Love's Sporting Chance: Volume 2: 5 Romantic Sporting Novellas

by Cynthia Hickey

  He could feel her gaze searing his skin. What was he going to do now? He’d worked hard to get Country Acres to the status it was. Now, the entire state would be laughing at how he’d been fooled into hiring a girl as a caddy. Not to mention, her beating every man at golf other than him.

  “What is your name?” Bobby asked her.

  “Katherine O’Connor.” She kept her head high.

  “Well, Katherine O’Connor,” he laughed again. “there’s a job in the kitchen if you want. As for you gentlemen, I’m sure you can see where your game needs improving. We’ll be setting up a schedule for paid lessons come tomorrow. Drinks are on the house.”

  Leave it up to Bobby to fix the situation with alcohol and make money at the same time. With the others gone, Brad faced the deceiving girl. “What…why…” He groaned. “Explain yourself.”

  “Women are not allowed to play golf in America.” She lifted tear-filled eyes his way. “I love the game and I’m good at it.” She held the prize money out to him. “I needed a job, and the only one I could find was one as a caddy.”

  “Keep the money.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You made a mockery of our friendship and this club.”

  “That was not my intention. I’ll return the caddy clothes in the morning, and you’ll never have to see me again.”

  “My brother’s offer of a job in the kitchen still stands. Mrs. Oglesby will think the entire farce hilariously funny.”

  “She discovered my true identity last week. I’m sorry.” She turned and, with head hanging, made her way to the main building.

  For the first time in as long as he could remember, Brad wanted a drink. Instead, he headed for driving range. He didn’t need to ask Bobby who the golf instructor was going to be. One more thing for Brad to fit into his schedule.

  When he shanked his tenth ball, he tossed his club to the ground for one of the new caddies to collect and stormed toward the main building. He needed to know the overall response to having a woman come in second place. At least she hadn’t beaten him. If he would have had to add that to the pile of humiliation heaped onto his shoulders, he would never have been able to hold his head up again.

  “There he is!” Bobby raised his cup, clearly having had several already. “Mister Number One.”

  Brad waved, determined to enjoy the celebration and not think about Katherine Kevin O’Connor. He grabbed a glass of lemonade and raised it in toast. “To golf!”

  “To golf!” the others shouted.

  A girl in a black dress and white apron placed a tray of sandwiches on the polished walnut bar and turned to leave. But not before Brad caught a glimpse of her face. Katherine. She’d made a pretty boy, but she was beautiful as a woman.

  She cast a quick glance his way and turned to scurry away. Before she could open the door, Sherman Wood called out, “That’s the instructor I want.”

  “She’s kitchen help now,” Brad explained.

  “I’d like to see the two of you go against each other,” someone else yelled.

  Katherine tossed a smile over her shoulder. “I think Mr. Woodward might be a tad frightened of playing against me, gentlemen.”

  “A wager!” Sherman plopped five dollars on the bar. “I’m going with the lady. And I wasn’t kidding about wanting her to be my instructor. In fact, I’d like my wife to take lessons. It’s time America joined the rest of the world.”

  Bobby stood on a chair. “We’ll have two instructors. Miss O’Connor will teach the women, and my brother, the men. We’ve a bit of land in back we can convert to a women’s course.”

  “No need to make it easier than the men’s course.” Katherine planted fists on her hips. “We’ll do fine. Give us a nine hole course every bit as good as yours and I’ll teach the wives and daughters gladly.”

  Brad huffed. “And, I’ll take the challenge of beating you in a game. Tomorrow. Nine a.m. See you on the course. Winner buys dinner.”

  5

  Kat sighed. Even in her most loose fitting skirt she hadn’t been able to beat Brad. He won by three strokes. Now, she had to have dinner with him. What in heaven’s name was she supposed to wear? Not one of her faded, patched dresses, that was for sure.

  “I hope you don’t mind dinner at the clubhouse.” Brad leaned on his club and grinned. “It’s the best food around, in my opinion.”

  “Why do you want to have dinner with me?” Kat slipped her putter into her bag. “You won the challenge, you obviously feel betrayed by my deception, and you’re my boss.” She turned and cocked her head, waiting for his answer.

  He exhaled sharply. “I want to understand why. We were friends when you were Kevin instead of Katherine. I want to see whether we can get back to that point.”

  “I go by Kat.” She hefted her bag on her shoulder. Why was it so important that they be friends? Why not keep their relationship at employer and employee? She wasn’t sure her emotions could handle being in his presence for any length of time.

  If someone were to ask, she’d say she lost the game because of his nearness. He had her discombobulated, to say the least. “What time shall I meet you?”

  “Right after work.” He gave a curt nod and sauntered toward the back of the clubhouse.

  She sighed and followed. She might have an excuse, but she was late for work. Now that she helped Mrs. Oglesby, she didn’t want to let the woman down.

  “Did you win?” The cook turned with a smile when Kat entered the kitchen.

  She shook her head. “Confounded skirts.” She stored the clubs back in the storage room. “What do you need me to do today?”

  “Knead that bread, please. We need several loaves to go with the onion soup I’m making for the noon meal. The hotel portion of the club is full to the brim because of yesterday’s tournament. You’re the talk of New York.”

  She shuddered. “I didn’t mean to be. I only want to play golf unrestricted.”

  Mrs. Oglesby leaned close. “You won’t be working in the kitchen for long. I overheard the brothers conversing about making you a woman’s instruction by week’s end. I warrant it will be a pay increase.”

  The first good news Kat had heard in a while. She didn’t mind working, in fact, Da was ready to return to his job, and Mam would rattle around in their apartment alone and bored. “Perhaps, my mam could replace me in the kitchen? She can do a full day’s work, even expecting a child.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  Kat rolled the ball of her hand through the dough, folding and folding until it was ready for its second rising. She placed a clean towel over the dough, then moved on to the next batch. The action was something she could do in her sleep and her mind wandered, inevitably to Brad.

  The man was too handsome for his own good, a bit arrogant, and kinder than anyone she had ever met. It would have been his right to fire her upon learning of her identity, instead, he’d challenged her to a rematch and offered her another job. Not to mention dinner in the fancy restaurant in the clubhouse.

  “I have nothing to wear to dinner,” she said. At the other woman’s questioning look, she explained about losing the game that morning.

  Mrs. Oglesby nodded. “Follow me.” She led Kat to a backroom as large as Kat’s family’s apartment. “I live on the grounds. It’s much easier on these old bones of mine. I have a few dresses my daughter left behind when she moved west. She is about your size.” She pulled aside a curtain hiding a row of gowns. “Please, take them all. They’re only gathering dust. I could have sold them, I suppose. But, I’ll get pleasure out of seeing them worn again.”

  Kat ran her hand over a silk dress the color of the summer sky. “They’re all so beautiful.”

  “There are gowns for evening and others for day. If you’re going to work for the club, you’ll have a uniform made, but these will benefit you in your daily life.”

  “I can’t accept.” Oh, but she wanted to. “It’s too much.”

  “You’ll be doing me a favor. I’ll have the driver take them
with him when he drives you home. Now, you have nothing to worry about, but what you’re going to order from the menu.” She smiled and patted Kat on the shoulder.

  Kat fingered the lace on the gown’s neckline. How would Brad react when seeing her in something so fine?

  ~

  Brad adjusted his tie in the atrium mirror and waited for Katherine…Kat, to emerge from a small room upstairs lent to her for the purpose of getting ready for dinner.

  “You’ve wasted no time in courting our little imposter.” Bobby exited the lounge, a drink in hand.

  “I want to know more about her. Maybe she isn’t the type of person we want working here. She’s had one strike against her already.”

  “Say what you will. You’re intrigued by the little beauty. I always thought her too pretty to be male.”

  Brad had thought so, too, but wasn’t going to say so. “Mind your own business, brother.”

  “I’m trying to see Ma again tomorrow. Would you like to go with me?”

  “I can manage that, gladly.” It had been too long since he’d laid eyes on her sweet face. He prayed she would recognize him. He turned at Bobby’s whistle.

  An ice princess glided down the stairs. The blue gown brought out Kat’s eyes and showcased her slender, but curvy form. Her dark hair, piled high on her head, was in direct contrast to the shimmer of the gown. Lace around the collar kept the dress modest, yet she was still the most beautiful woman Brad had ever laid eyes on.

  “Some boy, huh?” Bobby laughed and clapped Brad roughly on the shoulder. “If you decide she isn’t to your taste, send her my way.”

  Bright spots of color sat high on her pale cheeks as Kat froze under Brad’s scrutiny. “Is this proper for the dining room?” she asked.

  “Very.” He cleared his throat and repeated his answer above a hoarse whisper. He crooked his arm. “I’ll have the loveliest dinner partner in the club.”

  Heads turned and conversation ceased as Brad led Kat through the dining room and to his private table next to a plate glass window that overlooked the golf course. With the sun setting over the trees, the ambiance was perfect. He pulled out her chair and waited for her to be seated before sitting across from her.

  “Order anything you’d like,” he said, handing her a menu. “I don’t pay for my meals.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Boasting?”

  “No, just stating a fact.” He peered over his menu. How he could have ever thought her a boy was befuddling. Was he really dense enough to believe something to be true because someone said it was?

  “It’s rude to stare. You act as if you’ve never seen a woman in a fancy gown before.” Kat met his stare, bringing him from his thoughts.

  “Not one as beautiful as you.”

  “I feel like a cow with rouge on,” she muttered, trying to hide behind the menu.

  He laughed, drawing attention, once again, to their table. “Far from it, my dear. Do you know what you’d like?”

  “The fish.” She folded the menu and set it next to her plate.

  “I’ll have the same, with a sweet sauce,” he told the waitress, before returning his attention to Kat. “I’d like you to be fitted for a uniform tomorrow and begin instructing clients in the art of golf by Monday. We’ll pay you seven dollars a week per client.”

  She sputtered the water she had just sipped from her glass and grabbed the linen napkin. “I’ve never had that much money before.”

  “You’ll earn every cent for sure. You should see the list of women signed up to learn.” He leaned against the back of his chair, pleased that he was the cause of the sparkle in her eyes.

  “Wow. I don’ know what to say.” She glanced out the window. “I only wanted the opportunity to play golf and help my family.” She looked back at him. “Speaking of…would it be possible for my mother to take my place in the kitchen?”

  “Definitely. I can find a job for your father, too, if you’d like. We need someone to do inventory. We’re growing faster than I can find employees.” He winked. “They won’t pretend to be someone they aren’t, will they?”

  “No, sir.” She ducked her head, took a deep breath, then met his gaze again. “I won’t apologize for something that needed doing, only if I hurt you in some way.”

  “I was upset, but I’m not one to hold a grudge. We all do what we need to do for our family. In fact, I’m going to visit my mother in the morning. She’s never been the same since my father’s death. She may not even acknowledge me. If I could be someone else, even for a day, just to see her back to normal…well, I wouldn’t hesitate.”

  She gave him a sad smile. “I’ll pray for your mother.”

  Maybe, someday, Brad would take this lovely woman to meet Ma. Kat might just be the person to bring Ma back to reality.

  6

  “Good morning, Ma.” Brad placed a tender kiss on her parchment thin cheek. “The nurse said you ate a healthy breakfast. That’s good.”

  “Who are you?” Her hazel eyes, so much like his own, stared at him, confused and vacant. “Are you the new doctor?”

  “No, Ma, I’m your youngest son, Bradford.” He took her hand in his and traced the veins, dark blue against skin that rarely saw the sun.

  She narrowed her eyes and shrugged. “You’re much too old to be my son. Where’s your brother?”

  At least she remembered she had sons. “He’s getting coffee. Would you like some?”

  “If you were my boy, you’d know I can’t abide the stuff.” She glanced out the window where a fountain bubbled merrily in the asylum garden. “I’d like to go for a stroll. Would you accompany me?”

  “I’d be honored.” He took her hand and helped her to her feet. With her arm linked with his, he escorted her into the mid-morning sunshine. “Pa’s dream of the country club is coming along nicer than any of us dreamed. We are almost fully staffed, our rented rooms are full, and we have one of the finest cooks in the state. Pa would be proud.”

  “Oh, William, I have been very proud to be your wife. You promised me the moon and here you are, fulfilling that promise.”

  If she thought Brad was his father, he’d go with the misunderstanding. Anything to keep a smile on her face. While he wanted to tell her about Kat, he’d wait until she recognized him as her son. “This was our dream. You need to get well so you can see the place for yourself.”

  “Yes, I’ve been ill.”

  Brad helped her sit on a wrought iron bench, then took his seat beside her. “It’s peaceful here.” The greenery of the lawn and trees was almost blinding. In the fall, the area was carpeted with gold, pumpkin, and deep brown. While he wanted to take his mom home with him, this was the next best thing.

  Ma patted his hand. “Why aren’t you married, Brad?”

  So, now she recognized him.

  “I’ve been too busy. But, I have met someone who is a possibility. She has spunk. I think you’d like her.” He told Ma about Kat’s deception and golf skill. “She’s from Scotland, so America’s backward view on women playing raises her hackles.”

  “Is she pretty?” Ma fixed her stare on him.

  “More than pretty. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

  She nodded. “Then don’t wait too long. Another man will snap up a woman who is not only good to look at, but smart and willing to go after what needs to be done. Bring her to meet me. Does your brother still drink too much?”

  “Yes, I worry—”

  The familiar shadow passed over her eyes. “When will you take me dancing again, William? You know how much I enjoy twirling around the dance floor.”

  “We’ll go this Friday.” He sighed and leaned against the hard back of the bench. He missed his ma’s advice. Missed having her comfort him when life got rough. Missed having her help with Bobby.

  “Does she know us?” Bobby, two mugs of coffee in his hands, approached up the crushed shell walkway. He handed one to Brad.

  “Off and on. Thanks.” He accepted the mug
and glanced to where Ma stared off into a world that existed only in her mind. While her mental decline seemed to have started with Pa’s death, Brad suspected the illness went much deeper than grief. “I think our mother is in the hard grip of dementia.”

  A muscle ticked in Bobby’s jaw. “Don’t say that! She’s going to get better.”

  “I don’t think she is.”

  Bobby clenched his fist. “I ought to slug you right here, but I won’t frighten Ma.”

  His brother’s anger and pain ripped at Brad’s gut. While he suspected he was right, he wouldn’t broach the subject again. Let the doctor’s inform Bobby of their mother’s plight.

  He stood and helped Ma to her feet. “We’ve a train to catch. Let’s get you back to your room.”

  Like an obedient child, she allowed him to lead her to her room. At the door, she turned and kissed his cheek. “Don’t forget to bring that lovely girl by to meet me.”

  ~

  On Sunday, a week later, Kat sat in the church pew beside her parents, wearing one of the hand-me-down dresses from Mrs. Oglesby. Since her uniforms hadn’t been ready, she would begin her new position as a golf instructor in the morning, rather than that day. Her parent would also work at the club, and couldn’t be happier. Life was looking brighter for the O’Connor clan.

  Kat only needed to guard her heart in order to be truly happy. Brad had avoided her most of Saturday, seeming to be in deep thought after spending the day in the city. While she should be listening to the pastor’s message on waiting for God to reveal His will in a person’s life, she searched her mind for something she might have done to anger Brad.

  She couldn’t think of a thing. When the congregation stood to sing “Rock of Ages” as the closing hymn, she was no closer to knowing…anything, other than the fact she wanted to see him smile again.

  “You fidgeted like a young child,” Mam said as they gathered their belongings. “Nervous about your new position at the club?”

  “Yes.” Not an untruth exactly. She was as nervous as a bug in a gaggle of geese. “What if they don’t like me. I mean, the list of the clients is long, but it could be only curiosity that brings them.”