“A birdie told me they picked you as team captain,” Jacey said when the family sat down for dinner the night before the game.
“It’s only temporary.Jan and I are co-captains.Amanda, our usual captain, hasn’t played for several weeks but will likely take over again.I’m fine with that.”
“Can we go training with you again next week?”Levi demanded.
“Sure, as long as your parents approve,” Maia said.
“Did you hear thewepart of the sentence?”Megan asked drily.“Levi means him and his friends.”
“Oh.”At Henry’s slight nod, she said, “I’m fine with you tagging along, but you must keep up.I’m doing road training.”
“We can do it,” Levi cried.“Tell, Maia, Dad.”
“If you and your friends go with Maia, you must be on your best behavior,” Jacey said sternly.“Follow her instructions.And I’ll need to talk to your friend’s parents to ensure they give their permission.Which friends do you mean?”
Levi poured out seven names.
Maia’s mouth fell open.She’d resemble a momma duck with a gaggle of ducklings.Jacey and Henry shared a look, and Maia noted Gerard give a slight nod.
“Maia, if you don’t mind,” Jacey said, “I don’t think they’ll slow you down.They’re around Levi’s fitness level.If you’re worried, one of us will jog at the rear.”
“One of us?”London asked, her brows raised.“I hope you’re not including me in that tail-end group.”
“No, sweetheart,” Gerard said with a grin.“I think Jacey was volunteering himself, plus me and Henry.”
“Okay,” Maia said.“I look forward to putting you through your paces.We’ll run uphill and downhill along the course Isabella planned for me.”
“Now, I’m doubly certain I’ll be writing and unavailable,” Megan said.
London nodded emphatically.“Same.”
Maia chuckled.“I love running.It’s relaxing and gives me time to plot books or mentally work on gnarly problems.”She didn’t confess these days she constantly scanned her surroundings and feared she was losing her wits.Last week, she’d imagined a big cat, and it hadn’t been an overfed and overindulged house pet.This one had been black.Large.One moment, it had been there, and the next, it had disappeared, leaving her with doubts.
Her imaginary world had imposed itself on reality.
“Are you sure you want to take me to the airport?”she asked Henry.“I can drive and leave my car at the short-stay car park.”
“Maia,” Henry said.
“Uh-oh,” London said.“I’ve heard that tone before.”
Maia rolled her eyes.“Just checking.”
“Henry and I have an early meeting with a prospective client.Dropping you at the airport isn’t a problem,” Gerard said.“Besides, Henry would like a kiss for luck with our client.”
Levi pulled a face.“Yuck, swapping germs.”
There was a moment of startled silence.
“Levi,” Megan said.“Who told you that?”
“Olivia Mitchell tried to kiss me.She pounced when I wasn’t looking.”
Pounced?Kids differed from when she went to school.Admittedly, she’d attended an all-girls school, and there had been no kissing.
Jacey looked as if he were trying not to laugh.He cleared his throat.“What did you do?”
“I pushed her into the wall and ran away,” Levi said and shuddered.He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth.“Her mouth was slimy.”
