Page 25 of Love's Home Run

“How’s Ross?” Mary Lou asked. “Joe and I were in the stands when it happened, and I swear I heard a bone crack. It was terrible.”

As she thought of that moment, a shiver traveled through Melissa. She thought she’d heard that sound too. “Ross is recovering from knee replacement surgery. He’s hoping to be home in a day or two.”

“It was such a shame that his motorcycle accident some years ago ended his baseball career. Now this.” Mary Lou sighed. “He’s such a personable man too. I’m happy he’s staying in Lilac Lake, and he and Mike are building a sports center.”

“Me, too,” said Melissa. “Mike is with Ross now and will bring him home. I’ll be taking care of trips to the rehab center, and Crystal is taking care of his meals for a while.”

“You young women have it all worked out. Let me give you some early Honeycrisp apples to take to him.”

“That would be lovely. I was going to buy some for him, but I know he’ll love your gift. However, I need to stock up on produce for him, and I thought I’d pick up some of your frozen dinners for him and me.”

“Splendid. Let me pick some out for you.”

By the time Melissa was ready to leave, she had plenty of everything the farm stand had to offer.

“You come back now,” said Mary Lou, hugging her. “More apples will be arriving along with fresh apple cider.”

“Thanks. I’ll let my parents know about the apples, and they’ll place an order for the restaurant, along with the usual.”

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She was finishing putting away food in Ross’s kitchen when her cell rang.Dirk.

“Hello, Dirk,” she said, chiding herself for her sudden shyness.

“Hi, Melissa. I’m calling to see how you are. I know the accident on the baseball field has upset you. Are you still in Boston?”

“No, I came home this afternoon. Mike is staying with Ross and will bring him home in the next day or two. He’s had his left knee replaced.”

“I thought that might be the case after I heard about his motorcycle accident years ago. I guess he’s been suffering with both knees since then. I hope he heals quickly.”

“Me, too. What’s going on with you?” Melissa asked and then waited breathlessly to find out why he’d called.

“I’m busy as usual,” he said. “In addition to the usual maintenance and upkeep with patients’ teeth, I’m now setting up an orthodontics clinic as part of the practice my uncle and I are sharing. I studied orthodontics, and I’m anxious to get started. So many kids here need braces.”

“It’s wonderful that you’ll have that practice right in town. You’ll be super busy.”

“Not too busy to ask you out. I know it’s last minute, but are you up for dinner tonight? I hear that Chica’s has fabulous Mexican food.”

Melissa heard the hopefulness in his voice and felt a shiver of excitement travel up her spine. “Their food is delicious. What time are you talking about?”

“I was thinking seven-thirty. Does that work for you?”

“Yes. This is a day off for me, so I can do it. It will be fun.”

“Okay. I’ll pick you up then.”

Melissa ended the call and danced around Ross’s kitchen. Having Dirk call her was perfect. She’d been waiting for a sign from him, and this was as positive as it could get.

CHAPTER TEN

After putting groceries away at Ross’s house and her own, Melissa took a glass of iced tea out to her deck and sat in the sun, letting its warmth weave through her, melting away some of the day's tension. Just this morning, she’d awakened in Nettie’s condo worried about Ross. Her emotions had been as confusing as her fatigue. She took a sip of tea, stretched her long legs out in front of her chair, and lifted her face to the sky.

The sound of birds chirping and calling to one another in the woods lining the backyard was as comfortable as a quilt in winter. She felt her limbs relax.

Sometime later, Melissa blinked in the sunlight and shook herself awake. She checked her watch. She still had plenty of time to get ready for Dirk and needed every minute because she intended to look her best. This was their first real date.

Following a soak in the tub, Melissa stood in front of her mirror, giving herself a steady look. Her grey eyes, sometimes stormy, now reflected excitement, adding a hint of green to them. Her rich brown hair held natural highlights of red, and hanging straight to her shoulders, it gleamed in the light from the mirror.

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