“You’d better not zone out like that on Saturday,” Jan teased.“The coach doesn’t give second chances.”
“Sorry, what were you saying?”
“We’re going for coffee at the cafe.Did you want to come?”
“I’d like to, but I have a water problem at home and need to get it sorted.”
“The woes of a property owner,” Rebecca said, full of sympathy.“I can’t stay for long either, but I’ll eat a scone on your behalf.”
“Gee, thanks,” Maia said when the other girls laughed as they entered the changing room.
“See you at the game,” she said, zipping up her gear bag after her rapid clothes change.
“Bye, Maia,” Jan said.“Coffee.Next time.”
“Deal.”Maia forced out a laugh that sounded surprisingly natural.With another wave and a smile at several other girls on her team, she exited the building.She thought for a few minutes, her mind going to Samuel.Without giving herself time to think, she dialed his number.
“Maia?”It was easy to discern his surprise.
She didn’t bother with niceties.“Samuel, someone is stalking me.Is it you?Have you organized someone to harass me?”
“No!No to both questions.”
She heard the honesty in his voice but poked a bit harder.“You came to Middlemarch.”
There was a long pause.“Maia, I’m sorry.”
She snorted inwardly, having heard his apologies before.
“I can be a dick sometimes, but it’s not me this time.I’m dating someone else.I like her, and the parental unit approves.”
Once again, she thought she heard truth in his words.“Okay.Thanks for speaking with me.”
“I hope the cops discover the culprit.Maia, I’m not responsible.”
Maia hung up, glad she’d made the call, although she was certain neither Laura nor Henry would agree with her actions.
When she arrived home, four vehicles were parked in front of her house.Maia stared at the youngsters kicking a soccer ball around her front yard, their high-pitched shrieks full of laughter and carefree fun.
She climbed out of her car, and one boy gamboled over to her.Levi.
“Hi, Levi.What are you doing here?”
“Dad and Uncle Gerard and Mr.Saber are fixing your water.We’re watching the front of your house in case someone bad comes.”
“Oh.”Intense gratitude had tears welling in her eyes, and she blinked hard to clear her vision.“I can see you’re doing an excellent job.Would you and your friends like juice and cookies?”
Levi nodded vigorously.
“Let me talk to your dad first, then I’ll get your snack.Keep playing and guarding my house, okay?”
Levi jumped in the air, and when he landed, he loosed a shout resembling a wolf howl.Maia grinned and trotted around her house to the rear.She came face-to-face with Jacey.He looked scary but relaxed when he saw her.
“A birdie told me you might be working on my water problem,” she said.
Jacey squeezed her in silent commiseration.“I’m glad you’re staying with us while Henry is away.Whoever is doing this is unpredictable.No telling what they might do next.”
Maia agreed.“How bad is the tank?”
