Page 17 of Every Beat of My Heart

“We were adventurous kids. We were always getting into something and coming home dirty. Mom would make us hose off outside.”

Owen was hanging on his every word. Sometimes I felt bad that he was an only child. I just couldn’t justify having more kids with Eric when he wasn’t an engaged father. But I think it would have been nice for Owen to have a sibling who was close in age. Someone he could throw a ball with or even just watch TV with.

“But we were expected to work on the farm. Everyone pitched in to help out. Daphne preferred the kitchen. She loved baking. Now she owns her own bakery. She’s the one who sells the minipies around town.”

“Oh, I’ve grabbed one of those on my way home from the store. They’re so good.” They were the perfect cure when you needed a pie fix but couldn’t eat an entire one.

“Daphne recently got that deal with the local grocery stores. She’s excited about the possibilities.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“Do you think I could see the farm?” Owen asked.

Jameson nodded. “Just let me know when you want to come out. I’ll give you the whole experience.”

There was something about the way he said give me the whole experience that felt like he was talking about more than cutting down a tree, but there was no way that was possible. Not with my son sitting at the table with us. I was so desperate for male attention; I was looking for things that weren’t there.

Jameson was just being nice. I was positive he already had a girlfriend or would be hooking up with someone when he hit the bar later tonight.

I stood to clear the table. I didn’t want Jameson to feel like he had to spend the entire evening with us. And I was surprised when Jameson stood to help. “Clear your dishes. Then we can throw some more.”

Owen actually did it without any grumbling. It was nice to see him respond favorably to a male in the house.

“When they were done helping with the dishes, I grabbed a washcloth and cleaned the table. Owen was already outside, and Jameson paused in the doorway. “When you’re done, come outside with us.”

“Okay,” I said, unsure why he would need me to be there. But I wanted to see them interact without being caught sneaking a peek through the window.

When I was finished, I slipped on my white sneakers and headed outside to the porch. I brought water bottles that I set on the railing for them.

Jameson was explaining a formation to him, and Owen was listening intently.

When Jameson saw me, he said, “Come out here. We need another body.”

“I don’t like the sound of that.” I cautiously stood and made my way to them.

“I’m going to throw to Owen, and you’re going to be D.”

“You want me to be defense?” I knew enough about football to understand the reference.

Jameson grinned down at me. “It will be fun. You have to cover him so it’s hard for him to catch the pass. Having someone in the way is enough to throw the receiver off-balance. This will be good practice for him.”

“There won’t be any tackling?” I asked him, still nervous.

Jameson winked. “Not today.”

Before I could ask what he meant by that, he’d placed a hand on my shoulder and moved me in front of Owen. “Now when he runs, you follow him. Have you played any sports?”

I was a little distracted because his hand was still on my shoulder. “I played basketball.”

Jameson nodded. “It’s the same concept as man-to-man defense.”

Jameson’s hand dropped away, and he stepped back, the ball in his right hand. He slapped the ball once, and Owen took off. I was feeling every bit of my age when I raced to keep up with my son. I felt a little ridiculous, but the basics of defense came back to me, and I raised my hands just as Jameson let loose with the ball.

When I batted it down, I raised my hands in the air. “Yes.” Then I did a little dance. “Did you see that?”

Jameson was watching me intently. Finally, he cleared his throat. “That was good. Do it exactly like that.”

Each time, I blocked the pass, I did a little dance. Even Owen cracked a smile. The more we practiced, the better Owen got at eluding me.

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