by Donna Raider
Leah strolled to the diner and claimed the booth in the back corner—their booth.
“No use of carnal knowledge.” The priest’s words kept running through her mind. She is such an innocent, she thought. On the other hand, maybe her convictions are stronger than anyone’s I’ve ever encountered. She knew that others would have slept with her the second night after they met, but Mika had rules. Not her rules, but her God’s rules. She was determined not to break them.
Leah saw the stream of people leave the church, walking to the diner. She knew it would be crowded, as the townspeople always congregated at the diner after any significant happening in their small town, and tonight had certainly been significant.
She watched as people poured through the diner door, ordering food and drink. They were laughing and talking about the priest’s announcement and her spellbinding Mass. They stopped at her table and congratulated her, smiling; they were happy for her.
She couldn’t remember a time in her life when others had cared about her happiness. She knew she was well-liked now, even looked up to as the residents depended on her to lead them and take care of their town. She knew that her association with Mika had a lot to do with the high regard with which the townsfolk now held her.
She watched Mika as she stepped through the door, searching for her. An easy smile lit her face as Mika saw her, and her heart skipped a beat. She made her way to Leah, shaking outstretched hands and clapping people on the back as they congratulated her on the engagement and a great sermon.
“Have I told you lately that I love you?” She leaned down to kiss her intoxicating lips. “Mmm,” she murmured as she kissed her again.
Emily and Richie burst through the door like storm troopers. “Way to go, Mika.” Richie high-fived the priest. “You sure told them how it is with Mom and you.” The smiling boy slid into the seat next to Mika and whispered conspiratorially to the priest, “Maybe later, when no one is around, you can tell me what carnival knowledge is.”
Mika and Leah burst into laughter as Mika hugged the boy and Leah reached across to ruffle his hair.
Don’t laugh, Priest, Leah thought. When I finally do get hold of you, it will be a carnival, and you will have one wild ride. I promise.
CHAPTER 9 - Spring Fever
Mika looked at her calendar. She had known Leah Anthal exactly one year. She had planned a surprise date for them. She was taking her to see Mamma Mia! in Boston at the Colonial Theatre. She knew how Leah loved ABBA and knew she would like the musical. Mika decided to forego her usual severe black for dark-blue slacks with a lighter blue blouse, slate-gray jacket with three-quarter-length sleeves, and of course, her white collar.
She rented a car from Amber’s dealership, so they didn’t have to use Leah’s car. She didn’t know that they were going to Boston. Mika simply told her to dress for a nice evening out. Of course, that wasn’t necessary. Leah always looked as if she had just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Mika licked her lips as she thought of Leah and suddenly felt an urgent need to kiss her incredible lips.
She knew it was hokey, but she had even gotten her a small corsage, two red rose buds. When she opened the door and saw the corsage box in her hand, a brilliant smile told Mika how pleased she was.
“Flowers,” she said, laughing gleefully. “No one has ever brought me flowers before. Pin it on me, darling.”
She wore a simple, low-cut black dress that showed off her wonderfully curvaceous body. The hem dropped down to mid-calf, with a slit up to mid-thigh. Mika couldn’t stop staring.
“Today.” Leah said with a smile. “Perhaps you could pin it on me today.”
“You are breathtakingly beautiful,” Mika said hoarsely, trying to get some moisture back into her suddenly dry throat. Pulling out of her stupor, she carefully pinned the corsage onto her left shoulder.
“You are a heart stopper yourself.” Leah handed Mika her coat. “I don’t need this now, but it will probably get cooler after the sun goes down.”
Leah was pleased that she had her own car, even though it was a rental. It was new and smelled wonderful. She loved the smell of new leather and Mika.
“So, may I know where you are taking me?”
“Boston,” she replied, “to a musical.”
She clapped her hands like an excited child. “Which musical?” she demanded.
“That is the surprise.” Mika smiled, kissing her one more time before moving the car forward.
The hour-long drive seemed to be over in a few minutes as they discussed the things that were happening in their town. Amber’s auto dealership had been a tremendous success. Nearly everyone in town drove a Lexus or a Camry. Mika and the miners had almost completed the new baseball field, and they had already joined a little league made up of seven surrounding towns.
Now a twelve-year-old Richie was an excellent pitcher thanks to Mika’s ongoing coaching. Everyone was anxious to see how Richie’s pitching arm would compare to the other teams’ pitchers. Mika was sure they were going to be astounded.
As they pulled up to the theater, Leah said breathlessly, “Oh, Mika, Mamma Mia! I can’t believe you got us tickets to Mamma Mia!”
To say the priest was pleased with herself was an understatement. So far, she had made all the right moves to please the woman she loved and let her know how important she was to her.
Leah clung to Mika’s arm as she guided them to their seats. She noticed many appreciative glances—from both men and women—thrown Leah’s way as they moved through the crowd.
Leah sat with her hand on Mika’s thigh throughout the entire performance, moving it only to applaud. When she moved it, a coldness filled the place where her hand had been. Mika was always happy when she returned her hand to its original resting place on her leg.
##
The musical was outstanding. All the way home Leah sang the songs made famous by the Swedish group ABBA. She kept one hand lightly on Mika’s thigh as she talked about the various songs and performers.
“I am surprised half our town wasn’t there,” she gushed. “ABBA is almost a religion among our townsfolk.”
“I know,” laughed Mika. “That is why I thought you would enjoy it.”
“I loved it.” She dropped her voice to that low, throaty growl that always set Mika on fire. “Do you know what the perfect end to a perfect evening would be?”
Mika tried to swallow but found that she was once again without moisture in her mouth.
Leah put her lips so close to Mika’s ear that she could feel her soft, warm breath. “A nightcap at the diner.”
She was stunned then broke into laughter. “I love you so much.” She grinned. “The diner it is.”
It was almost midnight when the priest and the mayor opened the door to the diner, laughing and singing, I do, I do, I do, I do, from ABBA.
Mika was holding Leah’s hand and looking down at her longingly, a look she freely returned. Mika made herself a mental promise to set aside every Friday as date night. She wanted to share everything with Leah.
“Well, if it isn’t the two prom queens,” snorted Emily, who was sitting at the counter with Amber and Ruth.
Mika immediately realized this might not be the perfect ending to a wonderful night, but they were too far into the diner to turn around and walk out.
“Ladies.” The priest nodded to the three women and did her best to smile. Leah simply smiled and sat down on their booth.
“Just two glasses of your best wine,” she told Ruth when she came to their table.
“You two look amazing.” The waitress beamed. “I love your corsage, Leah. Where did you go tonight?”
Leah cringed at the lack of privacy they had in this town, but answered civilly, “Mika took me to see the musical Mamma Mia! in Boston.”
“Oh my gosh,” Ruth huffed, “I so want to see that.” She whirled to Emily. “Why don’t you ever take me anywhere exciting, or bring me flowers?”
Emily didn’t answer, only downed the last of
her drink and thought, as she headed for the door, If only I had been strong enough to do a few of the things Mika does, it would be me sitting across the table from Leah, instead of some priest. She never asked much of me.
##
The seven towns formed two ball leagues: one for youngsters and a mixed team. The mixed team was made up of adults and children of both genders. The idea was to get families involved in an activity together. There were equal numbers of adults and children per team.
Mika and Richie begged Leah to be on their team, but she didn’t know much about baseball and wasn’t about to make a fool of herself. She did commit to attending some of their games.
The ten players on Richie’s team were Mika, Emily, Amber, Samson, Grace, Delilah, Mary, Ruth, and Nick. All the adults were excellent players. Richie was the pitcher. Amber was the catcher. Grace, Delilah, and Mary played first, second, and third bases respectively. Mika and Samson played and co-coached the team.
Mika and Richie were excited. Today was their first family game. “You gotta come, Mom,” Richie pleaded.
“I can’t promise, sweetheart.” But I will do my best. I have a council meeting tonight. It is supposed to be short, but you know how that goes.”
“Come on, slugger,” Mika grunted as she lifted all the equipment into the back of a new Toyota SUV (courtesy of Amber). “We have to get there early and make sure everything is set up.” She slipped an arm around Leah’s waist and pulled her close. “You know I can’t be in your presence without kissing your beautiful lips.” Mika smiled as she bent her head and kissed Leah gently. Just to drive her crazy, Leah moved her lower lip slowly against Mika’s as she settled in for a deeper kiss. “Oh, Madam Mayor,” she moaned.
“We are going to be late if you continue to mug my Mother.” Richie had a way of pulling one back to reality.
“Nice kid you’re raising.” Mika grinned. “Sometimes I think he’s mother’s little guard dog.”
“Only when the big dogs get too close.” Leah laughed. “If I can’t make it to the game, can we still have dinner?”
“Absolutely.” Mika gave her a big smile to let her know how happy she was with her suggestion.
##
The game was even more fun than Mika had anticipated. Most of the town was on hand to support their team. Mika wasn’t sure how it happened, but somewhere along the way, the team’s mascot had become the wolf, so everyone was wearing black shirts with a beautiful white timber wolf silk screened on the front, and The Wolves written across the back.
Richie had blown everyone away with his pitching, holding the other team to one hit. Emily was dancing around, chanting, “That’s my son. That’s my son.”
The opposing team had an adult pitching, which Mika felt wasn’t quite right. The adults were supposed to let the youngsters be the stars. Children filled all the key positions on the priest’s team, to provide them with the feeling of success.
Amber seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself while Ruth howled every time Richie struck out a batter. It was the top of the ninth, and bases were loaded. Samson was on first. Mika was on second, and Amber was on third. They were all waiting for Richie to bring them home. The opposing team had one run, and Richie’s team had none. Richie was up to bat. He knew his team had to get at least one run during their turn at bat, or they would lose the game.
The pitcher threw a perfect curve ball. Richie didn’t swing at it, but the umpire called it a strike. The second ball was right over the home plate, and Richie connected with it hard, driving it high over the left center field. “Run, son,” Mika screamed at the boy as the players on bases began to head for home plate.
Amber crossed home plate, high-fiving Emily, who was waiting on the other side of the plate to congratulate her teammates as they brought in the runs.
Mika slapped Emily’s hand as she crossed home plate. She didn’t slow down at all but continued to run to the end of the dugout, where the most beautiful woman in the world stood beaming at her. “Hi,” Mika said breathlessly, bending to kiss Leah roughly, still high from the athletic endeavor.
“Mmm,” she moaned. “You know I like a little roughness.”
Mika blushed as they both turned to watch Richie heading for home. The outfielder threw the ball to the pitcher, and the man relayed the ball to the catcher, just as Richie slid across home plate.
“Safe,” the umpire yelled.
The crowd went wild. Thanks to Richie, the score was now four to one. Going into the bottom of the ninth, Richie knew he had to keep the other team from scoring three runs.
Unfortunately, the young pitcher’s arm was giving out.
“What a fool I am,” moaned Mika as she watched Richie walk the first batter.
“What?” demanded Leah, knowing she wasn’t going to like the answer.
“I was so busy working with Richie that I didn’t train a relief pitcher to give him some rest.” The priest exhaled sharply. “I’ve set him up to fail.”
Leah didn’t know who to feel sorry for the most: the priest who looked as if she could cry, or her son, who was obviously exhausted. Richie’s small shoulders slumped, and he looked as if he had the weight of the world on his young back. Briefly, she considered using magic to help Richie, but knew he wouldn’t like it if he found out.
Mika called a timeout and went to talk to his pitcher. The bases were loaded with no outs.
“Richie, it’s okay if we don’t win this game.” The priest knelt on one knee as she spoke with the boy. “This is our first game. No one expects us to win.”
“She does.” Richie cast his eyes in Leah’s direction and smiled his biggest smile to let her know he had everything under control. “I can’t disappoint her. It is her first ballgame. She is here for me.”
Mika stood up and placed her hands on the boy’s shoulders. “Pray with me,” she said softly.
As the priest began to pray, not to win, but that God’s will be done, Richie felt a surge of power run through him. It was as if someone had plugged him into an electric circuit.
As Leah watched, her exhausted son’s shoulders pulled back, and he seemed to stand inches taller. He looked regal. He looked powerful.
“We’ve got this, Priest,” he whispered. “God and I have this.”
Mika walked back to Leah. Taking her hand, she said, “Richie is so much your son.”
Leah beamed. She didn’t care whether the team won or lost. She was incredibly proud of how majestic her son looked on the pitching mound.
The crowd was silent as the boy hurled three straight pitches over the plate to strike out the batter. He then threw an inside curve, causing the next batter to pop up a fly he was sure Amber would catch, and she did. The final batter hit a line drive to center field, where Samson easily caught it, ending the game.
Black shirts and white wolves poured onto the field as screaming fans scooped up Richie, Amber, and Samson and paraded them around on their shoulders.
In all the excitement, no one noticed that Leah had magically started hot dogs on the ballpark grill. Four coolers of cold drinks and water sat under the picnic tables. Hotdog buns, chips, and condiments for over a hundred people appeared on the tables along with several huge chocolate cakes.
“I brought dinner for everyone. Enough for the other team, too,” Leah said, smiling at Mika.
Mika couldn’t get Leah out of her mind as she walked to the announcer’s stand. Leah was the epitome of graciousness. Who brings enough for the opposing team? she thought.
The priest announced that the mayor had graciously provided a picnic dinner for everyone. “Oh, and by the way, the mayor is also my fiancée,” she added proudly.
Leah watched Mika stride casually toward her. No one has ever been proud that I belonged to them, she thought.
Mika caught Leah’s hands and kissed the back of each before kissing her soft lips.
Samson and Mika grilled hot dogs as fast as they could while Leah, Delilah, Amber, and Emily placed them on buns and plat
es so their guests could cover the dogs with their condiments of choice. Ruth gave directions to soft drinks or water.
Samson had slowly grown to like the priest. She was dedicated and had certainly made a big change in their community over the past year. He had found Mika to be a tireless worker and a woman of vision. The priest would have been a queen in the Holy Land or dead. Samson thought of the Wicked Queen. He wondered if the priest would have been woman enough to tame Athaliah’s wicked ways. She certainly seemed to have Mayor Leah Anthal under control.
“You know, I have a birthday coming up.” Samson grinned. “I hope you and Leah will come to my party.”
Mika raised a questioning eyebrow toward Leah, and she said, “We would love to. Can we do anything to help?”
##
Mika was sitting on the end of one of the picnic tables, and Richie was sitting on the bench below her, trying to explain how the power had surged through him when Leah joined them. “Mom,” he almost whispered, “this was like nothing I have ever experienced. It was like magic.”
Mika laughed. “What do you know about magic, young man?”
A quick look flashed between mother and son. “Well, what I imagine magic might feel like.” Richie smiled sheepishly.
“I can assure you that no magic was involved,” Leah said firmly.
The boy nodded as if he understood a secret between them, and then added, “It was strange, Mom. If it wasn’t magic, then it must have been God.”
Leah frowned. She had asked Mika to try not to influence Richie’s religious beliefs, and to her knowledge, she hadn’t. As Samson came over to talk with Mika, Leah led Richie away from the others.
“Tell me exactly what happened,” she queried her son.
“I was tired, Mom,” Richie explained. “My arms were so heavy I could barely lift them. I felt as if I might faint. Then Mika told me not to worry, that no one expected us to win our first game. I told her I wanted to win for you. She put her hands on my shoulders, and she prayed—not that we would win, but that God’s will be done. I felt a surge of power go through me. It was incredible. I can’t describe it.”
