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“Youhave to ask?”Spencecovered her lips with his in a lingering kiss that promised so much more.Finally, he releasedKimand grasped her hand as they walked toward theFCUteam and administrative center.Afew ofSpence’steammates mingled near the pickup area where the bus would take them to the hotel, andKimsawAnnetteleave the building.
“Oops,Ibetter get over there.”KimpulledSpence’sarm, and he leaned toward her so she could give him another good luck kiss. “Keepreaching for the stars,ChathamJohnSpencer.”
Ona beautifulJuneday inWestPalmBeach, theSurgeand theJaysplayed a tight, defensive game.Fewbatters reached base, and neither team had miscues on the field until the top of the ninth.ThirdbasemanRickCarsonjuggled a sharply hit ground ball, and he rushed the throw.Theball drifted high above first base and into the dugout.Suddenly, a runner stood on second base in scoring position.Twoout.
SpencesawRamirezhead to the mound, and he joined the discussion with catcherToddAnderson,Ramirez, and pitcherEricMarsden.
“Eighty-five pitches,Mars,”Ramirezsaid.
“Coach,Ican get this guy out.Trustme.”
Ramirezshifted his gaze toAnderson. “He’sstill bringing the heat,Coach,”Toddcommented. “Badbounce at third.Hecould keep going another fifteen-twenty pitches.”
Spencenodded in agreement.Thecoach looked directly at each of the three players. “You’veled the team all season.I’mnot going to stop believing in you now.”
“You’vegot it,Mars,”Spenceencouraged, slapping his glove againstMarsden’s. “We’llget you the win.”
Kimdidn’t realize she was holding her breath untilDavenudged her. “Breathe,Kimmy.”Sheforced herself to take a deep breath, but she’d gripped the pencil so tightly the tip snapped against the paper.Shepulled another pencil from her bag without taking her eyes off the field.
“Ican’t take this,Dave.Itmust feel like déjàvu forSpence.”Bottomof the ninth, runner on second, two outs.Spencestepped into the batter’s box.Shecould imagine the concentration etched on his face, stretching his back before settling into the familiar stance.
“Fastball, high,”Kimpredicted as the pitcher moved into the stretch.Heglanced at second, making sureAndersonstayed close to the bag, then fired the ball toward the plate.
Kimclosed her eyes when she heard the crack of the bat, willing the ball to land for a single.Shelistened to the crowd roar and feltDavetug her arm.Shestrained to follow the ball as it drifted toward deep center field.Getout!Getout!Getout!Theball sailed high, just missing a home run, and bounced off the wall.Andersonthrew his arms up as he rounded third and raced for home.
Kim’svoice choked when she tried to cheer with the crowd.Shesaw the team surroundToddandSpenceat home plate, not realizing that tears streamed down her cheeks.Theteam piled on each other, jumping up and down and hugging each other.SomeonedousedCoachRamirezwith the cooler filled with an orange sports drink, and the crowd streamed onto the field.Shelost sight ofSpenceas the media and fans swallowed the players.
Spence,Todd, andEricaccepted the trophy on behalf of the team, and they waved for their teammates and coaches to join them.Alldonned theNationalChampionshipbaseball hats and began the rush of media interviews and photos.
Suddenly,Savannahjumped on his back—just as she had when his high school team won state his freshman year.Hisparents hugged him, andSpencesaw the tears of joy on his mom’s face.
“We’reso proud of you, son,” his dad said, clapping his hand onSpence’sshoulder.
“Savannah, you’re too old for that,” his mother scolded. “Getdown.”
Spencegently shruggedSavannahoff his back and pulled his new hat over her head. “Thanks,Sissy,” he said with a grin.Helooked around. “Where’sKim?”
“She’swith her brother and sister-in-law,”KathrynAnnreplied, andSpencescanned the crowd trying to locate her.TheFCUmedia relations staff had begun to usher the players toward the dugout and clubhouse.Spencelooked at his family. “FindKim, please—tell herI’llmeet her in theFCUmedia center.I’llcall you as soon asIcan.”
Pushingback the disappointment that he couldn’t findKim, he turned and followed his teammates toward the dugout, weaving through the sea of fans milling about on the field.Securityopened a path to the dugout, and then he sawKim—standing withAnnetteSavallin the dugout.
Herradiant smile beckoned, and before he could think, he grabbed her into his arms, spinning her around. “Itried to find you,Popcorn.”
Kim’ssmile radiated pure joy and pride, and her voice sounded hoarse. “Soproud of you!”Shehugged him tightly when he set her on her feet.
“Sorry,I’mall sweaty, babe.”
“Idon’t care, silly.”Kimrose to kiss him briefly. “That’snational championship sweat.”
Heslipped his arm around her shoulders and started walking toward the tunnel leading to the clubhouse.Shetried to pull back.
“Ican’t go in there!”Sheprotested.
AnnetteSavallstepped closer. “I’lltake you the safe route,Kim.Nochampagne shower for us.”ShemetSpence’seyes. “Twominutes, tops.Theteam’s waiting for you.”
SpencedrewKiminto the tunnel and stopped once they were out of view from the field.Annettemoved ahead to the corner leading to the clubhouse. “Yousure you don’t mind a little sweat?”Hismouth quirked as he pulled her against him.
“Loveit.”Shewelcomed his kiss and pressed against him. “So, so happy for you.”
