Leap of Faith (La Flor #1) (8 page)

“Our girls are looking pretty good out there,” Jackie tells me. “The team has drastically improved since Julia became their coach. I think we might actually win some games this season and if we pray really hard, we might make it into the play-offs. The girls’ soccer program was a joke before Julia came along, and I’m glad the school district is willing to spend the money to put our girls on the map, or at least attempt to.”

“It’s a rebuilding year, so don’t expect too much but yes, they’ll be winnin’ some games this season. Julia will make sure those girls are whipped into shape in no time,” I tell her. “Rylee’s in decent shape. She even mentioned how brutal the first few practices were.”

“GO. GO. GO!” I hear Skylar scream. “RYLEE!! RUN . . . RUN! GO! Come on, you can do it . . . GO . . . YES! GOOOAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!!” Her arms are raised high in the air and she’s standing, again, on her seat.

All I can hear is my little girl screaming at the top of her lungs, excited her big sister scored the first goal of the game. And it seems like everyone else is celebrating as if we’d just won the championship. I knew the team had been in bad shape, but I didn’t think it was
that
bad. I guess Rylee and Julia have their work cut out for them.

I’m really thankful that Rylee was okay with our move here. This was Jake’s favorite place as a kid and his prime choice for The Phoenix Corporation’s headquarters. He wanted us here and I’m making sure our girls receive this part of their father.

After being honorably discharged from the Army, Gunner decided to come back to Texas and start up a company where he could put his acquired skills into use. Despite the fact he was still in, Jake provided capital and was planning on joining Gunner after his time in the military was complete. After his death, I did as much as possible to help Gunner stay afloat during the crucial first couple of years. I did some of the work from home, since I was going to school and taking care of the girls. I did the training I needed while Rylee was at school and I took Skylar with me. I needed to gain the respect of the men and that meant blood, sweat, and tears. Daddy did his best to put the company’s name out here, so that helped us a lot. Now, Phoenix has gained a solid reputation and we’re not hurting for money.

“Did you see that, Momma?” Skylar asks. “Did you see Rylee score?”

“Yes, Peanut, I saw her score a goal, and I think everyone from here to China heard you celebrating,” I reply.

I turn back to Jackie and we discuss plans for the concession stand our booster club is working next week, which will be our first home game. Suddenly, I feel this tingly feeling in the back of my neck. You know, that feeling you get when someone is staring at you. Trying to seem inconspicuous, I carefully look around the field and finally my gaze lands on a person by the fence. My eyes widen in surprise—standing there is the delicious and incredibly handsome man I’ve seen several times around town—Mr. Gorgeous Eyes—and he’s looking at me.

My mind goes crazy.

Holy cow, he’s here!

What is he doing here?

I thought the sight of him in my rearview mirror would be the last, but I was wrong. A few days later I saw him in town and I freaked out—I ran away and made a fool of myself. Another time, I ended up in a fish store, EW! I dislike fish with a passion but that didn’t matter one bit when I threw myself through the door to escape him. To be honest, I don’t know why I keep running from him, and I’m not even sure he is trying to make the effort to approach me. I only know that every time I see him, I feel flustered. For that reason alone, I run. I’ve been lucky that the girls haven’t been with me during these sightings, or I’d have some explaining to do.

Oh my!

Having a full view of him, I check him out. He’s every woman’s dream man: exotic eyes, rugged gorgeous face, and an amazingly fit body.

I turn back to Jackie just in time to see her stand. I start freaking out inside when she starts waving her arms like a lunatic.

“Yoo-hoo! Zane! We’re over here! Zane! Over here!”

Goodness! Could she be any louder? I think unhappily.

“What are you doin’?!” I hiss at her.

I really, really want to wring her neck right now. Friends aren’t supposed to do this to each other. Granted, she has no idea that I’m freaking out right now, but still. Can’t she see she’s bringing his attention more towards me?

Oh Lord, he’s coming this way.

“Jackie, please sit down,” I beg her while at the same time wishing the Earth would open up and swallow me whole.

“Relax, Faith.” She says, oblivious to my panic. “That’s just my baby brother. He promised Josilyn he’d come watch her play.”

“
What?!
” I squeak.

Yes. I. Squeaked.

“You remember?” She says off-handedly. “I’ve told you about Zane and how my mom’s been on his case because he won’t settle down, and she’s itchin’ for more grandchildren.”

“Oh yeah . . .” I trail off. She’s mentioned a younger brother but she never told me he looked like
that.

Maybe, if I’m really quick, I can grab Skylar and run. Oh crap, I really need to get out of here and fast. I can’t see him face to face right now. I still don’t understand the feelings he makes me feel and I don’t know if he’s seen me during my escape attempts.

I have Skylar’s hand in mine and I’m very close to escaping to the concession stand when he sits right down in front of me.

“Hey, Jackie,” he says with a sexy grin. “Introduce me to your friend, will you sis?”

Goodness gracious! His voice is amazing. So smooth. Sexy. Masculine. Oh my, I even hear a slight Texas accent. You know the type of voice that’ll grab you and make you want to jump his bones—that’s the voice I hear.

Okay, I tell myself, relax . . . breathe. You’re a grown woman, a lady, you can do this. You can talk to him and act like an adult, without showing him how much he affects you. Get your big girl pants on.

“Zane, this is Faith and this little darlin’ here is Skylar, her daughter.” Jackie starts the introductions. “Faith, this is Zane, my baby brother.” I chuckle at her description of him.

“Hello, Faith,” he says, taking my hand and bringing it to his lips. “And hello to you, little Miss Skylar,” he says to my little girl, smiling at her and doing the same to her little hand.

I hear Skylar giggle.
She giggles.
Even my little girl is impressed. I bet every female from birth to eighty-five is charmed by this man. He just has that way about him.

“Uh, h-hello,” I manage to stutter.

I see his grin get even bigger and realize he knows the effect he has on me. I wonder if he remembers me . . . but why would he? That afternoon was probably an everyday occurrence for him. He’s gorgeous and sexy, and I bet women are constantly staring at him. I was probably one of hundreds. And the other times, well, I made a fool of myself and can only hope he didn’t see or remember those times. Remembering my foolishness, I get myself together.

“My apologies,” I say sounding very proper, maybe too proper. “Zane, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I hope he doesn’t notice the drool that’s at the corner of my mouth. Wow, this man is something else; he’s just so freaking sexy—there are no other words to describe. He’s the whole shebang and he knows it.

He chuckles, letting me know I didn’t fool him. “How are you doin,’ beautiful?” He asks smoothly. “You enjoyin’ the game?”

“I’m well,” I reply, trying to keep my distance from him and coming off a tad bit rude.

“You aren’t followin’ me, are you?” He asks, catching me by surprise.

“What?!”

I’m offended. I’m not a stalker, no matter how yummy the man is. I don’t chase men. I approach but I
don’t
chase.

“I asked if you were followin’ me,” he repeats, knowing I heard him the first time. “I remember the last time you saw me—you couldn’t stop starin’ at me. And then those other times, they gave me a good laugh, baby,” he finishes with a smirk.

Well, of all the nerve. There’s my answer—he does remember me. Oh, but the arrogance . . . he doesn’t have to rub it in my face that I’ve found him stare-worthy.

“How can I be followin’ you when I was here first?” I ask him. “I should ask you, instead, if you’re followin’ me.”

He gives me that sexy grin and chuckles. “I’da been here sooner if that was the case.”

“I bet.”

“Baby, for you, I’d go to the ends of the world—slay a dragon, climb the Himalayas, and even dance. I’d do
anything
for you.” His eyes are fixed on me as he makes his declaration.

I feel myself blush and softly laugh. “You’re such a flirt. I bet you say that to all the girls.”

“Nah, beautiful,” he tells me seriously. “Those words are just for you. And
only you.
”

“Oh,” I say and receive a real smile from him.

We hear the crowd start to get loud. Zane turns to the field and watches my girl as she runs, comes face to face with another player and skillfully maintains the ball. She makes another amazing move, getting her closer to the goal. Now, it’s just her and the goalie.

Come one, Rylee, you can do it, I silently cheer her on. YES!!! She makes it—GOOOOAAAALLLL!!!!!!!! I silently yell to myself. I smile proudly.

“Damn! She’s good,” he says in awe.

“I know,” I proudly reply. “She my daughter.”

He looks at me and smiles but says nothing. His expression seems to say he knows something I don’t.

“Did you see that?” Jackie asks. “That was amazing.”

I turn to her. “Yes, I did. She did good,” I reply and she turns back to the field, leaving me and Zane alone again.

“So she’s your daughter?” He asks.

“Yup, she’s my sister,” Skylar tells him. “She’s amazin’ and one day she’s gonna be a champion—that’s what Momma tells us. She’s gonna be just like Momma.”

“You don’t say,” is all he replies.

“Well, if you’ll excuse us, I have to get down to the sideline and congratulate my daughter,” I say. “Let’s go, Skylar; let’s go see your big sister.”

I take Skylar’s hand and say goodbye to Jackie, tilt my head to Zane, and start making my way to my eldest. As I get to the last step I hear him call out very loudly.

“I’ll be seein’ you later, beautiful.”

Zane

There’s nothing I don’t know about her—I know all about Rylee and Skylar. I’m not a stalker or any of that sick shit; I’m a man who believes in keeping his word, and I made sure they were safe over the years even if I was away from them. When I made that promise, I never thought I’d grow to want her—to fight to become a better man for her.

I’ve finally met her face to face and I know I affect her as much as she affects me. She’s run away from me, but that ends now. Pretty soon, I’ll have her in my arms and I’m never letting her go.

Damn right, I’ll be seeing you later, I think to myself as I smile, watching her walk away from me for the very last time.

Three crazy and busy weeks have gone by. I’m in my room getting ready for my night out with Julia. This Saturday is a bye week in the schedule. We decided to take advantage of this downtime to have a night to ourselves. Rylee and Josilyn volunteered to babysit, so I have no worries and I know Skylar will have a blast with the girls.

After much consideration, I decide on black dress shorts, a purple sequin sleeveless mesh shirt, purple bra, and purple high-heeled pumps with kickass spikes and rhinestones on the heels. My earrings are black, glittery, and long and I have a beautiful black-and-purple bracelet on. Yes, I love my purple. I finalize the ensemble with a black coach wristlet. My make-up is neutral and I put my long dark wavy hair in a low side ponytail, showing off my Aquarius tattoo on the back of my neck.

“Momma, you look beautiful,” Skylar says. “I want to look just like you when I grow up.”

“Oh, baby, thank you. You’re gonna be more beautiful than me when you grow older,” I say. “You and Rylee are gonna be strong, beautiful, and amazing women. You have your father in you as well as me. We created you and we did an amazin’ job.”

As I’m having this conversation with my youngest, I hear a loud whistle at the door of my room. “Dang, Mrs. Faith, you look hot!
Muy
caliente,
” Josilyn says and Rylee agrees.