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Chapter Five
    â€œU ncle Ben, did you see how far I hit the ball?” Westin skipped, leading the way through the busy maze of T-ball games and the clusters of spectators that went along with each game. “It went way far. And fast. Like the speed of light.”
    Ben laughed. “I saw it, buddy. You did great.”
    â€œI know.” Westin skipped just a few steps ahead, tossing a softball up in the air and catching it.
    Overconfident little tyke, Ben thought, unable to keep from caring about the kid a little bit more.
    â€œYou’re great with him,” Rachel commented from his side. “Being with him makes you want one, doesn’t it?”
    â€œNot really.” Liar, his conscience mocked him. But that was his story and he was sticking to it. “It’s hard to do your job and know your family’s waitingat home—while you’re deployed most of the year—waiting to be informed of your death.”
    â€œYou’ve managed to stay alive all this time.” Rachel rolled her eyes, as if she wasn’t fooled one bit. “I just think you’d make a great dad if you ever let yourself get close to a nice woman and marry her. You have a good heart.”
    â€œIf I ever find anyone as sweet and as good as you, Rache, then I swear I’ll marry her on the spot. You’re the reason I haven’t gotten married. It’s your fault I’m still single.”
    â€œHow is it my fault?”
    â€œBecause who could ever measure up to you?”
    â€œThere was somebody once—” Rachel turned to grab Westin’s softball. “You’re gonna clunk into someone if you’re not careful.”
    â€œHey! No fair.” Westin stopped and planted both hands on his hips. His indignation was cute, and he knew it. “Can I have my ball? Please?”
    â€œNo.” Rachel stood her ground. “You’ll get it back when there’s no one around for you to accidentally hit.”
    Ben grabbed the softball from her hand, and she hadn’t even seen it coming. One moment she was gently scolding their nephew and the next she was staring at him with openmouthed accusation.
    â€œYou are in hot water, too, mister.” Rachel could pretend to be scolding all she wanted, but neither of them was fooled. She was a big softy, and he couldcharm her out of any mood. “Ben McKaslin, give me that ball.”
    â€œNope.” He tugged on her ponytail instead, and watched a flush rise in her face. “Ah, I haven’t tormented you for way too long—”
    â€œLook out!” someone shouted from behind him, but it was too late.
    He knew he was in trouble, as if an angel nudged at his shoulder, but he was already stepping toward Rachel to give her ponytail another tug. Something hit the back of his head so hard, his vision blurred, stars exploded in front of his eyes and he dropped to his knees.
    Some sisters might have commented that he’d gotten what he deserved, but not Rachel. She was on her knees beside him, with a newly caught softball in her hand and brushing at his face with the other. “Are you all right? Ben? Can you hear me?”
    â€œUh, sure.”
    â€œAre you okay?”
    â€œYes, okay.” Pain dizzied him. His stomach rolled, but everything stayed down. He pushed a hand against the ground so he wouldn’t embarrass himself further by falling over. He had no idea where his crutches were. Only that his head hurt as if someone had tried to crack it open.
    â€œI’m so sorry.” A woman’s voice came from somewhere behind him. A woman’s familiar voice.
    If his head would stop spinning and pounding maybe he could place who the woman was. All he could do was moan and push away Rachel’s offer of a paper cup full of ice. Other voices around him blurred and melded into one huge background noise. The sunlight became stabbing.
    Then he gazed upward and his hazy vision blurred on a