Facing Calgary's Dream Read online

  “Stop, will you. I cook and I’ll prove it to you some day.”

  “Promise?”

  “I promise.” Turning, she started to pull their food from the bag. “I’m starving. I’ve driven around for almost an hour, smelling this greasy bar food while you slept.”

  She turned around to grab the plates and he stopped her. Placing his hands on her hips her drew he close. She closed her eyes as he brushed her hair behind her ears. He ran his finger along her cheek, and she waited for his kiss. When it came, it felt so right. She felt cared for, protected, and most of all loved. She caught herself when she thought about that. She hadn’t felt that way in a long, long time. Not since that fateful day eight years ago when she left her home for her graduation only to return to a home filled with loneliness and sadness.

  In the weeks since she’d known Ryne, those feelings had waned. She wasn’t as lonely and definitely didn’t feel the sadness that always seemed to follow her. Today, she felt a sense of hope. She’d found someone to help change a life that was once filled with darkness into one filled with hope and maybe even love, too.

  She felt his hand on hers, and that’s when she realized he’d been speaking to her. “Hey, where’d you just go?” She looked at him and knew where her mind had drifted off. “I was asking you…”

  “What’d ya say?”

  “Nothing. It wasn’t important. Let’s eat.” She’d reheated their food since it had grown cold and placed the toasted ravioli in front of him. He reached for one and dipped it into the marinara sauce. “These are really good. I always tried to have an order when I traveled through the city. There’s nothing like a St. Louis toasted ravioli.” He tossed the remainder into his mouth. “Um, mmm, good.” With a smile on his face, he reached for another and she fell instantly back under his spell. A moment passed before she indulged in the tasty appetizer as well.

  Out of nowhere Ryne brought up his family. “I think my brothers are going to go all the way and win the cup.” He took a huge bite of his hamburger, wiping the ketchup from his lips. “Etienne and Philippe both play for the Storm, and I think they’re going to win the Stanley Cup.”

  “How lucky for them, although they do have to make it through the playoffs that have yet to begin.”

  “I realize that, but I really do believe they have the perfect team.” He paused and she watched the light dim from his eyes.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, really. I should be thankful that I am a player in the NHL.”

  “What is it then?”

  “My brothers both have had their dreams come true, that’s all.”

  “And what’s your dream?”

  “My dream. That’s easy. I’ve always wanted to play for the hometown team, but since being traded to the Generals, I’m not sure that’ll ever become my reality.”

  “So you want to play for the Calgary Storm?” Nodding his head, he looked down at his burger. “Has your agent spoken with them?”

  He ignored her question. “It was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to play for the Storm. I was happy playing for the Eagles. Vancouver drafted me and allowed me to go to college. I even renegotiated my contract with them earlier this year, and then I was traded. So much for franchise loyalty.”

  “Do you not like it here?”

  “Oh no, don’t get me wrong. The Generals is a first-class team. Ed runs a well-oiled machine. It’s just when I think about it… If I have a chance, I want to do it—play for the Storm. It’s in the family. My dad played for the team too.” He stopped, drew in his lips, and shook his head. “My dream is to play for Calgary, maybe someday before I get old and am forced to retire.” She knew his thoughts went immediately to his hip as he began massaging it.

  “Keep the faith; maybe one day it’ll happen.”

  “Unless I’m traded, I have what’s left of a three-year contract with the Generals.”

  She took a bite of her burger and felt his demeanor change before her eyes.

  He surprised her with how quickly he could go from being happy to sad. She watched him finish his sandwich and take a sip of his cola. “Ready?”

  “Ready for what?” she asked.

  “To look at your work.”

  “Oh, yeah. Let me finish my snack first,” she teasingly said as she dropped the last bite of her burger into her mouth. They’d arrived at a comfort level that brought tears to her eyes. She didn’t know where they’d come from, but she’d gotten a little emotional listening to him as he shared his dream with her. He had a dream that if he could, he would fulfill. That dream— playing for his Calgary Storm.

  She closed her eyes briefly. She knew he’d do his best to fulfill it, but she’d given up on her dream all those years ago. Her dream once had been to work beside her father, bringing their art to life. Johnston had given her a second chance. She was discovering a life she never thought she’d find again. Being behind the lens gave her a sense of calm that she hadn’t felt since walking into her high school graduation. She decided to follow her own advice and take one day at a time. And then she’d make the all-important decision on whether to end her teaching career and pick back up the one thing that had meant the world to her— her love of photography.

  Chapter Eleven

  That evening they sat side by side at her computer while she loaded her photographs. He looked at each picture with awe. She’d captured the intensity on Carson’s face as he’d passed a puck to Jasper Allis. She caught the determination on Perry’s face as he raised his stick to drive a slap shot towards the net. She’d found a smile on Adam’s face as he took a tumble to the ice. And lastly, she netted the shot that she’d hoped for— Derek spraying her with ice as he approached the boards.

  Ryne was amazed with her talent and sat quietly as she moved from one photo to the next. She’d just hit upon Derek’s picture when he placed his hand atop hers. “Wow, you got it. I feel like the ice is coming right towards me.”

  He saw a brief smile cross her lips and then be replaced with a look of sadness. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” she tersely said and moved onto the next photograph.

  “Come on now, Jen. What’s bothering you?” He watched the emotions play out on her face. He didn’t know if he should let it go or push her to share what was troubling her. For once, he decided to let it go. In time, he hoped she’d feel comfortable enough with him to share whatever was on her mind.

  She’d moved on to the next shot. It was of him exiting the locker room. She’d caught the insecure look as he’d come through the door. At that moment he wasn’t sure where his career was going. He was in tremendous pain and just wanted to get out of the building. Then the next photo of him had the glimmer of a smile as he’d seen her and knew his day would improve.

  “Outside of the shots of me, I’m impressed with your talent. You captured everything.” He watched her eyes as she examined the picture on her screen. He’d seen the briefest of smile but then it disappeared.

  “Jen,” he said, reaching for her face. He turned her head so she was looking him directly in the eyes. She lowered her gaze and began fumbling with her mouse. He laid his hand atop hers, stopping her anxiousness. They sat for a moment before he added, “You can trust me.”

  She began to sniffle and that’s when he noticed the tear on her face. He reached in, wiping it aside. “Honey, what’s got you so troubled?” She chewed on her lower lip, obviously contemplating what she wanted to say. “Don’t edit your words for me. Just say whatever’s on your mind.”

  He knew she was struggling and then she turned and thrust herself into his arms. He held her tight against his chest as she cried, running his hand up and down her back to soothe her. His attempt at calming her didn’t work; she cried harder and harder. When he’d finally had the chance to calm her, his shirt was drenched in her tears.

  She’d relaxed somewhat when she pulled away from him. He placed his hands on either side of her face and touched his forehead to h
ers. She took a calming breath, and then he felt her lips against his. It was the first time she’d reached out to him in that way. He sensed an immediate change in her as she smiled winsomely at him. A soft thank you escaped her lips before she pulled him towards her again, holding him close to her heart. He’d been sitting awkwardly in his chair while she held him against her body.

  Out of nowhere, he groaned and reached for his side. “Are you in pain?”

  He pulled away and closed his eyes, nodding his head in the process. “Just a little. I guess I was sitting a little funny in the chair.” He chewed on his lip as though he was pondering his next words. “I’m okay now— just a little twinge.”

  “It had to have been more than a little with the way you groaned.”

  “Sorry about that, as I said, I’m okay now.” He turned back to her computer. “I’d like to see more of your work.”

  He knew by the look on her face that she was through for the day. “You’ve seen it all,” she claimed as she closed down her program. He sensed her withdrawal as she stood and moved about the room.

  She was hiding something but he decided not to press her. With as close as they’d become in the last several weeks, he believed, in time, she’d share with him whatever was on her mind.

  “Jen, I think I’m going to call a cab and head on home.”

  “Why don’t you stay here? I have a guest bedroom.”

  “I appreciate the offer…”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “My painkillers are back in my room and my hip is starting to call for one.”

  A look of panic struck her face. “I’ll drive you.”

  “Jen, hey, it’s not that bad. I want to head off the pain before it gets too bad. Don’t worry about me. It’s getting late and I don’t want you driving this time of night.” He picked up his phone, and she paced the room while he gave the cab company her address. “They’ll be here in fifteen minutes,” he said.

  He pulled her into his arms and rested his chin on the top of her head. “I had a really nice time today. You have fabulous talent. That photo you took of Derek? The spray of ice? All I can say is you are definitely working in the wrong profession…”

  He knew he’d said the wrong thing when she pulled away with that look of pain on her face. “I’m sorry if I said something to upset you.”

  “You didn’t,” she claimed, all the while he knew that he did. Before either of them could comment further, he heard the honk of his awaiting cab.

  “That was fast,” she said as she looked out the window.

  “Yeah, I don’t know what happened to fifteen minutes. It was more like fifteen seconds.” He leaned in dropping a kiss on her cheek, turned, and headed towards the door. “I’ll phone you tomorrow. Have a pleasant evening.”

  With that Ryne walked out. He felt her eyes on him as he made his way to the cab. He was sore and tired and tense. He knew how to explain his first two maladies but not the third. He assumed the tension came from not knowing what had upset her. He hoped she’d open up to him soon.

  As he got into the cab, he turned and discovered she hadn’t moved. She still stood in the doorway, watching him as he left. If he wasn’t mistaken, she wiped a tear from her face. Something had caused her angst, and in due time he’d uncover what it was.

  When the taillights of the cab disappeared around the corner, Jennifer turned back into her house and closed the door. Leaning against it, she wiped away tears. She needed to get ahold of herself.

  Listening to Ryne comment on her talent brought the memories right back up in front of her. She hadn’t thought about all the times she’d spent with her dad in the darkroom or even at his computer in a long, long time. He’d just started getting into digital photography when he was killed.

  Flashbacks to their times together overwhelmed her as she fell to the floor. She could still remember the smell of the chemicals and the bright red light from the darkroom as they processed the many rolls of film and developed the multitude of photographs that hung across many of the buildings in the St. Louis area. She’d been reminded of the cityscape when she visited Ryne’s hotel. It was a time in her life that she’d buried. Just like the career she’d turned her back on… Instead, she’d found herself becoming a teacher rather than following her heart’s dream of being the photographer her father would be proud of. She sobbed at the memories.

  It took her a few minutes before she was able to calm herself. She ran her hands across her face, wiping the remaining tears from her eyes. She sat on the floor, wondering what her father would expect her to do. Should she even consider what her heart was telling her?

  Sitting there, she made a decision— one that she’d been hiding from for eight years now. She’d been given a chance to reclaim her dream. She’d take it and see if she still had the talent to survive. And if she did, she was going to embrace it with both hands and recover the career she’d thrown away. In the end if she didn’t make it, she had a fallback career. She had over a year to develop a portfolio before she’d have to give her decision to Johnston. One more year of teaching, and maybe she could salvage her dream and her father’s dream as well. Except this time, she’d be fulfilling it alone. Without her father beside her.

  Chapter Twelve

  They took each day one at a time as Ryne’s hip improved ever so slowly, and Jennifer continued snapping photographs. Unfortunately, the team missed the playoffs, losing the last game of the season in a shootout. Everyone had had such high expectations, but between Ryne’s season-ending injury and a flu outbreak running throughout the locker room, it just wasn’t in the cards.

  Ryne was bothered that he couldn’t contribute and push the team on, but Jen was by his side, encouraging him that they’d have the next season. By then he’d be healthy, and the Generals would have a fresh start.

  The two of them worked on the fundraiser several times a week. Ryne often met her after school and would join her as she sought new sites to photograph. With the baseball season in full swing, she’d also obtained access to the St. Louis Rivermen since their general manager’s children attended Lakeview. She’d been able to attend batting practice, capturing one-of-a-kind images as the players goofed around on the field.

  Ryne watched Jen work and recognized her passion as she took shot after shot. Often times, a broad smile would cross her face after catching a special moment. He loved seeing her shine. She was in her element and he knew that’s where she needed to be.

  The school year was coming to an end, and he’d planned on traveling back to Calgary to visit his family. But first, he had to attend a gala in Greenwich, Connecticut. Black Gold Management was having a huge party celebrating the recent victories of its married star tennis players, Tony and Ashley Regada. For the first time a married couple had won the Grand Slam of tennis. Winning this title was an incredible feat, but a married couple doing it as single tennis players was unheard of.

  Ryne knew Jen had planned on returning to Greenwich to visit her grandparents and decided to invite her as his date. They’d been growing closer by the day and he thought it was the next step as they meandered their way through the dating process. He’d been taking it slow since he knew she hadn’t dated much and was going through a little bit of a rough patch remembering her parents, even more so of late. He’d realized the extent of her sadness several times and decided to confront her on the matter.

  They’d been to a festival at the Botanical Gardens. They were on the pathway heading from the rose garden to the exit when she stopped abruptly in front of the last of the greenhouses. A look crossed her face —one he’d often seen when she was concentrating while flipping through her photographs on the computer. Yet this time, there was no computer. All that stood before them was a greenhouse built in the late 1800’s. It was a brick structure with a glass roof. He stood watching her, unsure what he should say or do.

  It was a beautiful day so he decided to confront her. He knew, as a couple, they needed to get out into the open whate
ver seemed to be bothering her. So instead of leaving the gardens, he grabbed her hand and pulled her onto a pathway. He ushered her towards a bench in a private setting surrounded by trees. He slid her camera bag from her shoulder, set it on the ground beside the bench, then pulled on her hand and sat down.

  He was surprised she hadn’t asked what he was doing as he led her towards the alcove. But she’d fallen back into her own world, and he hoped that he could discover whatever seemed to trouble her at the strangest of times.

  He squeezed her hand as he looked into her eyes that had grown misty with tears. “Hey, what’s wrong? What’s troubling you?”

  He knew she was contemplating what to say. A lone tear escaped her eye and trickled down her cheek. He reached in, wiping it aside. She scrunched her face, trying to prevent another tear from falling, but she wasn’t successful. One tear became two and before he knew it, she was in his arms. Her sobs were muffled by his chest. He hadn’t a clue what had overcome her, but knew it had something to do with the old-styled greenhouse she’d halted in front of.

  Ryne rubbed his hand up and down her back, softly speaking words of encouragement he hoped would calm her. Eventually, her sobs waned and she pulled away from him. “Better?” he asked.

  “Yeah, thanks for that. I’m not sure what happened…”

  “Jen, I think you know.”

  Again, he watched her face. He saw the look of sadness and then caught the slight nod of her head. He waited for her to speak, knowing that she was attempting to put her thoughts and feelings in order. He couldn’t wait another minute and then he spoke. “It’s the photography, isn’t it?”

  Surprise crossed her face. He’d hit the nail on the head. Again, she nodded, pulling herself ever further away. He continued to wait, wanting her to take the lead on their discussion. And then she cleared her throat. Scraping her hands across her face, she took a deep breath and sighed. “You know me too well.”