Smolder by Deborah Grace Staley

Author:Deborah Grace Staley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BelleBooks Inc.
Published: 2019-05-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

SARA FELT LIKE an invalid, sitting in a chair watching the girls practice the moves they’d begun to work on at the last practice. Trying to demonstrate correct hand and arm positions while sitting felt beyond awkward.

Her arrival had been even worse.

Jack had driven his truck out onto the track that circled the football field, ordering her to stay put while he got her chair in position. Of course, she’d ignored him and followed right behind on her crutches. Jack had mumbled something about stubborn women, and she’d added something about macho, overbearing men.

“I’m just trying to take care of you and the baby,” he’d said softly.

She’d wanted to complain, but the look in his eyes had gone straight to her heart. So, she’d done as he’d asked and now tried to coach her squad from a lawn chair.

And then there’d been the cheerleaders, all gathering around her, concerned. Asking if she was okay. Had she lost the baby? She’d dealt with all their questions and had gotten them started with practice. Trouble was, she didn’t know how to coach without getting in there with them, showing them the moves, positioning them for the stunts and pyramids.

“Afternoon, Sara,” Karen Jacobs said.

Sara looked up, surprised. “Karen, I didn’t see you walk up.”

“You looked pretty focused. I like that in a coach,” she said with a smile. “I also like that the girls are between you and the field,” she added. “When you have a second, I’d like a word.”

“Oh, sure.” To the girls, she blew her whistle and said, “Take five. Get some water.”

As the girls wandered over to the bench where they’d lined up their water bottles, Sara said to Karen, “What’s up?”

Karen squatted in front of her. “How are you?”

“Fine. I saw a doctor after practice yesterday. She told me to take it easy for a couple of days, mainly because I sprained my ankle.”

“The baby?”

“No problems.” She gestured at the chair. “I’m seeing a midwife tomorrow.”

“Well, you can’t be too careful. I don’t mind telling you, I lost ten years on my life when I saw you and Jack go tumbling yesterday.”

Sara couldn’t help herself. She reached out and squeezed Karen’s hand. “I’m fine. Really.”

Karen patted her hand and said, “Good, because you should know I had a conversation with Clarissa Jessup today.”

“Oh? How did that go?” Karen knew there was no love lost between her and Clarissa.

“About like you’d expect. She wasn’t pleased to hear that you were back coaching the girls. I told her she wouldn’t need to come to practices anymore, but she insisted that the two of you should work together, at least for the sake of making a smooth transition.” Karen glanced up at Sara. “She said she’d need to bring you up to speed.”

“Lovely.”

“I could take a harder line with her,” Karen offered.

“No. That’ll just make her dig in her heels.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Karen stood. “I don’t know when she might show up. Could be . . . today.”

Karen nodded toward the gym, and Sara looked that way.

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