Page 85 of Never In My Wildest Dreams

That voice. Damn, it was familiar. “Not too remote for you?” But of course, he recognized it. At one point, she’d been the biggest pop star on the planet.

“Honestly, I think I have the best of all worlds. I get to live out here in the wilderness with all the modern conveniences and still be at Calamity Joe’s in twenty minutes. Plus, my family’s right up the road. It’s perfect.”

He continued hacking away. “Yeah, I can see that. It’s sweet.”

“Not many people would want to live this remotely, so if you don’t mind it, then I think we should get married. I’m not going to find anybody else.” She laughed.

Well, that answered that question. She wasn’t married with kids. “I do like it, but I live in New York, and I travel more than half the year. I take client calls all night long. I’d make a terrible husband.”

“But a great sports agent.”

“I try.” Arms aching, he stopped for a moment and wiped the perspiration off his forehead.

“Well, the fact that you’re doing this for Ginty…that’s a great friend. Oops. Sorry.Agent.”

“Pretty sassy for a woman trapped in a shed.” He went back to chopping. “You’ve got to understand the nature of this business. We get involved with our athletes. We know their families and their dirty secrets. It’s our job to keep them happy so they play well.”

“You’re telling me you’re throwing him a wedding so he can score lots of goals?” She sounded amused.

“And because he’s a good guy. Look, there’s a line you can’t cross in this business. That’s just the way it is.”

“Sorry to be the one to break it to you, but I think you crossed it.”

He grinned and lifted the axe, swinging it down. “Anyhow, since I’ve finally got your attention?—”

“Ha ha.”

“The bride and groom want to recreate their St. Lucia wedding, mountain style. What do you think of booking some activities for everyone? You’ve obviously got that spa, so if you don’t mind?—”

“Listen, Lumberjack. I didn’t build all this stuff for me. I built it for friends and family. And maybe something in the future.”

“Something?”

“I’ve got ideas. They’ll probably never happen. But a girl can dream.”

He wondered what she had in mind. She certainly had the money to turn her ideas into reality.

“You know how happy it’ll make me to see everyone sitting around the bonfire?” She sounded wistful. “I look out at all the possibilities, and I want to fill this place with friends having a great time. You know?”

His heart squeezed so hard, his arms jerked, and the blade landed near his boot. Breathing heavily, he stepped back.

“You all right?” she called.

“Yep. Just taking a break.” She didn’t know how well he understood her vision. That picture she’d painted? He craved it as much as she did.

“Your whole body’s vibrating, right?” she asked. “I know exactly how it feels.”

“Chop a lot of wood, do you?” He kept his tone light, but he was still shaken. Coming back to Calamity always unlocked the door in his mind that gave him a glimpse of the life he could’ve had if he’d just landed thirty seconds earlier.

If you’d jumped with the others.

They all had perfect landings.

It was me. I hesitated.

“Have you seen my fireplace?” Her voice brought him back to reality, and he appreciated it more than she’d ever know.

“Yep.”

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