Magic in Our Hearts (21 page)

CHAPTER 21

Taylor dropped Brett off at the airport with a hug, a passionate kiss, and a promise. “I’ll miss you and we’ll have a big reunion when you get back.”

“Love you.”

“I love you, honey, and I’m so proud of you.” Brett walked into the Boulder airport, her stride as strong as her confidence.

She was wearing a pair of tan pants, a pale gold silk shirt, and a brown suede jacket. She looked professional and downright sexy. Brett was back, and she was going to prove to her mother, Taylor, and herself that she was the best ski coach in the world. Failure would not be an option. When Brett and Taylor had jumped off the chairlift at the very top of the ski slopes on Friday afternoon, all Brett felt was excitement–-excitement at the thought of being involved in what she had loved her whole life, skiing. She missed skiing very much, but she had faced the fact that physically she would never be able to do it again. She could teach others how to be world-class skiers. Now she had another goal and that was to be the best ski coach she could be. She had a new dream and was about to embark on another career she could be proud of.

Taylor’s eyes welled up with tears as she watched her partner and the love of her life head off to pursue her next dream. Nothing could have pleased Taylor more than to know that Brett was healing in both mind and body.

Two hours later, Taylor returned home and was surprised that Roselin wasn’t waiting downstairs in her usual place. She headed upstairs and knocked on her bedroom door.

“Come in.” Roselin’s voice sounded weak.

“Roselin, are you okay?”

“Yes, Taylor, I’m just a little more tired than usual. Do you mind if we reschedule my hair appointment?”

“Of course not. Is there anything else I can do for you?” Taylor didn’t like Roselin’s coloring. She looked ashen.

“Tell me how Brett was when she left today.”

“Confident, excited, and a little arrogant.” Taylor sat on the side of the bed and placed her hand on Roselin’s as she spoke.

“Ah, the Brett we both love.”

Taylor couldn’t keep from laughing as she smiled down at the astute woman.

“Yes.”

“She’ll be a good coach.”

“Yes, she will.”

“Taylor, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take a nap.”

“Of course, Roselin.” Taylor stood up and bent over kissing her gently.

Roselin reached up and patted her softly on her face. “I’m so lucky to have you in my family.”

“I feel like I’m the lucky one.” Taylor stood up and left the bedroom, her face drawn. She found Helen and Fran in the kitchen canning green beans from the little vegetable plot in the garden.

“Helen, Fran, have you noticed any changes in Roselin lately?”

“No, she still doesn’t have much of an appetite, but she seems to have less pain lately.”

“She’s taking a nap upstairs and she looks way too pale. I’m worried about her.”

“We’ll check on her for you.”

“I appreciate that. I’ll be in my office if you need me.” Taylor entered her suite and headed to her desk where plans for the spa were laid out. She’d found an empty building in town that had once been a large ware-house. It needed a lot of work to get it into shape, but she had seen beyond its current sorry state to what she could create. She was going to call Jeb and discuss it with him. The price was right, and the space was even larger than they were looking for. And there was plenty of parking, a necessity to the business. The building was located in the heart of Boulder, near restaurants and local shops.

Location was critical to becoming a part of the community. Boulder swelled in size during the winter but also had quite a bit of tourism during the rest of the year as people were drawn to the rusticism of the mountains and the numerous hiking trails. Taylor liked the fact that she was able to bring new business to the bustling city. She had spoken to the Chamber of Commerce, explaining the business proposal and what it would mean to the city. It would create at least twenty more jobs and increase revenue. Taylor was excited to get the project started.

While Taylor worked at her desk, Brett sat in first class on the plane preparing for her first meeting. She had been working like a madwoman for weeks. In her briefcase, she had a training plan, a fitness plan, and dietary recommendations.

With Taylor’s guidance, she had prepared a comprehensive mind and body approach to coaching, and the U.S. Olympic Committee had agreed to her suggestions. Now, all she had to do was convince the athletes, which would not be an easy feat.

She knew most of them, having competed with almost all of the women at one time or another. She had partied with many of the men and women. With some of the women she had done more than party. That was the sticky part. She wanted no one to come between her and Taylor. She was going to make sure her intentions were clear to everyone. Brett was not there to play around. She had a job to do and she planned on being a professional while she did it.

She laid her head back against her seat and closed her eyes, relaxing, as she thought of Taylor and their relationship. It was amazing how wonderful it felt to wake up every day with her, to go to sleep at night wrapped in her arms, to know that no matter what happened in their lives Taylor would always be there as her partner and lover. They rarely disagreed about anything of consequence, and most of Taylor’s irritation with Brett was that she felt Brett was pushing herself too hard. Brett’s stubborn nature had caused a few arguments, but both women were able to recognize what was important in their lives and quickly settled any disagreements. They talked about everything, and Brett found that sharing her fears with Taylor made them easier to deal with. She knew Taylor would help her with anything, and that knowledge made her feel invincible.

When Brett landed at LaGuardia Airport in New York, a liveried chauffeur met her as she exited of the terminal. He drove her to her elegant hotel in a long, black limousine. The meetings with the committee and some of the athletes would take place in the Grand Hyatt in downtown Manhattan over dinner. Brett had spent quite a bit of time in New York when she was still skiing, some of it in support of her sponsors and some of it playing in several of the many clubs in New York City. She knew the area well, but on this trip she had no desire to immerse herself in the nightlife. In fact, she had absolutely no interest in it.

A press conference announcing her new job was scheduled the next day after her meetings with the committee and the athletes. She freshened up in her room before heading downstairs to the dining room for the first meeting. Taylor had helped her choose her wardrobe, convincing Brett that her usual casual slacks and polo shirt would not work. Brett had taken her advice and was wearing a mid-night blue silk suit with a mint green shell underneath. She felt good as she rode the elevator to the lobby and stepped out into the crowded room.

“Hello, stranger.”

Brett froze at the all-too-familiar voice, her stomach rolling in response.

“Hello, Juliet.”

Brett stared at the woman she hadn’t seen since the night of her fateful accident. Juliet was still as beautiful as ever, wearing a yellow dress and matching jacket, her briefcase under her arm. Brett was surprised to feel nothing but sadness. She realized that, on that fateful night, she had been using Juliet as much as Juliet had been using her. She could no more blame her for what happened than she could blame the mountain. Brett had made the unfortunate decision to drink and ski at the same time. The responsibility was hers, and she was now living with the consequences. It still was somewhat difficult to look at the woman who had seen her self–destruct, however.

“Brett, you look good.” And Juliet meant it. She couldn’t tell by looking at Brett that she had been in an accident. She looked more grown up, more professional than she had years earlier, but otherwise just as handsome and compelling.

Juliet had always been attracted to the charismatic woman and even now she felt drawn to her.

“I am good.” Brett and Juliet stood off to the side in the large hotel lobby talking while people streamed by them. The hotel lobby was large and packed with incoming and outgoing patrons. “What are you doing in New York?”

“I’m here on business. We have a client that’s representing Nike, and we have a photo shoot here in New York.” Juliet’s voice trailed off. She didn’t know what to say to Brett. She’d lived with her guilt so long that it was a part of her and now it loomed large as she looked at the woman she believed she had almost killed.

“I’m sorry, Brett.”

“Juliet, don’t. Nothing was your fault. I take full responsibility for everything. I chose to drink, I put on my skis, and I’m the sole cause of my injuries.” Brett spoke softly but directly.

“That’s very generous.…”

“I was angry for a long time and almost drank myself to death. Now, I just want to get on with my life and move forward.”

“But …”

“It’s over, Juliet. Let it go. I have. I’m completely happy. I’m with Taylor Aronson now, and my life couldn’t be more perfect.” 

Juliet smiled at the woman who still intrigued her. “Then I can only wish you a long and happy life.”

“You too.” Brett smiled. She was totally serene as she turned away eliminating one more ghost from her past life.

Long after Brett entered the restaurant, Juliet stood silently. She was process-ing the brief but poignant conversation. Maybe she could let everything go now that she knew Brett was going to be okay. She hadn’t slept through a full night since the accident. Guilt and remorse had weighed heavily on her mind. She needed to change her own life, now, and move on. Maybe now that she had been forced to face her demons she could find her own happiness. She smiled as she realized she was happy for Brett. She deserved to be happy and well loved.

Brett took a huge deep breath as she approached the separate dining room where the meeting and dinner were being held. She was terribly nervous. She didn’t notice the elegant ballroom or the people around her. Her thoughts were on her meeting and what she was going to say. Her cell phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out and looked at the display. Taylor.

“Hi.” Brett smiled as she answered the telephone.

“Hi honey, I just called to wish you luck with your meeting.”

“Thanks, I’m just going into the room.”

“Call me later and tell me all about it. You’re going to be terrific!”

“I will. Taylor?”

“Yes, honey.”

“I am the luckiest woman in the world.”

“Oh baby, so am I.”

“Love you.”

Brett walked through the doorway with her head held high. She was the new coach. She didn’t have anything to prove. She was born for the job. A slight grin played across her lips as she strode across the room and went to shake the hand of a member of the Olympics committee.

Brett’s meeting went well. She was introduced to members of the committee and heard again and again of the faith they had in her coaching skills. She went over her plan and strategy with all of them, outlining her training and exercise program in detail. They nodded their heads as she explained how she intended to turn the program around. By the end of the meeting they were completely won over, and Brett was pleased with their reception.

By Wednesday morning she was prepared to meet with several of the athletes that would be under her tutelage. She’d had one interesting encounter during dinner the night before when a woman she used to party with on the ski circuit approached her table.

“Hey Brett, long time no see.” Sheri’s grin was full of mischief, her green eyes locked on Brett’s face. She and Brett had had some crazy times in past years.

They had skied and played hard, ending up in bed together several times after nights of drinking and dancing. Neither woman took their relationship seriously.

They were just having fun. Sherri was a gifted slalom skier and a wild partier. Her golden brown hair curled loosely about her face, and she was still as cute as ever with her short, powerfully built body.

“Hello Sheri. How have you been?”

“Excellent! I’m looking forward to working with you this season.” Sheri’s emphasis on
working
hadn’t slipped by Brett.

“I’m looking forward to a successful season myself. Sheri, I need you to know a few things. I take this coaching job very seriously. I’m not here to play around, drinking all night. I’m asking you to keep our relationship on a strictly professional level.” Brett spoke clearly, her voice loud enough to be heard by several of the assistant coaches sitting around her at the table. They also needed to know what type of coach she intended to be.

“But, Brett …”

“No buts, Sheri. I’m going to say this only once. I’m here to do nothing but coach.”

“You can coach and still have fun.”

“I think I’ve made myself very clear. If you intend to play, please keep it quiet.

If your ability to ski is in any way hampered by your lack of commitment, you and I are going to have serious words.”

Sheri looked at Brett and nodded her head. “I get it.”

“Good, because I intend for this team to bring home some gold medals.” Brett lightened up her voice and smiled up at the surprised woman.

“I’d like that too.” Sheri turned and exited the dining room.

“She’s going to repeat what you just said to everyone,” Tad Noble, one of her new assistant coaches, remarked.

“I know. I expected that.” Brett grinned back at him. The message would get around very quickly. Brett wanted everyone to understand her commitment and her intent.

“There’s a new sheriff in town,” he laughed, turning back to his meal.

“Yes, there is,” Brett chuckled, as she continued to eat her dinner.

CHAPTER 22

“Helen, have you seen Roselin this morning?”

“I woke her up at nine and she asked me to bring her a cup of tea. I was just going to go up and see if she needed any help getting up.”

“I’ll go. I need to ask her something.” Brett’s birthday was coming up and Taylor needed some gift suggestions from her mother.