“No thanks, Jace. I’ve got plenty of jeans,” Kellen said.
“Hit him again, would you?” Jace said, looking directly at Caytie.
Kellen moved out of the way before Caytie could follow through.
“The invitation was for Caytie,” he said, his gaze still on her.
Wow, he was really volunteering to take her shopping? “Thank you, Jace. That’s sounds great. When did you want to go?”
“I’ve got a baseball game in the morning and then I need a few hours to work with Moonshine. How about tomorrow evening?”
“Perfect.” Caytie smiled at Kellen. “Right now, Kell and I are shopping online for this season’s hottest legwear.”
“What?” Jace asked, looking cute and confused all at the same time.
“She means I’m getting a prosthetic leg.” Kellen grinned. “She made a better deal with me than you so you’re off the hook for changing the tire.”
“Really? You’re going to do it? That’s awesome, bro.” Jace gave Kellen a one-armed hug. “But I totally could’ve changed the tire.”
“Yeah, I figured one way or the other I’m getting out of my wheelchair for good.” He nodded toward Caytie. “She’s just a lot cuter than you are and much more persuasive.”
Both Caytie and Jace laughed as Kellen hobbled away on the crutches, leaving the two of them alone. Suddenly feeling a little shy, Caytie tentatively met Jace’s brown eyes.
“Thank you,” he said softly.
“For what?”
“For helping him see he can still have a good life.”
A warm sensation filled her chest. “I’m glad I could help.”
He studied her for a few seconds, and Caytie felt her heart rate double in time.
“And I agree with Kellen. You’d look pretty good in cowboy boots.”
Before she could respond, he pivoted around and exited the room. Caytie bit her bottom lip to keep herself from giggling out loud. Technically, Jace McAllister had just asked her out on a date. She’d never dated a cowboy before, but she was looking forward to the new experience.
Chapter 14
Jace slammed on his brakes, shocked he’d almost blown through a stop sign. His fingers tightened around the steering wheel, and he glanced at the digital clock. He was going to be late for the baseball game. All because he couldn’t stop thinking about Caytie. She had him as distracted as a stallion in a pasture full of fillies.
He focused on driving, and did his best to think about baseball and praying Gabe or one of the other dads had showed up early and had gotten the boys organized.
Five minutes later, Jace arrived at the ball field. Gabe and his son Shane were already there along with some of the other boys.
“Hey, guys,” he called, jogging toward them with the equipment bag. “Sorry I’m late.” Jace quickly paired the kids off to start warming up by tossing and catching the ball between each other.
“Thanks for showing up early, Gabe.” Jace dug in his bag and pulled out a T-shirt with the team logo on it. “Now you’re official.” He tossed the shirt at Gabe.
“Awesome.” Gabe caught the shirt and smiled. “Shane is going to be pretty pumped his old man is wearing the same shirt as he is.”
“Yeah, enjoy that while you can. In about six years I doubt he’ll feel the same way.”
Gabe laughed and quickly exchanged his polo for the T-shirt. More boys arrived and he and Gabe did their best to warm the kids up while keeping them under control.
“Coach, what about our special snack?” one of the kids asked just before the game started.
Jace stalled, realizing he’d accidentally left the baseball shaped sugar cookies Ilene had made at home. The kids were pretty motivated by their weekly game treat, and would have a hard time focusing on the game if they found out Jace had forgotten to bring it.
“Uh, it’s a surprise, buddy, but I promise you’ll love it.”
Gabe lifted an eyebrow when Jace pulled out his cell and punched in the ranch’s number. Ilene was leaving for a meeting with Pastor John, and if he could catch her in time she could drop them by the field on her way to the church.
“Hey, can you get them lined up in order?” he asked Gabe. “I just need to catch Ilene before she leaves.”
While Gabe got the kids organized, Jace listened for Ilene to pick up the phone. George and Kellen were busy with one of the mares that had started laboring early this morning so he knew the only other person in the house, other than Ilene, was Caytie.
When the call rolled over to voicemail, Jace lowered his voice so the kids wouldn’t hear. “Ilene, I forgot to bring the cookies. If you haven’t left yet, is there any way you can bring them by on your way into town? Call me if you get this message.”
About thirty seconds after he hung up, his phone started to buzz. The ranch home number was on the caller ID screen. “Do you know how much I love you?” he said when he hit the talk button.
“Uh, no. How much?” The amused voice was not Ilene’s.
The instant Jace heard Caytie’s voice, the images he’d conjured up in his head with her wearing the cutoff jeans she’d had on yesterday with a pair of sexy cowboy boots flooded his mind. He could curse Kellen for putting the thought there in the first place.
“If you bring me the cookies I left on the counter, I’ll not only make good on the chicken dinner I promised, but I’ll also throw in a frozen custard from Big C’s.”
“Why is it that all your bribes involve food? Can’t you come up with something better to offer me?”
“You might want to reword that question,” Jace said wryly. “Or I might get the wrong idea.”
She snorted a laugh. “You are such a guy.”
“Thanks.”
“All I’m saying is that I might be a lot more motivated to help if you offered me something like a manicure or a massage.”
“Did you just request a massage from me?” Jace asked incredulously.
“Um, are you a masseur?”
“A what?”
“You know, a masseur. It’s what they call men who gives massages.”
Jace was a guy and he couldn’t help the images bombarding his male-testosterone-driven brain. “Can we please stop talking about massages?”
Judging from the look on Gabe’s face, Jace had obviously spoken a little too loud.
He lowered his voice. “Fine, if you bring the cookies I’ll pay for you to have a manicure.”
“I’m kidding, Jace,” she said with a laugh. “Besides, you’re still taking me shopping tonight, right?”
Like Jace could forget. What was wrong with him anyway? He hated shopping and yet he’d volunteered to take Caytie twice. “Yeah, if you still want to go.”
She laughed again. “You don’t know me very well, do you?”
Maybe not, but obviously he was interested in getting to know her better.
“You know, the mall might not be as fancy as what you have in California.”
“Shopping is shopping.”
This made Jace smile. “Okay. So do you need directions?”
“Just give me the address and I’ll plug it into my GPS.”
Jace gave her the address, thanked her and then ended the call. He stood there for a few moments trying to get his thoughts under control and back on to baseball.
“So,” Gabe said, sidling up next to Jace. “You’re getting a massage?”
“Shut up, Gabe.”
His friend laughed. “Sorry, but I couldn’t help overhearing the conversation. Who were you talking to anyway? I don’t think it was Ilene.”
“George’s niece. You’ll meet her when she brings by the cookies.”
“I can’t wait.”
Much to his annoyance neither could Jace.
The game started, and Jace did his best to stay focused on the boys, but he frequently found his attention straying to the parking lot, watching for the red BMW to show up. Toward the beginning of the fifth inning, Caytie finally arrived.
&nbs
p; For some dumb reason Jace’s pulse rate increased as Caytie skirted the edge of the ball field and made her way toward him. His mouth suddenly dry, he grabbed his water bottle and took a long drink.
Gabe moved up next to him and whistled softly. “Is she George’s niece?”
“Yep.” Jace kept his attention focused on the boys, although he desperately wanted to watch Caytie. She looked pretty good in a white shirt and turquoise colored shorts.
“Now I know why you’ve been so distracted.”
“I haven’t been that distracted.”
“Then why did you try to urge the other team to steal home base?”
Jace cut his eyes at his friend. “Shut up, Gabe.”
Thankfully Shane was up to bat next, and Gabe left Jace alone to coach his son. When Caytie had almost reached the dugout, Jace turned toward her.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said. “I kind of got lost.”
“You’re not late. We still have one more inning.”
She smiled and held out the large rectangle plastic container. “Where do you want these?”
Jace didn’t want them in the dugout. The boys wouldn’t be able to restrain from sneaking the cookies. Victoria or one of the other moms usually held onto the post-game snack.
“Thanks so much for bringing them.” Jace took the container. “Let me just see if one of the moms can hold onto them until after the game.”
As he skimmed the bleachers, Caytie moved beside him. He caught the flowery scent of her perfume as she leaned close and took the container back. “I can keep them for you.”
He glanced down at her. “You sure you want to stay?”
“Yeah.” She eyed the bleachers. “Where do the mom’s of your team sit?”
“Usually wherever there’s a spot and in the shade.”
Jace watched her scan the seats, like she was looking for someone. “There’s a spot in the shade right over there,” he said, pointing to the bench behind his team’s dugout.
“Great.” She smiled. “I’ll see you after the game.”
Unable to help himself, Jace watched her walk away, appreciating her long legs.
“It’s a good thing Victoria isn’t here,” Gabe said, nudging Jace in the shoulder. “She wouldn’t like the way you’re looking at your houseguest.”
When Jace shot Gabe an annoyed look, his friend grinned and held up his hands. “I know, shut up, Gabe.”
Laughing, Jace gently shoved Gabe out of the way and moved next to the batter on deck, but deep down he was glad Victoria wasn’t here either. She would probably get her feelings hurt since he hadn’t been able to talk to her. Even after they talked, he figured she would still get hurt.
The boy hit a line drive between second and third base, allowing the runner on third to make it to home plate, tying the game. The next batter struck out, and Jace and Gabe both gave the boys a pep talk before sending them outfield for the final inning.
Just before the game ended, one of the father’s from the opposing team lost it when the umpire called a strike. The profane temper tantrum quickly escalated, and a fight nearly broke out between the man and one of the kid’s fathers on their team. Finally, the umpire had had enough and ejected the man, ordering him to leave the game immediately.
Jace wished the ump would just call the game, but they were tied, and the other teams bases were loaded. All it would take is one good hit and the other team would win the game. The man obviously didn’t want the game to be called, so he complied and made the walk of shame to his car.
The game resumed, and Jace’s shoulders tensed when the next batter stepped up to the plate. The kid was at least a head taller than all the other boys, and he could hit a ball. The first two balls were high and inside. The third pitch, the kid swung, but hit a foul ball. Just as the pitcher was ready to let the ball fly, a loud crash sounded from the parking lot.
Jace, along with everyone else looked to see what the problem was. He shook his head in disbelief. A two-ton pickup truck had just backed into the side of Caytie’s red BMW.
Chapter 15
Caytie wasn’t into sports, but watching these little boys play was kind of fun. The best part was listening to the people in the stands. Some of them really got into the game. She also liked watching Jace, and how he interacted with his players.
It was hard for her to imagine any of the men she knew back home volunteering to coach a team of hyperactive boys, especially her father or Edward. Just thinking about her ex-boyfriend made her feel as cold as the shaved ice she’d just purchased from a kid selling concessions in the seating area. Edward wouldn’t do anything unless he benefitted from it monetarily. It was the sole reason he wanted to marry her. She knew it wasn’t for love.
Glancing around the stand, she tried once again to find Victoria, or a woman who looked like the one in the picture in Jace’s room. There were a few times she’d almost dared ask the older woman sitting next to her if she knew a Victoria, but refrained since she had no idea what to say if Victoria was actually here.
Suddenly, a big guy with a loud mouth stood up and started shouting profanities at the umpire. The ump told him to be quiet, as well as the coach from the other team, but the man didn’t stop.
Another parent got involved and Caytie was sure there was going to be a fight. The umpire ordered the man to leave the game. With the urging from his wife, the ugly tempered man stomped off the field.
Once he left the game resumed. She hoped it was over soon. It was almost noon and she was hungry. Just not hungry enough to buy a hotdog the same little girl was selling. They might smell good, but she avoided processed meat. She was tempted to snitch one of the homemade sugar cookies Ilene made, but they each had a players name on them.
A loud crash sounded from the parking lot. Everyone around her popped up out of their seats to see what had happened, blocking Caytie’s view. She stood up, and peeked over the shoulder of the woman next to her.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she moaned, sinking back down on the bench. First her jeans, and now this? She covered her face with her hands, wondering how she would ever get her car fixed. She couldn’t call her insurance agent because then her father would know where she was.
Why had she stayed at the baseball game? Just so she could catch a glimpse of the woman in love with Jace? She was such an idiot.
“Hey, don’t cry,” Jace said, sitting beside her. “It’ll be okay.”
“I’m not crying.” She kept her face buried in her hands, feeling the sting of tears. “And I don’t think it will be okay.”
“Come on,” Jace said, taking a hold of her hands. “Let’s go see what the damage is.”
She sniffed, and met his brown eyes. “What about your game?”
“There’s only one more play. Besides, the assistant coach said he’d take care of everything.”
Caytie handed Jace the container of cookies. “You better give these to him.”
Jace took the cookies and handed them to an older gentleman. “Harold, can you make sure the boys get their cookies?”
“Sure thing, coach.
Holding out his palm, Jace helped Caytie to her feet. As they navigated their way through the spectators, he kept a hold of her hand. Once they broke through the crowd, he let go.
The car looked bad. Part of her hoped she could still drive it, but the airbags had deployed, and the entire right side of the car was caved in. The angry parent who had been ejected from the game stood there looking at the demolished car.
He glanced up and grimaced. “I didn’t see the car when I backed up.”
“Have you called the sheriff’s office?” Jace asked.
“Yeah, they’re sending a deputy over.” He shifted on his feet. “Is this your car?”
“No,” Caytie said. “It’s mine.”
“I’m real sorry, ma’am. I’ll take care of everything and get it fixed as good as new.”
Wow, the irate baseball dad had just turned into a nice guy. Caytie stared
at her damaged vehicle. As reassuring and nice as the man tried to be, Caytie had been involved in another accident a few years before. The damage to her car hadn’t been as extensive as this and the insurance company had still totaled it. At least she wouldn’t have to make a claim, and hopefully the other insurance would cover the cost of a rental.
The deputy arrived, and got the information he needed from her and was now interviewing Jeb Clark, the driver of the pickup truck.
There were many bystanders milling about, but as a young couple approached them, Jace grinned and accepted a hug from the pretty blonde.
“Lucy! It’s good to see you,” he said. He stepped back and stuck out his hand to the man with Lucy. “Hey, Dr. Taggart.”
“It’s just Cole,” the doctor said with a grin. He nodded his chin toward Caytie’s BMW. “I just wanted to make sure no one was injured.”
“Thankfully, no,” Jace said. “He reached for Caytie’s hand and tugged her forward. “This is George’s niece, Caytie Holbrook. Caytie this is Lucy Phillips…I mean Taggart.” Jace laughed and shook his head. “I still can’t believe you’re married.”
“I know, right?” Lucy said, snuggling up to her husband.
“And this is Lucy’s husband, Cole Taggart,” Jace said. “He’s Snow Valley’s newest doctor.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you both,” Caytie said. “Unfortunately the car is mine.”
“You’re from California?” Lucy asked, eyeing the license plate on the back of the car.
“Born and raised.” Caytie felt a little uncomfortable. She didn’t want to talk about where she was from.
“Cole grew up in the Bay area.” Lucy gazed adoringly up at her husband. “I lived in Cupertino for a couple of years before moving back to marry Cole.”
How did a doctor from California end up in a small town in Montana? And did Lucy say she moved back to marry the guy?
“How did you two meet?” Caytie asked, unable to curb her curiosity.
Both Lucy and her husband laughed. “It’s kind of a funny story,” Lucy said. “Let’s just say the first time we kissed was very memorable.”
Summer in Snow Valley (Snow Valley Romance Anthologies Book 2) Page 10