Page 63 of The Hard Hitter

“Dad,” Sam says, but her voice is drowned out by someone laughing. “Dad,” she says again, a little louder this time.

Her father turns, and his eyes fill with love when they see her. I know the feeling; it’s one I get every time I see Daisy. It brings warmth to my soul as I watch the exchange. His gaze slowly leaves Sam’s and settles on me. He stares at me for a moment, like he’s trying to place me, then a light bulb goes off, and he stumbles.

Sam hurries to him and wraps her arms around his waist.

“Dad, this is Zander. Zander, this is my dad George.”

He puts his hand to his chest—and now I’m a bit worried Mary wasn’t kidding about the heart attack. “Your mother said you were bringing someone but I had no idea it was going to be Zander Reed. The Zander Reed!”

“It’s just Zander Reed, or rather, Zander,” I say, and reach for the man’s hand. He gives me a good firm shake, still staring at me like he can’t believe I’m real.

“Dad, relax,” Sam says, and pinches him. “It’s just Zander.”

George shakes his head to pull himself together as all eyes focus on me. “Where are my manners?” he says. “Come meet the family.” He introduces me to Uncle Don, Charlie, Freddie, Doug and Bill, and I pray to God there isn’t going to be a test. There are too many faces to remember. Then the cousins and children are all introduced, and finally, I meet Caleb.

He has a twisted scowl on his face when he takes my hand, but I keep things polite.

“Nice to meet you, Caleb.”

“I didn’t know Sam was dating.”

I reach for Sam, pull her to me, and her hand goes to my stomach, her touch racing right through me and settling around my heart.

“I see he’s still alive,” Mary says as she comes from the kitchen, breaking the awkward silence. Beside her, Daisy is carrying a small dish that she sets on the table. “This is Daisy, everyone. Zander’s daughter. She’s such a great helper in the kitchen.” Daisy beams up at Mary, and Mary looks like she’s in heaven. The woman really does need grandkids. I guess now I can see why Sam is thinking of a fertility clinic—especially after her father’s scare. Her child would be the luckiest in the world to be surrounded by people like these.

A couple of young girls walk over to Daisy and they take her hands, bringing her to the garden to play. I watch for a moment, my heart so full, I’m sure I’m going to crack a rib.

Just then, George throws his arm around me like we’re old pals.

“Now, let’s talk about last season, son,” he says, and my throat squeezes.

Son?

I haven’t been called son, or felt a part of anything special like this in…forever.

“Dad,” Sam warns.

“It’s fine, Sam,” I say, and when someone puts a bottle of craft beer in my hand, I take a long pull. I check the label and don’t recognize it. “Double hopped IPA. Damn, that’s good.” That’s when I remember George is a minister. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to swear,” I say, and Sam is biting back a smile.

George grins. “No worries, son.” He clinks his bottle with mine. “We both like Sam and we both like the same beer. We’re going to get along just fine. Now, let’s talk about that move you made when playing the Warriors.”

I cast a look Sam’s way, catch her nibbling on her lips.

What is really going on with her? She’s been distracted since last week. Was she worried about me meeting her family, or does she have something else on her mind?

I give her a nod to let her

know I’m good, and she saunters off with the other women to set the table.

All the men huddle around me, and for the next half hour, as the food is cooking on the grill, we talk sports. It’s fun, really, and I love that they’re die-hard fans.

“Did you know Sam has never watched a game with me?” George asks, and shakes his head like he can’t understand such a thing.

“She came to the rink last week. Rider, Kane, Jamie and Jonah and I played a game of pickup with a few of the local kids.”

“That’s it. I’m disowning you, Sam,” he calls out, and Sam rolls her eyes. “Let me know next time. I want to come.”

“You were kind of down and out in the hospital.”

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