Page 55 of Rushing Into Love

“You want to grab something to eat first?” I asked.

“Sure.”

We headed to the “Eatin’ Area” on the right side of the lake. There were tons of good options: barbecue, corndogs, burgers. The 5-to-9’er even had a stand where you could get one of their signature potpies.

“What looks good to you?” I asked Bree, who was still surveying her choices.

“I think I’ll go with barbecue. You?”

“Corndog all the way. It’s kind of a tradition,” I said as we walked over to the barbeque stand.

Bree placed her order and we grabbed her food, then we headed next door for the corndog. Securing an unoccupied picnic table, we sat down, ready to eat.

“Hey Coach McCauliffe,” said a small, high-pitched voice.

I turned around to see Benny and Skip, two of my Pee Wees, and their moms, Claire and Sue Ann. We’d gone to high school together.

“Hey guys,” I said, half-standing in deference to their mothers.

“Hey, Ryder,” Claire said, sizing up the Bree situation none too subtly. “Boys, let’s not interrupt Coach. He’s clearly busy here.”

“Oh no, it’s fine,” Bree said, shooing the notion away.

“Fine day for the Fall Festival, isn’t it?” Sue Ann chimed in, running a hand through her dark hair.

“Sure is,” I nodded in agreement. I took a drink of my water, mentally urging them to keep on keeping on. I really just wanted to be alone with Bree.

“The team’s been doing real great this season, Ryder. Keep up the good work!” Claire said, reaching out and squeezing my arm, letting her hand linger a tad longer than was strictly necessary.

Bree noticed and bristled a little, shifting on the bench. “Ryder’s a fantastic coach, isn’t he?” she said, making direct eye contact with the ladies.

Both Claire and Sue Ann stared back at Bree and there was a long pause before Sue Ann finally said, “He sure is. He’s always been great at football. I remember cheering for you, Ryder, when we went to the State Championships.” She flipped her hair and waggled her fingers in a cheer.

Bree forced a smile. “Maybe these two will be heading to the State Championship sometime soon.” She motioned to Benny and Skip. They beamed at Bree, appreciating her positive attitude about their future.

“We can hope!” Claire said, squeezing Benny to her. “Well, great to see you, Ryder.” She moved in and gave me another unnecessarily long arm squeeze, ignoring Bree altogether.

“Bye now!” Sue Ann said, waving. Benny and Skip waved, too, then they turned and headed off to the hay rides.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Bree said, “Well, that was awkward.”

I shook my head. “It’s fine. They’re just girls I went to school with, no big deal.”

“Easy for you to say,” Bree said, crumpling up the wrapper to her sandwich. “You’re not the outsider, the one they hate.”

I took her hand. “Hey, they don’t hate you. They just don’t know you. Peachtree Grove is a small place and people here are tight. It’ll take time is all.” I squeezed her hand, trying to reassure her.

“Ryder. Half the town is in love with you and I flew in out of nowhere and we started dating. I doubt I’m going to make a bunch of new girlfriends here,” she said, frowning.

“I wouldn’t recommend Claire anyway. She’s a know-it-all Queen Bee. But Sue Ann is alright. Besides, you don’t need them, you have me.” I pulled Bree close to me, giving her a light kiss on the lips.

She sighed. “I don’t know, Ryder. This town is awfully small. I’m not sure I’d fit in here.”

“You would,” I assured her. “Besides, I’m already super popular.” I winked at her and she gave me a small smile.

“I know, that’s part of the problem. Every woman in the town sees me as competition.” Bree rolled her eyes, leaned up against me.

“They’re both married anyway,” I pointed out. “With kids. So it’s not like anything was going to happen there. Don’t worry about it. C’mon, let’s go have some fun.”

---