Cover image: Decorative Outdoor Party Lights and Lanterns in Garden © timnewman; Loving Couple © GoodLifeStudio, courtesy istockphoto.com
Cover design copyright © 2017 by Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published by Covenant Communications, Inc.
American Fork, Utah
Copyright © 2017 by Traci Hunter Abramson
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any format or in any medium without the written permission of the publisher, Covenant Communications, Inc., P.O. Box 416, American Fork, UT 84003. The views expressed within this work are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect
the position of Covenant Communications, Inc., or any other entity.
This is a work of fiction. The characters, names, incidents, places, and dialogue are either products of the author’s imagination, and are not to be construed as real, or are used fictitiously.
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ISBN 978-1-52440-258-7
For Jon
Thanks for sharing my love of baseball
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Paige Edwards, Ellie Whitney, and Jen Leigh for your continued support and advice in the early stages of each manuscript, and thanks to Paige and Mandy Abramson for your help during those initial edits. My continued thanks to my fabulous editor, Samantha Millburn. I so appreciate your guidance as I take each new story idea from concept to finished product.
My sincere appreciation to everyone in the Covenant family for allowing me to continue this career that I love. A special thanks Kathy Gordon and Robby Nichols for all your support and to Jessica Parker and Peyton Cram for your comments that helped this novel reach its potential.
Words cannot express my appreciation for the time and effort Tiffany Hunter and Tom Whalen expended in gathering the medical insight for this book as Dianne Hunter gave us a first-hand look at MRSA the hard way. Thank you to the doctors and nurses who helped bring about a modern-day miracle.
Finally, thank you to my family for your love and support.
Chapter 1
Austin Mueller deserved to die a slow, painful, agonizing death. Kari had entertained a hundred variations of that thought over the past week after discovering her boyfriend of the past six months had neglected to tell her he was already engaged.
His fiancée had certainly managed to surprise him when she’d arrived home from a year studying abroad to find Kari and him hanging out at his apartment, watching a movie. At least Kari had the satisfaction of knowing that in less than three minutes, Austin had gone from having two girlfriends to none. Apparently the fiancée didn’t appreciate cheating any more than Kari did.
Austin had tried to talk to Kari several times since that unfortunate day, but she wasn’t about to grant him the privilege. She briefly considered letting him explain himself, but that had been before the internship she had been promised mysteriously got canceled. Knowing Austin’s father sat on the selection board for that particular position, she hadn’t needed to look far to place the blame squarely on Austin’s shoulders.
At least the breakup had come at the end of the semester, and she would have the whole summer to decide what she wanted to do next. After all, without the internship to occupy her time, she didn’t have a reason to stay in Nashville.
Though she wasn’t normally one to run away from a challenge, Kari found herself wondering if she even wanted to continue her studies at Vanderbilt. Since her closest friend, Maya, had left school last fall, nothing had been the same. Admittedly, Austin had helped fill her time socially, but academically she wasn’t sure this school was still the best fit.
After helping Maya through her early treatments for cancer, Kari had discovered an aptitude in something she had never before considered: medicine. Unfortunately, Austin had expressed his desire to become a doctor, and Kari wasn’t particularly fond of the idea of spending the next two years as his classmate. Even worse was knowing his father was the department chair of the biological sciences department.
The idea of transferring to another college where she could start fresh held an appeal, and she hoped living with her brother and Maya this summer would give her time to explore the possibilities. She thought of how her brother and best friend had come to be married and the way Ben had helped Maya battle and ultimately beat the cancer that had threatened her life.
At first, Kari had been hesitant to spend the summer living with the newlyweds, but knowing that Ben’s career as a professional baseball player would keep him on the road much of the time, she had reconsidered. Besides, she missed her friend.
She loaded the last of her luggage into her car and slammed the trunk shut. With one last look around, she slid behind the wheel. By tonight, she would be in Washington, DC, and by tomorrow night, she would be sitting in the stands with Maya, watching her brother play ball.
* * *
He was swearing off women. Done. Finished.
Ryan thought of the woman he had almost married, of all the sacrifices they had both made when his baseball career had kept them apart. He had been so sure Brandi was the person he would build his future with, but when they had started planning for that future, he’d finally realized they wanted completely different things in life. Brandi shared her entire life on social media. He preferred his private life to stay private.
She expected them to travel during his off-season and experience the world together. He wanted to spend his downtime between seasons in one place, where they could build a home and start a family. Discovering her stand on children, or, rather, her preference not to have any, had ultimately been the last straw.
Since their breakup last winter, he had dated more than a dozen women, and not once had he found anyone he wanted to take out a second time. Maybe he wasn’t ready, or maybe he simply wasn’t attracting the right type of woman. Lately, everyone he dated seemed more interested in being part of a public couple than genuinely wanting to know the man he was when he didn’t have a bat in his hand.
Regardless, after spending the past two weeks dodging phone calls from the last four women he had dated, he was in desperate need of a break from the opposite sex.
Ryan pulled into the players’ parking lot and climbed out of his car. He noticed one of his teammates parking a few spaces away, and his spirits lifted.
Ben Evans had been called up to the majors only a week before he had. They both stood several inches over six feet and had dark hair, and their physical similarities had caused a few people to confuse them in those early days. Now in their second season, the two had become friends, even though the media often used their stats to compare them in a way that made them seem like they were in some kind of competition.
“Hey, Ben.” Ryan altered his path and approached Ben as he climbed out of the car.
Ben nodded a greeting and circled the car to open the passenger door for his wife. Petite in stature, with black hair falling well past her shoulders, Maya took a moment to gain her balance, a reminder that months before she had nearly died from cancer.
“Hey, Maya,” Ryan greeted her.
“Ryan. It’s good to see you,” Maya said, her voice carrying the cadence of India. She put a hand on the car as though to steady herself and waited patiently while Ben opened the rear door to collect his duffel bag. “How are you doing?”
“Glad to be home for a while. I needed a good night’s sleep.”
“What do you mean?” Maya asked.
“Some of our teammates ordered some wake-up calls for us at our hotels. We were getting calls at three, four, and five in the morning,” Ben said.
“And everything in between,” Ryan added.
“No wonder you were so tired when you go
t home.”
“You know, I think it’s time we dish some payback,” Ben suggested.
“Any ideas?” Ryan asked.
“I’m sure we can come up with something.” Ben slipped an arm around his wife’s waist, and they all headed toward the clubhouse.
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help,” Maya offered. She glanced around the parking lot before adding, “Revenge is best served when your victims aren’t sure where it came from.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Ryan agreed.
Chapter 2
Kari shifted the backpack on her shoulder in an effort to redistribute its weight.
Ben had convinced her to come to practice early with him on her first full day in DC. After showing her to the dugout, he had promptly disappeared down the tunnel that led to the clubhouse.
She glanced over at the camera crews setting up for tonight’s game, a little surprised they were here so early. The game wouldn’t start for another six hours.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and she looked down at it to see a message from Ben. Meeting is starting.
Are you sure about this? She texted back.
Absolutely. Marty will let you onto the field.
Kari looked over at the broad-shouldered security guard standing a short distance away. She had met him both times she had come to Ben’s games last year, but her brother had made a point of introducing them again today. After assuring Marty that no one would end up on the disabled list as a result of their planned fun, he had agreed to help. Shifting her backpack once more, she climbed the dugout steps.
“Hey, Marty,” Kari said in greeting. “Is it okay if I go check out the field?”
“You’re sure no one will get hurt, right?” Marty asked.
“Positive.”
Marty’s bright eyes twinkled in the folds of his dark skin. “In that case, you got it.” He motioned her forward, but Kari took only one step before addressing him again.
“Could you shift a bit to your left while I’m on the field?”
She glanced at the television cameras.
“Absolutely.” His grin widened.
Kari moved forward, her own lips curving into a smile when she heard Marty greet the cameramen.
Hoping the distraction would work, she made a beeline for second base. Skirting by the pitcher’s mound, she reached back and unzipped a pocket. In a smooth motion, she reached inside and pulled out a can of shaving cream.
A quick glance over her shoulder revealed the camera crew deep in conversation with Marty. Without hesitation, she leaned down and sprayed the edge of second base. The thick foam painted the side of the base in the same bright white. Standing, Kari looked down at her work, satisfied that the added substance wasn’t noticeable without a close inspection.
Pleased, she continued toward third base. A quick glance at the camera crew, a brief inspection of third base, another thick spray of shaving cream, and her job was done.
Kari shoved the can back into her pack and returned to the dugout. Marty’s voice carried toward her as he debated with a member of the television crew about whether it was warm enough for them to see some home runs tonight.
Marty apparently sensed her approach. “What do you think, Kari? Is your brother going to hit a home run tonight?”
“Of course,” she responded automatically. “It’s the least he can do since I came so far to see him play.”
“Who’s your brother?” The tall, dark-haired man to Marty’s left asked.
“Ben Evans,” Kari answered.
“Kari Evans, this is Alex Donaldson. He’s one of the broadcasters for the local station,” Marty said.
Alex extended his hand. “Good to meet you, Kari.”
“You too.” They fell into simple small talk, Alex conducting his informal interview even though Kari was hardly newsworthy. No, she hadn’t flown in from her hometown of Cincinnati. Yes, she was staying with her brother for a few weeks. Yes, her sister-in-law was doing well.
Kari was touched that the reporter would ask about Maya, but she also felt awkward talking about her best friend with someone who made his living sharing others’ personal business.
Her cell phone buzzed, a message from Ben that the team meeting had ended.
She took a step back. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go find my seat before the team comes out for practice.”
Marty moved to her side. “I’ll show you the way.” He escorted her to the gate that would allow her to enter the stands. As soon as they were out of the reporter’s earshot, he asked, “Did everything go okay?”
“We’ll see soon enough.”
The words were barely out of her mouth when the first players walked onto the field.
“I suggest you get comfortable. It’ll be awhile before they start working on the bases.”
“Is everyone going to know Ben was behind this?”
“Ben or Ryan.”
“Ryan Strobel?” Kari asked. She had heard the name often enough from Ben. The two had apparently become partners in crime since coming up as rookies together last season.
“Yeah. Third base.”
“It always amuses me how everyone is identified by their position.” She thought for a moment. “I don’t remember meeting Ryan when I came to visit last summer.”
“You might have missed him when he was out with an injury for a couple weeks.”
Several players made their way to the edge of the field and began stretching. Stretching gave way to playing catch. Kari was starting to think the real practice would never start when finally the infield players walked onto the field.
Ben took his position at second base and glanced into the stands. Even from this distance, she could see him stifling a grin. She put her feet up on the seat in front of her and settled back to watch the show. This should be good.
* * *
Ben struggled to keep a straight face. He could see the thick white foam on the edge of the base. Kari had done a great job of layering it on, and he doubted his teammates would be able to spot it from a distance.
Lanski stepped on first base and then took a three-step lead as he prepared to steal second. The pitcher on the mound practiced his pick-off move twice before he threw home and Lanski sprinted toward second.
Ben took the throw from the catcher, but instead of sweeping his glove downward, he deliberately bobbled it and stepped back. He was glad he did. Lanski’s foot impacted the edge of the base and shaving cream flew into the air, globs spraying his cleats, pants, shirt, and arms.
Ben stifled a laugh.
“What the . . . ?” Lanski popped up to stand on the base, staring down at the white splotchy mess all over him. “Ben!”
“What?” Ben pasted on his best innocent look. “What did you do to yourself?”
Lanski wiped at the shaving cream, throwing the excess onto the ground. His eyes lifted, and he glared at Ben. “You’re going to pay for this, Evans.”
“Hey, I didn’t do anything. I was just standing here.”
“And this stuff . . .” He lifted his hand and took a sniff of the goo on his fingers. “This shaving cream got here by itself?”
“Maybe the grounds crew was having some fun with us.” Ben shrugged innocently. “After all, everyone knew we had a team meeting today.”
“What’s going on out there?” Jack Wheatley yelled from the sideline.
“Nothing,” Ben shouted back to their manager. “Nothing at all.”
Lanski shifted his attention back to Ben, a look of determination in his eyes. “I know you’re behind this. I don’t know how you did it—”
“Before you go making threats of getting even,” Ben interrupted him before he could finish, “don’t you think you should make sure you’re getting even with the right guy?” He stuck his hands in his pockets and pulled them inside out to demonstrate the lack of evidence against him. Maintaining his claim of innocence, he added, “I’m just a bystander here.”
For
the first time since receiving his shaving cream shower, doubt crept into Lanski’s eyes. He shifted his attention to third base, where Ryan was standing, his expression carefully neutral. “I know one of you is behind this.”
“Or maybe Gavin’s having fun again and making it look like it was one of us.”
“Stop the chattering out there,” Jack called from the sidelines. “Play ball!”
“You heard the man.” Ben shifted away from the base and into position, all the while biting the inside of his cheek to control the laughter struggling to break free.
When Lanski repeated the exercise going from second to third, Ben couldn’t contain it any longer. The shaving cream shower exploded once more, and this time, Ryan got the close-up view.
* * *
Kari couldn’t contain her laughter. The first player who had run through the drill still had splotches on his uniform. The second player apparently hadn’t been paying close attention to the action while he waited his turn and received a similar shower when he took his slide into second base.
The look on Shawn Nill’s face was priceless. Shock and confusion followed by a reluctant laugh. Kari was glad she had thought to pull out her phone and record the joke. She wondered who would try to get even with her brother first. That thought amused her over the next several hours.
Now, with the stands filling up, Kari scanned through her program and familiarized herself with this year’s team until she heard someone calling her name. She turned to see Maya heading her way. Kari stood and jogged up the half dozen steps to where Maya was holding on to the rail as she descended to their seats.
“Here, let me help.” Kari took Maya by the arm and supported her as they walked down the last few steps.
“You know, I really can walk by myself now.”
“Yeah, I know.” Kari didn’t release her arm until Maya was comfortably seated.
“And like your brother, you’re ignoring that fact.”
“Yep,” Kari said good-naturedly, delighting in the friendly banter she and Maya had shared since her senior year in high school. She really had missed her.
Chance for Home Page 1
