“Pretty good. How’s yourself? Heard you were back in town.”
“You heard right. Moose, meet Lucinda Darling, my fiancée.”
Moose turned bright red. He wiped his huge paws on the fronts of his jeans, then offered one to Lucinda. “How d’ya do, ma’am?”
“I do just fine. And you?”
“Couldn’t be better. And, uh, I meant no offense, ma’am.”
“None taken.”
“How’s Suzie doing, Moose?”
“Prettier than a bedbug. That’s our Jayden out there on first. Suzie wants a Coke.”
The kids’ game had gotten serious, so after Moose left, the stream of requests for hot dogs and drinks slowed. Jake and Lucinda rested their elbows on the counter and watched the battle. Red Georgia dust settled over a runner when he dove for home plate.
The last little guy up, his tongue sticking out as he swung, struck out.
“I think we’re done here. Time to pack up for the night, Luce.”
“Good.” She chuckled. “I need a shower. I smell like one gigantic hot dog.”
“Speaking of….” Jake speared a dog off the grill and ate it sans roll. “Ahhh, good.” Danged if there was anything better than a hot dog on a summer night.
Then his gaze roamed over Lucy, and he amended that thought. Maybe there was something better than a hot dog. He watched as, her back turned slightly away from him, she dug a hand into her monstrosity of a purse and came out with two hundred-dollar bills.
Nonchalantly, she sidled over to the big old mayonnaise jar Birdie had plopped on the counter earlier. A copy of the kids’ team photo was taped to the outside of it, along with a plea for donations to help with new equipment. During the course of the evening, a few had dropped coins, a handful of ones and a couple of fives through the slot in the screw-on top.
Jake watched as Lucy dropped in the hundreds, furtively stirring the money to hide her addition.
“I saw that,” he said from directly behind her.
She started. “Darn you, Jake! You scared ten years off my life!”
He grinned. “Sure hope not.” He tipped his head toward the jar. “Thanks, Luce. That was nice of you, but you really didn’t need to.” His expression turned serious. “These kids are nothing to you.”
“I beg to differ. Sammy’s on the team.” She jammed a finger against his chest. “And nobody but you is to know. Got that?”
Her voice had taken on that I’m-in-control-of-the-boardroom quality. Instead of caving, though, he threw back his head and laughed. “You don’t think anybody might guess? You were here working and that much money just happens to show up?”
“Coincidence. Pure coincidence.” Her chin jutted into the air. “Besides, even if someone suspects, they can’t prove it.”
“You really don’t want anyone to know, do you?”
“No.” An easy smile played at the corner of her mouth. “It’s more fun this way. It’s only money, Jake. If I can help a little…” She shrugged.
“Yep. Only money.” The lady was a wonder.
Chapter Twenty-One
The game ended in victory.
Sammy’s team won five to three, which meant fifteen little bodies jumping and screaming with joy, reminding parents of promised ice-cream cones. Even louder were the screams of the parents of those fifteen. Lucinda couldn’t believe it! You’d have thought they’d won the last game of the World Series.
In the other dugout, though, tears ran down the faces of boys and girls alike. They’d not yet learned to hide their disappointment under a veneer of indifference. A couple of them were in the midst of full-blown temper tantrums. Whew! She’d sure hate to be riding home with them.
Come to think of it, she’d hate to be riding home with some of their parents even more. Red-faced anger had one father bearing down on his kid at an absolutely fear-inducing pace.
She moved toward the concession stand door and had just reached out to open it when Jake came up behind her, putting a hand at her waist.
“Whoa. What are you plannin’ to do, Luce? Save Timmy from Corky’s wrath? By doing what? Throwing your shoe at him?”
She turned to glare at him, and he laughed.
Kissing the top of her head, he said, “Gotta say, that mama-bear attitude looks real good on you. Brings out the tiger in those tiger eyes.” He ran a finger down her nose. “Dangerous!”
She swatted him. “You’re making fun of me.”
“Just a little.” His smile faded. “Between you and me, I was keepin’ an eye on that situation too. If Coach hadn’t intervened, I would have. Mark will get Corky calmed down. He deals with parents like him at every game.”