Page 15 of The Maverick's Homecoming

But still. He couldn’t stand the idea that she might be sick or hurt. That the baby might…

He refused to complete that thought. Because he knew he was overreacting. This wasn’t the summer after their senior year. She was fine and the baby was fine.

But just to be sure, he left Barrett to work with the team for another few minutes and introduced himself to the bearded EMT, whose name was Rufus. As they shook hands, Finn asked, “So where’s Kenzie? Is she okay?”

“Yeah, far as I know. Something about a routine doctor’s appointment…”

Routine. That was good, right?

Of course, it was. If she was sick or if something had gone wrong with the baby, she would have called him, wouldn’t she? At least she would have let him know that she had to cancel their dinner date.

Which wasn’t a date. Uh-uh. Just two friends sharing a companionable meal. Nothing to see here…

“You sure she’s alright?” he asked Rufus again.

“Honestly, man. She seemed fine. You know whatIknow.”

“Okay, then. I appreciate your filling in for her.”

“Hey, no problem. Happy to help. My boy’s on the team—Darren Tuttle?”

“Darren. Of course.” Finn took a minute to talk to Rufus about his son. Darren was a big, strong kid, who had shown up for tryouts, unsure of which position to go for. Finn had explained that Darren didn’t have to name his preferred position immediately. They wouldn’t be choosing the starting lineup until much closer to the first game of the season.

The truth was, Finn already had Darren pegged as a linebacker. But that choice could change due to any number of factors.

“We’re all excited to have you in charge of the team this year, Coach,” said Rufus.

“I’m honored to hear that,” Finn replied. He and Rufus shook hands and then Finn jogged over to join the team on the field, where Barrett had set up an endurance circuit.

The players worked through the circuit as Barrett shouted instructions and encouragement. As for Finn, he just stood there, staring at nothing, worrying about Kenzie.

Rufus had said she was fine. The guy was an EMT. If there was some problem, Rufus would have picked up on it. Hell, Kenzie would have told Rufus that she wasn’t feeling well.

Wouldn’t she?

Of course, she would. There was nothing to get all worked up about. But Finn got worked up, anyway.

He kept telling himself he was being an idiot and nothing bad was happening to Kenzie or her baby. It didn’t help. He kept stewing. The apprehension made him sick to his stomach. The past was crowding him, taunting him. He would never forget how it had been, that she’d felt under the weather for a couple of days—she’d felt achy, she’d said. And she was cramping. She’d been unable to sleep at night.

And then, she’d started bleeding and…

He hadn’t realized how much he’d wanted their baby until the baby was gone. After that, he just wanted to get away, to forget what they’d lost. But he’d never forgotten, not really. That loss was part of him and always would be.

Barrett stepped close. “You okay?”

“All good—but I need to make a quick call.”

Barrett peered at him more closely. “What is it, Finn? What’s wrong?”

“I just…have to check on something.” He needed to know for sure that nothing bad had happened to Kenzie or the baby.

“Alright…” Barrett had a funny look on his face, probably because Finn’s anxiety was way too plain to see.

“Long story,” said Finn through clenched teeth. “Just…don’t ask. Please?”

“Got it,” said Barrett. “No problem. Make your call.”

Finn pulled his phone from his pocket and headed for the sidelines just as Kenzie, in dark blue scrubs with her hair pulled back in the usual tidy bun, breezed through the north gate onto the field. She was pulling her black wheeled bag and she looked perfectly healthy.