Page 41 of Edge of Steele
Avery looked up, a big grin on her face. “Wait till they see this at practice. They’re gonna think I’m a pro.”
“You might want to practice more before unveiling it for your friends. It’s usually used to score a goal, so especially practice it with the net.”
“I will. Right now.” She stood at the ball and kicked, then looked up. “That was better. Now another one.”
“Five minutes until bedtime,” Finn called out.
Avery scowled. “Aw, do I have to? I want Ryleigh to teach me more.”
“Maybe tomorrow,” Finn said, but he put little confidence behind his words.
“Okay,” Avery said. “I can get some good practice in five minutes.”
She turned her attention back to the ball, and Ryleigh jogged over to Finn.
He leaned back in his chair and smiled. “Looks like the jealousy is gone.”
“For now, anyway,” Ryleigh said, knowing how fickle a girl can be because she’d once been one herself. She remembered changing with every whim, so yeah, she’d broken through with Avery, but what would happen once the ball went back into the shed?
For now, Ryleigh enjoyed sitting in the soft night air with Finn and watching the little girl do her best to make that soccer ball curve. She planted her foot, followed through, and the ball flew, then curved into the net.
Ryleigh came to her feet. “Great job, Avery!”
“You saw it.” She bolted across the lawn toward them. “Did you see it too, Finn?”
“I did. It was awesome.” A broad smile crossed his face.
“I’m gonna do it again.”
“Sorry, Peanut. Time’s up.”
“Aw.” She stabbed her toe into the grass, then lifted her shoulders, her joy gone. “I’ll put the ball away.”
She ran off, and Ryleigh’s heart creased for the little girl. “She was transported beyond losing her mother for a while there and now her loss is back.”
“Breaks my heart.”
“Mine too.”
Avery jogged back and looked at Ryleigh. “Can you tuck me in tonight?”
Ryleigh worked hard to hide her surprise. “Sure.”
“Go ahead and get your teeth brushed and your PJs on,” Finn said.
She skipped into the house.
“This is so very domestic,” she said to Finn. “I never imagined I’d see you in this role.”
“Honestly, me either. But God put me here, so I know it’s the right place.”
Ever practical, but did he really believe it? “And how do you feel about it?”
He didn’t answer at first just stared at his hands. “I miss the team. Especially when I’m at work. The security job puts food on the table and lets me be home every night for Avery, but it doesn’t challenge me.” He looked into the distance again. “But I’m doing my best to live up to that motto—live with my pain not in it.”
He was trying for sure, but if she was right, he was failing more often than not. She got that as she really hadn’t wanted to leave the FBI, but her family was more important.
“Still, you’re in pain just like Avery,” she said. “You have the loss of your friend plus the loss of your life as you knew it. I kinda get that with having left the FBI. I would like a bit more excitement too, but figure I can find that in other areas of my life.”
