Page 31 of Stealing Kisses

She looked at him across the cab of the truck and couldn’t stop her lips from lifting into a knowing smile. He glanced over and smiled right back. An air of possibilities and promise zapped all around them.

“What’s the agenda for tomorrow?” Teddy asked. “I’m guessing it’ll be a long day with the festival beginning.”

“Very,” she corrected. “Booth set up begins at nine in the morning, so I need to load the trailer between six and seven o’clock. I’ll feed the animals and check water levels before then. The festival technically begins at three, but they don’t open the exhibit doors until after the baseball game. I hired a few high school kids I know from church to help me cover the booth throughout the weekend. Mostly, though, I like to be there to oversee things and answer questions shoppers have. You don’t have to—” Baylin stopped talking when she noticed the look on Teddy’s face.

In the dark, she’d missed his expression of wonderment, joy, and interest at the mention of his favorite sport.

“Yes?” she asked.

“Baseball game?”

“Oh, yeah. I guess I forgot to mention it. Schools and businesses close early for the unofficial festival kickoff: a six-inning sandlot baseball game at the park.”

“Who gets to play in it?”

“Anyone who wants to, I suppose.”

“Are you playing in it?”

“I usually cover a spot in the outfield for an inning or two, if they need me.”

“Who isthey?Who gets to pick the teams? Do they have equipment? And who umpires?”

“Easy now,” Baylin teased. “It’s just a fun little pickup game. No one cares about the teams and the score and stuff.”

“Yeah, right,” Teddy joked. “Who are the coaches? That’ll tell me all I need to know.”

“The chiefs,” she answered. “Miles Everett, the fire chief, coaches one team, and his best friend, Stanley Crockett, the police chief, coaches the other. You met his son tonight…Michael.”

“Will he be playing?”

“I’m sure he will if he’s not on shift,” Baylin said. “He’s a police officer, just like his three big brothers. In fact, their entire family is in law enforcement, even aunts and uncles. They’re a great family.”

“You know a lot about them.”

“Michael and I were born six days apart, right here in Green Hills. There’s no way I couldnotknow a lot about them,” she laughed.

“Do you play on his team or the fire team?”

“It changes from year to year, but Chief Everett got to me first, so I’m with the GHFD this time.”

They’d reached the farm and the garage; fatigue had set in. Baylin’s pajamas were calling her name.

“The dance was fun,” she told Teddy at her kitchen door. “I’m glad you were here.”

“Thanks,” Teddy said, unlocking the door and handing Baylin her keys. “It was.” He studied her face, a slight smile on his inviting lips. They’d be warm to the touch, gentle and very kissable. “And thank you for the dance,” he said, running his fingers down her cheek. His voice had dropped, grown husky.

Baylin held her breath, wondering if —hoping that— he’d lean down and kiss her.

He didn’t.

After one last long look, he retreated to the barn.

Opportunity missed or disaster averted? If only she knew.

Four a.m. came early.

By five, she’d showered, dressed for the day, and started a pot of coffee.

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