Page 115 of Strike Zone

“What?” Ford bellows. “Can you repeat that? I thought I heard you say you sold the farm, but that can’t be without talking to us first. Dad, I’m supposed to be in charge here.”

“Slow down, son.” Dad holds up his hand stopping Ford from saying anything else. “Your mama and I owned the farm. It was in our names. We could sell if we wanted to.”

“You said owned. How much did you give away in this deal?” Mason asks, leaning forward on the table. His hands clenched in front of him.

“We know you have questions, but let us explain.” Everyone nods in agreement at Mama’s request. “Good. It was a deal we couldn’t refuse. An investor offered to take care of all of our debt and leave enough money to start a small reserve fund.”

I clench my hand around Wren’s thigh. An investor came in and paid for everything? Her dad wouldn’t have done that, would he? Is this what she was taking care of? I glance in her direction. Her face is a mask. She’s staring emotionlessly at her glass of sweet tea.

“The new owners will own one hundred percent of the farm. All the land, buildings, existing businesses, everything,” Dad explains.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me?” Ford fumes.

“I’m not joking. The investor set a few stipulations. As long as the new owners agree, the property will transfer to them.” Mama passes out the packets of papers she’s been holding onto. She places one in front of everyone but Wren.

“Look over everything. If you agree, sign the documents. Mama and I will take care of filing the rest of the paperwork.” Dad squeezes Mama’s hand. She’s about two seconds from crying.

“We’re the owners?” Mason questions, his eyes scanning over the first page.

“If all five of you sign, then you will each own an equal share.” Mama walks into the kitchen to fix her and Dad a cup of coffee.

“What about the investor? How much do they get?” Ford peers up from his paper.

Dad glances in my direction. “They didn’t want any interest in the business. It’s all in there. Keep reading.”

I realize Dad wasn’t looking at me. He was looking at Wren. “What did you do?” I ask her.

“Nothing you wouldn’t have done,” she says, without looking at me.

“God damnit, Wren.” I stand from the table and walk outside. I can’t believe she paid off everything.

“Birdie,” she shouts from the front porch while I pace the gravel drive.

“What?”

She stomps down the stairs. “My name is birdie. I like it when you call me birdie.”

“Oh now you like it do ya? I can’t call you that when I’m mad at you. I didn’t quit baseball for you to come in and pay off our debt.”

“No you didn’t. You stopped playing because this is where your soul feels alive. You quit because this is where you belong. I didn’t do it to come in and play hero. I did it because I belong here too. I did it because that evil man was threatening to buy the farm. I wasn’t going to let him hurt my family.” She pounds a fist into her chest.

“Before you said he was coming after your family. That was why you wanted to take care of this on your own.”

“You're right. I did say that. And he was threatening my family. Your family is my family too. I’m a fucking Rivers woman. I have been for quite some time now if you haven’t noticed.” She moves closer to me. “We don’t stand by and let the men do all the work. We like to get our hands dirty too.”

“You sure do.” I sigh, dropping my head. “I don’t like that you used your money to bail us out. I’m supposed to be taking care of you.” I take her hands in mine and lace our fingers together.

“I’m glad you feel that way because I’m broke. I need a job, a place to live, and food to eat. If you would go read the fine print of the contract it’s all there.”

I chuckle at her. “I guess we should go back inside then.”

“Probably. If I had to guess, everyone else has already signed.”

All eyes are on us as we reenter the house and sit back down on the bench seat.

“You’re the investor,” Ford states. It isn’t a question. He’s staring Wren down under the brim of his baseball cap.

“Yes. I believe in each of you. I had the funds. It is a smart investment.” She takes a quick sip of her tea.

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