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  Beside him, his cell phone rang, and he picked it up without even checking the caller ID. “Hello?”

  “Rev? It’s Tucker Jackson. I need some advice.” Tucker was one of the younger players on the team. Picked up in the final round of drafts, he had yet to play a game this season and Emmitt knew he was frustrated by that.

  “Sure, Tucker, what can I do for you?” His mind was not really in the right place to be doling out advice, but it was one of the consequences for the character he had created. The men thought because of his faith that he was a good sounding board and they often brought their problems to him. Sometimes he felt more like a Catholic priest than a linebacker.

  “I just got word they want to trade me. I don’t know what to do, man.”

  Emmitt’s heart hurt for the younger man. It was hard to get on a team, think you were a part of their family, and then realize you didn’t mean as much to them as you thought. But being traded also wasn’t the worst thing in the world. Yes, he would have to start over on a new team, make new friends, but perhaps he would get to play instead of warming the bench.

  “Tucker, I’m sorry. Where do they want to send you, do you know?”

  “The Texas Tornadoes. They’re a good team, but I feel like I just haven’t gotten the chance to show the Rebels what I have.”

  “I know it’s hard, but trades are a part of the game. When is the trade happening?”

  “As soon as the season is over. The Tornadoes are out of the championship running this season, so they agreed to let me finish the season with the Rebels.”

  Emmitt nodded even though he knew Tucker couldn’t see it. Trades were common this time of year. As soon as teams realized they were out of the playoffs, they started looking at how to improve their team for the next year before the draft. Drafts were a crap shoot—owners never really knew what they were getting because college ball was different than pro football. A lot of amazing college players froze when they got out under the cameras. Trades, however, worked more in the owner’s favor. They could generally see the player in action in at least one game. Plus, they could put the players through a few extra trainings before the season ended. Emmitt would be sad to see Tucker go, but he couldn’t help wondering if they were trading him for a replacement for DJ Madden. He’d said more than once this was his last year, and the defensive line would crumble without a decent replacement.

  “My suggestion is to look at this like an opportunity. You have the chance to show this new team what you have, to show them you belong on the field and not on the bench. I know it’s hard to start over, but sometimes it’s for the best. And I’ll still be here for you. Whatever you need, you can always call on me.”

  “Thanks, Rev. I think you’re what I’m going to miss most. You always made me feel included. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you at practice in a few days.”

  As Emmitt hung up the phone, Tucker’s words raced around in his head. He might have made Tucker feel included, but he’d excluded Mia when it really mattered. He’d left without a word. Embarrassed and ashamed, he hadn’t known how to apologize to her, so he’d put it off and thrown himself into playing. And somehow, the days had turned into months and the months into years. And now she was here. Working a dead-end job with little money. And her son was growing up without a father and might have cancer. How costly one choice could be.

  Emmitt didn’t know what the solution was, but he was determined to make it up to Mia and Carter. Maybe he could become like a surrogate father—one who took the kid to ball games and threw the football around with him. At least that way, he would have a man in his life. Emmitt might have made some huge mistakes in his past, but he was determined to be a good example for the kid. And for Mia. He had to prove to her he had changed.

  Chapter 7

  Mia did her best to focus on work, but her mind continued to wander to Carter. Was he okay? Lonely? Missing her? She knew her mother was at the hospital with him, but it didn’t ease her worry. She should be with him. She should be holding him and spending every second with him. Especially if his seconds were now limited.

  “Mia, I need to talk to you,” Daryl said, bringing her crashing back to reality.

  Her heart sank as she looked at him. His face was long and his bottom lip folded in as if he’d rather be doing anything other than talking to her. And she knew this was it. He was going to fire her. She’d known it would be coming. It wasn’t like she could hide her tardiness forever, but she needed this job. Especially now. How would she pay bills if she had no income coming in?

  With a heavy heart and an invisible weight pressing down on her shoulders, she followed him to his small office at the back of the restaurant. He shut the door and cleared his throat. “There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to come right out with it.” His gaze flicked around the room—the dingy walls, the worn carpet, anywhere but her face. “I hear you were late again yesterday.”

  She wondered how he found out. Had that customer complained after all? It didn’t matter, really. What mattered now was owning up and convincing him she would try harder. “I was, and I’m sorry. I wish I could say it won’t happen again, but Carter…he’s having a hard time.”

  Daryl held up his hand. “I understand that. Truly, I do…”

  Mia hated it when people said that. Especially people like Daryl. Daryl was twenty-two years old, fresh out of college, and his parents owned the restaurant. He had no idea what it was to lose a spouse or raise a child alone and she doubted he lived paycheck to paycheck.

  “But I need someone I can count on,” he continued. “Someone who isn’t going to keep the customers waiting.”

  “I understand sir, but Carter broke his ankle this morning and is in the hospital. I didn’t even stay with him today. I came in even though I wanted to be with him because I need the job.” Mia hated begging, especially to someone younger than she was, but she saw no other option.

  “I’m sorry to hear that, but I still have to let you go. You can come in tomorrow to pick up your final paycheck, but today is your last shift.”

  For the second time that day, tears stung her eyes, but Mia was determined not to cry. Not at work and not in front of Daryl. She would figure something out. She didn’t know what, but she trusted that God was faithful and He would provide something.

  “Understood. Thank you.” She left Daryl’s office before the tears could start and hurried into the bathroom. Squeezing her eyes shut, she willed the tears away and then splashed water on her face. She would make it through the rest of this day and be the best waitress possible. Maybe Daryl would see and reconsider but even if he didn’t, Mia would know that she had done her best and she could leave with her head high. It might not be much of a victory, but pride was about all she had left at the moment, and she would take it.

  When her shift ended that evening, she handed in her nametag and apron to Daryl and walked out without another word. Her tears stayed at bay until she shut her car door, and then they streamed down her cheeks in shiny rivulets faster than she could wipe them away. She didn’t try to stop them but let them flow. Better to get them out now than cry at the hospital in front of Carter. He would blame himself if he saw her, and she didn’t need that.

  He was asleep in the bed when she entered the room, and Mia swallowed her disappointment. Even though it was after nine, she’d hoped he would be awake when she arrived, but the biopsy must have worn him out. She motioned her mother to step into the hallway. She needed to talk to her mother, but the conversation wasn’t for little ears who would worry too much, and Carter could be a light sleeper.

  “How was he today?” Mia asked as she gathered her courage for the harder topic.

  “He was fine. Watched entirely too much television, but what else can a boy do when he’s confined to a bed. Do you want to tell me how he broke his ankle?”

  Mia could hear the blame in her mother’s voice and see it in her scolding gaze. Her mother probably thought she hadn’t been watchi
ng Carter close enough and maybe she hadn’t—what with being distracted by Emmitt. It was certainly a lecture Mia had heard more than once, but she couldn’t blame her mother. Like Mia, her mother only wanted what was best for Carter, and Mia wished she could provide for him as her parents had provided for her. But she was only one person trying to do the job of two people.

  “He fell at the playground today, but there was nothing I could have done. However, his ankle is the least of my worries.”

  Her mother folded her arms across her chest. “What do you mean? I’d say a broken ankle on a five-year-old is a pretty big deal.”

  Mia bit the inside of her lip. She did not want to cry in front of her mother. Not because she didn’t think her mother would support her but because she was afraid once she started crying, she might not be able to stop. “Not compared to osteosarcoma which the doctor thinks he might have.”

  As expected, her mother’s eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth. “Cancer? Is that why they took him for tests today?”

  Mia swallowed the massive lump in her throat and blinked against the tears that burned in her eyes. “Yeah, and I was fired today for being late yesterday, so on top of dealing with cancer, I have no idea how I’m supposed to pay for any of this.”

  Compassion flooded her mother’s face. “We’ll figure this out somehow. You can move back in with us. We can continue to watch Carter while you find a new job. Goodness knows your father is driving me crazy now that he’s retired. Having Carter around all day would be good for us.”

  A tear sneaked out of her eye and trailed down her cheek. Mia swiped it away. “Where am I going to find a new job, Mom? This is Kempton. We only have, like, one job a year open up, and that’s usually only when someone goes off to college or dies. It’s December, so college is out of the question and I’m not sure I have time to wait for someone to die.”

  “Then you’ll have to look outside of town. It will make your commute longer, but if you’re staying with us, it won’t matter because we can put Carter to bed if necessary.”

  Though that was an option, it was not one Mia enjoyed, as it would mean even less time with Carter than she had now. “Yeah, maybe. I’m not going to start looking tomorrow though. I’m going to stay home with my son and decide what to do. Thank you for sitting with him today.”

  “Of course. He is my only grandson, and you know I’d do anything for him. However, if you’d only—”

  “Mom, stop it.” Mia tried not to grimace at her mother’s words. While they sounded innocent enough, disappointment threaded them. Disappointment that Mia hadn’t had more children before Marcus died. Disappointment in the fact she had married Marcus in the first place and not someone wealthier. But lack of income hadn’t been what killed Marcus.

  “I’ll call you tomorrow, Mom.” Mia gave her mother a hug and watched her walk away before re-entering Carter’s room. As he still lay sleeping, she pulled up a chair and sat beside him. Relishing the silence, she closed her eyes and opened her heart to God. She needed a miracle and He was the only one who could supply one.

  Emmitt grabbed the bag of Chinese food from the passenger seat of his car. He hoped Mia still liked Chinese. He had forgotten to ask, but he’d ordered her sweet and sour chicken and broccoli beef, dishes that she’d loved when they’d been together.

  A stop at the visitor’s desk yielded him a nametag and clearance to continue down the hall, but he stopped short as he entered Carter’s room. The boy was asleep in the bed and beside him, Mia sat in a chair with her eyes closed. Should he wake her or just leave the food and go? It was late, but he didn’t want her food to spoil. Before he could decide, her body jerked and her eyes flicked open.

  “Emmitt? How long have you been there?” She rubbed her eyes as she sat up straighter.

  “I just arrived.” He held up the bags. “With dinner.”

  “Thank you.” An audible rumble filled the air, and Mia dropped her eyes in embarrassment. “I guess I am hungry.”

  Emmitt set the bags on the nearby table and pulled a chair over. He handed her one Styrofoam container and then set the other in front of his place. “How are you doing today?” he asked her as he opened the lid. The sweet, salty smell of chicken and rice floated out to him.

  “Don’t ask,” she said with a shake of her head. “My son is sick and in the hospital, and I got fired.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah. It’s been a day to say the least.” The sarcasm was clear in her voice and Emmitt’s heart went out to her. He may have covered her medical bills, but she would never make it without a job. “Sorry, I’m not great company. Would you be willing to pray for the food?”

  “Your company is fine,” he assured her. “And I don’t mind at all.”

  She nodded, and Emmitt said grace over their dinner. “So why were you working at a restaurant instead of interior design like you studied in college?” he asked after saying Amen. He speared a piece of steak and pepper and shoved it in his mouth. Mia might have preferred milder Chinese dishes, but he enjoyed a little heat in his.

  She moved her rice around with her fork as if deciding what she wanted to say. “Well, after you left, I took some time off college to clear my head. Then I met and married Marcus and then Carter was born. I stayed home with him the first few years, but when Marcus died, I had to get a job, and one that paid. As I’d never finished my design degree, no one would hire me, so I turned to waitressing. The work wasn’t hard and the tips paid well, but it’s been a challenge trying to deal with Carter. He misses his father, and I’ve been late more times than I’d like to admit. Today, my boss decided he’d had enough and he fired me.”

  Emmitt swallowed his food and regarded Mia across the table. “What are you going to do?”

  “I have no idea. My mother suggested moving in with her and my dad, but not only do I not want to do that, but I don’t think it will really save much money, as I’ll have to find a job out of town. However, with no job, I don’t really have a lot of options.”

  Before he had thought the idea all the way through, Emmitt blurted out, “Why don’t you come work for me?”

  “Doing what?” Mia asked with a raised eyebrow. “You’re a pro-football player. I don’t think I have any skills that would help you.”

  “Actually, you do. I’ve been meaning to redecorate my house, but I’ve been so busy I haven’t hired a designer. If you did it, not only could you get publicity that would land you jobs in the future, but you could stay on-site with Carter. I have a guest house in the back.”

  “Emmitt, I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”

  “It’s a perfect idea. He could stay in the house with you while you work. I’ve got a few more days off before I have to be back for practice. I could keep him entertained when you needed quiet time. Plus, we have a great cancer hospital there. If it’s cancer, they’ll probably refer you there anyway.”

  He could see the hesitation in her eyes, but he also knew he’d hit a nerve with the hospital. Kempton was not known for its hospital care, and she would want the best care for Carter. “You really have a job for me? This isn’t just some ruse to get me to your house, so you can break my heart again, is it?”

  Her words pierced his heart, but he knew he deserved them. “I really have a job for you. I know I screwed up badly in the past, but let me do this for you.”

  Mia bit her bottom lip—a trait he had found endearing when they dated and one that always meant she didn’t know what to do. Her eyes flicked from him to her son lying in the bed. With a giant sigh, she nodded. “Okay. If it’s cancer and they refer me to San Antonio’s hospital, then I’ll do it.”

  Chapter 8

  “You’re taking my grandson six hours away from here?” The anger and disbelief was evident both in her mother’s voice and the stiff posture of her hands jammed onto her hips.

  “Hear her out, Maggie,” her father said from the kitchen. He had offered to entertain Carter in the other room while the women ta
lked but apparently he was still listening.

  “He’s offering me a job, Mother. One that pays well and allows me to spend the days with Carter. Plus, the hospital there is top notch. I met with the doctor earlier and the biopsy confirmed it’s osteosarcoma. He’s referring us to Methodist Hospital anyway for treatment.”

  “But six hours away? And right before Christmas?”

  Mia shrugged. “Faster if you fly, and we can’t wait, Mom. They want to start treatments right away, and we were lucky enough to get an appointment with one of the doctors there tomorrow.”

  “And who is this mysterious benefactor anyway who swooped in at just the right moment to offer this job?”

  Mia bit the inside of her lip. She didn’t really want to tell her mother because even though she’d been a fan of Emmitt’s in the beginning, she had turned on him when he left Mia, but she would not lie to her either. “It’s Emmitt.”

  As expected, her mother’s eyes widened and her eyebrow arched in that way Mia had always hated as a child—that way that said she was in trouble. “Emmitt Brown? Mia, what are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking that he has money and that he offered me a job. I’m thinking that Carter is going to need to be at a good hospital to get the treatment he needs, and I’m thinking that this offer will allow me to spend time with him both day and night just in case…” Mia didn’t finish the thought, but she didn’t have to. The expression on her mother’s face showed it was heavy on her mind as well.

  “He is going to be fine. Do you hear me?”

  Mia sniffed back the tears crowding her throat. “He will because he’s going to get amazing treatment in San Antonio. I know you will miss him, but this is what he needs right now. This is what I need right now.” Though she wished it had been anyone besides Emmitt who had offered her the job, she would not say no to this gift horse. Not only would the job be enough to help pay his medical bills, but Emmitt was well known. If she did a good job, this opportunity could launch her interior design business, and with Carter starting school next year, she wanted a job that she could do during the day to spend time with him at night.