Chapter Twenty-One
Two weeks later,Miranda and Lucas stood at the front door of her parent’s house. Miranda fiddled with the strap of her purse, dropping the keys to the house. She cursed softly and Lucas bent down to pick them up. He held them just out of reach when she grabbed for them, a teasing smile on his face.
She stopped and planted her fists on her hips. “Give me the keys, Lucas.” She tapped her foot on the concrete porch step.
“Not yet. You’re too tense.”
“I’ll be better once this night is over. Trust me.”
“Nope, we can’t wait that long.”
He tucked the keys in his back pocket and slid a hand around her waist, pulling her close to him. She placed her hands on his chest, holding them apart. He slanted his lips on hers, soft and gentle, designed to relax her, not get her all excited. He slid his other hand up her back and into the loose blond waves. He held her head in place for his devastating kiss, stripping her mind of all thought and worry. When he lifted his head, she blinked at the blinding porch light that his head had been blocked.
“Better?”
She grinned and tucked her arm in his. “Let’s do it.”
Before he could hand her the keys, the door opened, revealing Gwen. “I wondered how long you were going to stand there. Did you forget your key?”
Miranda blushed and opted to hug her mother instead of answering. “Mom, you remember Lucas.”
“Of course I do.” Gwen pulled him in for an embrace. “I never thanked you for your help at the hospital. I really appreciate it.”
He nodded. “That wasn’t necessary, Mrs. Callahan. You helped my mom out when my dad got sick.”
“Family sticks together,” she replied. “And you’re basically family. Come in. Seamus is in the family room, probably sneakingBaseball Tonight. Lucas, can you help me in the kitchen? Oh and call me Gwen.”
Miranda and Lucas exchanged a glance. Gwen didn’t wait for a response. She linked on to his other arm and drew him deeper into the house, leaving Miranda feeling oddly bereft. She sighed and headed towards the family room, where she could already hear the baseball commentators breaking down teams and games.
“Hi, Daddy.” She leaned over and kissed her father on the top of the head.
He jerked awake and almost upended his recliner. “When did you get here?”
“A few minutes ago. What’s the word on the Knights?”
He jutted his chin towards the television. “They’re up next. What have you been doing to my team? I told you not to trade for Prosser, and this bullshit about small ball and stuff. That’s not how real men play baseball.”
She gritted her teeth but kept a smile on her face, even if it was brittle and hard. “More than half of the league plays small ball now, especially small market teams like us. We’ve done pretty well, a good win streak. First time in ten years.”
“What’s been going on with the Georgia Knights? Weren’t they guaranteed to be back in the cellar, despite their playoff appearance last season? They were gutted by the rest of the league, as if they were the minors, and yet without making a big trade, they have one of the best records in baseball in the first two weeks.”
Seamus avoided her knowing look. “We look ridiculous.”
“We look great shaking hands on the field after a win, Dad. The players are positive and hustling.”
“They damn well better play hard. I pay them well for playing a goddamn game. And it’s the beginning of the season. Everyone is positive now.”
“Prosser was a great pick up. Hitting at the plate and settling down that young pitching staff. Who knew? Certainly not Minnesota.”
“Just because overpaid television people think we’re doing well doesn’t mean you’re right.” He turned to face her, looking tired and older than he had before the surgery. “I still own the team, Miranda. You work for me. What possessed you to make these changes?”
“They’ve worked for other teams.” Lucas stepped in the room and walked right up to Seamus, holding out his hand.
Seamus stared at the outstretched hand as if it were a coral snake about to strike, distaste written all across his face. “I should have known you’d ruin my team.”
Lucas pulled his hand back, his face calm and body loose and relaxed. “If you call a winning record ruin, then I’ll take that charge.”
“Lucas is right, Daddy. I spoke with some of the other teams and did some research, as did Cole. Lucas only suggested some options.”