In a Heartbeat

by RJ Nolan

  Riley gasped. Sam! She raced down the steps after her.

  By the time she reached the field, the other players had gathered around Karen. Riley pushed her way into the group. “Let me through. I’m a doctor.”

  Some of the women shifted out of the way, but several continued to impede her progress.

  “I’m a doctor. Let me help her.” Riley called on the voice she used in the ER to break through the hubbub that surrounded a trauma. “Move aside. Now!”

  The remaining women parted in front of her.

  Karen was flanked by Sam, kneeling on one side, and their coach on the other.

  Riley dropped to her knees in the dirt next to Sam. “How is she?”

  “Who are you?” the coach asked.

  Sam spoke up before she could. “This is my friend Riley. She’s a doctor. She’ll make sure Karen’s okay.”

  Riley pulled off her sunglasses and looked down at Karen, who was flat on her back in the dirt. She was conscious and had her hand cupped around her right shoulder. “Hi. Remember me from earlier?”

  Karen nodded.

  “Okay. I’m going to check you out.” Aware of all the watching eyes, Riley glanced up at the coach. “It would be better if everyone gave us some room.”

  The coach stood. “You heard the doc. She’s got it covered. Everyone back to the bench.”

  Sam remained next to Karen, her eyes filled with concern.

  Riley gave her an encouraging smile. Worry that Sam had injured herself nagged at her, but she pushed it aside and focused solely on Karen, shutting out everything else. “Where did you get hit?”

  “My glove took the brunt of it, but the deflected ball clipped my shoulder.”

  “Did you hit your head when you fell?”

  “No.” Karen started to sit up. “I’m fine. I can get up.”

  Riley put a restraining hand on her chest. “Not just yet.” She ran her hands over Karen’s shoulder, then across her collarbone. “Can you move your arm?”

  “Yeah.” She grimaced, and her jaw muscles clenched as she moved her arm.

  “Okay. Good.” Riley checked the range of motion of Karen’s arm, then palpated down her chest from her collarbone to the top of her breast. “Any tenderness?”

  Karen shook her head.

  “All right. I want you to sit up. Slowly.”

  Sam slipped her arm around Karen’s back and helped her to a sitting position.

  “Any dizziness?” Riley asked.

  “Nope.” Karen stretched her shoulders and tried unsuccessfully to hide a wince. “I’m fine.”

  She sounds just like Sam. “You need to follow up with your doctor.”

  “It’s no big deal,” Karen said. “It just stung for a minute. I can still pitch.”

  Riley’s temper flared. What is it with cops and not admitting they’re hurt? “You are not fine. You’re done for today.” Her gaze bored into Karen’s startled brown eyes. “And you will follow up with your doctor and have x-rays taken of your shoulder and chest to make sure there are no fractures. In the meantime, you need to ice it down.”

  “Um…sure, Doc, whatever you say,” Karen stammered.

  Riley glanced at Sam and found her grinning. She shot her a look that wiped the look right off her face. “Are you all right?”

  “Fine. I swear,” Sam quickly added.

  Karen grinned and started to say something. A squelching look from Riley made her snap her mouth shut.

  “Okay. Sam, would you help her stand?”

  As Karen got to her feet, a cheer went up from both teams and the fans.

  Karen smiled and waved with her uninjured arm as Sam and Riley walked her back to the bench.

  The team gathered around the coach.

  “What’s the verdict?” Coach asked.

  Karen settled on the bench. “Ball clipped my shoulder pretty good.” She sighed. “Nothing’s broken. Some ice, and I’ll be fine.” Her gaze flitted to Riley, then back to the coach. “But I’m done for today, and I need to follow up with my doctor.”

  “Good idea.” Coach patted Karen’s uninjured shoulder. “I’m glad you’re okay.” She pulled off her ball cap, raked a hand through her hair, and turned back to face her team. “All right, then. With both our backup pitchers out of commission, that’s it. I’ll let the officials know we forfeit.”

  The team groaned.

  Riley’s heart went out to the women.

  “Wait, Coach,” Sam said. “I can take her place.”

  “No!” Riley blurted before she could stop herself. “Sam, you can’t.”

  The air around them went still as if the whole team was holding their breath, waiting for Sam’s reaction.

  Sam’s expression turned thunder-cloud dark. She glared at Riley from beneath lowered eyebrows.

  Riley refused to flinch. She couldn’t stand by and watch Sam get hurt—again. Sorrow filled her heart. She hoped this wouldn’t cost her Sam’s friendship.

  Sam loomed over Riley as she went toe to toe with her, gazing deeply into her eyes.

  Please understand. I can’t bear the thought of seeing you hurt. Riley longed to say the words, but wouldn’t in front of Sam’s teammates.

  Sam blew out a breath, her stormy expression lightening. “I can do this,” she said, her voice surprisingly gentle. “There’s just one out left. I’ll be all right.” She turned to the coach. “Put me in. I’m still on the roster as a reserve pitcher.”

  The coach’s gaze bounced between Sam and Riley. “I don’t know. If the doc thinks you shouldn’t…”

  “I can do this, Riley.”

  Every fiber of Riley’s being objected to what Sam wanted her to agree to, but she knew she had to. She wouldn’t betray the trust shining in Sam’s eyes.

  “Forget it,” a snide voice cut in. “Her little friend won’t let her play with the big girls.”

  Riley whipped around to see who had spoken. It only took a second to recognize the smirking player.

  “Shut the hell up, Darcy,” Marina said.

  Darcy flipped her off. “We don’t need her. I’ll pitch.”

  Muttering angrily, Marina and Diane stalked toward her.

  “Knock it off. All of you,” Coach said. “Or I’ll pull you, and we will forfeit.”

  Riley turned her back on Darcy. She put her hand on Sam’s arm and smiled up at her. “Go win this thing.”

  “You heard the doc,” Coach said. “Get your butts out there and win.”

  The team cheered. Several of the women grinned and slapped Riley on the back before taking their positions on the field.

  Sam smiled and tugged her sunglasses down from where they rested on top of her head. She clasped Riley’s hand before joining her teammates.

  Riley followed the coach over to the players’ bench. She wanted to keep an eye on Karen and make sure the injury wasn’t worse than she let on. And she needed to be close-by while Sam pitched.

  A woman jogged up and handed Riley an Ace wrap and a plastic bag filled with ice.

  She put the ice on Karen’s shoulder and carefully secured it in place. Her gaze repeatedly strayed to the pitcher’s mound, where Sam was throwing several warm-up pitches.

  Karen patted Riley’s arm. “Don’t worry. Sam’s a good pitcher. She can close this out.”

  Riley nodded. She wasn’t worried about the game, but she didn’t feel comfortable saying that to Karen.

  “Play ball,” the umpire called.

  Forcing herself to sit next to Karen instead of pacing as she wanted to, Riley put on a calm expression.

  Sam wound up for the first pitch and then let it fly.

  “Ball,” the umpire called.

  “That’s okay,” Karen said. “She’ll get the next one.”

  Riley smiled when Sam’s head turned in her direction before the next pitch. She held her breath.

  “Strike.”

  Yes! Come on, Sam. Riley watched closely as Sam wound up again. Was her leg holding up?

  “Strike.
”

  “One more, Sam,” Karen hollered. “One more.”

  The batter laid into the pitch and drove the ball between second and third base. She took off and made it safely to first.

  The coach jumped up and paced the fence line.

  Riley wished she could join her.

  The next few minutes passed as if they were an hour as the next batter took a full count.

  Clutching the bench so hard her knuckles stood out in sharp relief, Riley waited for the decisive pitch. At that point, she didn’t care what happened; she just wanted Sam off the pitcher’s mound after having seen her injured leg falter with that last strike.

  Sam wound up and released the ball.

  The whump of the ball hitting the bat sounded overly loud to Riley. No! She leaped to her feet.

  The opposing team’s fans jumped up and cheered as the ball sailed deep into center field.

  Taking off at a dead run, Darcy raced toward the back fence and launched herself into the air at the last possible moment.

  The ball and Darcy landed in the tall hedges surrounding the ball field.

  Fans on both sides of the field went silent.

  Darcy pulled herself free of the clinging bush. She held her glove aloft triumphantly, the ball tucked in the web of her mitt.

  “You’re out!” the umpire called to the batter.

  Sam’s teammates and their fans erupted. Shouted congratulations and laughter filled the air.

  Karen bounced up from the bench. “We won! We won!”

  Riley tried to share their enthusiasm, but she had eyes for only Sam as she made her way in from the mound. As Sam approached with Marina and Ann, Riley hung back. She resisted the urge to run to Sam and make sure she was okay, knowing Sam wouldn’t appreciate such a display of concern in front of her teammates.

  Perspiration dripped down Sam’s flushed face. Her jersey, soaked with sweat in several places, clung to her chest. The tense set of her jaw bespoke her pain.

  I knew she shouldn’t have pitched. But she had, and there was no sense in saying, “I told you so.”

  The rest of the team arrived with Darcy riding high on the shoulders of two of the women.

  The coach called the team together. “Good job, ladies. First round of drinks are on me.”

  Riley suppressed a groan. She had forgotten all about going to the bar after the game.

  “And the second round’s on me,” Sam said, to the cheers of her teammates.

  Is she out of her mind? Riley bit her lip to keep from protesting. Sam didn’t look as if she should be going anywhere but home.

  The players grabbed their gear and headed for their cars.

  “See you guys at the bar,” Diane called to Sam.

  Sam smiled and waved, then made her way over to Riley. “Don’t worry. If you don’t want to go, that’s okay. I’ll take you home.”

  Riley hesitated and searched Sam’s face, trying to figure out whether she wanted her to go. Then she remembered her vow earlier to seize the day. “I’d like to go with you, if it’s okay with you?”

  “Of course it is.” Sam offered her arm. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter 26

  The sun had set and the warm temperatures had fled by the time Sam and Riley approached the entrance to the bar. Riley rubbed her hands over her bare arms and wished she could wipe away her nervousness as easily.

  “Cold?” Sam asked.

  “Just a little. I’ll be fine once we’re inside.” She put a hand on Sam’s arm to stop her from opening the door. “Are you sure your leg is okay? We can still beg off.”

  “It’s sore,” Sam ran her hand along her thigh, “but it’s all right. Icing it on the drive here was a good idea.”

  Wow. Didn’t even hesitate to admit her leg was bothering her this time. Riley wasn’t sure if that meant the pain was really bad, or if Sam had finally gotten to the point where she didn’t feel the need to be evasive.

  Sam gazed down into Riley’s eyes. “Are you sure you don’t mind coming to the bar? If beer and burgers aren’t your thing, we can go somewhere else.”

  Riley studied Sam’s body language. She didn’t see any of the telltale signs of prevarication. Still, she couldn’t help wondering if Sam was more concerned about her interacting with Sam’s friends than she was about the food offered at the bar. Squaring her shoulders, she turned to face Sam. “I really enjoyed the game. I appreciate you taking me. But if you’re not comfortable with me socializing with your friends, it’s okay. Just be honest with me. I can take a cab home. I don’t mind.”

  “No!” The word burst from Sam. “That’s not it at all.” She stuffed her hands into her pockets. “It’s just that when everyone starts drinking, things can get a little rowdy.”

  Riley blew out an exasperated breath. “I thought I’d made it clear that I’m not some delicate flower that needs to be sheltered.”

  Sam’s gaze dropped to the ground. “I know that.”

  “I’ll admit I haven’t been in a bar recently.” Okay, not since college, but she doesn’t need to know that. “Still, I’ve been around my share of rowdy, celebrating people.” She poked Sam in the belly to make her look up. “Relax.” She stood tall—or as tall as she was able to with Sam topping her by almost a foot. “I’m a big girl.”

  Sam’s eyes twinkled and a little half smirk made an appearance.

  “Don’t even consider saying whatever you’re thinking.” Riley attempted a menacing growl. “Remember, I’m a doctor, and I know just where to hurt you.”

  Laughter burst from Sam, then she gazed into Riley’s eyes. Her laughter cut off mid-chortle. “All right, then.” She couldn’t seem to tame her grin. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Let’s go get a beer and a burger.” She pulled the door open and held it for Riley.

  Riley scanned the tavern as they entered the main room. It was packed with a fairly equal mix of men and women. A young man scurried along behind the bar, gathering the plates and beer glasses that were abandoned along its surface. Laughter and catcalls erupted from a group huddled around the flat-screen TV in the corner.

  Sam waved at the coach, who was working behind the bar.

  Oh. That’s right. She owns the place.

  Coach motioned them toward the end of the bar.

  “Hey, Coach. What’s up?”

  “Season’s over, Sam.”

  “Right.”

  Coach smiled at Riley. “I didn’t get the chance on the field, but I wanted to thank you for taking care of Karen.”

  “You’re welcome. I was happy to help.”

  “We were never formally introduced. I’m Louise.” She stretched her arm across the bar.

  “Riley,” she said as they shook hands.

  “Nice to meet you.” Louise’s gaze swept Riley, then she arched an eyebrow at Sam.

  Tension seemed to suddenly radiate from Sam. “Um… We should head into the back.”

  Glancing back and forth between them, Riley felt as if she was missing part of the conversation.

  “Hang on a sec.” Louise drew up two beers, set them on the bar, and nudged one toward Riley. “Thanks again for helping out. Hope to see you around.”

  Riley fished in her pocket for some money.

  Louise waved it off. “First round’s on me.”

  Riley smiled and nodded her thanks.

  Sam grabbed her beer. “I’ll settle up with you later for whatever I owe for the second round.”

  A customer farther down the bar called for Louise.

  She held up one finger toward the customer. “Not a problem. I trust—”

  The customer hollered again, his tone demanding.

  “Stuff a sock in it,” Louise yelled back. “One more word out of you and you’re done for the night.” She turned back to Sam and Riley. “Go ahead into the back. I’ll join you if things quiet down out here.”

  * * *

  Beer in hand, Riley followed Sam to a door on the opposite side of the bar.

  “Louise let
s us use the back room for our get-togethers,” Sam said. “It’s nothing fancy, just a few tables, but it gives us some privacy. And we don’t disrupt the folks in the bar.” She pulled open the door.

  The smell of beer, beef, and sweaty women wafted from the small room. Raucous laughter filled the air.

  You said you were ready for this. Don’t wuss out now.

  “Sam. Over here,” a voice called over the clamor. Marina waved from the long wooden table closest to the back wall.

  As Riley followed Sam over to the table, she scanned the gathering. At least she wasn’t the only one not wearing a team jersey.

  Two empty chairs were waiting for them on Marina’s side of the table. Sam slid into the chair closest to Marina and motioned Riley into the other one.

  Marina leaned past Sam and smiled. “Glad you could join us.” She shot a look at Sam that Riley couldn’t read, then poked Sam in the side.

  “What?” Sam said.

  “Forget it.” Marina turned to Riley. “You’ve already met Diane, Ann, and Karen.” She pointed to each in turn and then continued on down the table. “That’s Donna and Barb.” The women waved. “The bruiser on the end down there is Rhonda.”

  Riley glanced at Rhonda. Bruiser was an appropriate appellation. Her shoulders were broad, with big, muscled biceps showing past her tight uniform jersey. Her thick neck rivaled those of most men. While she appeared to be about Sam’s height, she outweighed her by at least fifty pounds. And from the look of her, all of it was muscle.

  “Hey!” Rhonda wagged a finger at Marina. “Watch it. Or I’ll come over there and kick your skinny Latina ass.”

  “Better yet, just tell Leo what she called you,” Sam said.

  Laughter broke out around the table.

  Rhonda hooted. “Oh. Great idea.”

  Marina winced, then elbowed Sam. “Thanks a lot.” She pushed a pitcher of beer closer to Rhonda. “I was referring to your prowess as a hitter. That was an impressive home run.”

  “Nice save there, Marina,” Ann said.

  Sam leaned close to Riley. “Leo is Rhonda’s husband and Marina’s partner. And he makes Rhonda look little. They’re both weightlifters.”

  “Are they all police officers?” Riley asked.