Page 74 of Love From Left Field (Knights of Passion)

She clenched her fist and looked at him. “You and I both know I can’t do that.”

“Because of the memories? Lucas rejected the offer and is heading to Seattle.” Seamus stood up and took her hand in his. “You did a great job with the team and deserve to enjoy a moment in the sun. It might be our last time together as business partners.”

Alarmed, she grasped his shoulder. “Is everything alright?”

He rubbed his chest and looked tired. “You never know.”

She gave him a look. “Truth?”

He scowled. “You’re as bad as your mother. No, I promised her we would go on that cruise to Europe. I’ve gotten out of it for years but now, I have no excuse.”

She pulled him down on the couch, ignoring the blankets that tumbled off. “Are you okay, dad? How are you doing?”

He looked pensive for a moment then nodded. “I’m doing okay, although I could use your help. You did a good job in my absence. I probably should have told you before now, listened to you more.”

Miranda narrowed her gaze. What was he up to? “I think this is for the best, Dad. I need to move on, figure out what I want with my life.”

“You love the Knights. Would you consider coming back?”

Miranda paused, thinking. She had expected her father to ask her back once he had cooled down. But this, his attitude today was completely different than she had thought. He was not demanding but humble, asking, not ordering. She had lived and worked with him long enough to know he was capable of any kind of subterfuge to get what he wanted. Damn him, if only she knew if she could trust him.

But coming back to the Knights? She shook her head. “No, Dad. I have a friend from college and her company might have an opening for me. In Charlotte.”

His face reflected his shock. “You’re moving?”

She nodded. “That’s why I’m selling my condo, Dad. I think this is for the best.”

“Are you convincing yourself or me?” He pursed his lips and stood. “Fine. I won’t stand in your way. But can you come to the stadium next week for us to finalize the loan payments with the commissioner?”

Her eyes widened. “We made the payment?”

He looked away. “In a matter of speaking. But you need to be there, okay?”

She nodded. “Promise.”

He stood there for a moment, studying her, then he awkwardly hugged her. “I’m sorry, Miranda. This heart thing really threw me… No wait, no excuses. I’ve always been difficult and being scared with my heart attack is not a good enough excuse for how I behaved. If you ever change your mind, the Knights would welcome you back. As would I.”

He shuffled out of her living room, leaving her alone in the mess of a condo and her life, shocked by the events but feeling freer than she had in years. She had her own path to forge now. Scary, but she could handle it. And Charlotte didn’t have a major league baseball team so her chances of running into Lucas were almost nonexistent. Thank God.

One last thing to do and she could move on with her life.

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