Page 21 of Taking The Shot

Will do.

“Hey…”

Constance looked up at that moment, in the middle of shoving the remainder of the burger into her mouth in one bite because she was starving.Not a glamourous look…she thought wildly as she chewed, waving at him easily.

“Sorry about earlier,” he began again and pulled up a chair to sit close by. He was there, casual and careful, waiting.

“You couldn’t have known…”

“No but…”

“Thank you for the burger – and the cell phone.”

“My pleasure,” he replied simply and hesitated. “Sorry, I couldn’t help with the kids more.”

“Actually, you kind of did. They had a good time texting you and taking photos. Look what Kayla and Paige did to my new phone,” she said happily, showing him the wallpaper and smiling brightly… only to see him chuckle as he held up his phone.

The kids’ silly faces were there – and she was touched. Keith had obviously taken one of the photos that had been texted and set it as his own wallpaper on his phone, too. Kayla squealed inhappiness, seeing it. “Das meeee!” and Paige didn’t say a word, just looking at him warily.

“That’s sweet,” she murmured nervously, smiling shyly at him as he smirked.

“I have my moments.”

“I see that.”

“Can I show you a few things, and then I’ll be out of your hair – unless we need to talk,” he said carefully, waiting and watching her.

“No, I’m good. What did you want to show me?” she said simply, and hesitated as he held out his phone to her once more. “Ohhh… oh okay. Um, you really meant this – didn’t you?”

“’Meant what,’” Paige asked immediately.

“Keith was showing me a little something as a surprise for you later.”

“Can I see it now?”

“No, because it wouldn’t be a surprise – and I haven’t decided yet,” she said openly, knowing that if she didn’t respond, she would have Paige climbing on her in moments flat. “Keith, are you sure about this?”

They were nice houses.

Very nice.

“Yup,” he said simply. “All are near the arena, all within range, and all a good fit – I think.”

“Did you pick one?”

“Actually,” he hesitated, tossing her a nervous glance. “There were ten. I narrowed it down to three.”

“Tenwhat?” Paige asked again, glaring at Keith. “You shouldn’t keep secrets.”

“You should bepatient,” he shot back easily. “Your mother will tell you when she’s ready to share the news.”

“So, any of these?”

“Any you choose, or we can keep looking,” he said simply. “It’s up to you. I know this is a little out of order, but when word gets out, things will move quickly. I want to have it ready and waiting so there’s no delay in… things,” he hesitated and nodded his head toward the children.

“I’m not a thing,” Paige snarled angrily, obviously frustrated.

“No, you’re not,” Keith replied easily. “But I’m also not going to ruin anything before it’s time.”

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