Page 47 of The Art Of Starting Over

“Only because you wouldn’t listen to Maren.”

“All right, enough,” Crow said as he looked at Dalton. “Keep your son away from my granddaughter, Noble, and Conor McKenna. I expect you and your boy to be in my office within a half hour after these tryouts are over.”

“Sheriff, they’re kids.”

“Lessons are taught every day, Noble. Either you teach them or I do.”

Crow leaned down and whispered something in Maren’s ear. She nodded and then grabbed Conor by the hand and ran off.

Crow sauntered back to the group of men waiting for him. Dalton shook his head and tsked. “I don’t understand why she’s trying out anyway,” he muttered as he walked away.

Devy opened her mouth to say something, but Hayden took her arm and led her back to the bleachers. After they sat down, she leaned into him. “What in the hell just happened?”

“If I had to guess, Crow has a bone to pick with Noble and just used his son to do it.”

“And Maren is in the middle.”

“Right along with Conor,” Hayden said with a sigh. “I need him to make friends, not enemies.”

“I’m sorry. I should’ve told Maren she couldn’t try out.”

Hayden looked at Devy so fast she thought his head was going to spin around. “Absolutely not. She shouldn’t have to sit home because some boy can’t keep his hands to himself. It’s common courtesy and good parenting.”

“Well, you’re back for what, like, five minutes and already causing problems?”

Devorah looked over her shoulder and found Sapphire Fleming standing next to her.

Hayden groaned.

“It’s none of your business, Sapphire.”

“It is when it involves my son.”

“You’re married to Dalton?” Hayden asked, turning around to face her.

“We coparent, but that’s beside the point,” she said. “The point is, you come back to town because Chad came to his senses, and now you’re making trouble for everyone else.”

“She—”

Devorah held up her hand to cut Hayden off. She took a deep breath and glanced up at Sapphire. “I’m sorry there was an incident with your son, my daughter, and Hayden’s son. Crow will sort it out this afternoon, and I’m sure all will be just fine.”

“If my son is removed from the baseball team because of your daughter, there will be hell to pay.”

Hayden shook his head. “You’re unbelievable, Fleming.”

Devorah couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She stood and didn’t fight Hayden when he grabbed her arm. “Your son touched my daughter when she asked him to stop. Maybe he shouldn’t be on the team.”

“I’m sure that’s what happened. Go back to Chicago, Pearl. No one wants you here.” Sapphire smirked.

“I do,” Hayden said to Dev. “Crow and Colt do. Don’t listen to the petty high school jealousy, Dev.” Hayden shook his head and muttered under his breath.

The “Pearl” reference was a slap in the face to Dev. It wasn’t her fault the people of Oyster Bay crowned her Pearl of the Ocean four years in a row. But others didn’t see it like that.

“Oh, wait. Come to think of it, no one wants you in Chicago either.”

Sapphire didn’t walk away after she made the comment. Instead, she sat down right behind Hayden and leaned toward his ear.

He flinched and gave her a dirty look. “Get the hell away from me.” He batted at her like she was a fly.

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