Football was in Emma’s blood and she hadn’t had this much hands-on fun with it since she’d left Wisconsin. The first half she’d concentrated on getting grooved in. But she was there, now, baby.

She threw herself into the action—snatching flags, catching lateral passes, whirling away from defenders. She suggested a play and managed to score another goal, breaking the tie. She was on fire.

But so were the Rowdy Reds. Ryker was a damn good player. He led his team to another goal, tying it up again. Not much time left.

In the huddle, Emma turned to Gage, who was quarterbacking. “Look for me. I’ll get open.”

“Gotcha.”

They lined up and she leaned over, hands on her knees as Gage called the play. Gage took the snap and turned. Defenders swarmed, but he whirled away from them, searching for her.

Ducking into a hole in the defense, she waved her arms.

He spun, looked, and threw her a perfect spiral. Great arm.

She leaped, caught the ball and ran like hell for the end zone. She looked back once and Ryker was charging after her with his teammates racing behind. Too late! Touchdown!

Lifting the ball in the air, she did a little victory dance until her team descended, whooping and smacking her hand with high fives.

Gage raced toward her, lifted her off her feet and twirled her around. “Awesome catch!” Then he gave her a quick hug and backed away, his grin lopsided. “Really awesome.”

“Thanks.”

When she returned to the line of scrimmage, adrenaline coursed through her body, both from the excitement of the play and the sensation of being twirled around by Gage. She’d missed being held in his strong arms.

The game didn’t last much longer and she never got her hands on the ball again because the Reds put their best defenders on her. But she managed to pull one flag, allowing the Whites another possession. The Reds didn’t score in the time left.

“You totally won the game for us.” Gage was in high spirits as they walked to meet Quinn and Kendra. Quinn carried a sleepy Josh and Kendra had slung the backpack over her shoulder.

Gage relieved her of it. “Did you guys see Emma catch the winning pass?”

“I did,” Kendra said. “Grandpapa Quinn was busy with Josh.”

“He woke up that quick?” Emma calculated how long he must have slept. Not enough. His head lay on Quinn’s shoulder and he clutched his birdie in one little fist.

“He did,” Quinn said, “but we had quiet time. He still got some rest, I think.”

Kendra smiled. “Grandpapa Quinn entertained Josh with stories about Gage’s antics when he was a little boy.”

“Telling him all my secrets, huh, Dad?”

Quinn chuckled. “He was a rapt audience.”

“Me, too,” Kendra said. “I learned so much about you, Gage.”

“Don’t believe a word of it. My dad has a vivid imagination.”

“And total recall,” Quinn said.

Emma gazed at this little miracle, a second set of grandparents she’d never expected Josh to have. “I can’t thank you enough for watching him while Gage and I played. That was special.”

“Special for us, too.” Quinn adjusted his hold on Josh. “I’ll be happy to carry him to the car.”

She didn’t doubt it. He was beaming, as if he’d be happy to carry that baby anywhere he needed to go. “Let’s do that. He looks very contented right where he is.”

As they all started toward the parking area, she and Kendra walked ahead of the guys, who’d launched into a recap of the game.

Kendra glanced over at her. “How soon can you make it to the ranch tonight?”

“Gage mentioned taking me shopping so I can pick up a few things, and I’d like to shower and change. I’d say a couple of hours, if that’s okay.”

“It’s fine. You should get there before dark in case you want to have a look around.”

“I’d love that. I haven’t spent any time on an actual ranch.”

“Do you ride?”

“Not at all, but I’d like to learn.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’re all about horses and riding. Cody and I led a trail ride this morning. Got back just in time for the game.” She scanned the parking area. “Where’s your vehicle?”

“I’m in the gray SUV next to Gage’s truck. On the far side of the lot.”

Kendra turned around and walked backwards as she called out to Quinn. “Hey, boys, get a move on, please. Emma needs to go shopping before the market closes.”

Emma looked at her in surprise. “Will it close soon?”

“At five on Saturdays.” She pivoted and continued toward Emma’s SUV. “You can make it, though.”

“Five, really?”

“Yep. And closed on Sunday. We’re a little retro in Eagles Nest.”

“I’m getting that. When I drove down Main last night all the shops were closed except that cute little drugstore.”

“Pills and Pop. The owner likes to stay open a little later at night and for a few hours on Sunday, mostly because of the soda fountain.”

“There’s a soda fountain in there? The old-fashioned kind with a counter and stools?”

“Yep. Plus a couple of booths and a jukebox.”

“No way.”

“I learned to dance at Pills and Pop. So did all five of my sons. High school kids still hang out there after school.”

“That is so cool. I wonder how many of those soda fountains are even left?”

“Not many.” Quinn came up behind them. “Better watch out, Emma. Kendra will have you moving to Eagles Nest before you can bat an eye.”

“It has a lot of charm, for sure. I can see why she loves it here. I can’t remember the last time I ate a hot fudge sundae while sitting on a stool at a soda fountain.”

Quinn winked at Gage. “I think that’s what they call an opening, son.”

“We should go tomorrow,” Gage said. “Josh would love it, too.”

And Quinn was doing some matchmaking. She smiled. “Yeah, he would.”

“Good. That’s settled,” Kendra said. “We need to get these folks on their way, Grandpapa Quinn.”

“Roger that.” He started toward the SUV.

“Wait, my keys are in the backpack and I need to unlock it.”

“Oh…right.” Quinn paused. “Man, I really have acclimated to this place. I’ve completely ditched that habit.”

“Here you go.” Gage handed Emma the backpack.

She took it, dug out the keys and pressed the button that unlocked the doors. “Are you saying people don’t lock their vehicles in Eagles Nest?” She walked over to her car and opened the back door so Quinn could tuck Josh into his seat.

“Or their doors, in many cases,” Kendra said. “Businesses do, and maybe some folks who live in town, but out where I am it’s common to leave doors unlocked. We just don’t have crime around here.”

“That’s appealing.”

“I’m telling you, she’s a walking chamber of commerce.” Quinn glanced over his shoulder. “I might need help with this operation. Things have changed since I last used one twenty-five years ago.”

Emma opened her mouth to explain the process.

Gage beat her to it. “I’ll show you, Dad.” He proceeded to give detailed instructions on how to strap Josh into the car seat.

Kendra sidled over to Emma. “Where did he learn that?”

“The man’s a quick study.”

“Takes after his dad. Quinn’s kids are a talented bunch. I’ve had fun getting to know them.”

“I’ll bet.” Emma was still processing her encounter with the Sawyer family.

Their warm acceptance of both her and Josh was sweet and uncomplicated. Making the effort to maintain that connection through the years was a no-brainer.

Looked like she’d be maintaining a connection with Gage, too, judging by how devoted he’d been to Josh so far. That connection was sweet in many ways, too. And more complicated than any she’d ever faced.