Page 8 of Love's Home Run

He caught her looking at him and returned her smile, sending a frisson of happiness through her.

Ross noticed, and a look of satisfaction crossed his face.

Their conversation moved to a fundraising baseball game Ross and Mike were setting up to gain support for a tennis and baseball training center in town.

“The town selectmen are all for the center, especially if we pay most of the construction cost. But we’ll still need community financial support to pull it off.”

“You mean for a tax break, things like that?” asked Dirk.

“Yes. For the game, I think I can get two of my old teammates to head the opposition team, which will consist of them and our high school baseball team. Town officials, noted community members, Mike, and I will play them for fun,” said Ross.

“Tickets to the game will be sold for the cause, though children under ten will get in free,” added Mike.

“With the blessing of the selectmen, Mike and I have already bought the land,” added Ross. “Later, we’ll hold a gala at the Lilac Lake Inn. My PR person is working on that with them now.”

Impressed, Melissa clapped with the others. “What fun. And a worthy cause, too.”

“This will be a wonderful addition to the town,” said Brad. “Collister Construction plans to put in a bid to build it.”

“I love how the town supports local businesses,” said Dani, turning to Ross.

He held up his hand. “It won’t be up to me alone to decide.”

“Of course not,” said Brad. “It must be open and fair. But we intend to outbid everyone else.”

Melissa listened to the conversation and was happy to be part of the group. Growing up in Lilac Lake had felt confining to a child who didn’t quite fit in. Today, as an adult with different experiences behind her, she was a real part of the group—something she treasured.

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On the ride back to The Meadows together, Melissa stared out the car window while Ross drove. Her thoughts were spinning. Dirk had been pleasant to everyone and had been part of the group discussing the future of the tennis and baseball project, but he still seemed reserved toward her. How was she going to get the chance to know him better?

“Why the silence?” Ross asked.

“I can’t figure out how to get Dirk’s attention,” said Melissa.

“I gave you the perfect opportunity,” said Ross. “Ask him to dinner. He lives alone; he’ll be happy to have someone cook for him.”

“JoEllen is willing to make him brownies. I can do better than that. I’ll ask him tomorrow.” She faced him. “You are a dear friend, Ross. It means a lot to me.”

“It’s a satisfying situation for both of us. As neighbors, we can be there for one another.” He pulled up to the front of her house. “Thanks again for dinner. It was delicious.”

“I thought so, too. Nothing is stopping us from doing it again.”

Ross leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “See you tomorrow.”

“I’ll be working in the afternoon, but maybe I’ll catch up with you in the morning. I usually jog around the neighborhood before I have my coffee. It’s amazing what wildlife you see at that time of day.”

“I usually stay up late, but I may try getting up early in the morning and going to bed earlier too.”

Melissa got out of the car and headed for her front door. She unlocked it and turned to wave at Ross, who’d politely waited for her to get inside.

She entered her house, paused in the hallway, and leaned against the door. Dirk had looked so handsome at Jake’s—adorable, really. She’d do as Ross suggested and invite him to dinner.

CHAPTER FOUR

Melissa awoke to gray skies, stretched, and lay back against her pillows. She’d slept restlessly, thinking of the best way to approach Dirk to ask him to dinner.

A sudden idea hit her. She sat up and quickly got ready for her day, dressed, and headed to the Lilac Lake Café. She’d heard Crystal tease Dirk about how prompt he was to get his morning coffee before going to work. She’d mentioned 7:30 A.M. Jake’s might be the gathering spot at night, but Crystal’s café was where many of the townspeople got their start for the day.

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