Page 30 of One-of-a-Kind Bride

And then the game began.

Joe Cooper took it upon himself to lay out the basic rules of the game, but when he started to speak about game strategies, she got a bit confused. There were two men on base already and two outs. “So you mean the pitcher is deliberately trying to walk this batter, so he can get the next boy out?”

“That’s right. The batter is a slugger. If they give him the chance to hit, he could score all the runs. So, Coop is loading up the bases, and then the last out can happen at any base.”

“I see,” she replied, though she really didn’t. Why take the risk? What if the other batter hit a good ball?

The batter was walked, and the next batter up at base took a swing and missed. That was what Mr. Cooper called it. “A swing and a miss.”

Cheers coming from the Tigers fans went up, feet stomping the aluminum risers vibrated through the entire bleachers and deafened the ears. Parents and siblings made up the gist of the boisterous fans on both sides of the field. And an announcer over a microphone called the game. Baseball in Last Stand was a big deal.

The pitched ball was hit, rolling at a swift clip toward first base. Cassie was there, blocking the ball with her knees and scooping it up from the ground. She rose quickly to throw the ball to the pitcher who’d run to first base to make the final out. It all happened so quickly, each one of the players doing their part. The inning was over. Cassie and the pitcher fist pumped and there were smiles all around as the Tigers headed to the dugout. Coop waited for them, giving each player a high five as they took their places on the bench.

The whole thing smacked of community and family and a sense of belonging that Taylor hadn’t felt before. Not like this. There was more to baseball than just the game. Was it like this everywhere? Or was it just small-town camaraderie? Whatever it was, she felt great to be included. She could cheer for Cassie and Coop and the Tigers, even though some of the game was still a mystery to her.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it,” Joe said to her.

“I think I will, Mr. Cooper. I learn pretty fast on my feet. Especially with you as my baseball mentor.”

“Taylor, call me Joe or Grandpa Joe. I answer to either these days. Okay?”

“Oh, okay. Sure,” she said, giving him a smile.

He was the most down-to-earth man she knew. That hadn’t changed. Joe Cooper set a high standard and was a good role model for his son.

And just as that thought crossed her mind, Coop, standing beside the dugout, turned his head and their eyes met. There was something different in his stare this time. He glanced at his dad sitting next to her and then looked into her eyes again. The connection sizzled down to her toes, a powerful force pulling her in. Her heart beat faster again, stirring up emotions that were just under the surface. Emotions she’d tamped down for years. Hidden. Buried. Locked away.

And then he smiled.

A killer.

One that stole her breath.

She smiled back, gave him a little wave.

He turned back to the game.

Cassie was up. That little girl held her own against a field of boys, standing at the plate, facing down her opponents. She was the epitome of girl power and pride, braids and all. Coop’s body language said it too. He held himself a bit taller, puffing out his chest as he watched Cassie stand her ground.

And then there was a sharp crack of her bat and Cassie was off, running to first base, running to second base, the crowd in the stands standing up and cheering. Joe was up on his feet, and she joined him, cheering for Cassie, who’d beat out the throw at third base. Everyone in the stands high-fived each other. Joe turned to her and they too did the five-finger hand slap.

“Cassie’s a natural,” Taylor said.

“She is. She loves the game. Her first triple of the season,” Joe announced.

Once Cassie caught her breath, she looked over at her dad and gave him a big, unabashed grin.

There was a moment of pure joy on Coop’s expression, something just between him and his daughter that was sweet and genuine. Taylor melted a little bit, witnessing their bond.

“They’re a pair,” Joe said.

Taylor had to agree. “I can see that. They’re lucky to have each other. And you,” she added. The trio of Coopers was a three-generation family. They worked. The love between them was almost tangible and a sight to behold.

Coop swiveled his head just in time to find her staring at him. Her nerves rattled a bit, her insides jumbling all up and she bounded out of her seat. “I, uh, I smell buttered popcorn. I’ll grab us a bag,” she said. “Can I get you anything else from the snack shack?”

“You’re going now? We’re about to score,” he said.

“I won’t be but a minute,” she said, glancing at the wooden hut serving as a snack bar where a popcorn machine was busy churning out puffed corn. “There’s no line right now. I’ll be back in a sec.”

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