Page 321 of Well Played

“No, silly, then we’d have to kiss and we’re not doing that anymore.” Grace was thoughtful. “But if Kay marries Walker, then she would be like my sister too.”

“Yeah, so how do we get them married?”

“We need to watch some more rom-coms.”

“Grace, I just got home. I don’t want to go on a hike,” Walker complained.

“Kaylee is going. It’ll be fun. We’ll have a short hike and a picnic. Kay is bringing her delicious BTC tarts, bacon, tomato, and cheese tarts. They are so good. They’re almost like a pizza, but not.”

“Fine, I’ll go. For the tarts. But there better be tarts,” he grumbled as he went to change. He felt wiped out due to their grueling schedule with eleven back-to-back games. But the coach would be happy to know he was moving. Even if it was just an easy hike, it would be better than sitting and vegging out for a couple of days. Which was what he’d had planned.

They met the group at the park entrance. The group included the coach and his wife, the young man in the wheelchair Grace called Shane, and a few others Walker suspected had never hiked in their lives.The eclectic group surprised him.

“We’ll set up the campsite for the picnic,” the coach said. “You guys listen to Kaylee and Walker, stay together and be careful. Remember what the wildlife officer told you when we came in. This is not a playground. Be aware that there are hiddendangers here, and this place is home to many animals. Treat this place with respect. Do not try to feed or pet the animals.”

Walker managed to get a couple of minutes with Kay before they set off. “I hope you brought the tarts. That’s the only reason I came,” he told her with a grin.

“For my tarts? I was wondering why you’d suggest a hike after just getting home from an eleven-game run.”

“I suggested a hike?” He shook his head. “Either my niece is manipulating things, or my coach informed her I needed to keep moving during my down time.” He huffed. “I wouldn’t put it past either of them.”

“Yeah, I hear old people stiffen up when they’re down too long.”

“We can talk about what’s stiffening up if you’d like.” He waggled his eyebrows.

Kay shook her head and whistled. “Okay, you guys, pick a partner. Know where your partner is at all times. Keep up with the group, but stay with your partner and help one another. Let’s go!” She turned and started leading the group down a wide dirt trail that soon narrowed into a path.

Walker fell back and made sure the slower guys didn’t get lost. He watched Kay as she marched ahead. She was dynamic in any situation. He’d seen her fierceness on the ball field, her leadership at the coffee shop, and her kindness with the Shining Star athletes. He was falling hard. Baseball had always been his mistress. He’d never let anyone come between him and the game. When he’d opened his heart to having Grace in his life, it had become richer. Maybe it was time to open his heart to other possibilities.

Kay glanced back and smiled.

He returned her smile, wondering if she could see his heart beating on his sleeve.

Kay sent Grace and Jimmy ahead and moved to the back of the line, stopping to speak with each hiker as she made her way to him. She stopped to share a kind and encouraging word with each member of their group. When she reached him, she asked, “How ya doing, old man?”

Grinning, he replied, “Oh, I might need some special attention. I believe I’m getting a Charlie horse.”

“You really are old. I think my grandpa uses that term,” she teased. “Who says Charlie horse anymore?”

“I’m not old, I’m seasoned.”

“Yeah, you’re well-seasoned.” She bumped her shoulder against his.

Someone shouted, “Gracie’s hurt!”

Kay didn’t wait. She took off running, with Walker right behind her. “Let me through. I have a first aid kit.” She knelt in front of Gracie.

Gracie kept apologizing. “This wasn’t part of the plan.”

Walker wove his way through the crowd of hikers. “Give her some breathing room, guys. She’s going to be okay.”

Gracie looked up at Jimmy and spoke in her loud whisper, “I’m sorry. I messed up the plan.”

What plan, Walker wondered, but decided he could ask later.

“Accidents are never part of the plan, sweetie, but it’s okay. I can fix you right up.”

Walker watched as Kay gently cleaned the scrape and applied an antibiotic cream. “How did you fall and hurt your knee?” Kay asked.

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