Page 71 of What Matters Most

He did as she suggested and swung at the next pitch. The ground ball skidded past the shortstop and Logan was safe on first.

Abby breathed easier and sent him a triumphant smile.

Patty Martin was up to bat next. Abby took one look at the shy, awkward young woman and knew she’d be an immediate out. Patty was new to the team this year, and Abby hoped she’d stick with it.

“Come on, Patty,” she called out, hoping to instill some confidence, “you can do it!”

Patty held the bat clumsily and bit her lip as she glared straight ahead at the pitcher. She swung at the first three balls and missed each one.

Dick pulled Patty aside and gave her a pep talk before she took her place on the bench.

Abby hurried over to Patty and patted her knee. “I’m glad you decided to play with us.” She meant that honestly. She suspected Patty could do with some friends.

“But I’m terrible.” Patty stared at her clenched hands and Abby noticed how white her knuckles were.

“You’ll improve,” Abby said, with more certainty than she felt. “Everyone has to learn, and believe me, every one of us strikes out. Don’t worry about it.”

By the time Abby was up to bat, there were two outs and Logan was still at first. Her stand-up double and a home run by the hitter following her made the score 3–0.

It remained the same until the bottom of the eighth. Logan was playing the outfield when a high fly ball went over his head. He scrambled to retrieve it.

Frantically jumping up and down at first base, Abby screamed, “Throw the ball to second! Second.” She watched in horror as Logan turned and faced third base. “Second!” she yelled angrily.

The woman on third base missed the catch, and the batter went on to make it home, giving his team their first run.

Abby threw her glove down and, with her hands placed defiantly on her hips, stormed into the outfield and up to Logan. “I told you to throw the ball to second.”

He gave her a mildly sheepish look. “Sorry, Abby. All your hysterics confused me.”

Groaning, Abby returned to her position.

They won the game 3–1 and afterward gathered at the local restaurant for pizza and pitchers of beer.

“You’re really good,” Patty said, sitting beside Abby.

“Thanks,” she said, smiling into her beer. “I was on the high school team for three years, so I had lots of practice.”

“I don’t know if I’ll ever learn.”

“Sure you will,” Logan insisted. “Besides, we need you. Didn’t you notice we’d be one woman short if it wasn’t for you?”

Abby hadn’t noticed that, but was pleased Logan had brought it up. This quality of making people feel important had drawn Abby to him on their first date.

“I’m awful, but I really like playing. And it gives me a chance to know all of you better,” Patty added shyly.

“We like having you,” Abby confirmed. “And you will improve.” Patty seemed to want the reassurance that she was needed and appreciated, and Abby didn’t mind echoing Logan’s words.

They ate their pizza and joked while making plans for the game the following Wednesday evening.

Dick Snyder and his wife gave Patty a ride home. Patty hesitated in the parking lot. “Bye, Abby. Bye, Logan,” she said timidly. “I’ll see you soon.”

Abby smiled secretly to herself. Patty was attracted to Logan. She’d praised his skill several times that evening. Abby didn’t blame her. Logan was wonderful. True, he wasn’t going to be joining the Minnesota Twins anytime soon—or ever. But he’d made it to base every time he was up at bat.

Logan dropped Abby off at her apartment but didn’t accept her invitation to come in for a glass of iced tea. To be honest, Abby was grateful. She didn’t know how much longer she could hide from Logan that she was continuing to see Tate. And she refused to lie if he asked her. She planned to tell him soon…as soon as an appropriate opportunity presented itself.

The remainder of the week went smoothly. She didn’t talk to Logan, which made things easier. Abby realized that Sunday afternoon with him would be difficult after spending Saturday with Tate, but she decided to worry about it then.

She woke Saturday morning with a sense of expectation. Tate was taking the afternoon off and meeting her in the park after she’d finished tutoring Mai-Ling. From there they were driving out to Apple Valley and the Minnesota Zoo, where he did volunteer work.

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