Page 3 of Cole

“You okay?” he asked as he turned to face the woman.

Her blue-green eyes were wide as she stared at him. “I’m… fine. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

With the game continuing behind him, as if he hadn’t just bravely stepped in front of a fast-moving ball to protect a lovely young woman, Cole jogged back in time to catch a pass from Aiden. He dribbled, spun around, and positioned his back against the teen guarding him, maneuvering until he had a clear view of the basket.

When the ball sailed smoothly through the hoop, he exchanged high-fives with the nearest teammates. A quick look at the woman he had shielded earlier revealed she was clapping as well. Since the young man she had come with played on the opposing team, Cole wondered whether that made her his fan.

Though his curiosity was peeked, Cole pulled his attention back to the game. It was one thing to have a close game because he wasn’t playing his best, but it was something else entirely if he lost a game because some woman on the bleachers distracted him.

As the game progressed, Cole’s gaze was drawn to the mystery woman more often than he wanted to admit. There was something about her—the way she leaned forward during intense moments, how her eyes tracked the ball with genuine interest rather than just polite observation. She wasn’t just there to support someone; she understood the game.

Their team pulled ahead in the final minutes, and when the game ended in their favor, Cole grinned like he hadn’t in years. This simple high school gym game had given him more genuine joy than his last three professional victories combined.

The only other things that gave him more joy were the basketball clinics he helped organize and teach for lower income kids. He loved seeing their excitement and willingness to learn. After several years of playing professional ball, he searched for ways to keep his passion for the game alive.

He hadn’t expected to find something to do that in coming to Serenity, but he was glad he had. And he’d been able to play the hero for a pretty lady as well. Win-win!

CHAPTER TWO

Annalisa Turner hummed along with the song playing from the speakers situated around the open area that ran the length of her cabin on the second floor. She lined up the pieces of fabric, then lowered the pressure foot on her sewing machine. With practiced ease, she pressed the foot pedal and fed the fabric beneath the needle.

Reaching the end of the fabric, she backstitched and then went forward again to finish off the stitching. As she lifted the pressure foot, a soft chime echoed through the cabin.

Annie lifted her head, a frown playing on her face. Movement near her feet revealed that Nyla had heard it as well. The guard dog got to her feet and turned toward the stairs. Her large body was tense, and her ears pricked forward.

Though her own body held tension, Annie wasn’t too worried. It was early in the afternoon, so it was likely to be just an animal or—

“All clear. B incoming.” Jude’s voice came through the walkie talkie sitting within arm’s reach on her workbench.

Reaching out, she picked it up and keyed it. “Heard.” She then turned her attention to Nyla and said, “Fois.”

Immediately, Nyla turned and came to where Annie sat. Annie ran her hand over Nyla’s fur, rubbing her ears. “Good girl.”

Nyla sat down beside her, still not completely at ease, even though Annie had given her the command. But she was no longer on alert, waiting for the command to guard or attack.

Another chime sounded as the front door opened, which caused Nyla to once again focus in that direction.

“Annie?” Benjamin’s voice drifted up from the main floor. “Are you upstairs?”

“Yep.” Annie moved her project over to an open space on her workbench and picked up her small iron to flatten the seam.

Her brother climbed the steps to her loft, his loose curly blonde hair appearing before the rest of his lanky teenage form. She set the iron aside as he came to a stop at the top of the stairs.

Turning her attention to Benji, she saw him looking around the loft, his gaze lingering on the fireplace she had crackling on the large television. It was normally hidden behind sliding wooden doors, but she’d wanted the ambiance that day.

“Uh… Christmas, Annie?” He frowned, as if he thought she’d lost her mind. “It’s summer.”

“Yep.” Annie grinned as Kenny G’s rendition ofSilver Bellsdrifted from the speakers.

“Seriously.” Benji turned his attention to her. “Why Christmas? That’s months away.”

“I know.” Annie lifted the fabric she’d been working on. “But I want to stockpile inventory in anticipation of the holiday season. I always try to be a season or two ahead. Today just felt like a good day to work on Christmas stuff.”

“Can you take a break?” Benji asked.

“I suppose,” she said, setting her project aside. “What’s up?”

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