“So we focus on getting Vivian and Cruz together as often as possible,” I said. “Better yet, we get Lola to help us set up something that ensures constant contact between the two of them, and then their relationship will go from there.”

  All the heads were bobbing up and down. “Sounds like a solid start to a plan,” Stolly said. “But we need more specific goals. We want them to live in married bliss, like the rest of us, right? And Cruz is planning to formalize the work he does with the military dogs once he retires, right?”

  “Yeah, that’s what he said,” I replied. “Connecting K-Nines and their handlers makes him really happy.”

  Naese’s smile widened. “If she likes dogs as much as Cruz, that’s another angle we can work.”

  “What if Vivian doesn’t want to leave San Francisco?” Maxim asked.

  Coach Kramer snapped his fingers before pointing at me. “That’s why we get Lola involved now. If she likes Vivian, there’s no way she’ll rest until she’s gotten the two of them together.”

  Coach Whittaker leaned back on the couch, a slight smile gracing his lips. He crossed his hands over his stomach and let the rest of us plan—as if he weren’t as invested as we were. But I knew that wasn’t true. Cruz was a special player because he was a special man who’d held us all together during those early rough years as the league’s newest expansion team. He also held us together now that we were a force few other teams could match. I might wear the captain’s patch, but Cruz was the big brother for everyone.

  “The first thing you need to do is get him to talk about the last night they saw each other,” Coach finally said.

  We turned and frowned. “That’s ominous,” Stolly muttered.

  “It’s part of what Lola told me in confidence. But if you want to understand Cruz’s funk and why he’s pushing away the love of his life, that’s where you need to start.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “Any suggestions?”

  “Well, if it were me, I’d remember the trip Cruz took last summer⁠—”

  “To Michigan!” Maxim shouted, like this was a pop quiz.

  “He was supposed to be gone four, five days, but we didn’t see him for a month,” Naese said. “Hana said he and Vivian spent a weekend together.”

  “That’s where I’d start,” Coach said, slapping his knees. He rose.

  “What aren’t you telling us?” I asked. I pulled out my phone.

  Coach shrugged. “Like you said, there’s a reason Cruz isn’t talking to Vivian and hasn’t asked her to come here. Just like there’s a reason he stayed away for nearly a month. If you can figure that out, you’ll probably know why he’s breaking his—and her—heart.”

  I blew out a breath. “It’s time to play sleuth. We have to get to the bottom of this. For both their sakes.”

  “And ours,” Maxim rumbled.

  “Yeah, Cruiser deserves to be as happy as the rest of us,” Naese said. “Ah! Found something…”

  He grunted, clearly unhappy. Turning his phone around a moment later, I read the headline: Man hospitalized after knife attack.

  I grimaced. “Damn. That’s a big thing to keep quiet about. We definitely need more information.”

  “We should talk to Cruiser’s mom to get more information about all this,” Naese said.

  “Glad you offered,” I told him. “Talk to her and pump Hana for information.” I rubbed my finger over my upper lip. “We gotta fix this, stat.”

  Chapter 1

  Chapter

  Vivian

  LABOR DAY WEEKEND, the previous year

  * * *

  The ache in my heart swelled as I stared out at the languid waves from my beach blanket. I enjoyed the puffs of warm air that intermittently cooled my skin. “Bye, Mom. Thanks for being such a wonderful one to me,” I murmured. “I’ll always miss you.” Tendrils of peace slid over the ache in my heart, and I breathed deeply. “You were right. It’s beautiful here,” I told her, trusting she could hear me somehow. I’d never been to this part of Michigan before—never been to the Midwest—but my mother had been born here, and I wanted to spread some of her ashes at her favorite childhood haunts as I reevaluated my life and where I wanted it to go.

  This was my final leg through the grief. She’d been gone five years now, but I’d had to finish my degree and get my career started before I had the time or energy to make this final stop. Now an established oncology nurse at University of California, San Francisco’s hospital, I’d found the work more draining and less fulfilling than I’d hoped.

  That was also part of why I’d come here. I’d been close to my mother, done everything I could to ease her last months, but the frenetic pace of my job and the number of patients I was responsible for had already worn me down. I wasn’t sure I could keep doing the work I’d taken such pride in before. I also wasn’t sure I wanted to continue to put myself through the emotional hardship of losing people I’d gotten close to.

  Perhaps the answers would come in time. I hoped so. The sun shone as the faint sound of water lapping lulled me into a half doze. For a first solo vacation—and any vacation in years—I smiled at my ability to relax. I’d really needed this time to recharge and reconsider.

  “Now, if I could just find someone special to spend my life with,” I murmured. My lips tipped up. “I bet that’s asking too much, huh?”

  The woman on the towel next to me glanced over, no doubt wondering who I was talking to. I waved, and she returned the gesture halfheartedly.

  No more speaking aloud to my mom. Clearly no one else understood.

  I leaned back on my elbows and tipped my head toward the midmorning sun, enjoying the dazzling display of a cloudless sky. San Francisco had few bright summer days like this, and now that it was September, the cool mist that dissipated in August had once again encroached along the Bay Area. While I loved the windswept coastline and the thick fog that hugged me like a blanket, there was something to be said for toasty beach days.

  I startled awake when the wind picked up and whipped off the lake, fluttering umbrellas and spitting sand against my legs and arms. It lifted my wide-brimmed straw hat from my head and sent it tumbling down the beach.

  I popped up from my blanket and took off after the darn thing, zigzagging between other people’s chairs, buckets, coolers, and rafts. The hat settled at the edge of a large towel, and I scurried toward it. As I moved, the heat in my shoulders informed me that I’d stayed in the sun as long as I should. I’d grab my hat and head back to my bed and breakfast for a nap before I…

  A large, tanned hand snagged my hat, making it look tiny. I stopped, eyes wide as I followed the hand up to a thick forearm and bulging biceps. The broad shoulders were covered in a fine haze of sand while his barrel chest glistened with droplets and a smattering of dark hair. He was too thick for rippling abdominals, but his stomach was taut and his waist cinched under his black swim trunks.

  I lifted my gaze to the man’s face and bit back a gasp. He was gorgeous. Dark hair, cropped beard, and thick black eyebrows over a straight nose. His brown eyes were soft as they smiled at me.

  Holy wow. I couldn’t help but wonder if my mother had not only heard my words but delivered the most perfect answer.

  “Isn’t this yours?” he asked.

  I nodded, tongue-tied by so much masculine beauty. How had this guy just showed up right now? No way…

  I wanted to believe in fate—that my mother had sent my hat to this man’s towel.

  “Here you go.” He lifted his arm, offering the hat to me.

  I reached forward, feeling slightly lightheaded as my heart thumped against my ribs. Mom, is there any way you could let me know you’re involved in this? “Thank you,” I said, offering a small, shy smile.

  “No problem,” he replied. He straightened fully, and I realized he was well over six feet tall. Based on his physique, I figured he had to be an athlete or a gym rat.

  “So, I should go…” I didn’t want to. For the first time in years, I felt a strong tug of attraction, and I wanted nothing more than to explore it. I glanced at his left hand. No ring. Not that that was proof positive he was single, but at least I didn’t have to feel guilty for lusting after an obviously married man.

  “I wish you wouldn’t,” he said, offering a crooked grin that I found utterly charming. “My name’s Lennon.” He offered his hand.

  Lennon. The strong name suited him.

  I shoved my hat on my head and clasped his hand in mine. The sizzle of attraction zoomed from my fingertips up my arm and down my chest to pool warm and pleasant in my lower belly.

  Damn. Lennon was potent.

  “Hi, Lennon. I’m Vivian Lee.”

  His smile grew wider. “Vivian. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  We stood there, hands clasped, staring at each other. Kids ran by, screaming. Cold water hit my back and shoulders, causing me to gasp and stumble closer to Lennon. He steadied my other arm at the elbow with his free hand.

  “Careful there.” He squinted at the kids and the rest of the people on the beach. “It’s getting crowded.” His warm, brown gaze returned to mine. “Want to get a drink—maybe a lemonade or an iced tea? We can go up to the boardwalk,” he added. “Sit outdoors but under an umbrella to cool off.”

  I didn’t know this man. I was only in town for the long weekend. “Yes.”

  His eyes did that warm, smiling thing before those lips curled up as well. Ooooh. He was delicious.

  “Let’s collect your stuff, Vivi.”

  I gasped.

  “What?” he asked, concerned. He glanced around to make sure there wasn’t a problem.

  “N-nothing. It’s just… My mother used to call me that.”

  “Vivi?” he asked. His brows loosened as he smiled. I wished I could tell if that was a dimple in his cheek, but the beard was too thick. “The name suits you.”

  “That’s what she always said.” And that’s when I knew for sure Lennon was my mother’s answer to my prayer. I stood still, analyzing my feelings and thoughts as he collected his towel and flip flops. Was I being ridiculous? Fanciful? Part of me knew I was, and yet, I couldn’t seem to care, especially when Lennon picked up a thick hardcover by a popular thriller writer. A man who read. So sexy.

  “You’re not seeing anyone?” I blurted. I had to be sure.

  He side-eyed me. “No. Except you, if you’ll let me.” He tucked the book under his arm and tossed the towel over his shoulder. “I would never disrespect the woman in my life like that.” After a brief pause, he asked, “Are you seeing anyone?”

  I shook my head. “No. But I’m just in town for the weekend.” I bit my lip. “I thought it fair to let you know.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate the honesty. And so you know, I don’t live in the state. I’m from Texas.”

  “Oh?” I asked. “So you’re on vacation, too?”

  “Yep. I got in last night. This is my first stop. I’d read about this place and wanted to visit.” He scanned the beach, the water, then redirected his attention to me. “It’s exceeded my expectations.”

  My cheeks warmed at the compliment, and I smiled. “I agree.”

  We walked back to my blanket and large tote. Lennon helped me fold the blanket but gave me space to sort out my stuff and pull on my coverup and sandals.

  “So…you weren’t looking to meet anyone, were you?” I asked, shyness overwhelming me. He offered to take the tote, but stopped, as if unsure that I’d let him. I probably wouldn’t because my wallet, phone, and keys were in it, but I appreciated the gesture.

  He shook his head. “Nah. I just had this urge to come to the beach after my run. Originally, I’d planned to get brunch and go for a hike, but I couldn’t shake the need to get to the beach.”

  Mom. Fate. Whatever. I really felt like Lennon and I were supposed to meet.

  “Now I’m even more glad I listened to my gut,” he added.

  “About coming to the beach or coming to Michigan?” I asked.

  He shrugged. “Both. I had some time off, and my sister was happy to dog sit, mainly because Belladonna and her dog get along so well.”

  He spoke with easy affection about his sister and dog. Sure, he could be laying it on thick in an effort to manipulate me, but I knew he wasn’t. Lennon was direct, easygoing, gorgeous. And he wanted to spend time with me. Internally, I jumped up and down, squealing.

  He smiled at me as we headed up the beach to the short, quaint boardwalk with its cafés and shops.

  “I’ve never done this before,” I said.

  His dark eyebrows shot up. “Gone on a date?”

  My gait hitched before I righted myself. A date. Well, good to know he thought of it as such. “N-no. Just gone off with a man I’ve known for five minutes. You know, a stranger.”

  He walked beside me up the steps. “Well, I hope to change the stranger part pretty quickly.” He turned and peered down at me. “I’m attracted to you, Vivi.”

  He just put it out there, like admitting his feelings was no big deal. Maybe for him it wasn’t. For me…it was huge. I’d always been a bit reserved. Not shy exactly, but slow to warm up to new situations.

  “I’m attracted to you, too,” I whispered, mesmerized by his eyes and already addicted to the way he made me feel. I was giddy and warm.

  He smiled again, and I smiled back. “Great. So, we’ll see where this goes. Maybe we’ll be bored, but at least we’ll have cooled off, and I’ll have eaten.”

  I laughed. “And have a fun story to tell our friends about the capricious wind and a hat.”

  He nudged me gently with his elbow. “Exactly.”

  Chapter 2

  Chapter

  Lennon

  * * *

  The moment I saw Vivian, my intuition had pinged. She was special. Very special.

  She wore a one-piece swimming suit in a shimmery turquoise that exposed one lightly freckled shoulder. Bright pink toenails peeped out of the sand while big, soft silver eyes met mine. Her bangs tickled her eyelashes, and she brushed them back into that tangle of loose reddish-brown curls tumbling down her back.

  She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever met, and my attraction to her was deep, strong. I had to hope it was mutual.

  “So…a drink?” I asked once we’d reached the boardwalk. Kids and seagulls shrieked while parents washed sand from their bodies and kids’ toys. The sky was bright blue and the sun hot enough to make me sweat.

  She nodded, offering me a shy, partial smile. “I’d like that.”

  “Let me know what looks good.”

  “Oh, um, you sure?” She tucked a few loose strands of hair back and blinked.

  I hated missing even a second of staring into those gorgeous eyes. “Absolutely. I want you to be comfortable.”

  Her smile lit me up from the inside. “Okay. Well, how about there?” She pointed to a café tucked down at the end of the strip. Its little blue awnings rustled in the breeze. It was more than half full but not in the main action.

  “Great choice,” I said.

  We walked down the wooden path. “So, what do you do, Vivian?” Not my greatest conversation starter, but then, I hadn’t planned on meeting a beautiful woman today. I’d thought I’d read my book, take a dip in the lake, have a couple of good meals. Then, Sunday evening, I’d fly back to Houston and kick my training into high gear.

  Already I was rearranging my schedule so I could spend another day, maybe two, with Vivian.

  “I’m an oncology nurse,” she said. “That means I work with cancer patients. Mine are mainly older adults, but I get some younger people in the mix. Too many,” she said with a sigh.

  “Wow. That’s got to be emotionally tough. My friend’s wife is an art therapist for kids who suffered trauma. I must say, I’m as impressed by your choice as I am Ida Jane’s. Compassion and an iron will.”

  We entered the café’s outdoor seating area. I looked to Vivian when the hostess asked where we wanted to sit. She nibbled her lip. “Is inside okay? I think I’m on the brink of a sunburn.”

  “Whatever you want,” I said.

  Once we were situated in a booth at the back, we returned to our conversation. I tensed when Vivian asked me what I did for a living. Moment of truth. Some women wanted to hook up with a professional athlete. Others were turned off by the schedule.

  “I play hockey for the Houston Wildcatters.”

  Her eyes widened. “I don’t know what I expected you to say, but that wasn’t it.” She smiled at the waiter who brought us water and menus. “Do you like it?”

  “I love hockey. I’ve been playing since I was ten, and the moment I strapped on skates, took the stick in my hands, I was home.”

  “Wow. That’s amazing. I wish I had that type of connection to my work. Though I don’t like the potential for concussions. We’ve heard so much about those in recent years. Didn’t some football star mention a Parkinson’s diagnosis related to hits to the head?”

  “Yeah, he did, and it’s something the team and each player takes seriously. I’ve had one concussion, about five years ago, right after I started playing for Houston. I was a mess for days—hallucinations, headaches, unable to focus, light sensitivity… You name it, I had the symptom.”

  Vivian bit her lip. “I just wish sports weren’t so dangerous, that you could enjoy your career without such big inherent risks.”

  “Everything has risks. Even nursing, though maybe not the type you do. But I know an ER doctor, and he has some crazy stories.”

  “I bet he does,” Vivian said. “Substances like drugs and pain are a rough combination.”

  “You sound less than enthused about your career choice,” I said, leaning back against the cushion. “I thought that was a calling.”

  Vivian’s face fell, and she sighed. “I chose to be a nurse, and to go into oncology, because my mother died of ovarian cancer five years ago.”

  I reached across the table and touched my fingers to the smooth, cool skin on the back of her hand. “That’s tough. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”