“What?” asked Claire.
“He came.” Walker handed out softballs and took tickets. Savannah stood behind the tank and returned the balls after each player had exhausted his or her supply of turns. You got one ball per ticket, which made the dunk tank the most expensive booth at the carnival.
Claire touched her elbow to get her attention. “Who?”
“Walker Wilaby—blind date guy.”
“That’s him!” Claire lasered in on Walker. “I thought you said he was rude and ugly.”
Avery rolled her eyes. “When a guy spits on you, he’s ugly.”
“Well, yeah. But look at him now.”
Avery turned away. She didn’t need to look to know how hot he was. Like hot with a capital H and a tight T.
Claire grabbed Avery’s arm. “It’s Landon’s turn to throw.”
Avery faced the tank again, not wanting to miss her son’s chance to knock down her boss. Not that she had anything against Principal Brown. He was a decent enough guy, if not a little overly self-assured in his position. He thought he could run with the big dogs and liked to prove it every now and again by bragging about his lunch invitations from the wealthiest parents around the office.Avery, can you reschedule my one o’clock? I’m having lunch with the Dawsons at The Roof.
Landon pulled back and threw as hard as he could, missing by a foot. The guys in his group laughed. The sixth graders laughed harder. And meaner.
Walker put up his hand, moving Landon out of the way and motioned for the loudest teaser to come on over and give it a try. Rekker flipped his shaggy hair off his forehead and took a shot. His ball went too low. Walker let the next older kid go. And the next. Letting each heckler step in front of her son.
Avery’s blood boiled with each child that was put in line before hers. How dare Walker pull Landon out of line like that. He had just as much right as anyone to take his turn, and he had tickets to use. It didn’t even look like these older kids were handing over tickets.
Her hands balled into fists.
“Easy there, Mama Bear.” Claire bumped her. “Tonight’s about family fun.”
“Yeah, well, if he doesn’t let my kid take a turn, I’m gonna start chucking rubber ducks at his head.” She pulled off her jacket and tossed it to the floor like a matador issuing a challenge.
Walker was oblivious to the fury building across from him. He joked with all the boys, oohed when they missed, clapped because they tried, and pretty much had the whole group wrapped around his finger.
Except Landon. He was smiling and he laughed, but his eyes were empty.
Avery’s feet shuffled forward a few inches on their own. Her head told her to stay back and let Landon handle this, to not embarrass him in front of his friends. Her heart strained against her ribs in an effort to get her over there, where she could wrap her child in a warm embrace.
As she scrutinized her kid for signs of permanent emotional damage, Walker made a big deal out of selecting him from the pack. He leaned over and whispered something in Landon’s ear before handing him the ball and patting him on the back. “Step back, guys. This is how it’s done.”
Avery froze in fear. It’s insane how quickly a mother can go from anger to paralyzing panic. One moment she was ready to let Ben have it, and the next she was clasping her hands before her and whispering a silent prayer.Dear Lord, if I’ve earned any blessings, send Luke to make that ball fly true.
A little help from an angel father was exactly what Landon needed right now. If that ball hit the mark, it would be because of the Lord’s grace. Avery had done her best to teach Landon how to throw a ball—it was one of those things all boys needed to learn. Like how she’d have to teach him to shave or drive a car. But she wasn’t the best at sports, and when he could get it across the backyard, she figured that was good.
Maybe not good enough for this.
Landon pulled his arm back in a way she hadn’t seen him do before. It looked like he was picking the ball up off a shelf behind him. He brought his arm up and over and released. The ball spun through the air, going … going … clank! The ball smacked the metal arm of the dunk tank, and Principal Brown screamed as he plunged into the frigid water with a giant splash.
“Yes!” Avery threw her arms in the air. She quickly realized where she was—her place of work where her son had just dunked her boss—and dropped them again, tugging her shirt back into place. The smile stretching her cheeks wouldn’t drop, though, no matter how many times she tried to rein it in.
Mr. Brown surfaced and shook his finger at Landon, who laughed. The boys all got back in line, patting him on the back or giving knuckles. Now that one of them had done the impossible, they were determined that they could do it too.
Landon tugged on Walker’s arm. Walker leaned closer to hear him over the din. His lips saidthank you. Avery could read them even from this far away. Walker patted Landon on the back and winked. Avery’s heart swelled. Somehow, someway, Walker had made it possible for her son to be the hero.
There was something attractive about a man who could make a boy feel ten feet tall. She wouldn’t be asking him to teach Landon about dating or table etiquette, but she could give credit where credit was due. Her stomach flipped as her eyes raked over him in a way she’d been tempted to do before but had done her best to avoid. He was a good-looking man. Claire was right. The polo shirt stretched just right over his arms and chest, and he did a pair of designer jeans justice.
Walker stood tall and motioned for the next contestant to step right up. He must have felt her staring at him, because he glanced up and locked gazes with her.
Avery put her hand over her heart and mouthedthank youas well.
