7

 

Rori tossed the last hay bale onto the ground and took off her gloves. Rustling sounded behind her before a llama head plunked over the top of her shoulder. She turned her head, chuckling at the display of lower teeth. “Jumbo, are you being a good boy today?” She rubbed his neck. “Graham said to tell you hi.”

His head reared up, and a hum vibrated from deep in his throat.

“Now don’t you go getting upset with me because he’s not here. You take it up with him.” Laughing, she exited the enclosure, locking the gate behind her. She stopped at the pen containing Snickers and Reesie. “Reesie, you look like you’re feeling much better.” Rori had spent much of the night and today checking on her after Corbin’s visit yesterday. She crossed her arms over the fence rail, enjoying the peaceful sounds of the farm. The swishing of tails and the soft snuffles of the horses. The occasional hum from the llamas.

Hoof beats pounded the ground, punctuating the quiet, then a snort.

“Whoa!” Savvy halted Lightning and dismounted. “Hey, girl.”

“Hey to you, my favorite neighbor.”

Savvy rolled her heavily shadowed eyes. “I’m your only neighbor for miles.”

Rori grinned. “Come on inside. I was just fixing to sit down for a bit.”

“Great. I was hoping you’d have time to relax and chat.”

“Why?”

“No reason. Just needed to get out of the house for a while.”

Which meant she was lonely. Rori suspected she knew the reason. Savvy missed Rori’s brother, Beck. “Want some coffee or hot chocolate?”

“Mmmm. Hot chocolate sounds wonderful. It’s so cold today.” Savvy rubbed her upper arms, clearly shivering inside her jacket.

Rori led the way inside. She heated a couple mugs of milk laced with chocolate, and then topped them with whipped cream.

Savvy flicked on the television. “I missed you at church this morning. You did say you were coming, didn’t you?”

“Yes. I planned to.” Rori sighed, disappointed that she hadn’t been able to make the service. She handed Savvy a mug, and they both settled on the sofa. Rori folded her legs under her bottom. “But Reesie came down sick last night. I was up most of the night with her.”

“Next week, then.” There was no condemnation from Savvy’s expression, just tender concern.

“I’ll be there unless I have another sick baby.”

“I know. I just wanted to make sure you didn’t chicken out on me,” Savvy said it with a gentle smile.

Rori didn’t take offense. Savvy had never chided her about not going to church or about her lack of faith. Facing her own anxiety about the stares and finger pointing at her scars, Savvy related to Rori’s paralyzing fear of being out in public. She understood Rori’s doubt.

“I see the horses finally arrived. Looks like they’ve missed a few meals.” Savvy sipped the hot chocolate, her bottom lip covering the remnants of the white foam on her upper lip.

“You think?” By Rori’s estimation, those poor horses had missed many meals.

“You’ll fatten ‘em up.”

“That’s what Graham said.”

Savvy’s brows hiked then dipped at record speed. Her jaw dropped.

Oops.

“Graham Decker? I thought you…” An incredulous look flitted across Savvy’s features. “You’ve been talking to Graham Decker?”

Rori tilted her head to the side. “Well, not today…” What day had he called?

“Not today?” Savvy squealed, setting her mug on the table, the liquid spinning around without spilling over, and snatched the remote to point it at the television as she bolted off the couch. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?” She flicked through the channels until she found the race. She turned around and smiled, arms crossed. Actually, it was more like a satisfied smirk.

Rori squirmed, sinking back against the couch. “I’m not sure I want to watch him race.”

“Well, I’m sure.” Savvy set the remote on the coffee table and perched on the edge of the couch.

Rori sipped her hot chocolate, but it did nothing to chase away the chill gripping her insides. What if he wrecked? What if he got hurt? How could she watch that? She tugged the velvety throw from the back of the couch and held up an end. “Want to share the blanket?”

“No.” Savvy tore her gaze away from the television and narrowed her brows at Rori. “You’re not warm enough with the fireplace cooking or sipping that hot chocolate?”

Rori shook her head, her teeth close to the chattering point. She snuggled under the toasty blanket, occasionally stealing glances at the TV.

“I can’t believe you didn’t mention this sooner. We could have had the race on. We’ll only get to see the last few laps.”

“The last few?” This time, Rori’s teeth did chatter.

“Decker just might have this one clenched! Can he hold off Salinger for two more laps?” The sports announcer’s voice carried anticipation to a new level.

Rori dared a peek at the race just as the camera panned the stands, where thousands of fans stood, cheering and pumping their fists in the air. Did people really get this excited about racing? The camera flashed back to the cars. “He’s not ahead by much.”

Savvy shook her head. “No. And I surely don’t want the guy behind him to win.”

“Salinger? What’s wrong with that guy winning? He probably wants to win as much as Graham.”

“He stole Graham’s wife.”

“He what?” Rori’s head zapped sideways. Sorrow lodged in her belly, anguish for Graham threatening to spill out in tears. And maybe just the tiniest seed of jealousy.

“You didn’t know?” Savvy scrunched her cheeks, meeting Rori’s gaze.

Rori shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “No. He never mentioned being married.” What else didn’t she know about Graham Decker? If Nan hadn’t revealed his identity, she wouldn’t even know that he was a racecar driver.

“He wasn’t married long. Two years, maybe? I can’t remember exactly. This all happened a few years ago.” Savvy sipped her hot chocolate, swinging her glance between the race and Rori. “Graham was going through a slump, and his wife up and dumps him for this other racer, Salinger, who was winning what seemed like every race.” Savvy paused for another sip, and then continued. “It was all over the news. Maybe he just expected you knew.”

Oh, how awful. Poor Graham.

Rori shook her head.

“Decker’s going to beat him by millimeters! Yes! Yes! Here it is! The checkered flag!” The announcer practically screamed through the television. Again, the camera panned the crowd, jumping and roaring their applause.

Savvy lunged from the couch, her arms raised in victory. “He did it!”

“Graham won?” Rori bounced up, looking from the television to Savvy for confirmation.

Savvy nodded, her smile taking over her entire face.

Rori’s jaw dropped. “Wow.” She held her palm up for Savvy to slap.

Savvy complied, giving her a high-five. “Enough to make you want to watch racing, huh?”

Fear caused her tummy to tumble straight to her toes. She jiggled her head. “No. He might get hurt.”

“Well, he could.” An understanding look flashed across Savvy’s face, as if she’d solved a puzzle. She nodded, slowly. “And you might get hurt by one of those horses you just took in.” Her friend’s pointed arrow of logic lodged in her brain. Savvy was right.

“Besides the organization has made it much safer for the drivers over the last few years. The cars have rigid standards, and they test—”

The house phone rang.

“Sorry, Savvy. Excuse me.” Rori left their victory huddle and picked up the phone. “Forever Family Animal Sanctuary. This is Rori.”

“Did you see it?”

“Graham?” The race hadn’t been over that long.

She glanced back at the television. The cars had already disappeared from the track. That was quick.

“Yeah. It’s me. Did you watch the race?”

“Actually, my friend is over—”

“Ouch. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’ll catch you later.” He sounded disappointed.

“No. Don’t go. Please.”

“I’m not interrupting?”

“No. I was just going to say I caught the last couple of laps. Congratulations on winning. I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you. I wish you were here.” His tone warmed her, sending tickles of awareness dancing up and down her arms. So did she. Now. But then, if she had been there, she wouldn’t have enjoyed watching him race. Would she?

“Sorry, Rori, but I have to go now. I’ll see you on Tuesday.”

Right. Tuesday. As if. His world, fame and fortune, was in direct conflict with her private and secluded domain.

“Sure. Thanks for calling, Graham. Catch you later.” Although he had disconnected, the phone clung to her ear, as if it had a mind of its own. She finally slipped it back in the cradle.

“Graham called. Girl, this is serious.” Savvy’s voice sounded close.

“S-s-serious?” Rori angled her neck around to find Savvy’s solemn face right behind her shoulder. “What do you mean?”

Savvy’s sandy brows narrowed. She waved her palms in the air, and then flashed them towards the television. “He hasn’t even made it to the winner’s circle yet. He must have stopped to call you. That’s so sweet.”

“How does that make his call serious?”

“He cares enough to call.” Savvy’s head dipped as she let out a long-suffering sigh. When she looked up, a giant teardrop trickled down her cheek. “You are important enough for him to want to talk to you, to let you know that he was OK.”

Rori reached out and tugged her best friend into a hug. “I’m sorry.”

For Savvy. For Rori’s brother, Beck. For the pain they all carried. Why didn’t her brother come home? He’d see how much his family loved him, how much Savvy still loved him, how she’d waited for him, even after all these years.

“Beck will come home, Savvy.” Eventually. Please, God? There she was, talking to God again. Would He ever be inclined to answer her prayers with a yes?

Savvy blinked, her long lashes thick with moisture. “Savor this new thing that’s developing between you and Graham, Rori. Appreciate the simple gesture of his phone call.”

She would if she could, but there wasn’t a “new thing” with her and Graham. It wasn’t possible. Not with his career and the swarming media that went along with the public spotlight. No thanks. Anything between them was just friendship, plain and simple. Nothing more.

Still. She couldn’t stop her heart from doing a little dance.

 

****

 

Graham slid through the slim opening of the racecar, just in time for the spray of thirty bottles of diet cola, his sponsor and favorite cold drink, to soak him. Laughing, he wiped his face with a dry towel, thoroughly invigorated from his very abbreviated conversation with Rori, when he’d convinced Charlie to hold the phone to his ear through the car window. What he wouldn’t have given for her to be here, to see the checkered flag wave over his car as it raced across the finish line. Maybe next time.

Hands clapped his shoulders and bodies jostled him to the center of the celebratory circle. Someone slapped a microphone in front of his face, the reporter attached to it peering at him from the side. Cameras flashed and clicked. His crew laughed and chatted behind him. One of Graham’s drivers stopped to shake his hand and offer congratulations.

Graham loved being in victory lane, enjoyed the camaraderie, the spotlight for his team, the adrenaline that pumped through his veins with a win after a hard-fought race. And winning meant more money for his church and the foundation. More funds to allow him to assist charitable organizations that protected and cared for helpless animals. Organizations like Rori’s.

Various news teams hurled what seemed like hundreds of questions at him. He answered the questions, smiling and posing for the team pictures. Finally, he broke free from the celebration and made his way to the RV. Time to change and head for home.

The farther he walked, the calmer the night became. He breathed in the quiet, allowing it to settle over his tense shoulders, to recharge his spirit. Thank You for the win tonight, Father.

Footsteps pounded heavy on the pavement behind him. He angled his head around and found Ken, his spotter, hurrying to catch up. He slowed his pace until Ken came up alongside.

“Great racing tonight, Graham.” Ken clapped a hand on his shoulder.

“Thanks, man. Couldn’t have done it without you.” With the aid of the overhead lamps, Graham made out the heavy smudges above Ken’s cheeks, the defeated look etching his face. “I have to say, though, for a win, you look pretty dismal.”

Ken’s huge sigh rattled through the quiet as they stepped quickly to the RV. “Cindy served me with divorce papers yesterday.” Ken’s voice broke, a sharp contrast to the celebratory laughter they left behind. No wonder he’d been anxious to get away from the crowd.

“Ouch. I’m sorry.” He understood all too well how the pain and guilt from a failing marriage ripped a man apart. Especially a man in this business.

“Yeah. Me, too.” Ken’s back slumped as if it weighed heavy on him. He shuffled along, kicking pebbles with the tip of his shoe. “It was hard enough to see the kids before, now I’ll never see them.”

Yeah. Graham could see how that would be tough.

They reached the RV, and Goliath barked a welcome from inside.

Graham turned to face his spotter, but more than that, his friend. “Divorce is painful. No two ways about it.”

Ken looked up, his gaze meeting Graham’s, understanding dawning. “I forgot. I’m sorry.”

“Thanks, but I’m in a better place now. God and time work miracles. Do you want some time off to see if you can repair the damage before it’s too late?”

Respect flowed across Ken’s face. “I’m not sure it isn’t already too late, but I’m willing to try. Thank you.”

Graham nodded, plunking a hand on Ken’s shoulder. “No problem. We’ll get somebody to fill in for you in the meantime. Take as much time as you need.”

Ken walked away, his back a little straighter, his steps with a little more bounce.

From the other direction a man and woman drew closer, the female’s voice rising in anger, her hands slashing through the air as she stalked slightly ahead of the man, disgust on her features. Lisa and Salinger.

A knot pitted in Graham’s gut as he turned, pushing open the door to the RV. He hadn’t been able to save his own marriage. The very least he could do was give Ken some space to save his. And maybe extend a small amount of grace to Salinger by refusing to witness Lisa’s verbal lashing. He closed the door, muffling his ex-wife’s hateful words.

Keeping a solid marriage in this business was tough. They were on the road more than they were home. Hanging out with the guys was easier than knowing what to do with a soft, emotional female. His brain told him that he shouldn’t even be thinking about seeing Rori again, should just give up the temptation to visit the sanctuary.

But his heart was whispering something totally different.