“Is my daddy on TV?” Harper said the next day as she and Mari sat on the couch in the family room, ready to watch the game.

Only the two of them were in the house—Mrs. Stillman was spending time with her husband before his surgery the next day—and the only sound came from the TV.

“He’ll be on in a minute,” Mari said, eager to see him.

After they’d finished swimming the day before, she and Hank had played games with Harper and taken turns reading to her, and after Hank had grilled chicken for dinner, he’d had to leave for the hotel.

After he’d told Harper good-bye, he’d pulled Mari out of Harper’s view and held her in his arms for an extended embrace before kissing her one last time.

Her love for him grew with every kiss, and despite having to keep their relationship a secret, she was happier than she’d ever been.

“There he is,” Mari said as the offense took the field. Love and pride mingled within her, and she couldn’t wipe the smile from her face as she watched him play. He did well, making several first downs before being tackled each time.

She remembered how he’d flinched when he’d picked Harper up the previous Monday, the day after his game, and as she watched the huge men fall on top of him, she cringed on his behalf.

By the time the second half began, the Vipers were tied, but they had possession of the ball. Mari grinned as she realized how much she’d learned about football already.

She watched as quarterback Josh Wisner handed the ball off to Hank. Hank took off at a sprint. No one was near him and he was thirty yards from the end zone. Mari leapt to her feet, shouting, “Go go go!”

Harper did the same and Mari smiled while keeping her eyes glued to the TV. As Mari watched, she noticed Hank do a little hop as the hand not holding the ball reached for his left leg, but he kept running. Her smile slid from her face and she went silent as she watched him nearly fall. Something was wrong. So very, very wrong.

Heart pounding with worry, Mari watched as Hank, only a few yards from the end zone, began to stumble. Despite that, he reached the end zone, tumbling to the ground. Touchdown. He didn’t get up and he was in obvious pain. After a few moments he rolled onto his back.

What had happened? Was he okay?

Heart racing with fear and worry, Mari stared at the TV.

The voice of the announcer broke through her troubled mind and she heard him say something about a pulled hamstring. Was that bad? What would that mean for Hank?

“Daddy fell down,” Harper said. Creases had formed on her forehead.

Sitting on the couch, Mari pulled Harper onto her lap, holding her close. “Your daddy’s fine. We’ll see him in a few hours.”

All the while, she stared at the TV, watching as people rushed to Hank’s side, kneeling beside him, talking to him. The TV replayed the touchdown, and Mari gritted her teeth, frantic to see what was happening with Hank.

Finally the TV went back to Hank, who was being helped off the field, his left foot barely touching the ground as he hobbled onto the sidelines.

Sitting in silence as the game proceeded, Mari hardly watched. The only reason she kept it on was to see if the announcers gave some sort of update on Hank. They didn’t, and by the time the game was over and the Vipers had won, Mari was desperate for Hank to get home.

She remembered the way he’d kissed her good-bye the previous afternoon, and without conscious thought, she touched her lips with her fingers.

“I’m hungry,” Harper said.

Glad for something to do, Mari stood. “Me too. Will you help me scoop out a watermelon?”

Harper nodded, her eyes wide as she smiled.

* * *

The moment Mari heard the front door opening that evening, she turned to Harper. “Your daddy’s home.” They were sitting on the couch watching a princess movie, but they both jumped up and raced to meet him in the entry. Earlier, Mari had explained to Harper that her Daddy had a sore leg, so when they reached him, Harper stopped short of flinging herself at him like she usually did. Instead, she smiled up at him.

Mari’s instinct was to throw her arms around him, but she held back. Not only because Harper was there, but because she wasn’t sure how he was feeling.

“You’re home,” she said instead, certain her eyes broadcast her love and concern.

“Yep,” Hank said with a half-smile.

Mari stepped back so he could come inside, and as he passed her, his hand slid into hers for a moment. Love surged through her, and she followed him into the family room, noting his limp.

* * *

Seeing Mari and Harper brightened an otherwise less-than-stellar day. Yeah, the Vipers had won, and yeah, his touchdown had made all the difference. But pulling his hamstring sucked and he was angry at himself. Maybe if he’d done more conditioning on his legs he could have prevented it. Then again, maybe not. But now he would most likely miss the next couple of games.

“How are you?” Mari asked as she sat beside him, concern clear on her lovely face.

Right now he needed her, wanted to feel her in his arms, her lips on his.

“Harper,” he said. “Would you go into my room and find my phone?”

Harper nodded, then she ran out of the room.

Hank didn’t hesitate. He pulled Mari against him with a sly smile. “That should give us a minute or two.”

* * *

Mari exulted in the feel of his embrace, snuggling against him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. After a few moments, she lifted her head and kissed him with all the yearning in her heart. Their kiss was filled with love and longing, and she never wanted it to end.

When she heard Harper coming down the stairs, she reluctantly put some space between them, although she couldn’t quite make herself release his hand. Not yet. But when Harper entered the room, she let go.

“I can’t find it,” Harper said.

“That’s okay, sweetheart,” Hank said, then he patted the couch cushion beside him. “Come sit by me.”

Harper bounced onto the couch and wrapped her little arms around his arm before pressing her cheek against it. Mari was on his other side, and when Hank took her hand, she eagerly accepted it.

“This is just what I need,” he said.

“Tell me about your leg,” Mari said, not able to wait a moment longer.

“It’s an awesome leg,” Hank said with a smirk. “All muscle and power.”

Gently shoving his shoulder, she laughed. “Stop it.”

He chuckled. “It’s a strain, not a tear. Should take a couple of weeks to heal.”

“That’s not too bad, right?” She desperately hoped that was true.

“Could be a lot worse, that’s for sure.” He gazed at her a moment. “Good thing I have you to take care of me.”

Mari’s heart nearly burst with love as she nodded. “Are you hungry?” The need to take care of him was powerful and she would do anything to bring him comfort.

“I could eat.”

“I can do something about that.” She released his hand and stood, then smiled as she looked at Harper, who was snuggling against Hank as she watched the movie they’d left on. Mari’s gaze shifted to Hank. His lips curved in a smile that seemed to say he appreciated her being there for him.

With her heart brimming with love, she walked into the kitchen.