Bluegrass Undercover (Bluegrass Brothers)

released the ball with everything he had, his back leg raised off the ground with the effort. The football sailed through the air in a tight spiral. The cheers stopped as everyone waited to see where the ball would land. Ryan leapt into the air, arms outstretched, and plucked the ball from the night sky. Cheers burst forth from the crowd as feet pounded the metal bleachers. Annie and Paige involuntarily stood up as Ryan landed on the ground and stumbled forward into the end zone.
     
    Cade smiled and shook hands with the opposing coach. Hall’s touchdown had sparked the team. The defense prevented any more touchdowns, and Austin threw for two more. It had been a huge victory going into the playoffs and a wonderful Senior Night for the guys.
    Students poured onto the field to celebrate the victory with their friends. Parents hugged their children, and several mothers cried knowing their sons were soon graduating. Cade searched the crowd for Annie. He found her immediately. Her red hair danced in the wind as she and Paige made their way onto the field.
    He shook the hands of the parents who approached him while fighting through the growing number of people on the field to get to Annie. All he wanted was to wrap his arms around her and celebrate – just the two of them.
    “Annie!” He waved his arm in the air and drew her attention. He smiled when he saw her face alight with a smile of her own. Paige waved back as he moved around some cheerleaders hugging their boyfriends.
    “Well done, Coach!” His sister clapped excitedly. “The playoffs! I can’t believe it.”
    “Thank you, Paige. But now, there is something I have to do.” He turned to Annie and saw her wrinkle her brow in confusion before he wrapped his arms around her. The feel of her body against his was all the celebration he needed. He lowered his head and brought his lips to hers.
    “Hey, Bro, I think you’re embarrassing our mother.” Miles’ serious, yet sarcastic voice cut through the crowd noise.
    Cade sadly pulled away from Annie’s warmth to glare at his older brother. “As always, you have impeccable timing, Miles.”
    Miles just smirked and rocked back on his heels. He was still in his suit from work and looked ridiculously out of place in the sea of denim. Cade wrapped his arm about Annie’s waist and tucked her against the side of his chest. “Mom, Dad, I would like you to meet Annie Hill. Annie, these are my parents, Marcy and Jake Davies.”
    Annie stood frozen against Cade’s side. She had never met a man’s parents. Actually, she had never met many parents at all and was wholly unfamiliar with the situation. Did she say something? Did she shake hands? Luckily the decision was taken from her when Mrs. Davies pushed Cade aside and grabbed her up in a matronly hug.
    “It’s so nice to meet you. I have heard so many wonderful things about you. This is my oldest son Miles.” Annie smiled and shook hands with the very serious looking man with an eerie similarity to Cade. “And this is my second son Marshall, and my youngest son Pierce.”
    My, if she were seven years younger, Cade would have some competition. Pierce was handsome in a sexy, laid back, country boy way that made her know she’d like him instantly. Marshall just looked tough. She could easily see him as a soldier. “It’s nice to meet all of you.”
    “Well, I know you young people will want to celebrate tonight’s victory so we won’t keep you. It’s was very nice to meet you, Annie. I hope to see you at our Sunday dinners soon. Good job, son. I knew you would be a wonderful coach.” Marcy patted Cade’s cheek.
    “Thanks, Mom.” The group watched as Jake Davies led his wife through the crowd towards the car.
    “We hate to tear our dear brother from such a lovely lady, but we had thought to have a guy’s night out to celebrate the victory. Will, Mo, Ahmed, and Cole are going to join us,” Marshall said.
    “That’s alright. Annie’s going to hang out with us girls tonight. We don’t need any of you men to have a good time.” Paige grabbed Annie’s hand and pulled her over to her side. “That is, if you would like to join us. Dani, Kenna and I are going over to Miss Lily’s for a spa night with lots of chocolate, which any woman would tell you is way more satisfying than a man.”
    “I would love to join you. We will see you gentleman later.” Annie grinned, linked her arm with Paige’s, and followed her off the field.
    She had never had a