Nichole managed a stunned and awkward thank-you.
Her grandmother promised Nichole once her parents learned about their daughter’s marriage, they’d certainly be in touch. After all, they hadn’t missed important milestones in Nichole’s life growing up. Cards and presents had arrived early for Christmases and birthdays. I love yous exchanged, the call ended.
Nichole flopped onto the bed face-first and replayed the conversation. Chase was darling. Their wedding overdue. And Nichole’s parents suddenly reliable. Even though her parents’ visits had been less consistent and all too often unreliable. Chase and Nichole’s wedding a fake. And Chase...
The doorbell chimed throughout the house. Laughter rolled against the closed bedroom door like an invitation to join the merriment and ditch her self-imposed distance.
Nichole hopped off the bed, opened the door and stopped in the doorway. Chase stood near the massive stone fireplace. A lanky, tall technician in pressed jeans, a pin-striped blue work shirt and steel-toed work boots moved closer to Chase’s side. Both men tilted their heads up to look at the camera on the technician’s phone. The one he held at an angle high above their heads. Several selfies later, the pair broke apart and checked the photographs.
The technician—his name, Alden, embroidered above his shirt pocket—greeted her. His blond curls covered his forehead, brushed over his brown eyes as if reaching for his twin dimples. “The heat is not quite fixed yet, but it will be. I promise.”
“It’ll be warmer if you shut the bedroom door,” Chase said. His jacket hung on the back of a kitchen chair. A pair of gloves and a hat rested on the table. He appeared more than immune to the walk-in-refrigerator-level cold in the house.
Nichole leaned against the doorframe and crossed her arms over her chest. Her toes curled inside her thick socks, willing her to retreat into the bedroom and the welcoming warmth. But Chase gripped Nichole’s attention as firmly as Chase’s hold on his permanent marker. Chase signed everything Alden set on the counter.
“I think we’ve covered all my family.” Alden dug through his tool bag on the floor. The sheer joy on Alden’s face saturated his voice. “Could you sign these gloves for my cousin and a pair for his brother-in-law? They never miss a game.”
Chase appeared in no hurry to stop signing. His excitement rivaled Alden’s. He appreciated Alden’s reenactment of specific plays, added his own version, then steered the conversation back to Alden’s family. Always he brought the conversation back to Alden. Chase was kind, thoughtful and engaging.
“I really appreciate this, Mr. Jacobs.” Alden gathered his items like a kid collecting his winning prizes at the midway in the State Fair.
“Chase.” He grinned and swirled the marker across a work glove. “How long have you been working as a technician?”
“Little over two years.” Alden tucked his autographed merchandise away as if he’d never take it out. He brushed his hair out of his eyes, his voice timid. “I’m saving up to buy my girl a ring.”
“That’s special.” Chase handed the gloves to Alden. His smile genuine, his voice sincere. “She’s really lucky to have you.”
Nichole watched Chase. Surely Chase would advise the young guy to wait longer to get married. Have more fun before tying himself down. Surely the city’s favorite adventurer bachelor would dissuade Alden, discourage marriage and laugh off love.
“Could you sign something for her parents?” Alden scanned the living room as if the chateau was his personal Pioneers’ fan store. “They’re big fans too.”
“Absolutely.” Chase held up his hand, interrupting Alden’s search. “I’m pretty sure I have an extra jersey in my suitcase.”
Chase carried extra jerseys to give out to his fans? Had the sweatshirt Chase loaned Nichole been intended for a fan? And then she understood, his star power came from his ability to center his full attention on someone. To make that person feel valued and important, not a bother or an intrusion. He made her feel recognized. He made her feel noticed and appreciated. Nichole held her position in the doorway.
Chase slowed, squeezed around Nichole. Only his arm brushed against her shoulder.
For a breath, she wanted more of his undivided attention too. She turned and tracked his movements around the bedroom. “You enjoy this?”
“He’s a good guy.” Chase dug through his suitcase and held up a Pioneers jersey. “If this will help Alden win over his in-laws, then it’s time well spent.”
Would he consider their time together, time well spent too? “You’re a good guy too.”
“Don’t forget to shut the door to keep warm until the heat is fixed.” He slipped around her and glanced back. His gaze warm, thoughtful. “Did you make your calls to potential vendors like you wanted?”
Nichole pointed at her phone on the mantel, reminding herself more of Chase’s attention wasn’t what she needed. “Doing that right now.”
Chase handed Alden the signed jersey and followed him upstairs. He asked Alden a series of questions as if he intended to become a technician after his football career ended. Nichole returned to the master suite and her business.
Four phone calls concluded, heat poured through the in-floor vent, warming the master bedroom into sauna-level hot. Nichole rose, stretched her legs and walked out to the kitchen.
Chase and Alden headed toward the front door. Chase carried Alden’s tool bag as if it belonged to him, not the young technician. Alden lifted his 10-foot ladder.
“Thanks, Alden.” Nichole called out. “You’ve saved our vacation.”
Alden’s grin split across his face, his dimples anchoring it into place. “My pleasure, Mrs. Jacobs.”
Mrs. Jacobs. Nichole blinked, tried to cut off the swirl of delight curling through her. She was a fraud. An imposter. Her heart stretched against that caution tape and refused to listen.
Chase closed the front door, moved around the large island and opened the refrigerator. “We’ve got lunch and dinner to plan. Any ideas?”
Banning the use of Mrs. Jacobs would be a good start.
