This Time(26)

"Guess I got it coming to me."

"Thank you for what you did for Daddy," she said, changing the course of the conversation.

Burke glanced over at her father, sleeping a few feet away, before peering at her. "Any time, Jamison, any time."

Belle shook her head. Her world had flipped upside down since their chapel encounter earlier that evening. A few hours ago she balked at the idea of carrying on a conversation with him. Now, they shared dinner and the night watch over her father.

"Why'd you come?" she asked.

"I thought you might need some company."

She stared at him for a moment. "Thanks for being here."

He popped up the leg rest on the recliner and stretched out. "I wasn't sure I'd be welcome."

"Another day, another time, you wouldn't have been."

"I thought Spencer might stick around," he said, his tone wrapped with suspicion.

Detecting his undertone, she answered honestly. "We're just friends, Burke." She swirled her shake with a long straw.

"I see," he said.

"When do you head back to Colorado?"

Burke pillowed his head with his hands clasped together and fixed his eyes on the ceiling. "No time soon."

She eyed him suspiciously. "What? Pre-season games start in a month or so."

He sat up and threw his legs over the side of the chair. "I retired."

Belle leaned toward him. "Retired?"

He launched into his story, and she listened intensely, staring at him as if seeing him for the first time.

"Wow," she said with a low whistle. "I never thought I'd see the day. I figured you'd die running in for a touchdown."

"Me too, but the Lord has other plans for me. I'm at peace with my decision."

"What are you going to do?"

Burke's husky laugh resonated through the room. "Coach."

"Coach? Where, at the University?" The pitch of Belle's voice rose with speculation.

"High school."

"High school," she echoed, modulating her tone, not wanting to disturb her father.

Burke spread his arms as if to say "ta-da". "Meet Haskell High's new head football coach."

Belle's mouth dropped open as she slapped her hand on the cold vinyl of the recliner. "You're kidding."

"Anderson is retiring, too. He asked me to consider taking the job. During prayer at the chapel this evening, I got the green light from the Lord to accept the position."

Belle flopped against the back of her chair. "I'm speechless."

"I'm excited."

"I'm speechless," she repeated. "The great Burke Benning now a high school football coach?"

He frowned. "What are you implying, Belle?"

"From fame and fortune to Haskell High? You gotta admit it's an extreme change."

He nodded, agreeing. "Maybe, if you have the world's perspective. But from a heavenly perspective, it makes perfect sense."

"I'm impressed."

"I'll be living here again," he said, searching her face.

Belle slid off the recliner and walked over to the window. Several stories below, amber colored lights burned in the nearly empty parking lot, fighting back the night. "Are you asking me if I mind?"

Burke joined her at the window. "Do you? I feel like I'm moving in on your territory."

She turned to him, his nearness both comforting and disturbing. "I suppose this town is big enough for the both of us."

He reached for her, brushing her arm lightly with his hand. "I hope we can be friends again."

She stiffened at his touch, but resisted the urge to move away. "We'll see, Burke. Let's just get through today's ordeal, okay?" She left the window, pretending to check on her father who still slept. Burke's touch rattled her, threatening the thin wall that still guarded her heart.

"He'll be out riding ol' Pepper before the end of summer," Burke said.

She smiled at the idea. "For so long it's just been Daddy and me."

"You've been blessed with a good father."

"Can't argue that," Belle said, suddenly feeling very weary. Returning to her recliner, she said with a sigh, "He never missed your games on TV."

"Really?"

"He'd pop a big bowl of popcorn, settle in his chair and cheer you on."

"I wish I'd have known."

Belle faced him, her expression determined. "You have to know you hurt him, too."

"I do," he answered, his words muffled with regret. He moved to the window again and stared out, thumbs hooked in the pocket of his jeans.

"I never knew how hurt he was until the other day."

"I'm sorry, Belle," he whispered.

"Don't tell me, tell him."

"First chance I get," he said, a genuine affection wrapping his words.

The door pushed open, and the nurse came in pulling a cart. "Need to take his vitals," she said, crisp and professional. "Kindly step outside."

Once in the corridor, Belle suggested some cafeteria coffee. Burke agreed.

"So, how about you?" he asked, when they'd paid for their coffee and pulled up to a table.