Page 2 of Rain Delay

“I try to remember that every time I pitch, but some days it’s harder than others.”

“Relax and enjoy your time in Marathon. I know you’ll be back to your old self when you start after the break,” she said. “I have to go get ready for dinner, but I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I love you, honey.”

“Love you too, Mom.”

I ended the call and placed my phone on the table next to me. My father’s advice has always worked in the past, and hopefully it will help me now. I’m not the fastest pitcher, but I’ve always earned my position by being accurate and hitting any spot I want at any time. For some reason, my pinpoint control is evading me and for the past month, I’ve been throwing meatballs and getting crushed.

Settling further into the lounge chair, I closed my eyes, took in a deep breath of salt air, and slowly let it out. I’m not going to think about that today. I’m just going to relax and enjoy the Gulf breeze and maybe take a swim. Tomorrow will be soon enough to figure out how to save my career.

* * *

Ivy

“I’ll be right backbaby, I just need to open the door,” I said to Finn who was sleeping in the back seat.

I stepped out of the car and walked over to the keypad mounted next to the garage door. It would have been easier to use the app on my phone to open it, but it’s turned off and stashed in my purse. I’m sure my dad is trying to track me at this point and right now, I just want to be alone.

Thankfully the six-digit code hadn’t been changed and the door opened immediately. Running back to the car, I got behind the wheel and pulled into the garage. After shifting into park and turning off the ignition, I sat forward and rested my head on the steering wheel, exhausted. I’ve been driving for the better part of three days to make my way from Aspen to Marathon as fast as possible.

Finn whimpered behind me and I looked over my shoulder and spotted his head between the seats, ears raised, waiting to follow my lead. Traveling across the country with a one hundred pound Irish Setter could have been challenging, but he’s such a sweetheart, we didn’t have any problems at all.

I stepped out of the car and stretched then walked over to close the garage door. Once it was all the way down, I opened the car door and let Finn out. He jumped down and sniffed his way around the three-car garage. While he did that, I retrieved my suitcase and the bag of Finn’s supplies from the trunk then slammed it closed.

“Let’s go inside, then I’ll let you out to explore the yard. I’m sure you want to stretch your legs too.”

He wagged his tail and followed me up the stairs and into the kitchen. I dropped my suitcase then placed the grocery bag on the counter, pulled out Finn’s bowl, and filled it with water.

“Come on, buddy. Let’s go outside.”

I led him out the patio doors and down to the yard so he could do his business. Of course, he was more interested in sniffing and checking out the new space, so I put his water down and got comfortable in a lounge chair. This could take a while. I doubt he’d wander off, but I don’t want to leave him alone just yet.

Closing my eyes, I tried to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. The house in Marathon has always been my favorite place in the world and I’m hoping that being here helps me figure out my life. I mean, I’m thirty years old. When am I gonna get my shit together?

I’m what you might call a Jill of all trades, master of none. I went to college for seven years and after trying out that many majors, quit to figure out what I want to do. In the past five years, I’ve had more jobs than I want to think about, trying to find one that I love. But they all end in disaster.

Before I could do a mental play-by-play of all my failures, I felt water drip on my cheek a second before Finn licked me. I opened my eyes and smiled up at him.

Cupping his face in my hands, I kissed him on the top of the head.

“You are the best boy in the world, you know that?” He wagged his tail and rubbed his face against my chest. “Let’s go inside and get comfy.” I stood and grabbed his water bowl, and he followed me back up the stairs and into the house. “I know you slept most of the way but I didn’t and I’m exhausted.” Closing the door behind us, I clicked the lock and walked over to the kitchen. “But you’re probably hungry. I know I am.” I pulled his other bowl out of the grocery bag, filled it with food, and set it on the floor then rinsed and refilled the water bowl and placed it next to its twin.

Once Finn was taken care of, I looked in the freezer to see if there’s anything for me.

“Score.” I pulled the frozen pizza out and closed the door. “And since you were such a good boy all during our trip, I think you deserve some crust.”

Finn picked up his head and swallowed a mouthful of food then licked his mouth and wagged his tail. I think he approves.

After setting the pizza on a stone and putting it in the oven, I pulled a pitcher from the cupboard and placed it in the sink so I could make some lemonade. I turned the handle all the way to the left, but the pressure was low, as though water was running somewhere in the house.

“That’s weird.” I turned off the water. “I’m gonna go check to see what’s going on.”

I looked in the half bath near the front entrance before making my way upstairs. A light shone under the door of the bedroom at the end of the hall and I walked that way. I know, I know. I’m being that girl in every horror movie that you scream at who goes to the basement or the barn or wherever and gets herself killed.

Finn came up behind me and let out a soft burp. He’ll have to go out again shortly, but for now, I need to find out why there’s a light on and water running in a house that’s supposed to be empty.

Grabbing the vase off the hall table, I crept toward the door, slowly opened it, and peeked my head inside. The light on the nightstand cast a soft glow through the room and I spotted a duffle bag on the edge of the bed. I stepped inside and Finn followed. The bathroom door was half-closed and I heard the shower running. Tightening my grip on the vase, I crept across the room and pushed the door open. Finn bumped into the back of my legs as I came to an abrupt halt.

The shower was occupied by a man. My eyes locked on the part of his anatomy that identified him as such and I licked my lips. I’m not a woman who finds that particular body part attractive to look at, but I gotta say, his is pretty nice. And there’s a lot to look at if you know what I mean. Before I could examine it further, he turned around giving me an excellent view of an amazing ass. Shampoo streamed over the perfect globes and down his long legs.

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