Vivien set down the park bench she’d wrestled from the playhouse storage room and stared at the hodgepodge of lumber, paint, and props scattered across the stage. Adam had come by with Adrian and roughed out the larger set pieces. Now, if she could just win Gordy over, there was a chance the Creative Arts Committee he chaired might be willing to select her community shows for their new grant program.
Vivien had felt undeserving of the grace Beth had shown her when she’d given her a big hug and smile at Monday night’s rehearsal, assuring her all was well. Now, with two rehearsals behind the cast, Vivien felt like she had an Oscar line-up.
“I’m here!” Ree stormed through the door. “And I brought backup!” Behind her, Issy and Mona followed, dressed for a work party in T-shirts and well-worn jeans.
“Put us to work!” Mona stood facing the stage, her hands on her hips.
Vivien grinned. “You all are amazing!” She held up a bucket of paint. “Anyone ready to make a splash?”
“Oh, clever.” Ree snagged up two new rollers and handed one to Issy. “I’m too wired for detail work, so you need to give me wide open spaces to paint.”
“Just don’t add any glitter.” Vivien pointed at Ree.
“What’s wrong with a little sparkle? Megan agrees with me—a little sparkle is good.”
“Sparkle, huh?” Issy pulled the plastic wrapper off her roller.
“Yes.” Vivien rolled her eyes. “She’s been talking to Megan about wedding plans.”
“Ooh…?” Mona grinned.
Ree held up a hand. “No—don’t ask. We haven’t set the actual date yet.”
“One of these days, you’re going to have to put it on the calendar.” Vivien laughed. “Here’s the scoop. Gordy said he’d be coming by to take a look at what we’re up to. There’s a new grant available through the Creative Arts Committee. If we can win him over, it would help fund future productions.”
She pointed to the paint cans. “Okay, ladies, pop open the green and brown, and you can paint the base layers on the trees Adam built for us. Oh, actually, Ree, do you want to take those lamps out back with Mona and spray-paint them gray?” Vivien pointed to a pair of neon pink lamp stands at the edge of the stage. “The paint cans are already out back.”
“Certainly.” Ree and Mona grabbed the lamps and disappeared.
“Okay, I’m pretty sure I can handle this.” Issy poured green paint into a pan and worked her roller into it. “It’s been a while since anyone has trusted me with a paint roller.” She laughed. “I saw Boone down at the field.”
“Oh?” Vivien grabbed a brush and popped open a small can of dark-green paint.
“Am I mistaken or does that man have a new spring in his step?” Issy began covering a large swath of tree with green and cast a glance at Vivien.
Well, if he did, he wasn’t the only one. They’d spent the past two evenings together before rehearsal.
She’d asked him questions about growing up in Kellogg. His time in the Army.
The man had heart. Oh, so much heart.
And at the end of each night, they’d watched the sunset. The first night on the shoreline. The next night at his cabin. He’d even agreed to an Audrey Hepburn marathon. They’d started with Breakfast at Tiffany’s and ended with My Fair Lady.
Standing on his deck with him, she’d wanted to soak it in. Hold on to it.
The sunset had turned the sky pink and orange with dark purple striations of wispy clouds. And he’d tucked her against himself when the breeze took the night from summer heat to a dusky chill.
Always a gentleman. A protector. The kind of man who showed up. Jumped in. And didn’t let her down.
“Yes, he does.” Issy answered her own question. “And he stayed late talking to Caleb about something.” She filled her roller with more paint. “Maybe…you?”
“Oh, I’m sure it was about the blue-and-white scrimmage.” Vivien began swirling darker green into the wet paint Issy had rolled onto the wood, blending in random areas to add dimension to the tree.
Issy returned to the tree and made several broad strokes. “So, are you two officially a couple now?”
A couple? Were they? Because he only had three-and-a-half weeks left in Deep Haven. And then what?
She set her brush down. “I—I don’t know.” She found Boone to be incredible. Amazing. Thrilling.
And that terrified her.
Issy took one look at her and put her roller back in the tray. “Oh, Viv. You look petrified.” She reached out and wrapped Vivien in a hug. “Can I give you one piece of advice?”
Vivien nodded in Issy’s arms.
“Don’t let fear rule your heart.”
“Right.” Except—well, trust didn’t come naturally to her.
“I know that’s easier said than done, but you—”
“Wait a minute!” Ree and Mona came around the corner. “We were not advised that there was a group hug going on.” Ree dropped the cans of paint into the supply bucket and ran over, wrapping her arms around the pair. “Is this what you’ve been up to while we’ve been slaving away?”
“You’re entirely too cheeky. If you’re not careful, I’m going to lock you out of the house.” Vivien gave Ree a wink before unwrapping herself and picking up her paintbrush.
The playhouse door swung open and she looked up, hoping it might be Boone arriving from football practice.
Instead, Sabrina waltzed in.
Sabrina, in her Louboutin heels, what appeared to be a Gucci skirt, and a heavy scowl that pinched the corners of her lips.
Vivien set down her paintbrush once more. “What are you doing back here again?”
“I was told I’d find you here.” Sabrina snapped out the words as she walked over to Vivien. “I just came to give you a warning. Stay out of my business.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I don’t know who you’re paying to snoop around in my life, but I assure you, I can buy a much better attorney than you can. So, butt out. Or else.” She poked a finger into Vivien’s chest before turning and leaving just as fast as she’d arrived.
The door slammed shut. Vivien blinked.
They all stood in stunned silence until Ree put a hand on her shoulder. “What in the world was that about?”
“Who was that?” Mona came to stand beside her.
Issy took a step toward the door. “Umm…should I lock the door? Call Caleb? Boone? Kyle?”
“No. It’s okay,” Vivien answered. She turned to Mona. “She’s my half sister. We’re not close.”
“Apparently not,” Mona said. “Are you okay?”
Vivien nodded. “I’m fine. I think she’s just a little hot about an investigation Boone and Kyle are working on.”
She’d never really thought Sabrina would be the one sending the flowers, but now she wasn’t so sure. Something had her furious enough to drive from the Cities for a mid-week meltdown.
“Your half sister?” Mona’s eyes held the questions she wasn’t asking.
“It’s a story for another time.” Vivien shook away the lingering ice Sabrina had left in her wake. “We need to get moving on these before Gordy arrives. That man is notorious for crashing a party early.”
“Right,” Ree said. “The lamps are drying out back. We can get going on this other set of trees.”
Forty minutes later, the playhouse door opened again, this time filled by Gordy’s stout frame. Vivien had wholly underestimated the amount of time it would take to get the painting done. Of course, she hadn’t planned on Sabrina’s interruption, or the fact that she’d had to run to get more paint from the hardware store. Twice.
And now, she felt like the entire future of Deep Haven community theater relied on the mercy of the frowning man who was pacing around the stage like a state building inspector.
Don’t let fear rule your heart.
“We just got started on the set building, but it’s coming along well.” She pointed to several more half-finished pieces. “We’ll be working on those the rest of the week. And, of course, you’re welcome to come watch rehearsals.”
“Hmm.” He rubbed his jaw, looking at their sets before walking behind the curtains. “Hmm.”
Vivie exchanged glances with Ree, Mona, and Issy, who now wore paint splatters from head to toe.
What did “hmm” mean?
He finally popped out from the curtains. “I hope you’ll be clearing the wood stack from where it’s blocking the emergency exit.”
“Oh, yes, of course.” Vivien nodded.
“Now.”
“On it!” Ree, Mona, and Issy disappeared.
“What do you think?” Vivien tried not to pour too much hope into the question.
“Well, let’s see how the show turns out.” With that, he dismissed her. Walked right out the door without any indication that she might be able to secure the grant.
A man could get used to Friday nights like this. Boone grabbed a blanket from the trunk of his car while Vivien tugged a box of pom-poms out. Add to that the all clear on the echocardiogram results given by his doctor and he was feeling fairly bulletproof.
When he’d stopped by to pick up Vivien, she’d stepped out in the blue cashmere sweater. It brought out the blue in her eyes, the softness of her face. And a little bit of him stopped caring who won the game tonight.
“Do we need both boxes?” Boone pointed to the second box still in the trunk.
“Issy said just bring one for now.”
“Well, in that case—I’ll trade you.” Boone lifted the box from her arms and handed her the blanket.
He’d been able to assist at four more football practices during the week. Rehearsals were okay—Vivien seemed happy with his role, even if he still felt a little ridiculous.
Rachelle had been encouraging at his Wednesday morning appointment and it was hard to beat ending each day with Vivien by his side. Who would have thought he’d be game for a classic movie marathon?
He still felt like he should be helping Caleb down on the field, but Caleb had insisted he take the night off. That he needed to sit back and relax.
Relax? Maybe. He still couldn’t believe Kyle had run into so many dead ends through the week. Vivien had an entire cast of suspects following her around the country. Lady Venom Half Sister. Creeper Fan. The Russian. The Prima Donna. Boyfriend Stealer. Cranky School Board Guy.
Who wasn’t a suspect?
Well, he’d have warned her if he had any idea Sabrina was going to show up in Deep Haven again. It seemed someone didn’t like people knowing she was overspending all her dad’s money.
Surprise, surprise.
Even after the confrontation, Vivien didn’t think she was the one sending the flowers. Maybe. Maybe not.
But tonight, he was going to bury all that. He had Vivien safe at his side, and he couldn’t wait to see how well the teams played.
“Don’t the cheerleaders need these?” He jostled the box of pom-poms as Vivien led them to the front of the parking lot.
“Oh, no. These are to sell. A fundraiser for the cheer squad.” She picked one up and waved it in the air. “Go Huskies!”
Vivien led him to a table near the entry gate where a large banner read Get Your Pom On! Several young girls in blue-and-white warm-ups stood with members of the high school cheer team and Issy.
“Oh, thank you, both,” Issy said.
Boone set the box down. “I definitely need to buy two.” He snagged a pair of pom-poms from the box and handed cash to one of the girls.
“Good luck, ladies,” Vivien said, tugging Boone toward the entry gate. “You know for a fact that I own at least ten blue-and-white pom-poms, right?”
Her smile did silly things to him. “They don’t need to know that.”
She turned around. Poked him in the chest with her finger. “You’re a good man, Boone Buckam.”
He didn’t know why, but the way she looked at him, her eyes filled with appreciation and contentment, made him feel like maybe he could be a good man.
The low rumble of a packed stadium filled the evening air.
It seemed everyone in town had shown up for the Friday night blue-and-white football scrimmage. The stands buzzed, and the smells of grilling hot dogs and fresh popcorn permeated the air.
“I love the sound of a packed stadium.” He squeezed her hand.
“We’ll be here all season.” Vivien looked up at him, mischief in her eyes.
They would. But he wouldn’t. The thought dipped his spirits. But he was getting better. In the last week, he’d finished an entire chapter of the stupid book Landry had given him, attended another counseling session without wanting to run, and even lowered his blood pressure another three points.
Deep Haven for the win.
“Hey, Vivie.” Courtney stood with a thick blanket tucked under her arm, her reddish-blonde hair stacked into a messy bun.
“Hi. Looks like you’re ready for the game. How’s the memorization going?”
“Excellent. I’ve almost got it all down.” She gave Boone a smile. “I saw an online post from Jason—he’s all settled into his home away from home.”
An evening breeze tugged at Vivien’s hair. “We’ll all be saying we knew him when…” She smiled.
“No doubt.”
“I meant to ask his parents how Colleen is doing.”
“I saw Annalise earlier and asked. She’s still in Minneapolis.”
“I sure worry about her.” Vivien turned to Boone. “Annalise is Jason’s mom. Her daughter, Colleen, is an ER nurse at Hennepin County Medical Center.”
“Wow. That’s pretty hard core. They see a lot of traumas there.”
Vivien nodded. “That’s what I’ve heard. I think her parents are always trying to get her to move back home.”
“I think so too,” Courtney added. She waved to someone in the crowd. “Oh—I’d better go grab my spot.”
“Absolutely. Enjoy the game. We’ll see you at rehearsal.”
Even rehearsals had gone surprisingly well—when he wasn’t muddling his lines. Watching Vivien’s gentle guidance and direction. Her tone softening her constructive criticism and her enthusiasm sparking energy from the cast. But his favorite treat? When Ellie Matthews joined them at rehearsal to play piano and stayed a little later to work on songs. Then, he got to hear the full, sweet resonance of Vivien’s voice. Not a car-ride sing-along. Open, flawless beauty.
Boone reached down, slid his hand around Vivien’s, and they walked through the ticket line with the rest of Deep Haven.
Tonight, he wanted to be part of the town with Vivien at his side.
And he let that feeling settle over him like the soft fog on his morning runs.
Vivien leaned in, her breath warm against his ear. “Normally, we wouldn’t have the cheerleaders out for this, but they decided it was a good opportunity to try some new cheers and acrobatics they’ve been working on.” They went through the line, walked through the fencing, and the field came into view. The crowd noise rumbled. She pointed with her free hand toward the musicians warming up. “Same with the band.” She squeezed his hand. “So, you get an extra special treat tonight.”
Oh boy. Her words and smile heated his core. He looked down at her, caught her eyes. “Definitely a special treat.”
She blinked. Smiled. And then he led her through the crowd, jostling for position as they climbed into the stands.
“Do you mind if we sit with Ree and Seth?” she asked, leaning into him so he could hear.
“Not at all.”
“Thanks.”
A voice called from nearby. “Hello, Vivien, Boone. Good to see you.”
Boone looked up to where Cole Barrett sat with a blonde woman and a young boy in the second row.
“My wife, Megan, and”—he paused a beat—“and my son, Josh.”
Megan sat snuggled up next to Cole, blonde hair loose at her shoulders and a Huskies T-shirt visible under her jacket.
“I’ve heard lots of good things around town about you.” Megan smiled, her glance flicking from Boone to Vivien and back again, and she smiled bigger.
Adrian and Ella came down the main aisle of the bleachers, passing them. He nudged Boone’s shoulder and gave a nod toward Cole’s wife. “Be careful. She’s a wedding planner.”
Oh, dear.
Boone turned back to Megan, raising his voice over the din. “You’re the one who made the goodies for the construction crew.”
“Yes. Cole says I’m not allowed to keep more than a dozen cookies or brownies in the house at any given time.”
Cole shot him a look with a smirk. “I’ve gained ten pounds since we got married this spring.”
“With baking skills like those, I’m not surprised.”
Cole leaned forward to let a family pass to the seats behind him. “I spoke with the design team and it looks like the structure can already accommodate the change with the helicopter mount for training if we go that route.”
“Fantastic.”
“Good call. I appreciate your suggestion.” Cole paused. “You know, we’ll be looking for someone to fill the Crisis Response Team Coordinator position. You might be a good fit.”
“Thanks. I think I’ll stick with drywall.”
“Join us any time. We’re eager to get the work done fast.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Sure. Come by and we’ll put you to work.”
“I’ll be there.”
Vivien led Boone down the front aisle, her eyes searching the stands above.
“They’re up there.” She pointed to the spot where Ree was waving to them.
They’d managed no more than three steps up the stands when another face he’d seen around town smiled and stood. A big man with dark hair and blue eyes.
“You’re the new guy helping coach?”
“A little. Just another body on the field,” Boone answered.
The man held out his hand. “Darek Christiansen. My son, Tiger, said you’ve been really helpful.”
“Boone Buckam. Thanks. He’s a strong player. Great kid.”
Darek gave him a slap on the back. “Enjoy the game.”
Boone nodded. “Thanks.”
They continued up the steps to their seats.
Vivien leaned toward him. “Everyone adores you.”
“I’m just helping out.” Except, her words warmed him. Because, for once, he really wasn’t the cop, the detective, or the town trash. He wasn’t PJ’s ex or Director Buckam’s maybe-son.
He was Boone. And shaking free of all the other personas and anchors that tied him to the past felt…liberating.
Especially since he could share it with Vivie.
They wove down the row to the empty seats Ree had saved.
“Have you met Ree’s fiancé, Seth Turnquist?” A bear of a man with reddish-blond hair. Boone shook his hand.
“Seth moved back to town late last year. Turnquist Log Homes—he’s a custom homebuilder.”
“Nice. How’s business going?”
“It’s been really good,” Seth said. He had his arm around Ree’s shoulders. “There are a lot of people wanting that perfect log house.”
Yeah, Boone included. He’d fallen in love with his cozy log cabin. “I always imagined one day I’d have a nice log home with a lake view.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“The timing’s never been right. And, let’s face it—a lake-view property in Kellogg isn’t exactly in the budget.” Add to that the fact that he’d expected to be married long before his thirty-seventh birthday. Have a family. Share his home with the people he loved.
Seth nodded. “Yeah, Kellogg’s got convenience. Supply and demand—those lakefront properties have become top-dollar sellers. I met a guy at a business meeting last week who’d been hired to remove an old ranch house and build a new custom home on Lake Minnetonka.”
Boone looked to Ree. “So, the question is, who gets to store the giant walleye and trout in their room until next year’s Fish Pic?”
Ree laughed. “You like those?”
Vivien unfolded the blanket. “I’m thinking they should be hung in the library. Maybe in the children’s section.”
Boone cut her a look. “They’ll give the kids nightmares.”
“Oh, stop. They will not.” But her eyes twinkled as she grinned at him.
Boone looked at his watch. “Do you want a hot dog?”
“Is it a football game without one?”
“No, ma’am, I don’t think it is. Pop?”
“Yes, please. Oh, and what about popcorn?”
“I think I can manage that.”
She tugged on his sleeve. “Hurry back so you don’t miss your team.”
“Excuse me.” Boone rose, made his way back to the main aisle before weaving his way to the concessions, letting her words thread their way through him. His team. It was really Caleb’s team. He was just the guy who helped out.
Boone took his spot at the back of the concession line. He recognized the robust form in front of him.
Gordy turned, his eyes meeting Boone’s.
“Hi,” Boone offered.
“Hi.”
Without his angry face on, he didn’t exactly look like the kind of guy who’d go stalking Vivien. He did have a reputation to uphold. Boone didn’t expect Gordy would be a savvy enough criminal to go to the extensive lengths Kyle indicated had been gone to.
Boone gestured toward the stands. “Just about everyone comes out for the big scrimmage game, don’t they?”
Gordy nodded. He looked Boone up and down. “I heard you’ve been helping out with the team.”
Boone nodded. “They’re a great bunch of kids.”
“We love our football around here.”
“I can tell.” He watched Gordy. “You know, Vivien’s doing a great job with the play.”
Gordy pressed his lips together. Just enough of a window for Boone to continue.
“She’s really grateful to be allowed back into the playhouse. She deserves it. Everyone is excited to see the fall show.”
Gordy stepped up to the counter and ordered a hot dog. “You really believe in her, huh?”
“I do. She’s got a big heart for the community, for theater, for the people.”
Gordy took the dog and dug out his money. “You don’t give up, do you?”
“I’m not one to give up.” Ever. Sometimes to his detriment.
Gordy moved away to doctor his dog with ketchup. Boone ordered two Cokes, a hot dog, and some popcorn.
Gordy grabbed a napkin and moved to leave. “You know, it wasn’t solely my decision. The board had to make the call.”
“Thanks. I know you hold a lot of clout.”
Gordy puffed up a bit. “Well, the Arrowood Auditorium’s very important to my family.”
Boone gave a nod and added ketchup to the dog, then found Vivien back in the stands.
Kickoff, and the scrimmage started. The team had been divided into two groups, one blue, one white. A great chance for them to show off their skills, get some practice in, and get the town excited for the new season.
He had to admit, he’d found himself watching Vivien a little more than the game. You picked a real firecracker. There’s no one like Vivie.
True. Throughout the game, no one in the stands cheered with her gusto. Not even close. Which made the game that much better, especially when it came down to the final seconds and the score was tied at fourteen. She’d heckled and hollered, pumping her pom-poms high in the air in between yelling coaching advice from the stands that no one could possibly hear over the crowd roar and jumping out of her seat to whistle at a good play.
As the game neared the final seconds, Caleb’s team had moved close enough for a field goal attempt.
They were clear back at the thirty-yard line. Boone watched as the substitutions left the field and the tight end made his way to the edge of the field with the other players while the kicker set up for a field goal. Except, the tight end stayed in position on the field. Close to the sideline and unnoticed by the opposition.
Boone squeezed Vivien’s hand. Caleb was using his play.
They had one shot to make the play work. It relied on a legal deception—a flag on the play would ruin it.
The snap. The holder stood up with the ball, scrambling out of the pocket instead of positioning it for the kick. The tight end sprinted down the sideline for the end zone, not a single defender close enough to touch him.
Boone hit his feet as the ball sailed through the air.
The tight end nabbed it just as the final buzzer cut through the roar of the crowd.
Touchdown, Blue!
Vivien shot into the air, squealing, throwing her arms around his neck. “Did you see that? The holder threw the ball!”
Boone picked her up, laughing.
“That was awesome!” Ree waved her pom-pom in the air.
Down on the field, Seb was shaking his head, patting the boys on the back as they left the field.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Seth said.
Caleb finished high-fiving his players, then came to stand in front of the teams at the base of the stands. He grabbed the microphone.
He started out with a laugh. “Man, I love football.”
The crowd cheered.
“You know, it takes a whole community to make this season happen. I want to thank our booster club. Also, World’s Best for helping with our ever-popular donut fundraiser. Can we get a little rumble in the stands?” The crowd responded, beating their hands and feet against the stands until Caleb held up his hand and they quieted down. “I’d also like to thank my old friend Boone Buckam, who’s been working with the team the past two weeks and gave us that pretty spectacular play you saw tonight.”
A murmur tumbled through the crowd.
Vivien sucked in a breath. “That was you?” She looked up at him, her eyes shiny. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about it.”
Boone smiled. Seth held out his hand for a fist bump. “Man, that was awesome. That was like an old-school Presley play.”
Caleb continued. “I know we won’t have him the whole season, but he’s been instrumental in helping bring a solid offense and defense to the field.”
Embrace the life you have. The words poured over Boone’s soul as he watched his friend—a man who stood unapologetic and unashamed, his spirit emboldened not only by the trials he’d faced, but by his faith—speak before the town.
Caleb looked over at Seb, who shook his head and laughed. “Coach Seb says he forgives you, Boone, for giving me that play—as long as you give us a few more before you leave town.”
The audience applauded and Boone raised a hand in appreciation. His eyes scanned the crowd before turning back to the enthusiastic brunette, her fingers in her mouth for an ear-piercing whistle. Their eyes met and she smiled. Big and bright and sweet. For him.
Yeah, a guy could get used to this.
Caleb’s words echoed in his mind when he and Vivien wove their way toward the car. His entire life had been about expectations—to the point, he could probably admit now, he’d done the same thing to PJ. Tried to mold her into who he needed her to be.
He paused, the realization piercing his heart.
She’d rebelled against it.
Could he?
“It’s too bad, you know.” Vivien’s words snapped him back. She looked up at him with bright eyes.
“What’s that?”
“That you’ll be leaving before the season is very far underway.” She crunched up her nose. “You’ll miss what looks to be a championship year.”
“Oh, you think so?”
“I do.” She poked him in the chest with the pom-pom. “You’ve made an imprint on this town. You’ve only been here two weeks and everyone already knows you. And, look—you gave them the winning play of the game.”
He swallowed.
She pulled the pom-pom back and placed her palm on his chest, looked up at him. “You think you’d stay?”
“I’m here right now,” he answered. He ran his thumb over the cashmere of her sweater sleeve. He wasn’t ready to talk about leaving. What he wanted to do was drive Vivie over to Honeymoon Bluff and watch the sun set. Maybe work a little on that relaxation.
But yes. A guy could get used to living like this.