Page 55 of Strike Zone

“Nothing broke down again. We got the fields plowed and ready for next week. There’s still a lot that needs to be done.” He taps his fingers on the table.

“I can tell. Listening to them talk about all their plans for the next few months and the future…” My voice trails off when Wyatt frowns.

“We can barely get enough crops for our customers. Their plans and ideas are pipe dreams. They ain’t ever going to happen until we’re out from under all this debt.”

He truly believes getting drafted will solve all his problems. I glance at the lists and blueprints. If there was a way I could help him carve out a future here instead of leaving to play baseball, I would do it. I would do anything.

If someone told me months ago that I would bend myself backwards to help Wyatt Rivers, I would have laughed in their face. Over the last month or so he’s become a staple in my life. He’s become one of my closest friends. A friend I would go to extreme lengths for.

“Let me help.” I place a hand on his thigh. His gaze drops to his leg then follows my movement as I remove my hand and I tuck it between my thighs to keep from touching him. Great. Now he's looking at my thighs. Give me strength.

“I’m not sure there is anything you can do to help. You don’t like dirt, going outside, the heat, bugs. I’m going to go rogue and add farm animals to the list too,” he says, grinning.

“True. I don’t like many of those things. But I’m good at analyzing.” I tick off with my fingers. “I can take a look at the finances, current operations, and figure out where we can make more profits and cut the losses.”

“We,” he repeats quietly, almost to himself. Wyatt removes his cowboy hat and rests it on his knee. His hair is matted down with sweat and I want to ruffle my fingers through it. “Why would you want to do all that?”

“Why wouldn’t you want my help?” I counter. Too scared to tell him the truth. That I want to help him because I care about him.

“I never said I didn’t. I’m not convinced it would make a difference.” Oh. He doesn’t think I’d offer value. “I don’t know what you’re thinking but I guarantee you’re wrong. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with the farm. It’s bleeding so much money. I’m not sure how we can turn things around without financial help.”

“I understand. I’d still like to try.”

“Didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” Willow says, walking toward us whipping something in a bowl.

“Sure you didn’t,” Wyatt snarks.

“I didn’t. Honest. But if you can help, Wren, you should come back with Wyatt for spring break,” Willow says.

“I’m sure Wren has plans with her own family.”

“Do you, honey?” Faith asks from where she’s standing by the stove.

My eyes dart between Wyatt and his sister.

“Real plans. Not going back home to sit around and do nothing but hanging out with your folks. You’ll have plenty of time for that later,” Willow adds.

“My parents are going to Greece,” I offer.

“Oh, that’s wonderful. It’s so pretty there. You’ll have the best time,” Faith says over her shoulder.

“You have to do one of those photo shoots with the flowy dresses. I saw one online once. It’s stunning,” Willow says.

“I’ll be sure to tell my mom. I won’t be going with them.”

“Oh no. Why?” Faith asks, expecting the worst.

“I don’t enjoy flying very much.”

“What are you talking about? Birdies love to fly,” Wyatt jokes.

“Not this one.”

“It’s settled then. You’ll come back home with Wyatt for spring break. Help us figure out what we can do around here to get things moving in the right direction.”

“Willow, stop pushing,” Wyatt warns.

“You seem to be the only one who’s pushing me.” I turn on him. “You’re pushing me away. If you don’t want my help just say the word and I won’t.” It’s a lie. I feel it the moment the words leave my lips. Whether he wants me to or not, I’ll be helping him and his family figure a way out of this mess.

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