Page 3 of Love in the Outfield

Auggie giggles and throws the spoon onto the floor, landing with some Cheerios. Jasper, our part vacuum cleaner, part basset hound-lab mix wastes no time gobbling them up.

“August Jacob Anderson!” I say sternly. “That wasn’t nice.”

His bottom lip juts out. “I bad?”

No use, my heart melts like butter on a hot biscuit. “Of course, you’re not bad, baby boy,” I assure him, leaning down to kiss the top of his soft, dark curls. Totally unfair. He already has thick dark lashes to go with his thick mop of hair, just like…STOP!It’s pretty dang hard, if not impossible, to forget about someone when you have a pint-sized reminder. But I wouldn’t give him up for anything in the world. In fact, Augustismy world.

Unstrapping him from his highchair, I carry him on my hip down the narrow hall of our trailer to the bedroom with Jasper on our heels.

“You sit here while Mama gets dressed,” I say plunking him down on the floor. “Here. Play with Elly and Beep,” I say, handing him a few of his favorite stuffed animals. On my way to the bathroom, I grab an old pair of shorts and a Miranda Lambert tee shirt from my laundry basket, piled high with clean clothes. I glance at August, making sure he’s occupied, and quickly strip out of my PJs. After tugging on my shorts and shirt, I assess my wild mop of hair. A ponytail will have to do. No makeup, I decide, since I’m only running errands. I’m not out to impress anyone anyhow. Those days are long gone. My friends are always telling me that I act like my love life is over because I’m at the tail-end of my twenties but truth be told, it honestly feels like it is. I have no desire to put myself out there again. I have no use for it.

I tick off my to-do list. First, I need to pick up a few things from the market. Then a quick trip to the post office to mail a care package to my little brother Asher, who is a year younger than me. He’s doing his medical residency at U of C. I still feel like I need to take care of him. I’m the oldest, then comes Asher, and then my sister Darla, who is practicing law in Lexington. Last but not least is my youngest sister Ava, who’s a student and still living at home with Mama and Daddy.

Ava is coming over to babysit Auggie this afternoon so I can study for my final exam. Mama will take over the evening shift so I can work the fancy sit-down catering event I picked up from the restaurant where I work. Between tips from the restaurant, the occasional catering gig and living in a comfy trailer parked right in Mama and Daddy’s backyard, we get by. I’m praying the online degree in business will pay off in the end so I can open up my very own coffee shop someday.

I slip into my flip-flops and scoop up Auggie from the floor. “Come on, little man. Times a wasting.”

We pull into Whole Foods and I park next to the cart corral. Glancing at Auggie in the rearview mirror, I smile as he jabbers contentedly from his car seat. Such a happy baby. “We’re here sweet pea.” His dark blue eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror as he grins at me with good humor. I hop out and open the rear passenger door to haul him out. I’m here to tell y’all, deadlifting thirty pounds isn’t as easy as it sounds. He happily wraps his chubby arms around my neck singing, “Mama, Mama, Mama,” as I retrieve a cart from the corral and sit him in it.

The automatic doors swish open and the cool air-conditioning blows deliciously against my damp skin. Humidityfeels like it’s one hundred percent today and my hair will testify to that.

I grab Auggie’s favorite animated Elmo doll from the tote and he hugs it tightly to his chest. “Mo,” he says affectionately before squeezing Elmo’s nose, which produces a honking sound. August giggles.

I look over my list, with the background noise of Elmo’s obnoxious voice singing and giggling like a madman.Why didn’t I grab Elly, his stuffed elephant?

We push forward toward the produce section. I park the cart close by but out of the way of traffic and begin picking out veggies. The organic peppers catch my eye—bright and colorful. I choose a couple and place them in the cart. On to the melons. I pick up a large cantaloupe, feel its weight, then tap it. The deep heavy sound tells me it’s ripe so I dip my nose to the blossom end and take a sniff. Its sweet musky aroma confirms it’s ready to eat. Auggie loves melon and so do I. Suddenly a loud crash startles me and with a sinking feeling, I realize it’s coming from the direction of my grocery cart.

“Oh no! Auggie!” I say as I watch the cardboard display, which used to hold spices, now toppled awkwardly to its side, spice bottles rolling in every direction across the produce floor. I crouch down scrambling to pick up bottles while Auggie repeatedly chants, “I sorry Mama, I sorry Mama,” like a mantra.

“It’s ok, Augs. You didn’t mean to. It’s Mama’s fault,” I reassure him. He looks at me doubtfully, face puckered and on the verge of tears. To distract him, I stand up and rub Elmo’s belly causing the plush toy to giggle maniacally. Like magic, Auggie’s face lights up with a smile, and for once I’m grateful to Elmo. He happily hugs the toy, swinging his legs and everything’s right in the world again. Ah, if only it were so easy. I blow at the untucked strand of hair that’s escaped my ponytail and crouch down to gather the scattered spice bottles.

“Georgia?” I freeze, suddenly lightheaded as I turn and look up into Cade Jenning’s darkest of blue eyes staring down at me in shock. I swear they are as blue as Granny’s sparklin’ sapphire ring and my stomach does a flip-flop.

His searing gaze rakes across my face and I wish like heck I’d taken more time with my appearance. Not feeling nearly as blasé as I was when I’d left the house just minutes ago. Self-consciously, I tuck the wild lock of hair behind my ear again, feeling a blush spread across my cheeks, cursing my damn propensity for blushing!

“Well, I’ll be! If it’s not Cade Jennings! What are you doing here?” My forced gaiety almost makes me sound like a crazy person. He laughs then joins me on the floor, crouching down beside me… all muscly six foot-two of him. I’m tongue-tied and mortified. He is as magnificent as he ever was. His broad chest and shoulders stretch the fabric of his tee-shirt, beautifully highlighting his toned body. Thick dark hair with natural curl flops in charming disarray across his forehead. Add in that sexy designer stubble and flash of straight white teeth when he smiles at me… holy crap this man is blessed.

“I moved back. I was traded to the Cutters.”

My jaw drops. “Um… wait… now what? When and how in the world did that happen?”

“Trade deadline. Long story. But damn, it’s sure good to see you.” His eyes shimmer with an inner light that separates him from all the rest. Warm, kind, seductive… eyes which are gazing at me like I’m the gravy for his mashed potatoes. My heart stutters as I catch a whiff of his masculine scent… something spicy and clean. A memory pops up of us tangled in white sheets, making love while the breeze gently stirred the lace curtains carrying the scent of freshly cut grass and summer blooms. It feels as vivid as if it happened yesterday, and cuts clean through my protective armor, leaving me breathless and far toovulnerable. People glance curiously at us, maneuvering their carts to avoid mowing us over.

The corner of his mouth lifts briefly as he reaches over to brush back my hair. “You’re as beautiful as I remembered.” His voice is deep and a little rough.

I abruptly break eye contact and look away. My laugh sounds breathy to my own ears.Traitor.Remember?This is the guy who chose his career over you and didn’t think twice about dumping you for baseball.I nervously touch my cheek where his fingers just were.

“You’re joking, right? I literally look like something the cat dragged in.”

“Never. You’re as stunning as ever, Georgia.”

Just then, my child’s loud outburst shatters the moment. “Mama!” Auggie’s voice punctures our fragile bubble and reality floods back in. Panicked, I spring to my feet and say, “I have to go. I’ll find a clerk to clean up. Nice seeing you, Cade.”

“Wait! Georgia. Can I get your number?” He jumps effortlessly to his feet like the athlete he is and starts to follow me.

“Bye now,” I yell over my shoulder. I push the cart as fast as I can and hot-foot it towards the exit. I grab my tote and child then ditch the cart and groceries and make a mad dash out the door. After securing August, I sit behind the wheel and take a steadying breath. My hands are shaking so badly I can barely slip the key into the ignition.Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Did he get a good look at Auggie?I’m terrified that he did. I start the engine and peel out of the lot like the devil is on my heels.

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