Page 48 of Rescued Heart

Scout hit the second pitch and made it to first base, but then when Jacob hit, the visitors pulled a double play. Now they had two outs.

Scarlette smacked a floater over the first basemen’s head, and it bounced. The girl may be short, but she sprinted as if on fire. The right fielder hadn’t arrived at the ball yet.

Bianca hesitated. Should she play it safe?

The right fielder scooped up the ball with his mitt instead of with his palm, and the ball fell back onto the ground.

Bianca pointed toward second and circled her other arm like a windmill. “Go, Scarlette, go!”

Scarlette hit her foot on the inside corner of first base and curved for second right when the fielder picked up the ball.

Bianca cupped her hands over her mouth. “Get down!”

The outfielder threw the ball. Bianca’s hands went to her cheeks. What had she done? She should have played it safe and kept her on first base.

Scarlette took two more steps and then slid. Sort of. The ball sank, and Scarlette ducked under the second basemen’s mitt. Dust sailed through the air.

The umpire stood staring at the play. Finally, he swung his arms out in front of him. “Safe!”

Scarlette sent her a wink.

Bianca laughed. Yeah, she missed this game. But more than that, she missed being a part of a team. A family.

She’d given up so much to reach her dream of being an actress. She needed to figure out who she really was. Not the person whose life was dictated by climbing the fame ladder.

God might have brought her to Last Chance County for more than a film.

Scarlette’s double started the team off on a rally, and soon they scored five more runs. But their team spirit came to a halt when Will spun around toward Eddie as he and Bianca walked into the dugout.

Will flung out his hands. “You should have told us about the money. It’s not fair.”

Bianca stopped. Eddie had told the team about their deal? “Umm…”

It wasn’t fair because she was making their coach pretend? Or because he wanted the donated money she’d promised now?

Eddie stepped around Bianca. “Scarlette.” He said her name low and slow.

Scarlette’s baseball bill swung faster than her head. “Wasn’t me. I didn’t tell. Honest.”

Bianca shook her head. “Wasn’t me either.” Though she and Eddie should probably talk more about who knew exactly what about their business arrangement.

“Mr. Pointe told me.” Will gestured to a man wearing a suit at the opposite end of the fenced dugout, who smirked and slipped out of view.

Oh, this had nothing to do with Bianca. At least, not directly.

“Coach, you said you would tell us if we did or didn’t get the grant for the youth center. You lied.”

Bianca placed her hand over her beating heart, which seemed to thunder in the silent dugout.

With his jaw clenched, Eddie inhaled. “I didn’t lie. Yes, I got an email saying the grant money wasn’t happening, but the mayor is going to take another look at our proposal.”

Tank threw his helmet. “If he said no once, he’ll just say it again. Who cares about the stupid game now? Their catcher was right. We’re rejects. That’s why their team has new uniforms and we’re stuck with these old?—”

“No.” Every one of them gaped at Eddie. “Your worth is not in anything we have or don’t have. Not in any abilities, either. I’m sorry I didn’t update you on the grant. But you know how much I want the youth center for you. One way or another, things will work out.”

Scarlette peeked out from behind her brother. “Because you have hope for more money besides the grant, right, Coach?” The girl said Eddie’s name, but her eyes locked on Bianca.

Bianca fidgeted with the extra hair tie around her wrist.

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