Dogwood Hill. Sherryl Woods

order a pizza. I owe you more than that for the way you pitched in today, but I’m not sure I can muster up the energy to cook or go out. I just want to take a shower, kick back and be off my feet.”

      “A pizza sounds fantastic,” Aidan agreed at once. “Why don’t you head home to deal with the dogs and I’ll pick it up? Anything to drink?”

      “Beer if you want it. I only have tea and diet soda in the house, but I’m good with that.”

      “Either one suits me, too,” Aidan said. “I may not be in training, but I mostly steer clear of alcohol except at a summer barbecue or on the occasional night hanging out with the guys.”

      Liz thought of Shanna’s remark to Henry about good player nutrition. “That reminds me. Do you plan on getting into the whole diet and exercise thing with the players?”

      “Of course. Why?”

      “Henry mentioned something about needing to get stronger. Shanna’s apparently a little freaked that he might turn to steroids, even though Henry says he’s gotten the message about how bad those are.”

      “My players won’t go near steroids,” Aidan said flatly. “I’ll make sure of that. Tell Shanna she doesn’t have anything to worry about. I’ll start hammering that message home first thing at Tuesday’s practice. I hope to work with each player next week and come up with an individualized training plan for the summer. And just because school’s out doesn’t mean I won’t be following up to make sure they stay on track.”

      Liz regarded him with approval. “I was right,” she said with satisfaction.

      “About what?”

      “The kind of coach you’re going to be. It’s great that you care so much. The high school is very lucky to have you.”

      “We’ll see if the players agree once I start getting serious about their workouts,” he said.

      “I think they’re going to take to it like ducks to water,” she said at once. “Those boys want so badly to prove themselves and start winning. Nothing against Coach Gentry. He’s a great guy, but he didn’t have what it took to motivate them or to teach them what it would take to improve.”

      “And you think I do?”

      “I know it,” she said with confidence.

      She also thought he had what it took to heal her heart, if only she weren’t so terrified that he could just as easily break it.