Page 55 of The Moment They Can't Forget

“You’ll mind that language now, Sawyer. There are women and children about.”

“Sorry, Bart.”

It always amazed JD how the elders in this town could bring even the biggest tattooed man into line.

“That’s all right, son. I know how much you hate them Kellers.”

“What’s the deal with that? No one’s ever told me,” JD said to anyone listening. Everyone looked at their sneakers.

“Aw, come on. Someone has to clue me in on why I should hate the Kellers.”

“Does anyone need sunscreen?” Birdie arrived decked out in Lavender Leaders gear.

“Honey, now is not the time for that,” Sawyer said gently.

“It’s always time for proper skin protection.”

They all dutifully allowed her to pump a dollop of white lotion into their palms after a hard look from Sawyer.

“You go on now and sit with Cill, Nina, and the others. But keep your shirt on, and don’t drink anything from a flask Nina hands you,” Sawyer said.

“You are so whipped,” Zoe said before anyone else could.

“It makes her happy,” her big brother said with a shrug. “So it makes me happy.”

“Oh my god,” Zoe sniffed. “That’s so sweet.” She then ran at Sawyer and hugged him hard.

JD had to look away because he wanted her to do that to him. Could feel her body pressed to his as his arms closed around her.

“Did you just growl, JD?”

“Just getting my mean on,” he said to Cill’s husband, Jed, who was just here to make up the numbers from what he’d been told because he couldn’t play worth a damn.

“Okay, cool. I’m hoping you’re useless, and then I won’t look so bad.”

That had them all laughing.

“So this stuff between you and Keller?” JD asked Sawyer. “What’s the deal?”

“He’s an asshole, end of story. Now focus, JD. You won’t be asked back if you don’t perform.”

“Imagine how upset that makes me,” he drawled.

“So where do you play?” Zoe asked, which meant he could look at her. The woman looked good in everything she wore… or didn’t.

“Third base or pitcher was where I used to play.”

She lobbed the ball at him. “Throw a few to Jett, and we’ll see if you can reach him in a straight line.” He heard the doubt in her voice.

“And if I can’t?”

“We’ll find somewhere else to put you.”

JD gave her a hard stare before walking away to pitch some balls.

“Well now, Hopper, they must be desperate if they’ve enlisted the rich city boy to fill in.”

“Go home and play with your hose, Keller,” JD said, drawing hoots of laughter from his teammates. Beau Keller was a fireman.

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