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Josie sipped from her coffee. “And you think this person might bring you back into baseball?”
She understood little about his sport and even less about the business behind the sport, but she could see he seemed hopeful. Upbeat.
“There’s a chance. Managers don’t have the power to make roster changes, but since he’s coming into this position because the club is struggling to begin with, he probably discussed team personnel at length with the head of baseball operations. It’s possible he lobbied for me to have a place in the lineup.” He grinned at her over his orange juice glass. “I’m not counting on it by a long shot, but it’s the only positive career news I’ve had in a month.”
“That’s exciting.” Even though having Cal back on a baseball team meant he would leave Last Stand, it was obvious how important the game was in his life. “It’s a good thing your mother will be returning soon since Everett might be disappointed to have both of us leave town at once.”
She regretted bringing that up since it made Cal’s smile fade. His brow furrowed while he buttered a slice of whole-grain toast.
“No doubt. I was thinking about him and the family situation with Rough Hollow this morning.” He set down the knife and the toast too, sounding frustrated. “I hate for his sake that none of his grandkids are stepping up to take over the business. It feels disloyal of us.”
“Your father wouldn’t take over the farm until you or one or your brothers retires from baseball?” She took another bite of her eggs, wondering how Cal and his siblings would feel about selling the business outside the family. “I mean, there must be a limited number of years that a player can compete—” She stopped herself midsentence, realizing how that observation might sting a man already grappling with the possible end of his career. She didn’t mean to dim his new hope for a return. “That is—”
“I know what you mean.” He nodded as he passed a slice of bacon to each of the dogs, seeming unfazed. “I think the average time in the major league hovers around five or six years. But that counts a lot of guys who only have a game or two under their belts. My father’s career as a player spanned seventeen seasons.”
“Wow, that’s incredible. So there’s a chance you and your brothers will be playing for another decade.” She suspected that was too long a time for Clint Ramsey to run a farming business. But then, maybe that idea hadn’t made sense in the first place. She didn’t really know how much time and expertise it took to run that kind of operation. “I notice you don’t talk much about your sister. There’s no chance she’d want to—”
Cal was already shaking his head. “Lara made it clear she’ll never live in Last Stand again.”
She wanted to ask why, but she also didn’t want to push for too many details when she still kept a lock on her own past.
“I’m sorry that I brought up the future of the farm on a day of good news for you.” She set aside her fork and reached across the table to squeeze his forearm. “You must be looking forward to a fresh start.”
“If it all comes together.” His green eyes met hers and she felt the simmer of their connection tingle through her. “And either way, I’m hoping I don’t hear for a little while longer so we can enjoy these two weeks together.”
Awareness heated her skin. Clearly he looked forward to that time as much as she did. It caught her off guard to know that this successful, smart, gorgeous man felt that way about her.
“I’d like that, too,” she admitted, wondering how she’d get her chores done each day with the lure of this man nearby. Even now she was wondering how fast they could finish breakfast so they could tear each other’s clothes off again.
“The funny part about my agent’s call was that he felt the need to warn me to be on good behavior until we hear from a new team.” Cal’s eyes lit with humor while Josie’s belly knotted with worry. “As if I could get into any trouble touring the orchards and painting Everett’s house. Obviously, my agent has never been to Last Stand.”
Her appetite vanished at the thought of her past rearing its ugly head at a time that could hurt Cal’s return to baseball.
“He should know you better than that.” Anxiety made it hard for her to stay in her seat at the table. Suddenly, she couldn’t help but hope Cal’s call came sooner rather than later, even if it meant robbing her of time with the worthiest man she’d ever met.
“He does. But I’m sure he’s seen a lot of contracts vanish for the sake of a single poor decision.” Cal stood to retrieve the coffeepot and top off their drinks.
He must not have noticed her nervousness when he dropped a kiss on her head as he filled her cup. She wanted to lean in to him, to close her eyes and take comfort in his strong presence, but the sense of guilt over keeping her past a secret was eating away at her.
She debated sharing the truth right then. To just put it out there and see if he thought it was a cause for concern, since forewarned was forearmed. Even if it meant losing him for good. She had to be honest.
“Cal—” She traced the pattern on the handle of her spoon, figuring the only way to tell him was to just start talking.
His cell phone vibrated, interrupting her.
Her gaze flew to his, and she noticed the way he winked at her. Like they shared a happy secret. Like he might be receiving good news.
Except, when he flipped over his phone and checked the message, she could tell by his expression that it was anything but. His face went blank.
She hugged her arms around herself, praying the news didn’t have anything to do with her. Knowing it damn well did.
“Cal?” Her voice was a thin rasp. “Is everything okay?”
He slid his phone across the table to her, screen side up. “See for yourself.”
The coldness in his words was a clear warning.
Her gaze went to a photo from the game last night, her turning in to Cal’s arm as he scowled at whoever was taking their photograph. But the damning part was the caption beneath the image.
