Page 20 of Love's Home Run

“Jason is great, but I wish I could encourage him to slow down. Getting him away from the restaurant for our honeymoon will be hard. That’s why I chose Tahiti. He won’t be able to hop on a plane and return to Boston whenever he thinks of something. That, and the sexy little nothings I’ve bought, will, I hope, keep him busy.”

Melissa laughed with her. Jason adored Nettie. She couldn’t imagine him not enjoying their honeymoon trip. “You know I’ll come to work at the restaurant while you’re gone if you need me.”

“Thanks, hon, but by the time we leave, his brother will have graduated from Cornell and should be able to handle the restaurant, while my sister will handle the kitchen. It turns out she’s as talented a cook as the rest of the family.”

“And the rest of your families?” asked Melissa.

“Still living in the Boston suburbs and loving it,” said Nettie.

‘You’re lucky to have so much family around you. I guess that’s why I’m so happy to have long-time friends return to Lilac Lake. They’re like family, in a way.”

“That makes you lucky, too. Right?”

Melissa looked at Nettie’s bright expression and agreed.

They were still chatting when Jason walked through the door. “Hi, Melissa. Nice to see you.”

Melissa stood, wobbling a bit after sharing the bottle of wine with Nettie. “You look great. I’m excited about the wedding plans. It’s going to be lovely.”

Jason kissed her hello on the cheek and went over to Nettie. “Anything more I should know about?” he teased before he kissed her.

“Nothing new,” said Nettie, smiling.

“Let’s keep it that way,” he said, tweaking her nose affectionately. “Now, let me get a beer, and I’ll unwind with you two.”

Observing the easy way they conversed and the sweet way they interacted, Melissa wondered if that’s how she and Dirk would be once they got to know one another.

CHAPTER EIGHT

The next morning, Melissa rose quietly, dressed, and left the condo, allowing Nettie and Jason a chance to sleep in. Working night shifts at the restaurant was exhausting, and she knew they appreciated every opportunity they had to sleep in.

She tried Ross’s phone, and when he didn’t answer, she decided to go ahead and go to the hospital to see what was happening.

She checked in at the information desk, asked for Ross’s room number, and discovered he’d been moved to a surgical floor. She took the elevator and went to his room to find it empty. Concerned, she checked at the nurse’s station and was told he was in the recovery room and would be sent to his room within an hour or so.

She thanked them and told them she’d be in the cafeteria.

“Are you a friend of his?” a pretty nurse asked, appraising her.

She forced a smile, though she was suddenly struck by how it must look—a famous baseball star with someone like her. “Yes,” she answered. “He’s a neighbor.”

“Lucky girl,” said another nurse. “He’s a hottie.”

As she turned to leave, Melissa couldn’t think of what to say.

###

Sitting in the cafeteria, Melissa looked up Ross’s biography online. She studied photos of Ross, his father, and his brothers, all handsome men. After he was awake and able to talk, she’d suggest again that he call his family. Even though he’d told her they were busy, she thought they’d want to know.

She ate a healthy breakfast, uncertain when she’d get the chance to eat again, and hung out in the cafeteria until she thought Ross would be back in his room.

###

When she entered the floor where Ross’s room was, one of the nurses waved her over. “Is your name Melissa?”

Melissa nodded.

The nurse gave her a friendly smile. “Ross is asking for you. I said you were here and would be up to see him soon. He seemed relieved when I told him. He’s awake and lucid. Better go in and see him.”

---