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Chapter Thirteen
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Baylee had been right. The picture of them online didn’t gain much momentum, but died out without too much of an issue. Drew had his assistant to thank for doing a great job of making it sound like no big deal. Not that Baylee wasn’t a big deal. She was Drew’s main focus now, besides getting back to spring training in full health. But as far as the public was concerned, the picture was nothing. It didn’t hurt that a professional basketball player hooked up with a major movie star the day after the picture surfaced so social media was focused on that.
Drew shook his head. It was hard to believe the attention span of the world today, but in this case, it worked in his favor so he wasn’t going to complain.
He pulled his rental car into a parking spot on the street near the church. Baylee had asked him to meet her and Casey there for the Sunday morning service. More than happy to oblige her any request, he’d said yes. But now, as he sat in his car for a moment and watched as people walked up the front steps and through the large, wooden doors, he had his doubts. He liked going to church. Missed it. But with his schedule and fame, it just wasn’t always possible.
His gut churned a bit at the thought of the sideways glances he would get from people as well, probably none too happy with him dating Baylee, or the picture of her on the internet. A few things he’d learned about Silver Bay in the short time he’d been there was that they were fiercely protective of their own and Baylee was loved and adored by everyone in town.
A flash of yellow caught his eye. Baylee and Casey were walking around the corner in front of the church. Her hair was down, her curls framing her face in a golden glow. A full on, in the flesh angel right there, stopping to wait for him by the front doors. Everything in him calmed at the sight of her. All the angst he’d been feeling moments before vanished. He got out of his car and headed towards her. Crossing the street, he approached them, exchanging with Casey a secret handshake they’d made up together then looked at Baylee. They’d spent every free moment together that past week since the internet picture situation, but mostly at her house. Whether she was avoiding being in public with him or not, he wasn’t sure and didn’t ask. He wanted to be with her. It didn’t matter where. Uncertain of how she’d feel about any public display of affection, he stayed a step away.
However, she moved right to him, kissed his cheek then took his hand. “You look handsome.”
He grinned like an idiot.
“And you look beautiful, as always.”
Her blush matched the pink sweater she wore over a flowered dress. Her sandals had heels, making her taller than he was used to, but she still tucked under his arm perfectly and that was all that mattered. The three of them entered the church together, Drew still apprehensive about how people would respond to him, but much more confident now with Baylee by his side.
Organ music floated through the air as they entered. It was an older church, built in the early 1900s but kept up well. The stained glass windows and wooden pews brought back memories of his childhood, going to church with his grandparents in Boston. A church where famous people in history were buried right outside in the cemetery next door. The scent of wood polish and lemon warmed his senses. Baylee squeezed his hand and led him to a seat beside Kate and Jack.
He hugged his sister and shook Jack’s hand. They all sat and the service began. Drew looked around. No one was staring at him. People looked forward, listening as the pastor welcomed everyone.
“Are you okay?” Baylee leaned into him and whispered. She smelled of vanilla and mint.
He smiled down at her. “Yeah. I am.”
He could get used to this. A daily, quiet life with Baylee and Casey. Church on Sundays, picnics with family afterwards. For as long as he could remember, he’d only wanted baseball. But now? Now he wanted more. Not more, really, just something else. He looked down the row. Kate smiled at him. Their mother sat next to her. She winked then looked back towards the front.
Finishing strong in his career was still important. Something he wanted. But a few weeks ago, he didn’t have a clue what would come after. Now he did. And the idea didn’t scare him the way it used to. It brought peace. Gave him something to look forward to.
He turned as Baylee’s mom settled in beside him on the end of the row. He’d met Jenny, of course. She’d been by for dinner a few times he’d been at Baylee’s house.
She smiled and squeezed his hand as she whispered, “Hey, sugar. It’s good to see you here.”
Drew smiled at her. It didn’t take a genius to see where Baylee got her soft heart. Not that Jenny hadn’t pulled him aside and given him the “You hurt her and you have to deal with me speech.” She had. And she’d put him in his place more than some fathers had in the past when Drew had dated their daughters. But Jenny was pure gold, just like her Baylee.
He brought Baylee’s hand to his lips and kissed it. No. He wouldn’t hurt her. And he prayed in that moment that God would give him the chance to prove to her every day just how much he loved her and Casey.
*
Baylee was excited.Church that morning had gone well. Great, actually. She could sense Drew’s apprehension at first, but he calmed once they were inside and he was surrounded by his family and friends. He hadn’t said so, but she was aware he hadn’t had a lot of that in the past few years with his job and his schedule. But family was important to him. And to be in a place like Silver Bay where he could be himself. Well, that meant a lot to him too.
But as wonderful as the morning had been, along with a picnic lunch at Jack and Kate’s afterward, Baylee was excited to take Drew out dancing. After their dressy dinner, which she truly enjoyed, she wanted to show him the kick-back side of things around her town. And what better way to do so than go country dancing.
Being from Texas, she’d learned how to country dance when she was in diapers, but she wasn’t so sure about Drew. Yes, the man had moved well– very well– at Kate’s wedding when they’d danced, but that was different. She was looking forward to seeing a more let loose side of Drew. It was in there, for sure. And Garrett’s Saloon was just the place. Essentially the best known bar in town, Garrett’s wasn’t a dance hall, but he did move aside tables on Saturday and Sunday nights so there was enough of a dance floor for patrons to enjoy.
Garrett had gone to high school with Maggie and Josh. He was a nice guy. Ran a clean place. Mainly locals hung out in the evenings for a great burger and a good beer. Baylee had only gone once with the girls for a night out dancing, and had enjoyed herself. Tonight would be just as fun. More so, since Drew was joining her.
She glanced at her watch. “Gracious!” Was that really the time? Drew would be by any second to pick her up then they were meeting Jack, Kate, Paul, and Hannah at the saloon. Jack, Paul, and Hannah had all grown up in Silver Bay and went to high school together.
Her doorbell rang. “I’ll get it!” Her mom’s voice floated down the hall to her room.
Baylee grabbed her boots and threw them on, then took one last look in the mirror. She wore her favorite dress with blue flowers. Short sleeved with buttons down the front, it came to the top of her knees, and looked fantastic with her brown boots, adorned with turquoise. The best part was the skirt flared when she danced. She twirled, giggled at herself in the mirror then headed out the door.
Drew and her mother were laughing about something in the living room. Baylee stopped for a moment in the hallway to watch them. His jeans sat loose on his hips and were faded in all the right places. He had an all black, button-down western style shirt on with black cowboy boots. His blue eyes twinkled as he laughed at something her mother had said.
