Page 229 of Banter & Blushes

“It was a very long time ago.”

“What position?”

“DH, uh, designated hitter.” He explained. “Gar and I played together, actually. I try to stop in when I can to catch a game but honestly I haven’t been coming much recently. “

“Why’s that?”

“Just busy with work.”

“And you aren’t busy now?”

Rubbing the back of his neck with his hand, he realized that wasn’t the best choice talking to the woman in charge of his current project. “Well…”

“I’m just teasing you,” she tapped his knee with her hand, letting it sit there for a minute.

“That’s a relief. I wouldn’t want you to fire me.”

“I wouldn’t want that, either.” She looked at her hand still resting on his knee.

“Thanks for agreeing to come with me today,” his hand came to rest on top of hers on his knee.

Feeling her cheeks blush, she didn’t know how she wanted to answer. Luckily, before she had to, another friendly face appeared to shake Mitch’s hand.

“Mitch!” A tall man with the same ball cap walked down the steps toward them. “I thought that was you,” he continued as Mitch and Elva turned toward him.

Mitch stood up to greet him, offering his hand that was just on Elva’s to shake. “Hey, man!”

“How’s it going? I haven’t seen you for a while.”

“Great, actually. I’ve been working on a big project in the Landings. North Shores.” Turning toward his seat, he motioned for Elva. “I’d love to introduce you to Duke Spring. Duke, this is Elva. She owns the very famous Gandolf’s restaurant on the coast of the Landings. She hasn’t been to a game before, if you can believe that?”

The man in his early forties gave her a million-dollar smile. His strong cheekbones lifted, his eyes lighting up his entire face. “Hello,” she smiled, shaking his hand, “it’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Spring.”

“Duke, please. Mr. Spring is my father. It’s lovely to meet you.”

“Duke and his sisters own a large farm on the edge of Red Bird. He’s on the town council now. Mayor next?” He explained to his guest.

“I don’t know that I’m the right Spring for politics. Donna, maybe? To tell you the truth, I’d rather be on the farm.” Duke chuckled.

“I hear you there, man.” He agreed.

Music started playing on the speaker system to hype everyone up for the game as more and more spectators began finding seats.

“If you’ll excuse me, I see someone I need to go say hello to.” Turning his attention to Elva, he smiled, “it’s a pleasure meeting you. I hope to see you again.”

“You too, thank you.” Taking her seat again and looking across the ball field before turning to Mitch. “Everyone is so nice here.”

His eyes stared straight into hers, “Reminds you of home, doesn’t it?”

Instead of answering, her smile grew larger.It really did.

CHAPTER 13

After the game they drove down the Main Street in Red Bird. The red brick sidewalks lined the street, dotted with tall maple and oak trees. Store fronts ran together one after another before opening up to homes on each side of the street. “The houses are so pretty here. Old.”

“This one is gorgeous,” she complimented as they pulled up in front of a large Victorian with a wide wooden plank front porch. “Wait, is this the B&B? “

“It is,” he got out and ran around to open her door again just like at the ballpark.

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