“I’m not sure I can do more than I’ve already done, Cory. We did have a conversation about it the other night and he said he was going to fix it. Has Coach heard anything?”
“If he has, he hasn’t told us.” He sighed and Dakota wanted to put her arm around his shoulders, hug him tight but being a teenager he might not appreciate it. Instead she reached out and patted his knee.
“Don’t give up yet, Cory. Adam is busy and with his father being sick and all, things might take just a little bit longer. I’m sure he won’t let you down. In fact, I have great faith in him and I know he’ll do the right thing when he can.”
They both looked up as a car came down the lane. Adam parked by Dakota’s gate, got out, walked down the edge of the road and onto the beach. “Hello. I was hoping I’d find you here, Cory.” He smiled at Dakota and she melted just a little. “I wanted to have a talk with you about the coaching clinic and my teammates.”
“It doesn’t matter.” The slump of Cory’s shoulders proved that it did. “I get that you have other more important things to do.”
“No. I made you a promise and I’m going to come good on that. I’d hate for you to think you don’t matter, because you do.” Adam crouched down beside Cory, placed a hand on his back. “But first I want to apologize. My father often mentioned it would be a good idea to come back to Cherry Lake and spend some time with the kids here and I agree, it was a great idea. I was always too busy and didn’t bother to change my schedule to fit in, which is something I should have done. It wasn’t very nice of me considering all the help that Coach Miller gave me.”
Cory screwed up his lips but didn’t say anything.
“I’m hoping you’ll give me a chance to rectify that. I’ll understand if you won’t, of course. But I wanted you to know I feel terrible about the way I’ve handled it and I want to make amends.” He gave Dakota a lightning quick smile. “I’m sorry, Cory. Really sorry I let you down like this.”
Wonder came into Cory’s eyes. He had the power to bring an adult down, make them feel as rejected as he’d been. Dakota could see his mind tossing over the options. “What if I don’t?”
Adam kept a straight face and glanced at Dakota again. She wasn’t so good at hiding her thoughts and turned away lest the smile on her lips got noticed and ruined his chance at redemption.
“Well, I guess I have to keep feeling like a heel for letting you down. I could live with it eventually if I have to but I think that maybe sooner rather than later, I’m going to get sick of not being a good guy. Let’s face it, nobody wants to be thought badly of and I do have some other interesting news.”
Cory continued to stroke Tiny’s ears as he thought over the proposition. Finally, he couldn’t hold in his interest any longer. “What news?”
“I spoke to Buzz Wallace last night.”
Cory bolted upright. “Buzz Wallace, the striker? That Buzz Wallace?” His mouth hung open.
“Yep, that one. He wanted to come and visit but his family has something on and he can’t get away. He doesn’t want to let his mom down after all she’s done. Said he’d sign some shirts for the team if you’ll let him take a raincheck on it. You see, he really wants to come to Cherry Lake and watch you guys training one day.”
Dakota’s heart pattered wildly. Adam was going all out to try and make it up to Cory and for that she was giving him top marks.
“Are you kidding me?” Cory knelt up and stared at Adam.
“No. Dead serious. Scout’s honor.”
Cory waved his arms, the words sticking in his throat. “Oh my goodness. The guys will go nuts when I tell them.” He paused, eyed off Adam. “I can tell them, right?”
“Sure. But there’s more.” Adam now sported a grin from ear to ear. Such a difference to the man who was crying about his future just the other day.
“Our goalie, Ryan, said he can come for a day’s clinic if, and only if, you and I can call it even.” He smiled at Dakota and her heart melted even more. “You have no idea what it’s cost me to talk him into doing this. I’m going to be owing him favors for years but I have the feeling it’ll be worth it.”
“Deal! You’re the best soccer player in the world.” He looked ready to burst into tears and threw himself into Adam’s arms, knocking him back on the sand. “Thank you so much.” His words were muffled but they both heard him regardless.
Dakota had to swallow to keep the emotion in check but her eyes filled no matter how hard she tried to fight it.
Cory pulled away, composed himself and straightened his shirt. “Can I go and tell Dad?”
Adam lifted himself up from the sand, rested on his elbows. “Sure you can and tell Coach Miller too. Tell him I’ll call him and confirm the date later today but it will be before Christmas breakup.”
Cory waved and scurried down the road, doing a launch into the air with a fist pump and a roar of triumph on the way. They watched in silence until he turned into his grandfather’s house. The door slammed and Cory’s muffled voice reached their ears.
“That was very sweet of you, Adam.” She wrapped her arms around her waist and turned her head to look out over Flathead Lake. Her hair blew into her face and when she turned back she pulled it back, tucked it behind her ears.
“You told me to go and make
