Love from Left Field

by Megan Ryder

  His face twisted then smoothed as if he was reminding himself to remain calm. “You’re right. I can’t justify firing you, after saying that all that matters are wins. So, I’ll try a new tactic. I’m taking back my team and things will be done my way. Understood?”

  Cole cast her a glance but nodded. Miranda studied Seamus for a long moment, hoping for some chink in his argument, a soft spot, something she could exploit. But he was too canny for that and too blinded to anything else.

  “May I ask one question?” Miranda asked.

  Her father narrowed his gaze but nodded.

  “Why are so adamant against this plan? Many teams are using it and are very successful. We’re clearly doing well. Why change it now? Why not try it?”

  “Because it’s not sustainable. Fans get bored when they have a group of mediocre players to watch. There’s no one to root for. Yes, they win but there’s no rallying player. No superstar. You can play your little games all you want, but I want my player.”

  She folded her arms. “Fine. Let’s stay our course until a better option comes on the market.”

  “Yes. Cole will be beating the bushes looking for him. Prosser has actually done well enough to be a good bargaining chip. He’s first on the block.” He turned his attention to papers in front of him. “We’re done here.”

  She knew it was a losing battle, at least right now. But she wasn’t ready to give up the war. She got to her feet and headed for the door, Cole on her heels, when her father stopped her.

  “Miranda? Stay for a moment.”

  She froze and caught Cole’s look of sympathy. She nodded to him and walked back to the chairs, sitting on the edge, waiting for the axe to fall. After several minutes, her father finally looked up. She kept her face impassive and relaxed, knowing his tricks of trying to put her off balance with delaying tactics and glares.

  “Lucas Wainright. I want him gone.”

  Well, that was certainly blunt and not at all unexpected. “Sorry. You took a loan from the league. He’s the string that came with it. Until we prove we can make the payment, we’re stuck with him.”

  He was shaking his head before she even finished. “No, we can’t get rid of him here. I meant, I want you to stop seeing him. I know you brought him to dinner to try and have us get along, some throwback to our history or some nonsense. And then with your snuggling at the game, well, I won’t stand for it.”

  “You won’t stand for it?” For the first time since she had come in his office, anger boiled over. She could handle him criticizing her management and even her plans, but not her personal life. “Lucas makes me happy. He sees me for who I’m and he respects me, which is more than you do. You may control my working life, but you don’t control my personal life.”

  “I do when your personal life affects your job. He wants revenge against me for his father. It’s bullshit, but he believes it.”

  “What happened between you anyway? Why do you believe he wants to get even?” She cried, sick of no one telling her the truth.

  “He thinks I took advantage of his father when he was sick. I bought the team fair and square. He can’t handle knowing his father never trusted him to take over and do right by the Knights.” Seamus slammed his hand on the table and winced. He rubbed his chest for a moment, then stopped when he caught her expression. “I’m fine. It’s nothing. Just the scar pulls sometimes.”

  She wanted to ask, wanted more details, but knew he wouldn’t discuss his health. “Maybe you and Lucas need to talk about this.”

  “We’re not girls who talk about our feelings and some shit. He needs to get over it. But I told you to watch out for him, and you let him seduce you into taking over our team.”

  “He’s not taking over. As a matter of fact, he’s helped us save it. If he wanted to ruin us, wouldn’t he have advised us differently?” She stood, her hands sweating under her folder. “I’m sorry you feel this way but my personal life is my own. You don’t run it.” She turned and headed for the door, hoping to keep her dignity until she was out of his office at least.

  “Just wait until he turns on you. Because he will.” Seamus called after her.

  She closed the door quietly behind her and sagged against it for a moment. Lucas was leaning on Maggie’s empty desk, an inscrutable expression on his face. After a moment, he held out his hand. She took it and they walked to the elevator and out of the stadium.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Miranda’s hand shook in Lucas’s grasp and he could feel the clammy skin betraying her tension. They said nothing until they had exited the stadium, opting for a walk around the building to the small park across the street where kids played before games. It was empty now, kids being in school, and it had the added advantage of not being in eyeshot of the offices.

  She sat on a swing and idly swung back and forth. He sat on the one next to her, the black rubber seat of the swing probably leaving stains on his slacks. They rocked back and forth, not speaking for several minutes, only the metal clang of the chains holding the swings filling the silence. Finally, she drew in a deep shuddering breath and let it out again.

  “He’s going to change everything. He wants to trade Prosser, anyone he can to get his big-name. Wins, sales, nothing matters.” She glanced up at him, eyes blazing. “I’m so damned mad I could scream. We worked so hard, had so much success and he doesn’t give a damn.”

  Lucas nodded, keeping his face and tone neutral. “You expected this. You knew he wasn’t happy, no matter what. Did he provide a reason why he was changing course?”

  “He feels the fans need someone big to rally around.” She laughed bitterly. “Does he care that our biggest jersey sales are for Prosser and Patterson? No, because they’re not making the big splash like he wants. He says the fans want it, but it’s really him who wants the big name, anything to make him look good. He didn’t even care about everything I did for him.”

  Lucas’s heart twisted at the pain in her voice and he reached over and took her hand. “I’m sorry, Miranda. That part hurt the most, didn’t it?”

  She took a deep shuddering breath. “I had this delusion that he’d come back from his heart attack, see our ticket sales and our wins and be so impressed that he…” Her voice trailed off.

  Lucas tugged her closer, the chains of their swings clanging together. “You thought he’d do what?”

  She turned, her eyes shiny with tears. “You know, I don’t know what I thought. My father never really praised me so I couldn’t expect that. I already had the presidency. What else was there, honestly? Maybe I did all of this for nothing?”

  He stood and yanked her to her feet, pulling her close. “Do you really believe that everything you did was for nothing? So what if your daddy doesn’t care? Is he the only reason you did any of this?”

  She stepped back, flinching from his words. “Of course not. The team needs me.”

  “Exactly.” He nodded. “The team needs you. Everyone who works for the Knights, the fans, the players. They need you. They’re who you’re fighting for.”

  She sighed and turned away. “You’re right, Lucas. But he’s my father and my boss. Not only do I have to do what he says, but I don’t want him to have another heart attack. I want to protect him.”

  Lucas stepped up behind her, the heat from his body warming her. “You can only do what he allows. Don’t take on too much, Miranda.”

  “How can I get him to listen? He has a blind spot about the team, as if he knows everything about baseball.” She swiveled in the swing and looked at him, desperation and hope in her eyes. “Maybe you can convince him, use the league as a big stick, to get him to follow these plans.”

  He shook his head. “I wish I could. I can only really consult and advise. Once you miss the payment, then we can move in and do more. Besides, you heard him. I’m not exactly someone he’d listen to anyway.”

  She cringed, her face coloring. “You heard that?”

  He grinned. “I’ll admit; it was nice to h
ear you standing up for me. But this is something you have to do. I can only help.”

  “I meant it.” She stated loyally. “He can’t dictate my life.”

  He tugged her closer to him and planted a quick kiss on her lips. “Maybe we should cool it, not give him any more reason to be angry.”

  She pulled back, hurt in her eyes. “Are you trying to break up with me?”

  He laughed. “We’re not in high school. This isn’t a break up, or an ‘I want to see other people.’ It’s just let’s keep it on the down-low around your dad and the office until things settle. It would reduce the stress on him, too.”

  His gut twisted at the sadness in her eyes, the resignation. He didn’t want to step away but maybe it was best for them to reconsider their situation. If things went south with Seamus, Roger was going to have his chance to grab the team and force the sale. Then it all would come out – the investors, Lucas being offered presidency, and Miranda would think her father was right. For now, if they kept things quiet, maybe Seamus would settle and see reason, consider these ideas.

  She frowned but he knew he had her with the carrot of her father’s health. “It’s just for a little while. We’ll still be together outside of the office.”

  She shook her head. “No, I deserve happiness, too. My father will have to accept my choices.”

  He brushed his pants clean, or as clean as they could be then held his hand out to her. “Stay the course, Miranda. You’ve done good work with the Knights. I’ll see you for dinner tonight?”

  She straightened her shoulders. “Fine. I’ve got this. I’ll come up with a plan. Or something.”

  She nodded and took his hand, but she gripped it like it was a life preserver in the sea of uncertainty that was her life.

  *

  Several hours later, Ruth poked her head in Lucas’s office. “Mr. Wainright? Mr. Callahan would like to see you. Now.”

  He nodded, having expected this summons for most of the day. Callahan had left him for last, for late in the afternoon. So much for working part-time. He headed upstairs and knocked on Seamus’s door.

  A gruff, “Come in” greeted him.

  “Wainright. Sit down.” Seamus leaned back in his chair and studied Lucas. Lucas noted his pale face and the exhaustion that Seamus couldn’t quite hide.

  “So we have ourselves a pickle here. I don’t want you here and I can’t imagine you want to be where you’re not wanted.”

  “Miranda wants me here. Roger wants me here. That’s enough for me.” Lucas kept his tone cool and he was satisfied to see the barb about both Miranda and Roger hit home.

  Seamus frowned. “Well, I called Roger today and suggested it was time you went home. We’re doing just fine here and don’t need your advice any longer.”

  Lucas crossed an ankle over his knee. “Pardon me, but I’ve heard your plans for the team. Directly against everything we’ve already done. Not only will that be confusing for the team and the fans, but it could seriously screw up your wins. And if your wins decrease, so do ticket sales and then your ability to pay your bills. That’s why I’m here. To make sure this doesn’t happen.”

  Seamus growled. “You’ve turned my daughter against me. You’ve turned my leaders against me. And you’ve turned my general manager against me. You’re a poison, a wedge sent here to drive me out of the team. My team.”

  “For now.” Lucas stood, keeping his calm, hoping it would soothe Callahan but the accusations were getting old, and, like a splinter, festering deep inside. “Your actions put your team in jeopardy. Your daughter, your staff, your general manager have all busted their asses to save this team. And you’re spitting in their faces, insulting their efforts. You’re acting like a spoiled child who isn’t getting his way rather than the savvy businessman who built a company from nothing. If you don’t get past your ego, you won’t have anything left.”

  “How dare you speak to me that way!” Seamus roared and struggled to his feet.

  “I don’t work for you. And I won’t coddle you. You should leave the running of the team to your daughter. She’ll save you from yourself. If you let her.” He straightened. “I’m not going anywhere until the payment. So get used to me.”

  He turned to leave and stopped when he saw Miranda in the doorway, shock written on her face. “Miranda.”

  “Not here.” She spoke through gritted teeth, glaring at Lucas. “I’ll be right back.”

  “You’re in for it now, boyo.” Seamus chortled then stopped at the sharp look Miranda sent him.

  “I’ll deal with you later.” She grabbed Lucas’s arm and marched him outside the office and to the conference room next door. Closing the door with a slam, she turned and glared at him. “Just what in the hell are you doing? My father has just returned from major heart surgery and you’re trying to antagonize him? I thought we agreed that I would handle this.”

  He held up his hands and stepped back. “Hey, I was defending you and your decisions, not to mention my own position. A little gratitude would be nice.”

  The anger drained out of her, deflating her right before his eyes. “I’m sorry. I know you were. I just heard raised voices and I got worried about his health.”

  “I get that, but if he’s healthy enough to be back here, then he doesn’t need to be treated with kid gloves. Earlier today, you were asking for my help.”

  “Earlier today, you said it was my problem; that you couldn’t get involved. Has it ever occurred to you that I have a plan, one that involves keeping my father calm and not stressed and helping the team at the same time?” She glared up at him, hands planted on her hips.

  “Then do it. But as long as I’m here, I have a responsibility to push for the most financially sound decisions and I won’t back off.” He leaned into her, not backing down one inch, confused how things had spiraled off the rails so quickly.

  She stiffened and backed away from him. “Do what you need to do, just don’t include me in your fights, okay? I’m not a pawn for you two to fight over.”

  “Fine.” He nodded sharply, then sighed, changing tactics. “Why don’t we talk about this over dinner tonight?”

  She glared at him. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Fine, I guess I’ll talk to you later.”

  He watched her walk out of the room, and it felt like out of his life, too.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “What happened to the Knights? It’s a like a light switch flipped off. Their bats are silent. Pitching is wild. And they’re booting more than they’re catching! I guess this is exactly as the fans feared. The Knights just overreached their talent level, now they’re on a downward plunge to the cellar. Can anything turn them around?”

  *

  Miranda idly listened to the sports talk show on her way to lunch with her mother. She flipped the power off and rested her head on the steering wheel, exhaustion threatening to overwhelm her.

  In the past two weeks, the team had gone on a losing streak, a remembrance of seasons past. The locker room was quiet, the players deflated. Several keys players were on the trading block, contributing to the low morale. Although there had been no real takers, no major player ready to be dealt. Of course it was just the end of May. Every team still felt like they had a chance and the trading block was quiet.

  The office itself was as quiet as a morgue. Seamus was back almost full time and on a tear. The more the team lost, the more irate he became, and the more changes he tried to make. And he could not afford the stress in his life. Miranda ran interference as much as possible, trying to convince her father to see things another way, but it only led to a wedge between her and Seamus. More often than not, she spent nights alone, sleepless, worrying about everything – her father, the team, her relationship with Lucas. She was getting worn out and couldn’t handle all of the stress much longer.

  She swerved into a parking space along the street and headed to the restaurant. Her mother was already there, looking almost as tired as Miranda felt. They em
braced and sat down. After ordering and idle chit-chat, her mother got down to her point.

  “Miranda, this can’t continue. Your father’s health can’t take the stress he’s putting himself under.”

  Miranda heaved a sigh of frustration. “Mom, he’s a grown man. No one can tell him what to do, least of all me. Not only am I his daughter but his employee.” Her words were bitter but she was too tired and beaten down to put on a happy face.

  “I know, dear. You can’t keep on being torn this way either. Something has to give. Your father met with the doctor yesterday. Fortunately, I went, too, against his wishes. His doctor ordered him to either stop working or limit his workload, or he’ll have another heart attack, more serious than one he already had.”

  Miranda stared at her, but couldn’t muster any emotion beyond resignation. “What more do you want me to do? He won’t let me take on any work at the office, saying I ruined the team. He won’t leave the office half day. Only he can make this decision.”

  Her mother grasped her hand and squeezed it. “I know this hasn’t been easy for you and he’s a difficult man. But we have to try. Maybe Lucas…”

  Miranda burst out laughing. “Have you heard Dad on the subject of Lucas? No, Dad would do the exact opposite of anything Lucas says. I’ll talk to him, but I’m not holding my breath.”

  The waiter brought their salads and Gwen let go of her hand. “That’s all I ask.”

  “You’re asking the impossible, Mom,” Miranda stated flatly, not willing to hide the truth from her mother any longer. “Dad’s not only under stress but he’s not making good decisions. He’s always been difficult in the office, a challenge to work for on good days. But now, he’s completely unreasonable and I can’t understand why. He’s not listening to his advisers and he is stubbornly ignoring evidence that he doesn’t like.”

  Gwen looked troubled, her blue eyes clouded. “Miranda, your father has just gone through a very scary ordeal. He’s being forced to face his own mortality. He feels out of control, as if all of his decisions, his very life, is dictated by someone else. He’s never been very good at letting go of the reins.”