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CHAPTER TEN
After they’d played a couple of games, Blake dropped down onto the edge of the blanket where the kids were sitting. He leaned back on his hands as he stretched his legs out onto the grass.
The games had been more fun than he’d thought they’d be. He’d played plenty of volleyball and basketball over the years. It was also something he’d played with his buddies while deployed, and sometimes they’d gotten together to play even while stateside.
Janessa and Misha had joined for the second game, but no one asked Charli if she wanted to play. She remained in her lawn chair, talking with her sister, Kayleigh, who also hadn’t been asked to join. Kayleigh’s husband, Hudson, had been on Blake’s team.
So much had changed since he’d last hung out with the Halversons. Back then, Jay had been dating a tall blonde, who’d looked like a model, but had been nowhere near as friendly as Misha. Kayleigh hadn’t spent much time with them, though when she had, she’d never had a guy with her.
There had been no children, but now there were four. Would there have been more if he and Charli had been able to continue their relationship?
Given everything that had happened between them twelve years ago and in his life since then, Blake hadn’t thought that he’d harbor any sort of interest in Charli. However, the more he was around her, the more he was discovering he did.
She was as beautiful as he’d remembered, and all the things he’d appreciated about her were still there. Seeing her in action as a parent and a teacher was a reminder of all they’d hoped for, and everything he’d lost.
“Thanks for coming,” Jay said as he lowered himself to the ground beside Blake. “It was nice to have another person who can actually play the game.”
“Hey now,” Janessa said with a scowl at her brother. “We can all play this game. It’s not our fault that you take it so seriously.”
Jay tilted his head to look up at her as she stood beside him. “You think that’s seriously? You need to come to one of my practices. Then you’ll see seriously.”
“He’s right, Nessa,” Will said as he slipped his arm around her waist. “Those practices are intense.”
“Still. We’re trying our best. Well, Misha and I are trying our best.” She glanced over at her sisters. “Charli and Kayleigh rarely ever hit a single ball.”
“I’m height challenged,” Kayleigh called over. “I refuse to be anyone’s handicap.”
“You could play the game on Hudson’s shoulders,” Janessa said. “That would make you tall enough.”
Everyone, including Blake, chuckled at the suggestion, while Kayleigh said, “I’m not a child, Janessa. I don’t need to ride on my fiancé’s shoulders.”
By this time, the kids had the ball and were tossing it back and forth over the net. It was the first time that he’d seen Amelia having so much fun. To see her blossoming like this validated yet again his decision to come to Serenity.
He glanced over at Charli, surprised to find her watching him. Back when they’d been together, catching her looking at him like that would have made his heart race. And it didn’t leave him unaffected right then, either.
However, she didn’t give him a small smile or a wink like she had in the past. Meeting her gaze now brought an ache to his heart.
After a moment, Charli blinked and looked away from him to the kids. He happened to glance in Kayleigh’s direction and was a bit surprised to find her gaze on him, too. She watched him with an intensity that made Blake wish he could read her mind.
Had Charli told any of her sisters about their relationship?
From what he remembered, Charli hadn’t been close to Kayleigh, but perhaps that had changed over the years.
“Anyone want dessert?” Misha asked as she gestured to the table. “I think we’ve got a bunch of cookies and brownies, so plenty for everyone.”
Hudson walked over to Kayleigh and bent to kiss her. “Do you want something?”
“A brownie, please.”
“Your wish is my command,” Hudson said as he rubbed the back of his fingers against Kayleigh’s cheek, then headed for the picnic table.
“Finally, someone who lets you boss them around without complaining,” Charli said with a laugh.
“That’s because he’s nicer than you guys. Love makes us servants to each other.”
“It’s a joy to do things for Kayleigh,” Hudson said as he returned with a brownie in hand. “And she does plenty for me. Coming home from a trip to find she’s made me my favorite meal is a true joy.”
The love the couple shared was hard to miss, and it left Blake with an ache for what he’d missed out on. Blake wondered if he even had the ability to be part of a successful relationship. So far, he hadn’t managed it.
