Ryan giggled. “He’s awesome ’cause he got Tyler interested in sports.”
“I’ve always liked sports.” Tyler glared at his brother.
“Next time we’re going to play basketball. Coach has a goal in his driveway. Can we get one? That would be so cool.”
“We’ll see. So, who is this coach?”
Ryan shrugged. “One of the dads, I guess.”
After clearing the table, the boys went off to the family room. Annie opened her new laptop and clicked on her student roster. She was looking forward to the new job even with Jake across the hall. Logically, there was little reason for them to interact during the day, and after school he’d be busy coaching. When they were at home she simply would keep her distance. The only glitch in her plan was the publicity committee for the carnival. There was no way out of that.
The doorbell chimed and Annie shoved back from the table and walked to the door, anticipating finding Denise on the other side, but Jake stood on her porch with a folder in his hand.
“Sorry to bother you but you left before I could give you the committee information you’ll need.”
She took the folder, a rush of shame warming her veins. She had bolted from his car when he dropped her off without even a thank you. Jake had been nothing but kind and helpful and she’d behaved poorly. “I was in a hurry to get home for the boys.”
His expression showed his skepticism. “I understand.” He pointed to the folder. “Look that over. If you have any questions, just ask. We’ll need to get together soon and design a flyer, but it can wait until after school starts.”
She nodded. “Good. I have a lot to do before then.”
Ryan came up behind her. “Hey, it’s Coach. Tyler, Coach is here.”
The boys crowded around her, smiling up at Jake.
“Hey, fellas.” He smiled at the twins but it vanished when he looked at her.
Annie stared at him. “You’re the coach they’ve been talking about? I thought it was one of the dads from the neighborhood.”
Tyler pushed forward. “We’re going to play basketball soon, right, Coach?”
She saw Jake wince. “Why don’t you two go back inside. I need to talk to Coach for a minute.”
They waved and went back into the house. Jake spoke before she could.
“Sorry. I thought you knew. I hope you won’t let the past prevent you from letting the boys play in the games. They seemed to enjoy it, and I make sure it’s safe.”
What did she do now? The boys knew nothing about the sentence imposed on Jake. If she made too big a fuss about them playing ball in his front yard, they’d want to know why and that would require an explanation she wasn’t willing to give.
“My heart wants to say no, but my head says it’s why I brought the boys here. I wanted them to have the freedom to play they’ve never had.” She shifted her weight. “Since my husband died I tend to be overly protective of the boys.”
“Sorry to hear about your husband. What happened?”
“He was killed in a drunk-driving accident.” Jake’s eyes darkened and his expression turned to stone. Too late she realized that he must have interpreted her remark as a dig about Bobby Lee. She extended her hand to apologize but he stepped back.
“I’d better go. If you have any questions about the committee, just let me know.” He pivoted and hurried down the porch steps and down the side walk.
She hadn’t meant to taunt him. She took a deep breath. It had been a very emotional day with too many adjustments on the fly. She went inside and closed the door. He’d been attempting to reassure her about the boys playing ball games and she’d responded with an unintentional slap in the face. Not her finest moment.
Maybe it was time to let go. Accept that Jake was in her life and deal with it the best she could. She couldn’t continue to live with the tension every time she was around him. Just because he wasn’t what she’d expected didn’t mean he was a bad guy. He’d been kind, helpful and the neighborhood kids adored him. He was well respected at school. Shouldn’t that be a trustworthy endorsement?
But technically Jake was a criminal. Wasn’t he? And what would her aunt think of the boys befriending the enemy? As she walked down the hall toward the kitchen, she passed a large mirror on the wall and glanced at her reflection. Be honest, Annelle. You’re feeling guilty about agreeing to your aunt’s terms. The truth was she was ashamed of her part in the arrangement, but she had to think of her children’s future. They deserved a home and a life without chaos and uncertainty. Didn’t they?
She exhaled a loud exasperated sigh and strode into the kitchen.
Thankfully tomorrow night was her widow’s therapy session. She needed all the advice and support she could get because she had no idea how to proceed from here.
* * *
Jake jogged across the street, his mind choking on the news Annie had revealed. Her husband was killed in a drunk-driving accident. No wonder she had issues with him. Every time she looked at him, she either saw her cousin or her husband.
Annie’s revelation rocked him, unleashing a long-buried need to forget and escape. He needed to get some perspective before he made a very bad decision. Pulling out his cell, he placed a call to Harley. “I’m going to be late getting there tonight. I have a meeting to go to.”
“You okay? You sound strange.”
Harley was not only his friend but his foster brother and his pastor. He knew him better than anyone. Most times that was a blessing, but sometimes it was a nuisance. At the moment he wasn’t sure which was which.
Jake ran a hand through his hair. “Ever have a day when you were blitzed on all sides?”
“Many. What’s going on?”
“We have a new teacher at the school. Annie Shepherd.”
“Whoa. That’s going to be interesting.”
“It gets worse. Her boys are in my class.” Harley made a sympathetic sound. “And we’re teamed up on the same committee for the carnival.”
“Oh man. What are you going to do?”
“Nothing I can do. I’m more worried about what she’ll do.”
“Such as?”
“Tell everyone how we’re connected, for one thing.”
“Would she do that?”
Even in the short time he’d been around her, he knew Annie would never do that. “I don’t think so, but she could say something inadvertently that could jeopardize my job, not to mention my hopes of snagging that high school coaching position.”
“I doubt that. Your records were sealed, and that was a long time ago. We talked about this when you decided to move back here. It’s sad to say few people remember Bobby Lee or how he died.”
“And what if the athletic director at Heritage High learns that the guy wanting to coach the students was driving drunk and killed his friend? How’s that going to look as a job reference?”
“You’re letting Annie’s presence get to you. Or is it more than that?”
He hesitated. “She made a comment today about family and how important it was to honor her aunt’s wishes.”
“Understandable. Family ties are strong.”
Jake pinched the bridge of his nose. “I suppose. I’m probably worrying for nothing. I’ve got to go. See you later.”
He