She felt it down to the soles of her feet. Tension crackled between them. She was losing that battle. And wasn’t altogether torn up about it.
“I just want a chance with you, Maggie. Will you give me a chance?”
She would’ve given him the world right now, the way he was gazing at her, saying these things. All he wanted was a chance. And in her heart of hearts, she wanted that too. The problems that might possibly happen somewhere down the road faded at the longing in his eyes. At the yearning in her heart. There’d been something more between them for a long time. She couldn’t quell it anymore. Not after he’d put his feelings out there so bravely, so sweetly.
“Okay,” she said.
His hands tightened on hers as if by reflex. “Okay?”
At the hope on his face, joy bubbled up from deep within, from a well she hadn’t known existed. Laughter followed. “Okay, Josh. Let’s see where this goes.”
“All right.” His eyes warmed as he lifted her hand to his lips and placed a kiss in the center of her palm. “You won’t regret this, Maggie. I promise.”
As they lingered at the table, chatting quietly, Maggie hoped the magic spell that seemed to envelop them would never go away.
Chapter 24
“Nice lap, Keondre.” Maggie squatted at the end of the pool where the fourteen-year-old boy waited, panting. “Good elbow position that time. Remember on your breaths to keep one goggle in the water. Do one more lap, focusing on that, then we’re done for the day.”
“Aww...”
“I have some killer drills planned for next week—you’ll be begging me to leave. Now let’s see what you’ve got.”
He nodded, eagerness flaring in his eyes behind the goggles, and pushed off to a freestyle swim.
Better. He was still pulling to the right, though. She’d have him do some closed-eye laps next week. But she’d given enough instruction for one lesson.
The Johnsons’ pool was regulation length—longer than the ranch house in front of it—but only three lanes wide due to the shallow yard.
Keondre’s mom, Kyra, met Maggie at the side of the pool. Her son had inherited her lean height, almond-shaped eyes, and wide grin. “Only two lessons and he’s already improved.”
“He puts in the practice. That’s half the battle.”
Kyra laughed. “The battle is getting him out of the pool. The boy would live in there till he grew fins if I let him.”
“He’s got a lot of potential. That tall frame and those big hands and feet are real advantages. But his discipline and teachability will be what takes him a long way.”
“Really? You think so? I know he’s only just about to enter high school, but he’s really hoping for a swimming scholarship to Duke.”
“If he keeps up the hard work, I think that’s a reasonable goal.”
Keondre stopped at the pool wall and glanced Maggie’s way.
“Much better on the sneaky breaths,” Maggie called. “Work on that this week—and the elbows.”
“Yes, ma’am!” He adjusted his goggles and pushed off for another lap. He’d have both mastered when she returned on Tuesday. It was exhilarating to teach an adept athlete who was also highly motivated.
“I’m so glad you agreed to coach him the rest of the summer,” Kyra said. “He’d learned all he could from the instructor at the Y. I hope the high school coach is as good as you.”
“I don’t know him, but they seem to have a good program over there. They won state a couple years ago and made it to the finals last year.”
“He’s so excited to try out. He’ll make the team?”
“I can’t imagine why not.”
Keondre dragged himself from the pool and headed toward the house. “See ya next week, Miss Maggie. Don’t worry, I’ll be practicing.”
“I have no doubt.”
