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The two of them could still have a long-distance relationship. People did that. Although the thought of only talking to her on a phone screen was enough to kill his good mood.
Years of dating had left him with a succession of girlfriends who’d been too high-maintenance, too shallow, or too self-centered. None of them would’ve worked a manual labor job to keep their brother out of trouble. None of them were as smart, hardworking, or loyal as Olivia. None of them stole his attention so easily or so deeply. Now that he’d found her, he didn’t want to leave and just hope that things worked out.
Would she be willing to break her teaching contract in Lark Springs and find a teaching job in Denver?
He’d spent so much time with Olivia that their relationship didn’t seem as new as it was, but in reality, they’d only been together for two weeks. She wouldn’t want to abandon her job, pick up, and move to a strange city just to be near him. That was asking too much too soon. Besides, he couldn’t realistically ask her to move until he was certain his place on the team was secure. Ninety players started training camp and only fifty-three remained when the season started.
He climbed into his truck and sat staring across the parking lot. Training didn’t start until July twenty-third. He had more time to convince Olivia that the two of them would work as a couple before he moved.
After Carson was through at the physical therapist’s office, he went shopping. He already planned to buy Olivia a box of chocolates and a dozen roses at the grocery store, but a good boyfriend, one who was trying to convince her he was indispensable, would buy her more than that. Jewelry? He had no idea what sort of thing she liked. The only jewelry he’d ever seen her wear was one pair of earrings and that silicone wristband with the school’s motto she’d taken to wearing every day.
He wandered into the arts and crafts store. Olivia was an artist. She’d probably like something from here. He stared at things on the shelves, feeling completely out of his depth. Did she need a set of premium watercolor brushes?
There was an entire aisle of jewelry-making supplies: charms, beads, and gemstones—but somehow telling a woman to make her own jewelry seemed the opposite of romantic.
While he was contemplating why the store had so many different kinds of yarn, a woman in an employee smock took pity on him. “Can I help you find something?” She had blue streaks in her hair, enormous dangly earrings, and a name badge that readSonja.
“I’m trying to find a gift for an art teacher.”
Her gaze went over him. He didn’t recognize her, and as far as he could tell, she didn’t recognize him. “Elementary, junior high, or high school?” she asked.
“High school.”
She smiled at him. “I have the perfect thing.”
* * *
When Carson reached the cabin,it was nearly six, and the crew had gone for the day. He put his groceries away, then got the things he’d bought for Olivia and headed over to the main house. Walking felt so much easier without a boot. He only had some lingering tenderness. Nothing he couldn’t handle. Each step was a reminder that he had a future again.
He shifted the bags to open the side door. When he’d been in town, he’d worried that buying Olivia jewelry would be too much—come off too strong. Now he worried that his offering of roses, chocolate, and art supplies wasn’t nearly enough. And art supplies were probably a weird gift anyway. Jewelry was romantic. Jewelry told a woman she was special. He definitely should’ve picked something up from the jewelry store.
He’d expected to have time to put the flowers into a vase before he saw Olivia, but he found her in the kitchen, perched on the island and eating soup.
“Are you just having dinner now?” he asked.
“I wanted to get the second coat of stain on the bookcase before you got home.” She made a gesture like she was checking a box. “Success. How was your doctor’s appointment?” Her eyes went to his foot and she gasped. “Your boot is gone.”
He put the grocery sacks on the counter by the fridge. “Yeah. The doc says I still have to strengthen it, but everything is going in the right direction. I’ve got a whole slew of new PT exercises to do.”
“That’s great.” She gulped. “Really good. That’s what you wanted.” Her words sounded breathless, not that happy.
He could almost see her pulling away from him, putting an expiration date on their relationship.
“Nothing is for certain yet.” This was the truth. During training camp, he was going to have to show his coaches that he could do the job.
“When will you know more?”
“At my next doctor’s appointment. Or the one after that.” He didn’t mention that those would be in Denver. He wanted to change the subject. “The fridge at my place is full so I’m putting some stuff in here. I bought you more sheep milk.” He began unloading the food. “And I noticed you were out of your coconut yogurt, so I bought some of that too.”
She slid off the island to help him unpack the groceries. “That’s so sweet of you. Thanks.”
When the food was in the fridge, Olivia turned to the other bags.
“Those don’t go in the fridge,” he told her. “They’re gifts for you.”
“Gifts?” She perked up. “What’s the occasion?”
“The occasion is I wanted to do something nice for my girlfriend.”
