Stranger in Town (Dundee, Idaho #5)(70)
Author: Brenda Novak

His mother seemed to search for the right words. “Well, because…”

“Could you just tell it to me straight this time, Mom?” he asked softly. “I’m not a little kid anymore.”

“No, you’re not.” She blew out a sigh, then smiled briefly. “He’s not happy that I’ve been seeing Gabe.”

“How does he know?”

Her eyebrows went up. “Do you think it’s possible to keep a secret in this town?”

Kenny thought of Blaine knowing about Tiffany and decided it wasn’t. “Dad had his chance and he blew it,” he said. “He doesn’t have the right to get mad at you over another guy.”

“Emotions don’t always make sense, Kenny. Just rest assured he’s not mad at you.”

Kenny knew the game was at least part of the reason his dad was upset, but he didn’t correct his mom. He’d done what he’d done. His dad would have to accept it. Kenny had certainly been forced to accept enough things where his father was concerned. In any case, Kenny was more interested in taking the conversation in a different direction. “So, how do you think Coach Holbrook feels about you?”

Hannah pulled into their drive and cut the engine. “I think he likes me okay,” she said. “But we probably won’t be seeing much of each other in the future.”

Kenny paused with his hand on the door latch. Gabe’s truck was parked at the curb. “Why not?”

“Because he’s been offered a job in New York.” Her voice ended on an up note, but Kenny could tell she wasn’t happy. “He’s going to host NFL Countdown.”

“Really?” Kenny couldn’t help being impressed. ESPN was ESPN.

“It’s a great opportunity,” she said, but the smile curving her lips was definitely a fake one. He could tell she didn’t want Gabe to go.

“What about the team?” Kenny asked, suddenly realizing the full impact of this news.

“Buzz Smith is going to take over.”

Great. Another coach. Holbrook was letting them both down.

Kenny got out and walked to the house, pausing on the front porch as his mother came up from behind with the key. When she opened the door, it was dark inside, but the television was still on. In the dim, flickering light, he could see the outline of Gabe Holbrook lying on the couch. It was the first time there’d ever been a man other than his father resting comfortably on his mother’s couch.

Gabe appeared to be sleeping. But when they walked inside, he lifted his head.

“How’d it go?” he asked.

“Got a cast,” Kenny said, lifting his arm.

“But the break is a clean one,” Hannah told him. “He should have the cast off in three to four weeks. The doctor said it would protect his arm well enough that he could probably play soon if he wanted to.”

Gabe sat up and moved his feet to the ground with his hands. “That’s great.”

“My mom says you’ve had some good news, too,” Kenny said.

Gabe hesitated. “What news is that?”

“Aren’t you going to New York to be part of NFL Countdown?”

“Oh, yeah,” he said as if it wasn’t any big thing.

“That’s cool,” Kenny said, but he couldn’t inject any real enthusiasm into his voice. Because what he really wanted to say was, “Don’t go. My mom and I need you right here.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

HANNAH PERCHED on the arm of the couch and stared down at Gabe. She could hear Kenny’s footsteps fading down the hall, knew he’d be asleep within minutes. She was tired herself, too tired to face the fact that Gabe would be flying out in the morning.

Suddenly, she heard movement behind her and turned to see Lazarus. “Hi Lazarus,” she said, giving him a pat. “Where’d you come from?”

“Brent wanted to play with him,” Gabe explained.

“So you drove out to get him?”

He nodded.

“That was nice of you.”

“Actually, I had an ulterior motive.”

“Sounds like a man,” she teased. “What is it?”

“I was hoping he could stay here with you while I’m gone.”

Gabe was going to let her keep his dog? “You don’t want to take him to New York?”

“I don’t think he’d enjoy the trip. He’d have to be in one of those dog carriers, and it’s a long flight. He’s not used to being so confined.”

Lazarus wasn’t used to being without Gabe, either. But she wasn’t going to point that out. If Gabe’s dog was staying, Gabe had to come back at some point, didn’t he? “Of course he can stay here.”

“Thanks.”

“What time does your flight leave?”

“Seven.”

“You’re kidding,” she said. “With the drive to Boise, you’ll have to start out at four-thirty. That’s in just a few hours.”

“I know. I packed when Brent and I went to pick up Lazarus.” He nodded toward a suitcase in the corner of the room, sitting so deep in shadow Hannah hadn’t noticed until he pointed it out to her.

So, he was spending the night? She wanted to smile but opted for a scowl. “You shouldn’t have volunteered to baby-sit for me. You’re not going to get enough sleep.”

“I wanted to see you before I left, and to make sure Kenny was okay.”

“I think he’s going to be fine. At the doctor’s office, he kept saying, ‘Did you see that pass, Mom? Did you see it?’” She fought back a yawn. “Do you want me to take you to the airport?”

“No. It’s too early, and it’s too far of a drive. I’ll leave my truck in long-term parking.”

Long-term parking. She didn’t like the sound of long-term anything when it meant Gabe would be gone. But she certainly didn’t want to stand in his way. He was moving on after the accident, just as she’d wanted. She should be glad, right?

His eyes drifted over her, and she could tell exactly when his thoughts shifted to other things. “Are you going to sit over there all night?” he asked.

She twisted to look down the hall. “The boys could get up,” she said hesitantly.

“So?” he responded. “They won’t be surprised to find you lying on the couch with me. They already know you love me.”

Hannah’s jaw dropped. “What?”

“At least Brent does,” he amended. “He told me all about it tonight.”