Page 62 of Love in the Outfield

Her breath quickens and she tugs at my shirt, her hands sliding beneath it and up my back. Her nails graze my bare skin and I draw her closer, feeling the heat of my desire.

The faint sound of laughter penetrates through my haze and I reluctantly lift my head. “Georgia, I can’t stop replaying the other night. I want more… I need to know you’ll be here when I get back from this long-ass road trip.”

She brushes her fingertips across my cheek. “Cade, I want you, too. I’m not gonna lie, though, as bad as I want you, I’m not made for casual dalliances. And you… well, you’ve got your whole future ahead of you. You’ll be traveling, surrounded by temptation all your livelong days. I’ll be here in Kentucky, being a mom and whatnot. I’m not made for that lifestyle.”

“You are my only temptation, Georgia. There is no one else.”

“You say that now. For example, let’s say you’re on the road, out celebratin’ a win, horny as all git out from all that adrenalin and some beautiful girl throws herself at you, can you honestly say you wouldn’t be tempted?”

“I won’t be.”

“You sure about that? Easy to say now, but you know how it goes. People get complacent. I’ll become old news.”

“Never,” I interrupt.

“Cade Jennings, I reckon you are the most beautiful man I’ve ever laid eyes on. But even more than that, you’re a good man, and I reckon I’m lucky for having your attention,” she pokes me in the chest to make her point. “However, I’m just a small-town southern girl. I wouldn’t fit into that lifestyle.”

“What lifestyle? It’s a job. I work hard. Sure, there’s travel, but we’re working our asses off… it’s not all that glamorous.” I pepper kisses all over her face.

“Alright already, I believe you.” She giggles as she wraps her hands around my neck lacing her fingers together. “Cade, you are way too charmin’ for my own good. We’d better get back before they miss us.”

I tamp down my disappointment that she didn’t respond the way I wanted her to. I mean what can I expect? I remind myself that opening up takes time, and I’m not giving up. Not by a long shot.

“I haven’t heard any shots fired yet. That’s a good sign,” I say.

“Not yet anyhow.”

“It’s going better than I’d hoped.”

“Shh, don’t you know better than to jinx it?” She grabs my hand and we head back to the house.

28

GEORGIA

We’re all seated around the beautifully set table. Strands of twinkle lights are woven through the wisteria vines twisted around the arbor. It’s magical. August is seated between Mama and me with Cade to my left. The men grilled the Tomahawk steaks for the adults and hotdogs for the kids. Their chef did all sorts of sides which look and smell delicious. There’s mac and cheese, baked beans with big hunks of bacon, some fancy cabbage salad, grilled asparagus, potato gratin with creamy cheese, and chocolate-dipped strawberries and tiramisu for dessert.

Mama bumps me with her elbow, so I know something is coming. “Wendy,” she says, “I thought you’d be servin’ that wine I brought for y’all.”

Wendy smiles brightly. “Thanks for the reminder. I have it right here on ice.” She reaches down and grabs the ice bucket holding the berry wine and sets it on the table. Then she bends down again coming back up with a bag of the pork rinds. Tearing it open she takes one out and pops it in her mouth. The loud crunch is real! “Mm mm! Loretta, how in the world did you know pork rinds were my very favorite guilty pleasure? And dillflavored too, I feel like I hit the lotto.” Mama looks crestfallen. I want to laugh but I don’t dare. Wendy continues, “The wine’s already open. I was letting it breathe. Who wants a taste besides me?” She pours herself a glass, then reaches for Mama’s empty wine glass and does a healthy pour.

Wendy lifts her glass towards Mama for a toast. “Here’s to family, may our feuds be as short as our tempers.”

We all laugh and Mama holds up her glass, laughing the hardest of anyone. “Touché.” Mama takes a sip and grimaces. “Ugg! That’s terrible!”

The rest of the evening goes along without a hitch.

On the drive home, we do a family recap. “I about busted a gut at Mama’s expression when Wendy complimented those pork rinds,” Ava says.

Mama chuckles. “You just know she was fibbin’. There is no way in hell that woman eats pork rinds.”

“She may,” I protest.

“What did y’all think of them potatoes? I could have eaten the whole casserole myself,” Ava says.

“I was partial to them fancy appetizers. That bread with mozzarella and fresh basil, it was almost worth puttin’ up with Wendy,” Mama says.

I roll my eyes. “That’s called bruschetta and Mama, you know you had a good time and Wendy and Mark were the perfect hosts.”

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