Free Rachel's Redemption by Jennifer Maitlen Page B

before.”
    Logan’s eyes narrowed. “Before what?”
    Rachel inhaled. “The event.”
    Logan leaned forward and bit out each word. “Over. My. Dead. Body.”
    “But the game will already have happened!”
    “Doesn’t matter. My team will be in the gym before the game, where your event will need to be set up. No way.”
    “Your team doesn’t practice in the gym.”
    “Their locker room is through the gym. And, they do practice before the game.” Not a full practice, but walk-throughs, and other . . . football stuff. “There has to be a compromise.” She tossed her napkin onto the table.
    “Pick another date.”
    “Can’t.”
    “Pick another gymnasium.” He was beginning to lose his temper. Not only was she not listening, she was countering him on every point, and her temper didn’t seem to be involved at all. She was like a cool-as-a-cucumber lawyer come pediatrician, or something.
    “Can’t do that either. The timing and the place are crucial to the event’s success.”
    The waitress appeared and poured more coffee. Neither of them said anything. Rachel held his eyes and he kept his locked with hers.
    Finally, he shook his head. Rachel sat back in the booth and folded her arms across her chest. The expression on her face was priceless, almost worth the headache this freaking fiasco was causing him. The town princess wasn’t happy. Maybe he was getting to her after all.
    Too bad. He wasn’t going away and he wasn’t going to step aside while she mowed over his team and his program. He resisted the urge to smile. Gloating wouldn’t do him any good here. But, damn if she wasn’t pretty when she was angry. The green in her irises intensified and the gold flecks sprinkled around her pupils sparkled. He couldn’t help noticing the rise and fall of her chest. She was sucking in air and the effect was . . . distracting.
    But he wouldn’t be deterred. This wasn’t a joke to him. He cared about his players and this season. It was football season, for crying out loud. This town bled Warrior red and white. He shouldn’t have to point that out. He wasn’t risking anything just so Nana Delaney-Tolbert could posthumously live out some teenage dream.
    Okay, so that sounded harsh. He supposed some credit was in order for her giving back to the community, but that woman had caused him no end of trouble growing up and it seemed she was extending her torture from the grave.
    “Hi, Rachel. Hey, Coach.” Lila Pitts, owner of The Spoon, stood at their table. “Rachel, you wanted to talk to me about something? I have time now.”
    “Yes, thanks for making time to meet with us .” Rachel shot an irritated look to Logan. He scowled into his coffee mug. She really hated having him involved in this. Too bad, hot pants. Too bad.
    Rachel continued. “Can you sit for a minute?” Rachel scooted over, sliding her notebook and coffee with her.
    Lila cast a proprietor’s glance around the restaurant. When she was content her staff had it under control, she joined Rachel on the bench seat. “Sure. What can I do for you?”
    Rachel started, slow and confident, outlining the details of what she had in mind for the tribute event for her grandmother. He had to admit she was good. Lila listened intently, smiled at the right moments, appeared appropriately saddened at the others.
    When Rachel finished, Lila said, “I’m in. What do you need from The Spoon?”
    Logan nearly spewed coffee. Didn’t she hear the part about this business taking place at the gym? Homecoming weekend? The night of a big game? What was wrong with these people? Lila’s son played on his team. Didn’t she see the conflict of interest here? Didn’t anybody ?
    Obviously the future of his program lay solely in his hands.
    But before he could interject, Rachel piped up.
    “That’s wonderful! Thank you, Lila. I knew you’d jump on board. We need catering for the dinner.” Rachel shot Logan a keep-your-mouth-shut look. “For after the game on