Take a Chance
Page 25
“He already weighs one-eighty. He’s played football since he was six. No backpack-stealing punk is going to get the best of him.”
Releasing a ragged sigh, she knew he was right. One step at a time. Seeking to take her mind off her misery, she said, “Um, your son is really great.”
“Thanks,” he said offhandedly.
“No, I’m not just saying that. He helped me carry some equipment from the field to my car the other day. Half the kids I work with wouldn’t do something like that. That’s how we met.”
His eyebrows lowered. “They should.”
“What I’m trying to say is that he’s really composed and mature for his age. You should be proud of him, Mr. Vance.”
A reluctant smile appeared on his lips. “Thanks.” This time it sounded sincere. “Finn’s not much of a student, but he’s a good person. At least, I’ve always thought that. You know, when he’s not being a teenager with a chip on his shoulder.”
She laughed. “I’d guess half the kids at Bridgeport High have chips on their shoulders. My friend Emily says it comes with the territory.”
A reluctant smile crossed his features. “Why don’t you call me Ace, Meredith? I’ve never been the type of guy to be called a ‘mister’ anything.”
“That’s reserved for your father?” she teased.
“Nah, he ain’t that kind of man either.” Looking bemused, he said, “Now that I think about it, I can’t think of a single person to ever call my dad anything but Buck.”
Buck. Ace. Finn. Interesting names. Country names. “All right.” She smiled slightly, thinking how odd it was that she felt so at ease with a man who looked so different than the majority of the men she hung out with. He had to be at least six or eight years older than her and he seemed to favor black as much as his kid. Plus, he wore earrings in his ears, as well. Two tiny silver hoops. And one of his arms had a bunch of tattoos, all inked in black.
Startled by the direction of her thoughts, she held up her bleeding hand and pretended to be completely fascinated about the way blood was oozing out of her palm.
“It’ll be okay,” he said in a soothing tone. “I bet you won’t even have much of a scar.”
She was an adult. She’d had CPR. She’d had extensive training when she became a certified Pilates instructor. She dealt with clients recovering from injuries on a daily basis. She definitely did not need some strange man coddling her and murmuring sweet things in her ear.
So why did she kind of feel giddy around him? Why did she feel like maybe he was even making her feel better?
She turned to stare at the path behind her. Maybe if she stared down the empty path long enough she could suddenly will this episode to be over.
And then she saw her savior. Again.
“Here comes Finn!” she called out like he was returning from battle. “And he’s holding my pack.” Relief flooded through her.
Ace looked in that direction as well. When Finn got within speaking distance, he grinned. “Good job, kid.”
Finn smiled broadly. “It weren’t nothing. It was laying on the ground just around the bend. I didn’t see the guy who took it, though.”
“S’okay. You got her bag,” his dad said quietly, in that same soothing tone that she found so mesmerizing. “That’s most important.”
Finn nodded before turning to her. He said, “It was already opened, Miss Hunt. “I didn’t open it.”
“Of course you didn’t.” Impulsively, she squeezed his hand with her good one. Before she thought the better of it, she waved her fingers toward the zipper. “Well, go ahead and check it out. What’s inside?”
He opened it. “Keys,” he said, pulling out her heavy Minnie Mouse key ring. “And your phone.”
“That’s a relief. Do you see my wallet?”
Ace frowned. “Nope. Sorry.”
“Thanks, Finn.” She held out her good hand to take the pack. “That’s too bad about my wallet but at least I can get home now.” Already making plans in her head, she said, “I’ll cancel my credit cards when I get home. And if I get pulled over for driving without a license, I’ll just have to explain to the policeman what happened. He should understand, right?”
Finn was staring at her like she’d grown another head but nodded. “Yeah, maybe.”
But Ace frowned. “You need to get to the doctor first before you do anything. And you shouldn’t be driving. Not until you get checked out.”
“That’s sweet advice, but I don’t really have a choice.”
Ace sighed. “Why don’t you let us take you to urgent care? There’s one of those doc-in-the-box places in the center of town. After we get you seen to, I’ll drive you back to your car.”
“I couldn’t let you do that.”
Studying her hand, he nodded. “Would you rather go to the hospital? We could do that …”
Cutting him off, she said, “I hate to point out the obvious, but I don’t have any money on me. I can’t pay right now.”
“If they charge you something up front, I’ll pay it.”
“I could never ask you to do something like that.”
He raised an eyebrow while his son remained silent. “You didn’t ask. I offered. Right?”
He did have a point. But how could she take advantage of him like that? It wasn’t even like she knew Finn all that well.
Then there was the little matter that he had also just spent the last half hour getting her on her feet and retrieving her backpack. That was more than enough good works for two strangers. “I’m sure you’ve got other things to do. This isn’t your problem.”
Finn lifted his chin. “We don’t have anything else to do, do we, Dad?”
“Nothing as important as making sure you are okay,” Ace said. “You don’t want to drive if you’re woozy. Trust me on that one.”
“I hate to impose. I mean, you’ve rescued me, found my backpack, and gave me your bandanna to ruin.”
Finn smiled. “My dad doesn’t take no for an answer real well. You might as well give in now.”
Glancing at Ace, Meredith saw a new light shining in his eyes. He was pleased about his son. Pleased about how the boy had reached out to her. Glad he was joking around a little bit.
That, in the end, was what did it. Sure, she was still a little shaky on her feet. She also needed help paying for the clinic visit. But what mattered most to her was the sense that Finn seemed to need to help her as much as she needed a helping hand.
She could ignore a lot of things, but she could never ignore that.
“In that case, thank you,” she said finally. “I really do appreciate your help.”
Acknowledgments
I’ve often said that there’s usually a team of people behind each one of my books, and that has certainly been true with both Take a Chance and the whole premise of the Bridgeport Social Club series. With that in mind, I’d like to thank some of the people who were so instrumental in helping me bring it to life.
First, I owe a great deal of thanks to Tony Westley, who started a poker club in his garage, which became my inspiration for the series. Tony, thank you for your friendship and for making so many of us feel like we’re part of your extended family. We’re all better for having known you.
I also am indebted to my agent Nicole Resciniti. Nicole not only didn’t laugh at me when I pitched this idea but encouraged me to get started on it! I’m blessed beyond words to have an agent who believes in me the way she does. Without Nicole, this series wouldn’t have seen the light of day.
Along those same lines, I’m extremely grateful for the enthusiasm and support of Blackstone Publishing, especially my editor Vikki Warner. Vikki, thank you for believing in the Bridgeport Social Club enough to take a chance on me. I hope the books do you proud.
In addition, I want to thank Brian and Amy Salzl. What a team! Though both B
rian and Amy are so busy with two careers and four kids, they took time out to help me make this book better. Brian patiently described the ins and outs of owning a landscaping company and Amy read the manuscript very quickly (three days!) and offered suggestions. Believe me, Team Salzl, y’all helped so much.
Last but not least, I’m so grateful for my critique partners Heather Webber, Cathy Liggett, and Hilda Knepp. They not only joined me on a very long and crazy writing retreat, they read and reread (and reread!) multiple sections of the book. They are wonderful women, friends, writers, and editors—and yes, my very own social club.
Everyone should be so blessed to have so much support.
Reader Questions
1. So much of this novel is about finding a place to belong and fitting in. What are some groups in your life where you have found a “home”?
2. What do you think about the dynamic of Kurt and Sam’s relationship? What did you like about their bond? How do you think it might grow and change over time?
3. Though Kurt did move for his brother’s future, he never thinks of his actions as a sacrifice. What do you think? Do you know of anyone who would do something similar for a family member?
4. Why do you think Emily Springer was the perfect match for Kurt? How do you think her character will grow and change in the future?
5. Sam’s girlfriend, Kayla, was one of my favorite characters in the novel. Though she was made out to be a victim, I think she was also a source of strength for Sam. How do you think Sam’s adjustment to Bridgeport might have been different if he hadn’t started dating Kayla? What do you think will happen in their future?
6. Each character had to “take a chance” in the novel in order to find happiness. When have you had to take some chances of your own?