Heaving a sigh, Debbie pivoted. “What size shoe do you wear?”
“Seven and a half.”
She forced another grin. “You’re in luck.” Debbie toed off her own tennis shoes, slipped off her socks, and stepped out onto the grass.
When she was young, she went barefoot all the time. She couldn’t count the number of times she’d argued with her mom before school and church because Mom insisted she needed to wear shoes. She still enjoyed going barefoot in her own home, but she rarely went barefoot outside anymore.
The damp grass pressed between her toes, and Debbie gasped. It was colder than she’d expected, but she kept walking. At least the grass was finally greening up and was no longer dry and crunchy, thanks to the rain they’d received this week.
Everyone stopped playing as she walked onto the soccer field. Austin met her halfway. “Why are you barefoot?”
“Because Cheyenne can’t play soccer in her heels.”
His brow furrowed. “Cheyenne doesn’t play soccer.”
“She will today, because I told her there was no way you would even consider letting her take the kids to Florida if she didn’t get out here and make an effort to bond with her kids.”
They both looked at the pavilion where Tucker and Cheyenne now argued.
Austin took Debbie’s hand and led her toward the others. “How much do you want to bet she doesn’t step one foot off the cement?”
Debbie laughed. “Oh, a betting man, are you?”
“Only when it’s a sure thing.”
“I don’t know. I think you’d better get ready to pay up.” Debbie had made her words to Cheyenne sound enough like a threat that she was pretty sure the other woman would eventually join them whether she wore Debbie’s shoes or came barefoot. If anything would entice that woman to do something, it was money. “How about the winner gets a kiss?”
Austin stopped walking and turned to her with raised eyebrows. A slow grin spread across his face. “We’d both win, in that case.”
Debbie shrugged. “I don’t mind sharing my reward with you.”
“Deal.” His hand tightened around hers, and a gleam filled his eyes as he took a step closer.
Eager for a preview, she leaned toward him.
“Come on, Debbie, you can be on mine and Savvy’s team.” Cody grabbed Debbie’s other hand and yanked her away from Austin.
His gaze followed her as they joined the others, and warmth filled her. At this point, she couldn’t care less what Cheyenne did, she just wanted to collect on that kiss.
“Cody, show Debbie where that hole is so she doesn’t step in it and twist her ankle.” Austin pointed to the far sideline.
Although Debbie stayed active by swimming and exercising, she wasn’t very graceful or athletically inclined. She did her best to keep up with the rest of them, though. The first time she kicked the ball, she had to stifle the urge to swear. She hit it with the side of her foot, like her nephews’ soccer coaches taught them, but it hurt worse than she expected. It didn’t help that her feet were half frozen from the cold grass.
After about five minutes, Tucker walked out onto the field.
Austin froze and stared at him so long, Debbie feared they might come to blows. Then he nodded his head for Tucker to join him and Dallas. It was another ten minutes before Cheyenne came out wearing Debbie’s tennis shoes. Again, Austin stopped playing, his mouth dropping open. He turned to Debbie and grinned, then tossed the ball he’d been holding to Tucker.
Their gazes remained locked as he walked toward her with a purposeful stride.
Her hands and feet prickled with anticipation, and she found it difficult to take a deep breath.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” he said in a low voice as he reached her. He cupped her face in both hands and lowered his mouth to hers.
A rush of sensation filled her when his lips met hers. Tingly, fluttery, sparkling sensations, sending a rush of messages to her brain to pull him closer. She parted her lips and leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Austin let out a soft moan as he pressed his lips more firmly against hers, sliding one hand into her hair and the other behind her back.
Ripples of warmth cascaded over her. She didn’t realize how chilled she was until a spark ignited in her that quickly turned into a blazing fire, radiating warmth from head to toe. A sense of wholeness and belonging enveloped her. This was what she’d been longing for her whole life.
