Page 11 of Love's Home Run

“Tomorrow?” Dani said, giving Melissa a questioning look.

“Okay, tomorrow,” Melissa said. “That’ll give me time to rest to prepare dinner for Dirk.”

“So, it worked?” Ross asked her.

“He’s coming, just like you said he would,” said Melissa.

Ross clapped his hands for attention. “Okay, then, I’ll see the two of you at the high school athletic field at seven tomorrow morning. Thanks. We’ll make a useful time of it.” He waved goodbye and left.

Dani looked at her and grinned. “What have we got ourselves into?”

Melissa chuckled. “I’m not sure, but we’re about to find out.”

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When the alarm went off the next morning, Melissa groaned and turned it off. She was a morning person, but the thought of putting herself on display at the baseball field made her want to reconsider her offer. But Dani hadn’t hesitated. If Dani could do it, so could she.

She got out of bed and dressed for the practice session. Dani was right about one thing. It would be the coolest time of day. Still, she dressed in shorts and a halter top, grabbed a baseball hat, a towel, and a water bottle, and then took off.

###

When Melissa reached the high school athletic field, Ross was already there, talking to a group of people, including Dirk. Surprised to see him, Melissa nervously adjusted her top, which exposed her belly. Then, chiding herself for feeling nervous, she went to join them.

“ ’Morning,” said Ross cheerfully. “We’ve got a full team of nine. I’ve brought extra baseball gloves, and Dani has some from the members of their building crew who aren’t playing.”

Melissa accepted the leather baseball mitt he handed her.

“Now, let’s get started,” said Ross. “For now, we’ll just throw the ball back and forth. Later, Mike and I will bat a few balls to you to see what positions work best for you.”

Melissa glanced over at Dani, who wastalking to Misty. It looked like the three of them would be the only females on one of the teams. Dani and Misty both looked hot in their outfits. Melissa tugged on her baseball cap, wishing she could disappear.

“Pick a teammate and spread apart so we can watch you play catch,” said Mike. “Dani, you and Melissa play together. I’ll take Misty.”

The guys easily chose someone to toss the ball to, and they all practiced. Mike and Ross helped with a few hints about picking up a ground ball, cupping the ball in the glove, and other usual maneuvers.

Melissa remembered some coaching hints from when she played softball in high school and discovered she was enjoying herself as she caught some balls from Dani. Both Dani and Misty seemed comfortable with what they were doing.

“Okay, now head to the outfield so Ross and I can bat some balls to you. They may be fly balls or grounders, so be prepared.”

She heard the sound of a bat and looked up as a fly ball flew toward her. Automatically, she reached up and caught it.

“Great job,” called Ross.

“You’re good,” said Dirk, standing next to her.

She laughed, pleased she’d performed well.

At the end of the practice session, Mike told them they were looking good but needed to come back tomorrow for more practice. “We have only a few days to get ready. Tyrus Jackson and Bo Bonner have put together a superb team with our high school players. We have to represent the town well against them.”

Melissa caught up with Dirk as he was leaving the field. “I’m happy you’re coming to dinner tonight.”

He smiled at her. “Yeah, me too. I’m looking forward to it.”

“The baseball game should be fun,” said Melissa. “And it’s for an excellent cause.”

“I didn’t know you were such an athlete,” said Dirk.

“My parents always pushed me to play sports to make new friends,” said Melissa, hiding that her shyness had sometimes made it difficult for her to socialize with her peers. She’d also had to face bullying from another girl in high school, which made things worse.

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