He nodded once.“Fairenough.”
She picked up another softball and turned back to the net.“Youknow how to hit, don’t you?”
He grinned.“Stilldo.”
“Then get in the cage.”
He picked up a bat from the bag lying next to the dugout and took his position just as the automatic field lights clicked on bathing them both in a spotlight.
And just like that, they were back on familiar ground—two kids who knew how to throw heat and take it, even if the game had changed.
CHAPTERSIX
Rose was still angry at herself for how easilyDeclanhad charmed herThursdayevening.
And worse—for how much she’dlikedit.
She wasn’t a woman who needed flirting.Shehad responsibilities, a team, a house to maintain, a twin brother who still treated her like his little sister even if they were born four minutes apart.
She didn’t have time for two men circling like bees around honeysuckle.
She pushed open the door to the feed store too hard and made the bell jangle like a fire alarm.TheSaturdayshoppers stopped and looked at her.
Blushing, she held up a hand and laughed.“Sorry!Noneed for alarm.Justme barging in out of nowhere.”
CharlieMartinchucked.“Theway that bell went offIthought for sure there was a town emergency.”
“Nope.Justme coming in to ask for sponsorship money for the team.”Shewinked at him.“Youwouldn’t want to contribute, would you?”
Charlie smiled.“Why,Rose.Areyou soliciting me?Andme a county deputy.Anda married man, too.”
Everyone nearby laughed out loud, andRose’sblush deepened.Hercheeks might just set off the smoke alarm after all.
“Well, are you open to that?”Sheteased, playing along despite the blush.“Championshipsdon’t come cheap, you know.”
Charlie reached for his wallet.“Justteasin’ you,Rose.I’mhappy to contribute to thePickwickPirateQueenstaking the championship trophy.”Hehanded her a twenty.“Sorryit’s not more.”
“Charlie, we’re grateful for help from anyone regardless of the amount.”Shetucked the bill into her pocket.
From her position behind the cash register,ShellyBurkesaid, “Rose,Mr.Campbellwas expecting you to come in.He’sgoing to sponsor new shirts for the team for the playoffs.He’sback in his office.”
AsRosemade her way through the store, friends and neighbors pressed bills into her hands as they passed her in the big aisle leading to the back.“Stop, y’all.Ineed to write all this down soIcan thank everyone properly for the donations.”
“Just win that championship for us.That’llbe thanks enough.”SaidAmosSandersas he pressed yet another bill into her hand.Shegave him a hug.
“Thank you so much,Mr.Sanders!Andno pressure, right?”Shelaughed.Sodid the others but it was good-natured teasing.“I’lldo the bestIcan and so will the team.”
“Of course there’s pressure.That’spart of my hard-earned social security in your hand.”Heput a gnarled hand on her shoulder and smiled to show he didn’t mean it.“Idon’t doubt you,Rose.Youalways do what you say you will and if there’s a way you can make it happen,I’msure it will.Youladies enjoy yourselves.Winningthe championship is a wonderful thing, but there will be other years if you don’t.Trustme.I’veseen a lot of em,”
“Hey,Josh.”Rosesaid as she finally stood in the doorway to the office.“Shellysaid you were lookin’ for me to come in today.”
Josh looked up, his hair in disarray and eyes slightly unfocused.Heshook his head, and his eyes came in focus, but the hair remained in disarray.Rosesmiled to herself.
Typical forJoshwho had no time for fooling with things like how his hair looked.Hewas the bane of his wifeCarol’sexistence.Shewas forever trying to get him to at least run a comb through the mess.Andtook him regularly to theCutandRunto get a trim.ButJoshlooked good with his messy hair and thick glasses.Justlike the nerdy nice guy he’d always been.
He pushed his glasses up and smiled.“Rose.Gladyou came in.Iwanted to talk to you about new team shirts for the championship tournament.”
“Now,Josh.Youalready paid for the shirts we’re wearing, and they got us to the playoffs.Don’tyou think we might lose our mojo if we changed to new shirts at this point?”
