Barefoot Bay_Hot Summer Kisses

by Pam Mantovani

  “You don’t have that pet you claim you wanted. And, you’re living in an apartment, something that would be easy to move out of if you decided to.”

  “I’ve been looking for a house.”

  “And you’ve found something wrong with every house you’ve considered.”

  “What are you saying?”

  Rachel smiled. “I’m saying that sense of belonging, of feeling a part of something, comes from inside you as much as from the people around you.”

  The next evening, Anna recalled Rachel’s observation as she sat between her mother and Marilyn Clark in the ballpark. Because Quinn had asked, Lillian wasn’t working as an usher tonight. There had been a gauntlet of press to wade through, but once inside the park, wives and girlfriends had surrounded the three of them and guided them to the section they’d reserved.

  Everyone stood, hands over their hearts, during the National Anthem. Everyone continued standing as the home team took the field. Anna felt a huge swell of pride to go with the thunderous applause that accompanied Quinn as he walked to the pitcher’s mound.

  Voices buzzed in her head as she sat and waited for the first pitch. Just as Quinn went into his windup, Marilyn gripped her hand.

  “Strike one.”

  The crowd cheered and the breath Anna hadn’t been aware of holding rushed out. It was much the same for each pitch throughout the first three innings. She watched Quinn, trying to see if she spotted any signs of his arm bothering him. All she saw was the man she loved focused while pitching, moving into position when the ball was hit into play, and grinning like a ten-year-old when a runner was thrown out.

  Her heart saw someone she wanted to keep very close. But her heart also knew that soon, very soon, she would have no choice but to let him go.

  Chapter 9

  For the next six days, Anna tried to make the most of every minute she had with Quinn. She hardly slept, ate less, was restless more often than not, and loved him with all the desperation within her heart that she couldn’t voice.

  If he noticed, he didn’t comment.

  His primary focus was on baseball, either in conversation or watching video of the batters he expected to face, or studying statistics. But, when they were together he was still attentive. God knows, she’d made enough advances that they’d spent as much time in bed as out. Avoidance, she knew. She was proud of him, admired his determination and success at facing the adversity of his injury and rehabilitation. Still, every time Quinn talked about making the move back to the majors, she sidetracked him with kisses and touches until neither of them thought of anything but each other.

  Also determined to prove Rachel wrong, Anna went on a mad dash to find a house. She swore there wasn’t an available house on Barefoot Bay, whether in or out of her price range, that she hadn’t visited. She was so desperate to find something that she and Quinn were now touring the house two streets over from where Rachel lived.

  Naturally, it was the one house she wanted above any other that she’d seen.

  “It’s great,” Quinn stated, as he stood at the sliding glass door leading to the screened patio that overlooked an open area framed by an outdoor kitchen and fireplace. Beyond all of that hardscape was a lush yard. The kind of yard made for running children.

  “It’s too big,” Anna said, trying to keep her voice free of the sense of possessiveness that she couldn’t quite shake. There were four bedrooms, three baths, a well laid-out kitchen that also opened onto the enclosed patio, a comfortably spacious living room, and a dining room that would seat twelve. Way too much space for a single woman. Not to mention outrageously out of her price range.

  “The yard’s missing a pool,” Quinn commented. “How can you live in Florida and not have a pool?”

  “You make sure you’re friends with someone who has one?” Anna suggested, aiming for a light tone that didn’t match the knot in her stomach.

  Quinn turned and simply stared at her. And, oh, the way he stood there, looking for all the world as if he were at home, at a home the two of them could share, had that knot in her stomach traveling up to lodge in her throat.

  Suddenly she knew.

  “You’re leaving.”

  “I’m scheduled for one more pitching rotation here. Then, yes, they want me to pitch in Atlanta on the following Sunday.”

  She would not cry. She’d known this day was coming, had even tried to convince herself that it was for the best. Over and over she’d repeated that the sooner he left there was less of a chance the hurt would be all consuming.

  How wrong she’d been.

  “You must be excited.”

  “Is that all you have to say?” he demanded, taking a step toward her. Shock kept her still and silent. “How the hell can you just stand there and calmly tell me I must be excited.” He sent her a withering look. “Is it that easy for you to brush me off?”

  Shock rapidly, and easily, rolled into anger. It was so much better than the pain of loss and upcoming loneliness. “How dare you. How dare you stand there and criticize my reaction when I’ve known, when we’ve both known from the day we met, that this day was coming.”

  “It doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

  That admission nearly cut her off at the knees. Then she thought of all the friends she’d said good-bye to over the years, the few who swore they’d keep in touch, the fewer yet who actually did. Anna knew that she was every bit as guilty of not keeping in touch. Sometimes it was easier to turn your back and forget rather than be reminded of what you’d left behind or lost.

  “Quinn, you must know I don’t like it either.” She bit down on her bottom lip, resorting to one tactic that had worked for her so far. “Please, can’t we just enjoy the time we have left without fighting about what will happen when you do leave?”

  For a long minute she thought he would argue. In the end, however, he walked to her and simply drew her into his arms. Anna questioned why his silent concession didn’t relieve her nearly as much as she’d hoped.

  It was hard, so much harder than she could have guessed to get through the next four days. And nights.

  Until, finally, came the day that could no longer be ignored.

  Anna sat in the stands and pretended she didn’t see the glances of sympathy that so many of the girlfriends and wives of the players exchanged. Refusing to compound anyone’s pity for her situation by revealing her emotional state, she chatted as if it were any other glorious day for a ballgame.

  Until the game ended and she had no choice but to face the reality that Quinn was leaving.

  When he appeared outside the player locker room door, she had to lock her knees rather than give into the urge to beg him to stay. He walked right to her, his athletic grace evident in the way he moved, and his intense gaze never leaving hers. It reminded her of the way he watched her, touched her, as they made love. He lifted his hands to cup her face.

  “I have to go. It’s who I am.”

  “I know.”

  She hated the weakness, but there was no way to prevent the tears from clouding her eyes. He swore and took her mouth in a devouring kiss. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held on as tightly as she dared, even as she knew she had to let go.

  “I won’t say good-bye,” he ground out between kisses, his hands continuing to cradle her face, his body warmly close without pressing against hers. “Damn it, Anna, come with me.”

  “What?” Stunned, she moved her hands to his chest and forced a little distance between them. She blinked, bringing him into clearer focus. His eyes were dark but determined. “What?”

  “Come with me.” He swore, finally releasing her so he could scoop both hands through his hair. He cast a wild glance around the parking lot. A light breeze from the nearby bay had the scents of popcorn, hot dogs and beer floating in the air. A few faint lights from the field still glowed. “You deserve better than this, but this is what we have right now.” He looked back at her, drew in a deep breath. “Come with me, Anna. I love you
. Marry me.”

  How had she not known that beneath her greatest fear waited her fondest wish? The temptation was so strong to take what he offered. Then she looked around, saw where they were, why they were where they were.

  “No.”

  When his jaw dropped open, it might have felt comical, should have been. Then, his jaw snapped shut as his eyes narrowed. Anna felt a shiver run down her spine.

  “I see.”

  “No, you don’t.” She tossed up her hands, as much in frustration as the means by which to resist clinging to him. “You can’t.”

  “Do not tell me what I can’t do. You think I can’t relate to the way you were raised, to the constant moves. Did you ever think about how I felt growing up with all of my time and attention focused on baseball? I didn’t have friends off the baseball field, and my teammates changed from season to season. I moved from one team to another as I progressed and again when I was drafted. I’ve had friends traded, who packed up and left with hardly more than an hour’s notice, others who left because no team wanted them, or they couldn’t recover from an injury. So don’t tell me I can’t understand what it was like for you.”

  “And yet you want me to have a life where we are constantly saying good-bye.”

  “That’s one way to look at it,” he softly said. Her heart drummed at the despair she saw on his face. “Or you can look at it as I’m asking you to share a life filled with the joy of saying hello.”

  When she could think of nothing more to say, he shook his head, walked past her and climbed into his car, leaving her alone in the parking lot, staring at the taillights as he drove away.

  If the days before Quinn left had felt depressing, the days following were even longer and lonelier. She’d argued she couldn’t, wouldn’t leave because she was sick of good-byes. She’d maintained she wanted to make a life here, with friends she’d have for years. Only she didn’t call or visit with anyone. Instead, she stayed tucked inside her apartment. Alone. Over and over she replayed that last conversation with Quinn, repeated what was left unsaid as much as what was said. Anna couldn’t remember ever being more miserable in her life.

  She resorted to telling herself that feeling as if something was missing was only natural. After all, so much of the past month had been filled with Quinn. Of course she would feel his absence. Only, too often she caught herself staring at the walls of her apartment, thinking about her so-called life in Barefoot Bay. Yes, she had friends, but those friends had family that occupied their time. Yes, she had her mother, but Lillian was making a new life for herself. Even as it hurt to do so, Anna quite simply couldn’t imagine a life without Quinn.

  On the third day she scanned all the sports channels, waiting for any tidbit of information about Quinn’s return to the major leagues. That night she watched him take the mound, her heart searching his face and body for any clue that he missed her as much as she missed him. All she saw was his focused concentration while he pitched six strong innings. As he walked off the field, the camera tracked his movement. Her heart yearned to be there when he came out of the locker room. When she woke on the sofa her eyes were raw, telling her she’d cried in her sleep.

  The television was still on, still tuned to a sports channel that now was the morning wrap-up show about the previous day events. Anna watched as the two men sitting behind a glossy counter discussed Quinn’s performance with glowing compliments, ending with the reminder that he would pitch again in the middle of the ten-game home stand.

  Anna continued staring at the television when the screen went to commercial, and while her vision hazed, her mind suddenly recalling Quinn talking about playing home games for half the season.

  She took a minute, giving herself time to consider. But, really, she didn’t need the time. She knew it was the right decision.

  Reaching for her cell phone, she ignored the trembling of her hand and punched in the number.

  “Marilyn,” she said when the call was answered. Anna’s throat closed against the tears that were fluid with hope. “I have a favor to ask.”

  A very long sixteen hours later, she approached the fenced-in area. Even if she’d arrived in time, she wouldn’t have been able to sit through a game. There were others gathered here, some she now recognized as the faces of family while others, a short distance away, were fans waiting with caps and baseballs or slips of paper in the hopes of gaining an autograph.

  “Sorry, ma’am,” the guard said, holding up his hand from where he stood just inside a gate. “This is a restricted area for players only.”

  “Yes, I know. I believe he’s expecting me.” At least she hoped Marilyn Clark had been able to get through to Quinn, hoped even more desperately that he would speak to her. She sent the guard a weak smile, and took a step in retreat. She would back off, but she wouldn’t leave until she saw Quinn. One way or the other, she’d face his answer.

  “You really can’t wait here, ma’am. You’ll need to move over. . . ”

  “It’s okay, George.”

  Anna’s eyes filled with tears when the guard stepped aside enough that she could see Quinn.

  “You sure, Mr. Lancaster?”

  “Yes,” Quinn answered, taking his gaze from Anna’s long enough to smile at the guard. “You can let her inside.”

  The people around her were shouting at Quinn, hoping to snag his attention. He returned his gaze to her, giving away nothing of his feelings about her appearance. With an indrawn breath, she stepped through the now open gate. From the corner of her eye she saw the guard close the gate behind her, and then he stepped over to quiet the yelling crowd. All of her attention, and her heart, were on the man before her.

  “Hello, Quinn.”

  “Why are you here, Anna?”

  “I came because.” Everything within her trembled. Except for her heart and mind. They both held steady and sure. She drew in a deep breath, told herself that, despite the way she’d behaved before he left, he hadn’t changed his mind about loving her.

  “Because I really want that lifetime of saying hello to you.”

  She didn’t get a chance to gauge his reaction to her words. Instead, she had the joy of having him rush forward and pull her into his embrace. His mouth immediately lowered to take hers.

  “What changed your mind?” he asked when he finally stopped kissing her. His arms continued to hold her tight against him.

  “Your explanation about playing half the season at home finally pushed past my fears.” She lifted her hands to cradle his face. “I’d rather have you home half the time than not have you in my life at all. I love you, Quinn.”

  When he kissed her again, she heard applause. And more than a few whistles and cheers. Anna lifted her head to smile at him.

  “Take me home, Quinn.”

  Several long affirming hours later, Anna lay snuggled against Quinn in his bedroom. “I like your apartment.” Her lips curved. “At least what I saw of it.”

  “It’s just been a place to stay when I’m not on the road.” His shoulder moved under her head as he shrugged. “We’ll look for something else together, something we can make ours. Maybe a condo.” He reached for her hand on his chest, laced their fingers. “We could also buy that house at Barefoot Bay you liked.” She lifted her head to look at him. “We’ll need somewhere to live during the off-season.” He kissed her. “Somewhere, when I’m done playing, we can raise our family.”

  “Do you have a timetable in mind?”

  “For playing or for having kids?” he asked.

  “Both.”

  “I’m thinking another five years of playing, but I’m hoping you don’t want to wait that long before we have a baby.” He swept back a strand of hair from her cheek, and then kissed her long and deep. “I know how you feel about having always been uprooted and moved from place to place. I won’t ask you to do that to our kids. But while they’re still young, before they start school, I hope you and the kids can travel with me part of the time. At least,” he added with a fr
own, “during the summer when you’re not teaching.”

  “Oh, I guess I forgot to mention that I quit my teaching job.”

  “What? Why? I thought you love teaching.”

  “I do.” Unable to resist, she kissed him, humming a little at the spark of heat that glowed within her. “I talked with Rachel about the program your foundation funded, the one teaching to hospitalized children.”

  “It’s a good program.”

  “It is, and one she’s really excited about. I’ll have to get certified for each state we’re in, but it’s something I can do wherever we live.” She grinned at him. “I’m thinking since I’ll basically be sleeping with the boss, he might be persuaded to give me a flexible schedule.”

  “Anna.” He pressed his forehead against hers, closed his eyes. “I’ve never really felt like part of a family before.” His eyes opened and stared into hers. “I want to make one with you.”

  “I’ve been blessed to have family whenever and wherever we moved. Still, I always felt like I was missing out on having a home.” She shifted so she could bring her hands to frame his face and kiss him. “It wasn’t until I fell in love with you that I realized I can have both family and home wherever we are, as long as we’re together.”

  “Even if we have to be apart, I’m never saying good-bye to you.”

  “Deal.” She smiled, and once again couldn’t resist the temptation of another kiss. Her heart swelled at the thought of being able to do so for days and months and years to come.

  “Instead, I’ll look forward to all the times we’ll say hello.”

  About the Author

  An author of passionate, emotional romances with heart, Pam loves crafting stories about independent women and men who discover the thrill and joy of falling in love. After years of moving as both an Army Brat and corporate wife, Pam and her craftsman husband settled in Atlanta, close to family and friends. When not writing, Pam enjoys quilting, planting beautiful flowers, home improvement projects and spending time with her wonderful family.