Chapter Twenty-Three
Sunday afternoon andall was right with the world. A baseball game, a hot dog, and a beer. What more could anyone want? Oh yes, for the Knights to continue winning and a sold-out crowd in the park.
Miranda relaxed in the owner’s box, thinking she just about had everything she wanted. Granted it wasn’t a sellout crowd but pretty darn close judging by the sparse scattering of empty blue seats. She wore her jersey, the one she’d worn on Opening Day, just few short weeks ago. The players insisted she wear it every game now because it brought them luck. Superstitions. But if it kept them happy and focused, she’d do whatever it took. Another ritual had become going to the locker room before every game and getting to know the players. She had always avoided it, been focused on work but, as president, the players were part of her family, too, and she enjoyed meeting with them, their families, and the staff.
A loud roar erupted from the crowd. Dylan Prosser had launched a fastball directly over the right field porch and the almost-filled stadium went crazy. She took another bite of her hot dog. Yup, all was right with the world.
Lucas chatted casually with Cole and Jason on his other side, talking players, sports, and who knew what else. She and Stacia enjoyed this rare moment of quiet. For once, the box didn’t have guests. She often hosted sponsors and business partners, making it more of a business meeting than a ball game. But today she was at rest with friends, enjoying a fun day.
Lucas draped his arm across the back of her chair, the warm weight igniting heat deep in her belly, the ever-present butterflies flitting inside of her when he was near. As if sensing her emotions, he turned and kissed her gently on the lips, not caring about their audience. A light, quick kiss that was more an affectionate hello than a prelude to anything more. She was smiling a stupid happy grin but she didn’t care. Stacia gave her an amused glance but said nothing.
The door opened behind them with a bang and they all turned around.
“Well, isn’t this cozy.” Seamus Callahan stood framed in the doorway with Gwen a half a step behind him.
Miranda jumped to her feet. “Daddy! I didn’t expect to see you here today. Come and sit down.” She shot a panicked glance at Lucas, who rose slowly to his feet.
“Mr. Callahan. Mrs. Callahan. May I get you something to eat or drink?”
Seamus Callahan glared at him as if Lucas had offered poison instead of a hot dog. Gwen laid a hand on Seamus’s arm. “Remember, darling. You need to stay calm.”
He grunted and stomped to a chair in the front. “Good crowd today.”
Miranda hastened to his side. “And we’re winning. Again. Prosser just hit a two-run shot.”
“I still don’t like him.” He sat hard in a chair, his face set in a frown.
Everyone else sat in their seats gingerly, as if afraid to waken the beast. Gwen drew Miranda to the back of the box. “I wanted to call you but he wanted this to be a surprise.”
“Well, he got that. Is he supposed to be here?”
“Here’s another surprise for you. His doctor cleared him to do some work. He thinks he’ll be back tomorrow. Part-time.”
Miranda’s heart sank like a stone in her stomach. Mid-May and he was back much earlier than expected. Her only saving grace was that most of the plans were pretty set in place. He couldn’t affect too much, could he? Even he had to see that they were succeeding. He would let them continue, wouldn’t he?
She didn’t dare voice the questions. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer.
Cole sat on her father’s right side, his right-hand man. She feared that he would be put in a difficult position, between her and her father. She was the president, but Seamus was the owner. Cole would have no options. She only hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
*
Monday morning dawned.Miranda saw the sunrise after a sleepless night. She was going in the office to face her father, the team owner returning to take up the reins of his team. And he was pissed.
She got up and dressed quietly. Lucas had stayed over, offering quiet comfort and encouragement, then making love so sweetly it had brought tears to her eyes. She had lain awake in his arms, mind awash in worry over what Monday would bring.
Miranda drove in to the office while the sun was still rising and beat most of the staff in. She had to gather the supporting documentation to prove the success of their method, to persuade her father to give it a chance. By the time the office had filled up, she was feeling confident that she had what she needed. Now to ensure her staff supported her and didn’t back down for Seamus.
She made the rounds of the office, touching base with department heads, leaving Cole for last. She knocked on his door and pushed inside at his greeting. She sat in the chair, crossed her legs, and studied him, trying to determine his position on the issue at hand.
“How do you think he’ll react to your plan?” she asked.
Cole leaned back and stretched his arms over his head. “About as well as he did last year and the year before. Which is to say, not well at all.”
“Can you stay firm against his pressure?”
Cole looked regretful, a pitying look in his eyes. “If he wants me to trade someone or change something, I can argue, but ultimately I’ll do what he orders. I’m in my last year of my contract. I can’t just walk away.”
“Understood. I’m on my own.” She nodded, keeping her face smooth and blank, while disappointment welled up inside her until she almost choked on it.