Full Court Devotion Read online

  Dedication

  To my dad. Thank you for making Christmas magical for me and for all the wonderful memories throughout the years. If my children have half the childhood I had, I will be thrilled.

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to Christina Dymock for putting this boxed set together and being kind enough to include me. Thank you to all the amazing authors in this group: Taylor Hart, Jeanette Lewis, Lucy McConnell, Cindy Anderson, and Kimberley Montpetit.

  Thank you to Sherry Gammon for my beautiful cover, Sadie Anderson for formatting, and The Reading Fairy’s Correction Cottage for editing.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Full Court Devotion: A Christmas in Snow Valley Novel

  COPYRIGHT ©2014 by Camille Coats Checketts

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Cover artist: Sjlocke of Depositphotos.com

  Cover design: Sherry Gammon of Wordpaintingcovers.blogspot.com

  Cover Copyright Camille Coats Checketts

  Interior Design by Sadie Anderson

  Edited by The Reading Fairy’s Correction Cottage

  Birch River Publishing

  Smithfield, Utah

  Published in the United States of America

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Copyright Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Epilogue

  Additional Works

  About the Author Page

  Chapter One

  Kazlyn slung her bag over one shoulder and dodged slower students. She wasn’t exactly late, but being outside any longer than necessary on a winter’s day in Logan, Utah was pure stupidity. Shivering in the vicious canyon breeze, she skirted a group of slow-moving girls and ran directly into the back of an insanely tall guy. Her bag flung from her fingers and books scattered in the crusty snow piled up next to the sidewalk.

  “Snot!”

  Tall dude turned and gave her a friendly smile. “No, it’s Tyrese.” His smile grew as he looked her over, white teeth flashing against his smooth, dark skin. “Most people call me Ty, but you can call me anything you want to.”

  “Ugh!” She ignored his flirtations and pretty-boy face. You’d think a man that large would have a face like Andre the Giant. Grabbing at books, she shoved them into her bag.

  “Here, let me get that for you.” Ty reached farther across the snow bank than she could; with octopus arms it was probably easy.

  “Thanks,” she muttered.

  He retrieved a few more books and her peppermint lip gloss. Of course, he would find the only feminine thing she had time for during school. His grin got even bigger. “This looks…” He glanced over her face before focusing on her lips. “Yummy.”

  Could the guy get any more arrogant? Kazlyn held out her hand. He surrendered the books, but held onto the lip gloss. She sighed, shoved the books into her bag, then held out her hand again. He placed the lip gloss into her palm and wrapped his warm fingers around her freezing ones. She’d been so stressed this morning, she’d forgotten her gloves—again. His warmth felt like the fireplace at home in Snow Valley, Montana. If she could just survive finals in two weeks, she’d be there. At the moment, she wanted to beg Ty to hold her hands and walk her to class. She smiled to herself, like she’d ever do that.

  “Wouldn’t want you to lose that.” Ty squeezed her hand. “Maybe you’ll give me a sample one day.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. She yanked her fingers from his and stomped around him. “No free samples, buddy.” She tossed a challenging look over her shoulder, almost hoping he’d call her bluff. He winked and grinned.

  Kazlyn whipped back around, smacking herself in the face with her long, blonde hair. First, she ran into him. Then, she whacked herself with her own hair. How embarrassing.

  He laughed. “Maybe I could be an exception.”

  Kazlyn kept walking. He caught up to her in four steps, though she’d taken ten. Curse his long legs.

  Ty strode easily beside her as she huffed her way to the Education Building. Her bag weighed her down, but she still bounced onto her toe with each step, too many years en pointe.

  Kazlyn couldn’t resist looking at him and almost wished she could dislodge the picture—fabulous smile, dark eyes surrounded with thick lashes she couldn’t have achieved with heaps of mascara, and chocolate skin.

  Every few seconds, fellow students, mostly girls, raised their hand in greeting or called out a friendly ‘hello’. He always responded kindly, but didn’t stop to talk, even though many of the girls slowed their steps or even turned around to watch him go by.

  “Why are you following me?” Kazlyn finally asked.

  “I’m not. I’m walking next to you.”

  She huffed. “That’s because you walk so stinking fast. If you didn’t have giraffe legs, you’d be following me.”

  He laughed. “Come on. I have more muscle on my legs than most giraffes.”

  She allowed him a small smile. “Knobbly-kneed giraffe.”

  “I told you it’s Tyrese.” He pumped his eyebrows. “Now, you get to share your name with me.”

  “Not happening. I don’t tell strange men my name.”

  “Aw, come on. You already gave me a hug from the back.”

  “I ran into you!”

  “And I forgave you immediately.” He winked. “I’m sure most people would forgive that beautiful face of anything.”

  Kazlyn wanted to glare at him, but she couldn’t. Her dad used to say a similar line to her. “Are you always a schmoozer?”

  That brought her another chuckle. “Didn’t your momma teach you not to call names?”

  “Didn’t your momma teach you not to follow people?”

  He laughed louder. “She said it was okay if the girl was really pretty.”

  She blushed, turned her back on him, and climbed the steps to the Education Building. He took the steps two at a time and grabbed the glass front door, swinging it wide for her.

  “Do you have a class in here?” she asked.

  “My class is next door at the HPER.”

  “Figures. Let me guess.” She strode down the hallway and up the stairs. “You’re a P.E. major.”

  “Something like that.”

  “And probably the star of the basketball team.”

  “Hi, Ty,” a chorus of girls called out.

  “Hi.” He gave them a quick smile before turning back to her. “How’d you figure that out?”

  “Must be the giraffe legs.”

  “They come in handy sometimes. Have you seen me play?”

  She stopped outside her classroom door and tilted her head back to meet his gaze. “Do I look like the kind of person who would enjoy a basketball game?”

  He perused her slowly. “Sure. You look fit, and really, who doesn’t enjoy a basketball game?”

  “Me.”

  “Honestly?” His smooth brow wrinkled. “You don’t like sports?”

  “I like sports; I don’t like being a spectator.” Sh
e gestured into the classroom. “I get enough of sitting on my rear.”

  His smile came back. “You definitely haven’t been to one of my games. Nobody sits; they stand and cheer the entire time.”

  Now it was her turn to laugh out loud. “You need humility lessons.”

  “You offering to teach them?” He leaned against the door jamb and folded his arms across his chest.

  Kazlyn had to swallow at the sudden dryness in her mouth. He looked really good. “If I had the time, I think I could teach you a few things.”

  “That’s the best offer I’ve had today.”

  She flushed and fumbled unzipping her coat to try and cool off. A few of Kazlyn’s classmates walked passed, eyeing Ty with undisguised admiration.

  “Somehow, I doubt that.” She brushed by him and took her seat in the class. When she looked toward the open doorway he was gone.

  All throughout class, Kazlyn struggled to focus on anything the teacher said and caught herself smiling remembering the interaction with Ty. When the lecture finally ended, she left with another assignment to add to her growing list. She said a quick prayer that she could keep up with everything. She had enough time to choke down a granola bar and race across campus to work. Four hours at her on-campus job and then she could focus on assignments and study all night. Whoever said college life was fun must have signed up for a different experience than her.

  She walked out the doorway of her class with her right shoulder bowing to the pressure of her bag. Her backpack had broken last week and she didn’t have the time or money to buy a new one. Hopefully one of her grandmas would send Christmas money.

  Tyrese leaned against the wall with a smattering of beautiful girls surrounding him. He should give up basketball and sign some modeling contracts. He was too handsome for his own good.

  She forced herself to turn and walk away, though she was sorely tempted to join the girls and sign up for the Tyrese Fan Club, or maybe start her own.

  “Excuse me,” his deep voice sounded behind her as he extricated himself from his adoring groupies. Ty didn’t follow so much as leap next to Kazlyn. “Are you ready to tell me your name yet? This is the second time we’ve met, so we aren’t strangers anymore.”

  She shook her head. “I’m sure one of those girls would be thrilled to give you her name, number, and anything else you want.” She blushed. Nothing like revealing jealousy.

  He grinned. “But I don’t want their names or numbers. I want yours.”

  She failed at hiding her smile. “That’s very flattering, but I’m too busy to date and if you keep talking to me I’m going to be late for work.” She descended the stairs as fast as her shorter legs would allow.

  “Will you get in trouble if you’re late for work?” He effectively ignored her comment about not dating, took her bag, and slung it over his broad shoulder.

  Kazlyn shouldn’t have let him take her bag, but the way his hand had brushed hers had her grasping for words. “Um, I don’t know. I’ve never been late before.” She imagined her boss, a sweet lady everyone called Momma Rue, would just tease her if she was late, but it wasn’t in her makeup to not do everything she was supposed to do.

  “You’ve never…” His steps faltered, but he caught up to her quickly. “Wow. You’re one of those, huh?”

  “A contributing, responsible member of society? Yep. I’m one of those.” She cursed herself; that came out really rude. But maybe it was for the best. She couldn’t let herself fall for anyone right now, let alone a player who had women following him like puppies.

  “Ouch. Just for the record, I’ve never been late for practice either.”

  She glanced up at him. “So basketball practice is your job?”

  “For now.” The sparkle left his eyes. “But I’ve been working since I was eight.”

  She stopped just inside the glass doors and turned to face him, trying to keep the mood light. “No child labor laws where you come from?”

  “Where I come from, you grow up quick.”

  “I’m sorry.” Kazlyn knew not everyone could grow up on a ranch in Montana. She’d done chores since she could walk, but her dad and brothers had always been there to help her. It didn’t sound like Ty had experienced that kind of childhood.

  She zipped up her coat and pushed through the door, a blast of wintry air biting her exposed cheeks. Tyrese stepped next to her. He didn’t touch her, but stayed in just the right spot for his large frame to block the wind coming from the east.

  They walked across the road and through the parking lot. He held the door for her to enter the student building. Once inside, she exhaled and turned to face him. She didn’t want him following her into the office where she worked. The teasing would be unbearable.

  “Thank you. That was really nice of you to protect me…from the wind.”

  The twinkle in his eyes turned to a smolder. “It was my pleasure to protect you.”

  Dang, this guy was good. Kazlyn licked her lips and held out her hand for her bag. He gave it to her, brushing her fingers again.

  “I’ll see you later,” she managed to whisper.

  He reached out and stopped her, his brown hand searing warmth into her. “If you won’t tell me your name, will you at least come watch me play tonight?”

  “I can’t. I’ve got a lot of homework.” She swung her bag onto her shoulder.

  “So you’re one of those?”

  She mimicked his nod. “Those contributing members of society who take far too many credits so they can graduate early, get a master’s degree, and go change the world. Yes, I am.”

  His deep chuckle came again, warming her almost as much as his touch. “If you won’t tell me your name and you won’t come to my game, I’m going to have to make up a name for you and stalk you.”

  “Now that sounds inviting.” She scowled at him. “No stalking, but I’d like to hear what name you’d make up for me.”

  “Natalya.”

  “Natalya?” She shook her head. “Why Natalya?”

  “You have an exotic look to you.”

  “Dirty blonde hair and green eyes are exotic?”

  He smiled down at her with a look that was already becoming familiar and something inside her thawed more than just from coming in out of the cold. “Golden locks like a princess, eyes of emerald, and skin so smooth, just aching to be touched.” He brushed his long fingers down her cheek.

  Kazlyn caught a breath, tingling from his touch. “Okay, um, now I’m just, like…disconcertiated.” What did I just say?

  “Disconcertiated?” He laughed. “Didn’t know that was a word.”

  “When you spend your life in the library, you get to make up your own vocabulary.”

  He grinned.

  “I’ve got to go to work.” Kazlyn backed up a step. She had to get out of here before she tripped over her own tongue again.

  “Can I walk you?”

  She shook her head. “Absolutely not, I don’t need to be teased.” She turned on her heel and left. Of course, he was right by her side.

  “Why would they tease you, because I’m black?”

  “No.” She turned, wondering if he was being serious. Everywhere they’d walked other students tried to get his attention and were over-the-top friendly with him. Did he also have some who discriminated because of his ethnicity? Just the thought made her want to go to battle for him. Like he needed her protection. “They’d tease me because a man with giraffe legs tried to walk me to work.” The truth was; they’d be shocked to see her with anyone of the male variety.

  “Okay, Natalya, I won’t embarrass you, if you’ll promise to come to my game tonight.”

  She stopped halfway down the hallway from her office and gnawed on her lip. “I have a ton of homework.”

  He tilted his head to the side regarding her. “Could you at least come for a few minutes?”

  “Is it so important for you to show off to me?”

  He blinked. “I’m not…trying to show off. The games are
just a lot of fun and you seem like you could use a break.”

  “A lot of fun because you’re the star?” How did he know she could use a break? Did stress just radiate from her or was it something she’d said?

  “No. The students make them fun. We have the best spectators in the nation.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’ve heard they’re the meanest.”

  “They don’t try to be mean. They’re just having fun and supporting their team.”

  “If you went to play at another school where the fans where cheering like ours, what would you do?”

  “I’d think it was hilarious.”

  “You would!” She shook her head. His easy grin attested to the fact that he was telling the truth. How would it feel to be that confident?

  “Yeah, I would, but I know it’s hard on some. My mom’s philosophy is, ‘If you can’t handle getting razzed, get off the court.’ I know that sounds harsh, but we’re collegiate athletes. We’re mentally tough and don’t let a little teasing bug us.”

  “I never thought of it like that.”

  “If you can’t laugh at the fans and the refs, you’re going to have a pretty miserable time playing.”

  “That’s probably a good attitude.”

  “So, you’ll come for a minute tonight?”

  She tilted her head to the side, regarding him. “What was your end of this deal?”

  “I won’t come into your office and tell everyone you tried to tackle me this morning so I would ask you out.” The sparkle in his dark eyes was irresistible. She could see why women flocked to him, but she didn’t want to be another number.

  “You wouldn’t dare!” Kazlyn folded her arms across her chest and stared him down, or rather up.

  “Try me.” He arched an eyebrow.

  “Okay, okay. I’ll come by…for a few minutes.” Kazlyn wasn’t sure if she believed him or not, but as much as he’d teased her, she wouldn’t put it past him.

  “Come at the end of the game, so I can talk to you after.”

  She shook her head. “You’re lucky I’m coming at all, no demands.”

  He held up his hands. She marveled at the size of those palms and couldn’t resist lifting her own hand to trace his index finger. He visibly shivered and she dropped her hand in embarrassment.