Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 108124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
“Did he say when he’d be back?”
“No. He just told me not to drop my right shoulder when I cut to my right at practice. Coach Brick taught me to do it that way, but Uncle Levi said it should be the opposite—I need to drop left to fake out the defender.”
“Hmm… Well, I’m sure your uncle knows what he’s talking about. Though I’m not sure you should ignore the direction of your coach without discussing it with him first.”
“What’s a wet noodle, Mom?”
“A wet noodle?”
“Yeah. When I told Uncle Levi Coach Brick taught me to cut right, he said Coach Brick was a wet noodle and didn’t know his butt from his elbow.”
Oh boy. “Umm…a wet noodle is… What I think your uncle meant was that he didn’t agree with the information Coach gave you. But I don’t think you should repeat what he said when you talk to your coach, because it’s sort of not nice. Maybe just say your uncle told you to check with him because he thinks you should drop the other shoulder.”
Alex shrugged. “Okay.”
I sighed. “We need to get going in a few minutes to get you to football camp on time. So finish up, and then go wash your hands and grab your equipment bag.”
After I dropped Alex at camp, I decided I didn’t have time to wallow in my silly hurt feelings or micro-analyze everything going on in my head. I had an enormous job to do in order to get the B&B up and running, and that needed to be my priority. So I stopped by the paint store and picked up a few gallons of primer, then dove into the monumental task of getting all of the bedrooms ready for paint. It took me almost five hours, but I cleared the furniture out of the first three rooms I planned to work on, removed everything from the walls, spackled all the small holes, and covered all the moldings and corners with painter’s tape. By the time I was done and ready to pick up Alex at camp again, I felt invigorated, rather than deflated like I had this morning.
At the end of practice, Coach Jeremy walked over to my car while I was putting Alex’s equipment in.
“Hi, Presley.” He seemed a little apprehensive, and I hoped Alex hadn’t mentioned what Levi had called him.
I smiled. “Hey.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets and glanced around the parking lot. My son was talking to a few boys near the fence and not paying the least bit of attention. Jeremy rubbed the back of his neck. “So, I was wondering if maybe you’d like to go out again?”
While I was relieved that Alex hadn’t mentioned Levi’s comment, I also wasn’t sure how I felt about going on a second date. He was a nice-enough guy, and handsome, too; I just didn’t feel any spark. Though, I was pushing thirty now, so was a spark really necessary? In my experience, sparks that burned too hot generally led to a fire. Maybe I needed more of a slow-burn person.
I managed a smile. “Umm... Sure, why not?”
“Great.” He smiled. “Do you like country music?”
“I do.”
“I have tickets to a country festival in Charleston the weekend after next, if you’re up for it. It’s an all-day, all-night type of thing. But we can go and come back whenever you want.”
“Could I…let you know about that? I’d need to figure out a sitter for Alex and stuff.”
“Sure.” He nodded. “Of course.”
I closed my trunk. “I’ll figure it out within a few days, okay?”
“That sounds perfect.”
Alex ran over. “Mom, can I go over to Timmy’s after dinner?”
I smiled and mussed the hair on the top of his head. “We’re not even back from one thing yet, and you’re already asking to do something else.”
Jeremy smiled. “I miss having that energy. The only thing I want to do after a long day of practice in the sun is put my feet up and drink some sweet tea. You two have a good night. I’ll see you tomorrow, Alex.”
I smiled back. “Have a good night, Jeremy.”
Later that evening, I’d just gotten Alex to bed and settled in the living room to watch TV when someone knocked at the door. I hadn’t been expecting anyone, but people occasionally stopped in for a room even though we had the Sold Out sign hanging under the main sign for the inn. It looked to be exactly the case as I unlocked the door and saw a woman standing on the porch with her back facing me, a suitcase next to her.
“May I help you?”
The woman turned and lifted her arms in the air, each holding a bottle of wine. “Surprise!”
“Oh my God!” My mouth dropped open. “Harper! What are you doing here?”
My best friend swamped me in a hug. “I took on a new client in Charleston and flew down to visit him. I figured I’d drive over and see if there was any room at the inn.”