Free Sinners Football 01- Goals for a Sinner by Lynn Shurr Page A

hotel.” Their guest backed towards the door, but she was not allowed to escape.
    “The every hotel in the city is booked for the game.” Keith Riley waded through the children, his hand held out to shake hers. “The kids can share a room, the girls in the bed, the boys on the floor.
    Merrilee decided to bring them all at the last minute. Let me tell you, it was a miserable trip. We had to take turns holding the youngest since the plane was full to capacity.” He frowned at his daughter-in-law while grasping Stevie’s hand and pumping it.
    Merrilee rose, taking the two-year-old with her.
    She settled the child straddle-legged across her rounded belly and patted his back. Behind her, Kevin of the sparkling, clever blue eyes sat up, the four-year-old girl with the bouncing curls nestled in his lap. Merrilee stood in front of her husband blocking the view.
    “So pleased to meet you, Stevie. This is Colby,” she said, introducing the shy little boy hiding his face on her shoulder. “And Katherine, my oldest daughter.” She pulled the six-year-old forward. “On the couch is Collin, our first-born. That’s Cameron in her daddy’s lap. And my husband, Kevin, of course.” Merrilee freed one hand to pat her belly. “This one is going to be Courtney.” She smiled as if she had never heard of a Stephanie Dowd who dated her husband for three months prior to their marriage.
    Kevin rose, letting his younger daughter slip down and cling to his leg. He towered over his wife.
    Another six-foot plus like his brother, Kev had filled out in the last nine years. By middle-age he would have his father’s big build and probably his receding hairline, too. The great Irish blue eyes and sly, suggestive smile would never change. Once, Stevie had found that smile irresistible.
    “Stephanie,” he greeted. “It’s great to see you again. I was always sorry about the way things went with us. I never really explained, that well…Collin was on the way, and I had to do my duty, as my father likes to say.”
    Merrilee turned and glared at him. Stevie waved her hand in the air as if she could erase his statement.
    She stumbled over her words trying to ease the situation. “Bygones. Water under bridge. And, ah, I can see you are really good at fathering, at fatherhood, I mean. So many children would overwhelm me, but I can see you and Merrilee have it all under control.”
    The four-year-old left her father’s leg and made her way through the forest of adults. She stopped directly in front of Stevie, put her arms on her small hips, and blurted out, “Mommy doesn’t like you. Go away.” Stevie backed up.
    “Cammie, you are being very rude to Uncle Connor’s friend. I know you like Uncle Connor and wouldn’t want him to be mad at you. Say sorry to Stevie,” Kristen Riley insisted.
    “Sorry,” the child repeated insincerely.
    “Good girl. Now Stevie, let me show you to your room. Connor is going to stop by when he can, but he’s staying with the team tonight. You must be very tired after getting up so early.” Stevie said she was. In fact, she thought she would take a long nap, a long, long nap until Connor arrived.
    ****
    The sound of small feet racing up and down the hallway kept Stevie from sleeping. At some point in the endless afternoon, a light knock sounded on the bedroom door and Mrs. Riley’s voice asked if she was awake. Stevie laid still and silent until Connor’s mother left.
    Around five, she tried again. “Stevie, dear, we’re all going to some famous restaurant for fish and chips. You can’t do fancy when you have small children along, but won’t you join us?” Stevie sat up, groggy from finally dozing.
    Running her fingers through her mussed hair, she went to the door to face Kristen Riley. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m really jet-lagged. If there’s food in the kitchen, I’ll make myself something later. I had one of those eight-dollar sandwiches on the plane for lunch so I’m not starving.