Dad held a bale of hay outside one of the stalls. “Quinn, you have chores before it gets late, and Apple needs her blanket for the night.”
Before I could move or speak, Maiken was at my side. “I’ll help.”
I was surprised at his sudden eagerness. Maybe Maiken wanted to prove something to my dad… or me. Yet the moment he’d crossed into the barn, he froze and his skin paled.
“There are a lot of horses in here,” Maiken said to no one in particular.
“Son,” Dad said to Maiken. “We could use some help.”
Carter emerged from a stall midway down. “The horses need their water containers filled. Grab the hose.” He pointed to a wall outside of Apple’s stall. “Start filling each stall with fresh water.” Bossy Carter spoke to Maiken as though Maiken had worked on a farm all his life like Carter.
Maiken audibly swallowed. “You want me to go inside the stalls?”
Dad and Carter swapped a confused look.
“I’ll help him,” I said.
Dad and Carter resumed their chores.
I snatched the hose, turned on the nozzle, then filled Apple’s bucket, which was clamped to the wrought-iron bars and could be filled from outside the stall easily.
Color returned to Maiken’s cheeks. “Oh. That’s not hard.”
“Do you not like horses?”
Apple came closer to me, and Maiken inched away, stiff and dazed.
“She’s sweet and won’t hurt you.” I planted two hands on Maiken’s back and nudged him closer to Apple.
He didn’t budge. The boy was a wall of muscle. I tittered more out of nerves because I was actually touching the boy who was making my mouth dry and my stomach quiver.
“Okay,” Maiken said. “I am afraid of horses. There, I said it.”
I circled around him. “I promise you, none of the horses in here will hurt you.” I rushed over to a small table near where the hose had been and grabbed an apple from the box. “If you feed this to Apple, she will be your best animal friend.”
His face contorted. “I’d rather not.”
I shrugged. “Another time, then.” I wasn’t about to push him. He had to come around on his own. So I fed her the apple then ducked into her stall and set her blanket on her back. We had heaters in the barn, but that night, the temp was supposed to drop well below zero. “Did you know that horses can create insulating air pockets to keep them warm?” I petted Apple. “But it’s going to be super cold tonight, girl,” I said to my prize horse. She wasn’t one we took to horse shows, but I did ride her at least once a week to give her some much-needed exercise.
Maiken had his hands in his coat pockets. “You really are full of facts.”
He had no idea.
I came out of Apple’s stall. “We should finish filling the rest of the buckets.”
Maiken helped but didn’t get too close to the stalls. After we were done and the horses were all tucked in for the night, I walked Maiken back to his car.
“A horse almost bit off my finger when I was little,” Maiken said.
“Really? That almost happened to me too.”
He stopped halfway between the barn and the farm store. “And you’re not afraid of them?”
“Not at all. Were you trying to feed the horse?” That had happened to me when I was little before Daddy taught me about horses.
As he nodded, his blue eyes twinkled in the landscape lights along the path. “My dad’s buddy had a horse, and I ran up to it, excited to feed him some carrots. Then at the last second as the horse was chomping away on the carrot, he almost bit my fingers. Thankfully, I pulled away quickly. I noticed you held out your palm with the apple on top of it.”
“You should always put the food in your palm so your fingers won’t get in the way. Even then, it’s not guaranteed a horse won’t bite a finger. My dad doesn’t like me hand-feeding the horses, even Apple.”
We resumed walking.
“So earlier today when we were leaving the gym, did I say something to upset you?” Maiken asked. “If I did, I’m sorry.”
That afternoon seemed eons away already. Still, I hadn’t forgotten that he’d said I was different. I debated whether to tell him that he’d hit a nerve because when the rumors had gone around school that I was easy, boys would approach me with that line.
But I was beginning to realize that Maiken wasn’t like those boys, and surprisingly, neither was Chase Stevens. Wow! For a girl who never got a second glance from a boy, I’d hit the jackpot in one day. Chase had asked me out and told me he liked me. Maiken hadn’t asked me out, but he was kind and friendly to me, which was refreshing, exciting, and scary all at the same time—scary because I felt Maiken could be the boy to break my heart.
Nevertheless, I said, “You didn’t upset me.” I didn’t want to make a big thing about it, and he seemed genuine and sincere.
He gave me a warm smile as we stood near his Suburban. An awkward and quiet moment stretched between us. He looked around. I checked the hut, which resembled a very large wooden box with a window opening that had been boarded up for the night.
“So are you going to say yes to Chase’s invitation?” he asked.
I tucked my hands into my sweatshirt. “I don’t know.” For the last two years, I’d always wished I would get an invite or that Momma and Daddy would receive one and I could tag along. I’d always heard how entertaining the Stevenses’ holiday galas were with nifty finger foods, desserts, and the white-elephant game in which everyone brought a gift and was given a number. The person with number one picked any gift from among the partygoers. Then the person with number two could pick the gift from the first person or choose a gift from anyone else. The process continued until the last person in the sequence, who was the real winner, chose any gift in the room.
Food and games weren’t reasons to say yes to Chase, and neither were my desire to put on a pretty dress, do my hair, or the fact that a boy had finally asked me out. Sure, Chase was cute, but I’d never considered him boyfriend material. If I did say yes, I wanted to be sure I liked him. At the moment, I wasn’t sure how I felt about him.
“So you were on the court today. Does that mean you’re playing for the team now?”
He lifted a jacket-covered shoulder. “I didn’t get a chance to talk to Coach Dean. I’m not real sure yet.” He lightly touched my cheek. “The area around your eyes isn’t so dark.”
Thoughts of basketball, holiday parties, and Chase went poof into the night as goose bumps fired along my arms, especially when Maiken traced the area under my eye. His finger was rough, yet his touch was soft.
I swore I was a second away from lifting up on my toes and kissing his perfect lips. At that thought, my nerves started to sing. “D-did you know that electrical energy can be transformed into h-heat energy?”
One side of his mouth curled as his gaze traveled down to my lips. “Is that so? Does that fact have something to do with your black eyes?”
Heat stung my cheeks despite the frigid temperature. “No. I m-masked my bruises with makeup.”
Someone cleared his throat.
Maiken jumped back as if I had some kind of disease. My feet were frozen to the gravel.
Carter stalked up, breathing fire. “What are you doing? Are you seriously touching my sister? Is that why you took the job? To get close to her?”
I pursed my lips, narrowed my eyes, and closed my hands into fists. I swore I would kill my brother if he so much as hurt Maiken.
Maiken raised his hands. “What?”
Carter got in his face. “Let’s get something straight. My sister is off-limits. Do you understand?”
I wanted to scream. Instead, I latched on to Carter’s tense bicep. “Stop it.”
“We were just talking,” Maiken said.
Carter eased back but not that far from Maiken. “Mom is looking for you, Quinn,”
Maiken rushed over to the driver’s side door of his car. “I’ve got to get home.”
Before I
knew what was happening, Maiken was driving away.
“He’s not right for you,” Carter said. “And you’re not dating.”
I laughed, but it was an evil and nervous laugh. “You’re not my father, and you sure don’t get to pick the boys I talk to or date for that matter.”
He grinned. I knew that grin. It was one that said I was wrong. “And you’re not going to the Stevenses’ party with Chase either.”
I snarled. I was going to kill Liam for tattling. I stomped away. “We’ll see about that.”
Carter didn’t react. He never did unless it was to defend my honor or protect me. But protection was keeping me safe, not telling me whom I could or couldn’t date.
School had been canceled due to another snowstorm that had barreled in overnight. My younger siblings had had a blast playing in the snow and building a snowman. I’d even enjoyed having a snowball fight with Ethan and Marcus.
I sauntered into Coach Dean’s office. “You wanted to see me?”
He lifted his gaze from his computer screen.
Even though school was out, Coach hadn’t canceled practice that afternoon. By the time I’d arrived at the gym, the roads were clear and the sun was shining. The temperature, however, was different a story. I swore my lips had frozen from the car to the sports complex.
Coach waved a hand toward an armless chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat.”
I did as I was told. I had an inkling why I was in his office. He and I were supposed to talk after practice the day before, but he’d had to run to an appointment.
“I liked what I saw from you on the court yesterday, but I have concerns.”
I did as well. The only reason I’d practiced with the team was to taunt Chase. Yet shooting the ball, passing the ball, hearing the squeak of my basketball shoes on the wood floor, and the atmosphere of the gym had infused me with elation and excitement. I missed the game. It had been months since I had a ball in my hands.
The questions remained, though. Could I play, work, and study? Would I have time to take care of my family? I’d tossed and turned all night, searching for answers to those questions among other things.
Basketball season was only four months long with two or three games per week. Plus, I had to factor in practice, which was every day we didn’t have a game. So I would only have time at night and on weekends to work and study.
What are you worried about? You’ve played and studied before.
But now I have a job. A job that ends right before Christmas.
So you shouldn’t factor that in.
I was leaning toward playing. Whether I had a job or my mom moved the entire family back to the South, basketball was my drug. I needed the game more than Coach needed a player.
Wrinkles rimmed his brown eyes. “It seems you and Chase have a problem with each other. I’m sure you know, son, that chemistry among the team is what wins games. If you boys aren’t in sync, then we don’t stand a chance at making it to the playoffs. So if you want the spot of shooting guard, then it’s yours. But I’m giving you one warning. If you and Chase display any animosity on the court, then you’re off the team. Is that understood?”
I chewed the inside of my cheek. “Isn’t Chase a shooting guard?” I’d learned that yesterday from Chase when he’d said, “You’re not taking my position.”
Considering there was only one shooting-guard position on a team, I was sure he wouldn’t go down without a fight.
Coach leaned back in his chair. “I’m making some changes.”
“Does Chase know this?” Even if he did, it wouldn’t change how upset he was going to be. “With all due respect, sir, I’m not playing basketball.” I would be off the team before I even played anyway. I wasn’t about to let Chase spit fire at me without retaliating. My dad had always taught me to stick up for myself.
Coach popped forward and leaned his elbows on his desk. “Why not? I’ll handle Chase.”
A nervous laugh erupted from me. “It wouldn’t matter. You could talk to him until the cows come home. And the one warning you’re giving me is already moot before I even walk out of your office.” Sure, I could promise him I would be a model player, but I would be lying. Regardless of basketball, Chase and I would face off. It was just a matter of time.
What I was sure about was that Quinn wasn’t going to Chase’s party without me. I’d thought about her too as I’d stared at the popcorn ceiling from my bed during the night. I’d had the urge to kiss her before I’d gotten into my car the evening before. Hell, I had many urges that had nothing to do with playing basketball and everything to do with the girl with butterscotch hair.
Despite my manly cravings, Chase had an ulterior motive. I wasn’t talking about him kissing her either. He was brewing up something, and no way would I let Quinn be the brunt of his antics. After all, he was the brother to Quinn’s number-one enemy.
Besides, she was my girl. I’d never had a girlfriend. I’d always left the sighing, the long nights texting on the phone, and the dating to my brother Ethan. He was the ladies’ man. Yet there I was silently staking claim to a girl with soft skin, big brown eyes, and a shyness that twisted me and made me feel alive.
You’ll have to get through her brother Carter. I could’ve kicked my own butt for not defending myself against the big, scary brother. Quinn probably thought I was frightened out of my mind, but the only reason I’d taken off faster than the roadrunner was for the simple reason that Carter was my employer in a roundabout way. I didn’t want to ruin a job before it even started.
Coach scrubbed a hand over his jaw, considering me. He probably knew I was right and didn’t have anything else to say.
I didn’t either. I’d come to his office prepared to play, but it was time to grab a bite before I started my shift at the farm.
Holding out my hand, I rose. “Thanks for letting me practice yesterday.”
Footsteps clobbered in the hall, drawing Coach’s attention to the door.
Chase appeared, and that was definitely my cue to leave. “Stevens,” I said, trying to be polite.
His nostrils flared.
I could feel mine doing the same.
We were like two bulls in an arena, about to face off. I’d had run-ins with other boys at previous schools I’d attended, but there was something about Chase that went deep into my bones and made me want to wipe the smug look off his pimpled face. Or maybe my anger was directed more at the death of my dad. I’d been on edge since his funeral, and as the days went by, I thought time would heal my pain and sorrow. But I was far from healing, maybe because I hadn’t had time to grieve. I’d been so dedicated to my siblings, my mom, and making sure they were okay, that I’d left little time for myself.
“Boys,” Coach said at my back.
He didn’t need to say anymore. I bumped Chase’s shoulder as I marched out and into the bitter cold, which was a welcome relief from the heated confines of the school.
Within twenty minutes, I was sitting in the driveway at home, staring at the basketball hoop over the garage. I wished beyond anything my dad was there. He was the one person I could talk to. Sure, I could talk to my mom, and she would give me her advice, but she would sugarcoat her words. I loved her for it, but Dad hadn’t minced words. I didn’t want to burden Mom with my problems either, which didn’t all revolve around Chase.
I was behind in math and English, although I’d never had stellar grades. That feat went to my sister Emma. Still, my mind was ten million miles away.
An engine whirred, pulling me from my trance. A tractor came around from the side of the garage. Kade waved as he parked the John Deere in front of one of the bay doors then hopped down. He’d told me I could talk to him if I needed to. Maybe he would be a good sounding board.
I abandoned the warm car. “Are you clearing the backyard?”
He pressed a remote, and one of the six bay doors opened. “Just clearing a path down to the boathouse, or rather funhouse as Lacey likes to call it, although it’s
just an apartment these days.”
Since we’d arrived, the snow had prevented us from exploring more of the property, and Mom didn’t want us going down to the lake, or I should say she didn’t want the younger kids to venture anywhere near the ice-covered water without supervision. I knew about the boathouse, but no one had mentioned that it was an apartment, which started me thinking.
Kade peeled off his gloves. “I’ve got a repairman coming out tomorrow to fix the heater in the apartment.”
It wasn’t that the house seemed crowded, but it would be nice to have a place to go and think and maybe study. “You think I could use it when the heater is fixed? I wouldn’t mind hanging out there.”
He grinned as though he’d done that very thing when he were a teenager. “I don’t see why not. You can help me clean it out, and then we can set it up as a game room like it used to be when I was younger.” He glanced at his watch. “I thought you were at basketball practice.”
“Coach gave me an impossible goal. So I decided not to play.”
The garage had two cars in the middle two stalls. On the far side sat a boxing ring that piqued my interest. I wondered if my brother Marcus knew about that. He was the one who loved boxing. My brothers and I loved all sports, but each of us had a favorite. While my love for basketball trumped the other sports, Jasper was into football, Ethan was into baseball, and Marcus had two loves—boxing and rugby. Harlan was too enamored with lizards and nature to have an interest in a sport, but I was sure he would one day.
Kade removed his knit hat and grabbed the basketball that was sitting on a rolling cart near the side door and tossed me the ball.
The minute the ball was in my hands, a calming effect washed over me. Suddenly, I was transported back to our former home in Texas when my dad would shoot hoops with me. I distinctly remembered the hot summer sun beating down as Dad blocked me when I went in for a layup. He’d played in high school and had been fortunate to get accepted to UCLA, where he’d played shooting guard. His dreams had died suddenly when he’d broken his ankle. After that, his game had never been the same.
My Heart To Touch: A Maxwell Family Saga - Book One Page 8