Rodeo Reunion by Shannon Taylor Vannatter Page A

the Rangers was a long time ago.”
    â€œNot that long ago.” Raquel’s elbow brushed his as shetwisted off the cap of her bottled water. “He helped Hunter with batting.”
    â€œYou can put the cooler in the dugout.” The blonde pointed him in the right direction.
    Grateful to put some distance between himself and Raquel, Slade fell in stride beside the coach. This was turning out to be harder than he’d thought.
    * * *
    â€œHe’s cute,” Lacie whispered, and waggled her eyebrows at Raquel.
    Raquel’s cheeks heated and she was glad Slade was busy setting up the cooler in the dugout.
    â€œHunter, introduce Mr. Walker to everyone,” the coach called.
    â€œThis is my friend Slade Walker.” Hunter stood tall and proud. “He used to play for the Texas Rangers and he’s gonna be our new coach.”
    Gasps and whoops echoed through the gathering.
    â€œLet’s get started with batting practice so Coach Walker can see what we got.” Coach Johnson smiled at Hunter. “You’re up first since you saved the team.”
    Hunter’s pride warmed her heart as he stepped to the plate and took his pro stance.
    â€œWhere’s the pitching machine?” Slade scanned the mound.
    â€œEight and Under is coach pitch. But we can get a machine for practice, if you want.”
    â€œIt’s fine.” Slade rotated his shoulder. “Guess I’ll pitch, then.”
    Slade warmed up and wound up on his pitch. It was perfect. Thwack. The ball sailed into outfield and Hunter made it all the way to second base.
    She and Lacie cheered, then settled alone on the guest bleachers.
    â€œSo what’s the story on Slade?” Lacie bumped Raquel with her elbow.
    â€œNo story. He happened to move in next door for the spring, happened by when I was trying to pitch for Hunter and helped him with his batting. So when the coach thing came up—” she shrugged “—I asked him.”
    â€œThat’s a lot of happening. Is he an old flame?”
    â€œNo.” Raquel shook her head decisively. “I never met him before. He and Dylan were friends until the fifth grade, when Slade moved. After graduation he got a scholarship and went to college and then the major league. But an injury in his first season ended his career. They were great phone friends for a few years and always planned to get together but never managed it.”
    â€œQuinn and I knew each other before he came to Aubrey.” The sound of the ball hitting a glove punctuated Lacie’s statement. “I was already head over heels for Mel when Quinn came to our school, but he was crushing on me back then and I had no idea.”
    â€œThat’s sweet.”
    â€œIt’s funny you never met Slade until he ends up in Aubrey. Tiny little Aubrey.” Lacie pointed heavenward. “I think there’s something divine going on here.”
    â€œLike coincidence. Caitlyn and I ran into him at Moms on Main a few weeks back. Caitlyn went into labor and he drove us to the hospital.” She shifted her position on the aluminum bleacher.
    â€œSo, he knew you lived here before he moved here?”
    â€œYes, but he didn’t know Dylan was gone until after he happened to move in next door.”
    â€œOh.” Lacie scanned the ball field. “Okay, maybe you weren’t in Slade’s plan, but maybe it’s God’s plan.”
    â€œI don’t think so. Slade’s a rodeo chaplain. He travels the circuit and he’s only here for a three-month sabbatical.”
    â€œIf he needs a sabbatical, maybe he’s looking for achange. Like something permanent. With someone permanent.” Lacie bumped her elbow again. “I know it’s hard. Trust me.”
    Raquel released a sigh. “How did you put everything you had with Mel aside and allow Quinn room in your heart?”
    â€œI don’t know.” Lacie shook her head. “Time, I