Page 62 of A Chance at Forever
She didn’t know how to respond, so she stepped out of his embrace and gestured toward the pizza. “It’s getting cold.”
Trick or treaters interrupted them while they ate the pizza and drank Coke. They took turns answering the door and handing out candy. Some of their students, either escorting younger siblings or participating in the fun themselves, stopped by Victoria’s house, and she and Rusty chatted with them. When the steady stream of kids ebbed, Victoria foundHocus-Pocuson a streaming channel, and they settled on the sofa to watch it. Halfway through the movie, she made hot apple cider and a bowl of popcorn.
After the movie, Rusty commented, “This get-up is uncomfortable. Do you mind if I change? I brought sweats and a T-shirt.”
“Go ahead. I’ll change, too. Want to watch another movie? We also have dessert. A Jell-O pudding graveyard I made.”
“Mmm. Sounds terrifying and delicious.”
*
On Monday, Victoriaand Jonica met for lunch in the latter’s classroom. Both needed peace and quiet.
“What a day.” Jonica expelled her breath before she took a bite of her sandwich. “I swear my students forgot everything I taught them last week.”
“Mine, too.”
“By the way, have you made plans for Thanksgiving?”
“I’ve been too busy to think about it. I’m not sure I want to go to New York. It’s the holiday season, and Dad and my brothers will be busy.”
“Oh, you know they’ll make time for you. Anyway, Danny and I are driving down to LA to spend the holiday with his sister and our newborn niece. And Mia and Steve are taking the boys to Disneyworld in Orlando that week. Neither of us want you to be alone.”
“I won’t be alone. I’ll spend the day with the Smiths. They’ve already invited me, and Rusty, too, I imagine, unless he’s going to New York to spend the holiday with his sister.”
“Well, there’s a plan. You and he can fly to New York together.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
Thoughts of the impending holidays occupied Victoria’s mind at dinner with Rusty that evening. She picked at her food, not in the mood to eat. Broaching the subject of Thanksgiving, let alone Christmas, seemed presumptuous.
He’d become an expert at reading her moods. “None of our friends are staying in town for Thanksgiving. Is that what’s bothering you? Danny told me that Jonica mentioned their plans to you today. And you’re not planning to go to New York, right?”
“I haven’t decided yet, Rusty.” Victoria stabbed at an unappetizing carrot on her plate. “My dad and brothers have a lot going on with the company at this time of the year, and we always entertain on Thanksgiving. I’d prefer not to be a part of that. I’m thinking of accepting the Smiths’ invitation. What about you? Do you have any plans for the holiday?”
“Well, that depends onyou. I have a cabin in the Rockies on a lake. I’m planning on going there for Thanksgiving, and I’ve already ordered it to be stocked with food and supplies. The chances are good we’ll be playing in the championship game being held in San Francisco this year. After the game, I’m chartering a flight straight to the cabin and sending the team home with my assistant coach. Will you come with me?”
Confusion filled her as her thoughts ran rampant. The yearnings of her heart pulled her in one direction. Being alone with a man like Rusty in the seclusion of the mountains would be exciting and lead to… Her mouth went dry at the images she conjured. But her common sense warned her it would be far safer if she stayed here in Marysville.
“Rusty, I’m not sure…” Her voice trailed off.
He reached for her hand. “I know why you’re hesitating. I don’t have ulterior motives, Tori. I respect you too much to place you in an uncomfortable situation. We’ll sleep in separate bedrooms, and I’ll behave myself. I promise.”
She trusted him. “All right. I’d love to spend Thanksgiving with you in the Rockies, if you’re not getting tired of me.”
“Tired of you?” Rusty brought her hand up to his mouth. “How could I possibly get tired of you when all I do is dream and think about you?”
He tugged her onto his lap and kissed her doubt and fear away.
*
Rehearsals forAChristmas Carolconsumed all of Victoria’s spare time during the two weeks preceding Thanksgiving. Directing a cast of over thirty members was a monumental task. Brian, delightful as Scrooge, brought the character to life with his own special flair. With Kaylee putting together all of the music and Billy developing the magnificent sets, Victoria worked with the cast on their various roles. She missed Troy, though, who spent every afternoon preparing for his final football game of the season. In fact, she and Rusty had not seen each other for days due to their hectic schedules. After rehearsals, she went home, grabbed a quick bite to eat, and tumbled into bed, too tired to think about anyone else.
When Victoria overheard a conversation between Troy and Brian during class on a Friday afternoon, she had cause for concern.
“Something’s wrong with Coach Sinclair,” Troy confided to his best friend. “He’s driving us too hard. It’s weird. It’s like he’s running out of time or something like that. It’s the same in chemistry, too.”
“He wants you guys to win the state championship.”
