“There is irony in the fact that I finally fell in love, and the woman in question wants nothing to do with me. Maybe it’s karma.”
“You don’t believe in karma.”
“No, but it makes for a good story.”
“Are we still staying in Los Lobos?”
An interesting question Quinn had asked himself. For a couple of days, he’d wrestled with going back to LA. But what would that prove? “We’re staying.”
“Even though you’ll have to deal with her?”
“Especially because I’ll have to deal with her. Better for both of us to face what happened.”
“Good. The only way to get over something like that is to go through it. You’re not running. That’s the first step.”
“Thanks.”
Quinn figured if anyone knew about getting over an incredible loss, it was Wayne. He would take the other man’s advice and get through it. Eventually. Because, to be honest, he couldn’t imagine ever not loving Courtney. She’d fundamentally changed him and he had a bad feeling there was no going back.
Rachel told herself that this particular Monday wasn’t any hotter than the other summer Mondays. That the only reason she felt uncomfortable was her back was killing her. She had an appointment with the chiropractor in the morning—something she’d foolishly been putting off. Now she was paying the price.
Of course, Heather wasn’t there—as per usual. Rachel started to drag out the equipment she was responsible for, along with the water and the snacks, then stopped herself. Ask for help, she thought. It was time to start doing that.
She hobbled over to the coach. “Could you and the boys help me with the things in my car? My back’s acting up.”
“Sure, Rachel.” He looked around. “Where’s Heather?”
“I have no idea.”
He blew a whistle and waved in the team. In less than a minute, her SUV was empty and the supplies were in place. Thank goodness. Every step was a nightmare. The instant she got home, she was taking a muscle relaxer. She didn’t like how they made her feel, but she didn’t have much choice.
She took her seat on the uncomfortable benches and groaned. This was going to be a long, long game.
About five minutes before they were due to start, Rachel saw Heather walking toward her. Rage propelled her to her feet. All right—she’d learned how to ask for help. Now she was going to give the other woman a piece of her mind. How dare she leave Rachel with everything for the entire season?
“Hi.” Heather, a brown-haired woman of average build, waved at Rachel. “You’re probably surprised to see me.”
“I am.”
“I’m sorry about not being around this summer. I should have called.” Tears filled Heather’s eyes. “I just...”
Rachel felt her anger fade. She pulled the other woman to the bench and they both sat down. “What’s wrong?”
“My mom had a stroke. It was pretty bad. That was hard enough, but then my dad took off. Just like that. They’ve been married nearly forty years and he left her. He said he didn’t want to be married to a cripple.”
Tears spilled down Heather’s cheeks. “She’s paralyzed on one side. She can’t talk. I don’t know how much she understands, but I feel like she keeps waiting for him to show up at the rehab facility. But I haven’t heard from him in a month. Paul’s been great, but he has to work and the kids are scared. I cry all the time.”
“It’s okay,” Rachel told her, thinking this would have been good information to have weeks ago. Which she would have had if she’d bothered to ask. Instead, she’d fumed and assumed. Talk about dumb.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get in touch with you sooner,” Heather continued. “I should have.”
“No. It’s okay. You have plenty on your plate. I’ve been dealing. I’ll ask one of the other moms to help on a permanent basis.” She paused. “I won’t say why unless you want me to.”
“You can say my mom had a stroke,” Heather told her as she wiped her face. “But maybe if you wouldn’t say anything about my dad?”
“Whatever you want.” Rachel hugged her. “Let me know how I can help. Oh, I know. Why don’t I stop by the rehab facility? I can wash and cut your mother’s hair. Maybe it would make her feel a little better about herself.”
Heather began to cry again. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
They sat together for the first three innings, then Heather excused herself to go check on her mother. Rachel promised to stop by the first part of next week. By then the wedding would be over and her back should be better.