Loving by Karen Kingsbury Page A

Schroeder has college experience.” He gave the slightest shrug. “He’d be good, I guess.”
    “He’d be great. Plus he lives in Lyle and he loves it there.”
    “What?” Smitty looked shocked, but already the sparkle was back in his eyes. “You don’t love Lyle?”
    “Of course I do.” Cody chuckled. “But I never planned to live there.” He hesitated. “Coach Schroeder … he’d coach the team for the next two decades if he could.”
    They started walking again, in less of a hurry than before. “Coach S’ll do good,” Smitty shot a slow, crooked grin in Cody’s direction. “Must be nice, Coach. Getting big time offers from other schools.” He puffed out his chest. “Just don’t forget … we made you famous.”
    Laughter filled the air between them, and Smitty put his arm around Cody’s shoulders. “Don’t worry, Coach. I know what you’re thinking. We didn’t have anything to do with it, right?”
    “That, and the fact that I’m not famous.” Cody was grateful the kid wasn’t still mad at him. “God did everything. Through Him and for His glory.”
    “His way.”
    “Exactly.” Cody grinned and for a few seconds he relived the phone call. He had an offer on the table from Clear Creek High School in Bloomington and now this — a job possibility at Oaks Christian.
    DeMetri removed his arm from Cody’s shoulders and quickened his pace. “I wanna catch the lunch crowd at the café.”
    “We already ate.” Cody kept up with the kid. “Don’t tell me you’re hungry again.”
    “Actually, I am.” DeMetri winked at him. “But I sorta want to see the kids, you know? Make sure I fit in.”
    For an instant Cody felt a flicker of heartache. He realized how much he’d miss the kid, miss the way he could brighten any room or lighten any mood. Miss having him around the apartment. “You’ll fit in, Smitty. Like I said … fifty friends, easy.”
    “But what about a best friend, Coach … you think I’ll find a best friend?”
    “Of course.” He elbowed the kid. “They’ll be lining up for the spot.”
    “I don’t know.” DeMetri laughed. “I hope you’re right.”
    They reached the café, and a couple of girls from the English class approached them. In no time they invited DeMetri and Cody to their packed table. Cody kept quiet while Smitty and the other students got to know each other. No, the kid wouldn’t have a problem. Cody was sure.
    As the day played out, Cody was even less concerned about Smitty’s transition. Rather, he was concerned for himself, for the next step in his coaching career, and the decision he needed to make about where he would work. If he stayed in Lyle, he would forever see Cheyenne along the sidelines of their practice field, forever feel the memory of a beautiful girl whose life was cut short far too soon.
    He could move to Bloomington, but there the memories would be worse.
    It was a fact that made the phone call from Edwin Baylor very interesting. A move to Thousand Oaks outside Los Angeles might be the perfect solution. A few high school friends had wound up in Los Angeles, and last he’d heard Andi Ellison and her parents lived there too, though he hadn’t talked to her since she left Bloomington. Of course, Bailey and Brandon would be there, but that didn’t really impact his decision one way or the other. He doubted he’d run into them teaching and coaching. Yes, the move to Southern California was definitely a possibility. But, if he was supposed to take the Thousand Oaks position, he had the same question Smitty had. Not whether he’d fit in, but whether or not he would ever find a real friend.
     

Five
     
    B AILEY NEEDED TO TALK TO B RANDON SOONER THAN LATER.
    He wasn’t going to like what she had to say, and her heart hurt over what lay ahead. But she couldn’t wait any longer. He had an open afternoon that day, and the two of them planned to meet at Will Rogers Beach — Bailey’s new favorite spot. If they came in two different