by Cindy Kirk
Michelle wasn’t sure what the prominence of Tripp’s position had to do with anything. Or what baggage Adrianna was talking about. The midwife had never been married and had no children. Unless she was referring—for the zillionth and one time—to that long-ago friendship with Tripp’s deceased wife.
“You know best.” Michelle decided to let the subject drop. For now. “It just seems like you two would be a good fit.”
Adrianna’s eyes took on a faraway look. “Trust me, it wouldn’t work, so it’s best not to even go there.”
“At least you two can still be friends.”
“I’ve begun to realize friendship comes with its own set of challenges.” Adrianna leaned back in her chair, looking incredibly weary. “Is that what you and Gabe are...friends?”
Michelle thought for a moment. “More like friendly neighbors.”
The look in Adrianna’s eyes was clearly skeptical. “I don’t recall ever kissing any of my neighbors.”
Up until last night, Michelle hadn’t either. But then again she’d never had a neighbor like Gabe. If only he didn’t have Finley....
Almost immediately Michelle railed against the uncharitable thought. Especially because Finley had been nothing but nice and she’d found herself liking the girl. It would be so easy to forget her reservations....
The second the temptation rose, Michelle shoved it down. Ed’s daughters had seemed nice, too. Until they’d realized things were heating up between her and their dad. That’s when their little claws had come out. “The kiss was just a one-time thing.”
“Says who?”
“Gabe and I discussed it. We decided it wouldn’t happen again.”
Adrianna’s lips quirked upward.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“If it was simply a kiss under the mistletoe, there’d have been no reason to have a big discussion about it not happening again.” Adrianna’s smile broadened. “Which means it will happen again. And I’m betting on sooner, rather than later.”
* * *
Michelle had barely arrived back at her condo when Kate Dennes called and invited her over. Apparently Kate was home alone with their eight-year-old daughter and new baby son and desperate for some girl talk. Joel had gotten called into work because of a problem at a job site. When he returned he was having some guys over to play basketball.
“I’d love to see you, Kate, but I was gone most of yesterday and last night.” Michelle glanced at Sasha, who stood whining by the door, nudging a leash hanging from a coat hook. “I hate to leave Sasha alone again.”
Michelle could have seen if Finley was interested in babysitting Sasha this afternoon, but when she’d gotten home from Hill of Beans, she’d noticed that the condo next door was dark. Apparently Finley and Gabe had gone somewhere for the afternoon.
“Bring Sasha with you,” Kate urged. “Chloe would love to read to her before she leaves for her sleepover.”
Chloe was a spunky girl and the spitting image of her beautiful mother. Kate’s daughter had met Sasha once before and absolutely adored her.
“Read to her?” Michelle asked. Surely Kate remembered that Sasha was a dog, not a small child.
“Apparently they have a westie in their classroom and it’s a big deal to read to it,” Kate continued. “She’s been begging for a puppy.”
“Did the argument work?” Michelle remembered how she and her sister had once begged for a dog with good results. “Has the Dennes family welcomed another new member?”
“Not yet. We told Chloe that once Sam starts sleeping through the night, we’ll consider it. There’s no way I can manage a new baby and a puppy at the same time.”
“How is Sam?” Michelle had delivered the nine-pound six ounce boy in an emergency C-section last month.
“Wonderful.” Kate expelled a happy sigh. “We’re head-over-heels in love with the little guy.”
A whisper of melancholy settled around Michelle’s shoulders. When she’d been in her twenties she’d thought that by now she’d have a husband and a couple of children like Kate. But here she was, thirty-three and not a boyfriend in sight.
“Please say you’ll come over, Michelle. It’ll be fun.”
“Who all is going to be there?”
“Oh, you mean for the basketball scrimmage?” Kate’s tone took on a teasing lilt. “Is there someone special you’re hoping to see?”
A vision of Gabe’s face flashed before her. “Not really. I was just curious.”
“Tripp and David, for sure. Maybe Ryan. I think Betsy was going to some function at the church.” Kate paused. “Come for a little bit. You don’t have to stay long if you don’t want to.”
Michelle reminded herself that friends were a blessing that she shouldn’t take for granted. Besides, if she didn’t go, what was she going to do all afternoon? Mope around and stare wistfully at the town house next door? “I’ll grab something to eat and then be right over.”
“Don’t worry about food. I’m throwing together some sandwiches and other stuff for the guys so there’ll be plenty to eat.”
“What can I bring?”
“Just yourself and Sasha,” Kate said promptly.
“How about snickerdoodle cookies? I baked a batch Friday and if they stay here, I’ll eat them all.”
“In that case—” Kate laughed “—by all means, bring them. I guarantee you’ll be the hit of the party.”
* * *
The “party” consisted of five hunky men in shorts and T-shirts, a large expanse of concrete and a basketball hoop. Michelle saw several men playing in the back when she drove into the large home’s circular drive.
For an afternoon of girl talk and iced tea, Michelle had dressed casually in khaki shorts and a bright blue T. Sasha looked especially festive with a red gingham bandanna looped around her neck.
Chloe bent down when Sasha stepped into the foyer, easing her arms around the dog and burying her head in the golden fur. “Hello, sweet Sasha. Do you want to come with me to my room? It’s quiet there and I have tons of books.”
Sasha’s tail swished slowly from side to side.
Chloe looked up at Michelle. “Is that okay?”
“Fine with me. If your mom approves, that is.”
“Why don’t you take her into Daddy’s office instead?” Kate suggested. “That way if Sasha barks, she won’t wake Sam.”
“’Kay.” Chloe grabbed the dog’s collar and the two hurried off.
“How’s Sam sleeping?” Michelle asked.
“Great during the day.” Kate forced a tired smile. “Not so good at night.”
Michelle placed a hand on Kate’s arm. “How are you doing?”
“I’m hanging in there.” Kate glanced at the French doors leading outside. “But I’m not quite ready for hoops.”
Michelle tilted her head.
Kate laughed. “The guys desperately want another player, but I told them I’m not up to strenuous activity. Not yet, anyway.”
“Good call.” Michelle winked. “Your doctor wouldn’t like it if you opened up those stitches.”
The two women walked to the back of the house where five men were in the middle of a game. Beside the court, a patio table held a glass pitcher of tea, two glasses filled with ice and a baby monitor.
Michelle surveyed the court with an experienced eye. Ryan Harcourt, Betsy’s husband, had a pretty good jump shot. Tripp lifted a hand in greeting, then swore when David Wahl dribbled around him and tipped the ball through the rim.
Travis Fisher high-fived his best friend while Nick tried to gather up some enthusiasm for his team who’d fallen behind.
“Michelle can be on our team,” Tripp called out as she and Kate stopped at the edge of the court.
“Do you want to play?” Nick asked. “If you do, we could sure use you.”
“There are five players and that doesn’t divide evenly,” Kate said in a low tone.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re good or not.” Tripp gra
bbed the rebound and jogged over.
“I’ve played a little ball in my time,” Michelle said modestly.
“Great,” Tripp said, apparently taking the comment as assent.
“I didn’t say that I’d do it.” Michelle gestured to her friend. “I’m here to chat with Kate.”
“She doesn’t mind.” Tripp slanted a sideways glance at the hostess.
“I’d love to see you...surprise these guys.” A twinkle flashed for a second in Kate’s eyes, then disappeared.
Michelle suddenly remembered a conversation she’d had with Kate about their respective college days.
“If you want to play, that is.” Kate lowered her voice. “I don’t want you railroaded into anything.”
A familiar adrenaline surge shot through Michelle. “I’d love to play. For a little while.”
“We have another player,” Tripp announced in a loud voice.
Before Michelle had a chance to step onto the court, one of the cell phones lying on the patio table began to vibrate while emitting a tinny version of the Jaws theme.
Kate held it up and glanced around. “Whose phone?”
Travis came trotting over. “Mine.”
He took it from her hand, asked a few questions, then clicked it off. “Baby on the way,” the obstetrician said. “It’s her fourth, so it should come quick.”
“Now we’re off balanced again,” Ryan pointed out.
“Not necessarily.” Michelle shoved aside her disappointment and reminded herself she was here to see Kate anyway. “I’m more than happy to sit out.”
“Where’s Fisher hurrying off to?”
Michelle recognized Gabe’s voice immediately. At first she thought Kate might have set her up, until she saw the look of surprise on her friend’s face. Apparently Kate hadn’t been expecting Gabe either.
“We were kicking his ass and the big baby took his toys and went home,” Tripp quickly answered.
“Travis got a call from the hospital. One of his patients is ready to deliver,” Michelle clarified, shooting Tripp a look of reproach.
Tripp grinned. “I like my version better.”
“Where’s Joel?” Kate glanced around Gabe as if hoping her husband would magically appear.
“He went up to check on the baby and see what Chloe was doing.”
“She’s reading to Sasha,” Michelle informed him. She felt, rather than saw, the curiosity in Gabe’s gaze.
“I didn’t realize you were going to be here,” he said.
“Last-minute invitation.” Michelle kept her tone light. “Kate can be very persuasive.”
“You’re preaching to the choir, sister,” Joel said with a booming laugh, bending over to give his wife a noisy kiss.
“So is the game off because Fisher left?” Gabe asked, looking magnificent even in dusty jeans and faded T-shirt.
“Naw.” Tripp crooked an arm around Michelle’s neck. “We’ve got Kerns.”
“Okay, so it’s Gabe, David and Ryan against Tripp, Michelle and Nick,” Joel announced. “I’ll ref.”
“Can you review the rules?” While Michelle hadn’t played a lot of pickup basketball, she’d played her share. The only consistency was there was no consistency. Rules were fluid and what constituted a foul in one situation didn’t in another.
Joel rattled off the basics. The most important was the first team to score seven baskets won.
Michelle knew that pickup games tended to get pretty physical, but she had the feeling the guys would go easy on her which played to her team’s advantage. “I take it we’re playing with ‘no blood, no foul’ rules?”
“Don’t worry.” Tripp settled a hand on her shoulder. “I’ve got your back, babe.”
It was a sweet sentiment. But totally unnecessary...as they would all soon discover.
Chapter Seven
When Gabe realized Joel was going to let a woman play, he couldn’t believe it. He’d played a lot of pickup games when he lived in Philadelphia. The one thing all those games had in common was that they were extremely physical.
More than once he’d gone home bleeding. Now Michelle was going to play against him? It didn’t make sense, but it wasn’t his house or his rules.
She’d taken the ball from Tripp and stood bouncing it, “to get the feel of the ball” she’d said. From the way she was handling it, she’d played a few hoops in her time.
But shooting baskets in a boyfriend’s driveway was far different from playing with guys. He wasn’t sure why she was doing this when she could be enjoying a glass of iced tea with her friend.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” he asked Joel in a low tone.
Joel shrugged. “She wants to play.”
“Your daughter might want to play, too. That doesn’t mean it’d be a good idea.” Gabe wasn’t sure why he was pushing the issue. After all, it wasn’t as if he was Michelle’s boyfriend and had to stand up for her.
No, he was definitely not her boyfriend. Far from it.
“You in?” Joel asked.
“I’m in.” If any of these guys played rough with her, they were going to answer to him. But as the game progressed, he had the feeling the only one being played was him. When Michelle crowded him, he didn’t crowd back...which led to her slipping around him and making the basket.
It wasn’t long until he was forced to concede that Michelle wasn’t taking up space on the court, she was good. She must have played a lot of “horse” in the driveway with her father or with a boyfriend she wanted to impress.
Still, the guys were no slouches either and it was a battle up and down the court. On the last play of the first game, she was driving in for a basket and this time Gabe held his ground, thinking she’d retreat.
She slammed into his chest. Hard. Before he could grab her she fell to the concrete. Gabe’s heart rose to his throat. The apology was forming on his lips when she got up and dusted herself off.
“Foul,” she called out, pointing to the knee that was bleeding.
He could see she’d also skinned the palm of one hand but it didn’t seem to affect her. Or her performance. Her team won not only that game but the second as well.
“I’m ready for some food,” Joel said when the second game ended. “How ’bout you guys?”
Michelle pressed the ball against Gabe’s chest. “Good game, Davis.”
She sauntered over to Kate and they went in the house together to get the food. Gabe hoped Kate would help her clean up her leg and hand while she was in there.
When Michelle came out carrying a platter of sandwiches there was a fresh bandage on her leg and her palm.
Joel wheeled out a cooler filled with beer and soda.
Gabe expected the guys to stay and eat, but everyone except Tripp grabbed a sandwich and a soda and left. Of course all those men had families at home. Finley was spending the day with her new BFF Addie Delacourt, so there wasn’t any reason for Gabe to rush off.
While Gabe didn’t like to read too much into situations he wondered if Joel and Kate were doing some matchmaking again. Perhaps that’s why Tripp was here. Had Joel and Kate decided the hospital administrator was a good match for Michelle?
Their machinations didn’t matter to Gabe. It’s just that Michelle seemed very busy right now. For her to start a relationship with Tripp couldn’t be good timing.
“This is my kind of party,” Kate said happily. “Sandwiches and chips on disposable plates.”
“You know, before I start eating I should check on Sasha—” Michelle started to rise.
Kate waved her back down. “She’s sleeping. Or she was a few minutes ago when Chloe left.”
“Sarabeth’s parents know we’re picking her up at ten in the morning?” Joel asked his wife.
Kate nodded.
“Not to change the subject, but you’ve got some serious basketball skills,” Joel said to Michelle. “You’ve played some ball.”
“Actually that’s what got me through college.” Michelle couldn’t
keep the pride from her voice. “I played for the University of Wisconsin. Got a full-ride athletic scholarship.”
“The perfect trifecta.” Tripp directed a warm smile in her direction. “Athletic, smart and beautiful.”
Gabe’s blood began to boil. He didn’t like the way Tripp was looking at Michelle. What happened to him and Adrianna? Before Gabe got even more stirred up, he pulled himself up short. Who Michelle dated was none of his business.
Tripp appeared to have no qualms about being with Adrianna last night and making a move on Michelle this afternoon. In fact, he now stood behind her chair giving her a neck and shoulder massage.
From her light moans, she was enjoying it.
Gabe knew he’d been without a woman too long when those breathless little moans and the sight of her neck arching back made his jeans feel tight.
He shifted in his seat and chomped a big bite out of his sandwich, washing it down with a cool gulp of beer. Because of their matchmaking schemes, being involved with this group of people hadn’t been easy. But it appeared they’d found a new man for Michelle, so he was off the hook.
Of course that didn’t change the fact that he was Michelle’s next-door neighbor. Which meant her welfare was still his concern.
* * *
Finley leaned back in the oversize round chair in Addie’s bedroom and expelled a happy sigh. Everything about this day had been fun beginning with Lexi, Addie’s mom, showing them how to make cream puffs. Then she’d supervised while Finley and Addie had made them on their own. Once they’d finished, Lexi had announced Finley had a natural talent for cooking. As long as Lexi didn’t blab that to her dad, Finley figured she’d be okay. The last thing she needed was for her father to think she should do even more of the cooking. Right now they split the duty fifty-fifty.
After an okay dinner of food Finley couldn’t identify, she and Addie had gone upstairs. While they listened to music, her friend pulled out photo albums and scrapbooks. There had been tons of pictures of Addie and her mom, but none of her father. Finley figured he’d been the one taking the pictures.