“All right, team,” Steve began, clapping his hands to grab their full attention. “You’re doing great with the drills, but we need to focus on passing today. Remember, basketball’s a team sport. It’s not just about scoring points; it’s about working together.”
Owen, tossing a basketball from one hand to the other, chimed in. “Think about each pass you make as creating an opportunity for someone else.”
The kids nodded, some more enthusiastically than others. Steve glanced at Rex, making sure he was still content by the fence, then turned back to the kids. “Let’s do another drill. Owen, can you demonstrate the give-and-go?”
“Sure thing,” Owen replied, moving into position with one of the taller boys. They quickly showed everyone the maneuver.
The kids clapped, and Steve divided them into smaller groups to try it themselves. As they started the drill, he remembered the day John had asked him to coach the junior basketball team.
John had seen him playing a casual basketball game at The Welcome Center and noticed how he’d helped the younger players. Afterward, he’d asked Steve if he wanted to be the junior coach. John wanted a coach who could show them how to pass a ball and build trust and confidence in each other.
At first, Steve had been hesitant. He’d never coached anyone, let alone a group of kids he didn’t know. But John was persuasive. He’d convinced Steve that coaching could also be a step forward in his own healing process, connecting him with the community in a positive and impactful way.
When Owen said he’d help, too, Steve couldn’t refuse—especially when he knew how important it was to build connections within communities. And the families at The Welcome Center needed to feel as though they were part of the community more than most people.
As the basketballs were being passed from one child to the next, Steve walked across to Rex. Pastor John had been right. Coaching gave him a sense of purpose. It allowed him to give back to a community that had embraced him despite his struggles with PTSD. And it created a safe space for growth, not just for the kids, but for himself as well.
The joy he found in seeing a shy child make their first basket or a team come together to celebrate a win was unexpectedly fulfilling. It reminded him that change, improvement, and happiness were possible, even when your life was different from what you’d imagined.
A tug at his feet made him look down. Rex had a thing for shoelaces, and he was happily chewing on Steve’s latest pair. “Hey, buddy. If you keep doing that, I’ll have to buy a dozen pairs next time I go into town.” Carefully, he unwound Rex from his laces and held him in front of his face. “I know you’re cute, but the laces are off limits. I brought your favorite chew toy to keep you amused.”
With one eye on the children, he returned Rex to the grass beside his chew toy and bowl of water. “I won’t be much longer.” As he watched the team from the sidelines, he thought about what could have happened if Eden hadn’t found Rex. The little guy was so small that he could’ve been run over by a vehicle or squashed under someone’s bicycle tires.
He shook off the images crowding his brain and thought about Eden. Meeting her yesterday had left him feeling off-center. There was something about her happy personality and gentle smile that intrigued him. For someone who hadn’t dated in years, it was a little unnerving.
A wayward basketball hit his legs and he snapped back to the present. Picking it up, he tossed it back onto the court, cheering on the kids as they worked on their passing.
Owen caught his eye and smiled, probably guessing Rex wasn’t the only distraction that was keeping Steve off the court. Yesterday, he’d called Owen in a panic when he realized Rex was missing. Between the two of them, they’d checked the entire tiny home village before Eden called. By the time he returned home, Owen had fixed the gap in the fence where Rex made his great escape.
“Focus, Coach!” Owen called out with a teasing note in his voice.
Steve shook his head. “It looks as though it’s back to coaching for me, Rex.” And giving his little buddy a final pat, he ran onto the court.
The kitchen buzzedwith activity as Eden slipped on an apron, ready to help prepare tonight’s community dinner at The Welcome Center.
Shelley had told her that at the end of each week, the center provided a home-cooked dinner for anyone who wanted to come. For some guests, it gave them an extra meal they would’ve struggled to provide. Other residents came to enjoy some great conversation and wonderful food. When Shelley told her how many people were coming, Eden was amazed. There weren’t many communities that came together to look after each other in such a lovely way.
Shelley’s gaze scanned the kitchen. “I’ll introduce you to Daniella and Andrea. They’re organizing tonight’s dinner.”
Eden looked at the yummy food on the counters and smiled. “I’m impressed already.”
“I know how you feel,” Shelley said. “Our volunteers create delicious meals.” They walked across to two women filling muffin cases with batter. “Hi, you two,” Shelley said. “This is Eden. She’ll be helping us tonight.”
A woman with short dark hair smiled at Eden. “Hi. I’m Daniella and this is Andrea.”
“Daniella owns The Fairy Forest,” Shelley explained. “It’s a fairy-themed events center in town, and Andrea owns The Starlight Café. If you get a chance, pop in and try her toasted cheese, mushroom, and ham paninis. They’re yummy.”
Andrea held out her hand. “Since she became pregnant, Shelley’s developed an obsession with my paninis,” she said with a smile. “Not that I’m complaining. They’ve been my bestseller since she started recommending them to everyone.”
Shelley rubbed the side of her tummy. “I’m addicted to them. John made some at home, but they weren’t as good as yours. What would you like us to do?”
Andrea handed Shelley an apron. “We pre-made the lasagna, but the salads and the garlic bread still need to be prepared. If the apron doesn’t fit around your pregnant tummy, we’ll find something else you can use.”
A determined gleam appeared in Shelley’s eyes. “It’ll fit. I’m tired of everything being too tight.”
“There’s a good reason for that,” Andrea reminded her. “Before you know it, you’ll have a little baby keeping you awake at night. The fit of your clothes will be the least of your worries.”
Eden took the apron Andrea handed to her. “Do you have children, Andrea?”
