Page 7

R efolding a stack of T-shirts with Whisper Hills logos and placing them at the edge of the table, Endy recounted what had gone on during the community meeting earlier in the day. She moved around the shop, tidying it up after closing.

“… and like Daniel said, pickleball is here to stay,” said Endy. “Especially since it’s starting to appeal to younger players.”

Maria bunched up the cloth she’d been using to dust the racks and glanced up at the wall clock. She said, “Speaking of younger players, you better get going or you’ll be late again.”

Endy looked at her phone, checking the time. “Dammit, I can’t be late again! The kids don’t have adult supervision until I—”

The telephone on the front desk rang, the sound piercing in the empty pro shop. They slid glances at each other and then to the ringing telephone.

“Should we—” started Endy.

Maria shook her head. “No, we’re closed. Don’t answer it—”

“Hello, Whisper Hills racquet pro shop,” said Endy, after lifting the receiver to her ear. “Hey, Gary, what can I do for you?” Maria rolled her eyes and pointed at the clock.

Endy shrugged with her palm in the air. “Hang on one sec while I pull up my schedule… . I’m going to put you on hold.” She pressed a button on the phone and looked at Maria, her eyes pleading.

“Alright, alright. I gotchu,” said Maria, walking to the front desk.

She tucked the cloth into a drawer and withdrew her key ring.

“I’ll head over now, but I’m literally not doing anything until you get there, and you owe me for this.

” She opened the door and called over her shoulder, “I’m locking the door behind me. Get there as soon as you can.”

“Thanks, I’ll pay you back, I promise!” replied Endy as she pressed the hold button again. “Gary, you still there?”

After she’d hung up the phone, Endy looked at the clock and saw how late she was.

She ran to her office, grabbed her purse and keys, and flicked off the lights.

With the sun setting behind the mountains, the pro shop windows darkened.

Endy took one last look over the shop, making sure everything was in order.

She unlocked the glass door, flung it open, stepped through, and ran smack into something solid. Someone solid.

Strong arms wrapped around her, preventing her from toppling down the steps.

“Gah!” she shrieked. Her face pressed into a firm chest, the top of her head reaching just below a strong chin.

“Did you just say ‘gah’?” the extremely handsome guy holding her asked, his tone full of amusement.

Endy looked up to thick lashes surrounding intense light blue eyes staring deep into hers.

Her heart thudded in her chest, and she seemed to have quit breathing all the while his arms held her in a warm, protective embrace.

“Did I?” she stammered, gathering herself and stepping back from him. Her eyes widened when she recognized him as Rusty’s rescuer and Collin Park’s tennis opponent from just a few hours before, and her heart skipped more than a beat.

“I’m so sorry. I’m late and—” Her cell phone dinged with an incoming text from Maria:

WHERE R U??? KIDS R RIOTING

“The shop is actually closed, and I’m late. I’m so sorry,” she stammered, tripping over her words. “I’m late.”

Looking thoughtful, he rubbed his smooth chin, the gesture sending shivers along Endy’s arms. Why was it that when incredibly handsome men rubbed their chins, it made women feel faint?

“Can you come back tomorrow morning? We open at seven o’clock,” she choked out.

He looked at her from the side of his eyes. “Sure, tomorrow,” he replied. He flashed the same smile he had earlier, the sexy, crooked one that had her tummy all aflutter. “It’s a date.” He took a step back as Endy pulled the door shut.

She could feel his eyes on her as she locked the door behind her.

She smoothed back her hair and couldn’t help but tug her tennis skirt farther down her slender hips.

Jogging away, Endy was very aware that the extremely attractive guy standing under the pro shop awning was still watching her as she disappeared around the corner.