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Drew looked through the front window of Baylee’s cabin. Casey stood on a stepstool in the kitchen, helping his mother frost cupcakes. The scene tugged at Drew’s heart, everything about it warm and inviting. But this was Baylee’s world and he was merely peeking in for a brief period of time. His life, his job, a world away from the porch where he stood.
“I decided to stay a bit longer. I’ll be back for Spring Training though.”
“Good. Let me know when you’re back.”
“Will do.”
The line went dead. Call over. Drew stared at the now blank screen and laughed. Good old, Crane. Got in, said his piece, got out. Drew liked the man. A lot. And appreciated his candor. Crane was the only one who didn’t tiptoe around Drew’s injury. Didn’t handle Drew with kid gloves. God bless him.
Drew put his phone back in his pocket and stared out at the sky. Baylee’s place was not far from the main part of town, but far enough out to have some room for Casey, complete with tire swing hanging from the tree in the front yard. The sun was setting, the orange and yellow hues casting a glow over the horizon. Crickets chirped. He couldn’t remember the last time he was anywhere so peaceful, so quiet. Baylee’s laughter floated from the kitchen, a song that filled his heart with longing. This. He wanted this. But was it even something available for him to have?
He shook his head. He had no business wanting her. Baylee deserved better. Better than some washed up baseball pitcher with no clue what his future looked like.
“Hey. Is everything ok?”
He turned. Baylee stuck her head out the front door. The joy from being with her son lit up her face, her smile wide and her eyes bright.
“I don’t mean to interrupt you, but we have cupcakes ready if you’d like one.”
Drew’s heart pounded in his chest. He dug his hands deep in his pockets to keep from pulling her to him and never letting go. The battle to keep from kissing her senseless raged within him as well. He wanted her. A chance with her. Any and all time he could have with her, he wanted. He took a deep breath and let it out.
“I’d love one.”
“Great!” She turned and he followed her inside.
“Mr. MacIntire, we made cupcakes,” Casey said.
He was sitting at the table, a plate with a cupcake in front of him. A mini version of his mom, the kid was beyond cute.
“Awesome. Is it okay if I have one?”
“Of course. We put one on a plate for you.” Casey pointed to a plate that sat on the table.
“Thank you.” As Drew and Baylee took seats next to Casey, Drew whispered in her ear, “He can call me Drew. Mr. MacIntire makes me feel so old.”
She giggled then whispered back. “We’ll see. Trying to teach him manners and all.”
Drew shrugged. He knew better than to argue with a mom.
They dove into their cupcakes and listened to Casey talk about the statistics and stories he heard while watching the baseball game. His eyes lit up as he spoke, but his tone didn’t change much. He sounded a lot like a small adult. Drew found himself as enamored with the boy as he was with the child’s mother.
After plates were cleaned up and Casey was put to bed, Drew and Baylee sat and watched the end of the baseball game. She asked a few questions, trying to learn the game. He fell for her more and more with every question. Casey had begged Baylee to stay up later but was appeased with a plan to have Drew come over and watch another one with them again soon.
They’d only been watching for half an hour when Baylee’s head fell to Drew’s shoulder, her breathing even and body relaxed. Drew smiled. The evening was picture perfect. Well, to him anyway. Lots of the younger guys on his team would tease him for wanting a quiet night at home with homemade cupcakes over nightclubs and parties. But crazy nights out could never compare to the woman that slept on his shoulder. Her laughter, the glimmer in her emerald eyes. The way she asked him about baseball but continued to tease about knowing more about football.
It killed him to do it but he nudged her awake. She had to be exhausted. Up every day at four in the morning and at the bakery by five? And then evenings caring for a young boy. Kate was right. Baylee had a lot on her plate. A lot that Drew wanted to help with. But how? He’d be leaving. Spring training was in a few weeks. He could extend his stay but for how long? Not long enough.
Baylee moaned and blinked. “Oh, I am so sorry.” She rubbed her eyes. “What a terrible hostess, falling asleep on you and all.” She looked at his shoulder then at him. “Literally.”
“I don’t mind.” He looked down at her, lost in her eyes. “I hate waking you but I know you have an early morning. I’m sorry for keeping you up for so long.”
He stood and walked to the door, Baylee’s bare footsteps behind him on the wood floor. He opened the front door and turned. “I had a great evening.”
“Me too.”
“Dinner was so good and dessert… well, you already know you’re amazing at dessert.”
She looked down at her feet but not before he saw the blush rise in her cheeks. “Thanks.” Her eyes found his again. “I appreciate you talking to Casey about baseball. It looks like you got another young kid to fall in love with it.”
