Dropped Third Strike (Portland Pioneers #1)

by Micah K. Chaplin

  When she saw Neal – and his smile – at the baggage claim, her mood immediately shifted. He hugged her and kissed her cheek in greeting, and her nerves melted away completely. They chatted idly about her flight, the Pioneers, and the weather while they waited for her bags, and then he led her out to his car, where she gave him the name of her hotel. She felt completely at ease as he drove through the city. There was something so utterly and noticeably laid back about him. It was easy to be with him, and she could feel her stress dissolving as they drove to the hotel.

  “I figured you’d want a few hours to rest, so I’ll be back to get you around two,” Neal said. “Dress in comfortable clothes and shoes.”

  “How comfortable?” she asked. “These heels can be comfortable sometimes.”

  “I’m sure they can – although I can’t imagine how,” he said. “But aim for jeans and walking shoes.”

  “Sounds good,” she said. “I can’t wait to see what you have planned.”

  He just grinned and gave her another cheek kiss in response.

  After a nap, a shower, and a light lunch via room service, Kate was not only relaxed, but feeling refreshed and ready for her date. She headed down to the lobby in jeans, running shoes, and a plain kelly green t-shirt, which set off her fair skin and green eyes. She’d gone light on makeup, since his instructions implied casual, but she’d left her hair down. As soon as she saw Neal, she knew she’d made the right choices. He wore long shorts, a t-shirt bearing a Minnesota Wild logo, tennis shoes, and a huge grin.

  They exchanged compliments and then they were in his car, headed out of downtown. While he drove, Neal asked Kate about the Pioneers’ season. Normally, she wouldn’t enjoy talking work on a date, but she sensed that he was inquiring as a way to get to know her better, not because he actually cared about the team’s record and playoff chances.

  “We’re only eight games back, which isn’t too bad going into the All-Star Break,” Kate explained. “We’re in a really tough division, and we’re going to have to play out of our minds to overtake first. I’d like to say without a doubt that we can do it, but I’m not sure. There are a lot of things that will have to go perfectly for that to happen.”

  “But you seem pretty happy with your roster. At least that’s what I gathered when we talked the other night,” he said.

  “I am,” she said, nodding. “I think we need to make a few adjustments, but ... I’m not going to worry about those for the next few days.”

  Neal smiled. “Really? You’re going to ignore work while you’re here?”

  “Not ignore. Just delay. Unless it’s an emergency, it can wait,” she said.

  “Given what you’ve told me about your work habits, I feel pretty special right now.”

  “As you should.”

  They shared a laugh, and then he pulled his car into a parking lot. The signs told her she was at Lake Como. She saw trees, water, and a concrete trail winding through all of it. It was peaceful, but it was far from desolate. There were people everywhere – fishing in the lake, reading on the shore, biking, running, and walking.

  “I thought we could go for a walk and just get to know each other,” Neal said. “I bet you rarely get to just enjoy being outside.”

  “You’re right,” she said. “The only time I’m usually outside is in a ballpark. And I enjoy that, but I think this will be a little more relaxing.”

  “Aha, you’re onto my plan.”

  She gave him a curious look.

  “In the time I’ve known you, it sounds like you are always busy and on the go. I decided what you needed this weekend was relaxation. So that’s what I’ve planned.”

  “You’ve planned relaxation? That sounds a little ... odd.”

  “True, but as adults, we kind of have to plan relaxation or it never happens.”

  “Good point. I think you already know me better than you think.”

  “But not as well as I want to.”

  He winked at her, and Kate felt a slight tingle of anticipation trickle through her.

  She waited while he grabbed a bag from the backseat, then she took his hand and they set out for a stroll. He was taller, so his stride was a little longer than hers, but she was in decent shape, so she was able to keep up. Over the next several hours, he talked about his hockey league and his job as they traveled the trail. The small zoo on the grounds gave them new things to talk about, although that really wasn’t a struggle. Their conversation flowed as easily today as it had on their first date. There really wasn’t a whole lot of silence. None that was uncomfortable anyway.

  After they left the zoo, they found a patch a grass so they could sit down. From his backpack, Neal pulled out a blanket, a box of crackers, a bag of grapes, a bottle of wine, and two plastic cups. She smiled as he unpacked the food while she sat back on the blanket, just taking in the park. She could hear children laughing in the zoo, a few splashes in the lake, and the occasional greeting exchanged by people meeting on the trail.

  “It’s nice out here,” she said, breaking the brief silence.

  “It is,” he agreed. “I run out here a lot in the summer.”

  “I think I would too, if my schedule allowed,” she said. “It’s populated enough to feel safe, but serene enough that you can zone out.”

  He nodded, handing her a glass of clear white wine. “That’s my favorite part of running – zoning out. It’s the perfect stress relief after a long day.”

  “Same,” she said. “But I’m usually on a treadmill instead of a trail.”

  He made a face. “I’m not a fan of the treadmill. I call it ‘the dreadmill,’ and I avoid it at all costs. When it’s too cold to run, I get my exercise on the ice.”

  She shrugged. “I really don’t know any different, so it’s okay with me.”

  “I suppose that’s true of a lot of areas of your life,” he said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Whenever we talk about your job, how you rarely get to see family and how hard it is to date, you never seem too upset by any of it. I suppose that’s because you’re just used to it, so you’ve become complacent with all of it.”

  “I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say ‘complacent.’ I’m used to it, yes, but there’s more. I love my job, so I don’t mind the hours it takes. I miss my family, but I do my best to keep up with them and spend extra time with them in the off-season.”

  “And dating?”

  “I still haven’t figured that out, but I don’t think I’m the only one.”

  He laughed a little. “That’s true. Dating is tough.”

  “I think we’re doing fine today though,” she said, smiling at him.

  “We are, but there’s just one thing missing,” he said.

  “What’s that?” she asked.

  In response, he leaned in and brushed his lips lightly against hers. Her breath caught for a moment and then his lips were there again, nudging against hers. She brought her hand up to his face and tilted her head, slanting her mouth under his, encouraging him to take the kiss deeper. He was very good – at taking cues and at kissing. Kate legitimately thought she was going to run out of air, and yet she didn’t want him to stop. When he finally released her, she took a deep breath as though trying to replenish what he’d stolen. For a few moments, she didn’t know what to say. It was the first awkward silence of the day.

  “Yes, that was definitely missing,” she said finally. “I’m glad you fixed that.”

  He grinned at her. “Me too.”

  After they finished their mini picnic, they sat for a bit longer, just enjoying the fresh air. As the sun started to dip, they packed up and got in the car again. Their next stop was Bryant Lake Bowl, where she teased him about ordering something called the “Bad Breath Burger” while she enjoyed a delicious grilled cheese made with white cheddar.

  After dinner, he popped a mint and winked at her as they claimed a lane for two games of bowling. They were both competitive, but Neal was undeniably better a
t this game. Kate beamed with pride when she actually broke 100 in the final game.

  “Victory is mine!” she cried out.

  “What? I won,” Neal said.

  “Yes, but I got my highest score ever, so that’s a win for me.”

  “Fair enough. Want to grab one more drink before we call it a night?”

  “Ready to be rid of me already?”

  “Not at all, but I know you traveled all night, and I still have a few more days with you. You’ll need the rest.”

  Kate nodded, and followed him to the bar. He didn’t seem to mind when she checked the TV for the Pioneers score. She also checked her phone for the first time all day and was glad to see only a few messages, none of which were urgent. At the end of the evening, she was treated to another one of his breathtaking kisses as they said goodnight at the hotel elevators.

  Neal showed Kate a lot of the Twin Cities over the next few days. They walked around downtown Minneapolis, shared Montego Bay Jerked Chicken and sangria at Chino Latino, tasted wines at St. Croix Vineyards, and checked out the view from the endless bridge at the Guthrie Theatre. There was a nice balance of relaxation and exploration. She enjoyed seeing new parts of the city, but not nearly as much as she enjoyed simply getting to know Neal. She grew very familiar with the fit of his hand in hers and the feel of his kiss. He didn’t pressure her for more, and Kate was equal parts impressed and disappointed. The way he kissed made her curious about his skills between the sheets, and it had been a while since she’d had sex with anyone. On the other hand, she had never been one to initiate sex, and she wasn’t about to start with Neal. She liked where they were, so she decided not to rush it. The sex would happen. Eventually.

  She only thought about the Pioneers a few times each day during her trip, and she found it was easier to leave her phone in her purse than she previously thought. She felt more relaxed than she had in a long time. She was delighted as they made plans for him to come visit her in Portland in a few weeks. She was eager to entertain him on her home turf.

  Kate had been hesitant about him in the beginning, but as she rehashed the weekend with Jill the phone at the close of her trip, she realized she really liked Neal. He was exactly what she needed in her life – the perfect distraction from work and everything that came with it.

  Reid was a little surprised when he didn’t see Kate in the stands on Friday. Her usual seat was empty, and at first he thought maybe she was just running late or dealing with business, but as he kept checking throughout the game, she never showed up. He was puzzled when he still didn’t see her on Saturday. He even looked for her in the clubhouse, but there was no sign of her anywhere on the grounds. By Sunday, when her seat was still empty, he was concerned. The Kate he knew rarely missed a game, let alone an entire series – especially now, in the midpoint of the season with the Pioneers still very much in the thick of a division race. He finally expressed his concern to Don Carroll, although he tried to make it sound casual.

  “I noticed Kate hasn’t been around this weekend,” he said to the manager as the Pioneers took the field in the fifth inning.

  “I noticed that too,” the manager said.

  “Is this typical for her?” Reid asked.

  “Not really,” Don said after a brief pause. “I don’t think she’s missed a series in my entire time working for her.”

  “Weird. Have you heard anything about why she’s gone? Is she sick? Did something happen?”

  “I don’t have any idea. The boss’ whereabouts are none of my business.”

  “You aren't concerned?”

  Don shrugged. “Not really.”

  “What if something bad has happened?”

  “I’m sure she’s fine. In fact, I know she is. I got an e-mail from her about some prospects yesterday.”

  “So she’s still working, but that doesn’t explain why she’s gone. What if there’s been some kind of emergency?”

  “Then she'll handle it. In case you haven't noticed, Kate can take care of herself and a lot of other people.”

  Reid knew Don had a point. Kate was very self-sufficient, almost to a fault. Whatever was going on, he knew she could handle it, but Reid couldn’t stop wondering. He tried to imagine what could possibly make Kate miss three games in a row. His mind immediately went to her family and his worry escalated. Family was the only thing Kate cared about more than baseball. Someone had to be sick, or maybe someone had died. His heart began to ache for her and whatever situation had pulled her away from the team and her job. Especially if it involved her family. He cared about her parents and siblings as if they were his own.

  He thought about calling her or sending a text, but he wasn’t sure that was a good idea. Their interactions had been civil lately and he didn’t want to ruin that. And with his luck, he’d say the wrong thing. He decided it was best if he didn’t contact her. But he still looked for her every day when he went to the ballpark.

  Even though it was the All-Star Break, Reid still reported to the stadium each day. Only three of the Pioneers had been selected to play in the midsummer classic. While some of the other players took advantage of the break to spend time with family, there were several who wanted extra cage time and workouts. Reid had no problem with this. He admired their work ethic, and he was sure some were motivated by their place in the standings. The sports media seemed to have crowned the Angels as division champs already, but the Pioneers were not out of the running yet. They sat eight games out of first place and five games out of second place, and there was plenty of time to make up ground, especially with more than a dozen head-to-head games left with their division foes. As far as the Pioneers were concerned, the American League West was still very much a three-horse race. The team had gone into the break on a hot streak, and he was certain the players hoped regular workouts would keep it going once the season resumed.

  Between sessions with the players, Reid found time for his own workouts. A half-season of coaching was under his belt, but he hadn’t lost his interest in playing. If anything, it was even stronger. His sense of longing grew with each pitch, each hit, and each inning he watched from behind a fence. Being in the dugout was fine for now, but he fully intended to be back on the field in the next season. He enjoyed coaching, but he knew he wouldn't be content until he was between the chalk lines again.

  Some of his former teammates had been texting him in recent weeks, asking how he was doing. A few even lamented that he was not with them. The Mets were currently leading the National League East and showed no signs of giving up their lead either. Every time he saw the standings, it made him feel worse about his decline. It seemed as though the team had improved without him. Logically, he knew one player didn’t always make a difference, but it was hard not to let his mind go there. The mere idea that he had been holding the team back was a blow, but he decided to use it as motivation. He was a good player, and he would be a better ballplayer when he got back on the field. He was determined to make sure the next team he landed with would be glad they gave him a chance.

  On the last day of the break, he was on his way in for an early workout when he spotted Kate’s car in the garage. Finally, he thought. Instead of heading for the weight room, he turned in the other direction and took the elevator up to the corporate offices. Kate’s assistant’s desk was vacant, so Reid stepped right up to the door of her office. He could hear music playing softly inside and as he pressed his ear closer, he could hear her singing along. He waited until the song was over, knowing she wouldn’t want to know anyone had heard her. Besides, he liked those few moments of just listening to her. She sounded upbeat and happy. It reassured him that whatever had pulled her away from work hadn’t been too terrible. But now it made him even more curious. When the last refrains of the song faded away, he waited a few moments into the new song before knocking.

  “Come in,” Kate beckoned.

  He opened the door and stepped inside. She seemed surprised to see him, and he couldn't tell if it was a bad surp
rise or a good one.

  “Good morning. You’re here early,” Reid said.

  “I could say the same for you.”

  “Our players have kept me busy. You’ve got some hard workers on the squad.”

  Kate’s approval showed in her smile. “I knew that, but it’s always good to hear.”

  “I’ve barely been able to get my own workouts in.”

  “Oh?”

  “But I’m not going to complain. I like the work.”

  “Good. So, did you just come up here to reassure me about my players’ work ethic?”

  “No,” he said. “I noticed you missed the last series. That doesn’t seem like you, so I wanted to make sure everything was okay.”

  “Oh, yes, everything’s fine.”

  “So there was no emergency that took you away?”

  “Nope.”

  “So why were you gone?”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  Reid blinked. “Sorry, I was just curious. And worried. I thought something had happened in your family. I almost called you even.”

  “No, it had nothing to do with my family. They're fine.”

  “So where did you go? Was it something for work? Were you checking out a prospect or a new player for trade? You usually send scouts out for that, right?”

  “Yes, I do. And, no, it wasn't for work.”

  “You still haven't told me where you went.”

  “Because I don’t owe you an explanation.”

  “So you’re not going to tell me where you went, and I'm just supposed to accept that?”

  “Yes, you are. Do you question all of your bosses like this?”

  “Only the ones who do something completely out of character – like abandon work and take off for several days without telling anyone where she's going.”

  Kate sighed and rolled her eyes. “I went to Minneapolis for the weekend. Alright?”