Coach Maddie and the Marine (3 page)

He pointed the car in the direction of the football field.

Decision made.

As he pulled into the parking lot, he saw a mob of people in a huge, writhing knot near the center of the field. He looked between two men and saw, in the middle of everything, the distinctive flash of copper curls.

He jogged toward the mass. Parents and players were all clustered around a very harried-looking Maddie. He pushed his way through the crowd and stood beside her.

“Give me the whistle,” he said into her ear.

Without hesitation, she tugged it over her head and handed it to him. He put it in his mouth and blew. Hard. The high-pitched noise silenced the crowd and one by one they each stepped back from her.

“What is going on here?” he asked.

Everyone started shouting at once. He blew the whistle again, louder this time.

“One at a time. Ma’am?” He pointed at a frumpy woman near the front of the fray.

“This woman,” she spat and pointed her index finger at Maddie, “claims she’s a football coach. My son is not playing football with a woman for a coach. What could she possibly know about football? I mean, look at her. She’s scared to death of these boys. And she gave them those dumb name tags with little footballs on them.”

He grimaced. “You made name tags into a football art project?”

She shrugged.

He addressed the crowd. “I know you’re all upset. But this isn’t working. Everyone needs to go home and cool off. We’ll meet back here tomorrow afternoon at four o’clock and figure out what we need to do to get these boys the right coach.”

The crowd, grumbling as they moved toward their minivans and SUVs, dispersed, leaving the two of them alone at the center of the field. Andrew stood a few yards away staring at the ground.

“Let’s get out of here. Andrew,” David said, “how about the three of us go get dinner and talk?”

Andrew nodded. He looked as if he might break into tears any moment.

“No,” she said, putting her hand on his arm, “you’ve done more than enough. Andrew and I will go home and I’ll figure something out. Maybe there are some names on the list that I forgot to call.”

“This practice was a total wreck. Let’s take a time-out and come up with a solution.”

“We can’t impose on your evening. I’m sure your wife, or girlfriend, would rather you spend the evening with her.”

“No lady in my life to disappoint. I did have an exciting trip to the dry cleaners on the itinerary but it can wait until tomorrow. Come on, I know a great Italian place out on the highway. It’ll be fun.”

“Really, I don’t think—” Her lower lip quivered, like she might start crying at any moment.

“You really need help, mine or someone else’s. Now, please, for the sake of these kids, let’s have dinner and try to figure out a solution.” He placed his hand on her shoulder.

He saw the resistance in her green eyes beginning to melt. Her shoulders relaxed and she blew out a breath.

She said, “Okay, then, if you’re sure. Andrew, let’s go.”

Chapter Three

Maddie had never been happier to see a man.

If David hadn’t shown up at that exact moment, she wasn’t sure what she would have done. She was good at telling her clients all about conflict management, but none of her classes had covered a mob of angry parents.

While he drove, she stared out the window and took deep breaths.

She’d never felt so incapable, so out of sorts. So damned ineffective.

Paolo’s Pizza was located in a strip center, tucked between a nail salon and a shoe store. The moment the door opened the smell of melting cheese and freshly baked bread filled her nose and she felt her stress level sink dramatically.

“This place smells great and I never even knew it was here,” she said.

“I’ve only been at Camp Wilson a month and Paolo already knows me on a first-name basis. And the best part is,” he said, bending to address Andrew, “they have a huge arcade.”

“Can I play some games, Aunt Maddie? Can I?” Andrew shifted his weight from foot to foot.

“I don’t see why not.”

After settling at a table and ordering a pitcher of root beer, she gave Andrew a five dollar bill and sent him off to the arcade. David poured her a frosty glass before he poured his own. “What happened out there?” he asked, taking a sip from the heavy mug.

“At the beginning of the practice, the boys all threatened to quit, but then they decided that it might be more fun to play with a girl coach than not at all. When I got them all back into a line, I asked who wanted to be the quarterback.” She took a sip of her drink and rolled her eyes. “Apparently, that was a big mistake because they all volunteered, so I said they could take turns. Then, this kid, Jimmy, got really angry and yelled to his dad and then, well, it just went downhill from there.”

“You want to let them all play quarterback?” He grimaced.

“Why not? They can’t all play the same position at one time.”

He leaned toward her and asked, “How are they ever going to learn the position?”

“What do you mean? It’s not like these games are for real or anything. They’re only in fourth grade.”

“Men—and boys—take football very seriously. Who was the quarterback last year?”

“Jimmy. What should I have done?” she asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Most coaches assign positions so the kids learn the ins and outs of their job on the team. If they’re switching all the time, nobody knows what to do. It would be like you switching places with a dentist on Monday and a plumber on Tuesday.”

She laughed. “Point taken.”

He looked over his shoulder and then whispered, “Between you and me, how much do you really know about football?”

“I used to go to my late husband’s football games in high school.”

“Did you watch those games?” He tilted his head to the side and waited for her answer.

“Um, some of them?” She’d watched. Sort of. She knew when one team ran into the other team’s end zone, it was a touchdown.

“I’m not sure it’s going to be enough.”

She exhaled. He was right. It wasn’t going to be enough.

She didn’t like failure. At all. It made her angry, frustrated. She’d never failed at anything she’d put her mind to and she wasn’t going to start now.

“I have to coach this team,” she said.

“Why?” He tapped his index finger on the table. “Why not just bow out?”

“I won’t be a failure. Period.”

...

David saw the determination in her eyes. She definitely wasn’t a quitter.

“Did Frank ever explain the game to you?” he asked. He saw the pain in her eyes when he mentioned her late husband.

“Not really.” Maddie toyed with the corner of the menu. “I watched some games last weekend and tried to read some of the books from the library. They were boring, so I just copied the pages I thought I might need and crammed them in a notebook.”

“Want me to help you at the next meeting?” he asked.

“I appreciate the offer but I think it might be best if I find someone else to help out. Another parent.” She refused to meet his eyes. “I’m not sure if it’s best that you and I, well…” Her voice trailed off and she played with a sugar packet. “I think it’s best if I ask another parent.”

She knew exactly who he was.

But this wasn’t the time to bring up Frank, to tell her what it was like at the end.

He’d cross that bridge later when they weren’t in such a public place.

When he got the guts.

“Then let’s compromise. We’ll go to the meeting together. I’ll help you over the next couple of weeks, try to teach you everything you need to know about the game. Then, you’ll be able to do it on your own.”

The perfect solution. He’d sign on for a short period of time, help her over the rough spot, do his best to stand in for Frank, and quickly make his exit.

“I could be your temporary assistant.”

“I think I’ll just step down. Surely I can find someone.”

David shrugged. “Maybe, but you’ll always be mad at yourself for not finishing the job.”

Chapter Four

“B
uonasera.”

She looked up from the menu and saw a short, round man who reminded her of a Mediterranean Santa Claus.

“
Buonasera
, Paolo.” David rose and hugged the man, air kissing him on both cheeks.

“What a pretty lady you’ve brought with you tonight,” Paolo said, switching back to English for Maddie’s benefit. “Those green eyes.
Bellissimo.
” He slapped David’s shoulder with a meaty hand. “Now what can I get for you two?”

David fired off an order in rapid Italian. She was able to catch a few words but had no real idea what he ordered.

“Coming right up. I’ll get you each a glass of wine. You can’t enjoy my food drinking that swill.” He gestured toward the half-empty pitcher of root beer and pursed his lips like he’d just tasted a lemon.

“None for me, Paolo. I’m driving.”

“One glass of my best red coming up for you,
cara mia
.” Paolo winked at Maddie and headed back in the direction of the kitchen.

“You speak Italian?” she asked.

“I picked up a few phrases when I was on assignment over there a couple of years ago. I really only know how to order food and ask for directions.” He grinned and for a tiny sliver of a moment, she forgot she wasn’t interested in him. Forgot he was a marine. Forgot he might have been with Frank at the end.

Forgot that he was the last man on earth she should be attracted to.

She took a sip of the wine and it was delicious, just what she needed to relax the tension in her shoulders. The warm fruity burn of it traveled down her throat and took the edge off the day.

The urge to ask flared up again but she took a deep breath. Even if he was the same David Sterling, and she knew in her heart that he must be, there was no reason to reopen the wound. In her work, she’d learned that there was never a fulfilling answer to the
why
question. It was combat. Death happens.

As a military wife, it was part of the deal. Dwelling on the details did no good.

The sharp pang of grief reminded her that she was sitting across the table from a marine.

Regardless of any connection he might have to her late husband, she wasn’t willing to take a chance on being widowed twice.

“Any other languages?” she asked, steering the conversation back into neutral waters.

“I am fluent in Spanish, thanks to my best friend in the Corps. It may not be the most exotic language but it sure comes in handy from time to time.”

She nodded. “I’ll bet it does. Some of my clients are Spanish speakers. I usually have to employ the talents of an interpreter. It’s hard to help them when there’s a language barrier.”

“What kind of work do you do?” he asked.

“I’m a counselor,” she answered.

“Like a psychologist?”

She shook her head. “No, although maybe someday I can find the time to go back to school and get the degree. I’m a grief counselor. I work on base helping families move past a casualty.” When she boiled it down to a two sentence job description, it sounded simple, cut and dried, when it was anything but simple. While she couldn’t imagine doing anything else, it was demanding.

“Camp Wilson has had a lot of casualties. You must be a busy lady.”

“I am. I work with spouses, children, extended family.”

“Soldiers?”

She said, “Not usually. Most of the time they see the psychiatrists and psychologists at the mental health center inside the hospital.”

He rolled his lips together and clamped them between his teeth. “These wars have wrecked lots of families. I know several—” He stopped midsentence and took a long sip of his soda. “I didn’t mean to get morose. Sorry. Let’s talk about something more uplifting. Have any hobbies?”

“Nothing very interesting. Since I bought the house, I’ve learned that I really like home improvement projects.”

“I didn’t have you pictured as a do-it-yourselfer.”

“What is now a ‘charming bungalow,’” she said, quirking her fingers to indicate quotes, “was a true ‘fixer-upper’ when I made the first few payments. I spent nearly all my savings on my education. It was either live in a crummy neighborhood until I got on my feet or learn to wield a hammer.”

He laughed. “You did most of it yourself?”

She nodded. “My sister Callie and I worked almost every weekend for a year to get everything repaired and replaced. We learned how to install hardwood floors, tile, and even new light fixtures. We became semi-professional painters after the classes we took at one of the big box stores out on the highway.”

“How long have you lived here?”

“Two and a half years. After I got my master’s degree, I worked for a few months in a large practice with several other counselors in Charlotte. Callie told me about the job opening at the Family Life Center. It was exactly what I was looking for: a job where I could give back to a community that’s given so much to me.”

David fiddled with the napkin underneath his mug. When he looked up, she detected something in his face, something deep and sad. He was on the verge of saying something very important. She leaned forward in her chair.

“The flag on your mantle—”

Andrew picked that moment to return to the table. “Look what I won.” He pulled a long string of pink tickets from his pocket. “Can I go trade them in for my prize?”

“Good job, buddy,” he said. He patted Andrew on the back. His eyes met hers. The hurt was still there but he was trying hard to hide it. “You should be able to get something fantastic with those.”

“Do you want me to go to the counter with you?” She hoped Andrew would say yes. A break from the table would cut the tension, change the subject.

“No, I can do it by myself,” Andrew said.

“Do it quickly,” she answered. “The food should be here any minute.”

Andrew jogged in the direction of the glass counter that lined the front of the restaurant.

“Maddie,” he said. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure Andrew was out of earshot. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Her heart fell. She knew what he was going to tell her. He was the same David Sterling. She’d known it from the moment he’d introduced himself. Maddie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I know you were there.”

He nodded. “There’s no easy way to tell you how sorry I am, how responsible I feel.”

Maddie reached across the table and placed her hand on top of his. “It was a long time ago.” He didn’t move his hand. “There was no way anyone could’ve predicted that ambush.”

“That’s the official story.” He looked down at the table and shook his head.

“You wouldn’t have walked into that on purpose.”

“No, but I should’ve been able to protect Frank.” He jerked his hand away and ran it across the top of his head.

“It was war. I understand that.”

He looked down, rubbed his face with the other hand. “I’m very sorry.”

Maddie wanted to forgive him but she couldn’t find the words. According to every account, David had done nothing wrong. In fact, he’d been heroic in his attempts to get Frank the medical care he needed. It had been too late, but he’d tried very hard.

She knew he wasn’t in any way responsible but she just couldn’t find the words of forgiveness. Not now. Not like this.

All she could do was nod.

Luckily, Paolo soon returned with a large tray. Instead of one large pizza, there were five smaller ones, the size of a personal pan pizza. He placed them in the center of the table, placed some grated parmesan cheese beside them, and refilled Maddie’s wine.

“Buon appetito,”
Paulo said.

“These look wonderful. I expected a big, greasy pepperoni,” Maddie said, thankful to have something ordinary and easy to talk about.

“These are more like the ones you’d see in Italy. They eat them only for dinner and get this,” he said, holding his fork in one hand and his knife in the other, “they eat them with silverware.”

“I’ll get Andrew. Be right back,” she said.

She walked slowly, taking the opportunity to breathe deeply and try to clear her mind.

Football. Eight-year-old boys and football.

That’s all there was to it. She needed help, he was qualified, and he offered.

It was going no further than that. Maddie might be attracted to him, but she was strong enough to fight off her feelings.

She needed him.

Andrew needed him.

Without his help, the season would be a disaster. She’d made so many calls, she wasn’t at all confident that she could find another coach.

“Andrew, the pizza is on the table,” she said when she reached the glass counter.

“Look what I got.” He held up a stuffed dragon and shook it excitedly. “It’s from the movie.”

Maddie smiled at his enthusiasm. “Let’s eat.”

The meal was divine—the crusts were browned to perfection, the vegetables fresh and crisp. Pizza heaven. Andrew devoured nearly a whole pizza before he came up for a breath.

“Pretty tasty, huh, Andrew?” David asked him.

“Yes, sir, it sure is,” he replied, gulped down some cola and reached for a third piece.

Twenty minutes later, Maddie was stuffed and feeling nicely relaxed after two glasses of wine.

When the bill came, David insisted on paying. “You guys ready to hit the road?”

She grabbed the takeout box of leftovers and steered Andrew toward the car. He was asleep before they were out of the parking lot.

Maddie snuck a glance at David as he drove. His masculine jawline was highlighted against the window as they passed the lights of the stores and businesses lining the highway. His nose was a little off center, giving the impression that it had been broken. Having been a football player and a soldier, it was no surprise. Maddie liked it. It gave character to an otherwise nearly perfect face.

When they reached the field, David said, “I’ll follow you home. No reason to wake Andrew just to put him in your car.”

It was thoughtful and Maddie appreciated the kindness. “Thanks. See you there.”

They pulled up in front of her house, in tandem, at half past eight. She gently roused Andrew who gave a half-hearted wave of thanks to David before he stumbled into the house toward his bed.

“Let me tuck him in and I’ll be right back. Make yourself at home.”

Andrew was changing into his pajamas when she entered his room. “Have fun tonight?”

He nodded. “I did. Lieutenant Sterling is a nice man.”

“He is,” she said, handing him his new stuffed dragon.

“Aunt Maddie, I want him to be our coach.” He slid under his comforter and looked at her. “I know he’d help us win. He’d be great.”

He really was her only option.

“Please. Please.” Andrew put his palms together and begged.

“Okay,” Maddie said. “I’ll talk to him.”

David rose from the sofa when she walked back into the living room.

“He’s bushed. He’ll be asleep again in under five minutes,” Maddie said. She gestured for him to take his seat. She chose the chair in the corner so that she was facing him. “Thanks for everything tonight.”

He nodded. “Have you thought about my offer?”

She looked up into his eyes. “I have.”

“And?”

“It’s very generous of you.”

He nodded. “But?”

“There’s no but. I really need your help and Andrew is begging for you to be his coach.”

“Assistant coach,” he corrected. “You’re still the coach.”

Maddie smiled. “Thanks again. I appreciate your help more than you will ever know. And so does Andrew.”

“It’s the least I can do.”

Their eyes met. Maddie saw the pain, the guilt that lurked in his. “You don’t owe me anything,” she said.

“Maybe I don’t, but if Frank were here, he’d be able to coach. I’m just stepping in for him. Can you look at it that way?”

Maddie fought the tears welling up in her eyes. She nodded. “I can,” she said in a whisper.

He rose and walked over to her chair. He knelt in front of her. “If you ever want to talk about it, ask me anything, I—”

It hurt too much to look into his eyes. “No. It took everything I had to crawl out of the depression I sank into after Frank’s death. I’ve accepted it, moved on. I don’t want to reopen those wounds.”

He nodded. “If you ever change your mind, I’m here.”

“I won’t,” Maddie said.

“There’s one thing I really need to say. Then we can close the book on it forever, if you want.” He took her hand in his.

For a long time after the marines in Dress Blues had shown up on her door, she’d wondered what Frank’s last thought had been, if he’d called for her. If he’d been in pain. But not anymore. Not for a long time.

“Please,” he said.

“Okay,” she said, reluctantly.

“Frank was a good man, Maddie. I was proud to serve beside him.”

His words touched her more than she expected. “Thank you.”

His cologne was woodsy and clean and it triggered something deep inside her. Attraction, a feeling she’d thought was lost to her, stirred in her gut. She fought it, reminded herself that he was off-limits. For lots of reasons. But it wasn’t easy.

Maddie took back her hand and rose. She had to put some distance between them. “I’ll see you at the football field?”
He nodded. “I’ll be there, Coach.”

...

I’m not attracted to Maddie. It’s just heat. Nothing more.

Not only was Maddie beautiful, she was deep. Wise. Soulful.

He needed her forgiveness. He needed her to know the weight he carried with him, every hour of every day. Maybe her forgiveness would ease some of it. He’d tried everything else.

Maddie was the kind of woman who would’ve scared the hell out of him if he had been interested.

But he wasn’t. Not in that way.

Frank had been a lucky man.

In more ways than one.

David looked at the clock beside his bed for the hundredth time. Rolling over on his back and placing his hands behind his head, he tried to remember the last time he was awake at two in the morning thinking about a girl he barely knew, or, for that matter, one he did know. He had to be up for his morning run in only three hours and he’d yet to even doze.