Just a Little Faith

by Amy J. Norris

  “That’s just it, Linc. Why settle down with someone? How can I be sure they are going to be there for the long haul?”

  “But you can Seb, look at me and Traci. We’ve been married for going on eight years now. We’ve got two beautiful kids… It can work. You just gotta believe it can work. You know, have a little faith.” Linc punctuated the sentence with his fist to the table.

  “Maybe so, Linc. But it’s going to take a whole lot more than faith for me to go down that road again.”

  Chapter Four

  “Hey there... I hope I’m not interrupting. Tori just waved me on back.”

  Turning her head toward the quiet voice coming from the hall, she smiled. The sight of Sebastian made her heart flitter and her toes curl. The light blue button-down he wore perfectly matched his cerulean eyes. Pax knew she could lose herself in their depths. If Tori had been present, Paxson would’ve begged her to pinch her arm once again.

  Clearing those thoughts from her mind, she attempted to form some semblance of a greeting. “Hey, yourself! You aren’t interrupting at all. I was just about finished here. Come on in, if you like, while I gather up all my things.”

  Pax organized her desk and packed her laptop while, out of the corner of her eye, she watched Seb wander over toward the bookshelves on the far wall of her office.

  “May I?” He nodded in the direction of the photos scattered among her books and binders on the shelves.

  “Of course, feel free to look at anything you like.”

  Taking the pictures off of the shelves one by one, he studied them. She stifled a laugh when his brows crinkled into a frown. She knew he must have picked up the photo of her with seven children of various ages.

  “Those are my two older sisters’ children. Please don’t think I have a whole herd of kids at home. The only babies I have around me are little fur balls who want to be fed and petted every once and awhile.”

  “Well, I was beginning to wonder if you were some sort of Super-Mom or something.” He held up an official photo from Alabama’s most recent national championship in his hand “So I take it you aren’t from here… or just like proven winners?”

  “Well, you’re right on both accounts. I’m from Alabama, and I like a winner. More than ten National Championships say ‘Winner’ to me.” A grin tugged at the corner of her mouth.

  “Point taken.” Nodding in agreement, he flashed a smile as he placed the photo back on the shelf, then stuffed his hands in the front pocket of his jeans.

  Checking over her desk one more time Pax swallowed back her nerves and then closed her eyes for one more quick prayer. Here goes nothing, Lord. Help me through this. “I think I have everything if you’re ready.”

  Sebastian looked back toward her, still grinning. His face, tan from spending days in the sunshine of the outfield, set off his breathtaking smile. Her heart skipped a beat. “If you’re agreeable, there is a small café just around the corner from here. In fact, you may have been there before. I’ve stopped there a few times myself. The coffee is good, and they have a nice selection of soup and sandwiches if you’re hungry.”

  “Something to eat sounds wonderful.”

  She started to put on her jacket, but he stepped behind her and took it from her hands. “May I?” Smiling, she nodded. Slipping the coat on, his fingers barely grazed her shoulders, but left a trail of warmth in their wake.

  Once outside, Sebastian pointed to where they would be dining. “How about we walk over? It’s a nice enough evening, I think the fresh air will be nice.”

  Agreeing, Pax buttoned up her jacket to ward off the slight chill in the air, and a few minutes later they were in front of Perks, a quaint sidewalk café. How have I missed this place? Working too hard I guess.

  Although the sidewalk seating was empty now, she pictured the small wrought iron tables and chairs outside filled with people milling about once spring arrived.

  Seb opened the door, and Pax smiled. Between his help with her jacket at the office and now this, her heart cheered to know a true gentleman wasn’t a dying breed. Funny how small things such as manners still meant so much.

  Tables were scattered around, and small booths filled with customers lined the walls of the café. Though a hint of daylight still lingered, the ambience inside warmed her.

  “Mr. Quinn. Glad you stopped in. How can I help you this evening?” A young girl in her mid-teens held two menus. Her hands trembled.

  “Hi Lana. How about a booth near the back, away from the kitchen?”

  Face brightening, Lana gestured to them to follow. “Of course, Mr. Quinn. Right this way.”

  Pax was impressed. Of course they know him here. They’d probably know him at a coffee bar in Italy too.

  Remaining quiet, Seb walked behind her toward the waiting booth, his hand resting on the small of her back. The touch of his hand sent sizzles of electricity throughout her system. She closed her eyes for a moment to relish the sensation.

  Once seated, Lana handed them their menus and informed them she would return shortly to take their order. Again, Sebastian thanked her by name; the young waitress blushed in admiration.

  Sebastian’s face tinted red as well. He cast his eyes away before reverting them back in her direction.

  “I come here often…more often than I realized, I guess, and remembered her from before.”

  Pax smiled. “I think it’s nice when someone takes the time to remember your name. It makes you feel special. I’m sure Lana was pleased as punch that you called her by name.”

  He smirked. “Pleased as punch?”

  “Hey, I guess my upbringing sticks with me. I’m a country girl at heart.” His eyes lit up as they both laughed while picking up the menus Lana left on the table.

  After ordering coffee, with soup for Pax and a sandwich for Seb, he sat back in the booth and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “So, how does a girl from Alabama end up in Chesterfield, Missouri?”

  “Well, you might say I was burned out at my old job and took a leap of faith with a new one. Believe it or not, Alabama is a great place to live. Without a doubt they have ‘Southern Hospitality’. The people are endearing, but I needed a change of scenery, and St. Louis seemed like a good location. My parents lived here before I was born and still have good friends in Chesterfield. Also, I enjoy the options found being near a big city. So far, it’s been a good decision.”

  “How long have you been here? I gather not long.”

  Chuckling, she leaned forward across the table beckoning him to come closer with her finger. “How about I let you in on a little secret… You and Jim, you were the first clients I presented to without my boss, Michael, around. I was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”

  Seb’s laughter rang in her ears. “You certainly have a way with words.”

  “Like they say…You can take the girl out of the country…”

  “…but not the country out of the girl.” Seb finished the statement at the same time she did. His smile sent a rush of heat over her body.

  Lana brought them two cups of hot fresh coffee. Seb leaned back in the booth and cocked his head to the side, studying Pax. “You remind me of my friend Rangy. He’s rather down-to-earth and comfortable in his boots you might say.”

  “Rangy? What a unique name.”

  “Rangy is short for Durango. He plays shortstop on the team and, well, everyone has a nickname… It’s just the way we do it.”

  “Oh sure, Durango Cortez! I didn’t know everyone called him Rangy.”

  “Yep. Sometimes the nicknames are silly and sometimes they are just shortened versions of the first name.”

  Grabbing a couple of sugar packets from the container on the table, she emptied them into her cup. “So… if everybody has a nickname, do you have one besides Seb?”

  Seb laughed, giving his coffee a stir. “Nope. Just Seb. Only my mother calls me Sebastian, and that’s when I am in trouble.”

  Pax grinned. “I guess
I thought if you had a nickname it would be something baseball related…like “Bash” or something. It could come from Sebastian.”

  He took a sip of coffee, blue eyes peering over the rim of his cup. Setting his cup down, a smile teased the edges of his mouth. “So it could. I guess I’ve never thought about it.”

  Before the conversation continued, Lana returned with their meal. Pax paused for a moment and looked at Sebastian. “I’ll need just a second.”

  Seeing his nod, she bowed her head in silence, thanking God for her food and for the fact the evening seemed to be going well.” Lifting her head, she saw Seb staring with his head cocked to the side, and biting his lower lip.

  “Were you praying? I don’t want to seem nosy; I guess I’m just curious.”

  “Yes. I hope you don’t mind. I like to acknowledge when God has blessed me.”

  “Oh! Sure it’s fine. It doesn’t bother me. It’s kind of nice.” He took a bite of his sandwich.

  Her thoughts raced. Could he be more put off than he let on? She didn’t shy away from her faith; it was just as much a part of who she was as her name. If Seb seemed uncomfortable with this aspect of her life, at least he was kind enough to not let on for now.

  She blew on the spoon of hot soup and sipped on it tentatively. “Well, you know some about me. What can you share about yourself? I know you play ball and are good at it, but what about your family, friends, things you do for enjoyment?”

  Seb’s shoulders slumped forward as he put his sandwich down on the plate. With a sigh, he leaned back in the booth. “I have two daughters. Maggie’s six and Ashlynn is eight. They live in California with my ex-wife. She and I split right after my youngest was born. They’re great girls, and I’m proud to be their Dad. But I don’t see them as often as I would like. I live out there in the off-season, so at least I get to spend a little more time with them.”

  Pax could see the pride in his eyes as he spoke of them. Even though it seemed she was treading on difficult memories, she inched further.

  “Forgive me if this is too personal, but what caused the break-up?” Greeted with silence, her heart sank, and she feared she had overstepped her bounds.

  Eyes cast down, he used his thumb to rub the condensation off of the water glass, and cleared his throat before looking up again. “I guess we didn’t love each other enough to make it work. Melissa knew when she married me, I planned on making a career in baseball. But even then, she couldn’t handle what she considered the disappointments of being married to a minor leaguer. It’s not a bed of roses. Gone a lot, I didn’t make much money, which I think Melissa thought would happen from the first minute I signed the contract. Home, with two little kids, she got lonely. On the road, without my wife and kids, I got lonely too. It wasn’t the best situation for either of us.”

  His eyes dimmed. “I think we were both disappointed in each other once we realized everything, and for the sake of the girls, I got out. Melissa’s married to the guy she met while we were married. His name is Rick. He’s a successful investment banker on the west coast, and provides her with the lifestyle I couldn’t, initially.”

  Pax couldn’t help but notice a tinge of disgust in his voice when he spoke of his wife’s new husband.

  “Once we split up, I decided marriage wasn’t for me, at least as long as I’m playing ball. You can never know why someone’s interested in you. Is it for the money or something else? Some can make it work. My friend Linc, he’s been married awhile and has a couple of kids. He keeps trying to tell me to just have a little faith, but I guess I’m just not willing to take the chance.”

  Pax’s heart broke at his revelation. Not for herself, but for him. To think he would never find happiness with someone else because of unknown intentions or their understanding of his career. In a sense, it put him in a different light, one quite opposite from the spotlight she imagined he lived in. So why did he ask ME out? The question tugged at her.

  The evening progressed with each sharing different facets of their lives. Pax told him about her sisters’ kids and all their different personality quirks. Seb shared stories of some of the pranks his teammates had pulled on each other through the years. It seemed to take the conversation in a more light-hearted direction and Pax guessed it was his intent. Sebastian Quinn might be a famous baseball player with a hardened exterior, but he was also someone who wasn’t as tough as he appeared on the diamond. He’d had his share of disappointments in life, and it seemed he tried to live his life with a shield around him for protection from the outside world.

  Once they finished their meal, Seb paid the tab at the door. They walked back to their cars, side by side. Periodically, his hand brushed against hers causing her heart to flutter. Pondering their discussions, Pax again wondered why Seb wanted to spend time with her. It had been a nice evening, and she was thrilled for some company, but her thoughts kept drifting to… “Marriage isn’t for me.” As much as she enjoyed spending time with him, she didn’t just want to be another one of the girls Sebastian Quinn went out with “for a while” and then set aside for the next one. Besides, she couldn’t see herself with anyone who didn’t put God first and foremost in his life. Right now, Seb’s world centered on being a baseball player. It was his passion and his reason for getting up in the morning, and it didn’t include God.

  She chuckled to herself. Why have all those thoughts anyway? It was one date… for coffee and soup. Who knew why he asked, and she for sure didn’t plan on him asking her again. Her dad called these “Diary Days.” Something unexpected happened which would likely never happen again, an experience to record in your diary for posterity. Yep, that’s it. A great “Diary Day” moment and she would leave it at that.

  ****

  Once they reached their cars, Sebastian toyed with what to say or do next. He’d enjoyed their dinner more than he thought he would. Watching her pray at the table, he’d realized without a doubt she was not like any other girl he had dated. All those girls would have been practically in his lap from the moment they sat down. But he didn’t know if his pursuit of Paxson resulted in wanting to get to know her better or if he considered her a challenge...a sort of puzzle to figure out because of boredom with his life outside the game. Either way, he wanted to see her again.

  “Thanks for agreeing to meet me tonight. I had a nice time.” Turning to face him, her eyes were bright, and it pleased him.

  “Oh no, Seb, I should be thanking you! I have been so busy at work and then unpacking at home, I haven’t had much time for any outside activities. It was nice to be able to go out and enjoy dinner and good conversation.”

  “Maybe I can call you again sometime? If you’re interested, I could show you the stadium or something.”

  “A behind-the-scenes tour of Busch Stadium with one of the players himself? How could I say no to your offer? My mom will be so jealous!”

  Startled, he leaned in her direction. “Did you say mom? I guess I thought you might say your dad or brother-in-law or something.”

  “In my family, sports genes are passed down through the females. Strange, I know. We enjoy them all. Football, baseball, hockey…you name it, we pretty much follow it.” She looked up at the sky, tapping her finger on her chin as if pondering the view. “Well, maybe not bowling. It’s kind of boring.”

  He laughed as he nodded in agreement.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “A visual popped in my head of the women in your family sitting around the TV with popcorn and sodas, giving the refs ‘what for’ after a bad call.”

  A smile lit up her face. “It’s true, you know. Mom once broke a light fixture when she jumped off the couch after Alabama scored a touchdown.”

  This was more than Seb could take. He lowered his head, and his whole body shook from laughter. Pax, too, got the giggles until they were out of breath. Her eyes met his, and like a light switch, the air between them sizzled. He yearned to pull her into his arms. She hid her feelings well, or she didn’t notice his i
nner turmoil because she continued to smile in his direction.

  He tore his eyes away, putting distance between them. “I’ll give you a call in a couple of days. I hope the rest of your evening is nice and quiet.”

  “Same to you. I imagine after the past eight months, quiet is something you don’t get a lot of.”

  “If there is anything that is the opposite of quiet, it’s a locker room full of baseball players.”

  Taking her keys from her hands, he unlocked her car door and pulled it open. She smiled, captivating him with her turquoise eyes.

  Seb’s mind raced. What do I do next?

  He leaned in. “Be careful going home.” He whispered in her ear, and then pushed the door shut. Seb waved before getting into his car and waiting, to make sure her car started. When it did, he shifted his car in gear, smiling as bits and pieces of their conversation replayed over in his mind.

  Chapter Five

  Pax had just stepped from her car when Tori pounced on her in the parking lot outside the office.

  “So… how did last night go? Did he ask you out again? Did he kiss you good night?”

  “Hold off a minute girl, and let me at least put my stuff down at my desk.”

  Tori followed Pax into the office and down the hall, pattering her with questions.

  “Did he laugh a lot? Did he hold your hand? Did he say he was madly in love with you and get down on one knee with a ring in his hand?”

  “Tori!”

  “Well, you know… I’m just sayin’ it could happen.”

  “In a fairy tale maybe. You’ve got to get your head out of the clouds and back in the real world, my friend.”

  Tori fell back in the chair in front of Pax’s desk, tapping her foot. “Well, are you going to tell me anything?”