tissue and wiped her eyes. “You should have seen it from my side. It was hysterical seeing your eyes bug out of your face. Like I would get you clothes from the dumpster? Puh-lease. I got these out of a catalog and thought the pattern was cute.”
Still gasping from the liquid going down her windpipe, Katherine gave up on niceties. “It looks like a crayon box threw up all over it,” she squeaked out bluntly. “Damn, that hurt. I want a fresh cup of coffee at the first Starbucks we pass.”
* * *
“You’re welcome, once again. I hope you are warm, sweetie,” Leslie said with a syrupy sweetness.
“Sorry, yes. Thank you,” Katherine said politely and gestured at the coffee cup. “New one, remember that.” She watched as Leslie pulled back her own collar. Katherine saw that she was wearing almost the exact same pair with a grin.
“C’mon, twin, suit up! These things are warm and it feels like a million degrees standing in the doorway. Get changed and let’s go,” Leslie ordered.
Katherine smiled and ran off to put on the long johns provided underneath her jeans. Slipping the hand warmer pouches in the pockets of her coat, as well as gloves, she grabbed her other winter wear just in case.
* * *
Arriving at the stadium, they signed in and swapped duties with another parent that just arrived. Katherine didn’t want to end up on cleanup because they wouldn’t be leaving tonight till two or three in the morning from picking up debris in the stands and on the field. She learned her lesson well from last year’s volunteering!
This year, they volunteered for “chow wagon” duty and would be making snacks for sale all day long. Which meant for them, that even if they were outside, they would not be exposed to the elements and would be sheltered a bit from the wind. The teachers and band moms working that day would be taking turns watching the performances. But all-in-all, if she had to help out, Katherine could not have asked for a better place to work.
The day dragged on and on into the afternoon. Katherine could not tell how many stupid Frito pies she had made, or caramel apples. She burned herself twice, the second time cursing loudly in front of a judge that was waiting for his meal. He gave her quite a harsh look and reminded her that this was a school function and she needed to act appropriately. Biting her tongue from what she wanted to really say, she nodded and let Leslie take over.
They worked constantly throughout the day. Finally, at eight that night, Katherine pulled Leslie aside. “Can we leave soon? The other lady that was selling ice cream left,” she whined as she blew her warm breath on her cold fingertips. Katherine was miserable and every time the wind blew, it cut right through her clothing. Including the awful looking long johns. It made her shiver just thinking how cold she would have been without them!
“Hello? Its thirty-seven degrees outside! Would you buy ice cream?” she heard Leslie tell her sarcastically as she got her hands close to the large pot of chili, trying to keep warm without burning herself yet again.
“No, but we have worked a full day and I don’t even have family playing here,” she hedged trying to pin Leslie into leaving.
“Neither do I sweetheart, but I work here. I like my paychecks. If you have to leave, go. I will work this stand all by myself in the cold,” she said dramatically, pouting. She knew she was playing on Katherine’s feelings and laying the guilt trip on thickly.
“I am not doing this next year. I don’t mean to whine, but damn! I’m freezing,” Katherine said, tearing open the pocket warmers. “Is it shameful that I want to tuck these into my bra?” she said, teeth chattering.
Laughing, Leslie shook her head at Katherine’s suggestion. It sounded pretty good to her because she was cold, too. “Love you and we’ll see.” She avoided answering.
“No.” Katherine said firmly and tucked her face back into her scarf.
“Still love you, hon.”
“Whatever. Hand me another crate of Fritos,” Katherine said with faked cheer as another group of parents stepped forward to order. Quickly preparing the baskets of Frito pie, she passed them to Leslie to finish dressing each paper bowl of food.
“That’s my girl,” she heard Leslie whisper. “We are almost done. Promise!”
As the crowd cleared, she heard the next band announcement that they were taking the field. Sighing, she said, “I’m bringing alcohol next year and spiking the hot cocoa.”
“Ooooohhh,” Leslie drawled. “So next year will be fun then?”
“Shaddup!” she laughed, throwing a corn chip at her.
* * *
Katherine watched as Leslie blew a raspberry towards her and wrapped her hands around the large, lukewarm hot cocoa she had been drinking. She was cranky, cold, and wanted to see Alex or be at the hospital. This wasn’t her cup of tea and if it wasn’t for Leslie, she would never allow herself to be talked into things like this. She could never tell her “no” and, thankfully, Leslie never took advantage of it.
Seven more bands played before Leslie’s school band finished up the encore with their performance that had brought them to state finals. Leslie said she insisted on seeing the performance and then they would go for the night. It would be the last one and they weren’t on cleanup duty…so for Katherine, there was finally an end in sight! Opening another set of hand warmers, she tucked them down in the pockets of her jacket since she had her gloves off and plastic ones on, preparing food for the crowds that were still coming between sets.
Katherine saw Leslie check her phone and cringe. “What’s up?” She had been checking the darned thing all evening and was wondering what was going on. Maybe she was talking with someone special, hoping that she had a blossoming relationship as well!
“Nothing, apparently we are going onto the field early tonight due to a cancellation so we are leaving in a few,” Katherine heard Leslie reply. However, she looked very anxious. “Well, that’s good news. Why the face?”
“Oh that, sorry. Just cold and tired.”
* * *
Sounding logical, Katherine shrugged it off and started to pick up around the small concession stand. She had gone through so many boxes of food, cans of chili and blocks of cheese that she vowed silently to never eat another Frito pie for quite some time. She saw Leslie gathering up her personal belongings. Then she quickly grabbed Katherine, dragging her out the door of the building towards the stands.
“Okay, I’m guessing this is you guys?” she said wryly. Katherine couldn’t stand it anymore. Leslie had been acting funny all afternoon and it was getting to her. “You got a hottie out there that I don’t know about? Is there somebody’s Daddy out there you’re dating?”
* * *
“Hell no!” Leslie said, making a face and sitting down in the first bleacher just before it was roped off to prevent any people from walking in front of the spectators. The cheers were deafening when the marching band lined up along the end zone of the football field and began to march forward rhythmically.
Watching amazed, it impressed her that they were marching so precisely and closely together that it looked like a single block of black and purple crossing the field from the color of their woolen uniforms. As they moved in formation, it resembled a massive wave moving across the greenery. Admiring, Katherine said, “That’s pretty cool. I will give you that.”
Leslie nodded and stared as they stepped in time carefully and stopped directly in front of the bleachers they were seated in along the fifty yard line. Hearing the announcement for
the school, Katherine joined Leslie in applauding. Several parents were waving flags and streamers behind them yelling out their children’s names in support.
The golden instruments swung up in synchronization and the music began. Listening, Katherine found herself humming with a grin as she watched. Leaning over to Leslie, she smiled as they marched around the field in circular patterns in precision. “Oh hey, I know that song!”
Leslie grinned and nodded, “Yep. They remade it for a marching piece. It’s Take On Me by A-ha” she confirmed.
“I used to watch that music video all the time. It was so dreamy to imagine being swept into a comic by some hot lover boy.” Katherine sighed wistfully and laughed. The cold bleachers were causing a dull ache in her bottom. Her pelvis felt like it was frozen from the cold metal under her bum.
“Me, too.” Leslie confirmed. “My gosh, I don’t know about you but my butt’s so frozen I’m afraid I could fart snowflakes.” Katherine guffawed loudly, much to the chagrin to the parents around her watching the performance and to Leslie’s dismay. She apologized and shushed Leslie quickly.
They watched the band wrap up the song and stop once again in front of the bleachers. “They are really very good. You should pass it along,” Katherine said, highly impressed. She never paid attention to band when she was in school and never took time to see any performances. While she was still cold, the two of them huddled together on the metal bleachers. Enjoying this moment, it was something she wouldn’t forget.
As they started another song, Katherine noticed they were not marching but instead playing while standing still. She recognized the song again, this time noting that it was one of her favorite mermaid movies’ musical score. Katherine laughed as several of the band members on the horns comically swung to the side dramatically, playing quickly to simulate the “sha la la la la” sung specifically at a key moment from the movie. As quickly as they played, it was suddenly silent and the lights dropped. A loud voice boomed over the speaker in the darkness.
“Tonight is a special performance. Our band’s worked tirelessly over the last several months to perfect their routine, only to have a slight change of plans. As you will notice, those were not the pieces they have played repeatedly over the season, but a request by our benefactor. We have had a truly generous donation made to the school on behalf of Doctor Katherine Drake and Ms. Leslie Wright, our very own English Literature teacher. Katherine and Leslie, would you please stand? We have been gifted laptops for Ms. Wright’s class along with a generous donation of new instruments and uniforms for the band as long as they played a few of Dr. Drake’s favorite songs and gave our benefactor a few moments to ask a very important question.”
Katherine stared at the dark field until a spotlight illuminated a lone figure walking from across the field theatrically. “Ms. Drake, you are needed on the field,” she heard loudly over the speakers and looked quizzically at Leslie, who was grinning with tears in her eyes.
Standing, Leslie waved and pointed at Katherine who looked up at her friend, stunned. “What did you do?” she asked Leslie when several of the band members rushed the steps with their plumes bouncing and took Katherine’s cold hands. They walked her down the steps past the instruments and onto the field to where she saw the spotlighted person was none other than her very own Alex.
Her heart beating wildly, she saw Leslie had followed her down the steps and waited at the edge of the field. She saw her give a slight wave and a thumbs up as she wiped her eyes. Looking back at Alex’s smiling face, she was mystified.
“What are you doing here and when did you get home?” she asked and quickly slapped her hands over her mouth as she heard laughter well up from the stands. Realizing he must have a microphone on, she whispered this time, “What’s going on?”
* * *
Alex grinned happily and took Katherine’s hand. Feeling the cool skin, he tsked and put her cold hands under his and placed them on his chest. “Well, Princess, it’s kind of a long story. There was this woman who appeared from nowhere into my life and stole something very precious from me,” he said dramatically and gave a cue. The entire bleachers exclaimed “Boooo…”
Katherine looked mortified and perplexed at the booing that was commencing. Alex laughed jovially. “No fellas, we practiced this earlier. It’s ‘Ohhhh’ remember?” he said jokingly. “Let’s try it again,” he said, clearing his throat.
“This beautiful woman with a crown swept into my life suddenly and stole something precious from me…” and the crowd instantly complied and yelled out the appropriate “ohhhh” as designed.
“Much better everyone!” He nodded and continued. “So this gorgeous woman had no idea what she took from me. It happened in one single moment, with no other clues than a lone photo that was taken… kind of like Cinderella’s shoe, if you will. I knew I had to find her! Don’t you agree?” he cried dramatically, working the crowd as they cheered.
“Right, I thought so too! But this woman? This beautiful, brilliant woman, who puts me to shame with her joie de vivre, came to me instead and swept me off my feet with a single smile.”
Katherine stood still and smiled, tears running down her face as she realized what was happening. Her eyes were glued to his face, memorizing every moment. Every word.
“This princess… this lovely princess had stolen my heart and I needed it to exist. But what I found is that I couldn’t exist without her,” he said gently kissing her softly and wiping her tears off her cheeks.
Grinning, he said loudly to the crowd, “What do you think I should do? Should I report the theft of my heart?” He roared with dramatic pause and turned back to Katherine and got down on one knee there in the grass.
“Or should I ask my beloved princess to marry me and make me the happiest man alive?” He cleared his throat and waved his hands to cue the crowd. Alex whispered into the mic at his lapel, as he pulled out the ring, “C’mon guys, just like we practiced on three. One, two…”
“Marry her!” the bleachers screamed aloud and began stomping their feet appreciatively. Alex held up a hand and the roar stopped as quickly as it started. The silence was deafening as he looked up at Katherine standing there smiling at him.
“Katherine, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Alex whispered and slid a ring onto her trembling finger. “Say yes, Princess,” he begged.
Not sure she be able to speak due to the tears, she nodded and threw her arms around his head, hugging him. The stands roared to life once again. This time, it was in acknowledgement that she had accepted his proposal. She thought it was the stomping in the stands, but it could also be Katherine’s heartbeat because her heart was thumping so hard with excitement. Swallowing hard, she sniffed and finally croaked, “How did you do all of this?”
Alex laughed and swung her around carefully in the damp grass on the field. “I wanted to do something different, something special and I wouldn’t dare leave out Leslie,” he said, waving her over and giving Leslie a pat on the back.
“She’s been everything to you in the past. I want you to know how important you are to me and our future. Everything you love, I will cherish, too. We put this together because Leslie told me how much you loved volunteering at these events,” he said with a lopsided grin, winking at his fiancée.
* * *
Leslie’s laughter rang through the stadium speakers as Alex’s microphone picked up her voice, as well as Katherine’s screech of disbelief at the tremendous fib he had been told.
The End
Also by Ginny Sterling
Thoroughbred Men Series:
* * *
Sweet Heat Rising
* * *
Stolen Hearts
* * *
Redeemed Hearts
Also by Ginny Sterling
Beloved Texas Bride
* * *
Headstrong Elizabeth Pierce wants nothing to do with her father's suggestion of an arranged marriage. When she finds an advertisement for a nann
y in a newspaper, she flees to Texas to thwart her father and taste independence. She soon realizes that life on the frontier is very different than her pampered life at home.
* * *
A tall, rugged cowboy named Cole comes to her aid when Elizabeth finds herself stranded and her job has disappeared. Elizabeth has to learn a new way of life in order to survive.
* * *
Will she fall for the sexy Texan who has come to her rescue or will she run back home?
Also by Ginny Sterling
Treasured Bride
* * *
An arranged marriage to an older man sounded like a good idea to Clementine Hutton, but it’s nothing like she imagined. Her new husband hopes to strike it rich in Virginia City, Nevada, but his mining fails as miserably as their marriage. When he abandons Clementine, it’s the sexy sheriff who rescues her.
* * *
Sheriff Micah Woodall has had a tender spot for the browbeaten woman since he first saw her, but he won’t meddle in another man’s marriage. Some men just don’t recognize real treasure.
* * *
For Micah, nothing is as valuable as the love of the right woman. Clementine’s marriage has left her mistrustful, but Micah’s kindness shines like a vein of pure silver ore. Can she overcome the past to become his treasured bride?
Romancing the Fangirl Page 15
