Page 14 of Love's Home Run

Melissa got to her feet. “Okay. Thanks for a great evening.” She realized she was sounding like the guest, not the hostess. “I mean, thanks for coming. I hope we can do this again.”

“Me, too,” said Dirk, heading for her front door.

She followed, feeling confused and let down. The evening had held such promise. Maybe he didn’t like her as much as she’d thought.

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Over the next couple of days, Melissa didn’t hear from Dirk. At first, she told herself he was too busy to call. But before long, she scolded herself for thinking he’d ever been interested in her.

She continued going to the baseball practices, hoping to see him there, but he’d mysteriously disappeared. Ross hadn’t asked her about the date, and Melissa was too embarrassed to talk to him about it.

When the time came for the fundraising baseball game, Melissa was jittery with pent-up emotions over having to see Dirk again. When she said hello to him, he smiled and responded as if they hadn’t ever kissed, making her wonder about him.

Determined not to let it ruin her day, she lined up with the others as Ross and Mike told each team member where they’d be playing in the outfield.

Melissa was glad to be placed in right field. Hopefully, not many balls would come her way. Ross was taking center field, and Mike was pitching. Melissa was relieved Dirk would cover third base away from her. He made her feel so unsettled, so insecure.

From her place on the field, Melissa gazed at the bleachers, noting how crowded they were. Hopefully, seeing all these people positively indicated support for the tennis and baseball center.

Ross’s baseball-playing friends, Tyrus Jackson and Bo Bonner, were easy-going guys in their late thirties and had been stars in their day. The high school baseball team members were thrilled to be guided by them and were excited to play with them. Her team of locals seemed more relaxed about the game. She didn’t know if that was good or bad; she just knew she would try her best, no matter what it took.

The first inning was full of laughter and no runs.

Between innings, Mike pulled their team together. “Okay, we need to step it up. They’ve got some heavy hitters coming up. Everyone, be alert.”

She trotted to the outfield and stood ready. When the batter hit the ball with a resounding smack of bat against ball, Melissa watched, as if in a dream, as the ball flew toward her. She lifted her glove and, keeping an eye on the ball, she ran to get it.

Wham!

Melissa ran into Ross with a thud that took her breath away. They fell in a heap, with Melissa sprawled on top. Shocked at how fast everything happened, she gazed down into Ross’s face, hoping he was alright.

He gazed up at her, his blue eyes sending a silent message of interest in her as more than a friend. Her pulse sprinted. Melissa felt the world around them slipping away as they stared at one another. She looked up to find Dirk running toward them.

“Hey! Is everyone okay? Melissa, are you hurt?” He helped her to her feet and then offered a hand to Ross.

“No, don’t help me.” Ross grimaced. “It’s my left knee. I twisted it. It’s bad.”

Mike stood by. “Can you make it back to the bench?”

Ross shook his head. “I need a few minutes, and then you’ll have to give me a hand. I don’t think I can make it there on my own.” He looked up at Melissa. “Did you catch it?”

Melissa held up her baseball glove and stared at the ball tucked inside. “Wow! I did! I caught the ball.”

“Fantastic!” said Brad Collister. He stepped forward from the players crowding around them, took the ball from her, and held it up for the other team to see. “Tyrus Jackson, you’re out!”

“Great job,” said Ross, gazing up at her with a look of satisfaction.

She studied him. He was wearing shorts, and she could see his knee was swelling already.

She knelt beside him. “I’m so sorry. Are you going to be all right?”

“I think I’d better watch the rest of the game from the sidelines,” he said, grimacing.

Tears sprang to her eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.” She moved out of the way so Mike and Brad could help him to his feet.

Ross made it to the bench using their support and hopping on his healthy leg.

Emmett, who’d been watching from the bleachers, examined the leg. “I think a specialist should look at it. In the meantime, let’s get some ice packs on it.”

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