Hands still clasped, we rushed to the racks displaying clothes in my size. I looked over the selection, snapping each hanger as I searched. Due to the lateness of the season, the choices in summery shorts were few. Most of the clothes were in dark shades and long lengths for fall.
“Hey, Mom, what about a skirt? This one sparkles and you don’t have anything like it in your closet.”
At the excited note in Sadie’s voice, I turned and spotted her holding out an ivory crinkle-fabric skirt with swirling silver accents. “That’s nice but shorts are more practical.”
“But the sparkles are pretty.” Her lips puffed into a pout as she jiggled and twisted the hanger. “Listen…it swishes.”
The fabric did hang nicely. Her hopeful tone pierced my heart, but the wobbly smile was what did me in. She was trying so hard to make up for the punch accident. Besides, what woman could resist such a feminine sparkly skirt? “Sadie girl, it’s perfect.” I crossed the short distance to where she stood. Oh, please let there be one in my size.
Twenty minutes later, I turned into the Pizza Palace driveway and thought I spotted a tall, blondish man at the entrance. By the time I found a parking place, I was sure I’d imagined one particular man had been waiting for our arrival.
Preparing for the arguments I’d heard on several other occasions, I turned, wallet in hand, toward the middle of the car and looked at my kids. “Okay, gang, what’s our deal?” I held up two bills.
Adam unlatched his seat belt and cracked open his door, his lanky body already halfway out of the car. “Ten dollars each in tokens.”
Being on a budget sucked, especially since the practice was a new one. One more aspect of being a single parent.
Dylan had been more spontaneous—his philosophy was to live in the now and let the future take care of itself. He’d thought we had plenty of time to build up our nest egg—not the greatest plan for a family man.
Now these decisions were mine to make. In my heart, I knew the budget lesson was a good one. One they’d carry through the coming years. “And what happens when those are gone?”
“Then we watch.” Sadie inched forward in her seat, her gaze fixed on the restaurant’s entry door. She looked back at me and waggled her head. “And no begging.”
“All right, game plan is set. Give me a high five.”
We slapped open palms and I ignored Adam’s muttered “too lame.” I knew I was stretching this family tradition but after Dylan’s passing, I’d vowed to keep their lives as unchanged as I could—at least on issues within my control.
Only moments later, we were surrounded by the rich scents of baking garlic, tomatoes and cheese, and the shouted greetings from our friends inside the restaurant. I waved to several people, looking for an empty space where we’d fit among the tables overflowing with people, food, and drinks.
Husbands not present pool-side at the meet were now paired with their wives, making me feel even more like an outsider. Families sat together in booths or around tables as self-contained units. Familiar youth materialized, as if from thin air, and pulled my kids off toward the arcade room, leaving me on my own.
Her hand waving me closer, Christy scooted toward the middle of her seat in the booth containing her family. “Come on, Jessa. We’ll scoot tighter and make room.”
“No need, Christy.” A deep voice behind me sounded. “I saved a space for Jessa at my family’s table.”
A warm hand rested on my lower back, making me jump. “Oh, really?” I glanced over my shoulder and connected with Rick’s intent blue-eyed gaze. I was to meet his family? My heart beat a bit faster.
“I knew you’d be alone the moment your kids hit the arcade.” With gentle pressure, he moved forward between the occupied tables. “This way, you’ll have someone to talk to.”
Warmth from his hand seeped through my tank top. For just a second, I savored the special sensation, that protected feeling, that had been missing from my life but then stepped away. This man made me feel too much too soon. “That’s okay. I can find my own—”
“Sorry.” His body stilled and he ran a hand through his hair, tousling the thick strands. “I sure mixed those signals, didn’t I?”
One look at the surprise widening his eyes and I felt the pinch of embarrassment. How could I deny the weeks I’d spent staring, watching his athletic moves as he paced the side of the pool coaching the swimmers? “No, you were right.” I nodded and then realized what I’d said. God, me and my big mouth. Heat seeped up my neck. “I mean…I do need a place to sit.”
“Great.” With a wide grin, he bowed and swept a hand to the left, toward the far end of the restaurant. “This way.”
After walking several steps across the green linoleum floor, I saw a middle-aged man rise from a group at the far end of a long wooden table. The physical similarity to Rick confirmed this man’s identity.
“Jessa Langdon, this is my dad, Mike, and my mom, Shirley. And my Aunt Helena.” He stepped past the older woman and rested a hand on the shoulder of a petite blonde. “I think you know my sister, Heather, and my brother Matt is probably in the arcade with Cameron and Annie.” As he ran his gaze over the group, he jerked his chin in her direction. “Jessa’s kids are on the team—Adam and Sadie.”
So many of them. Shirley had wire-rimmed glasses and gray curls. Helena wore her gray hair in a bob and painted on her eyebrows with a quizzical arch. I managed a polite smile. “Hello all.”
“Stake out some bench, sweetie,” Helena spoke as she shook a plastic glass in the air. “We’re working on a pitcher of draft beer and another of root beer. What’ll you have?”
Rick leaned close and whispered, “She’s the shy one.”
I met his teasing gaze and bit back a giggle. Happiness bubbled through me. Joining him and his family had been a good idea. “I’ll take a beer, thanks.”
At times during the next twenty minutes, my neck switched direction like I was on the sidelines of a tennis match, and I barely kept up. Sports teams, books, movies—conversations overlapped and circled the table. In between enjoying savory pizza and tangy beer, Rick and I debated the merits of a rookie pitcher on the local pro baseball team.
“He’s got a great fast ball.” Rick gestured with his pizza slice. “But so does just about every other pitcher this year.”
“My boss took several of us from the office to an exhibition game last week. I saw Grimes throw a slider that was clocked at eighty-seven miles per hour.” My hair bounced over my shoulders as I shook my head. “No one could hit it.” How long since I’d talked about the one major sport I love?
Helena pointed a pastel-colored fingernail at her nephew. “Nobody could hit Ricky-boy’s change-up pitch.”
The pride in his great-aunt’s voice was unmistakable. “Change-ups are tough.” With a wide smile, I turned to him. “You played?”
A wide shoulder shrugged. “Attended college on a baseball scholarship. Team went to the national championships during my senior year.” Rick’s eyebrow rose in a questioning arch. “Sounds like you know a bit about the game.”
“Dad coached my older brother’s junior baseball team for a couple years. And I dated a baseball player or two in high school.” Jeez, I sounded like a sports groupie. “So, how far did you go?”
“A few years of Double-A ball in the Texas league before my arm gave out. My final year was as a relief pitcher but I didn’t display enough stamina.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.” My breath caught in my throat. I knew a bit about life shortchanging your plans.
“Nah, my batting average was never high enough to make the jump to the majors.” As he explained, he rested an elbow on the table. “So I worked for my teaching credential, taught high school for a couple years in Texas, and moved back to Lorenzo last summer. Family issues weighted my decision in favor of moving back.”
He grinned, displaying a front tooth with a small chip on one edge. “I wouldn’t trade teaching my students for another shot at the show.”
> As he talked, my gaze kept returning to his mouth. Did the goatee surrounding it provide a frame that pulled my attention to his lips? No matter why, I was intrigued by this man. The conversation proved enlightening plus I was thrilled to finish several sentences in a row without interruptions. Even better was having someone listen to my opinions.
Because of the buzz of other conversations and the electronic beeps and whistles of the arcade games, we had to lean our heads close—definitely an enjoyable experience. I inhaled and scents of sage and musk tickled my nose. Overhead lights flashed on the blond streaks in Rick’s hair, making him look younger…almost boyish.
Until this moment I hadn’t even thought of how old he might be. On the swim team, he coached his nephew—not his own son. College, Double-A ball, teaching—that amounted to only about eight or nine years past high school.
Yikes! My body stilled. Exactly how much younger was he?
Chapter Three
Rick’s hand cupped my shoulder, fingers stroking in a casual circle. “Can I pass you another slice?”
Two was usually my limit but for some reason I still felt hungry. My gaze took in his handsome features and I bit back a sigh. Rick’s appreciative look indicated he saw me as a real woman—and I couldn’t find a reason for him to stop. Right now, in this public place, pizza seemed the safer avenue for satisfying that hunger. “Sure, how about a piece with sausage this time.”
“Hey, Matt.” Rick stood and motioned to his brother at the far end of the table. “Send down the box with sausage.”
“Mom!” Sadie sidled up behind me and leaned an elbow on my shoulder. “There you are.”
I twisted around to look at my daughter’s curious smile. “Hey, babe. Having fun with your friends?” Sadie and Adam. Realization hit hard, and I stilled. Guilt clenched my chest tight and I scanned the room for Adam. Since my arrival, I hadn’t once checked on my kids, hadn’t made sure they had food or drinks. This was so unlike my usual behavior.
“Yep.” She bobbed her head in a vigorous nod and loose tendrils fell across her eyes.
I reached out a hand and brushed them aside, tucking them behind her ear. “Seen your brother lately?”
“Here’s your pizza, Jessa.” From a couple feet away, Rick held out the box. “Hey, Sadie.”
“Thanks.” I lifted out a piece but now didn’t think I could swallow past the sudden lump in my throat. How could I have been so distracted not to check on them?
“Can I have some, please?” Sadie slipped her coltish legs through the narrow space separating us and plopped down on the bench.
“Sure, there’s plenty.” Rick tilted the box toward her.
“Thanks.” Sadie grabbed a slice, propped her elbows on the table edge, and started munching.
My glance slid over her head to meet Rick’s amused gaze. I wondered how he felt about her squeezing her way between us. Us! How could I think in that way? A surprised jolt went through me and my gaze went to Sadie’s face. The burning question was what Sadie felt about finding me here at the Grants’ table and sitting right next to her coach.
Christy’s youngest daughter, Trini, bounced up to the table and tapped Sadie’s shoulder. “Come on back to the games, Sadie.”
“I can’t.” For a few seconds, her head rested on my shoulder before she reached for another slice. “I’m out of tokens.”
“Can’t let that stop your fun, sweetie. Let me take care of that.” Rick’s mom stood and shook a paper bucket that rattled with metallic clanking.
Shaking my head, I waved a hand, indicating she should sit again. “That’s okay, Shirley. Sadie’s used her money.”
“Oh, let her.” Reaching around behind Sadie, Rick trailed fingers along my shoulder. “Mom really gets a kick out of treating the kids. She supplies them to all the team members.”
Irritation at his interference rose and my expression tightened. This was not his decision to make. Sounds of laughter, conversation, and electronic pings reminded me of where we were, and I glanced around the table. Maybe not the best place to point out who should make that choice. Plus one look at my daughter’s hopeful face forced me to waver.
With raised eyebrows, Rick jerked his head toward the playroom and winked.
I forced a weak smile and gave Sadie a quick one-armed hug. “Go ahead, sweetie.”
“Yea, hurray!” Sadie wiggled off the bench and dashed off to meet up with Shirley at the end of the table.
I bit my tongue, restraining a warning against not running inside. Wanting to explain my initial objection, I angled toward him. “Your mom didn’t have to do this.”
“Jessa, Jessa…” His head shook.
At his cajoling tone, I stiffened and flattened my hands on the table. “But I should be keeping a better eye on my kids.”
A deep, raspy chuckle sounded. “Why do you think I asked them to wear their team shirts? Keeping track is so much easier.” With a conspiratorial look, he leaned close and nudged his shoulder against mine. “Don’t spoil Mom’s fun. Two grandkids are not nearly enough for all her loving attention.”
The logic of his words swayed me. I looked deeply into his blue eyes and my stomach quivered. What was wrong with the kind, generous woman wanting to treat the kids? But the bigger question was, why did all my control slip away in this man’s presence? “You’re a hard man to argue with.”
A toned shoulder rose and fell in a casual shrug. “So don’t try.” With lithe moves, he stood, stepped over the bench, and held out a hand. “Let’s go have ourselves some fun.”
“No, really…” A feeling I could only describe as giddiness bubbled in my veins. I hadn’t played arcade games in years, probably since college.
“Let me impress you with my skills.” He puffed out his chest and pretended to buff his nails on his shirt.
If only he knew how much he’d already impressed me. I let myself be pulled to a stand and grabbed my purse. “Lead on.”
Rick swept me through the arcade, stopping at machines that flashed, chirped, and clicked. We watched the points rack up and cheered at his impressive successes. My attempts were met with lots of helpful comments, much laughter, and his good-spirited statements about practice making perfect. He then led me to a miniature bowling alley with a series of rings on the backboard. “Have you played this before?”
“Nope, I’ve just watched my kids.”
“You have to try.” Hand resting on my shoulder, he positioned me in front of a lane and leaned down to feed tokens into the machine. When the wooden balls released with hollow clunks into the chute, he leaned, picked up one, and placed it in my hand. “Here, get a feel for it.”
At the press of his strong fingers around mine, I shivered, relishing the goose flesh that rippled my skin. His touch felt caring and warm and I wanted it to go on forever. But the thunk of a ball on a nearby lane and the laughter of passing kids reminded me our actions were on display. “Okay, and I know the goal is to get the most points.” I eased my body forward, breaking contact but immediately missing his touch.
“Wait, there’s a technique.”
Such confidence in his tone. Brows drawn tight, I glanced over my shoulder. “A technique? On this super-short alley, with a small wooden ball? You do know I have bowled once or twice before.” I used a shorter version of my bowling swing, and the ball slammed into the top of the alley and rolled around the outer circle. The score was only ten points. Maybe that was too much swing. “Okay, maybe I do need specific instructions.”
A hand braced on the left side of my waist and he urged my right hand back. “Slow on the back swing, release at the end of the alley. Make sure your hand points to the center ring.”
All along my back heat from his body infused mine, and I almost swayed. This crazy attraction had grown to something quite overpowering—and scattered my thoughts.
“See, if you step to this side, the ball has a better chance of landing in the high-scoring ring in the corner.”
His hands closed around
my waist and scooted me several inches to the right. I couldn’t deny liking the physical connection. With each rolled ball, I was more than willing to let Rick show me how to improve my technique, a much more personal act than watching him play.
“That’s the last one. Here are our winnings.” Rick leaned over and tore off a long string of colored tickets. “What prize will you choose, Jessa?”
I’d already received my true prize—the time spent in his company. But a small token would be a fine remembrance. “Let’s go look at the choices.” On sheer impulse, I grabbed his hand while turning toward the prize counter, only to be accosted by a slim arm hugging my waist.
“Mama, I’m tired.” Sadie burrowed her head against my chest. “Oh, look at all the tickets. What will you get?”
Automatically, my hand moved to cradle her head. At the tone in my daughter’s voice and the use of Mama instead of Mom, I switched from a woman enjoying a handsome man’s attentions to a single mom with responsibilities. I searched the room for Adam’s brown-haired head and waved to get his attention. “Rick, tonight’s been great, but I’ve got to get the kids home.”
For just a moment, his gaze narrowed on the two of us. “Of course.” He nodded, turned to scan the arcade, and swept a hand toward the restaurant. “Adam, come along.”
With my kids in tow, I walked to the long table in the restaurant and said my goodbyes to Rick’s family. “I enjoyed meeting you all. Thank you for including me at your table.”
A chorus of goodbyes sounded as Rick cupped a hand on my elbow. “I’ll see you out.”
With a smile, I turned and pressed a hand to his chest, surprising myself at the intimate gesture. Under his shirt were tight muscles and warm male skin. My heart rate kicked up a notch. “No need to, stay with your family. I’ll say goodnight here.”
“What and have Aunt Helena berate me for not acting like a proper gentleman?” Hand splayed over mine on his chest, he played at being affronted by raising his eyebrows and dropping his jaw.
Dipping In A Toe Page 2
