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  “This is only ‘touch’ football, Max.”

  “Mark,” the boy corrected. “And sure, it’s supposed to be touch,” his tone said he was expecting otherwise, “but sometimes they just ‘fall’ on you.”

  “Oh wow,” one of the younger boys piped up, “I’m so glad we’re on this team.” He nodded at the other side of the field with a hopeful smile. “I wouldn’t mind if she knocked me to the ground.”

  Teo turned around to see what he was talking about and froze.

  Mira was huddled up with the older boys from the football team, everyone trying to talk to her at once. One of the boys, a redhead with broad shoulders and a baby face, was trying to get the others to pipe down so he could explain things.

  “Hey,” one of the twins tugged at his arm, “Mr. Santini?”

  He turned back to his team but his mind was elsewhere. And so, it seemed, were the other players. He tried to talk about plays and strategy, but he could tell they weren’t concentrating.

  They were crushing on her, but Teodoro couldn't blame them. Not when he was trying desperately not to act like he was in the first throes of a school boy crush himself. There hadn’t been any opportunities to spend some alone time with her all day and it was starting to wear at him.

  A whistle blew and that was the end of the pre-game strategy. Teodoro gathered his team and led them to the center of the grass, not even half the size of a normal field. Jack Tanner, local boy and real NFL hero, was their volunteer official.

  As they gathered for the coin toss, there was some last minute begging and pleading for Jack to join in on one side or another. The NFL star shook his head. “It’s not going to work, boys. The best thing you can hope for is that we make this quick and get to the food.”

  That got them moving. The boys had worked hard that morning and food was something they could all agree on.

  Hank called heads and the quarter arced high in the air before landing in Jack’s palm.

  “Heads!”

  A half an hour later, the score was tied. Each team had a touchdown. The time allotted for the game was drawing to a close and each side was eager to score and win.

  Teo huddled his team together and outlined the play. It was harder now than the start of the game. Adrenaline was pumping through their veins right along with testosterone. If anyone had told the younger boys that they would be able to hold their own against the upperclassmen, none of them would have believed it.

  Then again, none of them would have anticipated the other team fumbling the ball because their receiver had been staring at Mira, instead of paying attention. The boy was just that, a teenager with hormones. And with his focus on Mira, the ball had hit him square in the face and sprawled the player in the grass.

  Now, Teo was hoping to win the game and steal some time and a congratulatory kiss while the boys were eating lunch.

  Calling the play, the boys rushed over to the line of scrimmage. Handing the ball off to one of the younger boys that had earned his place at the center, Teo looked over at the opposing team. Alex and Hank were every inch the competitive young players that he expected them to be, but they were proving themselves to be as good at defense. Hank had Mira positioned behind him, blocking her smaller frame with his own. Alex was slightly off to the side covering her as well.

  He'd worried over Mira at first, but Teo was relieved to see their chivalry in play

  Jack called out from the sidelines. “Let’s go! I want some pie!”

  The outburst spurred the boys on, their own stomachs growling in response.

  Crouching down, Teo examined the position of his team and nodded. He called the play and leaned forward, arms outstretched. The ball flew into his hands and the other players launched into action.

  Holding the ball in his hands, Teo backed up a step, and then another. He saw a few of the players from the opposing team slip free of the first line of defense. He needed time to set up the play, but he wasn’t about to get it.

  Stepping to the side, he pulled his arm back searching for a receiver.

  There. He saw Mark break free from the mess. Teo called out to get the boy’s attention. “Mark!”

  Hank was rushing toward Teo and there wasn’t any time left to waste. He threw the ball a heartbeat before Hank touched him on the shoulder, everything else was literally out of his hands.

  Later, Teodoro would have time to reflect on the scene that unfolded before him, but in the moment, he was helpless to do anything else, but watch.

  He’d confused the twins again. Mark wasn’t the boy running up the right side of the field. That was Max. They both heard Teo’s shout and headed toward the ball. Cutting across the field in a valiant attempt to catch the ball, Mark let his adrenaline push through his veins like a tidal wave and that gave him some extra speed.

  Mark reached up toward the ball, focused solely on the oblong shape as it hurtled toward him. He didn’t see the two players in his way until he barreled into them both, tumbling all three of them to the ground.

  Vaulting into action, Teo crossed the field with blood rushing through his ears.

  He fell to his knees and pulled Mark off the top of the pile, then the other boy who had been caught in the confusion. Beneath them, laid out in the grass was Mira, her eyes closed, lips parted, absolutely still.

  Mark stumbled into his brother’s arms and the two leaned in as close as they could. “I didn’t mean to knock her down.”

  “Mira?” Teo smoothed his hands over her face, feeling the warmth of her skin. “Mira, look at me.”

  Hank dropped down beside him, pulling off his sweatshirt. “We can put this under her head.”

  Teo held him off. "Don't touch her."

  Desperate to help, Hank made another offer. “I can do CPR.”

  Someone touched his shoulder, but Teo didn’t turn away to look at Jack as he explained, “I called EMS. They’re sending help.”

  He could see her breathing now, a slow but steady rise and fall of her chest. Teo smoothed her hair back from her face. “Mira, open your eyes for me.” He knew his voice was tight, pitched higher than he’d ever admit to, but he didn’t care who heard him. “Come on, honey.”

  “What’s wrong with her?” Alex knelt down beside her on the grass.

  “She just had the wind knocked out of her.” Teo said the words and hoped to God that was all it was.

  A siren split the stunned silence of the field and Teo leaned closer to be heard over the piercing wail of the fire engine as it rumbled down the dirt drive. “If you don’t open your eyes, sweetheart, I’m going to embarrass myself and start begging.”

  He told himself that he wasn’t going to leave her side, but it was the no nonsense tone of the fire fighter’s voice that got through the panic. “I’m going to have to insist that you move out of the way so that we can help her.” That got him moving.

  Jack pulled him to his feet, moving him a few paces away. “Hey,” Jack slapped a hand down on his shoulder, holding him in place, as one guy in suspendered-turnout gear handed a small, white neck brace to the Captain, “let Roman do his job.”

  Teodoro knew he was right, but he wanted to do more.

  Chapter Nine

  The Emergency Room at St. Helena Memorial was mercifully quiet on a Saturday night, but that didn’t make it any easier for Teodoro. Leaning his cheek on the cool hospital sheet, he closed his eyes as Mira’s fingers pushed softly through his hair. He’d only been able to take an easy breath after she had come to in the ER and had answered not only the doctor’s questions but his own.

  Once they’d finished a battery of tests and X-rays, the hustle and bustle had died down allowing them to speak quietly while they waited for the results. With his heart still stuttering in his chest, Teo explained what happened at the end of the game.

  “I don't know how you're going to forgive me, Mira," he picked up her hand and pressed a kiss to the backs of her fingers. "It was all my fault."

  She couldn't shake her head, ther
e was still some nagging pain if she tried to move too much, but she could squeeze his hand to get his attention. "I don't know how you think that. It was an accident. I don't think I could have told the boys apart either."

  "They were on my team-"

  "And they were wearing identical outfits," she groaned and waved off his concern with a smile, "I'm not in physical pain, just emotional... those poor boys, I wonder if their mother has a sadistic streak to do that to them."

  "Leave it to you to fixate on the clothes," he chuckled, "and not the knot on the back of your head." His mood soured again.

  "Hey," she tugged on his hand to get his attention, "stop it." She smiled at him. "First, I don't have a knot anywhere on my head. I have it on the authority from all of my teachers that I have a very hard head." She sighed and her eyes softened as she looked at his stern expression. "Stop beating yourself up about this," she tugged on his hand, bringing him up and out of his chair and closer to the bed. "But, if you're going to keep whining about it," she licked her lips and gave him a big grin, "then I'll let you make it up to me, be my nurse."

  "Now that," he brushed his cheek against her hand, his 5 o'clock shadow tickling her skin, "we can agree on." Teo nipped at her fingertips. "Does that include sponge baths?" He stopped when she didn't answer him, turning to look into her eyes. "Too much?"

  She tugged him closer and leaned up for a kiss. When she settled back into the pillow she sighed with gentle satisfaction. "I'm beginning to think trying to put up a wall between us only made this 'thing' between us stronger, more... irresistible."

  "Good," he leaned over her for another kiss, murmuring against her lips, "because you're pretty irresistible and-"

  A pointed cough ended their 'conversation' for the time being. With the ER area marked off by sliding curtains, there wasn't any way to hide from the two women standing in the doorway. One carried a baking container, the other a bouquet of flowers. At Mira's welcoming smile the women stepped into the room. Shay was the first one to reach Mira's bedside. "How are you feeling?" She leaned over and gave her free hand a squeeze. "When Jonah called me, I was at Picker’s getting groceries. I grabbed the flowers and left the groceries there with Marilee.”

  “And Shay called me since my place was on the way,” Emerson set the box on a rolling table and joined Shay at the side of the bed, gently brushing Mira’s bangs back from her face. “I brought goodies straight from the oven. And Violet sent you some pixie dust for luck.”

  Mira's face relaxed into a sigh. “Thanks for coming, both of you, but you didn't have to. They're just waiting for the doctor to get the report on my X-ray.”

  Shay looked at Emerson with a smirk. “She's trying to kick us out of here.”

  “Maybe,” Emerson slid a sidelong glance at Teodoro, who was standing on the other side of the bed, “she's trying to get some alone time with Mr. Handsome over there.”

  Mira rolled her eyes and winced in pain. Teo's expression was calm, but his eyes were filled with concern. “Do you want me to call-”

  “This worrywart here,” Mira released his hand to give it a pat, “is Teodoro Santini.”

  The two ladies shared a knowing look. “How lovely to meet you, Mr. Santini.” Emerson held out her hand and smiled when Teo shook it. “I’m-”

  “That's Emerson, and I'm Shay.” St. Helena’s resident animal rescue angel grinned and shook his hand with a firm grip. “You know my husband, Jonah Baudouin and Emerson’s fiancé, Dax, his brother.”

  Teo grinned. “Yes. We’re old friends.”

  Shay nodded, her eyes moving between Teo and Mira. “We’d love to have the two of you over for dinner as soon as possible.”

  Emerson cleared her throat.

  Shay’s eyes widened in mock irritation. “You and Dax can come too. We’ll invite Harper and Adam and make it a real couples thing.”

  Mira gave the two a pointed look but it was lost in the shuffle as her two soon-to-be ex friends shared a giggle and Teo’s mobile phone chimed at his belt.

  He slid it free from its holder and typed a quick text. “Nonna wants to know how you are. I told her we’re still waiting for test results.”

  Mira started to shake her head, but stopped short. “You should go to the mill and wait with your grandmother.”

  "I don't feel comfortable leaving you."

  If her head didn't hurt, Mira would have slid out of bed and smacked both of the ladies in turn for their dual chorus of 'Awwww' directed at Teo. "You should be there while they're pressing the olives." She looked at Shay for a little assist. "I'll be fine."

  Earning back some of her friend cred, the patron saint of animals piped up with the perfect comment. "We’ve got this. I brought some nail polish."

  "Nail polish?" Teo narrowed his eyes at the woman who had married his old friend. "What's that for?"

  Emerson fished in her pocket and brought out a small sparkly vial, so she was able to chime in at the right moment. "We'll do her nails and keep her busy and awake until she's cleared to go, If you want to stay, I guess we could do yours too.”

  Teo’s look of fear reminded the ladies of prey on the Wildlife Channel, one second before stretching its neck under the razor-sharp fangs of a lioness on the Serengeti. Sensing that he had a somewhat graceful exit, he took it. But before he left, he braced a hand on the bed, leaning over until he was nose to nose with Mira. "Sure you're going to be okay?"

  She smiled, enjoying the intent look in his eyes. "Yeah. I've got the girls here. I'm sure Velia would like to have you with her as well. It’s," she moved slightly on the bed, trying not to wince at the sudden movement, "where you would have been if I hadn't gotten myself knocked on my butt."

  "Hey," he brushed a soft kiss over her lips, taking a second to kiss her again before he moved back, "I like that butt. So be nice."

  She sighed. “I think the girls are enjoying the show-”

  "Let them," he grinned at her. He looked at the other ladies. "I'll go and see what's happening at the mill. And when the test results come back-”

  "We’ll let you know.” Emerson gave him a thumbs up.

  Shay piped in. “We’ll take good care of her."

  Once he left the room, Mira sighed in relief. But he was gone less than a minute, when her friends both took deep breaths. Knowing she was in for a Grade A grilling, she held up her hands and tried to ward them off. “There's nothing to tell."

  "Oh," Shay gave Emerson a wink, "methinks the lady doth protest too much."

  "I agree," Emerson took the space that Teodoro had vacated and gently sat down on the edge, "especially after that sexy kiss."

  "Really." Mira lifted her hand to touch the back of her head, wincing.

  "Okay," Shay winced in sympathy, "let's give her a break."

  Emerson shrugged. "Besides, she'll probably be easier to break if we get her hopped up on sugar."

  Picking up the container that Emerson had set aside, Shay opened it. "You want me to get you a napkin?”

  Mira lifted a cookie to her mouth. "I don't care. I missed the picnic and I'm starving.” She took a bite and licked the crumbs off of her lips. "Heaven."

  When Teodoro left the hospital, it took a moment for him to remember that he didn’t have his car. He’d ridden with Mira in the ambulance, and now he was stuck. Pulling out his phone he didn't bother trying to find a cab company, he hadn't seen one since he'd been in town. Instead he opened up the GetALyft App and was relieved to find a driver.

  Pulling into the grass overflow area, the driver shut off the engine and turned to watch Teo climb out. "Looks like you're late to the party."

  Taking a look at the group assembled by the door, Teo leaned into the passenger window and shook the man’s hand. “Thanks for the ride.”

  With a wave, the man drove off. As Teo drew closer to the front door someone moved away from the group toward him. He closed the distance with his longer strides and met his grandmother more than halfway.

  "Oh, Teodoro!" She gave him a fond
embrace. "How is she?"

  "She took a good knock, but the doctor said she's got a hard head and should be fine. Emerson and Shay are with her at the hospital."

  Velia led him over to the group. "Thank goodness, folks have been asking about her."

  He wasn't surprised. St. Helena was a small community to begin with, but being a grower was an even smaller sampling of citizens. They knew each other's business and helped out as much as they could.

  "Mr. Vincenzo." Teo shook the man's hand. “Hope you had a good harvest."

  “Can't complain,” he smiled and stepped back so his daughter Stella could make her way through.

  "Teodoro," she moved into Teo's easy embrace, "good to see you again." They'd been friends for years and it helped to have her reassuring hug.

  The front door opened and Paul Russell stepped outside. "Hey folks, thanks for your patience. We're washing down the machines and then we'll get started with the Vincenzo olives." A few of the men at the back of the group grumbled at his words. He held up his hands, easily visible above the rolled cuffs of his black shirt, and got the group to settle down. "I'm sorry about the wait, but I know you'll understand that the larger operations have a bigger claim to the equipment. After all, my business depends on work."

  Teo stepped up and met Paul's curious gaze. "Teodoro Santini."

  Just the name meant instant recognition and Paul shook Teodoro’s hand. "I haven't seen you for a few years."

  "I'm back now, working with the family business." He looked at the assembled group of growers. "There has to be something we can do about this wait. Many of these people have been growing in this valley for generations."

  Paul took a moment to form his answer. "I understand what you're saying, but what I have to consider is keeping my customers happy. If I don't give preference to the larger growers, they'll take their business elsewhere."

  No one answered him in words. As the mill owner looked around the group he saw a number of frustrated frowns and he managed to give them a smile meant to smooth the moment over. "You've all done a great job of organizing your crops in the loading dock. Once we get the Vincenzo olives in the machines we'll be able to move this along quickly." He stepped up and opened the door. "Again, I thank you for your patience." He stepped inside and the door swung closed behind him.