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“Dave. This isn’t my call, but if you’d like my advice, I’ll give it,” Frank weighed in.
At her father’s stiff nod, the man continued. “The season’s already begun, and the team can’t be relocated at this point anyway. This sale can be made in September if you still want it. In the meantime, give Heather a chance. I’ve watched this kid of yours for years. She’s levelheaded, hardworking and no quitter. She’ll motivate these guys. Besides, as the first Minor League team with a female manager, you’ll draw attention and may sell more tickets. Female baseball fans are a growing demographic. We need to get with the times.”
He winked at Heather, and she glowed at the praise and support. Frank had been a good father to her friend, and now he was her champion when she’d least expected it.
Her father rubbed the white bristles on his chin, his eyes half-closed. “This is a bad idea,” he grumbled after a long, tense moment.
“But you’ll try it,” Frank urged him.
“Won’t change anything,” her father sighed, giving her a pitying look beneath the unclipped hedge of his brows. “Just putting off the inevitable.”
Heather ducked behind her emotional shield before her father’s lack of faith wounded her further. She had four months to turn the team around and prove him wrong. And she had a few ideas of her own about how to put the Falcons back in the limelight besides wins and the novelty of her gender. One plan had taken hold when she’d fielded a request from a local group home for troubled foster kids who couldn’t live with families. They were eager for tickets and she was happy to give them, along with other opportunities if her father would let her.
Ideally, with a focus on positive change, her gender would become a nonissue—for her and all women who wanted a career in baseball.
The Gowette brothers knocked and confidently strode to their seats, their lawyer in tow.
“Shall we start over?” Their attorney seated himself, then flipped to the pages where signature lines lay empty.
Her father crossed his arms over his chest. “No need. Sale’s off.”
The brothers sputtered, one of them protesting, “We’ve been putting this deal together for months.”
“Then you won’t mind waiting a few more. The Falcons are going to finish their season before I revisit this sale option.”
“This offer won’t be around forever,” warned the older brother, pointing his finger.
“No.” Her father stood with a sigh. He looked down at Heather and put a heavy hand on her shoulder. “And neither will I. But we’ll take our chances.”
After the Gowettes and their lawyer left, Heather flew into her father’s arms. “Thank you, Dad.”
“Don’t thank me. I was trying to save some inheritance for you instead of burning through it with another bad season, but if you and Frank think this is a good idea...well...we’ll give it a few months. After that, no more arguments. The team goes.”
“There won’t be any more arguments,” Heather whispered in her father’s ear before releasing him.
He harrumphed and walked out of the room with Frank as Heather lingered.
She looked out at the empty parking lot, imagining it full again. Holly Springs deserved another chance. And after a childhood full of hearing what she couldn’t do, she deserved this opportunity, too. Finally, her father would learn he could count on her, trust that she was capable. Believe in her.
She had one shot and wouldn’t mess it up.
CHAPTER THREE (#ulink_751a8f22-f61e-5433-b1d7-32482c9daed1)
“ANYONE KNOW WHAT the meeting’s about?”
Garrett looked up at George Hopson, who’d turned around in his foldout chair, the cherry smell of chewing tobacco accompanying his question.
Garrett shrugged when he caught Dean’s subtle headshake. It was one thing to speculate in private. But this was a formal meeting. No sense in getting everyone riled up about rumors until they knew the truth. From what he’d heard, it’d been a couple of days since the franchise owners had met with Mr. Gowette and speculation was rife.
On his own end, however, he was worried. After his conversation with Dean, he’d called his agent and already had a couple of teams lined up who might be interested in giving him a tryout if the Falcons released him. He was a risk as a reclamation project who now had a 0-1 record. If he let any more time go by and his record worsened, he’d be out of options completely. He was fortunate the teams even entertained the idea of looking him over. If his current team appeared to be in more jeopardy than he’d previously believed, he needed to move fast.
“Don’t know.” He lifted his foot and placed it on his jittering knee. “Change in schedule?”
“Is it true they’re selling the team?” jabbered the new shortstop beside him. His hair was slicked back and wet from a recent shower, his polo shirt pressed as neatly as the crease in his pants. Garrett looked at his own wrinkled button-down shirt and jeans. He’d put in some effort at least—he’d usually be in a T-shirt and shorts. Since practice started in an hour, there wasn’t much reason to get dressed up.
“Guess we’ll see.” He rubbed his jaw, wondering when the meeting would begin. He was as anxious as the rest, but his years of learning to keep his temper in check as a foster kid, then hiding his feelings during games altogether, made camouflaging his emotions second nature.
“They’re probably announcing our next manager,” put in Waitman, their left fielder. He shook a packet of raisins into his mouth and chewed as he watched the clock above the double doors at the front of the large team meeting room.
Murmurs of agreement erupted from the rows of seats around them. It was the most logical explanation. And a critical choice. The wrong manager would influence the entire season and, by extension, Garrett’s prospects of a strong record that could propel him to the Majors. If the team gave up trying, it wouldn’t help his stat line. He needed the Falcons to hustle, to execute plays well and get batters out. If they didn’t, it would mean more runs and more hits and fewer innings pitched, all stats chronicled on his record.
A pitcher usually only got around a hundred throws per game. If the guys backing him up couldn’t get the outs they were supposed to, it meant facing more batters per inning, burning through the number of throws allowed before he was pulled from the game.
With luck, the news would be good and he’d see the owner’s beautiful daughter at tonight’s game. He hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind since they’d met. In fact, he’d looked her up online and discovered that she was one of the top collegiate softball players of all time. Impressive.
Looks and talent. She had it all.
Including a father who’d bench him if he so much as treated her to a stadium hot dog.
Not that he’d do anything that stupid. She’d be off-limits even if her father wasn’t the owner. He had to stay focused on his career, not women. Even ones as attractive as Heather.
She was pretty in that natural way he liked best. She wore no makeup, but freckles and a sunburned nose brightened her heart-shape face. Her large eyes, a color that reminded him of jade stones, were set beneath golden brows that matched the strands running through her long, wavy light brown hair.
Yes, she was gorgeous, and the wary expression in her eyes made him feel strangely protective. What he wanted to shield her from, however, he hadn’t a clue. Yet something about her reminded him, strangely, of himself. She seemed guarded, as if ready for whatever life was about to dish out next. Weird. As Dave Gadway’s daughter, she was rich and privileged. What had she ever suffered?
He stopped his runaway thoughts. Whatever had happened to put that expression in Heather’s eyes, it was none of his business. Had to stay that way. He’d watch her from afar, and if she crossed his path again, he’d take a different road.
He checked the time. Three o’clock. The meeting should have started by now.
As if on cue, the doors swung open and in walked Dave Gadway, looking pale and thinner, but still the big presence he’d always been. The hitting coach, Reed, followed him along with their pitching coach, Smythe, and their strength trainer. But the person who caught his eye was Heather.
She was almost unrecognizable in a fitted black pantsuit that hugged her long legs. With her hair back in a tight updo, her unusual eyes looked bigger than ever. Her mouth, a soft pink, was small and tilted upward at both corners. It made him want to kiss her, though that was impossible. What was it about always wanting what you couldn’t have?
“What’s the daughter doing here?” Dean leaned over and muttered in his ear. “It’s serious if they called in the family.”
Garrett’s stomach twisted. Dean had a point. It was unusual for family to attend team meetings beyond the owner. Unheard of...unless...they were planning on selling. If that was the announcement, he’d ask for a release from his contract so he could play for another team that would ensure him a better record. After his dismal performance at the last game, there was a decent chance the Falcons would consider letting him go.
Mr. Gadway stood in front and held up a hand until the athletes quieted.
“There’s been a lot of rumors. First of all, we are not going to sell the team this year,” he began without preamble, his gritty voice carrying to the back of the silent room. He rocked up on his toes, then back down to his heels.
Dean blew out a long breath, but Garrett knew better than to relax. Life had thrown him too many curveballs. His eyes wandered to Heather, who faced her father, hands twisting behind her back. If they weren’t selling the team, what was she nervous about?
“We’ve appointed a new interim manager for the remainder of the season,” Mr. Gadway continued, and Dean nudged Garrett’s side, his mouth lifting in a sideways smile. It was encouraging...only...shouldn’t the new manager be here? Unless he was. Had Reed been promoted after all? If so, that was bad news. The guy was too soft, didn’t give much direction. And Smythe? He looked on the brink of retiring.
Mr. Gadway coughed, and Heather strode to his side with a glass of water, looking every inch the caring daughter.
“I’ve picked an experienced manager,” Mr. Gadway continued after handing Heather back the empty glass. “Someone I have extreme confidence in to be able to turn things around—Heather Gadway, formerly of the Morro Bay University Red Tails. I’ll give her the floor.”
Garrett watched, stunned, as Heather stepped forward, her expression serious and determined despite the men who lowered their heads, shook them and muttered at this shocking announcement. Heather. The woman who’d been occupying his mind ever since he’d met her, the woman whose lips tempted him even now, was his new boss?
What. The. Heck.
She stood patiently until the murmuring died down. When she spoke, her voice was low enough to make them all lean in.
“First of all, let’s state the obvious. I’m the first female manager in the Minor Leagues. Most of you know that I’m Dave’s daughter. I’ve spent the better part of my life around this game, and with the Falcons. As a pitcher, I’ve won four College World Series titles and two USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year awards. Up until now, I was a coach for the Division One Morro Bay Red Tails.”
“Unbelievable,” the young shortstop muttered under his breath, echoing Garrett’s own miserable thoughts.
Heather bit her lower lip, and her eyes wandered over the group, stopping for a moment on Garrett. “I’ve watched this team for the past few days, and I’m seeing a lack of effort in places. That will not happen on my watch.”
Several chairs squeaked as the players moved restlessly around him, the atmosphere tense. If he wasn’t so pissed, he’d feel sorry for her. Why hadn’t she said anything yesterday?
After another lengthy pause, Heather began again. “We have the talent to succeed if everyone gives one hundred percent. Playing hard makes a difference. You owe it to yourself, and the team, to do so.”
Garrett caught Dean’s slight nod out of the corner of his eye. She might be softening up his friend, but he’d be damned if he’d play on a team led by a manager with no actual baseball coaching experience. Sure, she knew softball, but up until now, when it came to baseball, she’d been only a spectator.
“I’m going to be meeting with each one of you over the next couple of days.” Heather gave her first smile to the group, her face softening attractively. Garrett steeled himself and glanced at his watch. With forty minutes left until practice, he’d make sure he was her first meeting, though she wouldn’t like his news. He’d demand his release and wouldn’t leave the room without it.
“As I watch more of the games and practices, you’ll receive a critique of your performances and a plan for how to reach your potential.” Heather’s smile broadened. He noticed a few of the guys returning her smile while others scowled and studied the floor. She’d have her work cut out for her winning over this group.
“I know some of you have your doubts. To be honest, if I were in your shoes, I would too.”
“Yeah!” someone burst out from the back of the room, earning a scowl from Mr. Gadway. Heather didn’t miss a beat.
“But I have confidence in my ability to teach and motivate. If you give me a fair shot, we can win, which is what we all want.”
A couple of guys murmured their agreement, and he shut his mouth before he joined them. He wanted to win. But Heather wasn’t the person to help him do that. He had nothing against a female manager. Just one with no real baseball management experience. Someone who’d probably gotten the job by playing her Daddy’s-little-girl card.
She wasn’t who he’d thought she was when they’d met at the old field. Like so many rich kids, she was the kind of privileged, indulged child he’d never liked. Was that wariness in her eyes an act to get people to take care of her? Well, it wouldn’t work on him.
Heather clasped her hands. “Practice starts in forty-five minutes. See you there. Thank you.”
His grumbling teammates filed out, followed by the coaches and Heather’s father. Garrett, however, remained in his seat, watching the lithe young woman as she stood by the door.
At last she turned to him.
“We meet again. Garrett, right?”
He stood and strode to the door. When he stopped, her eyes widened, caution swimming in their depths.
“You mentioned personal meetings,” he said, keeping his voice even, hiding the irritation shimmering through him. “I thought we’d have ours now.”
She blinked up at him, and her lips moved. Though he strained to hear, he couldn’t make out what she’d said.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
A bright pink suffused her cheeks, and he forced himself not to notice how pretty the color made her.
“I said that I haven’t finished my notes for you yet. I’ll watch you pitch tomorrow. We’ll meet after that.”
He had to give it to her. Soft-spoken or not, she had a direct way about her. He didn’t doubt that she could lead...just not professional baseball players. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’m requesting to be released from my contract. This isn’t the right place for me to advance in my career.”
Her mobile face stilled. “And why would that be?”
“Look, I’ll be blunt.” He tapped his fingers on the sides of his legs. “This team isn’t hustling, and it’ll be a long time before they come around to supporting you. Things will get worse instead of better. I have a limited window of opportunity to advance. Given these factors, my bottom-line pitching won’t look good with a losing team behind me. I’d like to help you, but selfishly, this is my last shot.”
A speculative gleam entered her eyes. “So you’re asking to be released because you think I can’t help you reach your goals.”
A long breath rushed out of him. She was going to be reasonable. “That’d be great. Thank you.”
She arched an eyebrow. “You’re wrong, and I’ll be as frank with you as you were with me.”
His relief turned to irritation. So she wasn’t going to make this easy. He held his tongue and waited to hear her out.
“I think you’re overvaluing yourself.” She nodded when his mouth dropped open. Guys talked this way to each other. Not women...especially not pretty women...to him.
“Your control isn’t where it should be, and if that’s not addressed, you’ll also be another reason why this team isn’t doing well. But you have potential, and I can help you.”
“Right,” he scoffed. What could a softball pitcher do for him? “No offense, but I need someone with more experience.”
She tapped her chin and angled her head, her eyes flashing up at him. “If I can change your mind about that, will you drop your request and give me your support and a hundred percent effort?”
He held in a laugh. Was she for real? There wasn’t a chance she could change his decision. “What do you have in mind?”
She stepped closer, and her subtle citrus scent curled beneath his nose.
“A contest. If I get more strikes out of twenty pitches than you do, you stay. If you have more, then I’ll release you.”
He stared at her. Processing. She couldn’t be serious. Sure, he had control issues, but he was still better than a college-level player. She was making this easy. But if she was foolish enough to offer him this out, he’d take it.
They eyed each other for a long, tense moment before he jerked his chin at her.
“You’re on.”
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING, Garrett stretched his linked hands overhead, a familiar pull tugging his triceps. He dropped his arms and circled them, loosening his upper back and keeping his mind focused. All around him the pink-yellow sky had grown bluer, fat-bottomed clouds hanging low as if wanting a better look at his impending matchup with Heather. He adjusted his cap brim against the strengthening light, then executed a series of lunges across the field’s moist grass, shorn blades clinging to his cleats. The crisp air filled his lungs and for a moment, he imagined what it would be like to put down roots here in North Carolina.
He tossed out the thought and alternated raising his knees to his chest. Once he finished the pitch-off, he’d be trying out for other teams. Moving on. Losing today and playing for the Falcons wasn’t an option, no matter how beautiful their new manager. Her expressive green eyes had lingered in his mind when he’d woken, the memory of her soft, lilting voice running through him like a warm drink on a cold night.
But he needed to steer clear of those thoughts and stay centered. Winning his contract release should be easy as long as he didn’t get distracted.
Suddenly, a wolf whistle sounded to his left, piercing the still air. Hanging over the dugout fence were several of his teammates—former teammates soon—he reminded himself. He swore beneath his breath. He’d guessed they’d show up, if for nothing else than to heckle him. But he was sure they were also curious to see their new manager in action. He scowled and jogged over.
“Beat it. This is between Heather and me.”
George Hopson pursed his small mouth and raised eyebrows so light they disappeared into the deep furrows on his forehead. “Don’t recall it being an invite-only shindig, do you, fellas?”
