She smiled. “In that case, who am I to argue?”
And at least with Aidan by her side and his words still ringing in her ears about them possibly not being in charge of anything, there wasn’t a chance in the world she’d be thinking about Josh.
9
The chance encounter with Liz was still very much on Aidan’s mind Friday afternoon, though he was trying to keep his attention focused on the team as it ran through drills in preparation for a final scrimmage before school let out next week for the summer.
Between his wandering thoughts and the actions on the field, he didn’t notice Mick O’Brien until the practice session ended. As soon as Aidan dismissed the boys, Mick headed in his direction.
“I’m no expert, but seems to me there’s a big improvement already,” Mick said.
“They’re still learning,” Aidan told him, then grinned. “But I think they’re catching on, too. What brings you by?”
“Henry’s been bugging me to check out the Santos kid,” Mick said. “Are you as high on him as my grandson is?”
“Funny you should mention Hector,” Aidan told him, grateful to finally have an opportunity to get Mick’s take on the community’s likely reaction to any quarterback change he might make. “I’ve been wanting to discuss the quarterback situation with you. I could use some advice.”
Mick laughed. “Porter’s been trying to intimidate you—am I right?”
“You’re right,” Aidan said, not all that surprised by Mick’s perceptiveness. “I’m just wondering how much of his attitude is being protective of his son, something I can totally understand, and how much might be a prejudice that’s going to be shared by the whole community.”
“Porter believes his boy is talented,” Mick responded slowly. “And I can see some potential there.”
“Taylor understands the fundamentals,” Aidan agreed, trying to be fair. “But Hector? He’s something special.”
“My grandson certainly thinks so,” Mick conceded. “Not that Henry’s the expert you are. He’s just recently decided he wants to be a sports agent and Hector’s his first big find.”
Aidan chuckled. “If he could find a few more with that much talent, I’d be very appreciative.”
Mick studied him. “Hector really is that promising?”
Aidan nodded.
“Then I don’t see that you have much choice,” Mick said. “You were brought in to make this team the best it can possibly be. You don’t put a boy on the field if you don’t think he can do the job. At least you don’t when there’s someone you know can do it better.”
“I’d just hate to stir up some sort of community backlash that will only wind up hurting Hector.”
Mick’s expression turned thoughtful. “I think that can be avoided,” he said carefully. “What do you have in mind for Taylor?”
“Truthfully, he’s got decent hands and the speed to be a receiver, if he’s willing to make the transition.”
“Does he get along okay with Hector?”
Aidan nodded. “I don’t think Taylor will be the problem. I’ve had them practicing together and it’s gone surprisingly well considering they’re rivals for the same position.”
“Then you leave Porter to me,” Mick said. “I think what he wants most is for his boy to have playing time and to be a star. If Taylor can do that in another position, I think I can convince Porter that there’s not a downside. It takes twenty-two men on offense and defense to make a team. Hardly matters where they excel, as long as it’s a winning combination.”
Aidan regarded him with appreciation. “Agreed.”
Henry came running back onto the field just then with Hector alongside. “Grandpa Mick!” he shouted. “Did you see practice?”
“I saw,” Mick said, giving him an affectionate pat on the back, then holding out his hand to Hector. “I’ve been hearing very good things about you, son.”
“Henry’s my friend,” Hector said shyly. “He is, how do you say, biased.”
Mick smiled. “And your coach? Is he biased, too?”
Eyes wide, Hector looked up at Aidan. “You told him about me?”
“I did,” Aidan confirmed. “And whatever Henry said is true, Hector. You’re very, very talented.”
“Muchas gracias,” Hector said. “I do my best.”
“You certainly do that,” Aidan agreed.
“Now, how about a couple of burgers and some fries at Sally’s?” Mick asked the boys. He glanced at Aidan. “Any objections?”
“Not from me,” Aidan said. “I’d join you, if I could.”
“Why don’t you?” Mick said, his expression sly. “Might give you a chance to stop in and visit a friend.”
Given what Aidan knew about Mick’s sneaky intentions, he was quick to decline. Besides, just last night he’d determined to give Liz the space she claimed to want. He could hardly argue against it being the smart thing to do for both of them. The less fodder these matchmakers had to work with, the better off they’d both be. And with his own uncertainty about how long he’d stick around Chesapeake Shores, why start something he might not be around to finish?
Of course, that said, it was a whole lot easier to say no to Mick now, when he already planned to see Liz first thing tomorrow morning for the promised visit with Cordelia.
* * *
Liz was still asleep and having a lovely dream on Saturday morning when she was awakened by someone pounding on her door and the earsplitting sound of Archie’s ecstatic barking. That could only mean one thing: Aidan, the very man at the center of her dream.
Muttering under her breath, she dragged on a robe over the shorts and tank she wore for sleeping, then went to the door. Aidan regarded her with a stunned expression.
“I woke you?” he asked as Archie danced around him.
“What was your first clue?” she asked, well aware of how grouchy she was before her morning coffee, especially when awakened from a sound sleep.
Aidan unsuccessfully tried to hide a smile. “I thought we had a date this morning.”
“A date? I thought we’d concluded that dating was a nonissue. You have your reasons. I have mine. Yada yada.”
“Okay, bad choice of words. I thought we were taking Archie to see his former owner. You told
