as the undersized baseball diamond was formed. Jared was surprised to see Cody’s mom arrive just before the start of the game.
Cody caught sight of her and ran over. They were too far away, and the music and voices from the guests were too loud to hear what was being said, but Jared could see Cody pointing to the baseball field, and then he held out a glove to his mom.
As Anna shook her head no, Jared’s temper began to rise. Cody dropped the glove at his mom’s feet and then walked away like an abandoned puppy.
Jared looked around. No one else seemed to notice the exchange. He knew it was none of his business, and he should just stay out of it, remember his philosophy to stay detached, but one look at Cody’s heartbroken face, and Jared knew what he shoulddo wasn’t what he hadto do.
He strode over to Anna.
“You don’t get it,” he said before she could say a word. “I know you have a job, but you also have a son. Stop buying him all those damn expensive gifts and do the one thing he really wants.” Jared picked up the baseball glove and held it in front of her. “Get your ass in the game.”
Jared turned and walked away, ignoring Anna’s shocked expression.
As always, the game was a blast and a blowout. Cody and all the kids (especially since he’d recruited several of his teammates) slaughtered the adults. The little pyros were celebrating winning the bet. They were setting off fireworks as fast as they could light them on the platform Jenny’s father had built years ago that hung out over the bank. Most of the parents were right there alongside their kids.
With the fireworks lighting up the sky, Jenny escaped into the kitchen. The empty house was pure peace after the hectic day. Plus, she needed time to think.
I’m no longer in the military. I resigned my commission.
She’d refused to let herself read too much into Jared’s revelation. Instead, she’d thrown herself into her work. She’d funneled every bit of her energy into Blue Sky. She worked harder and longer than she ever had so that at night, when she crawled into bed, exhaustion would take over. But today, being here with Jared, watching him playing ball, play with Cody, mingle with their friends and neighbors, she couldn’t ignore what he had said any longer. And she also couldn’t ignore the fact that Jared hadn’t said anything about leaving in quite some time. Did that mean he wanted to stay?
Just as she finished whipping up a blender full of margaritas, Anna walked into the kitchen.
“You’re brave,” Jenny said, glad for the distraction. Her thoughts were leading her down a road better left unexplored. “Leaving Cody alone out there with all those fireworks.”
“Jared’s with him.”
Jenny tried not to react at hearing Jared’s name. “Men and explosives.” She shook her head and handed Anna a salt-rimmed glass. “You look like you could use this.”
“Thanks.” Anna took the margarita like it was the Holy Grail. “I so need this.”
“Yeah. Saw that slide into home. That has to be good for at least a double shot.”
“Minimum.”
Jenny laughed, poured herself a drink, and sat down next to her sister at the table.
They were on their third margarita when Anna said, “I saw you standing by the open kitchen window. You heard what Jared said?”
Jenny licked some salt off her lips. “Yeah. I did.”
Anna grabbed the bottle of tequila and poured some straight into her margarita. “He’s right, you know. I haven’t been in the game of late. And I’m not just talking about today.”
Jenny looked at her sister, not knowing quite what to say. She’d seen the hurt on Cody’s face but hadn’t stepped in. Anna had always seemed so in control, never taking a wrong step. But now, Jenny was seeing her sister in a new light. Anna struggled just like everyone else. “You’re a great mom with a lot on your plate. It’s impossible to be everywhere at once. Especially when you’re in the role of both mom and dad.”
Anna swirled the slushy liquid in her glass. “Remember when I dropped Cody off last time, and you said you wondered how I managed everything? Well, I don’t. I haven’t been. My job became too important.” She let out a sigh and drained her glass. “I haven’t been there for my son, and I’m pretty sure the reason Phillip left is because I pushed him away.”