Caught Looking

by Lucy McConnell

  “That’s great. I did the same thing.”

  “And you have your own place now?”

  She thought of the small apartment. “I do.” She brushed some crumbs onto the floor. “It’s my first real home.”

  Serena smiled and leaned across the counter. Clover marveled at the brightness in her eyes. “Jane said your boyfriend was the one who made it possible for them to hire me.” Her knife made tapping noises against the cutting board as she worked. Tap. Tap-tap-tap. Tap.

  “Oh—we’re not … I mean, we broke up.” She opened the jam and dropped a dollop in the middle of each piece of bread.

  “I’m so sorry. Did he …?” Serena pointed to her face.

  “No. Nothing like that.”

  “Then what happened?”

  Clover let her body sag. She felt like she’d been emotionally propping herself up for days and was exhausted. “I kept seeing myself as someone different when I was with him.”

  “He was a bad influence?” Serena’s tone took on a protective mother quality.

  Clover let her eyes unfocus as she thought back to the times she’d spent with Dustin. “He made me feel fascinating,” she whispered.

  It took some time before she noticed the absence of tap-tap-taping. Clover slowly brought herself out of the pleasant reprieve.

  Serena’s eyebrows were low. “I don’t know what you’re playing at, but you’re obviously in love with him.”

  “Playing at?”

  “Why aren’t you with him?” Serena demanded.

  Clover’s defenses muscled forward. She’d never seen this side of Serena before. The woman was usually polite to a fault. “He was a child—who plays baseball for a living? There are thousands of children asking their friends to come ‘play’ and he figured out a way to make money at a game.” She drew in a ragged breath. “He dragged me away from my responsibilities. He wasn’t good for me.”

  Serena huffed, and Clover thought she heard a curse word in there. “So he wanted to spend time with you, enjoyable time, and you got angry at him for it?”

  “No.” She paused. “Sort of.”

  “Did he make you feel like what you did was unimportant?”

  “No.”

  “Did he belittle you for caring about The Pantry?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Of course not. Clover …” She pointed at her chest. “You were happier when you were with him. I saw it that day at the park. It was part of the reason I agreed to meet Chad.”

  The room spun. “So it was my fault.” She’d suspected as much, and now she knew.

  “I remembered feeling that happy when I’d first started dating Chad. I mistakenly thought there might be a sliver of the man I’d fallen in love with left.” Her eyes raged like the ocean in a winter storm. “I risked my life for a piece of that—you should be willing to take a risk for him. Take it from someone who had to learn when a man was bad for her.”

  “You’re owning your choices, Serena.” Clover was in awe. Not two weeks ago, this woman was lying broken in a hospital bed.

  “I have to. I want my son back.” Serena’s voice shook. “I can’t stand to tell myself lies any longer, and I can’t stand to hear you do it either. It’s making me shake.” She set the knife aside and took a deep breath. “Clover. You are in love, and you should fight for a good man—take it from me, they’re not easy to find.”

  Clover stared at the floor. “What if I messed up too badly?”

  “Then you’ll have to fix it in a big way.”

  Clover’s eyes fell on the cabbage, which reminded her of lettuce, which reminded her of the day Dustin came in and tried to teach her to catch with a head of lettuce. She glanced around the kitchen. “Do you need me here tonight?”

  Serena’s eyes widened. “You’re going now?”

  A thrill shot through Clover, telling her that this was the right course of action. She was supposed to go after Dustin—right now. “I’m going now.”

  Jane came through the door. “How are things going in here?”

  “Clover’s leaving, and I’m almost done with the eggplant.”

  “Leaving?” Jane asked, her white hair falling over her forehead. “Where are you going?”

  Clover shoved away from the counter. “I’m going to tell Dustin I love him.”

  “But he’s in the middle of a game.”

  Laughter bubbled up from Clover’s heart. The pitiful thing was doing its best to come back together. The thought of seeing Dustin was like a healing salve. “I have tickets.”

  She pressed her palm against the door, hesitating. The last time she’d run out on The Pantry for Dustin, things didn’t turn out so great. But as she watched Serena move about the kitchen, she wondered if this is what the Lord had in mind all along. Not that He wanted Serena to get beat up, but that He wanted her within Jane and Pastor Paul’s ministry. And maybe that meant it was time for Clover to move on and make room for someone else. Not that she had to give up her volunteer time, but it was time to gain some independence and put another phase of her life behind her.

  She burst into the red glow of sunset—not quite the time of new beginnings, but this wasn’t a new game. She wasn’t starting over with Dustin. This was a new inning, a new at bat. It was time to throw her pitch and see if Dustin would swing.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  It was the top of the seventh inning, and Dustin hunkered into a ready stance. His eyes drifted from the batter to the empty seats he knew were his. Even if she didn’t come to see him, he wanted her there because she loved the game.

  The ball was hit to the third baseman, and the runner called out at first. One more out and he’d be able to sit in the dugout, where he didn’t have a constant reminder that Clover didn’t want him staring her in the face.

  As the next batter walked to the plate, a flash of pink caught Dustin’s eye. He heard his name and glanced over to see Clover running down the steps. She wore a pair of black shorts and a pink, flowing shirt with lace. Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, and her sunglasses were perched on her head. Her legs were long and tan and graceful as they trotted down the steps.

  The sound of the ball connecting with the bat jerked his attention back to the game in time for him to put up his glove and catch a line drive at his head. He tossed the ball to Joe at first, who threw it to Devin at second, who threw it back to Brayden on the mound.

  “Dustin!” Clover yelled.

  He couldn’t help but look, and when he did, his breath caught. She had her arm cocked back like she was about to throw something to him—or at him. Though he doubted it was the latter, because she didn’t look angry. She looked happy, glowing, and beautifully happy.

  She pulled her arm forward, and a ball soared onto the field. It landed in front of Brayden. What happened next was a comedy of errors. The umpire called time. Brayden bent to pick up the ball and turned it over in his hands. Security arrived and took Clover by the arms to escort her up the stairs. It all happened so fast that Dustin was in shock.

  Brayden waved the infield into the mound. They all jogged in, and he lifted his mitt to his face to cover his mouth.

  Coach Wolfe stalked out. He stood in the circle, his arms folded. “What’s going on?”

  Brayden’s eyes laughed over the tip of his glove. “You aren’t going to believe this.” He held up the ball towards Dustin.

  Dustin squinted to read the flowery handwriting.

  Dustin, call me when your game is over. I love you. Clover

  Joe, the first baseman, shoved his shoulder. “You dog.” He grinned.

  The other guys hooted. Coach Wolfe glared. “Do you know this woman?”

  Dustin nodded. “I’m in love with her.”

  Coach huffed. “For the love …” But he didn’t try to break up the powwow.

  Dustin reached for the ball and said absently, “Security took her.”

  “I’m on it.” Ricky, the third baseman, bolted towards the batboy to give him a
message, which would then be given to someone who would pass it to someone else who would get it to the head of security.

  “What are you going to do about it?” Brayden slapped the ball in his hand.

  “Are we winning?” Dustin asked. He couldn’t believe he didn’t even know the score, and he didn’t dare make eye contact with Coach after asking such a stupid question.

  “Down by two.” Devin spit a wad of seeds at their feet.

  Dustin ran his thumb over the writing. He stared down at it, his whole chest expanding. Clover loved him! She’d almost come on the field to tell him. He needed to speak to her. “Guys, I need this game to be over.”

  Devin smacked him on the back. “Done.” He trotted to his place at second.

  Joe nodded. “Let’s do this.”

  Brayden cocked his arm. “I’ve got a few fastballs left in this thing.”

  Dustin turned to Coach. “No offense, Coach, but can you get a move on? I’ve got a game to win.”

  Coach’s lips twitched. He held out his hand. “I’ll take that.”

  Dustin pulled the ball closer to him.

  “Come on, you can’t have it out here, and I’ll keep it safe.”

  Dustin groaned and slapped the ball into his palm. “I’m coming for that ball, Coach.”

  Coach nodded before he turned on his heel and headed back to the dugout.

  Dustin jogged to his spot and got ready. “Come on, Brayden, let him pop one up.” The fastest out would be a caught fly ball on the first pitch.

  Brayden didn’t give Dustin the luxury of an easy catch. He did, however, throw three strikes in a row and gave them the inning. Dustin smacked mitts with him on the way in. “Let’s get some runs, boys,” Dustin hooted as he made his way down the steps. Word spread fast through the dugout, and the guys smacked him on the back or rubbed his head playfully.

  Juan picked up a bat and headed to the plate. “I’m hitting this one for Clover, Dustin. Just so you know it’s for your girl.”

  Dustin waved off his teasing and grinned. His girl. He liked the sound of that.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  “What has gotten into the Redrocks tonight?”

  “I don’t know, Carl. They blew through those last two innings looking like a completely different team.”

  Clover jumped out of her seat with excitement. The Redrocks won!

  She’d been hauled up the stairs like some sort of criminal. “But I didn’t know I couldn’t throw things on the field,” she’d protested when they explained the reason she had to leave. “The players throw balls in the stands all the time.”

  The older, but somehow hardened man didn’t reply. He simply put her in this waiting room and left. At least they had a television and she could watch the last of the game. The team was on fire. She’d never seen the Redrocks play with such precision.

  It was so beautiful it stole her breath away.

  And Dustin was at the top of his game. He had two hits, one of them a walk-off home run to win the game. The team jumped around home plate, and the fans went nuts. Loud footsteps thundered in the hall, and she brought her arms down and straightened her shirt. The door flew open, and Dustin bounded in. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her into the air.

  “You won!” she yelled, cupping his cheeks. “That was the best game I’ve ever seen.”

  He loosened his hold, and she slid down the front of him until her feet landed on solid ground. He pressed his warm forehead against hers. “Honestly, woman. You couldn’t be more perfect.” He kissed her once, quickly, and then again, deeply.

  Clover slid her hands around his neck with no intention of letting him loose anytime soon. Each moment they were together relieved the tension and dispelled the gloom that had clung to her since the night she told him goodbye.

  “Yaw!”

  Clover and Dustin broke apart to find the infield players hooting at them through the open door. She ducked her head into Dustin’s chest in embarrassment. Dustin rubbed her back. “Don’t you all have something better to do?”

  Coach Wolfe pushed and shoved his way through the crowded doorway. “Hit the showers!” he barked.

  Clover exchanged a worried look with Dustin. The security guard had explained what a bad idea it was to throw something on the field during a game—with painstaking detail.

  “I’m so, so, so, so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt the game.” She turned to face the coach, and Dustin’s arms wrapped around her from behind. She wished he wouldn’t—she didn’t want him to take any of the blame for this.

  The coach smiled. “Well.” He stared up at the ceiling. “Since we won, I’ll let it slide. But I need to know if this is all settled.” He waved his hand over the two of them. “I need Dustin without distractions. He’s a darn fine ballplayer when he puts his mind to it.”

  Clover reached up and back and laid her hand on Dustin’s smooth cheek. “I like it when he wins.”

  “I’ll win all day long for you,” Dustin said right next to her ear. His warm breath sent goose bumps over her skin.

  Coach laughed and held up both hands. “I’m good with that.” He threw his hands at them and shook his head as he left.

  Clover bit her lip and leaned back against Dustin’s solid chest. He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Are we settled? Is this what you want?”

  Clover turned in his embrace. “I want you.”

  He brushed her hair over her shoulder. “What about being from different places and all that?”

  She dropped her gaze to his chest, where the team name was spelled out. “I said that because I was scared of the changes I saw in myself, afraid that I’d never be good enough or feel good enough for you.”

  He opened his mouth to argue, and she pressed a finger to his lips. “I finally realized that you weren’t the one to make me feel that way, and I needed to own my insecurities. You’re a good man, Dustin Colt.” She gave him a saucy grin. “And a darn fine boyfriend when you put your mind to it.”

  Dustin laughed. “Oh, I’ve got some boyfriend things to put my mind to.” He kissed her cheek, and then her jaw, and then her neck.

  Clover leaned into him, relishing the feel of his lips on her skin and the tingle they created. They were definitely starting a new inning together—and she looked forward to every play.

  Thank you for reading Caught Looking: Dating Mr. Baseball Book 2.

  If you enjoyed this baseball romance, you’ll love the other books in the Dating Mr. Baseball series starting with:

  The Athletic Groom

  When Harper Richmond inherits the failing St. George Redrocks she needs a manager fast. However, Isaac Wolfe steps up to the plate and not only handles the team, but manages to steal her heart.

  Delay of Game

  Elise Smith lands her dream job as a physical therapist for the St. George Redrocks. But, when her heart falls for relief pitcher Blake Rygs, she’ll have to decide if her job is more important that love.

  Now Available

  Read on to discover more sweet romances from

  bestselling author Lucy McConnell.

  Billionaire Marriage Brokers

  The Academic Bride

  The Organized Bride

  The Professional Bride

  The Country Bride

  The Protective Groom

  The Resilient Bride

  The Athletic Groom

  The Snow Valley Series

  Welcome to Snow Valley, Montana, where romance is always in season.

  Blue Christmas

  Love in Light and Shadow

  Romancing Her Husband

  Wedding Fever

  One Date Deal

  The Destination Billionaire Romance Series

  Beautiful locations, handsome heroes, and romance.

  The Reclusive Billionaire

  Royal Distraction

  Marrying Miss Kringle

  Ginger

  Lux

  Invitation

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nd find out when Lucy McConnell releases a new book, click here.

  About the Author

  Lucy McConnell has always been a reader and a writer. She writes fantasy, clean romance, Christian romance, historical fiction, and cookbooks under the name Christina Dymock.

  When she’s not writing, you can find her volunteering at the elementary school or the church; shuttling kids to baseball, soccer, basketball, or rodeo, depending on the time of year; skiing with her family; wake boarding; cycling; or curled up with a good book.

  You can sign up for her newsletter by clicking here and can check out here website here: http://lucymcconnell.wordpress.com/