Page 35 of Hope After Loss

I chalk my hand and make my way back to the return area to retrieve my ball.

“What are you, some kind of bowling shark?” Justin asks.

“I was a member of my high school bowling team for three years, and I bowled with my father’s league, which won the greater Leawood championship trophy six years in a row,” I inform them before picking up the bonus points.

“You said you couldn’t bowl. You tricked me,” Weston mumbles as he passes me to take his turn.

“No, I said it had been a long time since I bowled. You should always know your opponent before accepting a wager,” I say.

“She’s got you there,” Zemry agrees.

“Whose side are you on, old man?” Weston asks.

Zemry grins. “I’m always on the side of the pretty lady. Especially the cunning ones,” he replies.

Our team wins, and I beat Weston’s score by twenty-five points.

Justin and Zemry rip on Weston the entire walk to their trucks.

“I hope you’ll join us again,” Zemry says.

“I’d love to,” I reply.

“Next time, you can be my partner,” Justin whispers as he gives me a hug.

“Deal,” I whisper in return.

“You can’t ditch me for her. We’re a team,” Zemry complains.

Justin pouts.

We say our good-byes and head back to Weston’s house, where Sara-Beth has been watching Kaela.

As we navigate the winding road that leads up the mountain to his home, Weston presses a button, and Garrett Tuttle’s voice fills the cab.

I love a country love song.

I sit back, relax, and enjoy the music and the fresh air flowing in from the open windows.

“Are you hungry?” he asks.

“A little.”

“Good. I owe you a meal,” he says.

“You don’t have to pay up tonight. It’s late,” I say.

“It’s not that late.”

I look over to him. “Are you sure?”

He shrugs. “Why not? Mom texted that Kaela is sleeping. You two could stay the night. In a separate bedroom, of course. That way, you don’t have to disturb the baby, and you and I can have wine with dinner.”

“Temping,” I admit as my stomach lets out a growl.

Weston laughs. “That settles it. I’m definitely feeding you.”

Sara-Beth meets us at his door. Weston heads to the kitchen as I tell her all about our night.