Free Just a Little Faith by Amy J. Norris Page A

Diego a few years ago, I didn’t know anyone. I mean, I was casual friends with members of the opposing team, but I didn’t know anyone well. I suppose Lincoln and Durango felt the same way. We all showed up around the same time and seemed to gravitate toward each other.”
    Seb astian walked over to her . “Can I help you with anything ? ”
    â€œUm, sure. How about helping me set the table?”
    He pick ed up the dishes and glasses off the counter . Pax placed the silverware and salad on the table in the small dining room off the kitchen .
    â€œI believe everything is ready , if you want to grab those potholders and get the lasagna out of the oven .”
    Seb grinned and came back pl ac ing the lasagna on the table . Pax put the warm bread next to the butter dish. She started to sit but felt Sebastian come behind her , helping her pull out the chair. Her mind rambled. S uch a gentleman , far different from what she had imagined when they first met — realiz ing what she took for aloofness was shyness . The real Sebastian Quinn seemed to be nothing like the one seen on the baseball diamond.
    Once settled at the table, he sat still while she bowed her head in prayer. Wh en she finished, his eyes were fixed on her. His face reddened a bit at being caught. Ignoring his reaction, she held out her hand. “You want to hand me your plate?” S he dish ed out some of the piping hot lasagna.
    Besides sports, they talked politics and places he had lived throughout his career. By the time she presented the cheesecake, they had moved back to discussing his off-season regimen to keep in shape for the upcoming season. As the conversation progressed, Paxson imagined having Seb at her table on a more consistent basis. The thought stirred a warmth inside her.
    â€œThat was an excellent meal. I may not need to eat for another oh…six or seven hours. Don’t tell Scott. ” He sat back in the chair as his hands rested on this stomach and a grin spread on his face.
    â€œIt will be our little secret.”
    All of a sudden he perked up. “I forgot to ask. Did you hear from Jim today?”
    â€œYes . He called right before I left for the day . Thank you so much for agreeing to do work with us .” R each ing over she squeezed his hand he’d moved to rest on the table.
    â€œIt wasn’t a hard decision to make…well, for Jim to make. He could see , as I could , that LLS is a good organization and well suited to my lifestyle of athleticism … You know, I never asked you how you became involved in the organization in the first place.”
    She released his hand and stood to clear the dishes from the table . S he ’d told him about her experience as a participant in the Team in Training program . “I liked the idea of helping others and , in a way, helping myself at the same time. It certainly drove me to be a better person in many ways. Going through the program got me in the best shape of my life. I wasn’t always one to go out and exercise but in working with the trainers, it generated a love of going outside and getting my blood pumping. ”
    She leaned against the doorframe. “ Now I try and meet up with the training teams on Saturdays if my schedule allows. I think it helps the participants realize there are rea l people in the organization, besides the trainers themselves, who are actually LLS employees. Did I tell you p art of Michael’s job is canvassing the area for local runners, bikers, swimmers, or other athletes who are willing to volunteer their time with our program ? Most of our trainers are also doctors, computer scientists, engineers, and the like .”
    Sebastian followed her into the kitchen, leaning back against the cabinets while she stacked the dishes in the sink. “Honestly, I had never heard of LLS or Team in Training before Jim found the listing somewhere. I’m glad we decided to come and meet with you. For many