Page 54 of A Chance at Forever
He lifted her into the cab, stowed her crutches, and headed back to Marysville High School.
Since the Bear Claw was being held on the stadium field, Rusty parked as close as he could to the track. A stage had already been set up with a lattice-work backdrop for the skit competition and the introduction of the Homecoming Court. After rehearsal, the decoration committee would place plants around the stage, along with a black skirt. Elsewhere, the wood for the bonfire stood ready to be lit the next evening.
Rusty walked close to Victoria in case she needed assistance as they approached the stage. Members of her technical crew, Brian, Kaylee, and Billy, cheered when she drew near.
“Ms. Lockridge!” Brian called. “We’re so glad to see you. How are you?”
“I’m much better, thank you. Let’s get everyone organized. The classes and clubs are coming in with their props.” She turned toward Rusty. “See you after football practice, Coach.”
“Wait here for me,” he commanded. “Brian, you’ll stay with Ms. Lockridge, please?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Will you need a ride home?”
Brian shook his head. “Nah. I’m bumming a ride with Troy after practice.”
“Okay. Well, break a leg.” Rusty grinned at Victoria. “Not you, Ms. Lockridge.”
Victoria made a face at him. “Very funny, Coach.”
When he joined his team on the practice field, Rusty concentrated on drilling and running plays. Every once in a while, he heard music and laughter coming from the stadium and lost his laser-like focus. His assistant coach, a teacher in the social studies department, ribbed him a little about his being distracted.
“If you and Victoria aren’t careful, Rusty, Patsy will have you in front of Pastor Wright saying ‘I do’.”
Rusty chuckled. He liked that idea.
For Victoria’s sake, he ended practice earlier than usual. When Rusty left the locker room, he headed back toward the stadium where Victoria sat on the bottom row of the cement bleachers with Brian.
The boy laughed as he said, “The freshmen were falling all over themselves. Why didn’t you give them any pointers, Ms. Lockridge?”
“It wouldn’t have been fair. Half the fun is being plain silly. Our job is to supply lighting and sound effects and that’s it.”
Rusty’s shadow fell across them. “Hey, Coach,” Brian greeted him. He checked his cell phone. “Gotta go. Troy is waiting for me. You coming to school tomorrow, Ms. Lockridge?”
Victoria shook her head. “No. But I’ll be at the Bear Claw tomorrow night, and I’m planning on being back in school on Friday.”
“Cool. See you tomorrow night.” Brian waved and took off jogging toward the student parking lot.
As Victoria and Rusty climbed into his truck, he commented, “You look pale. I think you overdid it today.”
“My left leg is throbbing. I just want to eat a light supper, take my pain medication, and crawl into bed.”
“All right. I’ll run into the diner, pick up some soup, and tuck you in.”
Victoria laid a hand on his upper thigh and sent his pulse into hyperdrive. “I’m so grateful you’re in my life, Rusty. Thanks for not letting my bad attitude scare you away.”
When she attempted to remove her hand, he held it in place. He loved her touch on him. “Sweetheart, it would take more than a bad attitude to scare me away.” Rusty parked in front of the diner and opened the driver’s door. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Ma Smith saw Victoria sitting in Rusty’s truck and insisted on accompanying him outside after she loaded a bag of food for the couple.
“Thank goodness, you’re all right, Tori,” Ma gushed. “We heard about what happened, of course. What a blessing it was that Rusty was there to get you down out of those mountains.”
Victoria’s gray eyes softened as he handed her the bag of food through the open window. “Yes, I’m very lucky he went to Riley’s ranch that day.”
“Rusty is right. You’re looking a little peaked. I packed my vegetable soup, a few slices of homemade bread, and a little something for dessert for you. Good food and some tender loving care from this guy ought to make you feel one hundred percent better.” Ma winked at Rusty.
Victoria smiled and waved as Rusty pulled away from the curb.
