Page 117 of The Perfect Distraction

They all laughed because, other than his graying hair, Joe didn’t appear old at all. He was fit and strong and had a boyishness about him that was endearing. Every time Beth was around him, he made her smile.

“Have a seat,” Brooke said. “I’ll fill in for you.”

Brooke squeezed Beth’s shoulder reassuringly as she walked past, and then she went into the yard to join the game. At least one person was happy that she was participating. Mason gave her a broad smile and said, “Now we can really kick some…”

“Mason!” Judy yelled, pointing at Joey.

“It’s okay Grandma. Ass is just another word for donkey!”

Everyone froze for a moment, but when Colton burst out laughing, they all joined in, and it took a few minutes for the game to resume.

“Your sister’s a sweetheart,” Joe said sweetly. “It must run in the family.”

Beth wanted to hug him too, but once again, she suppressed the urge. “Thank you. Both of my sisters are great. Hopefully, you’ll get to meet Becca sometime.”

“We’d love to. Isn’t that right, Judy?”

“Hmm? Oh. Yes. Of course.”

She’d been watching the game, but Beth was certain she’d heard every word. She still had her guard up, but Beth sensed that she was softening just a touch.

Just then, Brooke scored a goal, and Mason cheered loudly while Colton and Joey looked surprised.

“Where’d you learn to run like that?” Mason asked as he gave her a high five.

She shrugged. “I ran track in high school.”

Loud enough so everyone could hear, he said, “You cook, and you can run like that? Where have you been all my life?”

In the meantime, Joey whispered something to Colton, who nodded enthusiastically.

Joey ran up to the deck, poked his head through the rails, and said, “Beth? Will you play on my team?”

“Oh. Sure. But just so you know, I didn’t run track in high school. I was the one sitting on the bleachers with a library book.”

“That’s okay,” he said, smiling.

She passed Colton on the deck stairs, and he leaned in to give her a quick kiss on the lips. She was so happy that she didn’t care who was watching. This is where she wanted to be and who she wanted to be with, and she was determined to soak up every moment with the men that she loved.

“Okay, kiddo. Let’s do this!”

Mason and Brooke leaned their heads together like they were strategizing, though Beth thought it was just an excuse to be close. Seeing what his uncle was up to, Joey motioned for her to duck down so they could do the same thing.

She and Joey started out with the ball, and Colton cheered them on in the background. She’d never played soccer before (or any organized sport for that matter), but she’d watched Joey enough to know what to do. The only problem would be getting past her sister and Mason. While Mason looked like he was out for blood, Brooke smiled as Beth came closer with the ball, and when Brooke made a halfhearted attempt to block, Beth moved around her and kicked the ball toward the goal.

For a second, she imagined hearing the theme song from Chariots of Fire as the ball made it right into the center of the net.

“Yay!” Joey said, running toward her at full speed.

So much for her moment of glory. She heard Colton shouting at Joey to slow down, but the next thing she knew, her butt was hitting the ground, and Joey was hugging her tightly around the neck.

“You did it!” he shouted.

Colton came running out to help her up, but when he started to scold Joey, she stopped him. “I’m okay. He was just excited.”

She’d probably have a sore butt later, but seeing Joey so happy made it all worthwhile.

She hadn’t realized Judy had joined them until she spoke up. “Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked, looking concerned.