She raised a brow. “Oh, I didn’t know he owned the entire building.”
“Yes. Lucky for me, he had a vacancy, and it’s completely furnished. I moved in last weekend.”
Mariella didn’t have to ask where he lived before. The day after she met him at the store, Maisie was visiting the mayor, and on her way out, she told her that Sam was staying with her. If she hadn’t personally met Sam, she would have pressed the woman for more details about him. But since she had, she felt an odd sense of loyalty he really hadn’t earned yet.
“I’m glad you’re getting settled in. Now, I’m not sure why you are here, but can whatever you have to say wait until I go change into some real clothes?”
“What if I say I like you now, just as you are?”
Her nipples tightened at the sexy lilt of his accent, and when she squirmed in place, they rubbed against the thick fabric of her robe. She wondered what he would do if he could see how his voice affected her, and what it would be like to hear it every day.
Leaning back against the armrest, she looked him straight in the eye. Her robe opened slightly in the middle, revealing the curve of her breast. She left it alone, not caring if he noticed, daring him to stare.
“Let’s cut to the chase. Why are you here, Sam?”
Sam folded his hands across his chest, like he wasn’t sure what to do or say next, and his eyes slid shut. When he opened them, they were troubled.
“I’m concerned about Josh. He wasn’t at practice today.”
“What?” Mariella straightened with alarm. “He just called me.”
His sympathetic look did not ease her anxiety. She was overjoyed when Josh was accepted to the team in the same position he’d played last season. To learn he wasn’t fulfilling his obligations was distressing.
“I’m not saying he didn’t. I’m just telling you he didn’t call from the field.”
“I don’t understand. Is this the first practice he’s missed?”
Mariella rubbed her hand against her forehead, embarrassed and stressed at the same time. Did raising a teenage son ever get easier?
Sam nodded. “Yes, but he’s been distracted at the others. Is everything okay here at home?”
She bristled openly. “What are you saying? Are you accusing me—?”
“Calm down. I just want to help.”
He tried to touch her arm, but she inched away, ready with a sharp, practiced retort. “We don’t need your help, Sam.”
Hurt flashed in his eyes, but her deep indignation refused to acknowledge it. Though he probably meant well, she hated when anyone insinuated that she couldn’t handle her own kid.
“Everything’s fine.” She made a measured effort to soften her tone. “I’m sorry Josh ditched practice. That’s not like him at all, but I wonder where he is?”
Sam took his time answering, and she wondered if he thought she was overreacting.
“Probably hanging with friends, just like he told you, so I wouldn’t worry. The good news is that he’s playing well.”
She sighed with relief, even though inside she was only mildly reassured. “I’m glad to hear. By the way, I never got a chance to thank you for admitting him to the team.”
Sam shrugged, like he knew all along Josh would make it.
Mariella had hoped that because of her son’s injuries, Sam would take it easy on him. On the flip side, she also wanted Sam to treat him equally and fairly. She’d learned the hard way that coddling could be damaging her son’s self-esteem, and she blamed herself for their strained relationship.
“He earned it. But remember only he’ll know if his playing is affected by his injuries.”
Mariella inclined her head toward Sam, knowing he was right. She could only pray that Josh would speak up if he was having problems.
“Do you think that’s why he is having trouble focusing?”
“It’s possible. If he can identify the issues he’s having, I can help him make some adjustments. It’s better than just not coming to practice.”
Mariella put her hand on her chest, suddenly pained that her son could be running away from his problems, rather than facing them head-on.
“Thanks. I’ll tell him, after I ground him for the rest of his life for lying to me,” she said with a wry grin.
She rarely punished Josh, which she’d come to realize was part of the problem. Still, a long talk was in order when he came home.
“Glad I could help, but I have another concern I want to speak to you about.”
A tickle of worry rose in her stomach as his eyes perused her face. “About Josh?”
He shook his head. “No, the soccer field. It’s playable, but in terrible condition. I was wondering if you or any of the other parents had noticed it.”
“I did,” she affirmed. “But I haven’t heard any complaints from the other parents. Did you ask Coach Lander about it?”
“Yes. He felt bad he wasn’t around this summer to manage things so the proper maintenance could have been done.”
She chuckled softly, but meant no offense. “The guy does baby it as if it was his own lawn. What are you going to do?”
“We can use sod in some places to fill in the ruts and holes, and lessen the chance for injury. But that’s only a temporary fix. What the school really needs is a brand-new field. If the decision was up to me, I would recommend they upgrade to artificial turf.”
Mariella raised a brow. “You mean the kind they use for pro football?”
He gave her a slow nod. “And the kind I’ve played on my entire career. I was thinking about talking to the athletic director about my concerns. Since I’m only a temporary employee, do you think that’s out of line?”
“No, not at all. I think that’s a great idea.” She tapped her index finger on her chin. “Maybe there’s a way I can help.”
“Really?” Sam leaned forward, sending a pleasant whiff of his cologne her way. “I’m all ears.”
She crossed her legs. “I’m the vice president of the Bay Point High Parent-Teacher Association. We help raise money to fill the gap where budgets fall short and advocate for our children within the school system. Do you have an organization like the PTA in the United Kingdom?”
“Maybe. I went to a boarding school, where it was every kid for himself.”
She smiled. “I’m not promising anything, but I’ll talk to the principal. You handle the athletic director.”
Sam gave her a teasing grin. “And maybe we can meet in the middle?”
“We’ll see,” she replied. Excited about the prospect of teaming up with Sam, it was difficult to keep her voice and emotions on an even keel.
“Thanks. Looks like you and I are going to see a lot more of each other. I’ve missed you.”
Warmth spread through her body, even though he was probably just being polite. After all, everyone on the team would benefit from a new field.
“You did? Why?”
He gave her a sheepish smile. “I’d hoped to see you on the sidelines during our practice sessions.”
“Josh gets embarrassed if I hang around too much.”
“My mother did that all the time. I used to hate it, but deep down, I knew she couldn’t help it. A hen protecting her chick.”
“Are you her only son?”
His face turned grim. “Her only child, period. And she never lets me forget it. What about you?”
“My mother and father are still together, and I have one brother. They live in East Los Angeles. I grew up there.”
He pursed his lips. “Oh? So you are like me. A stranger in a foreign land.”
She laughed. “Moving from LA to Bay Point was definitely culture shock. But I like it here, and I hope you do, too.”
“I’m liking it more and more.”
Though his words seemed fraught with meaning, she was
too afraid of disappointment to probe them further. At least in person, she thought, knowing she would analyze them later.
“Too bad you’re only here for a while.”
Her subtle yet hopeful hint, cloaked in a steady voice, was quickly shot down.
“Like I said before, when the high school soccer season ends, I’ll be moving on.”
She hitched her shoulders back. “Oh? Where to?”
He shrugged, but there was a look of assurance in his eyes. “Not sure. Maybe back home. Maybe somewhere else in the States.”
She heard his words, loud and clear, though somehow they still managed to prick her heart. Her only recompense was that Sam’s tone seemed less resolute, though it still had the edge of someone who could not stay in one place for too long.
A few nights ago she’d finally given in to the temptation and did a search on Sam on the internet. She knew from her son that he was a popular player, but she didn’t know just how much.
It was shocking to learn he had suffered an injury to his left leg. It had sidelined him from soccer, though perhaps not permanently, as per the London gossip blogs. She’d also found plenty of articles about his playboy antics.
Mariella had little interest in being just another point on his scoreboard, but she was unashamed that on many sleepless nights, she toyed with the idea. Flirtation, she reasoned, as long as it was out of sight and hearing from her child, was harmless. No chance of a broken heart.
Sam snapped his fingers. “There’s one thing I’m missing from Josh. The medical release forms. He never turned them in.”
“Thank goodness I keep a copy of everything. I’ll be right back.”
She left the room and went into her office. It was in the back of her home, next to the kitchen, and looked out onto her garden. The forms were filed away in a two-pocket folder where she kept all important school paperwork.
Back in the living room, she found Sam standing near the fireplace. It had a stone front and mahogany mantel, and was one of her favorite places in the house. She set the document on the coffee table and went to join him there.
He picked up a picture of her and Josh in a silver frame. She was hugging him tightly, and he was smiling.
“You two look adorable. I can tell how much you love each other. How old was he?”
Her eyes smarted with sudden tears, and she turned away and pretended to cough so he wouldn’t see.
It took only seconds to compose herself. “About five, and don’t ask how old I was,” she warned.
“I wouldn’t dare.” He put the photo back on the mantel. “We British have been known to be polite, reserved and very private. You never know what we are thinking.”
She opened her mouth, wanting to ask him what he thought of her. Was she just another soccer mom to him or could she be something more?
“Fine, old construction. Reminds me of home,” he said with a knock on the wood. “Does it ever get chilly enough in California to light this thing?”
“In the wintertime, the nights can get cool. You’ll see.”
“Maybe someday, if I get too cold and you get too cold, I can come over and light it for you. We could sit in front of the fire.”
“And do what?” she blurted. “Talk about soccer?”
Without waiting for an answer, she hurried back to the coffee table. In the rush, she brushed against a stack of old magazines. They tumbled onto the table, sending Josh’s medical forms to the floor.
“I should have stapled them together,” she muttered.
“Let me help,” Sam offered.
Mariella barely heard him she was so frustrated with herself as she knelt down. Chin to her chest, robe tucked between her legs, she set about picking up the mess.
He knelt down next to her. “You want to know what I would talk about?”
She looked up at him and shook her head.
“How beautiful you are.”
Her hand paused at his words, heat wafting over her face. It had been a while since she’d heard them from a man as handsome and accomplished as Sam. But could she believe him?
Since their brief time alone on the soccer field, her mind was in a haze. Thoughts of Sam crept up often throughout the day, and nights were preoccupied with fantasies that would likely never come true.
Sometimes she felt like her dating life was over, so his compliments were a great boost to her ego. But what good were they, if nothing could ever happen between them?
What did he stand to gain from giving her compliments, especially since he did not plan on staying in town? By the time spring rolled around, he would be on a plane, back to wherever.
She dropped her chin back to her chest, confused and barely able to look at him, and went back to picking up the papers.
“Is that what you think, or is that what you know?”
Sam stopped her hand and she lifted her face to his.
“It’s what I see.”
Mariella held her breath as he touched the middle of her bottom lip with his finger, let it trail down her chin, then along her jaw.
“It’s what I wish I could feel, more than what I’m doing right now.”
His caress didn’t go any farther than the tip of her earlobe, yet she felt it all the way down to her loins.
Mariella didn’t know where Josh was, but he could walk in the house at any time. It forced her from the tenderness of the moment back to reality.
She shied away from his touch and whispered, “You don’t mean that. I know how you are.”
“You do? How?”
Her eyes met his. “I know what I’ve read.”
He dropped his hand into his lap. “Ah. My past has followed me, courtesy of the internet.”
“Photos don’t lie.”
Sam waved her comment away with both hands. “Photos and stories can be doctored. Funny, you struck me as the type of woman who wouldn’t read that trash.”
She lifted her chin, even though his tone made her feel slightly ashamed. “I didn’t want to read it.”
“Then why did you?”
She handed him the forms, which he promptly rolled up and stuck under his arm. “I was curious about you.”
He stood. “Ever hear of asking someone outright?”
Mariella refused his outstretched hand as she got to her feet, knowing that if she grabbed onto it, she might never let go.
“I couldn’t. I don’t even know you.”
“Exactly.”
He clipped out the word, and there was a sharper edge to his accent she didn’t like. His whole demeanor changed. An invisible wall was put up that hadn’t been there before, and Mariella knew that it was her fault.
Sam backed into the hallway. “Tell Josh if he misses another practice, without a medical excuse, he’s off the team. No exceptions.”
He was out the door before she could ask any questions. Mariella hurried to the living room curtains and as she watched him drive away, she realized she’d forgotten to tell him about the barbecue she hosted every year for the team on the night before their first game. Worse, she’d also likely destroyed her chances of ever getting to know the real Sam Kelly.
* * *
On his way home, Sam spotted Josh walking on the side of the road, backpack slung over his shoulders, about a mile from downtown Bay Point. Head down, hands shoved in his front pockets.
Even from a distance, the boy appeared troubled.
Though he hardly knew Josh, concern arrowed its way through him, and as he got closer he honked his horn.
Josh didn’t look up. Whether that was because of the headphones over his ears, or he recognized Sam’s car, he didn’t know.
Traffic was light, and when it was safe, he turned on the silver SUV’s hazard lights, and made an awkward U-turn. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever get used to the steering wheel being o
n the left side of the car, as opposed to the right as it was in the UK.
When he was on the other side of the road, he rolled down the passenger-side window and slowed the vehicle to a crawl.
“Hey, Josh! Get in!”
The boy looked over, eyes widening as recognition dawned.
“Coach? What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you. Hop in. I’ll give you a ride home.”
He shifted his backpack uneasily and kept walking as Sam rolled alongside, but stopped moments later.
Sam braked hard and looked into the rearview mirror at the same time. He breathed a sigh of relief to see there were no cars behind him. He reached over and pushed the door open.
“Geez, Coach. Watch it!”
He didn’t look scared, just shocked.
“Sorry,” Sam muttered as he looked into the rearview mirror. Several cars were slowing down behind him, so he rolled down his window and waved them on.
“Get in, will you? We’re holding up traffic.”
“I don’t need a ride. I live just up the road.”
Josh glanced both ways, as if contemplating his next course of action.
“I know where you live. Get in anyway.”
Sam swallowed a groan when Josh hesitated again.
He’d only been coaching for a week, and he’d already learned how overly sensitive teenagers could be. Sometimes just changing his tone of voice made a world of difference in how they reacted to his instructions and guidance.
“I just want to talk to you,” he said, hoping he sounded more reassuring.
Josh shrugged his shoulders, got in the car and slammed the door shut.
Sam exhaled a breath of relief and checked the rearview mirror once more. The road was clear of traffic, and he merged onto it.
“When you didn’t show up today, I went to your house.”
Josh slumped down in his seat. “My mom knows I wasn’t at practice, too?”
Sam nodded, and turned off the hazard lights.
“Ah, man.” He leaned his head back and groaned. “That also means she knows I lied to her.”
“Right again, mate.” He paused a beat. “So, do you want to tell me why you skipped out on your obligations today?”
Winning Her Holiday Love Page 5