Stranger in Town (Dundee, Idaho #5)(63)
Author: Brenda Novak

He rolled over and glanced at the clock. It was time to get up. He could hear his mother in the kitchen, making breakfast. She always made pancakes on Friday. She thought the carbohydrates would be a good start for game day.

The telephone rang. Kenny snagged it before his mother could, knowing it’d be Tuck. Tuck usually drove on Fridays because it was the only day his mother could spare the car.

“You going to school?” Tuck said.

“Yeah.”

“Are you playing tonight?”

“I guess.”

“Have you decided what you’re going to do about Blaine and your father and all that?”

“Kenny, Brent! Breakfast is ready!” his mother called.

Kenny kicked off the covers and sat up. “Yeah.”

“And?”

Kenny thought of his mother and the way she’d said, “I like him. I like him a lot” about Coach Holbrook. “I’m going to do my best.”

“I was afraid of that.”

Kenny scowled at his own rumpled image in the mirror above his dresser. “Why? I thought that’s what you wanted me to do.”

“Well, I’ve been thinking. Maybe what I said at the Old Swimming Hole was a little too…idealistic.”

“Idealistic? How about we talk my language, Tuck?”

“I don’t want to see you lose your shot at being a big football star in the NFL because of me, okay? Maybe you should do what your father told you to do. Who am I to tell you different? This situation is his and Coach Blaine’s fault. It’s their defining moment, not yours.”

Scenes from A Man For All Seasons played in Kenny’s mind. Thomas More could have given in and blamed it on the fact that his life was being threatened—but he didn’t. Kenny knew Tuck, of all people, had to see the similarities. Tuck had certainly spent enough time thinking about Thomas More. But Kenny didn’t want to point that out just in case he couldn’t really kiss his football career goodbye. “I know.”

“So you want me to pick you up for school?”

“Can we take Brent?” he asked. Hannah had been a little quiet last night. She insisted that there wasn’t anything wrong, but Kenny was worried about her. He wanted to help out with his younger brother, if possible.

“Sure.”

“See you in thirty minutes or so.”

“Kenny, are you coming?” Hannah called as he hung up.

“Give me a minute.”

“Are you ready for the game tonight?”

“Yeah,” he called back but he knew in his heart that remained to be seen.

THE SCHOOL BAND PLAYED the Fight Song as Hannah parked and made her way to the football field. Just about everyone in Dundee turned out at these events, so she and Brent had to wait in line to get in, but she didn’t mind. They had a few minutes until kickoff, and she liked the atmosphere. The smell of hot dogs and nachos permeated the air, and the cheerleaders danced in their flashy red-and-gold uniforms on the other side of the chain-link fence. Tiffany Wheeler stood out front. Hannah could see why Kenny would have his eye on her. She had a nice tan, plenty of long, curly blond hair and beautiful legs.

Hannah hoped he hadn’t noticed the legs. She wasn’t ready to think about girlfriends and future daughters-in-law.

Shifting the lap blanket she’d brought to her other arm, she reached into her purse to pay for their admittance. Then she took Brent’s hand and started pressing through the crowd toward the stands, smiling and nodding at everyone she knew. She hadn’t gone very far when she heard a voice that affected her very much like nails screeching down a chalkboard.

“Hannah, Brent. Up here!”

Hannah glanced into the stands to see her ex-husband sitting with Patti and her family and Donny. Donny’s estranged wife wasn’t around and neither was his daughter. Violet and Pug, Hannah’s ex in-laws, used to come to the games, but they were getting old, and the noise and cooler weather bothered Violet.

“Can we sit with Dad?” Brent asked.

Hannah couldn’t believe it, but Russ was acting as if what he’d done last Sunday had never happened. She didn’t know how he could so easily disregard the bruise on her face, but she supposed she shouldn’t be surprised. He’d probably convinced himself that he wasn’t to blame. I wouldn’t have hit her if Gabe hadn’t brought those flowers over….

“Mom?” Brent said, pushing the issue.

Faking a good-to-see-you smile for the family’s benefit, Hannah nodded. “Sure.” She started climbing the bleachers, but something about having to face Patti, Russ and Donny knowing they’d probably spent a great deal of time talking about her and Gabe was too much for Hannah. Bending closer to Brent, she hollered over the noise of the band and the crowd, “You go ahead. I’m going to the snack bar to get some hot chocolate.”

“For me, too?”

“Of course.”

“Okay!” Always eager for something sweet, Brent smiled broadly and slipped between the crush of bodies ahead of them. She waited long enough to make sure his father had spotted him, then weaved her way to the ground.

The band switched songs, and the cheerleaders once again joined in. The energy and enthusiasm surrounding her lifted Hannah’s spirits—but did little to ease her nervousness. This was Kenny’s first big game as starting quarterback for the varsity team. She hoped he’d be happy with his performance. She also wanted him to excel for Gabe’s sake. Beating Oakridge would go far toward silencing his critics.

Of course, Gabe didn’t have to worry about having any critics in Dundee if he was leaving town, she told herself. He’d be on television, making millions and building a new career. She twisted to look behind her—and she’d be living her old life of constant association with Russ and his family.

She’d still have her boys, she reminded herself. They were the reason she didn’t leave herself.

Hannah caught sight of what she wanted to see down on the field and leaned closer. Gabe sat in his wheelchair, as handsome as ever in a dark sweater and khakis. Evidently, he’d decided to leave Lazarus at home. The dog that accompanied him almost everywhere wasn’t around.

She watched Gabe confer with a stranger, who had to be the consultant he’d mentioned, and frowned. The man who’d be taking over for him was probably a good coach, but it was tough to accept a replacement.

Finally, the announcer came over the loud speaker. The Spartans won the toss, and the teams lined up for the kickoff. Hannah knew Brent would come searching for her if she didn’t find her seat soon, so she bought the hot chocolate and forced her feet to carry her to where her ex-husband and his brother and sister were sitting.