Steele (Arizona Vengeance #9) - Sawyer Bennett Page 0,50

be supportive of him trying to make his marriage work. Of course, some could hate me for asking for a separation and now they’ll be forced to put on fake smiles and act like it’s all cool I’m here with him.

“I’m not sure this was a good idea,” I blurt out, my pulse now starting to race. I didn’t think through how this would work out. Jim bringing me back into the fold, I mean, particularly because we’re not exactly together. While I’m still hoping beyond hope we can repair what was broken, there’s the chance we won’t. And this could be a big grandstanding of lies right now.

Before I know it, Jim has his hands on my shoulders and he pulls me in close. “Ella… just relax. You’re one of the most lovable people I know. Everyone on this team adored you before we separated, and not one of my friends has sore feelings toward you. I made sure they knew I was to blame, not you.”

“You weren’t totally to blame,” I murmur, incredibly touched he would gallantly make himself the total bad guy. “It takes two to make a relationship work.”

Jim smiles, leans in, and brushes his lips against mine. “That might be true, but that’s a conversation best served with a few beers, chips, and guacamole out in the gazebo one night. I’ll randomly show up and text you when I arrive.”

I can’t help the laugh that bursts forth from my tight chest and just like that, he’s made things good for me again.

“Now, let’s act like two people madly in love who are trying to work things out, okay?” he presses.

“Okay,” I agree, and I take his hand back in mine.

He immediately pulls it away, then fishes into his pocket for his wallet. “But first… let me see if I can win you that big pink teddy bear.”

Fifty dollars and several baseballs later, we’re carrying the hideous bear around the carnival.

♦

An hour later, after checking on Lucy, the sun starts to set and the carnival lights come on. We’ve run into several of the players and their wives or significant others. Some had gotten married this summer without me having a chance to congratulate them. As Jim predicted, everyone was warm and genuinely happy to see me. It made me stop feeling awkward.

“Getting hungry?” Jim asks.

“I am,” I reply, but give him a pointed look. “But will you actually eat carnival food?”

While Jim likes to eat as clean as possible, Lucy and I love junk food.

“I’ll endeavor to choke something down,” he replies gallantly. “Actually… I’m kind of craving a hot dog.”

“Then let’s do it,” I reply, and off we go to the hot dog stand.

After we have our order in hand—Jim had dumped the pink teddy bear into some little girl’s arms not fifteen minutes after we won it—we head to a large tent that had been providing shade in the afternoon sun and was filled with tables and chairs for people to sit while they ate.

“Hey, there’s Dominik,” Jim says, and I follow him through tables until we reach the enigmatic owner of the Vengeance. He’s there with his wife, Willow, who also happens to be first-line left-winger Dax Monahan’s sister. A little boy sits between them, and I know from talking to Jim that this is their foster son, Dillon.

Dominik and Willow stand, giving us hugs. They introduce us to Dillon, who smiles shyly and picks at some cheese-covered fries.

“Dillon’s still a little shy until he gets to know you,” Willow explains, using her fingers to sweep some of his blond hair away from his forehead.

Jim sits opposite of Dillon, then leans forward to get eye level with him. “Hey, buddy… those cheese fries look really good. Mind if I have one?”

Dillon smiles and shakes his head, pushing the plate toward Jim. He nabs one and eats it with relish, although he probably hates it. He holds his fist out to Dillon, “Got a fist bump for me?”

Dillon smiles bigger and holds his fist out for Jim to tap, while Dominik and Willow watch fondly.

“Things are going well?” Jim asks as he glances up to Dominik.

“Very,” he replies, shooting a look over at Willow. Her eyes are soft, which is a good look on her. She’s such a powerhouse of a woman—a photojournalist who has seen active wartime.

Willow brings her attention to Jim and me, placing an arm around Dillon’s shoulders. “It looks like our adoption petition is going to be approved soon.”

Without