A Case of Extreme Mistaken Identity - Victorine E. Lieske Page 0,32

and whacked it. It shot off the green, flew between the bushes, and landed on the mulch between holes. She put her hand up to her mouth and giggled. “Oops. I guess I need more practice.”

“That’s okay,” he said as he walked to her ball and fetched it. “You can try again. Just take a moment to aim before you hit it.” He bent next to her and placed it back on the starting point.

Claire leaned over her club, sticking out her bottom. She stared at the loop. “Hmm. I’m not sure I can make this one. Maybe you should show me how to do it.”

Before he could react, she grabbed him and tugged him behind her, so his arms were around her and he was pressed up against her. He jumped back, his face heating. The last thing he wanted to do was show Claire how to hit the ball.

“Actually,” he said, trying to stall so he could think of something to say. Brilliance hit. “Dani’s much better at this than I am. She can give you pointers.” He shoved Dani toward Claire.

Dani looked a bit stunned at first, but she took her place behind Claire. “Sure. I can show you.” She leaned closer and put her hand on Claire’s club, moving it closer to the ball. “You just need to—”

Claire pushed Dani away and made a guttural noise in her throat. She wiped her palm off on her dress, as if touching Dani had offended her. “No, thanks. I can figure it out myself.”

She once again took position and this time hit the ball through the loop. It went around the circle, coming out just inches from the hole. She smiled. “There. Your advice worked, Austin.”

He wanted to roll his eyes but refrained. He was taught to be polite to women, no matter what. So, that’s what he would do.

Claire walked over to her ball and hit it into the hole. Then it was Dani’s turn. She took position and after looking at the course for a moment, she hit a hole in one. A small smile crossed her lips, and Austin couldn’t help his own smile from showing. “Nice hit,” he said.

“Thanks.”

Austin placed his ball and took a minute to assess the loop. Then he turned to Dani and motioned to her. “Will you show me your pointers? How did you get this in one shot?”

Dani brightened and nodded. “Sure.” She put her arms around him and without even looking, Austin could feel the heat from Claire’s stare, but he didn’t care. Dani’s touch was light and sent a wave of attraction through him.

“You’ll have to hit the ball hard enough to go through the loop, but not too hard that it will shoot past the hole. Aim for the center of the entrance. That will give you the best chance for a hole in one.”

She showed him how far back she would pull the club and then she stood back to let him take the shot. He concentrated and did as Dani had said. The ball went into the center of the loop and came out the other side, making a hole in one.

Austin raised his hands in the air. “It worked!”

Dani laughed and put her club under her arm so she could clap for him. Claire, on the other hand, looked like she’d swallowed a gnat. She stalked across the green, her movements clipped. She grabbed his arm and cooed, “Ooh, good job. You’re so talented.”

“It’s Dani’s coaching. I tell you, she’s the best.”

Claire shot him a look. “Come on. Let’s go to the next one. It’s the windmill. I always have trouble with this one. Maybe you can help.”

Austin tried to get Claire off him, but it was impossible, so he just let her hang on him for the rest of the game. He couldn’t tell if Dani was upset by this or not. She seemed guarded. Relief lifted his shoulders when they finally reached the last hole where your ball was eaten by the clown. He didn’t even wait to let Claire shoot first. He plopped his ball down and shot that sucker into the gaping hole. “Got it,” he said.

Claire grinned at him. “I knew you’d do it. You were always so talented. Even in high school. I knew you’d be a professional football player when you grew up.”

Austin froze. He had been holding his breath, waiting for the game to end so he could send Claire on her way before she