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“Where’d you hear that?” Surprised, he took a step closer.
“I saw it on ESPN. They were interviewing Travis, and it was when the president was picking out his dog, and they asked Travis if he had one, and he said he didn’t have time for a dog.” She pointed to Tasha. “And if I’m not mistaken, that’s a dog.”
Christ, this kid has spunk. Reminded him of another female he knew.
“You’re right about that. This is Tasha. And she’s not my dog.” He winked. “Because during regular season, I don’t have a lot of time to look after a pet.”
“See?” The boy poked the girl in the side. “I told you it was him.” He shoved her out of the way. “I want to be just like you when I grow up.”
“Well, if that’s true,” Travis said, “first thing you have to learn is you shouldn’t shove a lady.”
The kid shrugged. “She’s not a lady. She’s just my sister.”
He chuckled at that. “Fair enough.”
“Oh my goodness. Have my kids been bugging you? I’m so sorry.” A harried-looking woman holding a baby on her hip stopped beside the kids.
“Mom,” the little guy exclaimed. “It is Travis Blackwell.”
“Oh…I…” The woman seemed confused.
“The goalie for the Detroit Red Wings?” The boy was disgusted with his mother and tugged on his T-shirt, emphasizing his words.
“I’m sorry,” she said again, glancing at Travis. “I don’t really follow sports. That’s my husband’s thing, and he’s down with a nasty summer cold, and the kids have been looking forward to the rides and stuff all week and—”
Her cell phone rang at the same time the baby on her hip began to cry. She fumbled in her pocket and scooped out the phone, but it fell through her fingers and landed on the grass.
“Shit,” she muttered.
“Mom, that’s the S word!” The look of horror on the little girl’s face was comical.
“Here, let me.” Travis meant to bend down and grab the phone, but the woman handed him the baby instead.
Travis didn’t do babies. Not little ones. Or big ones. Hell, not even ones that could balance on a hip and look you right in the eye. But what was a guy to do? He looked at the baby and realized she (pink was a dead giveaway because there wasn’t enough hair for him to decide otherwise) wasn’t crying anymore. She was studying him with curious eyes, and before he knew what was happening, the little thing grabbed for his aviators and pulled them off.
“Hey, you,” he said, eyeing the baby. “Those are mine.” He tried to snatch them back, but the baby giggled. He stopped his hand midway, and she stopped giggling. Until he tried to grab them again, and the giggling started. Before he knew what was what, he was playing a game with a little human, and the two other kids joined in.
He finally managed to snag the glasses from the little girl’s chubby hands, which set off a new round of giggles, when he glanced up and felt his world melt away.
Ruby was watching him from a few feet away. A small piece of artwork was clutched against her chest, and the expression on her face made his heart ache. It was a mixture of pain, sadness, and something else.
Aware that people had gathered a few feet away, some with their phones out, trying discreetly to get his picture, he turned back to the woman, who was thankfully done with her phone call. She took the baby from him, murmuring her thanks, and when the older kids asked to get their picture taken with Travis, it was Ruby who was there, taking Tasha from him. Offering to take the photo.
She accepted the mother’s phone and took several pictures, obliging a few more folks brave enough to ask for a photo. The entire exercise took less than ten minutes, and when the folks got what they wanted, Travis and Ruby were left alone with each other.
“I see you bought something.” Travis had never been good at small talk, but he needed to say something, because right now, the game had changed. Again. He couldn’t read Ruby, and that bothered him more than he cared to admit.
She showed him a black-and-white photo of an old barn with white-washed walls and a muted red door. It was old Americana, both poignant and wistful. An ode to a simpler time that was fast disappearing.
“I thought maybe for my back porch.” Her eyes slid away, and he took a step closer, pretending to study the photo closely.
“I like it. I’m sure it will look great for wherever you have in mind.” He was stumbling over his words, but like an idiot, he couldn’t seem to stop himself. “I haven’t seen your back porch, but…”
Her head shot up. Shit. He’d done something wrong, and now he’d ruined their afternoon.
“No,” she said eventually. “You haven’t been to my home because we haven’t been friends in years.”
As if sensing discourse between the humans, Tasha chose that moment to jump to her feet and start barking like a maniac. The little animal ran full circles around Travis and Ruby, dragging her leash before they could grab it. By the time she was done, her sides were heaving and her tongue lolled out of her mouth.
