Read Rachel's Redemption for Free Online

“She was crazy.”
    “She wasn’t!”
    Logan narrowed his eyes. “Honey, she was a seventy-year-old prom queen.”
    “Homecoming. And, it was tradition.”
    “I don’t give a flip about your traditions. You heard the board. You need my okay on all decisions. You aren’t using this place.”
    “That’s not exactly what the board said.”
    The exterior gym doors opened and kids started pouring in.
    Logan checked his watch. He started backing up. “Meet me at Wings. Dinner. Six sharp. Don’t be late.”
    “Wait!” But he was already through the exterior doors and the gym was filled with the noise of several dozen teens. Logan couldn’t have heard her even if he’d wanted to.
    Gah!
    That was not what the board had said. But, she was saying it to herself. She supposed he felt he had a say since the board had said he needed to help plan this thing. Help, not approve. Big difference.
    All she needed was for him to stay out of her way.
    She tapped her phone against her lip then she turned and made her way out of the gym. This was her show and it would be a success. She didn’t need any help. That’s precisely what she’d tell him, too, tonight. But no way was she having dinner with him.

Chapter 4
    Logan stood on the sidelines of the practice field, a fine bead of energy pulsing through his veins. The school day had ended twenty-five minutes ago and football practice would start in five.
    He turned his face to the sky and from beneath the brim of his ball cap he saw clear blue. It was a hot one, but that was to be expected. In this game, it was mind over matter.
    He couldn’t wait for the season to start.
    He missed playing ball. He missed the hard work, the hard hitting, the competition. When he’d broken his leg and could no longer play it was like losing his best friend and true love all at once. And it still hurt, both not playing and his leg.
    Coaching wasn’t playing, but it was as close as he could get. And, he liked it. If he could lead them to a winning season he’d consider his choice to coach a success.
    He wanted a championship for the players—for the kids who stood to garner scholarships on their talent, he wanted it for Redemption, and he wanted it for himself.
    Voices behind him caught his attention and he turned his head. It was time. And, his new hire was now officially late for the interview.
    He studied the players as they filed out of the locker room and onto the field. He waited for them to settle in front of him. His four coaches flanked him.
    The first time he’d stood before this team he’d been as nervous as a rookie starting in his first game, completely unsure of what he’d gotten into and certain he was going to puke. It was one thing to be responsible for doing your single job on the field, but being responsible for everyone, that was something else altogether.
    He waited for their undivided attention. He gathered his thoughts and was just about to speak when something caught his attention.
    Logan raised his head over his player’s shoulders. A man with a sizable gut, wearing a red running suit that wasn’t quite equipped to accommodate his girth, was jogging up to his players. The man waved his hand as he approached, a big, clueless smile on his face.
    “Hey,” he said, “Sorry I’m late. I misjudged the distance.” His voice was breathy. He bent over, his hands on his knees, gulping air. After a moment, he straightened and patted his stomach. “Need to take a few spins on the track I guess.” He started to laugh but the sound died when his eyes met Logan’s.
    Logan speared him with a look and watched his smile fade. The man stepped back and cleared his throat. His head swiveled around the practice field, finally realizing, Logan hoped, what he’d interrupted. Then the man dropped his head.
    Logan refocused on his players. He waited for each one of their faces to return to him.
    “We live in the best football town in this entire state. We have football in our blood