Page 97 of When Love Is Lost and Found

I’m surprised to see so many kids when I show up Wednesday night. My team has two girls and two boys, all thirteen years old. We're taking turns shooting free throws while we wait for Jon and several other kids to show up.

"Our car is in the shop," Patrick says, "so Jon is picking up the rest of the kids. He should be here soon."

When he shows up, he and a couple of the boys are carrying two ice chests full of sodas and bottled water, and a girl is carrying a tote filled with hand towels.

As soon as the kids see Jon, they surround him, giving him high fives and fist bumps. "Hi, Mr. Linder! Hey, Mr. Linder! Coach Linder!"

"Hi, kids!" exclaims Jon, "I bet you thought you were going to spend all summer without seeing me."

I'm surprised when he glances at me and says hello.

"Hi," I say, giving him half a smile.

"Okay, people," Patrick's voice slices through the tension. "Let's go over some ground rules."

An hour and a half later, I'm sweaty and tired, realizing I bit off more than I could chew.

"I'm going to be sore in the morning," I say to no one in particular. "I thought I was going to be coaching, not playing."

"It's much more fun for everyone when we all participate," Patrick says, throwing me the ball.

"Cara," I laugh, walking over to her and the baby. "Your husband got me here under false pretenses. How about you convince him to take it easy on me."

"Take a break," she says. "Sit with me for a bit."

"How did you and Patrick meet?" I ask, reaching into the tote for a towel.

"I'm the human resources manager at the bank. I thought he was cute for the longest time but didn't think I was his type."

"Why?" I ask. "You're beautiful."

"I thought his type was tall and brunette," she says. "We were good friends, but he never expressed any interest in me."

"So, how did you end up together?"

"He told me he had met a pretty girl with big green eyes, but she had canceled their date. I offered to take your place and go with him to the farmers’ market. That's where I told him how I felt. He had no idea, but he felt the same way. We've been together ever since."

"You're kidding!"

"No," she says. "Thank you for canceling your date."

"You're welcome," I laugh and instinctively glance toward Jon. He's showing a boy how to shoot a layup.

"Susan and I became good friends," Cara says, following my gaze. "I know about you and Jon."

I look at her, wondering what she knows exactly.

"He loves you," she says. "Susan chose to step aside gracefully."

"He's not even speaking to me."

"Give him some time, but don't give up."

I glance at Jon again, and this time, I catch him looking back at me.

"He watched you the entire time you played with the kids."

"Is the baby's nursery ready?" I ask, wanting to change the subject.

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