Page 31 of Scoring with the Coach's Daughter

I wonder if my dad has mentioned this to him in the past, or is it a coincidence? It is popular for the locals to do this often, but then again, I’m sure he’s used to acclimating wherever he finds himself due to his extensive travels. He’s on the road most of the year and knows the local color of every city he plays in, just like my father.

For example, it’s BBQ in the South, beef in the Midwest, and deep-dish pizza in Chicago— that sort of thing. Dad knows what the locals eat in every city where he coaches. I’m a bit envious of the fact he can travel guilt-free now that he doesn’t have kids at home. These days, his time is dedicated to his career without distractions.

The languid late afternoon has us secluded in the kitchen as the afternoon rain pours. I stand on the back porch listening to the rain hit the seventy-foot trees that surround my property. Lightening cracks overhead and Jake comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me, nuzzling my neck. I lean into him.

“It’s beautiful here,” he murmurs, “but it pales against your beauty. You’ve created a great life for you and Ellie.”

“What else was there to do?”

“I didn’t know her well, but I think your sister would be proud of you both.”

I smile. “Shewould, you’re right.”

“You can loosen up a bit, you know?”

“You bring the fun, I’m the parent.”

“Ouch. I can be a drill sergeant!” he chuckles.

“Doubtful,” I murmur.

“Well, not that severe but you get the point.”

“I do,” I smirk as the humidity covers us like a swarm of no-see-ums. “I need to finish the salads for dinner,” I reply. I turn and his lips cover mine in a stolen kiss. I kiss him and then I try to push him away as I glance inside to see if Ellie saw us.

“Relax, she’ll adjust.”

I shrug as I open the door.

Dinner prep is a blur of activity as I busy myself with the familiar motions of making a salad to still my raging heart.

“Hey,” he says, pulling me into his chest in the middle of the kitchen. He leans in to kiss me. His lips brush against mine, soft and warm, but I pull away before the kiss can linger.

“Jake,” I murmur wondering what Ellie will think. But when I glance at her at the kitchen table she’s watching a movie on her electronic device.

His eyes follow mine. “She’s fine. I'm pretty sure she wants us together,” he says.

The words catch me off guard. I don’t respond right away, and he doesn’t push. But the weight of what he has implied lingers.

“Would you like to grill the steaks?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Sure, I’ll fire up the grill,” he says, before he exits through the screen door. The grill is old and falling apart. I roll it into the shed before winter, but the summer rains and sun take their toll.

“Please set the table, Peanut.” I grab two steak knives and place them on the table. I open a bottle of red wine and pull two glasses.

“Okay,” she chirps as she bustles into the kitchen and opens the utensil drawer. She opens the cupboard where her cups are kept and makes herself a lemonade.

Dinner is filled with Ellie telling me stories about her friends at the camp and Jake adds to the new mix. He’s fit into the community and it’s obvious the time with the kids has kept him from dwelling on his injury. His face lights up when he talks about the kids.

Ellie clears her plate and disappears into her room. I pour another glass of wine and Jake helps me clean the kitchen. I close the back door and lock us in for the night.

Ellie returns to the living room with a board game and we play three with her before it’s her bedtime. After she’s dressed for bed she shows up with a thick book under her arm that makes her look like a scientist. A few curls fall perfectly around her heart-shaped face

“What have you got there?” Jake asks.

“A book with magic!” Her face lights up as she hands it to Jake.

“You want me to read it to you?” he asks.

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