“Jess, I told you about the player from Memphis. I had lunch with his father, like I mentioned. He’d prefer his son come here when he graduates, but one of the other SEC teams is offering a pretty sweet setup—if you know what I mean. I imagine we could use a runner at the bank next summer. I could hire a young student or athlete to deliver documents for me, take the mail to the post office, you know, little stuff. Of course, we pay well—even for small jobs like that.”
“You can’t pay him to do nothing.” Jess’s fingers curled into a fist. “Teddy, if the kid wants that kind of setup, let him go. Even if he is ‘family,’ any questionable financial benefits could be a violation of NCAA recruiting rules. It’ll be the team that suffers.”
As he jerked to his feet, Teddy’s mouth formed a menacing scowl. “His father already works for a sister bank in Memphis, so hiring his son wouldn’t be suspicious. The team will suffer if we can’t compete to recruit good players.”
“We had a good recruiting season. A lot of talent, eager talent, headed our way. Kids who want to play ball here and aren’t asking us to do anything illegal. I’ll meet with the player and his parents during the permissible time frames. I’ve already made the allowed preliminary contacts. I’m actually pretty good at my job.”
“A good team should aim to be a great team. Remember the fans and alum can turn on coaches. You might not always be the golden boy if you won’t listen to the people who sign your paycheck.”
A hard punch to Teddy’s face might help him remember a few things. Jess’s fists tightened, but he commanded his arms to stay stiff at his sides. “I think I’ve taken care of business here. Guys like your son have come to me, and I’ve given them all I’ve got. Worked to mold them into better players, better students, better men. Helped them maximize their potential both on and off the field. I play a clean game and give it my all every single time. I teach my players to do the same. This is the last I want to hear about blurring the lines of what’s right. I mean it. I’ll turn you in myself if I catch wind of any wrongdoing.”
Teddy stormed out the door, leaving it wide open, and Jess resisted the urge to slam the thing off its hinges. With a controlled click, he closed it and then pulled out his phone. One ring and it went straight to voicemail. “Sam, I need you to do something about your dad. He’s going to end up getting me and the whole university in hot water.”
Chapter 17
Sarah Beth studied the message Cassie had left on her desk. Chris was on his way. Surprising, since she’d just seen the man two days ago. She saved her work and shut the laptop.
“Knock, knock.” Chris poked his head in her office.
She jumped up to greet him. “This is rare. What brings you by my office?”
“I wanted to talk in person, so I got your schedule from Cassie.” He gave her a sheepish grin.
“Sounds ominous.”
“A little sticky, maybe a bit awkward.” Shrugging, Chris crinkled his nose like a little boy.
“I’m ready as I’ll ever be. Lay it on me.”
“You know how you told me that I could share your story if it would help someone?”
“Yes?”
“I shared it with Nick.”
Nick. Of all people, Chris told Jess’s best friend about all her past screw-ups.
Had Nick told Jess? Not that she hadn’t been planning to tell him herself. Still, she’d have preferred to do it in her own way, in her own timing.
Chris continued, “He’s hurting so I suggested a counselor and told him you have one you like. He seemed doubtful, so I told him your story. He’s a believer, Sarah Beth. He just hasn’t connected with a church since he moved to Oxford. It’s been hard being a single parent. His wife was his anchor. I can’t help but put myself in his shoes. I don’t know how I’d go on if Kim had died giving birth to Camilla.”
Poor Nick. That had to be difficult. Sarah Beth put a hand on Chris’s shoulder. “I’m glad you told him. You know I want God to make beauty from my ashes.”
Chris checked his watch. “Good, because he’ll be here at lunch to chat with you. I’ve gotta run. Sorry.”
“I was planning to take a lunch break in, like, fifteen minutes.”
“I know. I checked your schedule with Cassie while you were in class. He’ll be here any minute. I’ll be praying for you to say what God wants him to hear.”
Sarah Beth moved her hands to her hips. “You’re lucky I like you, Chris Hardy.”
As the lanky minister edged toward the door, he grinned. “I know, and I offer you edible food every Tuesday and Saturday.”
“There is that, too, I guess.” After pulling out a sheet of paper, she wrote her counselor’s name and number. Losing someone was tough. Being a single parent on top of the loss, even tougher. She didn’t mind helping, but a little notice would’ve been nice. At least she wouldn’t have time to fret about what she’d say.
Minutes later, there was a sharp rap on her door, and Nick poked his head in. “I come bearing food.” His raised eyebrows exposed apprehension.
“Then you must come forth.” Sarah Beth gave him a smile. “Cassie left for lunch, so we can chat here. Leave the door cracked in case someone happens to be looking for me.” She pointed. “Let’s sit at the conference table.”
Nick eyed the spacious office. “Nice. Jess told me about this place. He’s pretty jealous of your setup.”
“We have Foundation meetings here.” She took a deep whiff. “What is that delicious smell?”
He handed her a Styrofoam box from the brown paper sack.
After opening the container, she placed her hand over her heart. “Yum. How did you know I love a fried green tomato BLT? And zucchini fries. Be still my heart.”
“Chris told me you’re crazy about that little place off the Square. He gave me your standard order. Here’s your half-sweet, half-unsweet tea with three lemons. I hope they got that right.”
“Chris does know me pretty well.”
Nick opened his box. “I went with the fried chicken blue plate.”
Sarah Beth rummaged through her bag. She pulled out papers, an empty bag of gummy worms, and a box of Band-Aids. “You didn’t have to buy me lunch. Let me pay for mine.”
“No way. You’re helping me.” Smiling, Nick cleared his throat. “Chris said, hmm, how did he put it? He said you may seem a bit eccentric, but you’re like a bucket of wisdom from the well of life.”
“Nice. I’ll need to brainstorm quirky nicknames for him and spread them throughout CSU and the student body. We’ll see who’s eccentric. I’m thinking Crispy Critter, Christopher Robin, Crispy Cream...”
She bit into her sandwich. “Mmm, this is delicious.” Dabbing away the blob of dressing that fell from the sandwich to her shirt, she swallowed, then sighed. “Wearing my food again.”
Nick smiled. An uncomfortable silence filled the space between them.
Um...” How should she start? “I know Chris told you my story already. I have a counselor you might like. He’s normal, you know. Makes you feel like you’re talking to your brother or a friend. Sometimes he seems a bit insensitive, like he may say, ‘Look, Sarah Beth, stop feeling sorry for yourself, and let’s deal with the issue.’ Reality therapy.” She laughed. “He is sensitive, but he won’t let you keep wallowing in the same puddle, if you know what I mean.”
“Sounds like what I need.” The slight amusement lifting his lips slackened, and his gaze tightened and focused on her. “You know a great deal about loss from what Chris told me. I’ll keep it to myself, but I’m sorry we have that in common.”
Pain, like a dull blade, knifed at her composure, and she remained silent.
“I’m glad we both have the Lord in common, too.” His tone was gentle.
“Yep.” If she hadn’t had the Lord, she’d have been even crazier.
~~~
What was Nick doing in Sarah Beth’s office? Jess’s chest felt like a three-hundred-pound tackle had landed on it. He tiptoed back down the stairca
se and dropped the lunch he’d bought Sarah Beth in a trash can outside her building.
Nick was his best friend. Why wouldn’t Nick tell him if— No. There had to be another explanation. Maybe they were talking about Katie and Camilla playing together. There could be a landscape project Sarah Beth needed done on campus. Jess ran his fingers through the front of his hair. Or maybe not. Maybe he should step out of the way, just in case. Nick deserved to be happy.
He pulled out his phone and sent a text to Nick and Sarah Beth.
Too busy with work to take the boat out this weekend.
He heaved a sigh. Not a lie. There was always work.
Back in his office, he found the head coach, Ross Black, standing by his door. “Jess, can we talk privately?”
“Sure.” Jess followed his boss into his office and took a seat. “Problem?”
“Not for you. But it could be for me.” He crossed his ankle over his knee and sat back. “Word is that the Tampa Bay offensive coordinator may be retiring. He’s thinking of getting out to spend time with his grandkids. Probably since he didn’t get much with his own kids. You know how it is in this business.”
“What does that have to do with us?”
“They tell me your name’s being tossed around as a contender. A top contender. They like what you’ve done for the program here. You’ve proven yourself despite your youth.”
Jess straightened his posture. Maybe it was because he was having a bad day, but the news he’d been waiting for fell flat. Why didn’t he feel like celebrating? This was his dream. And back in his home state, no less, nearer his family and the beach he missed. “Tampa Bay’s a good team.”
“Nothing’s written in stone yet, but it could mean a huge opportunity for you. You know I’d hate to lose you. Plus Oxford’s a great place if you ever decide to settle down and start a family.” He rose, then walked to the door. “You have a lot to consider. I’ll support you whatever happens. See you after lunch.”
Lunch was the last thing he wanted right now. Too much to think about with Nick living here, plus his relationship with his players...and now Sarah Beth. And for a man like him to lose his appetite... He needed a time out. Maybe a hard run.
Chapter 18
Sarah Beth sat in the living room of Nick’s small, two-bedroom townhouse sipping coffee. Though the condo was cheaply built, the interior appeared well-maintained and clean. Especially for a single dad. The four-year-old couldn’t contain her excitement about going to Sunday school and talked nonstop as Nick combed her strawberry blond hair. What a sweet picture. The way he was so gentle with Katie. He paused when the front door opened and shut, then footsteps. A cabinet door opened and closed. Was someone else expected?
“Hey, buddy, you got a pot of coffee for your best friend?” That voice.
Sarah Beth’s pulse did a little dance.
“You know I do,” Nick called back.
“Uncle Jess is here.” Katie struggled to pull away.
Nick caught her arm. “One second. Not quite finished.” A couple more strokes with the brush and he released her.
At the same time, Jess stepped through the archway of the kitchen. Katie ran to latch her arms around Jess’s legs.
“Watch out, squirt. Hot coffee.” Jess placed his cup on a side table and lifted Katie up for a hug. He blinked hard as he caught sight of Sarah Beth sitting on the couch.
She gave him a little wave. “Hi, Jess, I missed our time on the water yesterday. I mean, you know, nature and camaraderie and all.” Bungling words again.
Shaking his head, Jess turned to Nick. “I’m sorry to just barge in. I didn’t realize you had company. Didn’t notice the SUV...”
Nick’s hazel eyes rounded. “Oh. No. Sarah Beth’s just picking up Katie for church because I have to work. She offered the other day when I went by her office. I was trying to figure out how to get Katie in church again with my crazy schedule, and I needed to sort through a few other—issues, you know.”
Jess let Katie down, then put both hands up. “It’s none of my business.”
After rising to his feet, Nick crossed the small room and placed his hands on Jess’s shoulders. “You are not interrupting anything. She just got here.”
Not embarrassing at all. Flames licked Sarah Beth’s cheeks. “Obviously, Nick is also repulsed by me.”
“Also?” Jess’s head swiveled back her way.
“Ms. Sarah Beth, what’s repulsed?”
Sarah Beth couldn’t help but adore this child. “It’s like being grossed out.”
“I’m not repulsed by you.” Katie twisted from side to side holding the edges of her pink flowered dress.
“Thank you, Katie. Let’s go, or we’ll be late. I can’t stand to be late.”
Katie tugged Jess’s shirt. “You want to go, Uncle Jess?”
His eyes large, Jess appeared paralyzed. “I’m not dressed for church. I’m wearing shorts.”
Leave it to a child. Sarah Beth chuckled to herself as she picked up her bag and keys. “You don’t live far. We’ll swing by and you can throw on some jeans or khakis.”
“I don’t know.” His feet shifted across the tile floor in front of him.
Finally, his turn to look uncomfortable.
“We’ll go to class with Katie and sit in to help since it’s her first time.” She took Katie’s hand and nudged Jess out the door. “I’ve never liked grown up Sunday school. I’ve tried to convince the church leaders to make adult classes more like the kids’ classes, where you draw and sing and eat cookies. For some reason, they won’t go for it. Neither would any of the other local churches I sent the idea to.”
She looked Jess up and down. “And you have to change. I can’t deal with girls falling all over themselves if you show up in shorts. They’ll be too distracted by your legs. It’s bad enough with the rest of you.”
Jess gave her a sideways glance.
Did she really just say that? “Um—let’s get going.” Brain first, then mouth.
“How can I say no to two lovely ladies?”
Katie called back to Nick, who watched from the door. “Bye, Daddy. Be good. I love you.”
“I love you, too, darling. I’ll be good.” His hazel eyes twinkled.
Katie was such a doll. At the SUV, Sarah Beth shuffled a batch of papers into the back. She hadn’t expected to use three seats today.
She followed Jess’s instructions to his house, a gray cottage-style ranch with white trim. He really did live just a few blocks away. “Hurry. We’ll be late.”
After disappearing inside for a few moments, Jess jogged back to the vehicle wearing khakis. “Whew. Fast enough for you?”
“Ms. Sarah Beth?” A little voice from the back seat summoned before Sarah Beth could answer.
“Yes, Katie?”
“I don’t think you should name your dog Ewok. I think a sensible name like Ginger would be nice. You could call her Gingie for cute.”
Jess snickered, and Sarah Beth smothered a laugh.
This kid should be in one of her focus groups. “I think you’re right. What do you mean Gingie for cute, though?”
“My daddy says people call me Katie for short, but he calls me Katie for cute.”
Sarah Beth shook her head. “I am more impressed with your daddy all the time. He’s a smart man.”
~~~
Jess couldn’t stop grinning. Who’d believe he was sitting here in this tiny chair in Sunday school with four-year-olds? Enjoying himself. In a period of a few weeks, this woman had brought about so many new emotions. He couldn’t seem to control her or these feelings. It was maddening and exhilarating at the same time.
While the Sunday school teacher told the story of Daniel in the lion’s den, Sarah Beth helped herself to a second handful of animal crackers. She leaned close to Jess and whispered, “You know God’s always connecting the dots. I’m studying the book of Daniel at home, too.”
After class, Camilla took Katie’s hand. “Mr. Jess and Ms. Sarah Beth,
you can go to big church. I’ll take Katie with me to children’s church.”
“Once again, replaced.” Sarah Beth laughed. “I guess we have to go to big people church.”
Jess scrunched his nose. “If we have to.”
As he opened the door of the auditorium, Sarah Beth caught his bicep. “I sit in the balcony. This way.”
He eyed her hand on his arm. Even the simple touch of her hand on his arm radiated warmth to his heart. Another reaction he couldn’t control. “I guess I should know better than to try to lead the way for you.”
She caught him looking at her hand and blushed. “I’m a balcony person. When I came back to the church, it’s where I felt comfortable.”
Why did he like that he’d made her blush? “What if there was no balcony?”
“Back row with sleepy teenagers and crying babies. It just feels right.”
“You don’t think God wants you on the front row?”
As they took a seat, she put her finger to her lips and shushed him. “They’re singing. Oh, look. Bryan’s leading.”
Bryan. The singer. Jess elbowed her. “Now there’s a young man who is most definitely not repulsed by you.” He lifted his eyebrows up and down, then nodded toward Bryan.
Her finger pressed over her lips again.
He moved in close to her ear after the first song. “You have a pretty voice.”
“Oh. Thanks.” The blush colored her cheeks again.
During the message, she cast a glance his way. Was it to make sure he listened? The minister shared about having courage during trials. She’d had more than her share of trials and loss. What had he ever gone through? Nothing much. So he tore up his shoulder and couldn’t go pro... The loss had been disappointing—the end of a dream. Was that dream so important? Compared to her, he’d gotten off easy. Courage. She lived it.
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