“You’ll have to be faster than that, big guy. I played basketball in college and in a league in Atlanta.” Darting away, she left him a step behind.
Harrison smiled. She was full of surprises. Her ability on the court was just another layer to her, another piece of the puzzle that made her unique. As the game continued, he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Each pass, each shot, each triumphant smile—she shone with the joy of the game, and it made her all the more beautiful to him.
While he was subbed off the court, Daniella effortlessly sank another basket.
John came and stood beside him. “My team’s secret weapon isn’t so secret anymore,” he said with a teasing glint in his eyes.
“I didn’t know Daniella could play basketball. Why haven’t I seen her on the court before?”
“Since she opened The Fairy Forest, she’s worked most weekends. And the ones where she has no bookings are spent catching up on her paperwork.”
Harrison bounced the spare ball lightly on the court. “I’m starting to think you asked Daniella to play against my team under false pretenses. Were you hoping I’d go easy on her and let you win?”
John laughed, his gaze following Daniella as she intercepted a pass. “We don’t need to use any tricks. We play to win. It’s just our good luck that Daniella’s brought her A-game today. She’s full of surprises.”
“She sure is,” Harrison murmured, watching Daniella feint left, then dive right, leaving her defender in the dust.
“You know,” John continued, “they say basketball’s a lot like life. It’s all about the rebounds and how you handle them.”
Harrison shot him a sideways glance, the metaphor not lost on him. “Are we still talking about basketball?”
John chuckled. “Maybe. Maybe not. Just remember, sometimes the best plays come from the most unexpected assists.”
Shaking his head, Harrison dribbled the ball and prepared to get back in the game. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, feeling the weight of John’s words settle in his chest.
With a final pat on Harrison’s shoulder, Pastor John jogged back onto the court, leaving Harrison to wait for one of his teammates to replace him.
When Harrison’s team won, the players shook hands and shared congratulatory pats on the back. Daniella’s team may have lost, but her energy was infectious, and even Pastor John didn’t seem too upset about the defeat.
Harrison walked off the court beside Daniella. “You were incredible out there,” he said, meaning every word.
Her eyes met his, a spark of excitement in their depths. “Thanks. It feels good to play again. I missed it.”
In that moment, Harrison felt the ground shift beneath him. It wasn’t just admiration or attraction he felt for Daniella—it was something much deeper. The realization washed over him like a wave, and he knew he was falling for her. Falling for her spirit, resilience, and unexpected layers—and it scared him more than he wanted to admit.
Daniella picked up a gym bag and smiled. “I have to meet a realtor to look at a house. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
Harrison focused on what she’d said instead of his pounding heart. “Are you looking at renting or buying it?”
“Renting. I don’t know what it’s like, but I’m getting desperate.”
He held open the gate for her. “If you want a builder to look at the house, I could come with you.”
“That’s nice of you to offer, but I’m only renting the house—not buying it.”
“You never know,” Harrison insisted. “There might be an infestation of creepy crawlies you don’t notice, or a leaking pipe somewhere that could cause major issues.”
Daniella bit her bottom lip. “The last house I looked at was terrible. Jackie told me to keep an open mind, but sometimes it’s hard to see past the color of the carpet and the walls. If you’d like to come with me, that’d be great.”
Harrison grinned. Suddenly, the rest of the afternoon didn’t seem so lonely. “I’ll just change my shirt, and then I’ll be ready.”
Daniella glanced at her watch. “You’ll have to be quick. The realtor’s showing me the property in fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll meet you in the parking lot,” he said over his shoulder as he sprinted back to The Welcome Center. With no time to waste, he hurried into the bathroom, switched out his shirt, and sprayed himself with deodorant.
On his way to the parking lot, he wondered if he was a lost cause. How could a woman who dressed as a fairy and threw consistent three-pointers have such an enormous impact on his life?
CHAPTER6
