Chapter 4 shifts back to Chip’s perspective for the series’ signature blend of the extraordinary and the utterly mundane, following him and Rose through an ordinary Saturday of back-to-back kids’ soccer games. Between prepping orange slices, scolding Addy for tracking mud through the kitchen, and playing peacekeeper between squabbling siblings, the chapter is a warm, funny reminder that being a magical Guardian doesn’t exempt anyone from normal parenting chaos.

The chapter also does quiet, effective work on Chip’s personal life, particularly his lingering, complicated friendship with his ex, Patty, whose daughter Astrid is Sadie’s best friend. Chip’s careful avoidance of any real reconciliation, paired with Sadie and Astrid’s not-so-subtle scheming to get the two adults back together, adds a light romantic thread without pulling focus from the family dynamics that anchor the book.

What makes the chapter work as more than pure slice-of-life is Rose’s pointed reminder that Chip’s Guardian instincts only flag real threats, meaning she herself, as someone not dangerous to the kids, can sneak up on him undetected. It’s a small, throwaway-sounding exchange, but it plants an important seed about the limits of Chip’s protective magic right as the family settles into the false sense of safety that a normal Saturday morning brings.

📖 Follow the Guardian family’s latest adventure — get Field Trip Fae on Jamie Davis’s site:

jamiedavisbooks.com/books/field-trip-fae/

 

Field Trip Fae — Chapter 4

Saturday rolled around and I stood at the island in the kitchen prepping orange slices for both kids’ soccer games later that day. It was my week to bring the fruit for the teams. Other parents would fill up and bring the big orange water cooler, along with other snacks for after the day’s matches.

Addy and Sadie had both exhibited the quick and nimble footwork that made a child perfect for this sport. While I had grown up playing football most of my life and graduated high school as the star quarterback, I appreciated the other sports my classmates had played. Soccer had always intrigued me, and I marveled at the ball control my friends had shown using just their feet.

Now I was the parent of two talented soccer players. Some of it was undoubtedly their Fae abilities, but I was certain a big portion of it came from the Proctor side of the family. Though their father, Bobby, hadn’t been the star I had been in later years, he’d been quite the athlete in his younger days.

Addy walked into the kitchen, his cleats already on his feet. I glanced down and frowned. He’d left clumps of dried mud all across the floor. He obviously hadn’t cleaned off his cleats after his last game like he was supposed to. “Take those off and go get the broom, Addison Proctor. You know better than to put those on in the house.”

He stopped and looked behind him and then down at his shoes. “Awww, Uncle Chip, I like the sound they make on the hard floors when I walk. Plus, they make me taller.”

“I don’t care. Take them off now. And clean up this mess.”

Sadie looked up from her book where she sat at the kitchen table. “Addy’s in trou-ble.” She drew out the last word, mocking her chastised brother.

“Just for that, Sadie, you can get the dustpan and help him. He made a mistake. That isn’t reason to make fun of him. I don’t let him do that to you when you get corrected.”

“Uncle Chip,” she said. “That’s not fair.”

“We’re a family. We help each other all the time. That’s our rule. Now get up or I’ll take your book away for the rest of the day.”

She huffed and closed the book. She went into the garage with Addy and came back with the dustpan to hold while Addy handled the broom. It took the five-year-old a little time to complete the clean-up, which annoyed Sadie even more. But she wisely kept her annoyance in check and even encouraged him a few times with suggestions that helped him with the oversized-for-his-hands kitchen broom.

“Good,” I said. “Now get the rest of your gear packed up. We’re leaving for the rec league field complex in fifteen minutes.”

While the kids got their extra clothes and clean socks packed up in their duffle bags, I finished bagging up the orange slices. They both came down in their uniform jerseys. Addy’s team was sponsored by a pizza place in town that had been there when I was a kid growing up. Sadie’s team was sponsored by a local plumber. The businesses paid for the jerseys for their teams and helped cover the cost of field maintenance and other expenses to run the leagues each year.

We loaded up in the van and headed across town to the rec center where there were a half-dozen soccer fields in one centralized location. There were also walking trails, playground equipment for kids not participating in the matches, and even a half dozen pickle ball courts. Those courts were surprisingly popular and at least one was in use every time I was there.

The kids’ games overlapped a little, so Rose was supposed to meet me before Addy’s team started playing. She was usually there to watch them play, but today, I would need her there to stay with Addy while I walked over and watched Sadie’s game begin. I spotted the red Firebird in one of the parking spots in the far corner of the lot. I scanned the crowded fields nearby to see if I could spot her.

“Looking for me?”

The voice right behind me caused me to jump and turn around. “Rose, stop sneaking up on me like that. I get it. You’re a super-stealthy warrior princess.”

“The point is to get to where I don’t surprise you, Chip. You’re supposed to expect the unexpected. That’s the whole point of all of our training.”

“My Guardian skills and abilities alert me when there’s real danger to the kids. You aren’t a threat to them, so I don’t pick up on you sneaking up on me. You’re a loophole in the whole process.”

Rose put her hands on her hips and assumed that know-it-all look she got. “There are bad guys out there who can mask their intentions. That could spoof your abilities. Don’t become complacent. You need to always be on your guard.”

I resisted the urge to snap off a curt answer. We didn’t need to be fighting here in public. Sadie and Addy had to get to their teams. “You’re right, Rose. I’ll work harder. For now, though, the kids have games to play. You take Addy over to his team. They’re on field number three. I’ll walk Sadie over to number five to join her team, then come back for the start of Addy’s match.”

“I can walk over there by myself, Uncle Chip. I’m big enough to carry my bag and find the coach.” Sadie had pulled her soccer backpack on her shoulders and looked up at me with a hopeful expression.

Her request tempted me for just a moment and then I remembered Rose was here. “No, I’ll walk with you. I know you’re growing up fast but humor your old uncle for now.”

Rose gave a slight nod of approval and reached down for Addy’s hand. “Come on, kiddo. Let’s go and find your team.”

Addy waddled along beside his aunt under the weight of his own backpack. He insisted on carrying it himself, though. Anything Sadie could do, he tried to do as well. It was usually harmless and kind of cute how he looked up to his big sister.

Sadie bounced on the balls of her feet beside me, not bothering to hide her impatience.

“All right, I see you waiting. Let’s go and find your field and get you started warming up.”

Sadie skipped along beside me as I took long strides towards the far side of the complex. Her coach was the father of one of Sadie’s teammates, Joanie. She ran up to him, waving as she approached.

“Hi, Mr. Simpson.”

“Hiya, Sadie. Ready for a fun time?”

“You bet. We’re going to win for sure this morning.”

I caught up and smiled. “As long as you and the others try your hardest, that’s what counts.” I nodded at the coach. “Hey, Sam. How’re ya doing?”

“Fair to middling. I can’t complain and, hey, I get to coach these fine young ladies each week.”

I couldn’t tell if he was being sarcastic or serious. He always had a smile on his face, so it was hard to say. I smiled and nodded, not knowing how else to respond.

Holding up the bag of orange sections, I looked around. “Where do you want me to put these?”

“Over by the orange water cooler is fine. Someone’s supposed to show up with a separate cooler full of ice. We’ll put them in there when they get here.” Sam pointed at the field. “Sadie, why don’t you grab a ball and start on some dribbling and passing drills just like we did in practice this week.”

Sadie ran to get one of the balls out of the nylon ball bag nearby. She dropped it on the ground and ran out onto the pitch, keeping the ball just in front of her. She was nimble anyway, and that lent to her footwork as she worked with the soccer ball. It was impressive to watch.

Several of the other girls, including Joanie, ran out to join her. I spotted Astrid in the mix and scanned the crowd until I found Patty talking with a few of the other mothers nearby. I left Sam to his coaching duties and walked over to join them.

“Hey, Chip,” one of the mom’s, Grace, said as I approached.

“Hello, ladies. Are we ready for a fun-filled morning of soccer?”

They all laughed. Patty met my eyes as she joined in the laughter. There was a little sparkle in them as always. I smiled back at her. We’d ended our last couple of dates on good terms and I was glad to see we could still be friends.

“I’m here to drop off the oranges before the game. I have to head over to Addy’s game which starts in a few minutes.”

Patty held out her hand. “Give the bag to me. I’ll hold onto them until Melvin Crow gets here with the ice and cooler.”

“Thanks, that’s a big help.”

Grace asked, “You will be back for the girls’ match, won’t you?”

“Yes, Sadie’s aunt is over with Addison. I’ll come back before the action starts.”

“Good,” she said. “We’ll need all the cheering we can get. This team today is going to be tough to beat. They’re very good.”

“The girls are up to it, I’m sure,” I said. “They’ve looked good in practices, plus they won the last two games they played.”

Patty shook her head. “The other team has won the championship for two years running.”

“Then they’re primed for defeat. Don’t worry, I’ll be back before you know it.”

I waved to the ladies and left them to their conversation. I heard giggling a few seconds later and turned back to look their way. They were all looking at me. As soon as they saw me glancing back their way, they burst into gales of laughter. I didn’t know what was so funny, but clearly, I was the butt of the joke. I’m sure it was something to do with Patty and me dating. She did like to gossip and enjoyed her girl-talk.

Addy’s game was getting ready to start when I arrived back at his field. I took my spot beside Rose and watched as the players took the field. At this age, the coaches were allowed on the field, too, to help direct the players and try to keep them in some semblance of position on the pitch. If they didn’t, there’d just be a swarm of kids mobbing the ball.

I cheered them on while they chased the ball around the field. There were no goals, or even shots on goals while I was there, but the kids seemed to be having a great time and that was all that mattered at this age. I checked my watch and nudged Rose next to me with an elbow.

“Hey, I’m heading over to Sadie’s game now. I’ll see you there when you’re finished here.”

“Have fun. Don’t make all the soccer moms swoon too much.”

I rolled my eyes. “Seriously, Rose, they’re very over me by now. Patty is with them and the last time I saw them, they were all sharing a laugh at my expense.”

“Good, someone has to keep you humble.” She followed it up with a smile of her own and turned back to cheer as Addy broke from the pack with the ball. It was only for a few seconds before the mob caught up to him, but it was exciting.

I left her to continue cheering for Addy and I headed across the complex to watch Sadie’s game. It would be a more serious affair compared to the first graders. The competitive athlete inside me threatened to rise at moments like this, even though I tried to keep the focus on the kids. I didn’t want to become one of those hyper-serious parents who forgot it was a game. There were a few of those around and they tended to make their kids miserable on and off the pitch. I wanted Sadie to play because she enjoyed the game, not because I was pushing her to succeed and be a certain kind of player. She’d have enough on her plate learning all she’d need to become the future queen. She didn’t need an overbearing soccer uncle, too.

📖 Loved Chapter 4? Get the full story — get Field Trip Fae on Jamie Davis’s site:

jamiedavisbooks.com/books/field-trip-fae/