“And she’s thrilled to bits as well. It was a timing thing apparently. I’ll go over there later. Right now, the coffee and waffles sound like what I need. Thanks.”
Two teens on bikes came pedaling madly toward them and skidded to a halt, spitting up gravel from the edge of the sidewalk. Tiny huddled behind Dakota’s legs whimpering.
“Hey, Adam.”
“Cory, you trying to get someone killed with that thing?”
“Nah, I know how to ride. We wanted to catch you before you started work. Coach Miller called my dad last night.” He smiled at his friend and nudged him with his elbow. “Said to tell you he’ll be in touch about the coaching clinic. My dad said you’re pretty cool doing what you did yesterday and thanks for offering to help out. He’s more excited than I am about you bringing some of your famous teammates down here to help us kids improve our game. Coach wants to talk to you about it too.”
Adam’s cheeks had colored and Dakota looked at him with fresh eyes. The cute guy had a soft side too. That was interesting. It would be if she was interested, that is. Which she wasn’t. Not yet.
“It’s not a promise, Cory. Merely a suggestion but as I said, I’ll do what I can to get some of the guys to agree. I don’t know how long I’m here for so it will all have to fall together in a short amount of time or it’s a no-go.”
“Yeah, sure. But you’ll do your best, right?”
“Of course I will. I’d hardly have mentioned it if I didn’t want to make it work. And tell your dad I’m glad to be of help.” He cleared his throat. “Cory, I want you to meet Dakota Moore. She’s renting the gray cottage.”
“Yeah, I know. Granddad told me.” He bent down and let Tiny sniff his hand before he ruffled her head. “Your dog came and saw me this morning. She’s pretty cute.”
“I didn’t know that. I thought she was out the back when I was in the shower. Feel free to send her home if she comes back again. I don’t want her going on the road.”
“Sure thing.” He nudged his friend. “Okay, gotta go and get the others to practice what you showed us before Coach catches us larking around town. No such things as days off, he reckons.”
“I agree with him. Get practicing and put that helmet on. Lot of good it will do hanging on the handlebars.”
Groans of protest came from Cory as he slammed the helmet on his head.
“I might see you later and say hi to your grandfather and dad for me.” Adam grinned as they sped off toward the school grounds.
“Cute kids. Coaching class and famous team members, what is it that you do exactly? You did say but I’m not sure I got the idea.”
“Soccer, Seattle Sounders to be exact. Look, you don’t want to join me for a coffee, do you? I haven’t had one yet and I can introduce you around. I’ll understand if you don’t want to, I’ve been running and could probably use a shower before I get close to anyone.”
Was he hitting on her? Dakota watched him, trying to figure out his motives.
“Just coffee, Dakota. I’m not looking for anything else. I have a life to go back to in the city when my father is feeling up to getting on with life again.”
Embarrassment heated her cheeks. He knew she thought he was flirting with her. What the heck? She’d have to be more careful in the future to hide her thoughts. “Sure. I, um wasn’t thinking anything else. Coffee sounds great and I’ve been working up a sweat too so no big deal.”
*
Why did he find her so attractive? Was it the way she viewed everything with such enthusiasm and glee, a childlike fascination? Such a vivacious personality. He was like that once. Keen to learn new things, meet new challenges. That was what had taken him from Cherry Lake to play for the Seattle Sounders. Eight years in the top league had been an incredible ride. He’d traveled overseas, played against some of the best players in the world, met some of his own heroes of the sporting world and made lifetime friends as well as set himself up financially for the future.
But his time was coming to an end, he knew that. It hadn’t been the talk from his mother last night that had started the niggles of doubt over his playing future. A couple of months ago his own doctor had suggested he rethink his long-term career at a regular health check.
He’d gone over the X-rays, prodded and poked and gave his damning opinion. “Adam, I don’t like how your knee has taken so much trauma. You’ve had two reconstructions and you’re pretty much guaranteed to need another one the way you play. I’m not sure how much longer soccer will be a viable career. One severe knock and it could all be over. You need to think of the future.” He’d peered over his glasses, his mouth a tight grim line. “I know you don’t want to hear it, none of you guys ever do and I’d be failing in my duty of care if I didn’t bring the subject up. But the fact of the matter is that one day you’ll have to give up the sport. Don’t you think it would be wiser to do that before you’re forced to quit due to another injury?”
“Sure, it would be the sensible thing to do if I was
