Over the Fence (7 page)

“Of course. I have everything I need at my parents’ house. I can definitely work there.” Eva nodded for emphasis, even though Internet access had still not been installed, and she had no idea whether it would be ready on Monday. A contract like this would be a godsend. She loved candy, and a product campaign like this would be much more exciting than bringing a new detergent on the market. She pushed her hair back.

“Good. Then we’ll send you all the info via e-mail and the link to the folder where you can find everything else. If you have any questions, call Adam.” Matthew wrinkled his forehead as he looked at her. “And you’re certain you’ll be able to focus on the job?”

“Of course,” Eva assured him again.

Adam Chapell stared into the camera. In the background, his assistant, Sally, tapped lightly on her upper torso and touched her hair. Though Eva went cold, she casually stroked her long hair forward over her shoulders. Sally nodded and gave her a thumb’s-up.

After a brief pause, Adam explained the client’s wishes in detail and reassured Eva that he would provide her with all the necessary files.

“And if you’re not able to reach Adam,” Sally added, “then call me. I’m happy to help you along in any way I can.”

“Thank you, Sally. I’ll call you.” Eva wasn’t just thanking her for her support with the project.

“OK, then it’s settled.” Her boss looked her directly in the eyes. “I want to see the designs every other day no matter how rough they are. Was that it for today?” he asked.

When everyone nodded, he stood and left the conference room. Adam and the rest of the team followed him out until only Sally remained.

“Are you going to be able to do this?” Sally asked.

Eva nodded. “I can even work wearing a blouse with baby spit-up on it. No problem.”

Sally laughed and turned off the video.

Eva closed her Mac and lay back onto the bed. The videoconference was far from professional. That was why Matthew wanted to check her designs every other day. She closed her eyes and sighed. It would cost her dearly to be demoted to her previous level. The best thing for her to do would be to start on the project immediately. But she still needed to collect the necessary files. Hopefully, that would happen today. Then she could start work over the weekend.

Kati quietly knocked on the door, then poked her head in. “Oh, you’re already done.” She opened the door all the way. “How did it go?”

“It was OK.” Eva groaned, then sat up.

Kati inspected her and grinned. “I think it’s better if I drop off Leonie at the soccer field and you can bring her home, then you’ll have time to change, OK?”

Eva looked down at her blouse. “I don’t care what I look like on the soccer field.”

“Then you haven’t seen Leonie’s coach. Changing clothes would definitely be worth your while.”

“Fine. I’ll just go home and meet Leonie on the soccer field later.” Eva stood up, unplugged her Mac, and waved good-bye to Kati.

Seven

Eva pushed her shopping cart through the supermarket and tossed in the ingredients she’d need to prepare a colorful salad later. The lettuce would suffer somewhat in the car in the summer temperatures, but she figured Leonie would be too tired after her scrimmage to accompany her to the supermarket. She stopped in front of the wine rack. She didn’t know which varieties were offered here. The shop didn’t seem to have a Chardonnay. She pulled a bottle of white from the shelf and read the label. A Sylvaner. Eva had never heard of it. At a loss, she turned the bottle over in her hands.

“Eva?” someone said from behind. “It can’t be! What are you doing here?”

Eva turned and wrinkled her forehead. “Caro? Is that really you?” she asked her old classmate. “What happened to your long hair?”

“I thought it was time to get rid of the old braids.” Caro now sported a funky short haircut. “I got rid of the long hair habit much faster than I got rid of another old habit . . . But that’s a long story.”

“This new style is fantastic! You should have cut it years ago.” Eva put the white wine in her shopping cart. “How are you and Klaus?”

Caro hesitated a moment. “Well, like I said, it’s a long story. Do you have time for a cup of coffee? We could get a quick drink at the café up front.”

“I’m sorry,” Eva said. “I would love to chat with you, but I have to get to my niece’s soccer practice.”

Caro’s eyes lit up. “Back home for hardly a moment and already you know where you need to be.”

“What’s the big deal with the soccer field? Something special there?”

“You know what? I’ll come with you.” Then Caro groaned slightly. “That’s not going to work. I’m on foot.”

“I’ll take you and drive you back. Now I’m really curious to see what’s so interesting there.” Eva pushed her cart to the checkout and stood in line.

Caro moved behind her. “It’s the coach! There’s probably not one child in the area who hasn’t been dragged to the soccer field in the last three years so his or her mom could flirt with the coach.”

“How quaint,” Eva teased, “freaking out over a guy that way.”

“You haven’t seen him,” Caro said. “His very presence just brightens up the day. And today, he’ll brighten up mine,” she added with a mischievous smile.

Eva shook her head. It sounded like Caro’s marriage was on the rocks. She could understand Caro’s attitude, but the other mothers? They didn’t have anything better to do than fawn over a youth soccer coach? Ridiculous!

After stowing their purchases in the car, Eva and Caro headed down the road to the sports field. As she slowed her speed in order to park, Eva noticed there wasn’t a soul there. “Where is everybody?”

Caro laughed. “They built a new soccer field about six years ago. Drive down the road. It’s across from the tennis courts. They also built a little sports stadium there.”

“Wow, some things really have changed here in this Podunk town,” Eva muttered as she stepped on the gas.

As they approached the tennis courts, Eva noticed several cars already parked at the edge of the poorly paved road. “What the hell’s going on here?”

“I told you. You’d better park here.” Caro pointed to a small gap into which Eva could squeeze her Polo. “I’ll get out first.”

Eva parked and climbed out, more curious than ever about the coach, because there normally wouldn’t be a crowd like this for a simple scrimmage. Most mothers would drop off their children and use the time for shopping or other errands. The sunny summer day probably also played a role, Eva thought, enjoying the mild late-afternoon sun on her face. She rummaged through her purse for her sunglasses.

The two approached the field, and when they reached the edge of the crowd, Eva looked around for Leonie. Her niece played midfield, her ponytail bouncing up and down as she ran. Eva leaned against the railing, pointing to Leonie. “That’s my niece,” she said.

“I know her. Everybody knows everybody here.” Caro nodded in the direction of the goal. “And there’s the coach.”

Eva followed Caro’s eyes and her jaw dropped. The popular coach was none other than David Prescher. “What do you know about him?” Eva asked as casually as she could, not mentioning that she lived next door to him.

“He’s married and has a son. His wife’s quite a bitch. They live in the village, close to your parents.”

“I know his wife. She’s still so arrogant?”

“She thinks she’s too good for the village festivals.” Caro leaned on the railing. “Their relationship doesn’t seem to be a happy one. Otherwise, he would spend more time at home than on the soccer field. This has obviously encouraged the local women to try their luck.”

“Anybody been successful?” Eva asked.

“Not that I know of, but that doesn’t mean anything. Most of the women here are married, so it’s really not a big deal.” Caro patted her hairdo. “By the way, Klaus and I are separated.”

“Ergo, the new hairstyle?”

“Yes. I wanted a fresh start. New hairstyle, new home, new life.” Caro was smiling.

“You’re holding up pretty well. What happened?”

“Life.” Caro sighed. “It was just no longer a good fit. And in a few months, I’m going on a honeymoon! Without a man.”

“A honeymoon?”

“Yes, the one I always wanted. With Klaus, we never got beyond Allgäu. This is long overdue. And since I never had a honeymoon, that’s what I’m calling my first vacation without him. I’ve earned it. I prefer a honeymoon on the beach with two close girlfriends, each of us sipping on a delicious cocktail.”

Eva laughed. “I could use a vacation after my breakup with Sascha.”

“Come with us! We each have our own room so we can relax and go our own way if we start getting on each other’s nerves.”

Caro had been shy in her youth, and now she was trying to persuade Eva to go on a trip? The divorce seemed to have awakened a new confidence in her. Eva had lost contact with her as well as a number of other acquaintances after she’d left town. During their school years, she and Caro had occasionally found things in common, though Caro could not exactly be described as a close friend.

“What’s happened to you? I’ve never known you like this!”

Caro exhaled loudly and seemed to consider her question. “I’ve discovered life. A little late, but better late than never.”

Eva nodded. “It seems to have done you good. Though your proposal sounds so tempting, I can’t go. I have to take care of my parents. They had a car accident. That’s why I’m here.”

Caro gasped. “I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you. They’ll be fine, thank goodness. They’re recovering at the hospital. Afterward, I have to go back to my job in London.” Eva told her about moving to London, her breakup, and her life in the big city. She watched her niece from the corner of her eye, and every now and again her gaze roamed back to David.

The girls switched fields at halftime. After David blew the whistle to start the second half, he ambled toward them. Caro whistled lightly through her teeth. “Now everyone will be completely green with envy.”

Caro straightened up, and even Eva stood a bit taller.

“Hello, neighbor,” he said to Eva, then gave Caro a friendly nod. “Your niece is an excellent player. She’ll definitely score a goal in this game.”

“I don’t know much about soccer, but she seems to play with a lot of heart, as far as I can tell.”

David laughed. “Don’t let her hear that you don’t know much about soccer—it’s her world right now!” He watched the girls play. Leonie kicked the ball fiercely toward the goal but missed. “Everything OK with you after the lawn mower and car seat incidents?”

Caro shot her a look.

Eva nodded. She was glad she’d exchanged her stained blouse for a floral shirt. “Do you know if there’s wireless in the recreation center?” She pointed to the building behind them.

David shook his head. “Not that I know of. Why?”

“Crap!” Eva growled. She was thinking about whether the files she needed had been uploaded onto the server yet.

“You can use my connection. Come on over tonight, and I’ll give you the password. As long as you don’t download dirty movies . . .” David laughed before he strolled back onto the field.

“I only do that with fake credentials,” Eva called after him.

“Neighbor?” Caro said. “What else are you not telling me?”

Eva rolled her eyes. “Nothing. David happens to live next door to my parents.”

“If only there were those kinds of coincidences in my life!” Caro joked.

“He’s married—did you forget?”

“I’m not entirely sure about that. Even if he is, he’s unhappily married. So there’s still a chance.” Caro looked over at David again. “He’s so good-looking.”

“Wow, you really have changed.” Eva glanced at the field just as Leonie scored a goal. She threw her arms into the air and hugged another teammate as if they’d just won the World Cup. Eva put her fingers in her mouth and whistled as loud as any street kid. Leonie turned her head and waved to Eva before bouncing around some more, then getting back into position. Eva followed her niece’s gaze. Leonie was looking at what had to be David’s son. He looked very much like his father except for the shock of blond hair. Maybe he was the one she’d been chatting with? Why else would the boy be watching the girls’ soccer team practice? David was his father, but few guys watched the girls play. That would be considered a bit uncool at his age.

Eva watched Leonie and David’s son. The two were constantly trying to make eye contact. David didn’t seem to notice anything, because he was giving instructions to the team, praising them if a play was done well, and jumping into the air when one of the girls scored. The longer she watched David, the more she understood why the mothers were dragging their children to the soccer field. David was damned handsome, athletic, seemed congenial and dynamic, and knew how to inspire the kids. What woman wouldn’t want this kind of father figure for her offspring? It was fun just watching him.

“So? Have you fallen for him already?” Caro asked.

Eva scoffed. “No!” She continued to follow the game, though she always ended up squinting in David’s direction. At least no one could tell because of her sunglasses. “But I can understand why so many women are interested in him.”

“Just admit it,” Caro urged.

“Hey, did you forget? I live in London and I’m going back again in a few weeks.”

Caro laughed. “No reason not to have fun while you’re here.”

Eva couldn’t help but laugh.

Soon after, David blew his whistle and ordered the girls to clean up the field. The balls lying around were stowed in the shed, and five minutes later, the mothers dragged their kids away, but not before saying good-bye to the coach first. “Like vultures,” Caro teased.

Eva thought they were a bit over-the-top, too. But David didn’t seem to have a problem with it. He was cool and at ease.

Leonie flitted over to David’s son and signaled to Eva and Caro that she would be right with them. “Looks like my niece has a boyfriend. I guess we’re the only broads going solo.”

Caro grinned. “Well, I like my new freedom. Finally, I can do what I want!”

“And I need to focus on my new job, otherwise I can forget about going back to London.”

David walked toward them with his son and Leonie. As he put his arm around the boy, he looked at Eva. “What time are you coming over tonight?”

“How about in two hours? I’ll just need the password. I won’t be any trouble.” Eva was grateful she could log on to David’s account, but she felt unsettled in his presence. Something about him made her nervous.

“Come over whenever you can fit it in. We’ll be home.” David looked at the boy. “By the way, this is Jonas.” He introduced his son, who seemed to only have eyes for Leonie.

After a beat waiting for a response, Eva smiled and said, “See you later then.” She, Caro, and Leonie headed toward her car, and she nudged her niece. “You played great, by the way!”

“As if I don’t know that you have no freaking idea about soccer,” Leonie teased.

“So what? I can appreciate whether someone plays well or not,” Eva said as she hooked arms with her niece and Caro giggled.

On the way to Caro’s apartment, Leonie talked nonstop about soccer and her upcoming games. Eva stopped the car and Caro climbed out.

“Will I see you before you leave again?” Caro asked.

“I hope so. We’ll see. I have no idea what to expect.” She handed Caro her phone. “Punch in your number. Maybe you can explain some soccer rules to me so I don’t embarrass myself again in front of my niece.”

After Caro input her number, she handed the phone back to Eva. “Until then, don’t get into an offside foul with your neighbor.” She laughed and slammed the door.

Eva had no idea what Caro was saying. She waited until Leonie had moved from the backseat to the passenger seat, then looked at her. “You have any idea what she meant by that?”

“No idea.”

Eva was convinced Leonie had understood the little dig, because her niece could barely suppress a smile. “And so, you have a crush on Jonas? Tell me everything.”

“What makes you think that?” Leonie asked and looked out the passenger window.

“I might not know anything about soccer, but I’m not blind.” Eva drove slower than usual because she wanted to learn more about her niece, and as soon as they arrived home, Leonie would be able to escape her questions. “OK, if you don’t want to talk about it, then I won’t tell you what I was thinking about.”

Her niece looked at her curiously. “OK, I like him. But I wouldn’t say I’m in love with him.”

“Of course not,” Eva said.

“Now it’s your turn. What were you going to say?”

Eva dodged the question. “If you’re not in love with him, maybe my suggestions wouldn’t be that great.”

Leonie knitted her eyebrows together, which reminded Eva of a photo from her own teen years. They had many of the same physical idiosyncrasies.

“All right,” Eva said. “I thought when I drop by David’s to use his Internet, I could take you, too. Jonas will be there.”

Leonie’s eyes flashed with excitement. “And you’d be able to take me home afterward?”

“Of course. I promised you I would make it up to you for helping me the other day.” Eva accelerated to a normal speed.