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Taylor came back outside and watched Curt dribble the soccer ball across the backyard toward the soccer net. Reese chased after him, trying to get the ball away. She almost succeeded, but at the last moment he moved to the left and she missed. Smiling, Taylor sat down in a patio chair. She’d played when they first came outside, but the phone call she just ended had pulled her away. Neither Curt nor Reese seemed to miss her, so while she could she’d enjoy watching them interact.
“Everything okay?” Mom asked. She’d followed them all outside after dessert, too. While Curt and Reese ran around, Mom worked on a crossword puzzle.
“Oh, yeah. Mary had a question about this morning’s interviews.”
Mom set aside her puzzle and watched the two players. “He’s really good with her.”
Mom would get no argument from her.
“I still can’t believe he’s Curt Sherbrooke,” Mom whispered loud enough for Taylor to hear. “I really thought you were playing some kind of joke earlier.”
Again, she couldn’t disagree. She was still digesting the truth.
“I’m glad you didn’t let his little fib ruin your relationship. I stand by what I said before. He’s a keeper.” Mom leaned closer and dropped her voice more. “And it’s obvious he loves you.”
She couldn’t confirm or deny his feelings. But she did know hers. Even before today he’d captured a large part of her heart. Tonight, he’d breached the rest when he suggested Reese bring along a friend to keep Peanut company. How could she not love the guy after that?
Mom glanced at of her watch. “Yikes. It’s after eight.” She gathered up her crossword book and empty glass. “Reese, time to say good night.” She looked at Taylor as she stood. “Don’t worry, I’ll help her get ready for bed tonight.”
“Just a little longer, Mimi. Please.” Reese stopped in the middle of the backyard.
“Not tonight. It’s after your bedtime already, and you still need a bath.”
Reese gave the ball a hard kick and sent it flying into the net. “It’s not fair. I wish I could stay up later.” She grumbled but walked toward the patio, leaving the ball behind. Curt retrieved it and followed her over.
“I need go to bed soon, too.” He dropped the soccer ball on the patio and sat next to Taylor.
“Can we play again this week?” Reese asked.
“You got it.”
Reese hugged Taylor. “Good night, Auntie Taylor. I love you.” She let go and put her arms around Curt. “’Night, Curt.”
Taylor held her breath and waited for Curt’s reaction.
As if he did it every night, he hugged Reese back then ruffled her hair. “See you later, short stuff.”
Reese giggled. “That’s a funny name.”
If she hadn’t loved him before, she certain
ly did now.
She waited until the slider closed behind them, indicating they were alone. “Are you sure you don’t have children?” She hadn’t intended to sound suspicious, but that’s the way came out.
“No kids.” He touched her cheek, and she instinctively leaned toward him. “If I had them, believe me, I’d tell you. I don’t want any secrets between us.”
“Neither do I.” Choosing not to tell him she was falling in love him wasn’t keeping a secret. It was more like withholding a final verdict until she’d gathered more evidence.
Chapter Thirteen
“Are we there yet?” Reese asked the one single question children had probably been uttering since the first horse-drawn cart was invented. Taylor understood. Long car rides got boring no matter your age. Even short ones could be annoying when you were eager to get somewhere. She’d made sure Reese took a book and her tablet so she could read or watch movies during the two-plus-hour drive. The book held Reese’s attention until they hit the interstate. The movie had lasted slightly longer, and a short nap had filled in a good thirty minutes. She’d woken up over twenty minutes ago, though.
Taylor glanced into the back seat. “Almost.” She guessed, anyway. They’d passed a sign welcoming them to the city of Newport. She’d visited only a handful of times, so she didn’t recognize exactly where they were.
“Another ten minutes and we’ll be at my house,” Curt called from behind the wheel. Since he knew the route better, they’d taken his SUV. “We’re going to stop for the pizzas Taylor ordered first.” They passed the Tennis Hall of Fame, and he turned into a public parking lot. Pizza By The Court was right across the street.
“If you want to wait here, I’ll be right back,” he said.
