Take a Chance

by Shelley Shepard Gray

“Yes, but not in the way that you’re thinking.”

  The worry drifted out of her eyes. “And you’re speaking in riddles because …”

  “Kurt Holland just called and asked me out on Sunday night.”

  Campbell trotted to the door and closed it firmly. “And you’re okay with that?”

  “I am.”

  “Even though he’s one of your kiddo’s brothers. And he’s running a poker game in his garage.”

  “Even though all of that is correct.” Unable to help herself, she smiled. “I know he’s nothing like me on the outside, but I think that’s what I’m finding attractive. I like that he’s different.” Before Campbell could voice another objection, she said, “I told him about Danny, Campbell.”

  Campbell strode to her side. “What did he say?”

  “I think if Danny had been standing on the other side of the door Kurt would’ve gone out there and confronted him.”

  “Sounds like his brother!”

  She chuckled. “That same thought actually did enter my mind. And even though it might not be all that politically correct to say so, I kind of liked that he wanted to go out and hurt Danny.”

  “You should. Heck, I want to go hurt Danny.” Campbell studied her for a long moment, then she smiled wider. “What are you going to wear?”

  “For my date on Sunday? I don’t know.”

  “What?”

  “Campbell, he just asked me. Not everyone thinks of her outfit first thing. And it’s not going to be anything fancy.”

  “I don’t know why not.” She shook her head in dismay. “Well, I know what we’re doing tonight. We’re going to T.J. Maxx.”

  “Not shopping. And not there.” She had nothing against that store. Especially not for everyone else. But for a girl who didn’t like to shop, sorting through a bunch of clothes was torture.

  “Emily, girl, you need date clothes.”

  “I have a lot of clothes. Besides, I’m sure I’ll just wear a pair of jeans and a top.”

  “You can’t go out with Kurt Holland dressed like that.”

  She looked down at her dark jeans, Bridgeport polo, and Top-Siders. “I’m dressed for school. Of course I’m not going to wear a Bridgeport T.”

  “What did you wear yesterday?”

  She had to think about it. “Khakis, a button-down, and blue flats.”

  “And the day before?”

  “A long skirt and flats.” With a sudden start, she realized that she only had one flattering skirt and that was the one she’d been wearing when Sam had gotten into trouble. And that her jeans were suitable for school … but not for catching Kurt Holland’s eye. “You’re right. I need to go shopping.”

  “Great. So, if we’re not going to T.J. Maxx, are we headed to the mall?”

  “Yep.” Warming up to the idea of both getting something just for Sunday night and to have Campbell’s eye for it, she hopped off the desk. “Want to have dinner, too?”

  Campbell smiled. “Of course. I’ll pick you up at your house at five.”

  “You’re a good friend. Thanks.”

  “No reason to thank me. If I don’t have a hot date planned, then at least I can make sure you’re ready for one.”

  Emily smiled. She didn’t know if Kurt was the type of guy to take women on hot dates or not. But she was starting to think that all he would have to do was talk to her and anything they did would be amazing.

  CHAPTER 13

  FROM LES LARKE’S

  TIPS FOR BEGINNING POKER PLAYERS:

  Pay attention to the small things.

  They can make or break a good game.

  Ace looked around the garage with a critical eye. “It ain’t much, but it will do, yeah?”

  Kurt studied his garage. It now had a large poker table from a discount store smack in the middle of it, a makeshift bar made out of the former owner’s tool bench, extra chairs, a large cooler filled with beer, and a box filled with new decks of cards and chips off to one side.

  Yeah, it wasn’t much, but considering how it had looked two weeks ago, he privately thought it was pretty damn impressive. “For hosting the first game, it’s all right,” he said.

  “I can’t believe we got so lucky at Goodwill.” Looking like he’d fallen in love, Ace ran a hand over the top of the “genuine fabricated wood” poker table.

  “It is a good one,” Kurt agreed. They’d found the table in a back corner of the resale store. He’d been planning to run to Sam’s Club and pick up a plastic round table there, but Ace had told him to pull over when they’d passed the resale shop. Made of cheap stained wood and covered in ugly green felt, it was both ugly as sin and kind of the best thing he’d ever seen in his life. He couldn’t fork out thirty dollars for it fast enough.

  After that, it had been fairly simple to go out and buy eight chairs—which had been another story. He’d been planning on six chairs at the most, but Ace had been the one who had pulled out another pair of twenties and gotten two more, saying that Kurt needed to be prepared.

  He hadn’t had the nerve to confess that he had no idea what to prepare for. He was just the new guy in town. It wasn’t like he had people dropping by his house day and night asking to hang out with him.

  Ace folded his arms across his chest and eyed the garage carefully. “When you get more guys, we’ll get some round tables. You can start posting the winners on that wall, too.”

  The winners? “Ace, I think you’re getting ahead of yourself. This thing might not happen again.”

  “Sure it will. Guys like having a place where they can hang out. And they like poker. It’s all good. But you’ve got to post the winners, because everyone needs bragging rights.”

  It was only because Ace was in a bad spot that Kurt didn’t start giving him grief about his poker dreams. Instead, he simply nodded. “You can take care of tonight’s posting, buddy.”

  “Will do.” Looking around, he said, “I’ll write down some rules for you, too.”

  “Rules, as in poker rules?” This time, he didn’t bother trying to hide the incredulousness in his voice.

  “Hell, yeah. Otherwise guys will complain.” Ace grinned. “And you know what rule number one is going to be?”

  “I’ve no idea.”

  “Rule number one is there ain’t no rules.”

  Kurt laughed. “I’m going to tell everyone who shows up—all six of us—that you came up with the rules.”

  “Go for it.”

  Ace sat down, pulled out a cigarette, and took a deep drag. If his best friend had a flaw, it was that he smoked. It used to be just a couple a day. He’d gone through a whole pack today though. He was really stressed out about Liz and Finn.

  They’d talked some about it, but since Kurt had never been married, or really even had a serious girlfriend since Becky in high school, he didn’t know what to say. He’d decided it would be better to let Ace talk about what was bothering him when he was ready.

  “When is that guy coming over? Brenden, you said his name was?”

  “Six thirty.”

  “You think he’s any good?”

  “I don’t have any idea. Like I said, I barely know the guy.”

  “Because he’s Emily’s brother.”

  “Yeah.” Glancing at his phone, he said, “We’ve got an hour. Do you want anything to eat?”

  “We ate enough wings to keep us going for hours.”

  “I’m good, too. But Sam won’t be. He’ll say he’s starving.”

  Ace grunted. “The kid’s seventeen. Of course he’s going to be hungry again.”

  “There’s plenty of food for him. I hope so, anyway.” Why was he even acting like Sam’s stomach was his chief concern?

  Because he was acting like a wuss and not saying what was really on his mind. “I know you already told me about Finn and Liz,
but do you want to talk about it some more?”

  Ace sighed. “Not really.”

  “Okay. I mean, if you’re sure …”

  Ace lit up another Marlboro. “Do you think I’m crazy for wanting to move out here? Maybe I’m being just as selfish.”

  “If Finn is okay with the move, then I don’t think you’re making a mistake at all. I’m not going to say the move is going to be easy, but I think a fresh start is going to be good for both of you.”

  “Even though I’m just a mechanic?”

  “Everyone needs mechanics, so don’t knock it. And don’t start talking like you’re ‘just a mechanic’ either. I’ve seen you restore vehicles that other guys would’ve written off. Every shop in town is going to want you.” Kurt also knew that Ace’s good ole boy act covered up the fact that he not only made a lot of money in his shop but he had a great financial mind. He probably had more money in his savings account than half the people in Bridgeport.

  Ace extinguished his cigarette. “Then there’s Finn fitting in.”

  “Why wouldn’t he fit in?”

  “What if he doesn’t make the team for next year?” Ace’s brown eyes filled with even more worry. “He’d be crushed.”

  “Bridgeport High will want him. They’ll be thrilled he’s here. Hell, the coach will probably search him out the first hour he’s on campus.”

  That picture brought the first hint of a smile. “That just might happen. Finn’s got good hands, Kurt. And he’s huge. He could play offense or defense.”

  “He’ll get noticed here, too. Coaches from big universities will be scouting him out. You’ll get him taken care of,” he added, knowing how much it would mean to Ace if Finn attended college.

  Ace shook his head. “That’s the carrot, ain’t it? Finn getting a free ride to college.” He whistled low. “He’d be set for the rest of his life.”

  “Let’s make it happen soon, then. Why don’t you plan on coming out here in January?”

  Ace took another long pull. “You think this place is worth me uprooting our lives?”

  “I do,” he replied after giving it some thought. “It’s taken me some time to get adjusted, and it’s not perfect, but I’m liking it. And if I like it, you will, too.”

  Ace raised his eyebrows. “Maybe. I mean, we ain’t that much alike.”

  “We’re more alike than different. And we want the same things, too.” Clasping his best friend’s arm, Kurt looked him in the eye. “I wouldn’t steer you wrong on this. Start making plans to move here in January. It’s going to be good for both of you. Shoot, it’ll be good for me, too.”

  “You sure you’re don’t want me here just to play poker?”

  Kurt grinned. “Of course I want you here for poker. But it ain’t the only reason. Not by a long shot.”

  CHAPTER 14

  FROM LES LARKE’S

  TIPS FOR BEGINNING POKER PLAYERS:

  Suited cards aren’t all that great. This is the ultimate beginner’s mistake … they get all caught up thinking about what they want instead of what’s right in front of their face.

  Emily was starting to think she needed to talk to her students more about dating. Because, with the way she was feeling right now, she was in way over her head.

  Which was pretty embarrassing. It wasn’t like she hadn’t had experience dating. She certainly did. So much so, she could probably write a book about dating dos and don’ts. She was familiar with the awkward silences, the searching for topics to talk about, and the hesitant statements. Feeling like she might as well have been standing in front of the guy in her underwear, she felt so exposed.

  So, why she was having a hard time dealing with the fact that none of that was happening, she didn’t know. She shouldn’t be worried about why things felt too right with Kurt Holland. She should be celebrating the fact that she might have actually found the One.

  Unless she was the only person who felt that way.

  That statement settled in and brought forth a steady stream of good old-fashioned panic. Shoot! What if she really was the only one who felt that way?

  She knew what would happen! After only one “real” date, she had set herself up to be disappointed and embarrassed. And she was going to have to see his little brother for the rest of the school year.

  What was wrong with her? She needed to get a grip on herself before—

  Just then Kurt pulled into her drive.

  Quickly, she rushed into her bedroom. Threw open her closet door and eyed herself in the full-length mirror. Against her better judgment, she was wearing a sundress.

  Campbell had picked it out.

  Looking at herself this way and that, she couldn’t deny that the pale blue broadcloth fabric was pretty. The starched cotton gave the dress a bit of an old-fashioned quality. But the low back, thin straps, and the way it fit her like a glove before softly flaring out into a flirty skirt was as sexy as anything she’d tried on in a long time.

  It was absolutely not something she would wear to church or teach school in. Or hang out on the couch by herself in.

  And that was why Campbell had declared it to be the perfect thing to wear.

  Emily had been so pleased by the way she looked, by the thought of Kurt gazing at her in appreciation, she’d forked out too much money for that dress. Then, like a woman possessed, she’d spent even more money at the outlet mall. She’d bought some adorable patent leather slides with a two-inch heel because they helped make her legs look more shapely. She’d bought a cute designer purse she had no need for.

  And yes, she’d bought herself a whole new Victoria’s Secret wardrobe all while pretending she wasn’t thinking about Kurt one day appreciating all that satin and lace, too.

  Now, here she was—all dressed up from top to bottom, and seriously having second thoughts about everything.

  Just as she was about to go stand in her closet again, the doorbell rang.

  Shoot! What if she was too dressed up?

  There was only one way to find out, she realized as she grabbed her purse and headed to the door. Pinning a smile on her face, she prepared herself to be ready for anything.

  Gym shorts. Another stained and muddy T-shirt. Maybe him sucked into an old Abercrombie button-down leftover from high school.

  But when she turned the handle, she realized she had been ready for anything … except the splendor that was Kurt Holland on a date. He had on dark jeans that fit him like a glove. Dark brown cowboy boots that looked like they’d been polished during the last month or so. And a crisp white button-down that obviously came from the cleaners and definitely had not been purchased back when he was in high school.

  If Campbell was here, Emily thought she’d call him dreamy.

  Emily would know that she would be right.

  “Hey,” he drawled, his blue eyes lighting with unconcealed admiration. “Don’t you look like a picture.”

  “Hey,” she said right back. Because, you know, when you’re an English teacher you have a wealth of vocabulary options at your disposal. Shaking her head, she smiled. “I mean, it’s good to see you. And thank you.” She stepped back. “Won’t you come in?” Lord, she sounded like she was seventy-four! “I mean, do you want to come in for a drink before we go out?”

  He shook his head. “Can’t. We have reservations to keep.”

  Her pulse jumped a little bit. “Let me grab my purse,” she murmured as she trotted to the couch.

  Kurt stood at the door and watched her, pure appreciation shining in his eyes the whole while. When she got back to his side, he held out his hand for her keys to help her lock the door.

  After that was taken care of and the keys were tucked back in her purse, he took hold of her hand and walked her down to his truck. After he’d given her a hand into the passenger seat, he paused.

  “Sorry. I was going to wait until la
ter to do this.”

  She gazed up at him in confusion. “Hmm?”

  Then there was no time to talk because Kurt was kissing her like he couldn’t wait another second. Before she knew what she was doing, Emily had wrapped her hands around his neck and was kissing him back like she didn’t want him to stop.

  Like, ever.

  When Kurt pulled away a few glorious minutes later, he smiled. “You good?”

  “Uh huh.” Oh, Lord. Really, that was all she could say?

  “Good.” He smiled at her for a second, looking really pleased and maybe a little bit smug, too.

  But since she was having trouble catching her breath and couldn’t seem to form coherent words, Emily figured he might feel justified.

  It was a heck of a kiss and their date had been going on a total of ten minutes. At this rate? Why, there was a chance she was going to be showing off her Victoria’s Secret a whole lot sooner than anticipated. Why that idea didn’t bother her at all, she had no idea.

  CHAPTER 15

  “Baseball is like a poker game. Nobody

  wants to quit when he’s losing; nobody

  wants you to quit when you’re ahead.”

  —Jackie Robinson

  Kurt was no expert, but he was sure this date was going real well. Emily had liked his choice of restaurant, had smiled at him often, and had even shared some stories about her family with him.

  She’d also been doing everything to let him know that his attraction wasn’t one-sided. She’d smiled and leaned into him and had taken a couple of opportunities to touch his hand. Sure, all those things might have been right out of his middle-school mind, but he was feeling like God was rewarding him for doing something right.

  He’d left his home, his friends, and his security to start something new for himself and his brother. He’d taken a chance to give Sam something that he deserved, even though Kurt didn’t know quite how to go about doing that.

  Emily’s acceptance of a dumb ex–football player who had barely made it out of high school chemistry made him think that he was worth more than his parents or his teachers had led him to believe.