“I really appreciate this. The kids will, too.” She handed him the bowl of roast and the pie.
“It’ll be fun.”
Fun. Keeping her heart from revving for three months in Slade Walker’s presence. Not Raquel’s idea of fun.
“Can I trust you to play nice if I leave?” Slade turned to Brant.
“My nice will come out when you leave.”
Slade blew out a sigh and left them alone.
“Didn’t I warn you about him?” Brant barked. “I turn my back for two minutes and he’s all over you.”
“It was a hug. An innocent hug. And I instigated it. You know how I am when I get excited about something. I’m a hugger.”
“And I love that about you. Just be careful who you hug. But that wasn’t a hug I saw. It was ‘I wanna kiss you’ written all over his face. I tell you, that guy’s a womanizer or a stalker.”
Her face flushed. She’d read the look, too. “He told me what happened with Tori. She reminded him of someone and I guess it kind of threw him. He didn’t hold her hand to make moves on her.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s a rodeo chaplain. Not a womanizer. Or a stalker.”
“He wouldn’t be the first preacher to sample the congregation.”
“Brant!”
“Well, it’s true. You hear about it all the time in the news.”
“And you don’t hear about the millions who don’t.” She took her frustrations out on the counter, scrubbing it hard with a dishcloth, trying to forget the way Slade had looked at her. “Dylan became a Christian because of Slade. He’s spent years on the rodeo circuit preaching sermons. He’s a good man.”
“And you know this because?”
“Dylan only had good things to say about him. And I can just tell.”
“The people who live next door to the serial killer always say, ‘He was such a nice guy.’”
“Brant, please.”
He sighed. “You’re my baby sister and I don’t want you to get hurt. Didn’t you caution me when I was falling for Tori?”
“True. But I was wrong. Look how great that turned out.”
“Really great.” Brant’s mouth curved into a goofy grin but then flatlined. “But think of Hunter. He’s been through a lot. More than any kid his age deserves.”
“Yes.” Raquel leaned her hip against the counter and folded her arms across her chest. “But what does Slade coaching Hunter in baseball have to do with either of us getting hurt?”
“Say he’s not a womanizer or a stalker and he is a nice guy. There’s something stirring between you and Slade. If you two end up dating and getting involved, and then he leaves… You can’t raise Hunter traveling the rodeo circuit. And you don’t deserve a long-distance relationship.”
Brant was right. Even if Raquel could handle it, Hunter couldn’t. She didn’t need him getting attached if Slade was leaving.
“Hunter just needs a coach and Slade’s the best baseball player around. That’s all there is to it.”
“I still want you to be careful. I wish you’d taken that self-defense class I sent Tori to. Just keep it about baseball with Slade. That’s all I’m saying.”
Could she keep her heart out of things? With the only guy who’d made her heart race since Dylan?
“Truce?”
“Truce.” Brant gave her a hug.
“Awww.” Tori chuckled as she entered the kitchen. “Isn’t that the sweetest thing, Lorraine? Maybe someday you’ll have a brother.”
The sweet moment misted Raquel’s eyes.
“I like the sound of someday.” Brant pecked Tori on the cheek and scooped Lorraine from her arms. “Ready to go home, my beautiful wife?”
“Yes.” Tori yawned. “I’d like to sleep for three days.”
“I can keep Lorraine one night next weekend if you want.” Raquel tickled Lorraine’s chin and the baby gurgled.
“We might just take you up on that.” Brant shouldered the diaper bag.
It all reminded her of Dylan when Hunter was little. How attentive he was and how he always carried the diaper bag or car seat for her.
Having her brother home with his happy family warmed her heart. And made it ache with loneliness.
She and Dylan had planned to have another baby. But Dylan was gone. And Hunter was an only child.
And the only man she’d felt anything for since then lived right next door—temporarily. Totally out of reach.
* * *
Slade had tried to make small talk during the short drive to the ball field. But his brain didn’t seem to fire right with Raquel next to him in her car. He couldn’t stop thinking about the hug. About wanting to kiss her and her not seeming to disagree with the notion.
He’d been tired of traveling the circuit for a while now, but not tired of preaching. Could he fulfill his calling and stay in Aubrey?
Could he preach in a regular church? He was used to being surrounded by the smell of manure, with horses stamping and whinnying in the background and his congregation wearing cowboy hats under the Texas sky.
Churches were definitely more comfortable. Yet he couldn’t imagine the cowboys he ministered to being comfortable with carpet and padded pews.
But he could definitely be comfortable riding to Raquel’s rescue. At a slow but steady pace.
Focus on baseball.
“Got any power hitters on the team?”
“Power hitters?” Raquel laughed. “We’re talking second grade here.”
“Okay. Anyone who can hit the ball?”
“Three or four kids,” Hunter piped up from the backseat.
Raquel turned into a parking lot and cut the engine. The field teemed with Little Leaguers and supportive parents.
“I can work with that.” Slade opened his door and they all piled out.
“And thanks to you, Hunter’s one of our hitters now.” Raquel pulled the cooler she’d packed with Gatorade out of the backseat.
“Let me get that.” He wrestled the cooler from her.
“Watch for cars.” Raquel called as Hunter ran across the parking lot. The boy obediently slowed down.
Once on the field, Hunter spoke to a boy and they both turned to look at Slade. Hunter’s teammate passed the word and soon the team huddled in the middle of the ball field staring at Slade.
“This is priceless,” Raquel whispered. “He just went from zero to hero in five seconds flat. Thank you.”
“I just hope I live up to whatever hype he gave me.” Slade grinned.
They neared the bleachers and a man met them at the edge of the field.
“What’s this I hear about a former Texas Ranger agreeing to coach the team?” A tiny blonde ran to meet Raquel.
“This is Slade Walker.” Raquel stopped and Slade did, too. “He and Dylan were friends and he played for the Rangers.”
“I know.” The man offered his hand and Slade clasped it. “I mean, I know who he is. James Johnson, former coach. Commentators used to crack jokes about the pitcher named Walker who never walked anybody.”
“I wouldn’t say never.” Slade winced. “And the Rangers was a long time ago.”
“Not that long ago.” Raquel’s elbow brushed his as she twisted off the cap of her bottled water. “He helped Hunter with batting.”
“You can put the cooler in the dugout.” The blonde pointed him in the right direction.
Grateful to put some distance between himself and Raquel, Slade fell in stride beside the coach. This was turning out to be harder than he’d thought.
* * *
“He’s cute,” Lacie whispered, and waggled her eyebrows at Raquel.
Raquel’s cheeks heated and she was glad Slade was busy setting up the cooler in the dugout.
“Hunter, introduce Mr. Walker to everyone,” the coach called.
“This is my friend Slade Walker.” Hunter stood tall and proud. “He used to play for the Texas Rangers and he’s gonna be our new coach.”
Gasps and whoops echoed through the gathering.
>
“Let’s get started with batting practice so Coach Walker can see what we got.” Coach Johnson smiled at Hunter. “You’re up first since you saved the team.”
Hunter’s pride warmed her heart as he stepped to the plate and took his pro stance.
“Where’s the pitching machine?” Slade scanned the mound.
“Eight and Under is coach pitch. But we can get a machine for practice, if you want.”
“It’s fine.” Slade rotated his shoulder. “Guess I’ll pitch, then.”
Slade warmed up and wound up on his pitch. It was perfect. Thwack. The ball sailed into outfield and Hunter made it all the way to second base.
She and Lacie cheered, then settled alone on the guest bleachers.
“So what’s the story on Slade?” Lacie bumped Raquel with her elbow.
“No story. He happened to move in next door for the spring, happened by when I was trying to pitch for Hunter and helped him with his batting. So when the coach thing came up—” she shrugged “—I asked him.”
“That’s a lot of happening. Is he an old flame?”
“No.” Raquel shook her head decisively. “I never met him before. He and Dylan were friends until the fifth grade, when Slade moved. After graduation he got a scholarship and went to college and then the major league. But an injury in his first season ended his career. They were great phone friends for a few years and always planned to get together but never managed it.”
“Quinn and I knew each other before he came to Aubrey.” The sound of the ball hitting a glove punctuated Lacie’s statement. “I was already head over heels for Mel when Quinn came to our school, but he was crushing on me back then and I had no idea.”
“That’s sweet.”
“It’s funny you never met Slade until he ends up in Aubrey. Tiny little Aubrey.” Lacie pointed heavenward. “I think there’s something divine going on here.”
“Like coincidence. Caitlyn and I ran into him at Moms on Main a few weeks back. Caitlyn went into labor and he drove us to the hospital.” She shifted her position on the aluminum bleacher.
“So, he knew you lived here before he moved here?”
“Yes, but he didn’t know Dylan was gone until after he happened to move in next door.”
“Oh.” Lacie scanned the ball field. “Okay, maybe you weren’t in Slade’s plan, but maybe it’s God’s plan.”
“I don’t think so. Slade’s a rodeo chaplain. He travels the circuit and he’s only here for a three-month sabbatical.”
“If he needs a sabbatical, maybe he’s looking for a change. Like something permanent. With someone permanent.” Lacie bumped her elbow again. “I know it’s hard. Trust me.”
Raquel released a sigh. “How did you put everything you had with Mel aside and allow Quinn room in your heart?”
“I don’t know.” Lacie shook her head. “Time, I guess. And Quinn was persistent. At first I felt guilty, like I was betraying Mel’s memory. But Quinn was patient and it just happened. We had some major issues to work through before we married, but I can’t imagine my life without him.”
“Dylan made me promise—” Raquel’s gaze dropped to the sunflower hull–littered ground in front of the stands “—from the beginning of our relationship and especially after we had Hunter that if anything happened to him, I’d find love again and remarry.”
“It’s awesome that he gave you permission to be happy without him.” Lacie patted her hand.
“Yes. But I can’t risk opening up to someone new who’s not sticking around.” She focused on Slade encouraging the kids, coaching them on batting and catching. He was a natural at this. He was a nice guy. A great-looking guy who made her pulse race. But he still wasn’t Dylan. And he was just passing through.
“Maybe you could give him reason to stick around.”
“You want me to drag him away from God’s calling to be a rodeo-circuit chaplain?”
Lacie winced. “Well, when you put it that way… I just want you to be open to something new. God didn’t call him into the priesthood. And there aren’t many godly unmarried men out there.”
“With safe professions.”
“A safe profession? That’s a requirement?”
Raquel drifted back to the emergency room the night they’d brought Dylan in—the night she couldn’t save him. She shivered. “Yes.”
“But you said Dylan died in an off-duty car wreck.”
“Yes. But why complicate things with a dangerous job? If I’m going to start over with someone new, someone to be a stepfather to Hunter, I don’t need him dying on us.”
“You know, I never really worried about Mel bronc riding.” A wistful lilt entered Lacie’s tone. “I thought it was so much safer than bull riding. But Mel died riding a bronc.”
Raquel squeezed Lacie’s hand.
“And Dylan was a Texas Ranger and he died in a car wreck that had nothing to do with his job. Don’t you think God’s in control of life and death and when it happens?”
“Definitely.” Raquel’s voice cracked. “But why increase the odds?”
“Well, that makes Slade the perfect candidate. Even when he was a Texas Ranger, he was the safe kind and you can’t get much safer than a chaplain.”
Slade was looking more and more perfect all the time. If only he could stay, put down roots in Aubrey.
A shadow fell over them and she looked up to see her brother. “Hey, I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I’m home now, so I get to see Hunter play ball.” Brant sat down beside her. “Hey, Lacie. Nice seeing you.”
“You too. Tori and the baby okay?”
“She wanted to come, but she thought it was a bit cool this evening for Lorraine.”
“Tell me about it.” Lacie pulled her sweater tighter. “I left Cheyenne with my sister.”
“I see Walker’s here?” Brant scowled.
“You heard him agree to coach.” Raquel rolled her eyes.
“I was hoping he’d change his mind.”
“He seems nice and he’s really good with the kids.” Lacie frowned. “Quinn was really relieved he signed up.”
“I don’t trust him. And besides, Rock and Hunter don’t need a rambling man.”
Raquel squelched her laughter. “That sounds like a country song.”
But Brant glowered at her, obviously missing the humor.
“We might get a pitching machine for the next practice unless someone else can pitch.” Slade’s voice echoed from the pitcher’s mound. “I’m not supposed to do much pitching. My doc says he might not be able to fix my shoulder a third time.”
Raquel’s heart stilled. Slade had agreed to help Hunter when it could cost him his arm. What if he’d hurt himself all those times he’d pitched for Hunter at the house?
“See, he shouldn’t be coaching the team. For y’all’s sake and his,” Brant whispered. “This is the perfect opportunity to let him off the hook.”
Hunter would be disappointed. But surely there was someone else who could coach.
Slade could walk back out of her life and she was beginning to think Brant was right—maybe that would be best. For everyone.
* * *
Why was Raquel so quiet? Had Slade done something to upset her?
Silence echoed as she drove them home. But Hunter filled it.
“We’re gonna have the best team ever.” Hunter tossed his ball back and forth into his glove.
“I hope so.” Slade grinned. “I see definite promise. You’ve got a great arm. I see pitching in your future.”
“Really? Maybe you can teach me.”
Slade would love to. But it would be another two years before Hunter would graduate to a team with a kid pitcher instead of the coach. By then Slade would be long gone. Back on the circuit. His throat closed up.
“Can you teach me?”
“I think Slade has to be really careful with his shoulder.” Raquel’s voice startled him as she turned into her drive, pulled into the garage and killed the e
ngine.
“Can you run around the side and open Blizzard’s gate for me, Hunter?” Slade undid his seat belt.
“Sure.” Hunter jumped out of the car. “He doesn’t need his leash?”
“No. He’s getting used to the place and doesn’t run off.”
Hunter scurried out the side door of the garage.
“I heard you tell Quinn you weren’t supposed to pitch because of your shoulder.” Raquel got out of the car. “You should have told me that. All the times you’ve pitched for Hunter, what if you’d hurt yourself?”
“You must not have heard all of what I said.” Slade got out and faced her over the top of the car. “We can use the pitching machine for practices, just not games. Since I don’t pitch with my full steam for kids, it shouldn’t hurt me.”
“But it could. Maybe it’s not a good idea to coach Hunter’s team. If you want out, I understand.”
“I don’t want out. And I plan to train Quinn and Sam to pitch.”
“Look, I appreciate your help, but if you reinjure your arm, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Then I’ll just have to be extra careful. I’m not letting these kids down.”
A flicker of a smile played across her mouth. “I better get supper on. Send Hunter home.” She turned toward the house.
“Can he stay and play with Blizzard for a little while?”
“I guess. It’ll take me thirty minutes or so to get supper ready.” She disappeared into her house.
Slade longed to follow her. To set the table while she cooked. To share a meal with her and Hunter. To tuck Hunter in and spend the evening watching some sappy chick flick with Raquel.
Man, he was going soft.
* * *
Raquel turned the burner off under the rotini noodles and stirred sautéed mushrooms and zucchini into the bubbling spaghetti sauce.
It was rude not to invite Slade over for supper.
After all, he was doing her a favor. Doing Hunter a favor. And all against the advice of his doctor.
Raquel stomped her foot. If only Hunter would come home without her calling. No way around it—she had to invite Slade. She dug her phone from her pocket and found his number in her address book.
“I’m kicking him out the door right now.” Slade’s grin resonated in his tone.
Rodeo Reunion Page 5
