by C. J. Corbin
“I’m sorry.” She laughed again, but looked contrite enough. “I’ve been trying to get Paul to come out for a small vacation, but he’s been swamped at the office. Besides, with the type of reception he might get, I can’t blame him for not being too enthusiastic. My aunt really likes him too. I know Dad would like him if he would just give him a chance.”
“Just keeping working on Paul. I’m sure you can convince him to come out for a visit.”
“Maybe you could talk to Dad for me?”
I sighed, “If the moment presents itself. I’m not going to make any promises. But nothing will work if Paul doesn’t come for a visit, besides I’d like to meet this guy too.”
She grinned, “It’s a deal!”
I finished off with Katy and went back home to get ready for the baseball game. Michael knocked on my back door promptly at one-thirty. He stood at the door in his baseball uniform and grinned when I answered the door.
“All ready to go?” he asked as he picked up my bag which sat by the door.
I nodded, and carrying the box of brownies followed him out. He stored my bag in the back with his bag. Michael opened the door to the jeep and I hopped in.
“You’re bringing your camera with you?” I pointed to the camera sitting on the seat next to his bag.
“Yeah, Lewis asked me to take some pictures of the team. Thanks for the brownies. Katy told me that you stopped by. What’s in the box?” He pointed to the box on my lap.
“More brownies,” I said. “How are the eagles? I was surprised to hear Tammy went with you.”
“She likes to go. She enjoys hiking and being outdoors. I think too that she wanted some TLC from me. Katy is the one who doesn’t really care for the outdoor life. We found some shotgun casings near my tree stand, so I called in the park rangers. They’ll investigate.” He pulled the jeep out onto the main road behind our houses.
“The girls aren’t coming with us?” I asked.
“No, Katy is finishing up her song. Thanks, by the way for helping her, she was very excited when we arrived home. And, Tammy went with Jason.”
I glanced over at him trying not to be obvious. It looked like he had gotten sun today because his cheeks were a little pink. I almost sighed aloud thinking that he certainly filled out his uniform nicely. Michael had strong muscular thighs and a blush started when I remembered the vision of his rear end from last week.
He gave me a quick look and I was sure he could see the blush, “Penny for your thoughts?” He asked.
I shook my head, “No, nothing, just enjoying the drive.” I looked straight ahead trying to get the thoughts of his butt out of my mind. It wasn’t very easy.
“I didn’t know you played the piano.” He commented bringing his eyes back to the road.
I nodded. “With a mother teaching musical history, I had to endure years of piano lessons. Now I’m glad that I play. When I’m writing, playing the piano sometimes helps me when I’m stuck.”
I shifted my body so that I could look at him. He was smiling, and the partially opened window was blowing in his hair. He looked so darned cute.
As we stopped at the light, he studied me, “Anytime you’re stuck you can always come over and play.”
Our eyes caught, and the flash in his eyes told me there was more to the invitation. I did not know what to do with him. Certainly, I had men interested in dating me, but I always made it difficult for them to crack my surface. I had not dated much before Kevin and my marriage with him had soured me on any new relationships. Michael definitely intrigued me. Was it his openness? He was different from Kevin who had a hidden agenda for everything he did. Kevin always had to win to feel superior. At first, it was a challenge for me but then the games tired me. Kevin was all about the angle. The motivation of Michael’s interest stumped me.
Plenty of women in the town were aware of our new resident. We pulled into the parking lot and made our way over to the dugout, it was obvious that there were more women in the bleachers than usual.
“You seem to be getting quite the fan club.” I pointed to a group of women sitting up in the bleachers.
Michael leaned over and whispered, “What makes you think they’re here for me?”
I laughed and opened my bag, “Because, we’ve never had so many women at a baseball game!” I pulled my glove out of my bag, “Besides I heard them twitter when you walked by. You know it’s the sound that a group of excited women make when a handsome man walks by.” I teased.
He leaned over and whispered again, “Oh I thought that sound was called panting. Did you just call me handsome?”
Debi walked up behind him and put her arms around his waist, “Michael did you get a look at your fan club.”
He slipped his arm around Debi’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “Not you too Debi, those women are not here for me.”
Debi hugged Michael, “Oh, you’re a good person to hug!”
Don walked up laughing, “Hey, making more moves on my women? Wasn’t stealing Elizabeth enough?”
Michael winked at me, “I don’t think Elizabeth has been captured yet.”
Debi saw the look in my eyes, “Oh! Look Elizabeth brought brownies.”
At the beginning of the game, Lewis walked me out to the mound and looked over at Michael as he handed me the ball. “So do I have to move the first baseman, or are you going to be able to concentrate?” he said as he ribbed me with his elbow.
I grabbed the ball from him, “Did you walk out here just to say that?”
Lewis laughed and nodded his head, “Gotcha!” he teased again. He waved at Angel. “You know me just trying to start rumors.”
“Oh get out of here.” I pointed to the dugout.
Our team did well and I managed to keep it together. The small group of women yelled every time Michael came up to bat and with every out at first base. It was obvious they were throwing his timing off and he looked embarrassed with each scream. Our team did not make it any easier as we all ragged on him in the dugout when we were up for bat.
After the game, a few of the bolder women came down to speak with him. I recognized two of them from the restaurant last Sunday. News traveled fast in a small town. Even though Michael did not consider himself a celebrity, he was still a well-known photographer, and he was cute. He shot me a look that pleaded. Leaning over to Debi who watched with me, “So should I go over and save him?”
“Is he a good boy?” Debi laughed.
“Yeah, pretty good.” I nodded looking at him.
“Well then you better hurry before he goes with them.” She laughed again.
When I walked over to the group, the women barely moved for me. I had to push my way through to Michael. “Okay ladies, sorry, this one’s mine. You need to give him back now.”
He took my hand and grinned at me. A few of the women gave me killing looks. I ignored them.
Michael slipped his arm around my waist, “Nice to meet you ladies.” He waved as we walked back over to the team. “Thanks for coming to the game.” When we were out of earshot Michael leaned over, “So am I really yours?”
“Debi thought you needed saving.”
“I think I owe you my life.” He bent over and kissed me on the cheek before he released me.
I blushed. The entire team was looking our way.
We drove over to the restaurant together. “I enjoyed our date last night.” He said.
“So did I, it was fun. Thank you again.” I shifted in my seat to be able to look at him directly. He had a beautiful profile and when he grinned, I could see the little dimple at the corner of his mouth.
“I thought maybe if you’d like we go could out again next Saturday, you know, if you don’t have anything else to do?”
It wasn’t like him to stumble over the words. It was sweet to hear he could be a little nervous with me too.
“I’d enjoy that. Are you going to be able to come out waterskiing this week?”
When we stopped at the stoplight, he tur
ned to look at me. His eyes looked like a liquid sky, “Yeah, if you let me drive the boat.”
I smiled, “It’s a date then.”
He pulled into the restaurant parking lot, “It’s a date.”
I reached into the backseat to get my bag as he opened my door.
“Are you changing your clothes?” Michael asked as he closed the jeep door. “I don’t know if it is the baseball uniform, but it seems like whenever you do you are a lot more outgoing.”
I looked at him with a puzzled face. “What do you mean?”
“Look at the way you handled those women at the field, or how about you getting up to sing every Sunday night?” Michael opened the door to the restaurant and suddenly the darkness enveloped us as we entered.
I laughed, “No, I’m just bolder when I’m around my friends.”
Michael shook his head and smiled, “I don’t know if that’s it.”
“I wouldn’t know that it is anything else. I’m going to go change. Could you make sure Debi has saved us a seat? It would be just like her to make me sit with that group of forlorn looking women that were following you around today.”
He flashed a grin at me. “Don’t worry I’ll take care of you.”
I popped inside the women’s room with my bag and entered the handicap stall. As I started to change my clothes, three women came through the main door of the restroom. I recognized the voices of the women who had been talking to Michael earlier. They were loud and boisterous. I hadn’t recognized them as being from Mintock, most likely they were from the neighboring town of Ashley. I was glad to be hiding in the stall.
“He is so gorgeous. What a body, I couldn’t get over the tight baseball pants,” said the first women.
“Who was the tall chick who dragged him away?” the second woman questioned.
“Who knows, she certainly wasn’t around a few weeks ago,” The first woman responded.
The third woman piped in, “I saw them leave together, to come over to the restaurant.”
I tried not to giggle and to dress as quietly as possible.
The first woman spoke again, “There was nothing on his website about being married, so it’s probably not his wife. Hey is there someone in the handicap stall?”
I unlocked the door and stepped out. They were surprised to see me. I figured they would just let me pass by them. I was wrong. It was too reminiscent of high school. The tallest woman who first spoke stepped in front of me. “Hey are you the girl from the baseball game? You know the one with Michael?”
I pulled my bag onto my shoulder. “Excuse me I need to get through.” Fortunately, she stepped aside as did the other two women. Glad that they did, I was not sure what I would have done had they not moved. I looked back with my hand on the doorknob. “Michael is a friend of mine. I’ll let him know you’re interested.”
As I walked out of the restroom, the first woman had the last word, “Tramp!” she called after me. I let it just roll off me. At first, they did frighten me, but then I had gotten a good look at them and smiled. I grinned knowing that there would be no interest in them on Michael’s part.
I joined Michael, Debi, Don, Angel and Lewis at our table. Michael stood up when I arrived. The effort endeared him to me. I sat down next to him and he casually slipped his arm around my shoulder and leaned over. “What took so long?” he asked.
I whispered, “I met your fan club in the bathroom.” He gave me a puzzled face and I answered, “You know the gals from the bleachers.”
“Oh,” he nodded.
“They seem to be quite enamored with you.”
“Does it make you jealous?” he looked me straight in the eyes.
I glanced away and the blush came anyway. I decided to answer truthfully, “Yes.”
Michael smiled, “Okay, I like that.”
Lewis leaned over and tapped me on the arm. “Elizabeth, it’s time to start singing. Do you know what you want to sing?”
I grinned at him, “Yes I do! Come on up with me and help me find the song.”
Lewis led me up to the microphone and I whispered in his ear. He nodded and found the song for me. “Hey everyone, Elizabeth is going to sing something new for us tonight, so please forgive her if she’s a little rusty. She told me she used to sing it with her Mom all the time.” Lewis handed me the microphone.
“Hi! Great game today, wasn’t it? Of course it’s always good when you win.” I waited for the applause to die down. I looked straight at the three women, “This song is dedicated to some new friends, I just wanted to remind them, when they call you a tramp, always ask them to put a lady in front of the name.”
After singing “The Lady Is A Tramp,” I made my way back to our table amid the applause. Michael gave me a puzzled look when I sat back down. The waitress came by and we quickly ordered. Since I had eaten so much the previous night and the brownies today, I only ordered a small salad with cheese and olives. Michael ordered the gazpacho soup with bread and cheese.
Debi waved her wine glass at me. “No sangria Elizabeth?”
I must have turned a couple shades of green. “No I think I’ll pass this week.”
Michael grinned at me, “Are you sure? I’m driving.”
I pursed my lips together, “No I think I’ll stick to just the salad.”
Michael was such a tease but at least he knew when to stop. Usually the teasing with Kevin pushed me to the edge and it ended up in an argument.
It was good to be with my good friends and we always looked forward to being together on the summer Sunday nights. Our group was a special one, and we never stepped out of bounds. I wasn’t sure if I could ever explain to Michael the comfort and safety the group gave to me. I hoped he would be able to see for himself and understand why I felt free to be myself in front of my friends.
Before we called it a night at the restaurant, our group made plans for the bonfire party on the following Friday. I explained to Michael that our bonfires were usually grand affairs. We built a large fire on the beach in front of my house because it was at the end of the beach. The party included plenty of food and all of the neighbors in the area were invited.
As we drove home together, he finally questioned me about my song choice tonight. “You know your song was great tonight, but did you plan to sing it?”
I laughed and leaned back in the seat. “No, I had another one planned. It just came to me at the last minute.”
“Did something happen in the bathroom with those women?”
“No,” I shook my head, “nothing happened.”
“Okay, you know they are not my type at all,” he said as he took my hand and squeezed it.
“Really, and what is your type?” My heart beat a little faster.
He laughed as he pulled up in front of my back door. Michael turned off the jeep and looked at me, “You are.” He pressed my nose with his finger. He leaned over and kissed me on the forehead.
I felt the heat rising on my cheeks and was glad it was dark so he couldn’t see I was blushing again. “Would you like to come in for coffee?”
Michael’s voice was reluctant, “I would love to, but tonight I have to turn in early. I’m due in San Francisco tomorrow for a meeting, and there will be traffic in the morning.” He got out and I sat in my seat waiting for him to open my door. Normally I would never have stayed, but I could tell he wanted me to, so I did. He opened the door and then reached for my bag on the backseat.
“Will you be back in time for waterskiing this week?” I asked hopefully while walking up to the back door. The dogs ran to the door with their usual exuberance and I could hear their snuffling under the door.
“I wouldn’t miss it. Is Wednesday okay?”
I turned to him, “And we have the bonfire on Friday.”
His smile was amused, “And we have our date on Saturday. So yes, I think you and I have our week sewn up.”
Relief washed through me and it must have shown because he leaned down and kissed me softly on the lips.
“You are just too sweet,” he whispered softly, all the amusement gone from his voice. His arms wrapped around me pressing me against him. I felt the deep rumble of a sigh in his chest and my own heart started to pound, “I really need to go home, but I really want to come in.” He said following with another kiss, which was deeper, harder and lingered longer. His sigh was full of regret, “I have to go.” He released me and took my keys from my hand to open the door.
It took everything I had not to pull him into the house as I stepped inside, “Goodnight Michael.” I said turning to face him again, and his expression confirmed that he did not want to leave.
“Go inside before I change my mind.” When he reached his jeep, he turned while I stood in the doorway and he called wistfully, “Goodnight Elizabeth.”
I smiled and shut the door.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Nancy called early the next morning prodding me with questions about my date and the baseball game. She squealed with delight in all the appropriate places. Our conversation made me think of high school and my first dates when I would go through every word and action in excruciating detail. These were stories I could not share with Debi or even my sister since they were married and somehow the wedding ring made you forget what it was like to be single. They would laugh at all the silly little fine points we unattached girls would chew over for hours.
“You should be glad I wasn’t in the bathroom with those women,” she said with a heated tone, “I would have given them what for!”
“Nancy, I’m glad you were not there. That would have been all I needed, a cat fight in the bathroom.”
She laughed heartily, “Girlfriend, I will always have your back.”
I laughed with her. I knew that was more than true since her negotiation skills with my publisher were legendary.
“Elizabeth, it definitely sounds like he is interested in you. He appears to be quite the tasty morsel.”
“He has invited me out next Saturday, and I think he wants to spend the day with me. He mentioned it while we were driving home last night.” I couldn’t contain the excitement in my voice.