Rodeo Reunion Read Online Free PDF Page A

she was just looking to fulfill her promise to Dylan. But she’d known of Slade since she’d met Dylan. Had even answered the phone a few times when he’d called in the early years of her marriage.
    Now, after meeting him in person, she was at ease with him. She stepped inside and locked the door behind her. And she’d always thought he was handsome. Yes, Slade had always been a nice guy, a Christian and a hunk. And a girl couldn’t get any more safe than a rodeo chaplain.
    But he might not stay in Aubrey. She couldn’t allow Hunter to get attached to a man who would leave in three months. And she couldn’t afford to have such silly thoughts. If only he’d keep going and stride right back into her past.
    * * *
    Dylan was dead. He wasn’t here anymore. It didn’t compute.
    But his widow lived next door.
    Slade’s heart hurt for her, but her strength appealed to him. The strength that kept her going after her husband’s death. The strength that had given her the courage to move somewhere new for her son’s sake without running home to her parents. Her determination to give him a small-town childhood, even if she had to do it alone.
    It was her strength that made him want to help her—so she could relax for once and not have to be so strong.
    Slade climbed the porch steps and unlocked the door. Blizzard bolted inside and headed for his food bowl. Chunks clattered against the stainless steel bowl as Slade filled it.
    When she’d told him Dylan was gone, it had knocked the wind out of him. Sitting on the steps together remembering a man they’d both loved seemed to bond them.
    Everything had lined up perfectly as if God was directing it all. The little town of Aubrey had drawn them both here, her son needed help with baseball, and Slade had nothing but time on his hands. He could be there for Dylan’s widow. Be there for Dylan’s son.
    * * *
    Thwack . The bat made contact, the ball sailed past second base, and Raquel and her friend Lacie jumped to their feet cheering. As his team rooted for Hunter, her heart swelled and he made it safely to first base. After his almost nightly batting practices with Slade, Hunter hadn’t struck out like last year. His grin was brighter than the afternoon sun.
    â€œThat was awesome.” Lacie sat back down on the aluminum bleacher. “Did you teach him that?”
    â€œNo way.” Raquel laughed. “I played basketball.”
    â€œDuh.” Lacie rolled her eyes.
    The tiny blonde’s petite build made Raquel feel like an Amazon woman at five-eight. Caitlyn had introduced her to Lacie back when Raquel had first moved here. Since Lacie had been widowed before she married Quinn, and her son, Max, was in Hunter’s class, she and Raquel had bonded and Hunter had made his first true friend in Max.
    â€œGood job, Hunter.” The coach applauded. “Everybody’s been up to bat, so let’s wrap it up for the day. Boys, pair up and play catch while I talk to the parents.”
    The coach and his two assistants exited the field and the parents circled them.
    â€œCould any of you parents volunteer to coach?” The coach kept his voice low.
    â€œIsn’t that you?” Lacie asked.
    â€œI just got news that I’ll be deployed in a week.”
    Raquel’s heart sank. For the soldier and his family but also for Hunter. He’d be so disappointed.
    All of the parents shook their heads.
    â€œI’d like to break the news to the team after I find a replacement so they won’t worry. Anybody know anyone who might volunteer?”
    The parents shook their heads again.
    â€œI hate to say this—” the coach propped his foot on the bottom bleacher “—but if we don’t find someone, we won’t be able to have a team.”
    â€œWhat about your assistants?” Raquel gestured toward the two men flanking the coach.
    â€œI’ve never coached