Some time later, her own face hot from laughing, running, and playing in the sun, she prepared to kick the ball, saw Nathan standing behind Dana and missed. Maddie jumped up and down. "Daddy, daddy. Play?" He smiled and looked at Dana. "Is that all right with you?" "I guess," his older daughter mumbled as she repositioned the bill of her cap. The sun shone on Nathan's brown hair, picking up reddish strands. His navy polo shirt and shorts showed his athletic physique to perfection. At Dana's less-than-enthusiastic response, his smile flagged, and Gillian wanted to brush the worry from his brow. Keeping her distance was more difficult than she ever imagined it would be. With Nathan involved in the game, it got faster. He was gentle with Dana and ran after Maddie when she scooted after the ball, picking it up and squealing with delight. As she tried to run away with it, he caught her, tickled her, and tossed the ball back into play. When he shot it to Gillian, his sly smile and quick reflexes forced her to keep her mind on the game. Dana kicked the ball to Gillian. Gillian ignored Nathan and kicked it back to Dana. Not quite ready, Dana propelled it with the side of her foot. Gillian went for it and collided into Nathan as his foot made contact with the ball.
