Page 86 of Dream Chaser
Jake walks right up behind her, wraps his arms around her waist, and kisses her cheek.
She doesn’t jump or turn; she just leans into him, as if she knew he was coming.
The light is in my eyes when she stands, but she looks exactly like Iz. Not just the hair, but the way she stands, completely relaxed. That part of Iz—the Iz not in work mode—I’m just beginning to see, and it’s beautiful.
“Ran into Griffon down at the stadium. He offered a hand.”
“Offered?” Sarah laughs then whispers something.
Bendling? Is that a type of plant?
Jake chuckles and whispers something like,opportunity and a rose?
She moves toward me. “Nice seeing you off the field, Griffon.”
“You, too, ma’am.” I smile.
She waves a hand. “None of that. Makes me feel old.”
Jake snorts. “You planted three hundred seedlings before noon. You’ve got more energy than half the league.”
“I normally have a helper,” she says, looking over her shoulder. “They grow too fast.”
“Need to clarify thatma’amwas just a respect thing. My Grand would have my ass …” I pause and shake my head. “Well, she’d have it once if I didn’t use my manners and another for cursing in front of a woman.”
“Call me Sarah and say ass if you want. We don’t filter here.”
“Noted.”
“You ever built a set of collapsible stairs for a grumpy dog with a god complex?” she asks.
I grin. “Not yet, but I’m game. Sarah, this place is incredible. Feels like spring in here.”
“Feels like hell in the summer.” Jake chuckles.
She elbows him—guessing that’s where Iz picked up that move—and says, “Like you spend more than ten minutes in here during the summer.”
“I spent a hell of a lot more time in here that one summer. The flower stand phase to raise money for …” He pauses like he’s trying to remember.
“Animal rescue.”
“No, it wasn’t that one.”
“Operation Warm Cold.” She smiles.
“Yeah, that was after we went to Africa, the Sahel region.” Jake nods
“And she said these kids walk five miles to school through literal sandstorms, and you’re telling me wecan’tship them snow boots and portable fans?” Sarah smiles.
“Yeah.” Jake chuckles then looks at me. “That girl of ours sets her mind on something, and you can’t change it.”
“Why would you want to?” Sarah asks him. “She lets her heart lead, and it just so happens, it’s always in the right direction. She’s brilliant.”
Jake chuckles. “We stopped at one because we knew we’d made perfection.”
“That’s only half true,” Sarah says, turning and looking back where she had been working then back at me. “You’re an only child, right?”
“That is also only half true.” I chuckle before even thinking.Fuck. They’re looking at me like they expect me to continue. Fucking awkward.“Not so funny story, but I had a sister. She died when she was three.”
