Page 77 of Batter Up!

Mama Stone: Happy Ultrasound Day! I still think you kids are crazy for not finding out if I’ll have a granddaughter or a grandson, but I’ll support you. Please, send me pictures. Love you, sweet girl.

Me: I will make sure you get pictures! Thanks for supporting us no matter what! ??

The door to the bakery opened, and in walked Mrs. James, a regular elderly customer who came in everyday. She was followed by Cooper, who had been holding the door for her. I noticed Penelope didn’t even look at Cooper but instead began asking Mrs. James how she was doing and if her good friend, another widow named Mrs. Hastings, was joining her.

“Oh, I don’t think so, dear. She said her knee is acting up pretty badly, and whenever that happens, there is usually a big storm.”

I looked out the window and saw the sun finally coming up and a clear sky. I gave Penelope a look with my eyebrows raised, and she just shrugged at me. It didn’t look like any storms were coming today.

“If you could please box Shirley’s and my stuff up to go, that would be nice. I want to get back home before the storms hit,” Mrs. James requested before turning to Cooper and smiling at him. “You sure are a handsome young man. If only I were a few years younger.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Cooper said with a lopsided grin. “I’d be lucky to have a looker like you!”

“Oh, stop!” Mrs. James giggled and actually blushed.

“Oh, Coop, ever the charmer. Where did you go earlier?” I asked him as I made Mrs. James’s coffee.

“Had to run to the store,” he said and held up a few grocery bags.

Penelope gave him a side glance but didn’t say anything.

“Are those toy cars in that bag?” Camden asked while peeking around the corner of the booth.

Cooper looked over at Camden and nodded his head. “They sure are. Do you like toy cars, my man?”

Camden nodded energetically.

“I don’t like toy cars,” Peyton said while jutting out her bottom lip.

“Put that lip back in your mouth, Peyton Jane Benton!” Penelope scolded with a groan.

“Oh, don’t you worry, little lady. Do you like My Little Ponies?”

“Yes!” Peyton squealed.

“What is he doing?” Penelope hissed at me.

“It looks like he’s playing with your kids,” I said with a huge grin as Cooper pulled a chair up to the booth the kids were at, sitting in it backwards. He pulled out several coloring books, crayons, toy cars, My Little Ponies, and Legos.

“Why?” Penelope asked as she watched Cooper flip through a Disney Princess coloring book and ask Peyton which princess he should color.

“Because he’s a good guy,” I said and went to help the next customer that came in the door.

“I heard you guys were stuck here, and I figured you’d want some stuff to keep you entertained,” Cooper was telling them.

Peyton’s eyes sparkled, and she said, “Thank you, mister.”

“I’m Cooper Dixon. I’m guessing you’re Peyton Jane,” Cooper grinned at her. “You look just like your mommy.”

“That’s what everyone says!” Peyton giggled and then said in a hushed voice, “But I’m only ever called Peyton Jane when I’m in trouble.”

Cooper laughed and leaned in closer to the little girl, “I was always called Cooper James Dixon when I was in trouble.”

Peyton giggled, “Will you be my friend?”

“Of course!” Cooper said, looked over at us, and gave a huge grin. He was so good with kids! Who knew? “Hey, can I call you PJ since we’re best friends now?”

Peyton tilted her head in thought and then nodded enthusiastically, “I like that! And I’ll call you CJ!”

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