Amy’s head fell back with laughter.“I think a week’s salary may be a slight exaggeration.”
“Maybe.”He smiled.“But not by much.”
“Oh, look.”Amy pointed to two empty lounge chairs ahead on the beach.
Ray glanced at the pile of hotel rental loungers and over to the romantic vignette under the stars, thankful to whomever had seen fit to leave the pair of chairs there after-hours.“Shall we?”
“Isn’t this weather amazing?”Amy settled onto the empty seat and crossed her ankles.“I could stare at those waves all night.”
“Did everyone have a good time tonight?”
“We did.Carrie had a great time.Though we had to cut her off after three daiquiris.”
“Strong drinks or a lightweight drinker?”
“A little of both.Which is why I switched to ginger ale over an hour ago.”
“So you’re a lightweight too?”
She grinned at him.“I can hold my own.”
“I bet you can.”He wasn’t sure where to start.“I watched the game with your brother.”
“Oh.”She didn’t say anything more, but already Ray recognized the concern on her face.
“I didn’t realize he had such a hard time adjusting to civilian life.”
Amy bit on her lower lip.“He doesn’t talk to me about that.”
“He didn’t tell me much, but he did get me thinking.”
“What about?”
“Plan B.”
Plan B.Amy’s heart almost stopped.Anticipation of what Ray’s new plans were and whether or not she had any part of it almost made her dizzy.“What would that be?”
“It started with this morning’s pick-up game.I had such a great time with those kids.”
“I’m glad you still feel that way.”
“Me too because it had me thinking about how Emily thought I might be a teacher.”
Amy nodded.At first that’s what she had thought too.
“Then I got to thinking about what Emily had said.I don’t think I would enjoy spending all day, every day teaching history.”
If he didn’t hurry up and spit out his next plan, anticipation might just send her into apoplexy.
“But if I could also coach football…”
The glint in his eyes made her smile.
“So,” he continued, “I did a few searches.It doesn’t make sense to go back to school for another BA.But,… if I get a Masters in Education, I could teach historyandcoach football.”
“That sounds like a great plan B.”Excitement thrummed through her veins.He had a plan.A sensible plan.A practical plan.And he looked honestly happy about it.“Will you return to OSU?”
“Actually I was thinking California.”
