Free Chasing Hope by Kathryn Cushman

to find Coach Thompson and his wife standing just behind them. “Nice to see you, too.” She quickly introduced Koen to everyone.
    “I have to say, Brandy has proven to be an even better runner than I imagined her to be. I’m glad you talked me into giving her a shot. I just hope she can hold up her end of the bargain.”
    “So do I.” Sabrina started to tell him about that morning’s workout and the bursts of speed she’d seen displayed over andover again, but Koen’s presence made her think better of it. She didn’t want to try to explain any of this to him. “Maybe she’ll surprise all of us.”
    “Well, she’ll have you to thank if she’s able to pull it off.”
    Koen had stood quietly listening to the entire conversation, his eyes narrowed in concentration. He looked at Coach Thompson. “How is it that you and Sabrina came to know each other?”
    “I’m the cross-country coach at the local high school.” He added no more, clearly expecting that this tidbit would be information enough for Koen to understand the connection.
    “Okay, so how does that—”
    “Right this way.” Sabrina had never been more happy to see the hostess approach with a couple of menus in her hands.
    Whew.
    The hostess led them to a table by the window. “Ronie’s your waitress, she’ll be right with you.” She put two menus on the table. “Enjoy.”
    “So, I’m confused. Tell me again how it is you know Coach Thompson. I get that he’s the high school cross-country coach, but you didn’t go to high school here, right? What’s that got to do with you?”
    “No, I didn’t go to school here.” Sabrina was frantically scrambling for an explanation that fell shy of lying but didn’t come near the full truth. “I . . . uh . . . well, you remember that girl we saw running from campus security that day? Gazelle Girl?”
    “Yeah.” His eyes were squinted in concentration.
    “Well, I told Coach Thompson about her and he decided to give her a chance. On next fall’s cross-country team.”
    “O-kaaaay . . . but that begs some more questions, like how do you know him in the first place? And why would he take your advice about something like that?”
    This was not going the way Sabrina wanted this night to go.Not at all. And there was no way she was going to spill everything right now, right here. “It’s a long story.”
    “I’ve got time.”
    “Hello, my name’s Ronie and I’ll be your waitress this evening. Can I start you off with something to drink? An appetizer maybe?”
    Once again, Sabrina felt immense gratitude for the interruption. This was bound to be her last reprieve, she knew that. She’d have to come up with a new subject and take the offensive as soon as the waitress left the table. “Water for me, please.”
    “Coke, please.”
    As soon as Ronie turned to leave, Sabrina said, “So, let’s talk about you. I know you grew up on a farm. What does your family raise?”
    “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were deliberately changing the subject.”
    “Good thing you know better. Now, let’s see, is it soybeans?”
    He leaned forward, putting his chin in his hand. “You are a mysterious woman, that’s what you are. I’m thinking it’s going to take a little bit of digging to get to the bottom of your story.”
    “Believe me, it’s not particularly interesting.”
    He reached over with his free hand and put it on top of hers. “I’ll be the judge of that. It may take me a little time, but I think you’re stuck with me for a bit while I get it all figured out.”
    Ah, and there was the best reason of all not to tell him anything. Sabrina couldn’t help but smile.

11
    B randy’s timing couldn’t have been better. She’d rounded the street corner just as Sabrina was stepping out of a lame beater pickup and walked to the front door with the driver, who left soon after. Brandy assumed it was a date, but it was too dark to say for sure. After Sabrina went inside, Brandy