Page 38

Chapter

Twenty

K elby pulled into the familiar parking lot adjacent to the stadium.

So many good memories flooded her being back where the Hawks played all their home games.

She could still remember every cheer and movement that went with it from her days as a cheerleader.

Impulsively, she called Darby, via FaceTime.

“Hey, what’s going on, Kel?”

She turned around so that the high school stadium showed in the background. “Look where I am.”

“Aw. I kinda miss those days, being a Hawthorne Hawk. I haven’t been back to the stadium since we graduated.”

“Same.” She turned the phone so that Hawthorne High School came into view. “Maybe we should visit our old stomping grounds when you come for the wedding next weekend. If that’s convenient for you.”

“I will make it convenient,” Darby said fervently. “I’m just glad you and West have picked a date. Will it be Friday or Saturday? Either way, I’ll come in on Thursday night so I can help with anything that needs to be done.”

“I think Saturday. Just at the ranch. We don’t want anything fancy. My gut feeling says I’ll be able to feel Dad in spirit if we hold it there.”

“Indoors or outside?”

“Probably indoors, but Tammy and Mrs. Sutherland will prepare for either. You never know when a quick rain shower might zip through in spring, and I don’t want to be soaked while saying our vows.”

“Rehearsal dinner?”

She laughed. “Haven’t gotten that far, but I would say yes. Again, nothing fancy.”

“Then I’ll go ahead book a flight out for late Thursday afternoon and rent a car and drive up.”

“You can stay at the ranch. The twins have confirmed that they can make it, and West is pleased about that.”

Kelby began walking toward the stadium. “Right now, he’s on the sidelines for the spring scrimmage. Coach Markham wanted him there even though he’s not officially on the football staff yet.”

“I’d better let you go then. Lead the stands in a cheer for me.”

“Will do.”

She slipped her phone into her pocket and went through the gates.

Automatically, she headed to the track, where the cheerleaders used to gather, placing megaphones and pompoms. Several girls were stretching, with a few doing backflips and cartwheels.

She saw a woman standing nearby and moved toward her.

“I’m thinking you must be the cheer coach.” Offering a hand, she said, “Kelby Blackstone, former Hawks cheerleader.”

The blond flashed a smile. “Kay Timmons. And you’re right. These are my girls. You’re pretty famous around here, along with Darby Montgomery. The trophy case is stuffed with spirit stick awards you and your squad brought home. And you both went on to cheer at UT.”

“Guilty as charged,” she replied. “I had my heart set on UT from the time I could walk. I just loved their iconic cheer uniforms. The burnt orange called out to me.”

“I’ve met Darby a few times. She’s conducted cheer camps I’ve taken the girls to during summers.

I’m not certain, though, if I’ll be doing so much longer.

I may be moving. My husband might be transferred to Chicago.

We’re waiting to see now.” Kay paused. “You wouldn’t be interested in coming to the high school and taking over for me, would you? ”

Kelby laughed. “Not a chance. I was a digital communication and media major. I’ve just started my own company, Social Synergy Creations. I’m working with companies on their social media. Branding. Ads. That kind of thing.”

“In case I do leave, would you mind if I passed along your name and number to the next sponsor? You would be a great reference for a new person.”

“Sure.”

They exchanged cell numbers, and Kay asked if Kelby might be interested in being a judge at the upcoming cheerleader tryouts.

“I have two judges, but I always prefer to have three. An odd number breaks any kind of tie.”

“That would be a lot of fun. Text me the info, and I’ll check my calendar and see if I can work it into my schedule.”

“Thank you. That would be great.” Kay looked over her shoulder. “I need to start reining in these girls. Try to watch a few cheers and give me some feedback on the squad.”

“Will do.”

Kelby glanced to the field and saw players on it now, some stretching, some running small drills.

She didn’t locate West, though. Other coaches were on the field supervising, but then she noticed Coach Markham was also absent.

They must be talking over last-minute ideas in the locker room.

She had caught West doodling plays, his mind always on his future occupation.

She made her way into the bleachers, greeting a few others. Mrs. Sutherland waved at her, so she went to join her.

“Hey, Mrs. Sutherland,” she said, giving her future mother-in-law a hug. “I’m surprised to see you here. Now that the wedding is a go, I thought you and Tammy would be huddled today, making plans.”

“That’s for after the scrimmage. And you’re about to be family, Kelby. You need to start calling me Meg. Mrs. Sutherland sounds so formal.”

“I’d be happy to do so.”

Meg smiled wistfully at her. “I can’t be your mom, but I hope we can be close.”

“I appreciate hearing that,” she said. “Tammy’s been the only mom I’ve ever known. It will be nice having two of you in my life.”

Dr. Sutherland joined them. “I’ve been pressing the flesh,” he declared. “Just like a politician.”

Kelby recalled how her dad had said that in a small town in Texas, the school superintendent, the Baptist preacher, and the police chief were the biggest movers and shakers. They knew everyone and were the three who could get things done. She definitely thought that applied to Dr. Sutherland.

“Joe, tell Kelby she doesn’t have to call you Dr. Sutherland anymore,” Meg prodded.

He grinned at her. “Honey, you can call me whatever you want. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“I may stick with Dr. S for now,” she said, not being able to imagine calling her former principal Joe .

Then she spied West finally making an appearance. Coach Markham wasn’t with him, which caused her some concern. Surprisingly, West didn’t stay on the field. He headed into the stands, going to Coach Markham’s wife.

Kelby leaned closer to Meg. “I have a bad feeling,”

“Same.”

They watched West escort the woman from the stands. Most fans had their eyes on the field and didn’t notice the departure of the head coach’s wife.

“Should I go after them?” Dr. S asked.

“Wait a few minutes. If Georgia doesn’t return by then, I’ll text her,” Meg said, clearly worried now.

Minutes later, West appeared. He blew a whistle, ending warmups, and had the team huddle around him in the endzone. She knew he addressed them because something had happened to Coach Markham and wondered what that meant for West.

He returned to the sidelines and looked up, obviously searching for her. She steeled herself, not wanting him to see her fretting. When he spotted her, she gave him a big smile. That seemed to settle him.

Play began, and Meg slipped out her cell phone, texting Coach Markham’s wife. Kelby tried to keep her eyes on the field, worried about what they might learn.

“Coach had a heart attack,” Meg told her husband and Kelby. “Georgia is in the ambulance with him now. They’re taking him to Decatur. He’s alert and talking. Joking with the EMTs. At least that’s a good sign.”

“We need to go be with them,” Dr. S said. His gaze met Kelby’s. “Stay here for our boy. He needs your support now.”

“I will,” she promised, swallowing the lump in her throat. Her dad’s passing was still fresh in her mind, and Kelby felt raw hearing this news about Coach Markham. She would do whatever she could, though, to be present for West and comfort him.

The Sutherlands slipped from their seats and headed down the bleacher steps.

Kelby watched the rest of the scrimmage, keeping what she knew to herself, even though several people stopped by to say hi to her and talk about West joining the Hawthorne football staff.

No one asked about them getting married, and she was glad for that small favor.

It was nice to keep something to themselves, especially because so much of West’s life—and hers, to an extent—had been lived in the spotlight.

The band played several times throughout the game.

She tried to listen to them and watch the cheerleaders as they led the fans through several cheers.

It was easy to spot moves Darby had coordinated and the cheerleaders now used in their dance routines.

It made Kelby wish her best friend would move back to Hawthorne and be a part of things here.

When the scrimmage ended, Kelby moved down to the track.

West was moving about, talking to several players.

A few he slapped on the back and congratulated.

Others, he took a moment to pull aside and say something personal to them about their play today.

By the time he finished with the last player, the other coaches and the majority of the team had already headed into the locker room.

“Hey,” she said, approaching him.

He turned. “Hey, yourself.”

West pulled her into his arms and held her close for a moment. “I’m drawing strength from you being here,” he whispered before releasing her.

“I know about Coach’s heart attack. We saw you take Mrs. Markham away. Your mom texted her, and she told us they were in the ambulance, headed to Decatur. It really made me wish that hospital would hurry and be finished here in Hawthorne.”

“I need to go talk to the team as a whole. Then I want to go to Decatur to see Coach.”

“I’ll go with you. Your mom and dad left to go to the hospital before the scrimmage even started.”

“Okay.” He handed her his keys. “Go wait in the truck. I won’t be long.”