The Newcomer (Thunder Point #2)(72)

He stopped when Sarah closed her eyes, tilted her head back and her lips took on that twisted, tortured look of someone who was fighting tears. She lost the fight, of course—a couple of big ones escaped and she wiped at them furiously.

“Baby?” he asked in a whisper.

“God, could the kid catch a break?” she whispered back. “Just when he’s weathered some of his toughest days, the winning coach who’s going to bring him out as quarterback for his senior year, showcase him and set him up for a scholarship...”

“It’s not the only game in town, Sarah. Plus there’s scholarship and grant money out there—there are good loans at the moment. And hell, I’d help. You know I’d...”

She just shook her head. “Napkin?” she asked. He handed her one and she blew her nose. Then she fanned her face with her fingers. And then Landon was back from the bar.

Landon had taken off his apron and had his backpack over on shoulder. “Need anything else, Cooper?”

“Yeah, just one more thing. I have some news to pass along. I’m glad your sister is here because I said I’d tell her, too.” Then he went through the details, the suggested options, the challenges and possible changes. “The coach said if you have a lot riding on this season, you should at least consider other schools....”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said, shaking his head. Then he looked at his sister. “Not unless we have to, but God I hope we don’t have to.”

“Landon, if you don’t have a good coach or a solid team, it could really affect your ability to get noticed, to get help with tuition....”

“Then I’ll borrow money. Hey, maybe I’ll go Coast Guard or Army or something. But if I don’t have to, I’m not leaving town. We have a good team—we have a good little town. I have friends here. There’s Eve...” Then he looked at Cooper. “Is Coach all right?”

“He’s okay, Landon. He’s been coaching forty years now—he’s a little worn out. Last year was a bad year for him—he took things with Jag real personally. He said he’ll hang close to help the new coach. He said if you don’t consider your options, you’re going to have one helluva load on your shoulders. Teammates will expect a lot from you. He also said to call him if you want to talk about it, but he asked me to tell you because we’re...” He stopped for a minute. Then he shrugged. “Because we’re friends and I never miss a game.” He smiled.

“Does Eve know?” he asked.

Cooper nodded. “Mac’s going to tell her, but listen—it’s not official. You can talk to Eve, but you have to sit on this for a little while, okay?”

“Okay. I’ll talk to Eve. Then I’ll call Coach. It’s okay. I bet he doesn’t go anywhere. I’m not going to freak out. We have a good team. I know that. I know it.” Then he looked at Sarah. “I’ll leave you the Razor to take home. I need the walk. And the think.”

“Want me to come with you?”

“I think I’d rather not talk about it yet. But it’s okay. Really, it’s going to be okay.”

* * *

When Carrie asked her closest friend, Lou McCain, if she could help cater the Downys’ anniversary party, Lou smiled. “I’d much rather serve than attend as a guest.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Carrie said. “Of course, if you’ve been invited, you have to go! I’ll find someone else.”

“Don’t be silly. I want to serve. That noodle-head Marjorie sent an invitation to me and another to Mac—both said no additional guests. She knows perfectly well that Mac and Gina are a couple. Does she think Mac wants to go with his old-maid aunt? I think she’s getting a little too big for her britches.”

“She hasn’t been very nice to Gina,” Carrie said.

“Because she’s a fool. People around here would much rather spend time with Gina than Marjorie. If she had a brain, she’d suck up to Gina.”

“Is Mac going to go?”

Lou gave a laugh. “Well, he’s a public servant. He doesn’t discriminate, so he tries to be everyone’s friend, especially in the good times. He’s going to stop by, in uniform, drink a cup of coffee and run for his life.”

“If you’re sure,” Carrie said.

“I’m sure.”

“I just need one more person,” Carrie said. “I wonder if Sylvia—”

“Ray Anne,” Lou said. “Let’s ask Ray Anne.”

Carrie scowled and lifted one eyebrow. “Ray Anne? She’s never helped me. Ever.”

“I’ll show her what to do.”

“You hate her!”

“We have a little truce going. I had a drink with her when I was banned from the house so Cee Jay could see the kids. We may not like each other but we have a very nice understanding. Sort of.”

“Right,” Carrie said with a laugh. “And how long will that last?”

“We’re good. It’ll be fine. She can wear her satin, low-cut, supershort waitress uniform with the seven-inch heels.”

“What if you squabble and snipe at each other?”

“I’ll pass that by her, tell her you’re worried about that,” Lou said.