Love Lifted Me

by Sara Evans

  If you can’t get yourselves out of bed, then stay home. Sleep in.” Max glared at each boy. “But don’t bother showing up for practice next month. Do any of you boys know Calvin Blue and Tucker Walberg? Get them in here. Any student who can run and qualifies to enter the boys’ locker room is welcome on the team. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Coach.” Bobby’s expression darkened. “You’re going to cut players before the practice even starts?”

  “Like I said, heart trumps talent.” Max started out of the room. He had to act like he was in command even though he felt like a wet rag floating down the river. They’d run roughshod all over him this season if he didn’t come in hard. Even ridiculously hard.

  In his office, Max stood before the window wall and gazed out over the field. This was what he came to do. Where the rubber met the road. No room for doubt—even if the job would be hard or uncomfortable. Lord, you brought me here. Now what?

  At the light knock on his door, Max turned around. Chevy smiled, nodding. “Good job, Max. Good job.”

  Twelve

  Bobby Molnar paced his office, crossing back and forth across the Warrior flaming spear cut into the carpet pile. Rick Lundy leaned against the wall, arms folded.

  “He seems all right, Bob. Give him a chance.”

  “When Chevy picked that yahoo from Tennessee,” Bobby said, feeling the storm gathering in his chest, “I said, ‘Merry Christmas to me,’ this guy will either quit or get fired before the end of the year. I’ll finally be able to end-run that dang Chevy and get in as head coach.”

  “So what’s changed?”

  “He didn’t seem like a yahoo when he left the meeting. But now I know I need a new game plan.”

  Bobby had let Chevy cut him out of the head coach chase so he would look like a hero when the needle-nosed principal’s choice failed. When he brought Max Benson, a former addict lawyer to the table, Bobby knew, he knew, his day had finally arrived.

  “What’s the plan, Bob?” Rick said.

  “I don’t know . . . I don’t know. Find out what you can on him. See if we can maybe push his buttons harder and faster. Maybe get him out by homecoming.”

  Rick’s chuckle fanned Bobby’s flame. “You really do want that coaching job.”

  Bobby paused his pacing to gape at his friend. “What do you think I’ve been doing? I’ve tried to cut the budget so the A.D. and head football coach are the same job. I’ve tried to hire bad coaches. I’ve tried to—”

  “Frame them?”

  “No, now. Bobby pointed at Rick, shaking his finger. “Kirk did all that on his own. Messing with a high school girl? Even at twenty-four, he should’ve known better. I just let that one play out. But Benson, he’s got something different going on. This is going to be tough.”

  “His zip experience ought to help.”

  “Yeah, yeah, that’ll bring some media pressure. I can work that angle. Bump up the news stories. Send a press release about how excited we are for our new, never-ran-a-program-before coach. If we’re not the joke of the night on Channel 13, I owe you a beer.”

  “I’d rather not enjoy that beer.”

  Bobby paced. This head coaching job belonged to him. To his family’s legacy. Rick was being too cavalier.

  “Benson was at the Outpost,” Rick offered, still leaning against the wall. “That’s where Chevy met him. Maybe there’s something there.”

  Finally, the man contributes. “Find it. See what you can dig up.” Bobby toed open his minifridge and took out a water. He offered one to Rick who waved him off.

  He reached for the door. “This is the last time, Bobby. You want the coaching job, you get it fair and square. No more manipulation. You’re starting to hurt the program permanently.”

  “Then let this be the last coach before me.” Bobby twisted the top off his water. “You worry about keeping the boosters on my side. Find out about Benson. I’ll do the rest.”

  “You pull another Plano stunt, you can forget about booster support and filling your daddy’s big shoes. Really, Bob, you should see someone about that.”

  Bob laughed. “About my tough old man? Just do your job. I’ll take care of me.” Bobby swigged his water. “Davy Crockett from eastern Tennessee will fail.

  And I’ll be there to pick up the pieces.”

  “As athletic director, I’d think you’d be a bit more concerned about the boys and their football future instead of your football past. This is their time, Bob.

  Let them have it.”

  “It’s also my time.” He’d lost Texas as a player. Plano as a coach. He wasn’t going to lose his alma mater.

  As Rick exited, Chevy bumbled in. An intellectual who couldn’t tell the difference between the spread and the option.

  “Well, Bob, what do you think? I know, I know, our new guy’s a tenderfoot, but I thought he handled himself well in the meeting. Considering all that attitude from the crowd. I’m going to count on you to help him fold in with the coaches and players, with the boosters. Starting over with a new basketball coach worked well. I think it will for football.”

  Except no one cares about basketball. Football is Warrior tradition.

  “He’s great, Chevy.” Bobby smoothed on his frosted smile. “I think we’ve finally hired the right man. But we’ve been disappointed before. Does he have all of his certifications?”

  “Working on them. I bet my Phi Beta Kappa pin he’ll pass the exams.”

  “All righty.” Bobby chuckled, then took a hit of water to keep cool. “Rick and I were talking. What conditions did you put on his contract? I want to see some real improvement, if not a win by homecoming.”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” Chevy rocked back on his heels, hands dug deep into his pockets. “I reckon we can give him the whole season. If he’s pulled the boys together and played as a team, I’ll consider the venture a success. Give him another shot if he’s willing to stay.”

  “Hold on, Chevy. I’ll have to see some real football coaching out of him. No need to talk of second seasons when season one isn’t even out of the box.”

  “All right.” Chevy backed toward the door. “I’ll trust you to give him all the support he needs. Your buddy Rick too. Let’s make him feel welcomed.” He patted Bobby on the shoulder. “Tell that wife of yours hello.”

  “I will.”

  The door closed behind Chevy and Bobby reached for his phone, dialing Lars, Kevin, and the other coaches. Time to get a feel for where they were and lay markers to keep them on his side.

  Connected to Colby Grounds Wi-Fi and sharing a toasted bagel with Asa, Jade e-mailed her brother and sister, ending with a line directed at her big brother.

  Aiden, call me. I need to talk to you about something.

  “Drink.” Asa wiggled his messy fingers at his cup. Jade handed it to him, helping with the straw. When he took control of the cup, she let go. If he spilled his milk, oh well.

  Colby Grounds must have been an old ’30s diner. Long and narrow with high-back wooden booths along a brick wall, it had the feel of old time cattlemen. At least that’s what Jade saw in her mind. Not that she knew much about old time cattlemen.

  Opposite the booths was the mirrored coffee bar that probably once served liquor. Patrons sat on bar stools with their laptops and iPads.

  Jade had chosen a high top table in the front by the window, with Asa in a booster seat beside her. She wanted to gaze out at her new town.

  First day here she expected to feel alone, homesick, maybe wrestling with pangs of regret. But excitement waved over her. Chin propped in her hand, she glanced at Asa.

  She wondered if Max’s first day was going well. He said he’d slept last night, but it couldn’t have been well. Jade knew because his tossing and turning kept her awake.

  “Jade, shug, hey there.” Brenda Karlin’s strong voice came through the glass as she stood outside the coffee shop, knocking on the window. “Asa, hey there.”

  She scooted toward the door, along with another woman
beside her. They wore matching dark suits and orange blouses.

  “Morning, Brenda.” Jade closed her laptop and rose to greet her.

  “I see you’re up and at ’em early. Good for you, good for you.” She exhaled, tugging her jacket into place. “Get the lay of the land and all. Look at this one, Bit. Ain’t he as cute as Christmas? Jade, this is my associate, Bit Wiley.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Bit’s shy smile tried to cover her teeth, and strands of her dark hair kept springing up and flying away. Brenda was lean and effervescent. Bit was round and reserved. A blond Lucy and demure Ethel. “Welcome to Colby.”

  “Back in the day, waaay back”—Brenda bent backward—“our boys played ball for the Warriors. Both were on championship teams, weren’t they, Bit?”

  “Sure enough.”

  “So, we’re so excited to have your Max as coach. Axel Crowder spoke so highly of him.” Jade sat back on her stool and listened. It was nice to have company and not be required to talk. So, what do you do? How do you like it here? How long have you been married? Are your folks alive? “We need to get this program going again. Get our boys playing football.”

  “Max will certainly give it everything he’s got,” Jade said. “Brenda, thank you for all your help on the house hunt. We love the bungalow.”

  “I’ve been trying to rent or sell that place for a year but I’ve just not found the right people. When Max called, I said to Bit, ‘I think they are the ones. I got the feeling.’ Didn’t I, Bit?”

  “Yes, you did, Brenda.” Bit winked at Jade. Ah, so she was a clever Ethel. Not prone to being swept along with Lucy’s shenanigans.

  “Bit, we got to get going. Jade, you got my number? Here’s my card anyway. Call me if you need anything, shug. And I do mean it.” She jutted her finger in Jade’s direction. “Don’t be shy.”

  Brenda hugged Jade, then Bit leaned close. “She’ll reroute the Pecos for you if you need it. She’s a little much at first, but you’ll get used to her. Do call if you need something.”

  “Bit, come on—hay to cut, dough to make.”

  Brenda stuck her head back in the door after Bit exited. “Go Warriors. Chop, chop.” She motioned a chop in the air beside her head. In a Pavlovian response, the coffee house patrons all whooped and chopped right along with Brenda. Some of them didn’t even look up from their Nooks and phones.

  Jade grinned, scrunching her shoulders together, tucking her hands between her knees. Lots to learn, but Colby certainly was warm. Could be fun to be the coach’s wife.

  “Don’t mind them. They’re harmless.” A woman with crystal blue eyes and an angular face walked toward Jade from the far side of the shop. Slender and poised, she wore blue slacks and a cream button-down blouse. “I’m Dr. Gelman.” She offered her hand. “Julie.”

  “Jade Benson, coach’s wife. Please sit down.” Jade motioned to the chair next to her.

  “Those two.” Dr. Gelman waved toward the window. “They’re Colby’s answer to Lucy and Ethel.”

  Jade laughed. “I wasn’t going to say it out loud, but wow, it’s what I thought immediately.”

  “My mom went to school with Brenda and Bit. And I went to school with their sons. They’ve been best friends since probably fifth grade. Brenda got married and became a career woman who practically took over Colby real estate. Bit got married, had four kids, and after twenty years of marriage her husband decided he’d done his time and retired. From marriage. After their divorce, Brenda took Bit under her wing, hired her at her office, and between the two of them, I think they own half of Colby. And I’m sure they know everyone.” Julie motioned to Asa. “He’s a beautiful boy.”

  “We think so. Asa, can you say hi to Dr. Gelman?”

  “How do you do, young man?” Julie tucked her finger under Asa’s hand and gave it little shake. Asa stared at her, then suddenly pointed. “Pretty.”

  “Why, thank you very much.” She pressed her hands to her cheeks. “I declare, he made a grown woman blush.”

  “It’s a new thing with him. If he sees something he likes, he points and shouts, ‘Pretty.’ ”

  “How old is he?”

  “Twenty-three months. He’ll be two August twenty-fourth. If you tell me you’re a pediatrician I’ll hug you.”

  “Ob-gyn, actually. I love babies and want them to get into the world safe and healthy. Is he your only child?”

  “Yes.” Jade hesitated. “Actually, Doctor, he’s my husband’s son.” Jade picked up a napkin and wiped cream cheese from Asa’s hands. “His mom was killed in March. Small aircraft crash. Max and I were married before he was born.

  Long story. But he’s mine now.”

  “I can tell—I noticed you with him. You’re quite devoted.”

  “A miracle.” If the doctor knew the whole story, she’d agree.

  “I used to see your husband in here on Saturdays. Axel brings the residents in to e-mail and call home. He always looked so happy when he was talking to you.”

  “How do you know he was talking to me?”

  “I heard him say your name once. Then if I saw him after that and he had the same expression, I knew he was talking to you.”

  “Are you always so kind to strangers?”

  “Just the ones I like.” She grinned.

  “What about you? Do you have children?”

  “I’m divorced. No children.” Julie shifted forward in her seat, propping her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand. “He couldn’t take the other lover in my life, medicine, so he left. I’m a fourth generation physician but the first woman. My dad and grandfather gave their lives to medicine but somehow tended to their families.” Julie shook her head. “I thought I could too, but it’s different for women. At least for me. I couldn’t leave work at work. I’m envious of the way men can compartmentalize.” Julie peeked at Jade with a rueful smile. “Look at me, dumping all my sorrows on the stranger in town.”

  “Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a stranger.”

  “I know. Why is that?” Dr. Gelman made a face, then motioned to her left. “My office is right around the corner. Gelman Medical. If you need an OB while you’re here.”

  “I’ll call you.” But Jade doubted she’d need an ob-gyn. Three miscarriages, the last one a year ago. Jade had not been pregnant since.

  Dr. Gelman leaned close. “Pardon me, but I see a lot of women who want nothing more in life than to be pregnant. I can always tell when I meet one. Even if she’s sitting in a coffee shop.”

  Jade busied herself gathering wadded-up, cream-cheesy napkins. “I’m content.”

  “Sure you are, but doesn’t mean a baby wouldn’t light up your life.”

  “Are you always so bold?”

  “Yes.” She touched Jade’s hand. “But your secret is safe with me.” Dr. Gelman sat back. “I’ll tell you who to watch out for, Jade. Brenda. She can spot a pregnant woman a mile away. Practically the moment the sperm hits the egg. And she doesn’t keep it quiet.”

  “That’s some talent.” Jade tipped her head with skepticism.

  “Tell me. She’s blurted out a few surprises.” Dr. Gelman wiggled her eyebrows. “If you know what I mean.”

  “Really?”

  “I’m just saying. By the way, I love your top. Vintage?”

  “Yes, from the ’70s. Good eye.”

  They chatted about vintage, the ’80s, Cindy Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and Warrior football until Asa announced with a rather loud, incomprehensible statement that he was tired of being strapped to a booster seat.

  Gathering Asa and her bag, Jade walked with Dr. Gelman out of the shop and into the west Texas day.

  A car horn blasted as a woman dashed across the road, barely missing the bumper of a turning car. The driver powered down his window. “Watch where you’re going!”

  The woman ran toward the coffee shop, looking weary and strung out, as if she’d gone too long without food or sleep. She stopped in front of Dr.

  Gelman.
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br />   “Mariah, what’s going on?” Dr. Gelman’s tone was kind. “Why aren’t you at work?” The doctor gently ran her hand over the woman’s shoulder.

  “Oh, they don’t know their butts from—”

  “Have you met our new coach’s wife?” Dr. Gelman cradled Mariah to her, one arm around her, almost holding her up. “This is Jade Benson.”

  “Another coach’s wife?” Mariah twisted her lips, slurring her words. “That dang school is about as crazy as my bosses. Don’t know nothing. Nothing.”

  “Mariah, you’re not using, are you?”

  She shook her head like a scolded girl, trying to hold her bloodshot eyes wide. But her thin, flyaway hair and colorless skin told another story. “But I do need some money. The kid ain’t got no groceries.”

  “Come to my office. I’m going to check you out, then we can go to United for groceries. Is Tucker at home? Does he need food? You know with a new coach, maybe Tucker can finally play football.”

  “Oh, I hope not, the kid can’t walk down the road without tripping. It’s embarrassing to watch him try to play.”

  Dr. Gelman glanced back at Jade. “United Supermarkets is just a mile or so south on 23rd. A great place to grocery shop. See you around?”

  “See you around.” Jade watched the doctor walk Mariah down the sidewalk, under the waving flags and banners left over from a Fourth of July celebration. Asa stood at her feet, tugging on her hand.

  “Mama, go.”

  “Yeah, okay, son.” Jade opened the truck door and slipped Asa into his car seat, her thoughts on the morning. As she climbed in behind the wheel, her phone rang.

  She hoped it was Max, but when Jade read the screen her heart filled with dread. Gus McClure.

  “Hello?” She winced, listening.

  “Jade, this is Gus McClure. We got back into town from our vacation to find Max had whisked you and our grandson to Texas. What’s going on?” His mountain voice planed away Jade’s patience with its sharp edge.

  “Yes, we’re in Texas. Max took a new job—he’s coaching football.” Jade fired up the truck. The rattling engine shimmied the old chassis.

  Gus grumbled. How ridiculous. What did Max think he was doing? What about their grandson? Jade responded low and kind, explaining, but Gus would have none of it. He huffed and said something about “this won’t do,” then hung up.