Page 30 of Chasing Sunrise

“Hi, Tanner.” She hugged the man.

Tanner smiled at Kasey. “Thanks for coming.”

“I appreciate the invite.” He motioned to Amanda. “Tanner Stern, this is Amanda Crane.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” His expressive eyes were light green.

From the local news, Amanda knew he was a businessman in Houston. “You too.”

Tanner rubbed his palms together and asked Kasey, “You ready to put your cleats back on?”

“I’m not sure those cleats fit anymore.”

“I’m serious. We can always use a skillful catcher.”

Interest peaked; Amanda listened.

Others came forward to greet them. Kasey called everyone by name as he introduced them to Amanda. Marisol spoke excitedly with a young girl who had Tanner’s same green eyes. While in the gathering room, three people offered them to sit in their private boxes, but Kasey explained they had seats by the dugout.

Once they stepped into the part of the stadium where gift shops and restaurants were, a chorus of “Hunter Kase,” greeted them.

A group of fans rushed toward them.

Kasey leaned down and spoke to Marisol. “Stay with Amanda. Okay?”

The girl frowned. “They’re going to ask you about Harper, aren’t they?”

“I think so.”

“You don’t have to say anything, Uncle K. Papa Rafe says it’s no one’s business.”

“Except it is because I’m on TV. I have a responsibility to fans. You and Amanda get some souvenirs and pick me out a pair of sunglasses. I’ll meet you when you’re done.”

“Okay.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

He rose, pulled a credit card out of his wallet, and held it out to Amanda. “Have fun.”

Before she could grasp it, he snatched it back a bit. “You girls try to control yourselves.”

She grinned at Marisol, then at him. “Can’t promise you anything.”

He relinquished the card with a chuckle and turned toward the fans. As he did, she put a hand on Marisol’s shoulder. The child glared at the gathering crowd. “Even without his breakup with Harper, this happens a lot. Even though Uncle K says he doesn’t mind, I think he does.”

“It’s part of his job, sweetie.”

Laughter came from the crowd around Kasey.

Twenty minutes later, they emerged from the gift shop with a bag of stuff. People still surrounded Kasey. When he spotted them, he explained to the fans he needed to find their seats. People continued to take pictures as he approached Marisol and Amanda. Marisol pulled out the sunglasses and hat she’d bought him. “Here.”

“Thank you.” He placed the hat on his head, the sunglasses over his eyes, and led them to front row seats right over the Heron’s dug out. The stadium was bright with lots of windows and the retractable roof was open.

“The field looks too green. Is it artificial turf?” she asked.

“No. They use real grass,” Kasey assured her. “Would you like something to eat or drink?”

“I’m good for now.”

“Okay. Marisol and I will be right back.”

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