Kelsey was quiet for a few minutes, typing away on her keyboard, her tongue poised between her lips in concentration. Visiting Telluride last fall, Kelsey quickly discovered it was the place for her—not New York—and easily settled into life here. She was happy. This was her place.
The way she fit in so effortlessly made me think Telluride wasn’t right for me. There was something out there that was better suited for me. Somewhere I’d feel like I belonged.
Kelsey purposely pushed the Enter key. “I hit send. Now we wait.”
“I’m sure they’ll approve it.” It was tame as far as adventures go. Nothing that really got my heart pounding. The only thing that dulled the roar in my ears was looking at pictures online of photographers traveling the world to capture the same beauty I longed to catch.
I ignored the rising anticipation of camping with a professional baseball team. All that testosterone sounded delicious.
“Ya know, the tour ends at the hot springs.” Her tone was full of innuendo, her smile mischievous.
I rolled my eyes. “Nothing’s going to happen between me and a baseball player.”
I couldn’t be with someone when I needed to figure out my life. Not to mention, I’d been burned by an athlete before.
Henry smacked the counter, making us both jump. “It better not.”
I chuckled at his indignation. “Not with my big brother there to shut it down.”
Henry nodded. “You better believe it.”
Kelsey shot us both an exasperated look.
I ignored her because nothing was going to happen on this tour, just like nothing ever happened in my life. I’d get some pictures for my social media account, some extra likes and comments. That was it. When my online photography friends ask when I am going to join them in traveling the world, I’d turn them down again. My place was here, no matter how many times I wished I could be somewhere else.
CHAPTER 2
COLIN
The team bus rocked over the uneven gravel lane to Mountain Haven Lodge. I’d gotten called up from Triple-A the last few weeks of the previous season. Even with the coveted invitation to spring training, I was on edge, wondering if there was a spot for me on the team.
I had to play my best even on this so-called adventure tour. There was no room for error.
Proving myself to the coaches felt a little like vying for my father’s approval. Just like the bus, I was treading on rocky ground, unsure of my footing.
Making the team would justify everything I’d done to get here—breaking ties with my dad and going out on my own.
Losing my spot, being sent down to the minors, would mean my dad was right. That this baseball thing was a child’s game, a pipe dream. So few guys made it and even fewer made the kind of money that made the sacrifice worth it.
Rod leaned closer. “Relax. Mountain biking will be fun.”
“Right.” I tried to loosen the muscles in my neck, but they pulled taut. I could do anything for three days.
The most challenging part would be fitting in on the team that had so many new players due to trades. This team wasn’t a well-oiled machine. It was a mix of egos—guys who thought they deserved to be here and rookies trying to prove themselves. I needed to show I was physically capable of playing in the majors, and I could work with a team.
The bus came to a creaking stop, the door opened. The guys stood, filling the aisle, eager to get out of the cramped space. A few people from the lodge lined the large wraparound porch while we were piling off the bus, ready to greet us.
Our team manager, Leonard, stepped forward, holding his hand out to the man with sandy hair, wearing a red-and-blue-checked flannel, worn jeans, and boots. The brunette smiled easily, pushing her glasses up her nose. The petite blonde woman stood farther off to the side, her eyes darting around as if she’d rather be anywhere than here.
After shaking their hands, Leonard turned to face us. “We’re here for three days. Make it count. This isn’t a vacation. This is your job. We’re here to find ourselves as a team. You’ll be in Henry, Kelsey, and Piper’s very capable hands. They’ll lead you on the tour.”
Leonard looked around, his eyes settling briefly on each one of us, waiting for the weight of his words to settle into our consciousness. This weekend was just as important as any practice or game.
I was determined to be on that roster at the end of the weekend. I wouldn’t languish in the minors, playing year after year, hoping for something that wouldn’t happen. This was my chance. I might not get another one.
The blonde woman walked through the line of players handing out what looked like an itinerary.
When she handed it to me, a gust of wind caught the bottom of her skirt, causing it to fly up. One hand gripped the papers, trying to get the hair out of her face as the other tried to hold her skirt down.
“Shit,” she cried as the papers flew out of her hands, scattering on the driveway. Seeing that most of the guys had already gone into the lodge, I dropped my duffel on the ground, gathering up the papers before they could get picked up by the wind again.
I’d gathered most of them, but one kept taking off before I could get it. The blonde laughed at my attempts to grab it. The sound carried with the wind.
I made a final grab for it, her hand closing over mine at the last second. The heat of her skin made me pause. Crouching close to the ground, my gaze lifted from the paper we both clutched to her eyes.
Her skin was silky smooth over mine. I wanted to turn my hand so our palms touched. My heart was racing, and it wasn’t from the chase. It was her.
The air between us sparked with awareness.
Her mouth opened on a gasp as she let go of me. “Sorry.”
My skin tingled, and my brain short-circuited as I rose to full height, her head barely coming up to my shoulder.
Her cheeks were flushed as she pulled strands of hair from her face. Laughing, she said, “That wind came out of nowhere.”
One hand hovered on her skirt, presumably to stop it from flipping up again, her other hand shielded the sun from her eyes. Her eyes were a multifaceted crystal blue. I’d never seen anything like it.
My breath tight in my chest, I asked, “Are you one of our guides?”
Dropping her hand from her forehead, her eyes crinkled. “I’m kind of along for the ride.”
I remained silent, hoping she’d give me more details.
“The views will be beautiful.” Her tone was wistful.
I handed her the papers, wondering what her story was and how the view on our trip could be any more stunning than her with her blonde hair flying in the wind, her eyes wide, and her cheeks flushed.
Lowering her gaze, she tried to smooth the wrinkles from the papers.
I hadn’t really thought about what we’d see on the tour or the fact that it might be enjoyable. It was merely a task I needed to complete. “It will be if you’re there.”
Her gaze flew up to mine.
My face heated. The sun was warm on my face, the now light breeze blew her hair across her face.
A flush tinged her cheekbones. “Thank you.”
Her voice was soft, her words almost melodic.
Who was this woman, and why was I reacting to her like this?
Wanting more time with her, I asked, “Do you work here?”