Chapter 25 Evie #2
The Ranch truck pulled into the parking area.
“There he is.” Clementine waved. “There’s your skier.
” Mr. Lumber reversed the horse trailer and then got out to help us unload Nutmeg.
Jack was a good choice. He was young and strong, and a Rapidian.
The passenger door of the truck opened, but instead of a scruffy lumberjack with a beard, a clean-shaven Nick hopped out, ski boots slung over his shoulder.
“No.” I backed up. “Not him.” I grabbed Clementine’s arm to steady myself.
“He’s an athlete, Evie. I called him this morning and told him you need a good partner. It took some convincing, but he agreed. And, he’s cute.” She winked. Clementine didn’t know our history, or have any idea about the bad blood between us.
Could this work? No. I shook my head, and then said it out loud again, “No.”
“Evie.” Nick pulled me aside. “Let me do this for you. Clementine thinks that with your riding, anyone could win this contest. According to her, all I have to do is just ‘not let go.’”
“It’s ridiculous,” I shook my arm free from his grip. “Don’t you have to be somewhere? Like anywhere but here?”
“Evie. I—”
I didn’t let Nick finish, I had to get away. Faces and colors blurred as I rushed through the crowd. The garment bag draped over my shoulder fluttered as I ran away from him.
“Evie.” He followed me to the inn’s front steps. I stopped and turned to face him.
“Nick.” I hissed through my teeth. “You lied to me.”
“I did.” His voice was soft and he seemed to be studying my boots. “I was an idiot, until I met you.”
“You fixed the game. What kind of a person does that?”
“A shitty one.” His voice trembled. “But, Evie. I changed my mind. I didn’t throw anything. I wanted to win. You have to believe me.”
It reminded me of the speech Brad had given me when he told me he didn’t sleep with Tamara. Out of the corner of my eye, the inn’s door opened. Someone was walking toward us—the conversation had to end, and quickly. “I don’t, Nick. I don’t believe you.”
“Evie, it’s true.” It was Charlotte standing on the stairs above us.
“Sorry for interrupting. I was just here making brunch reservations.” She put her hand on my shoulder.
“Evie, Nick confessed to everything to Logan. Coalman was corrupt and he dragged him into this mess. Luckily, this young man woke up to what was important and changed his mind. He donated the ten thousand dollars to the Everyone Plays in Chance Rapids charity. Logan believes that he played his best yesterday, and I do too.”
“What about New York?” Even if he hadn’t thrown the game, he was still planning on bailing on me.
“I’ve decided to stay here and finish the season, and see where that takes me.”
“Why?” My vision was starting to blur.
Charlotte excused herself, leaving Nick and I on the steps to the inn.
“When I was on the ice, all I wanted was to see you in the stands. You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met.
I’ve never had a home. But here, with you and Rocky…
” His voice faded but then regained its strength.
“Out there on the ice with the Bobcats, I was on the home team, and I felt—at home. I’m falling in love with Chance Rapids, and…
” This time his voice completely trailed off.
“Oh, Nick.” I fell into him. The garment bag dropped to the ground as his lips met mine. A horse and skier flew past, but we were oblivious to anything but each other. When we pulled apart, we both had tears in our eyes. “How about we go win this race? Clementine says it’s easy,” I said.
He picked up the garment bag. “It’s got to be easier than Wolverine Way.”
Our na?ve confidence worked in our favor. After changing into Clementine’s western outfit, Nick got into his ski boots, and we made our way to the starting line with Nutmeg.
“Are you ready?”
“Absolutely not.” He grinned. “Let’s do it.” He pulled his gloves on and grabbed the rope. “Don’t worry, Evie. I’ll never let go.”
I patted Nutmeg’s neck. “Are you ready, girl?”
The announcer called our team to the start line.
I hadn’t raced barrels in years, but all of the training was deeply ingrained in my body.
The crowd disappeared and the only thing ahead of me was the course, and the only thing beneath me, the horse.
I clicked my tongue and shouted as Nutmeg took off.
My job was to ride, Nick’s was to hold on.
And that’s what we did. I didn’t look back, my eyes were trained on the finish line.
Snow flew from Nutmeg’s hooves, and the fringes of my jacket flapped as we galloped down the course.
My hands held the reins loosely; it was a straight shot, and Nutmeg was the perfect horse for the job.
I waited a few extra seconds after crossing the finish line to ease up. That’s when I let myself look back.
“You’re still there!” I hopped out of the saddle onto the ground.
“I told you, I’d never let go.” He clicked out of his skis.
The announcer called out our time and the scoreboard standings changed.
Nutmeg was in first place. The crowd cheered and Nutmeg stomped her hoof.
She seemed to know that the fuss was about her.
“Nick, do you see that?” I pointed to the screen and then jumped into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. He spun us around. “You won, Evie.”
“We won.” I kissed him. “Nick.” My lips lingered on his. There was a crowd of thousands of people around us. It was too soon, but I didn’t care. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Tears streamed down his face then both of his hands were on my face as he kissed me again, this time hungrier. “You’re the best Christmas present ever.”
“You did it!” Clementine wrapped her good arm around me. GJ followed behind with Rocky. She let go of his leash and he ran to us, jumping up on Nick.
“Evie, you rode like the wind. Nick, I thought for sure you were a goner after she dragged you over that last jump.” GJ kissed me on the cheek.
I furrowed my brows at Nick. “You fell?”
“For a second. It was a close call.”
GJ hugged me and then turned to Nick. “You’re lucky that Logan Brush told me what happened, or else…” She shook her finger at him. Nick’s face blanched. “Are you going to join us for lunch? I believe there’s a dish named after you.”
“I’d love to.” The color returned to Nick’s face. GJ opened her arms and then hugged him. “You treat that granddaughter of mine well and you are always welcome at the inn.” The subtle threat didn’t go over Nick’s head. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped.
“I would do anything for Evie, including getting dragged down the street behind a horse.” He gestured to the racecourse.
GJ gave a nod of approval and walked away.
“She’s a tough lady.” Clementine laughed. “Don’t worry if she sounds like an angry old bat. She invited you to brunch, you’re back in her good books.”
We watched GJ head up the stairs to the inn. A man in a vintage Bobcats jersey and a cowboy hat approached her and held out his hand.
“Who is that?” Nick asked.
GJ shook his hand.
“I have no idea.” I watched the scene play out in front of me like a movie. The man took off his hat. GJ seemed to freeze, then wrapped her arms around his neck. The man squeezed her tightly. It was the kind of hug reserved for two people who cared a lot about each other.
“Clementine, is that…” I watched as GJ and the mystery man lingered in their embrace.
Clementine tilted her head and squinted at the two of them. “It can’t be. I think that’s… Clarence.”
The man took GJ’s hands into his. I wished that we could hear what he said to her, because my stoic grandmother started to cry. Then he kissed her hand and the two of them disappeared into the inn.