A Time to Protect Read Online Free PDF Page A

shouldn’t have pushed them so hard,” he murmured to Buddy. “They’re too young and they’re against a much better team.”
    “Think so?” Buddy pointed. “Look at that.”
    Madison darted around her opponent and kicked the ball as hard as she could. No one was expecting it but her teammates immediately recognized the formation and moved into the pattern they’d practiced. Twenty seconds later the ball was in the net.
    And Madison was on the ground. Unmoving.
    Brendan raced out to the tiny form, his heart beating so fast he could hardly breathe. He squatted beside her, calling her name.
    “Madison? Madison, are you all right?”
    “Let me see.” Someone pushed against him, forcing him to move. Chloe Tanner knelt at her daughter’s side, felt her pulse then checked under her eyelids, that gorgeous sprawl of auburn hair cascading over one shoulder and onto the young girl. Able hands slipped over the small bones, checking for injuries. “Come on, baby. It’s Mom. You can’t lie here if you want to win the game, you know.” Not a tremor belied that steady, compelling voice.
    “Is she—” Just in time Brendan caught the shake of Chloe’s head and cut off his words. The team had gathered around and were staring down at the white-faced girl who still hadn’t moved.
    “Come on, honey. If you’re going to win, we have to finish the game.”
    Madison’s eyes fluttered open. She blinked several times before a funny smile flickered across her lips. “Hi, Mom.”
    “Hi, yourself. Are you all right? Any dizziness?”
    “No. I’m okay. It hurts a little. Here.” She pointed to her shoulder.
    “It should hurt.” Emily pointed at the offender from the opposite team. “She jabbed her with an elbow. Deliberately. I saw it. Then she laughed when Madison fell down.”
    Brendan glanced up at the referee, raised one eyebrow.
    “I didn’t see it. Can’t call what I didn’t see.”
    “Come on, sweetie. Sit up and take deep breaths. You’re okay. You just got the wind knocked out of you.” After a moment Chloe gently eased her daughter to her feet, eyes alert for any sign of difficulty. “Is that better?”
    “Yes.” Madison was standing now. “Is the game over?”
    “Five seconds left,” Buddy told them.
    “Then let’s finish it,” Madison said to the other players. She turned to take her place on the field but Brendan laid a hand on her arm to stop her.
    “The others can finish wiping them up, Madison. You’ve done your part. You sit down and rest.”
    “Yes, sir.” She high-fived the rest of the group then moved to the sidelines. Chloe turned toward the bleachers.
    “Aren’t you going to stay with her?” Brendan asked.
    She gave him a look that would have curdled milk.
    “Have her mother sit beside her, in front of everyone, embarrassing her? Are you kidding, Mr. Montgomery?” And with a toss of that lustrous hair she was gone, jogging across the field, her trim figure perfectly displayed in shabby blue jeans and a pale blue boiled wool jacket.
    “You sick, Bren?” Buddy nudged him with his elbow.
    “No. Why?”
    “You sure got a funny look on your face.”
    Brendan returned to his place on the sidelines, sent out another player and waited for the whistle to blow. They’d won the game. He couldn’t suppress a grin as his team cheered and congratulated each other, then lined up to shake hands with the opposing team. But he kept his eye on Madison, especially when her attacker came toward her.
    He needn’t have worried. Madison thrust out her hand as she looked the other girl straight in the eye. “I forgive you,” she said clearly.
    Brendan could have cheered. Of all the lessons he’d hoped to impart to this team, this was by far the most important. Last in line, the coach of the opposing team grabbed his hand and congratulated him.
    “Just want you to know that I’ll be doing some discipline,” he told them. “We play hard but we don’t play dirty.”
    “Thanks.” Brendan