Free Michaels, Skye - Kelly's Challenge [Le Club 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Skye Michaels Page B

invite them to be seated.
    While exchanging pleasantries, Max’s gaze darted about, following the parade of fashionable women passing by in elegant hats and designer outfits with extremely short skirts. Finally, he remarked, “Kelly, I’ve seen these really short skirts three times in my lifetime, and frankly, after the last two times, I’d hoped not to have to see them again.” He shook his head as though he couldn’t quite believe his eyes.
    Kelly smiled at the older gentleman. “Some of them do seem a bit extreme, almost like manikins come to life.”
    Jason remarked, “The teams look good. I know Justin is very excited about starting this league.”
    “He is indeed. I think it’s been an excellent distraction for him. There is a tremendous amount of logistical preparation and planning, not to mention the actual practice and drilling required,” Max answered thoughtfully.
    “As I remember from college, nobody is more organized than Justin,” Trent interjected.
    “Oh, they’re about to introduce the teams,” Kelly exclaimed excitedly, bringing everyone’s attention back to the field as the opposing teams galloped out to center field and lined up. The spectators stood for the national anthem followed by the invocation for the safety of the players and their mounts. Kelly’s heart did a little flip-flop at the reminder of how dangerous this game really was for both man and beast, and she silently said an “amen” of her own. She was glad to see the ambulance and rescue team waiting at the bottom of the field, and she hoped they would not be needed.
     

Chapter Fourteen

    After the opening ceremonies, both teams took the field. Devereau Plantation South started the first chukker off cautiously as Justin, wearing Number Three and playing the center position, probed the weaknesses of Black Oak Ridge Farm’s Number Four defending back, Raul Rodrigues, a local six-goal player. Justin made a cautious foray into enemy territory dribbling the ball toward the Black Oak Ridge Farm goal. He was blindsided by Black Oak Ridge Farm’s Number Two forward, Jorge Silvas, who, covering him closely, swooped in to snag the ball from between Justin’s pony’s front feet. Justin’s pony stopped on a dime and reversed direction to give chase at a full gallop while Devereau Plantation South’s Number Four back, Tommy Jamison, galloped downfield into position to defend his team’s goal.
    The first chukker continued at breakneck speed. The players drove down to connect with the ball, mallets flying, ponies charging down the field. Devereau Plantation South’s Number Two forward, Joe Marino, made a forward ground shot through the Black Oak Ridge Farm goal to score the first point of the match. After Devereau Plantation South’s score, the teams changed goals. Justin picked up the ball, and reversing direction, started another drive toward the Black Oak Ridge Farm goal. Devereau Plantation South’s forwards, Sneider and Marino, moved into position guarding the Black Oak Ridge Farm center and back, as Justin made a long shot through the Black Oak Ridge Farm goal.
    The crowd cheered as the first chukker came to a close. The score was two points for Devereau Plantation South and zero for Black Oak Ridge Farm. It had been seven and a half minutes of ground-pounding, heart-stopping action as the play moved from one end of the field to the other, only to reverse repeatedly. The players of both sides moved to their respective camps for the brief three-minute break between chukkers. Grooms appeared with quick drinks of water for the players and they hurriedly checked the tired ponies for any injuries or loose and broken equipment.
    The teams took the field again for the second chukker, and the crowd held its collective breath as several wide shots for each side culminated in no goals, despite several hair-raising close encounters. The players dashed from one end of the field to the other on sweat lathered ponies only to reverse and