he could count and held the same conversation over and over again. The townspeople wishing him well, and Cody thanking them for their support.
Cody must’ve held a hundred conversations like that before he saw Cheyenne walking his way. She used her cane, but she walked faster than she had last week. Their eyes met over the crowd, and she smiled, as if to say she was proud of him. When she reached him, she waited nearby until every townsperson had welcomed him, and when they had returned to their picnic blankets and lawn chairs, she walked up and gave him a quick hug. “Wow … I didn’t know you were famous.”
“Faith, family, and football.” Cody slid his hands in his pockets and chuckled. “That’s Lyle — the town and the school.”
“I love it.” Cheyenne walked beside him as they returned to their chairs — set up near the barbecue tent and close to the players. “I didn’t think there were still places like this.”
“Me either.” He breathed in deeply through his nose, imagining the challenge ahead. “I hope they’re this supportive if we don’t win a game.”
“I get the feeling it’s not about winning for these folks.”
“Oh, they care.” He chuckled, remembering what a few dads had told him. How the town had its hopes on Cody. “They think I can rebuild what they once had.”
Her eyes told him she had no doubts. “Maybe you can.”
“We’ll see.” They stood in line for burgers and then found seats. When the meal was over the guys gathered round and talked him into playing catch on the adjacent field. Cheyenne watched and after an hour, when Cody’s T-shirt was damp with sweat, Cheyenne called him over.
“Time for the dunk tank.” Cheyenne took his hand. She whispered close to his ear. “The mayor put me up to it. Bribed me with one of his wife’s homemade cupcakes.”
Cody laughed. “Oh, really.” He noticed the rest of the football team falling in around them.
“Come on, everyone,” his quarterback Arnie Hurley shouted above the sound of the crowd, waving at the people to follow them. “Coach is getting in the dunk tank!”
It took a few minutes, but most of the picnic goers moved to the place where volunteers had set up carnival games and a classic dunk tank. Once again the mayor took the microphone. “Just so you know, we asked Miss Betty from the Chamber of Commerce to toss all the extra ice in the dunk tank water!”
A cheer came from the crowd, and the players hooted and hollered. “Yeah … you’re going down, Coach!”
Cody laughed and gave Cheyenne an exaggerated look of helplessness. Then he turned to the crowd and shook his head — playing with them. “No dunk tank,” he shouted. “I hate cold water.”
That started a chant from his players. “Dunk tank … dunk tank … dunk tank …”
Finally when Cody had gotten them appropriately worked up, he waved them off. “Fine … you got me!” He threw both arms in the air in mock surrender and walked to the tank. The mayor met him there and helped unlatch the top chamber.
“You’re a good sport.” The mayor’s eyes were kind, his words this time for Cody alone. “Breath of fresh air for this town. A real answer to prayer.”
“Thanks.” Cody hesitated long enough to look at the man’s eyes. He wanted the mayor to know how much his words meant. “I’m glad I’m here. I love these kids.”
“The feeling’s mutual.” The mayor laughed. “I haven’t seen this much excitement in Lyle for a long time.”
“Well …” Cody grinned and looked at the ice water below him. “I guess that means there’ll be a long line of people trying to dunk me.”
“Yes.” The mayor raised his brow. “I don’t think it’ll take long.”
A few of the players went first, and the mayor took the mic again. “Rise to the challenge, men,” he shouted. “Back up ten yards. Take the high road.”
But not one of them hit the target hard enough to knock Cody into the water. It was Cheyenne’s turn, and the mayor moved her up to the line where most people would throw from. She set her cane down as the team gathered around, cheering her on.
With the softball in her hand, she looked at the crowd, clearly enjoying the moment. Then she reared back and threw the ball dead on target. Cody caught a quick breath as he plunged into the ice-cold water. His laughter came so hard and fast he barely