But Donald? His betrayal? At best only a superficial nick.
“Are you guys going to behave yourselves if I leave you alone?” Birdie asked. “If I’d known you were coming, Zane, I wouldn’t have offered to work the booth tonight. But Big John’s home sick, and Shannon had to run over to Blairsville today. Her mom had eye surgery. That leaves me.”
Before she had time to really think about it, Lucinda heard herself speak. “Go sit in the stands. The two of you. It’ll mean so much to Sammy to have you watch his game together.”
Jake frowned at her.
She smiled up at him. “Jake and I will take your place at the concession stand. I mean, how hard can it be?”
“Yeah, right,” Jake grumbled.
“I knew you’d agree.”
“I didn’t. What I meant—” Then he caught the hopeful expression on his sister’s face, realized what this meant to her and caved. “No problem, sis. You two run along and have fun.”
She insisted on giving them a down-and-dirty crash course before leaving them.
When they were alone, Lucinda threw her hands in the air. “What have I done?”
Jake didn’t even have time to answer before their first customer showed up, dropping his money on the counter in exchange for a dog and a soda.
Soon, they had a line. They bumbled their way through the first few orders but eventually got a kind of flow going. They worked well together, she thought, tucking her hair back into its elastic band.
Jake introduced her to so many people, her head swam. She got swept up in the companionable laughter and conversation and vowed her children would never miss out on this. Had her dad played team sports when he was young, or had he been as sheltered as she? She’d have to ask him.
She handed a box of popcorn to the little girl riding on her daddy’s back and turned to the next customer.
Despite herself, she stepped back. Donald.
Before she could say a word, Jake nudged her to the side. “What can I getcha?”
“I’ll have a diet pop and my fiancée.” He sounded unbearably pompous.
Around the small stand, several heads snapped up at his request.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Lucinda said from beside Jake. “All out of the second, but here’s your Coke—and a dill pickle. Should be sour enough to suit you.”
His eyes flicked to her hand, to his ring. “See you’re still wearing—”
“Comfy clothes, yes,” she blurted. “It’s such a nice change after formal boardroom attire.” She eyed him. So overdressed for a kids’ ballgame in a creased shirt, dress pants and a tie. A tie, for heaven’s sake! “You really should try it, Donald. Loosen up a little. Let go.”
His brow rose, acknowledging her ruse. “You are so wrong if you think this is over.” His words were low, threatening.
“No, Donald. I was so wrong to ever let it get started. The over is the easiest and wisest part.” Then she simply turned her back and smiled at the next customer. “What can I do for you?”
She saw Jake do the same and was glad. Donald Kimball wasn’t worth a fuss.
During a lull in their sales, Lucinda leaned on the counter and propped her chin on her hand to watch the little guys go at it.
“Why aren’t there any pitchers?”
“The kids are too young. They hit the ball off the tee there, kind of like golf.”
“Did you play T-ball?”
“Do bears live in the woods?” He laughed when she frowned. “Yeah, Luce. I played every sport that came to town. It’s in my blood.”
“Hmmm, I kind of figured that.” She was quiet a minute. “That kid on first base is pretty good at catching anything that comes close to him.”
Jake moved beside her and mimicked her stance. “Him? That’s Goober Skagg’s kid. He might be good at snaggin’ a ball, but if he takes after his daddy, he couldn’t hit a bull in the ass with a bass fiddle.”
Lucinda snorted. “Where in the world did you learn an expression like that?”
“What?”
She shook her head. “Never mind.”
“Kudos to you by the way. Fast thinkin’ on the ring thing.”
She shrugged. “I knew he wouldn’t push it. Donald isn’t one for public scenes.”
An enormous bear of a man sauntered up to the counter. “Hey, good lookin’. You ain’t from ’round here, are ya?”
“No, sir, I’m not.” She straightened and gave him a smile. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, now, give me a minute, and I think I can come up with a few things I’m needin’.”
Jake sidled over and slapped the giant good-naturedly on the arm. “Hi, Moose. How’s it goin’?”