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“Did basketball become more prominent because of you?” Misha asked.
Jay glanced at her before looking back at the road. “I don’t like to put it that way, but I was definitely more passionate about the game than most people. Coach tried to get me to play football like Gareth, but I had zero interest in that. Like less than zero. I cheered for the team when Gareth was on it, but once he was gone, I didn’t have anything more to do with football.”
“So you came back to town and got a job as the coach?”
“No. Coach is still there, but when I came returned from college, he asked if I’d be willing to take over coaching basketball. I didn’t even have to think twice before agreeing.”
“And Cole is also good at basketball, like you were?”
“He’s probably even better,” Jay said. “I’ve pushed him harder than Coach ever pushed me, and he’s got a good chance of going pro if he keeps his focus.”
“Did you have that chance too?”
Jay sighed. “Yeah, but I decided on a different path.”
“Do you regret it?” Misha asked.
“Not really. I like my life here.”
Misha didn’t hear total conviction in his answer, which meant that he probably did hold some regret over that decision.
That topic of conversation died as Jay pulled to a stop in front of the house. They got out and grabbed the pizza, knowing that hungry people awaited them.
The front door swung open to reveal Gareth. He greeted them with a smile as they passed him. “I hear it went really well today.”
“It did,” Misha said as she followed Jay into the kitchen. She was quickly relieved of the boxes she carried. “I couldn’t have imagined it going any smoother.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Sorry I wasn’t there to help.”
“You had a good reason,” Misha reminded him.
“I know, but I feel guilty eating pizza when I didn’t help.”
“Well, as you can see, we got plenty. Just don’t eat the pineapple one.”
Gareth grimaced. “No worries about that. Will can eat every slice of that abomination.”
In the two weeks since they’d first arrived, Misha had found herself relaxing more and more around the Halversons, which surprised her a bit. However, they were very easy to be around, always making her and her mom feel welcome.
“Hey, everyone,” Charli called out. “How about we say a prayer of thanks, then we can all dig in?”
The conversations quieted, and at Charli’s request, Gareth prayed, thanking God for the food and also for the smooth move. It had definitely been an answer to prayer for Misha, who’d been praying about it since they’d received their move-in date, not wanting to inconvenience the people who had offered to help them.
Once Gareth said amen, the guys hung back, allowing the women to get their food first. Even though most of them had been lugging furniture and boxes around, they didn’t seem annoyed by the wait. They stood talking and laughing with each other until the ladies all had plates of food.
Misha settled at the table with Ciara in a highchair between her and her mom. When the guys joined them, Jay sat down inthe empty chair beside her. Will sat on his other side, while the rest of the men filled in the seats across the table from them.
Even though she hadn’t done much of the physical work that day, Misha felt tired. She hadn’t been sleeping very well for the past week or so, as she’d worried over this final step of their move. Plus, she’d begun to work at the clinic, and though it had basically gone well, she was always on edge about potential issues. Each day that she made it through with no complaints from anyone, the more she relaxed.
Now that they had their own place, Misha knew that one more stressor would be gone from her life. They just had to get the things they’d been using at the house moved over and they’d be good. It was their plan to spend the night at the townhouse that night.
Once everyone had eaten, the men who had helped them move left, after Misha had thanked them once again. Her mom stayed to help clean up while Misha went back to the townhouse with Jay to pick up the rental truck. He drove it, and she followed him in his SUV. She’d been a bit nervous about driving it, but he didn’t seem worried.
“Well, that’s all done,” Jay said as they climbed into the SUV after returning the truck.
“Yep. Only need to move over the suitcases we have at the house with us, which should be no problem.”
“I bet you’re excited to get settled.”
