Page 24 of Taking The Shot

“The other part?” he reminded her, careful with his wording in front of the girls. This wasn’t just a house. This was a deal. A pact between two people who needed something from each other.

Constance met his gaze and answered without hesitation. “Seven.”

Keith nodded, storing the information away. “Gotcha.”

“How about Wednesday morning or Thursday?” Constance asked casually, as if they were discussing something as simple as a dinner reservation, not their impending marriage.

Keith’s lips twitched into a small, almost amused smile. “I’m getting fired Friday.”

Constance chuckled, shaking her head. “I remember.”

Keith exhaled, rolling his shoulders slightly, the tension in his frame easing just a fraction. “I need to start getting papers ready and put some things together,” he said, his tone shifting back to business. Then, with a nod toward her, he added, “I need to get everything done on my end so we’re taken care of—and I haven’t been sleeping well.”

She appreciated his honesty, his practicality. This wasn’t a man trying to sweep her off her feet. This was a man making sure everything was in place.

“How about I take a raincheck and call you?” Keith suggested. “Plus, you might want to answer more questions when I’m not there.”

Constance studied him for a moment before nodding. He was giving her space, letting her handle this transition in a way that felt right for Paige and Kayla. That was more than she had expected.

“True,” she acknowledged, understanding the gesture for what it was.

Keith nodded once. “Let’s finish up here, and I’ll walk you out to the car.”

“Sounds good.”

As Constance gathered her things, she glanced over at Paige, who was still eyeing Keith with a mixture of curiosity and caution. This was going to take time. Standing, she got her purse and the trash to take out of the classroom, along with her box where the cell phone once was, spotting the charger inside. They all headed out, and Kayla was getting tired, rubbing her eyes and fretting… and without prompting, Keith scooped her up. Kayla immediately curled her arms around his neck, putting her head on his shoulder – and Keith’s eyes met Constance’s.

She smiled at him and melted at the easy smile he gave her in return. There was something so wonderful about a child’s easy hug, so giving and free. It made you feel like a hero for doing something as casual at tending to a simple need. When they got to her car, he helped Kayla into her booster seat, buckling her as Paige climbed into the car. Leaning into the passenger door, Keith hesitated.

“Text me when you get home, okay?”

“I will.”

“And get some rest tonight.”

“You too.”

“We’re good?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Just doublechecking as D-Day approaches,” he chuckled nervously, and she knew he was afraid she would back out. “I’m a little antsy.”

“I made a promise and intend to keep it,” Constance volunteered. “So long as you keep your promises to me – then we are good.”

“I always will.”

“Then relax,” she smiled. “And go shopping,” she reminded him, holding up her hand. “Nothing garish. Simple, please.”

“You got it,” he nodded, returning her smile as he backed away from the car and waved at them.

At twelve-oh-five on Tuesday afternoon, she was sitting in the teacher’s lounge eating her lunch when she got a text message from Keith.

I got cut from the team today. I’m officially with the Quebec Wolverines, and it’s hitting the news this evening. If you have any doubts, I need to know. They are waiting on the marriage license to announce my name.

She dialed his number immediately, and he picked up on the first ring, his voice hoarse like he was upset. If the shoe was on the other foot and she’d been fired, she would have been devastated. Her heart immediately reached out to the man who had appeared suddenly, offered her the world, and had been nothing but kind.

“Yeah?”

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