Lambert's Peace Read Online Free Page A

during Bobby and Elle’s wedding festivities, their relationship had spiked to a new level.
    â€œLet’s go.” Taylor clapped her hands, the sound reverberating in the cold air.
    Will took a last sip from the water fountain and dribbled the ball back to the court. He made an easy shot before Taylor was in place.
    â€œCheater,” she protested with a laugh then took the ball and shot over Will’s head.
    â€œSixteen to seventeen.”
    Will watched her, bemused. “Still think you can win?”
    â€œJust make your shot, Adams. Stop stalling.”
    When the score tied at twenty, Will had the ball. “This is it. No backing out now. You’re buying me dinner.”
    â€œUnless you lose.” Taylor bounced side to side on the balls of her feet. Will chuckled at her energy. Sweaty and red-faced, yes, but she looked incredible anyway.
    He drove up the lane, then stopped. Taylor rushed him, arms up, going for the block. Will aimed at the basket and released the ball right over her head.
    Swish
. The ball sank through the net.
    Taylor flew past him, moaning as he scored the winning point. He retrieved the ball, tucked it under his arm, and slapped Taylor with a high five.
    â€œNice win, Will.” She ran her hand through her hair, making it stand even more on end.
    â€œHey,” he said softly, “you don’t really owe me dinner.”
    â€œA deal’s a deal.”
    Will walked over to the side of the court where his jacket lay. “Tell you what, dinner at my place. You bring the trimmings; I’ll provide a couple of steaks.”
    Taylor hesitated. “I was thinking more like Giuseppe’s.”
    â€œAll right. Tomorrow?”
    â€œI can’t.” She offered no more information.
    â€œFriday night?”
    She nodded. “Friday night. Six?”
    He agreed, motioning for her to walk with him to his truck. “Harry, let’s go, boy.” Will whistled and the dog came running.
    Taylor stopped short and squinted at her watch. “Dinner.” She tapped the face of her timepiece. “Mom said it’d be ready in an hour.” She looked up at Will. “I’ve been gone almost two hours.” She turned to run home.
    â€œTaylor, Taylor! My truck’s right here.” Will ran after her and grabbed her by the arm. “I’ll give you a ride.”
    He opened the passenger door for her then climbed in behind the wheel. Thirty seconds later, they were cruising down Main Street toward the Hanson home.
    He cleared his throat and glanced sideways at her, trying to think of something to say that wasn’t sports related.
    In the soft light of the dashboard, he could see the glow on her face from exercise and the cold.
    How is it that it felt so right to be with her? After so many years … It astounded him.
    â€œHow long is the whiz kid in town?” he ventured in a casual tone.
    She smiled but looked away, out the window. “Not long.”
    Will nodded once. With the energy of basketball fading, Taylor’s bright countenance seemed to fade. “Does your dad still call you the whiz kid?”
    She nodded, looking over at him. “He does.”
    â€œThe whiz kid,” Will repeated.
    â€œAnyone good at computers, math, or numbers is a whiz kid to him.”
    â€œOh, no, but you’re not just good at computers and math. You’re the volleyball star, basketball MVP, debate team captain—I think you even won a spelling bee or two.”
    â€œOkay, okay.” She held up her hand for him to stop.
    â€œThe whiz kid,” he whispered with a light laugh.
    She gave him a smirk. “And who, driving this truck, was Mr. Football and the baseball home run king? Hmm? I believe he also got
all A
s,
all
four years of high school.”
    Will laughed. “Touché. I had a few Bs. Maybe.”
    Taylor said, “Right,” with a snort. “Now you’re Mr.