Chased Dreams (23 page)

Barney pulled up beside us in his truck and
started to remove the wheelchair from the back, but Grandpa waved
him off. “Don’t worry with that right now, Barney. We’ve got
him.”

I picked up and moved my legs out of the car
and Grandpa helped me stand. Immediately, Brett and Chad were on
each side of me, supporting my arms. “Feel up to a jaunt down the
sidewalk, bro?” Brett asked, his eyes warm and bright.

“Totally,” I replied, allowing them to help
guide me. At this moment, though, I felt like I could’ve flown to
the moon and back, under my own power. The group parted, allowing
my slow progress through. A few of my old teammates stepped forward
to bump fists with me and others called out greetings. My gaze
zeroed in on Brittney, who was holding a small bundle in her arms.
I gave a nod for her to come closer.

“I want to see this baby of yours,” I said
with a smile, trying to ignore the small tinge of regret that shot
through my heart.

She removed the blanket that was swaddled
around the baby’s head, revealing a tiny little girl, who
thankfully looked nothing like the baby in my memories.

“She’s beautiful.” I smiled at her. “You did
a good job, kid. What’d you name her?”

“Abigail, but I’m calling her Abby.”
Motherhood looked good on Brittney, in both realities. She had a
nice soft glow to her and she looked really happy. “When you get
settled inside, I’ll let you hold her.”

“I’d like that.” She stepped aside so I
could continue on my escorted path to the house. Mom and Greg were
standing by the door.

“Welcome home, sweetie,” Mom said, stepping
forward to hug me tightly and Brett released my arm so I could hug
her back.

“It’s nice to be home. I was starting to
think I’d never make it back to this place. I missed it.”

“Let’s get you inside. We’ve got the nice
overstuffed chair and ottoman for you to relax in while everyone is
here.” He opened the door for me, but I paused, glancing over my
shoulder for Nikki, spotting her standing on the steps to the
porch, hanging back, carrying Turk.

“Get up here, girl. Aren’t you supposed to
be carrying me over the threshold or something?” I teased.

Laughing, she came closer. “I think you have
your happy events messed up. That’s for the honeymoon.”

“Well, damn. Here I was hoping you were
going to rush up and sweep me off my feet and carry me off to my
bed . . . that is how it goes in those romance novels of
yours, isn’t it?”

I loved watching her face flood with color
as she shook her head. “Get inside. Everyone is freezing out
here.”

“That brain injury didn’t seem to damage
your flirting skills at all,” my mom said wryly, following in after
us. I laughed.

Stepping inside, I saw Mom and Grandma had
clearly gone all out. There were party streamers and welcome home
signs everywhere, along with a giant buffet table packed with food
out in the wide hallway. It smelled, and looked, delicious.

Brett and Chad steered me toward the living
room.

“Hey,” I complained, glancing back at the
table. “The food’s that way.”

“Looks like he didn’t lose his appetite,
either,” Greg teased.

“Can you blame me?” I asked. “I’ve been
living on hospital food for months.”

“Sit down and get comfortable, Chase,” Nikki
piped up. “I’ll get you a plate.”

“Thank you,” I replied, arriving at the
chair I’d been guided to. “I’ve got it from here, dudes. You can
let go. I’m not that much of an invalid.” They both released me and
I sank into the soft spot, leaning my head back with a sigh. I was
home.

“What would you like to eat?” Nikki asked,
setting Turk’s bowl on the end table beside me.

“One of everything.”

She laughed. “That’s a lot of food. Do you
even know what’s out there?”

Staring at her, I shook my head. “No, but if
Grandma cooked it, then it’s amazing.” Grandma beamed at me,
blowing me a kiss. “And, if I don’t get my share now, there won’t
be any left. Who invited all these football players anyway? They’ll
eat everything.”

I was amazed as I watched everyone pack into
the house until it seemed as if it would burst at the seams. I
noticed most of the guys here were from the current football team,
guys who’d been underclassmen when I’d played. I figured most of
the seniors had graduated and moved on to bigger and better
things.

Nikki brought me a plate and perched on the
arm of the chair beside me, as I visited with random well-wishers
for what seemed liked ages.

“Can I have your attention?” Grandpa said
suddenly, standing in front of the huge fireplace and the room
quickly quieted to murmurs, with people crowding into the two
doorways leading into the room to listen. “We’d like to thank you
all for coming out to this special homecoming for Chase.” He
glanced at me and smiled, but I noticed his chin quivering
slightly. “We weren’t sure our boy was ever going to come back to
us; but thanks to all the prayers, we definitely got our miracle.”
Nikki rubbed her hand absently across the back of my neck as he
spoke. I loved feeling her touch. “Coach Hardin has asked for
moment now.”

Sitting a bit straighter, I wondered what
was going on. Coach came to stand beside Grandpa and smiled.
“Thanks for giving me a minute. I won’t be long. As I’m pretty sure
most all of you know, Chase was our starting quarterback last year.
He was a great leader and got the team off to an amazing start
before his accident. Although we struggled a bit after we lost him,
the boys managed to pull themselves together and made it into the
playoffs—and they won the State Title.

“What you may not know, is the team
dedicated the rest of their season to Chase and prayed, before
every game, for his recovery. They also wore armbands with his
number on them, never forgetting the young man who helped us to get
to the title.” Turning to the mantle, he lifted up a small box and
stared directly at me. “Since you missed the award ceremony, Chase,
I want to present you with your State ring here, tonight, as well
as a Championship t-shirt and hat.” He gestured toward the crowd
and Brett stepped forward holding the clothing. Coach and he
approached, handing me the items. Everyone burst into applause and
I couldn’t swallow past the knot in my throat.

“That’s not all,” Coach said, clearing his
throat. “When Chase was injured, Chad Thompson stepped up to fill
his shoes as quarterback. Both of these young men were amazing
assets to the team. Both Chad and Chase were nominated as Most
Valuable Player of the Season.”

The crowd started clapping again, and Chad
came forward holding a miniature version of the state football
trophy, extending it to me and I saw my name engraved on it. I
pushed up out of the chair, standing to hug him.

“I didn’t think we’d get to ever give this
to you in person, buddy. I’m glad you’re back.”

I simply nodded, unable to speak, choking on
my emotions. I was overwhelmed, and amazed. Releasing him, I saw
that everyone was waiting for me to say something, but I couldn’t.
I shook my head and held up the trophy.

“Thanks.” It was all I could manage and
everyone cheered again.

***

Nikki lay tangled in my arms, stretched out
on the bed in my new room downstairs. Grandpa and Grandma had given
up their room so I could have easier access to things and would be
able to use my walker or wheelchair, when needed.

We’d come in here to enjoy a private moment
together after everyone had left. Slowly, I traced my finger over
the skin on her arm below her sleeve. Her finger was drawing over
my chest in lazy circles.

Shifting, she placed a kiss where her finger
had just been, rolling over to lay her arms and head on my chest.
“You’re awful quiet. What are you thinking about?”

Smiling, I stroked the side of her beautiful
face, running my thumbs over her lips. “About you, of course.”

She rolled her eyes. “Sure you were. Come
on, talk to me. I can practically hear the wheels turning in that
head of yours.”

“I’m completely serious,” I said, moving my
hand to run it over the long dark hair that cascaded like a
waterfall around her. “I love your hair like this, by the way, in
case I haven’t told you.”

A soft, dreamy smile crossed her features.
“You might have once or twice.”

“Well, I mean it. You’re prettier than I
ever remembered.” My imagination had never done her justice.

“Are you trying to distract me with
compliments?” she asked with a laugh. “Because it’s working.”

“No. I’m just telling it like it is.” I
continued staring into her eyes, not breaking contact with her,
thankful that the door to the room was shut and we truly had
complete private time, without the possibility of interruption, for
the first time since I’d woken up.

“Tell me what’s going on in your head.”

I chuckled. “I am. Can’t a guy tell his girl
how amazing she is? You are amazing. You know that, right?”

She shook her head. “You’re . . .
amazinger.”

I snorted. “That’s not even a real
word.”

“I know. You’re so amazinger, you deserve
your own word.” She giggled and leaned forward, placing a light
kiss on my lips. “I love you so much, Chase.”

Once more, my heart soared. “I love you,
too. More than I’ll ever be able to show you, I’m afraid.”

She ran her finger over my chin. “Oh, I
don’t know about that. You seem to be doing a pretty good job right
now.”

I wanted to pour my soul out to her—wanted
to say something profound enough to convey my feelings, but words
would never be enough for Nikki.

“You know I never stopped loving you,
right?”

She nodded. “I know.”

“Thanks for sticking by me.”

“It was my pleasure.”

“I know you orchestrated this whole thing
tonight.”

Batting her eyes innocently, she stared at
me. “What do you mean?”

I laughed. “You should know better than to
try and lie to me. You’ve never been a very good liar. I know my
family. While it’s true they’re awesome, they would’ve never
thought of something like this. However, an ex-cheerleader, who’s
into all that banners and balloons stuff—she would’ve thought of it
right away.”

She shook her head. “You think you know me
so well, don’t you, Mr. Walker?”

Grabbing her, I rolled her over so she was
beneath me and she let out a little squeal. I couldn’t help my
grin. “You didn’t think I was strong enough to do that, did
you?”

“No. You definitely caught me by
surprise.”

“Stick with me, girl. I have a lot of
surprises I want to show you.”

“Do you now?” Her hands slid slowly up my
chest before linking behind my neck, immediately lighting my senses
on fire. “And when will I get to experience these surprises?”

“Hmm. I think that’s privileged information;
but I’m totally open to being tortured.”

A hearty laugh escaped her. “I can’t torture
you.”

“Why not?” I asked, feeling the slight
tremor in my arms beginning.

“It’s not in my nature. I’m a lover, not a
fighter.”

“What a coincidence, I happen to be a lover
too.” Lowering my head, I placed a kiss against the side of her
neck. Sighing, she turned her head and I slowly kissed my way up by
her ear, sucking lightly, before moving across her cheek and
pressing my lips against hers.

Her hands slid to my face, palms on both
sides, keeping me anchored to her. I slipped my tongue inside the
second she parted her lips, kissing her deeply. Immediately the
kiss grew more frantic, desperate. My strength was quickly depleted
and I rolled again, taking her with me so she was lying on top of
me. I sucked her bottom lip into my mouth as my hands roamed down
to her hips, my body aching with need as I pressed her tightly
against me.

I could feel her tears falling, hitting my
cheeks and I pulled back to look at her. “What’s the matter?” I
asked.

“Nothing.” She stared deeply into my eyes.
“I just . . . I was afraid I’d never get to be like this
with you again. I’ve missed this so badly—being held in your arms
and feeling you against me. I’m scared every time I leave you, that
something will happen that’ll separate us.”

“Then don’t leave,” I replied.

“What do you mean?” She looked completely
confused.

“I mean stay here. I’m sure my grandparents
would be okay with you moving in here. My mom is getting married
soon. You could stay in her room.”

She giggled. “Did you just ask me to move in
with you and then suggest I stay in a different room?”

Smiling, I shrugged. “I’m all for you moving
in here with me, but I don’t think my grandparents would look too
kindly on that.” Sighing heavily, I briefly entertained the idea of
having her in my arms every night and waking to her every morning.
That was exactly what I wanted. “And if the truth be told, I’m
afraid I’d be tempted to keep you locked in this room with me
forever.”

Stroking her hand over my face, she smiled.
“I thought we already determined that we were both on the same page
when it comes to that.”

Lifting my hand, I captured hers, turning to
place a kiss in the center of her palm. “Remember when I told you
I’d wait for you to tell me when you were ready?” I asked, gently
and she nodded. “I’m asking if you’ll wait for me now.” A confused
look crossed her features and I chuckled. “Trust me, I want nothing
more than to be with you like we planned, but I’m still too weak.
Will you wait for me to get stronger? I want your first time to be
. . . amazinger.”

She laughed and laid her head on my chest.
“Chase, I think anything with you would be amazing. Don’t worry
about me. I’d wait for you, forever.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Everywhere I looked was winter white, from
the wedding decorations in the lodge, to the blanket of snow
outside the large windows. Thankfully, it hadn’t snowed, again, for
a couple of days, so the roads where clear for guests to make the
intimate ceremony.