Page 15 of Love's Home Run

They made room on the dugout bench for Ross to stretch out his leg, and Emmett placed an ice pack on both sides of the knee and offered him a pain pill.

“Do you want me to sit with you?” Melissa asked, wringing her hands.

“No, you’re good at this. We need our team to win,” said Ross.

“I’ll stay with him,” said Crystal.

Melissa did as Ross asked and went back onto the field. She had to help the team win for Ross.

When she wasn’t worried about catching a ball, she thought about how Ross gazed up at her. No man had ever looked at her quite that way. If it were anyone else, she might have thought it was lust. But she knew it couldn’t be that. Ross had had many opportunities to change their relationship but had never tried.

She glanced at Dirk at third base. It was sweet howhe’d run over to see if she was okay. Taylor had called him shy, and his concern made her happy.

CHAPTER SIX

Ross steadfastly refused to go to the E.R. so he could cheer his team to victory. After the game was over, Emmett convinced Ross to have his knee checked out. Mike and the other professional players offered to take him to the hospital, but Melissa insisted on doing it herself.

“I’m the one who caused the accident,” she told them. “I won’t rest until Ross gets proper medical treatment.”

Ross held up his hand. “No E.R. visit. I’ve called my sports medicine doctor, and he’s referred me to a surgeon at Mass General in Boston, who will see me right away. Thanks for your offers, guys, but it’s important for you to stay here and do your part to promote the center.”

“Okay, then I’m driving you to Boston,” Melissa told him. “The surgeon will see you this evening?”

“Yes. If they must operate, it’ll be done as soon as possible. Remember, I’ve been through this routine before.”

“Okay. Why don’t I pack an overnight bag and help you pack one for yourself?” said Melissa.

“Do you really want to do this?” Ross asked.

“Yes. This will make me feel a whole lot better about being the cause of this injury.”

Ross placed a hand on her shoulder. “It was an accident.”

“I know, but I still feel bad,” said Melissa. “Besides, my SUV is large enough to give you plenty of space to stretch out either in the front or on the back seat.”

“I’ll ride with you to Ross’s house to make sure he has everything he needs and to see that he’s as comfortable as possible in your car on the ride to the hospital,” said Emmett, standing by.

“Thanks. I appreciate that,” said Melissa. “You can give me instructions on handling his injury.”

Dirk approached. “I’m sorry this happened, Ross. I guess this means you won’t be going to the special event this evening, Melissa. I’ll miss you. Are you going to be all right traveling home by yourself?”

“Yes, thanks. I can stay in Boston for as long as it takes. I’ve got culinary friends who live there who’ll give me a place to stay if it becomes necessary.”

Melissa left the crowd and went to her SUV.

She drove her vehicle as close as possible to Ross in the dugout, then got out and studied the logistics of getting him inside. Emmett helped her rearrange the seating in her car so Ross could either stretch out across the back seat or sit in the reclining front passenger seat.

Mark and Tyrus helped get Ross into the car. Melissa watched his face closely and knew from the pained expression that he was hurting. Guilt stabbed her.

Ross opted to stretch his leg out across the back seat. Emmett got into the passenger seat, and Melissa took off for home.

“I’ll park at Ross’s house and run across to my house to pack,” she said as they headed for The Meadows.

As she drove, Emmett talked to Ross. “There comes a time when it’s easiest to take care of the situation once and for all. This knee has been a problem for some time. No doubt your doctor is right, and arthritis has set in, and what was mended may now need replacement. Without specific knowledge of your situation, I agree that what your doctor told you makes sense.”

Ross let out a long sigh of resignation. “I’ve had one knee replacement done, and I guess the time has come for the other. I should never have gone for that motorcycle ride years ago.”

“It’s not my favorite form of transportation for anyone. I’ve seen too many accidents with them,” said Emmett. “Okay, give me a list of what to get for you, and I’ll go into your house and pack up what I can.”

---