The Courage to Dream by Margaret Daley

Author:Margaret Daley [Daley, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488097515
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2003-03-23T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Dad, where’s my uniform? You cleaned it, didn’t ya?” Garrett yelled from the laundry room.

Michael sauntered into the kitchen, poured himself another cup of coffee and faced his son, who looked as if his whole world was about to fall apart.

“I put it on your bed this morning.”

“Oh.”

Garrett started to leave when Michael said, “When we talked after our trip to Jackson, everything was fine. Is everything okay now? You seem a little tense.”

“Mom’s gonna see me play today. I need to look my best. Dad, I need to get dressed or we’ll be late. We can’t be late!”

Michael drew in a deep, fortifying breath as he watched his son head for his bedroom. Michael took a sip of his coffee, then decided against another cup of caffeine. He was already wired from the six cups he’d had, starting at three o’clock this morning.

He pitched the coffee down the drain and rinsed his cup. Not only were Mary Lou and Tom coming to Magnolia Blossom, but after yesterday with Rachel on the riverboat, he was wound so tightly it wouldn’t take much for him to slip over the edge.

The worst part of today would be seeing Rachel in the crowd of people at the ballpark. He ran his hand through his hair repeatedly. Today could be a very long day, he thought as he scooped up his keys.

“Ready, Garrett,” he called to the second floor.

His son came bounding down the stairs. “How do I look?”

For the first time Michael could remember, Garrett had combed his hair and scrubbed his face clean without Michael telling him to do so. His uniform shirt was tucked into his pants. His son had never been concerned about his appearance until today.

“Great. Your mom will be impressed.”

“She said her husband will be coming, too.”

“Nervous?”

“Yeah, kinda.”

Michael tousled his son’s hair and hugged him to his side. “You don’t have to be.”

“Dad, you messed up my hair. Now I have to go upstairs and comb it again.” He raced up the stairs. “We’re gonna be late.”

Michael heaved a deep sigh, thinking of the long day ahead.

* * *

Rachel stared at the massive front door, inhaled a deep breath and marched up the steps to Harold Moon’s house. Her hand shook as she reached to ring the bell. The door swung open a minute later, and the man stood in the entrance as though he would fight anyone who dared to cross the threshold. And Shaun was somewhere inside. What had possessed her to ask him to allow her little brother to play with Charlie?

“Shaun said he was coming over here to see Charlie. He has a baseball game.”

“He’s in the backyard.” Harold jerked his thumb in that direction, his usual scowl firmly in place. “Go around by the gate.”

She stepped inside the yard and called, “Shaun, time to go.”

Her brother glanced up from throwing a Frisbee for Charlie. “Just a sec.” He hurried to the back door and knocked.

Her neighbor opened the door a crack. “Yes?”

Rachel’s eyes widened at the man’s tone of voice.

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