Page 56 of Once Upon a Summer Night

“An inning?” Noah asked.

Chase came around the other side of the table and sat down beside him. “See? This is why you need to come and watch our game—so you can learn more about the sport. There’s more to throwing and catching and hitting the ball. There’s also singles and doubles and triples and homeruns and outs and innings and foul balls and—”

“Hey, Chase?”

Why did the boy suddenly look so worried? “Yeah, Noah?”

“Is there going to be a test on all of this?”

Chase burst out laughing and pulled Noah into his side. “No, kiddo. No tests. And I’ll be there to help you keep everything straight.”

“Good, ’cuz I don’t want to mess anything up.”

Noah wrapped his arms around Chase’s waist, and Chase hugged him back.

“Don’t worry, buddy, you won’t.”

Man, he was sure fond of this kid. The little guy had a heart of gold, and those smiles were coming out more and more lately.

Chase didn’t have a chance to ask what was bothering her, but did his best to make sure she and Noah had a good time that evening. Surely, Hannah saw how happy he was being here. Now to just ensure she was happy being here, too.

Hopefully, tomorrow’s date night would go a long way toward making that happen.

Chapter Sixteen

Chase pulled toa stop at Brooks Farm the next night, Hannah and Noah on the front porch waiting for him. The chief was also there, sitting in his rocking chair as usual with Rex at his side. He pecked a kiss to Hannah’s cheek, gave Noah a fist bump, and waved hello to Chase. But the look on Hannah’s face suggested it was time to go, not for socializing. Before he could get out of the truck, she was ushering Noah down the short walk, an overnight bag on each of their shoulders.

“Have fun at Mia’s tonight!” Chase heard the chief call in between doors being opened and closed. But the minute everyone was in and buckled, Hannah slid her sunglasses on and asked him to drive. Yep, something was definitely up. He just hoped it wouldn’t interfere with their date night.

“Where’s the Jeep?” he asked, reaching over to take her hand in his. “I didn’t see it in the drive when I turned around.”

“In the garage and out of sight. Orders from the chief.”

She tipped her head toward Noah, and Chase picked up the hint. This wasn’t a conversation to be elaborated on with little ears in the car.

“Well, I’m glad there’s nothing wrong with it.” He gave her hand a squeeze, then met Noah’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “You excited for your sleepover at Aunt Mia’s tonight?”

“Yeah! We’re gonna bake cookies, then stay up late and watch movies and eat popcorn. Aunt Del and Isaac are coming, too, and they’re gonna bring Louie. He’s so cool. And slobbery.”

Hannah grinned. “He is a drool monster for sure.”

That grin suggested their night could still be salvaged. But if the chief was starting to get bossy with Hannah again, Chase was ready to step in and put the kibosh on it. Friend and mentor or not, he refused to let Stephen run her off a second time, not when he felt they were so close to convincing her to stay.

When they arrived at Mia’s a few minutes later, Chase let Noah run on ahead and held Hannah back.

“I know the plan was for you and Noah both to stay over at Mia’s, but I’m thinking we need to have our own sleepover tonight,” he said, pulling her into his side. “You think slugger will be bothered if you don’t come home until breakfast time? It’ll be by seven—I do have to work at the station tomorrow.”

Hannah let out a soft snort. “No. Besides, I doubt he’ll even be awake by then. And I like your idea. I could use a break from the family for a night. Especially from the farm.”

“Things going that well, huh?”

“Let’s just say Dad’s true colors have come out again.” She shook her head. “I should have known it was only a matter of time.”

“Because of the private investigator?”

“The PI, my lack of legal expertise, me not getting a lawyer months ago, me breathing wrong…”

Chase chuckled. “Okay, I’m sure he wasn’t scolding you for that.”

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