She rolled her eyes. “If that’s all I have to do . . .”
Sarcasm was obviously wasted on teenagers—or else they simply ignored it—because her entire team was grinning as they jogged back to the line.
Mac’s eyes met Ethan’s and he winked at her. The guy hadn’t even broken a sweat while she felt damp and sticky and . . . green.
The play started and Mac broke to the right, following Trevor’s lead. The football hurtled through the air and Mac was tempted to duck and let it sail over her head, but she was the coach’s daughter. It wasn’t only her reputation on the line.
To a girl who’d always stood safely on the sidelines, she found a whole new perspective of the game when a group of teenage giants thundered toward her.
Fortunately, Mac had a head start. The rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins didn’t hurt, either.
Halfway to the touchdown line, Mac made the mistake of glancing over her shoulder.
Ethan was right behind her.
“Oh no, you don’t!” The football began to slip through Mac’s hands and she tightened her hold. Glared at Ethan. “I’m not letting go.”
“Have it your way.” A strong arm snaked around her waist and a low laugh vibrated in Mac’s ear as he lifted her off her feet.
“Put. Me. Down.” Mac thumped her fist against Ethan’s back as he slung her over his shoulder and loped toward the touchdown line.
No one from either team bothered to intervene. Even upside down, Mac could see the boys doubled over with laughter, cheering Ethan on.
Ethan scored the touchdown and set her back on her feet again—but he didn’t let go. His arms tightened around her, and it didn’t even cross Mac’s mind to try and free herself this time. Ethan’s gaze dropped to her lips and lingered there for a moment, and Mac felt the world tilt sideways.
Or maybe it was the blood rushing from her head.
That would explain why she was seeing things too. Like the woman standing in the shade of a birch tree.
“Ethan?”
Not a hallucination. Lilah Channing. In a rose-colored linen sheath dress and matching heels, Ethan’s mother looked as stylish as Mac remembered. And her tight smile, the one that had always reminded Mac of the snap of a coin purse, hadn’t changed, either.
“Mom.” Ethan released Mac as Lilah glided toward them. “I didn’t expect to see you until next week.”
“I know.” Ethan’s mother regarded her son’s clothing, rumpled and grimy from battling weeds all afternoon, and presented her cheek for him to kiss. “But your sister is getting married a week from tomorrow. There’s so much to do before a wedding. I thought you could use some help.”
“I have plenty of help.” Ethan nodded at the football team, who’d taken one look at the visitor and slunk away in search of water.
Mac wished she could join them.
“So I see. And might I remind you that you’re a doctor now,” Lilah scolded him. “You’re supposed to be setting broken bones, not breaking some of your own.”
“It was just a little scrimmage after we finished the yard work. No broken bones. No bruises.”
“You’re finished?” Lilah glanced at the boathouse Mac had spent the last three hours cleaning and shuddered. “I could have used my influence and booked the grand ballroom at Porter Lakeside. Why on earth did your sister insist on getting married here, of all places?”
“Because it’s beautiful,” Mac heard herself say.
Lilah turned to look at her.
“You remember Mackenzie Davis, don’t you, Mom?”
“Of course.” Lilah’s gaze swept over Mac and lingered for a moment on the grass-stained knees of her jeans.
“Mrs. Channing.” Mac resisted the urge to curtsy. “It’s nice to see you again.”
Lilah inclined her head. “I suppose your father is still working at the high school.”
“Yes, he is.” Mac’s spine straightened a little. Only Lilah Channing could make teaching sound like a punishment instead of a rewarding career.
“Actually, Coach let me borrow his football team for the afternoon,” Ethan interjected smoothly. “Mackenzie has been a big help.”
“I’m sure. You were always quite the little tomboy, weren’t you?” Lilah’s tinkling laugh sent a chipmunk scampering for cover. “But I’m here now. I’ve hosted dozens of parties over the years, and I have a wedding consultant on speed dial.”
Mac might not have been in Hollis’s circle of friends, but she understood the meaning behind Lilah’s bright smile.
Mac was clearly outside her element. An outsider.
Which meant it was time for her to leave.
“Is this seat taken?”
Ethan, who’d been skimming through the list of upcoming events in the church bulletin, glanced up at the whispered comment.