Page 17 of Bidding on a Second Chance
“I told you we could handle this like men.” Graham took a step backward, drawing the boy’s gaze. “Men don’t have to be friends to get the job done.”
He let that sink in for a moment, then turned his attention to his other players, praying Bryce would rejoin the group.
When he did five minutes later, the first thing Graham pictured wasn’t imparting life lessons as a coach, but earning a smile from Piper for his efforts.
ChapterEleven
Outside the window, autumn had been whitewashed by snow. Piper scanned the yard for a raised ledge to give an indication of how deep it was. Her scooter bumped the lower lip of the windowsill as she brought the patio table into view. The white fluff stood three inches tall on the glass surface.
Of course this would be the year when a significant snowfall came early. How would she manage a scooteranda shovel?
Teddy latched his teeth onto the hem of her jeans as if to tug her toward the back door.
“You don’t know what you’re in for.” Although, with those thick curls of his, he’d probably barely feel the cold.
After pulling a winter boot over her good foot and a waterproof cover over the walking boot, she used a crutch to hobble down the back steps and let Teddy out. He barked at the snow, then dove headfirst into it. He tripped and hopped back up, white clumps clinging to his fur. If she’d brought her phone with her, she’d snap a picture to commemorate his first snowfall.
The scrape of a snow shovel against the sidewalk reached her. One of the neighbors must be out clearing their property. Normally, Piper didn’t mind the task. Hopefully, Bryce wouldn’t, either, since she’d need his help. Today was a Monday, so he had school but not basketball practice, which should leave time to help out. Still, assigning him chores was a battle these days. Eking out as much of the task herself as possible sounded easiest.
As she fixed her coffee back inside, the house muffled the sound of shoveling. Maybe if she hobbled out there and offered to pay whichever of her neighbors it was, they’d take care of her property too. What was the going rate for snow-clearing?
She kept Teddy on his leash to better supervise him and carried her steaming coffee into the living room. When Bryce had returned from his first basketball practice on Thursday, he’d dropped the small duffle bag containing his basketball shoes in a corner. She’d asked him to pick it up over the weekend, but he hadn’t, and she’d stopped noticing it. Now, on Monday, here it remained.
“Bryce, what have I told you about leaving things where they don’t belong?”
“Um …” His feet plodded on the stairs. “Don’t?”
“Run this upstairs quick. Mrs. Snowden will be here any minute.” The family had been a true blessing, giving Bryce a ride to school and basketball practice. After his activities were done, Grandma and Grandpa had been picking him up and keeping him until Piper finished at Second Chances. Then, they’d swung by the shop with him to drive them both home. She hated to put them out, but they insisted it was no trouble, and this would only be short-term.
Much like Graham assisting with the furniture. Warmth and regret swirled in her chest.
Bryce gathered his belongings and took the first step back toward the stairs.
“Oh. Did they send anything home with you that I need to see? Any papers?”
The boy plunged his hand into the duffle and produced a green sheet. She’d barely closed her fingers on it when he thundered up the stairs to his room.
The informational paper outlined team fundraising plans.
Another to-do item for her list.
Outside, the sound of shoveling grew crisp, almost as if whoever it was had ventured onto her property. Perhaps a neighbor had taken pity on her without her having to ask? Redemption Ridge really was a great place to live.
As Bryce returned and pulled on his coat, Teddy happily tagged along with Piper to the front window. The Snowden’s minivan eased up along the curb behind a large, black pickup truck.
A truck she recognized.
The truck that had given her a ride home from the clinic the day of the accident.
Teddy curled up on a nearby rug as Piper leaned to see out a window that looked on the driveway. Graham wouldn’t be here, clearing the snow for her.
There was no reason he’d do that.
A honk reminded her Graham’s truck wasn’t the only vehicle out there. “Bryce, your ride’s here.”
He hustled up to the front, ruffled a startled Teddy’s fur, then exited with a slam of the door. Thankfully, he hurried through the snow blanketing the yard instead of giving a second glance to the man who’d come into view in the driveway, pushing a shovel.
Graham lifted a hand in greeting. He’d spotted her, and wow, he looked … handsome, healthy, and happy, his curls ruffled by the breeze, his cheeks pink from the cold, a blazing smile crinkling his eyes.
