The silence at the table was palpable. Jenny picked up her glass, finished its contents and reached for the bottle for another refill. Maybe the floaty feeling would help her stop focusing on Adam’s hands and allow her to disconnect from him until she could escape his nearness.
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?”
“Any other night, probably so.” She filled her glass, only spilling a little. “What’re you doing here, Adam?”
“Having dinner with an old friend.”
She snorted. It was a very unladylike sound, but she wasn’t in a very ladylike mood. “I don’t remember inviting you.”
Adam turned in his chair until his knees were touching hers under the table. “Jennifer, seriously, what are you doing with that guy?”
“Trying to have a nice dinner. What did it look like I was doing when you decided to butt in?”
“Stop it. You know what I mean.”
“Do I?” She reached for her glass and let out an indignant squeak when he plucked it from her fingers.
“That’s about enough of that. If memory serves, you’re not the best at holding your liquor.”
“Don’t pretend to know me, Adam.” She pushed herself up in her chair and leaned in until they were sitting at eyelevel. She was tired of him treating her like a child. “Who do you think you are coming in here and judging James? And, judging me?”
“Jenny, I’m not judging him. I just don’t think he’s the right man for you.”
“Oh, and you know what’s best for me?”
James reappeared at the edge of the table, his eyes taking in their close proximity. “I’m feeling a little jetlagged so I went ahead and took care of the check. Jenny, are you about ready to go?”
A little unsteady on her feet, but with great determination, she stood and grabbed her purse from the back of the chair. She would not prove Adam right by stumbling. Adam stood, and when he reached out to offer her a steading arm, she glared at him. He was at least smart enough to back off.
“I didn’t mean for you to buy dinner. Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure,” James said. “After all, you don’t get to buy dinner for one of baseball’s used-to-be-greats every day.”
Adam nodded, his mouth in a thin line. “Maybe one day I can return the favor.”
James smiled, but they all knew that day would never come.
The image of Jenny on the arm of another man twisted his gut. They walked out of the restaurant, with their arms around each other’s waists, and Adam fought the urge to punch the wall. He was gracious to the hostess and manager on his way out, but it took all his willpower to keep a smile on his face. His old buddy Spencer had been right; James was less than what Jenny deserved.
The air was cool and filled with evening sounds when he stepped outside the restaurant. An owl called, cricket’s chirped, and the occasional bat darted across the moon as he walked to his truck, too annoyed with the way the evening had played out to fully enjoy nighttime in the country, one of his favorite things.
It had always been the nights that had been the hardest while he was away. During the day he played ball. Whether it was practice, a game, or time spent in the batting cages, he’d always had the game to distract him. But at night, when it was quiet and his teammates weren’t around, he’d find himself looking out the window of his spacious Buckhead condo and trying to remember why he’d ever left.
The lights of the city blotted out the stars and even though he’d only been hours away, he’d felt like he was on another planet. A country boy in a high-rise, pretending he belonged. A phony.
Maybe that’s why he’d trained so hard. To prove to himself that he deserved to be there as much as everyone else. Or maybe to show Jenny he hadn’t left her in vain. And, after a while, it worked. He started to feel like he was one of the team, an asset even, but that time was finished. It was time to return home.
He glanced up at the sky now, millions of stars visible overhead, and wondered if he’d made the right decision in coming back. He could’ve gone anywhere.
He thought of Jenny and how beautiful she’d looked sitting at the table in her light pink dress. The color of the fabric highlighting the tones in her cheeks and lips, leaving her looking as beautiful as he’d ever seen her. The familiar longing tugged at him at the thought of her. She was why he was back. She was his future. And, she’d been with James.
Adam slammed the door to his truck and headed to the one place he’d always gone to think. He needed a plan. It was obvious time wasn’t on his side.
He saw the lights before he saw the stadium, blazing as though beckoning him home. The scoreboard was turned on and the parking lot full of cars. Curiosity and nostalgia kept him from turning and heading for the hotel. The sparse crowd in the stands clapped and cheered as a man in a red and white uniform rounded the bases.
Adam leaned against the metal railing at the bottom of the bleachers and watched a few minutes before turning to the kid sitting closest to him. “Who do these guys play for?”
“They’re part of the rec league. My dad’s number seven. Over there.” The kid pointed to the man standing on first base.
Adam squinted into the bright lights and smiled. He’d know a Malloy anywhere. He looked back at the kid and studied his features again. He had the eyes, too. “Is your daddy’s name Jake?”
The little boy eyed him and then nodded.
“Ain’t that something? My name’s Adam. I used to play ball with your dad and your uncle back when we were in high school.”
The boy’s eyes grew wide. “You’re Adam Hamilton. We watch you play on the TV all the time. Mom!” the boy shouted, then turned back to Adam. “I’m Alex,” he thumped his thumb against his chest.
“What is it, Alex?” Ann hurried to her son’s side.
She didn’t look much different than the last time he’d seen her except her hair was shorter and instead of popping gum she was balancing a baby on her hip.
“Mom, look, it’s—”
“Adam,” she finished when her eyes met his. “It’s been a long time.”
“Hey, Ann.” He noticed she didn’t seem surprised by his sudden appearance and wondered if she’d talked to Spencer or Jenny. He guessed, based on her slightly chilly reception, that it’d been Jenny. He cleared his throat and bent over to let the baby squeeze his finger. “I met Alex, but who’s this little guy?”
“This is Peter.” She looked at the baby and her expression softened. “He loves game night now that he can walk. And, I sure do get a lot of exercise.”
“You look great.” Adam stood up straight again. “Everyone does.”
“Hmm.”
Adam’s gaze drifted back to the field. He rolled his shoulder and rubbed his hands together. As the pitcher let the ball fly and it hit the catcher’s mitt with a thunk, Adam felt the old familiar surge of adrenaline.
“I know Jake will love to see you,” Ann said, pulling his attention away from the game.
He met her eyes again. “But, not you?”
Ann touched Alex’s shoulder. “Why don’t you go see if Tommy is going to go out for ice cream with us after?”
“Okay.” Alex hopped down out of the stands. “See ya, Mr. Hamilton.”
“See ya, Alex. He seems like a great kid.”
“We think so.” There was pride in Ann’s words and in her eyes as she watched her oldest meet up with his friend by the fence.
They stood in silence watching the boys and remembering nights they’d been the kids playing at the ball fields.
“Why Jenny?” Ann asked after a few minutes. “Out of all the realtors in LaGrange, you had to pick her. Didn’t you think it would be hard for her to be around you? Or, were you just worried about yourself, like before?”
Adam r
ubbed a hand over his face. “Listen, Ann, it isn’t like that.”
“Hey, man.” Jake slapped him on the back. “Spencer said you were around.”
Adam met Ann’s probing eyes again an instant before she turned a smile on for her husband. Jenny wasn’t the only one he was going to have to win over.
“You guys looked good out there.” Adam shook Jake’s hand.
“Ah, well, it’s just an excuse to get together. If you stick around, you’ll have to come play. We’re not exactly what you’re used to, but it’d be fun.”
Adam smiled. “I’d love to.”
“Are we getting ice cream now?” Alex shouted at his parents.
“Yeah, buddy, we’re coming,” Jake answered. “It’s great seeing you, Adam. Seriously, think about coming out next week.”
“Will do. You guys take care.”
Jake turned to leave, but Ann hung back. “It is good to see you Adam, but when it comes to Jenny, you need to tread lightly.”
“I understand.”
“See that you do.” With a final gaze, Ann left him standing alone and joined the rest of her family.
They were a good looking foursome and as he watched them walk together, a pang of envy twisted inside him. He hadn’t realized how much he wanted what Jake had: a wife, kids, the whole picture. Even wild man Spencer was settling down.
Adam wandered out onto the empty field and found himself standing on the pitcher’s mound, the one place he’d always been himself, felt comfortable. He closed his eyes and listened to the familiar buzz of the lights and felt the warm breeze ruffle his hair. He was where he was supposed to be. Now, he just had to prove to everyone he deserved to be there.
Chapter 5
Jenny flipped her visor down and gave her appearance a final once-over. Although, she didn’t know why she cared what she looked like. Not after the way Adam had acted the night before when he’d shown up and crashed her date, and then left her to clean up the mess. Typical. And, how long had it taken her to calm James down? To convince him Adam meant nothing to her. Not anymore, anyway. She hit the visor and sent it springing back into place. She shouldn’t care.
The sun reflecting off the windows of the hotel made her wince even behind her dark glasses. As she took the stairs leading to the door of the old hotel, she prayed it would be the last day she had to spend one-on-one with Adam.
“Well, good mornin’, Miss Jenny.”
“Hey, Earl.” She moved around to the front of the check-in desk and leaned over the counter to kiss the old man’s cheek. She’d known him and his wife, Betsy, her entire life, like most of the people in town, but they held a special place in her heart. They were the sort of people who were like adoptive grandparents to everyone. Always interested to hear about the day or give advice over a plate of cookies. Especially when something came up you didn’t want to talk to your parents about.
“You taking Adam around?”
“Yes, sir.” She looked around the empty lobby. “If he ever decides to grace us with his presence that is.”
Earl laughed. “I’m glad to see you two kids are gettin’ on.”
Tucking her hair behind her ears, she stood up straighter. “I’m not sure we’re ‘gettin’ on’ so much as we have a business arrangement.”
Earl laughed again and slid his hands into his pockets. “Last time I saw him, he was in the café with Betsy.”
“Thanks, Earl.” Jenny strode down the hallway toward the café, Betsy’s domain at the hotel. It’d been ages since she’d eaten there.
As soon as she stepped inside, she saw Adam sitting at a table with Betsy in the middle of the room. With his head tilted back, he let out a deep laugh. The warm sound chiseled away at some of her anger that was still carrying over from the night before.
“Jenny,” Betsy rose from her chair, arms open wide in greeting. “Don’t you look pretty as a flower?”
“Thank you, Betsy.” Jenny hugged her back and then eyed the almost empty plate sitting in front of Adam. “Hash browns, bacon, and eggs. That explains why you didn’t meet me out front.”
“A man can’t say no to Betsy.” He looked at her with a sheepish grin and let his shoulders rise and fall. “You know that.”
Jenny smiled at Betsy. “That I do.”
“Do you want some breakfast, Jenny? Won’t take but a minute to fix your plate.”
“Oh, no, thank you, Betsy. I already ate. I’m just here to pick up Adam and show him a few houses.”
Adam wiped his mouth and stood. “Betsy, thank you for a wonderful breakfast.” He leaned down and hugged her goodbye.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. We’re so glad you’re coming back to us.” Betsy beamed at Adam. “Tell your grandmother I’ll see her this weekend for cards.”
“Will do.” He gestured to the hallway. “Shall we?”
Jenny led the way, stopping briefly to say goodbye to Earl and then continued to her car. Nerves and a suppressed temper had her wound tighter than a pair of Wrangler jeans, but she kept her smile in place as they pulled away from the hotel toward the first property on her list.
After several long miles, Adam broke the silence. “So, are we going to talk about last night?”
She huffed out a breath. “Unless you want to tell me how good your food was, I don’t want to hear anything you have to say about last night.” She turned down a road which was barely better than a gravel drive and bounced in her seat with every bump.
“Jenny, I’m sorry.”
“I said I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I owe you an apology.”
She glanced at him with raised eyebrows. “For which part, exactly? Cutting in on my date? Being rude to my boyfriend? Or, borderline embarrassing me?”
“Look, I didn’t show up there to do any of those things. I was supposed to be meeting someone, but when I saw you I didn’t want to be rude and then your boyf—James—invited me to sit down. What was I supposed to say?”
“How about, ‘No.’?” She took another turn, this time not bothering to slow down.
The momentum sent Adam slamming into the passenger door. “Ow! Jeez, Jenny.” He raised a hand to the side of his head where he’d made contact.
“Oops.” She batted her eyelashes at him. “Sorry about that.”
“Oh, yeah. You sound real broken up.”
As he rubbed the tender spot on his skull, some of her anger dissipated.
“Feel better?”
“A little.” She drove the rest of the way to the first house with a small smile tugging at her lips.
When they pulled to a stop in front of the old brick home and climbed out of the car, they were standing in knee-high grass. The rest of the yard was as unkempt, but the house seemed to be in good shape.
Adam turned to her with a look that said, seriously?
“Just trust me.”
“I’m trying to, but I’m a little nervous. Maybe you’ve driven me out here to leave me to be tortured by a serial killer.”
Jenny’s stomach dropped and her brief attempt at playfulness fell away.
Adam took a step toward her. “Jenny, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“What?” She shook her head. “No, it’s fine.” She was aware he knew about the incident the year before when she’d been kidnapped and then tortured by a madman in the woods. He’d sent flowers to the hospital. Beautiful yellow and purple flowers that were almost too big to fit into the room and that made her feel even worse, for two reasons: because he wasn’t there, and because she’d hated how she’d wanted him there for comfort. A man she hadn’t seen in nearly a decade.
“It’s hardly fine, but we don’t have to talk about it right now.”
“Or ever.” She straightened her shoulders and smiled. “It�
��s in the past.”
“And, about last night . . .” He ran a hand through his hair, a familiar gesture he used when he was thinking of the right words. “I am sorry about dinner. About everything you mentioned. I didn’t mean to show up and mess up your evening.”
She eyed him. “Apology accepted, but I’m not sure I believe you.”
He smiled and she did the same. “Now, are we actually going to go in this house or were you just trying to scare an apology out of me?”
“Oh, we’re going in, but don’t worry, I think you can handle it.”
They toured the inside and as expected, it wasn’t nearly as bad as the front yard made it out to be. What it needed was a lot of time and effort.
Adam shook the banister leading to the second floor. “I don’t know.”
“You said you wouldn’t mind a fixer-upper,” she reminded him.
“This is a little more than a fixer-upper. This is a tear down and start over.”
She laughed and the sound echoed throughout the old house. “Okay, okay. I hear you. Don’t worry. I have two more.”
“Based on this one, I can hardly wait.”
“Come on.” She led the way back out to her car and took off back down the rough road. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“Maybe I’ve lost it.”
Running Home (Warm Springs Trilogy Book 2) Page 4