Free Power Play (Play Makers Book 4) by Kate Donovan Page A

much more. Having expected
him to discreetly use his earbuds to listen to a game during the
party, or to wander off alone for some Wyatt time, she had been
charmed by his diligent one-on-one interactions. Of course, Tony
had received the bulk of the attention, but as predicted, Wyatt
seemed intent on talking to each and every family member, his
expression always focused, never glancing at his watch, or his
phone, or even off into the distance.
    Such a mystery, considering he only visited
once a year. Only gave impersonal gifts. Surely his football
schedule brought him to California frequently, and even in the
off-season, there were events like the fundraiser.
    Apparently he could compartmentalize just
about anything, including family responsibilities. But at least he
did it right when the time came.
    Embarrassed to be analyzing him all the
time, she was glad when he stepped back, gripped the football with
intention, and told her, “Go long.”
    “Long?” She backed up a safe distance, then
stretched her arms high in the air, making her body as long as
possible. “Like this?”
    He stared at her as though she had spoken
Martian. Then he turned and scanned the distance, where one group
of kids were playing basketball on a concrete court while another
group had set up crocket in a grassy field.
    “Hey, Danny!” he shouted finally.
    The tall, handsome teen she had met on the
porch trotted over to them. “What’s up, Uncle Wyatt?”
    “Go long.”
    The boy’s face lit up and he said, “Sure
thing,” then took off running. When he had gone far enough to make
Darcie wonder if Wyatt could really reach him, he half turned,
still running, and Wyatt threw the ball with an effortless yet
powerful motion that sent it spiraling through the air until it
landed securely in Danny’s outstretched hands.
    “Yay!” she called out, not caring if she
sounded like a fan girl. “Great catch, Danny.” To Wyatt she added
sheepishly, “Nice throw too.”
    “Thanks.”
    “So when you say ‘Go long,’ you actually
mean, ‘Go far’?”
    “Yes, Darcie. We’ve been saying it wrong all
these years.”
    Danny was back, panting and proud, bringing
with him a group of admiring grandchildren. “Can we scrimmage,
Uncle Wyatt?” Danny asked. “Just for a few minutes?”
    Wyatt hesitated, and Darcie realized it
wasn’t part of the usual routine for his visits. Then he shrugged
and said, “Sure. We’ll choose up teams, you and me as captains.
Darcie can be the cheerleader.”
    “That’s sexist, Uncle Wyatt,” Annie told him
in mock horror.
    “Fine, she can be the goalpost.”
    When they all groaned, Darcie laughed. “I’m
afraid your uncle’s right. I don’t really know much about the
game.”
    “You can be on my team,” Danny said
quickly.
    “I want to be with Darcie,” Gail
insisted.
    “Then I’ll be with Uncle Wyatt. We’re gonna
crush you,” Annie said with a grin. “Right, Uncle Wyatt?”
    “No doubt.”
    The two captains alternated their picks,
even allowing the younger children on a team, at least nominally,
with assignments such as “water girl” and “equipment manager.”
Darcie offered to be the judge, which sent the group into fits of
laughter as Danny gently explained she meant “ref.”
    Then Wyatt’s cousin Chrissy walked over with
her little boy Nathan in tow. “What’s going on?”
    “Uncle Wyatt’s going to play football with
us.”
    “Really?” She gave Wyatt a smile. “You’re a
brave man.”
    “I don’t back down from a challenge,” he
said with a wink. “Do you and Nathan want to play?”
    “We’ll just watch.” She turned to Darcie.
“Bea wants to see you. On the porch.”
    “Oh, darn,” Darcie said with a laugh. “I’ll
have to ‘go long’ some other time. Danny? I hope you win.”
    “We’ll win it for you,” he promised.
    As Wyatt chuckled, she waved to the kids
then strolled back toward the house. Behind her, she heard Annie
say tartly, “You should be more