Chapter Eleven – Ladd
Ladd
The drive into town was filled with Mike telling me and Vivianne about how the high school football team started with no hope of a good year, and now they were heading to the state championship game.
“What position do you play, Mike?” Vivianne asked.
I could picture my brother’s chest puff out as he said, “I’m the starting running back.”
Vivianne looked back at him. “That’s exciting. Have you always played that position?”
“Sure have!”
“And Jason?” she asked.
“He’s a receiver. He’s good. Once he gets the ball in his hands, he can outmaneuver and outrun almost everyone.”
“Everyone, huh?” Vivianne asked with a slight bit of amusement in her voice.
Mike nodded. “Everyone, Viv. He’s an outstanding player.”
“It’s nice that the two of you get to play with each other.”
“Jason and Mike used to say when they were younger that they’d both be playing for the Denver Broncos.”
Mike chuckled. “I don’t see myself doing that anymore. College is in my future, only because Dad’s making me go, but my dream is to work the ranch with Dad.”
“Does Jason still have that dream, to play for the Broncos?” Vivianne asked.
I shrugged as Mike replied, “Oh yeah. His goal is to play in the NFL, and he’d love to play for the home team.”
She was clearly surprised by that response. “And you really don’t?”
He shook his head. “Nah. I love football, don’t get me wrong. If I can play for Colorado State and have my degree paid for, that would be amazing. But the endgame isn’t the NFL. I love the ranch too much.”
“Jason loves the ranch as well,” I offered. “He’s just never really expressed his desire to work on it.”
We sat in silence for a few moments. “Do you think he’ll work the ranch?”
“Honestly, no,” Mike said. “David is like me. He lives for this ranch.”
“I was scared to death to tell our father that I wanted to open a sporting goods store, but when I did, he was immediately supportive. Likely because his own dad didn’t really give him a choice. Still…he’s probably thanking his lucky stars that he had four boys.”
“I’d say two and a half out of the four is a pretty good number,” Vivianne said with a smile.
“I take it I’m the half?” I asked.
Vivianne chuckled. “Well, since you’ll be working part time on the ranch.”
“Yeah, he’ll be the one in charge of the money, which could be good or bad!” Mike laughed.
I reached for Vivianne’s hand and laced my fingers through hers. “Do you mind, since we’re going to be in town, if I take a quick meeting with someone?”
“I don’t mind at all,” Vivianne answered. “I can do some shopping while you have your meeting.”
I kissed the back of her hand. “Thanks. I’m meeting with Jessie Knight. She’s a real estate agent who’s been keeping an eye on potential places to open up my store.”
“Ladd’s told you he’s an adrenaline junkie, right?” Mike suddenly asked. “Whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain climbing.”
Vivianne gave me a surprised look. “Mountain climbing?”
I chuckled. “Yeah. David and I have done some climbing.”
“Like, up the side of a mountain, or hiking up a mountain?”
“Oh no,” Mike muttered. “Someone hasn’t been upfront about his hobbies.”
I shot him a scowl in the rearview mirror. “Shut up, Mike.”
“Ladd?” Vivianne asked.
Letting out a breath, I gave her a quick look, then focused back on the road. “Up the side of a mountain with ropes.”
“Ladd! You didn’t tell me you did that! It’s dangerous.”
“Oops,” Mike mumbled from the back seat.
“Viv,” I started, but she cut me off.
“Don’t ‘Viv’ me! Listen, I can get on board with the whitewater rafting, snowshoeing, four-wheeling, and snowmobiling.”
“Snowshoeing?” Mike and I both said at the same time.
“I have to put my foot down on climbing up the side of a mountain!”
Mike leaned forward. “Wait—did you just say you’re putting your foot down? I don’t see a ring on his finger.”
“Shut up, Mike!” I yelled.
“Well then, I’ll put a ring on his finger!”
“When did you go snowshoeing?” Mike asked.
“Mike!” I growled, trying to reach back and smack him upside his head.
I pulled into a parking spot on Main and put the truck in park before turning and looking at Viv. Had I heard her right?
“Did you just ask my brother to marry you?” Mike poked his head between our seats and smiled as he bounced his gaze between us.
Vivianne pressed her lips together tightly and looked at Mike, then me. “I just mean…I’m not sure I can handle you climbing the side of a mountain. But I don’t want to be that girlfriend, the one who says you can’t do things.”
“Or wife,” Mike added.
“Mike!” we both said at the same time.
He dropped back and held up his hands in defeat. “I think I’m gonna leave now. When should we meet back up?”
Glancing back at my brother, I said, “We’ll check back here in an hour and a half.”
He laughed. “Sounds good. Have fun finishing this conversation!” He started to get out of the truck, then stopped and looked back at me from over his shoulder. “This is exactly why I’m never getting married—or serious—with anyone.”
I rolled my eyes. “Never say never, man.”
Laughing again, he slipped out and shut the door. He started down Main Street, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he was up to. Then again, it was probably better I didn’t know.
“Viv?” I said as she pulled her eyes from the stores.
“Oh my gosh! Look at how cute this little town is!”
“The climbing?”
Turning her head, she exhaled a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I have no right to tell you what you can and can’t do.”
I reached for her hand. “You’re a part of my life, Viv. The last thing I would ever want to do is make you worry about me.”
She nodded. “I know, but I still had no right to react that way. It just…well…it scared me. You’re all I have, Ladd. You’re my life, and I’ve never loved anyone like I love you. I don’t want to lose you.”
I laced my fingers with hers. “Viv, I’m not planning on going anywhere, and this relationship is going to have moments where we have to compromise. If my scaling the side of a mountain scares you, then I won’t do it.”
Her eyes went wide. “Really?”
“Yes. I won’t do it again. Truth be told, it’s really David’s thing, not mine. I wasn’t a big fan, but I’m glad I’ve done it. I want to be able to know what I’m talking about if I’m selling mountain climbing equipment.”
She blinked a few times before her mouth opened, then shut again.
She closed her eyes, then opened them to stare at me.
“I would honestly never demand that you stop doing something, Ladd. I had a knee-jerk reaction. I’m so sorry.
I’m not, nor will I ever be, the type of person who tells you that you can or can’t do something.
I wouldn’t want you to tell me I couldn’t do something, so it isn’t fair that I do that to you. ”
I kissed the back of her hand. “There was a reason I never told you about the mountain climbing to begin with. I didn’t plan on doing it again. But I appreciate you saying that. I’ll never tell you what you can or can’t do either. I hope you know that.”
She nodded. “I do. And the whole ring thing…I’m not trying to pressure you.”
Leaning over, I slid my hand around the back of her neck and drew her closer to me. “I love you, Vivianne.”
Grinning, she replied, “I love you more, Ladd.”
I kissed her, forcing myself not to devour her right there in the middle of town in my father’s truck.
Drawing back, I leaned my head against hers. “I’d be lost without you.”
Her hand came up to my arm, and she squeezed it. “I feel the same.”
Someone knocked on the passenger window, causing Vivianne to jump and let out a small scream. When I looked over her shoulder, I grinned.
“It’s Jessie. Her office is right here.”
Vivianne turned and gave a small wave of her hand.
“Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
Once we were both out of the truck, I walked over to Jessie while Vivianne looked all around us.
“There are so many cute stores! I don’t even know where to start.”
Jessie laughed. “Here’s a little map of our historical downtown,” she said, reaching into her messenger bag. “May I suggest popping into River Falls Café for a slice of their pumpkin spice bread and hot coffee?”
“Wait for me to do that,” I said.
Vivianne giggled and leaned up to kiss me on the cheek. “Should I pop back by in, like, an hour?”
I glanced at Jessie. “I don’t think this will take long. Why don’t you try Main Street Gifts, which is right next door? If you have any Christmas shopping to do, that’s definitely your store.”
“Perfect,” Vivianne replied. “Just come in and get me when you’re done, Ladd.”
“Will do.”
After watching Vivianne walk into the gift shop, I turned to Jessie. “Shall we?”
“Let’s,” she agreed, walking ahead of me into her real estate office. Once inside, she took off her coat and hung it up on the freestanding rack. I did the same and glanced around the empty office.
“Where is everyone?”
Jessie had two other agents who worked for her. One was part time, while the other was full time.
“Oh, Linda and Kris are off for the holidays. The office is closed today as well, but the moment I heard you were in town, I had to talk to you.”
She motioned for me to sit down in the seat opposite hers. “I found out the other day that the old grain mill building at the corner of Main and Pine streets is available. I spoke with Mitch Larson who owns it and told him your plans. He said he’d be willing to work out a rent-to-own with you.”
I leaned forward. “Wait—are you serious?”
Smiling, she nodded. “I’m very serious. He loves the idea of a sporting goods store, and even wants to invest.”
“What?” I asked, dropping back into my chair. “An investor?”
“I wasn’t sure where you stood on that, but I told him I’d mention it.
I’m not sure if you’re aware, but Mitch is a strong advocate for getting out and exploring all of Colorado’s natural wonders.
He loves camping, hiking, mountain climbing, skiing, and so much more.
He actually does whitewater rafting tours. Did you know that?”
I slowly shook my head. “No. I mean, I knew he liked doing outdoor stuff, but I had no idea he was that into it. The only thing I knew about the Larson family is that they used to own the gristmill on Main before they moved it to a larger property outside of town, after old Mr. Larson passed away.”
She nodded. “Mitch inherited the business from his father, who passed away a few years back. He was the one who decided to expand and move the business, but they were still using the original mill as offices. Now they’re officially moving the offices this spring.
It would be perfect timing for you, since you’re graduating. ”
I ran a hand down my face and let out a disbelieving laugh. “Jessie, is this for real? I mean, do you think Mitch would be interested in a partnership?”
“As in co-owner?” she asked.
“Yes! I mean, I’ve been putting feelers out in the Denver area for anyone who might be interested, and I’ve had a few responses, but no one I’ve felt comfortable going into business with so far.
I never considered Mitch. Hell, he was the first guide I did whitewater rafting with!
He’s the reason I got into outdoor adventures.
He’s the reason this store even came to life in my head. ”
She grinned. “Then I think you should set up a meeting with him. When are you leaving to head back to school?”
I had to stop and think. “Um, Vivianne needs to be back to work by the twenty-ninth, so we’ll be leaving the day before.”
“Should we call Mitch now to set something up before you leave?”
“Hell yes, we should!”
Picking up the phone next to her, she typed in a number and sat back in her chair. “Hold on tight, Ladd. Your dream is about to come true.”