It Started with a Crush.... Melissa Mcclone
to Florida and then England.”
“To play soccer. Not protect my country,” Ryland said. “I had the time of my life. I doubt Aaron and his wife can say the same thing right now.”
Lucy remembered the tears glistening in Connor’s eyes as he told her his mom sounded like she was crying on the phone. “You’re right about that.”
“I respect what Aaron and his wife, what all of the military, are doing. The sacrifices they make. True heroes. Every one of them.”
Ryland sounded earnest. She wanted to believe he was sincere. Maybe he was still a small-town guy at heart. “They are.”
Cupcake rolled over on her back. She waved her front paws in the air.
Lucy took the not-so-subtle hint and rubbed the dog’s stomach.
“So you’ve stuck around Wicksburg,” Ryland said.
“I left for a while. College. I also lived in Chicago.” Aaron had accused her of running away when her marriage failed. Maybe he’d been right. But she’d had to do something when her life crumbled around her. “I moved back last month.”
“To care for your nephew.”
She nodded. “Saying no never entered into my mind. Not after everything Aaron has done for me.”
“He was so protective of you.”
“He still is.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.” Ryland rubbed his thigh above the brace he wore. He rested his foot on an ottoman. “Did you leave your boyfriend behind in Chi-town or did he come with you?”
She drew back, surprised by the question. “I, uh, don’t have a boyfriend.”
He grinned wryly. “So you need a soccer coach and a boyfriend. I hope your brother told you the right qualities to look for in each.”
Aaron always gave her advice, but she hadn’t always listened to him. Lucy should have done so before eloping. She couldn’t change the past. But she wouldn’t make that same mistake again.
“A soccer coach is all I need.” Lucy figured Ryland had to be teasing her, but this wasn’t a joking matter. She needed a boyfriend as much as she needed another ex-husband. She shifted positions. “I have my hands full with Connor. He’s my priority. A kid should be happy and carefree, not frowning and down all the time.”
“Maybe we should get him together with Cupcake,” Ryland said. “She goes from being happy to sad. I’m a poor substitute for my parents.”
Lucy’s insecurities rushed to the surface. She never thought she would have something in common with him. “That’s how I feel with Connor. Nothing I do seems to be … enough.”
Ryland leaned forward. His large hand engulfed hers. His touch was light. His skin was warm. “Hey. You’re here to see me about his team. That says a lot. Aaron and his family, especially Connor, are lucky to have you.”
Ryland’s words wrapped around Lucy like a big hug. But his touch disturbed her more than it comforted. Heat emanated from the point of contact and spread up her arm. She tried not to think about it. “I’m the lucky one.”
“Maybe some of that luck will rub off on me.”
“Your injury?” she asked.
“Yeah, and a few other things.”
His hand still rested upon hers. Lucy hadn’t been touched by a man in over two years. It felt … good.
Better not get used to it. Reluctantly, she pulled her hand from beneath his and reached for her purse.
“If you need some luck, I’ve got just the thing for you.” Lucy removed a penny from her change pocket and gave it to Ryland. “My grammy told me this is all a person needs to get lucky.”
Wicked laughter lit his eyes. “Here I thought it took a killer opening line, oodles of charm and an expensive bottle of champagne.”
Oh, no. Lucy realized what she’d said. Her cheeks burned. “I meant to change their luck.”
He winked. “I know, but you gave me the opening. I had to take the shot.”
At least he hadn’t scored. Not yet, anyway. Lucy swallowed.
“Aaron would have done the same.” She needed to be careful, though. Ryland was charming, but he wasn’t her big brother. Being near him short-circuited her brain. She couldn’t think straight. That was bad. The last time she allowed herself to be charmed by a man she’d ended up with a wedding ring on her finger.
“You said your nephew loves soccer,” Ryland said.
She nodded, thankful for the change in subject. “Yes. Connor and Aaron are crazy about the sport. They wear matching jerseys. It’s cute, though Dana says it’s annoying when they get up at some crazy hour to watch a game in Europe. But I don’t think she minds that much.”
Lucy cringed at her rambling. Ryland didn’t care about Aaron’s family’s infatuation with soccer. She needed to shut up. Now.
“That’s great they’re so into the game.” A thoughtful expression crossed Ryland’s face. “I haven’t been back in town for a while, but I bet some of the same people are still involved in soccer. I’ll ask around to see if there’s someone who can coach your nephew’s team.”
Her mouth parted in surprise. She liked being self-reliant and hated asking for help, but in this case Ryland had offered. She’d be stupid to say no when this meant so much to Connor. “I’d appreciate that. If it’s not too much trouble.”
“No trouble. I’m happy to do it. Anything for …”
You, she thought.
“… Aaron.”
Of course, this was for her brother. Ryland’s childhood and high-school friend and teammate. She ignored the twinge of disappointment. “Thanks.”
Ryland held the penny between the pads of his thumb and index finger. “You’ve made me cookies, given me a lucky penny. What do I get if I find a coach?”
Lucy wondered if he was serious or teasing her. His smile suggested the latter. “My undying gratitude?”
“That’s a good start.”
“More cookies?”
“Always appreciated, especially if they’re chocolate chip,” he said. “What else?”
His lighthearted and flirty tone sounded warning bells in her head. Ryland was teasing her, but Lucy no longer wanted to play along. His charm, pretty much everything about him, unsettled her. “I’m not sure what else you might want.”
He gave her the once-over, only this time his gaze lingered a second too long on her lips. “I can think of a couple things.”
So could Lucy. The man was smokin’ hot. His lips looked as if they could melt her insides with one kiss. Sex appeal oozed from him.
A good thing she’d sworn off men because she could tell the soccer pitch wasn’t the only place where Ryland James played. Best not to even start that game. She’d only lose. Again.
Not. Going. To. Happen.
Time to steer this conversation back to where it needed to be so she could get out of here.
“How about you make a list?” Lucy kept a smile on her face and her tone light and friendly. After all, he was going to try to find Connor’s team a coach. But if Ryland thought she was going to swoon at his feet in adoration and awe, he had another think coming. “If you find the team a coach, we’ll go from there.”
Ryland’s smile crinkled the corners of his eyes, taking her breath away. “I always thought you were a cool kid, Lucy Martin, but I really like who you are