Page 32 of Fortune’s Control (Fortune’s Creek #1)

“Last practice before we play Panther Springs.”

“Last practice before you beat Panther Springs,” Lilah corrected for me. “We stopped at the ice cream parlor first. Do you want a lick?” She offered me her chocolate ice cream cone.

“That sounds suggestive,” Lainey said.

“Damn, I hope so.” I guided Lilah’s hand to her lips to watch her tongue glide over the treat. “You two enjoy. Did Aiden come with you? Practice starts in a few.”

“He’s struggling,” Lainey said.

She pointed with her thumb to where Aiden wiped a strawberry double scoop from his white shirt. He waved and returned to his cleanup.

Lilah said, “We made awesome progress today, and planned for more tomorrow. He’ll be with me the entire time.”

“If he’ll be there, I’ll drop you off.”

Aiden commented on taxes and accounting during movie night, and Lilah offered her services. This morning, he’d dumped a box of crumpled receipts and stained invoices on a desk and then looked on in horror as she’d done a little dance.

Lilah beckoned me close. “I can’t wait to take those shorts off you.”

I stared down at my gray athletic shorts, wondering what was wrong, before it hit me. “Tonight, after dinner, if you go first.”

“It’s best that you put your shirt back on.”

“It’s hot.”

She gestured with her chin toward the visitor bleachers. “There are children here today.”

**** *

“Asher, what are you doing here?” Lainey said to one teen.

The teenagers’ conversation ceased after her question.

One of them, presumably Asher, pulled off his sunglasses, revealing the same black hair and aquiline nose as Lainey.

“We’re here to check out our new baseball coach.

” He smiled at me with a youth’s confidence.

“You led our school to the state championship.”

“I was part of the team that went to the championships,” I corrected.

“You’re taking up the coaching position?” Jack asked.

Surprises didn’t exist in a small town, including Fortune’s Creek. “Starting the next school year.”

“Damn, good for you,” he said.

Lilah, on the home team bleachers, beamed down at me with pride and pleasure. Her green tank top and denim shorts complemented the Florida weather. She arrived in Fortune’s Creek over a month ago and blended in like a local. Like she belonged.

“We wanted to meet you,” Asher continued. “The younger ones tagged along.”

A dozen kids, ranging from ten to eighteen, were all students at the local school.

Practice was due to start, and they were here. Why not? I shrugged. “We’re running drills today. Why don’t you and your friends join our practice and show us what you’ve got?”

“Oh, no way.” Asher fist-bumped one of his friends.

I raised a hand to stop them. “There are younger kids on this field with you. Part of practice is teaching, so if you want to play, you help those who need it. Got it?”

They went to run warm-up laps, leaving one small girl behind. I noted her pink blouse and the ponytail holders in her thick, curly braids.

She watched the pack of boys run off with sad, dark eyes.

I took the seat beside her. “I’m Shane. What’s your name?”

“Aliyah.”

I heard that name before. “You’re Brittany’s little girl, aren’t you?” I asked and kept going after her shy nod. “Can you play?”

“My mama taught me.”

Brittany owned one of the downtown antique shops. “Then come join us. We’ll warm up our arms first and practice hitting.” It was years ago, but I remember running some hilarious drills as a kid.

“Why don’t you have a leg?” Aliyah poked the silicone where the prosthesis and the skin below my knee met. “My mama said you lost it in an accident, and everyone feels bad for you.”

I stiffened at her brutal assessment. Many townsfolk worried over me or expressed shock the first time they saw me.

I stuck to long pants, even during the warmest parts of summer, because of it.

I shed those now, opting for comfort and practicality instead.

The people here didn’t see me as a curiosity, which I knew, but that didn’t mean I wanted to share either.

Lilah hadn’t moved, other than to put a baseball hat on. I smiled upon realizing it was the same hat I wore when we first met. She flashed a subtle wave and continued speaking to Lainey. I’d bet her eyes stayed on me the entire time.

“The accident was a long time ago, and now I wear this.”

“Does it hurt?”

“Sometimes, but not much anymore. It helps me do everything I enjoy, like playing baseball and running. Everyone who wants to play should be able to, including you.” I stood and offered my hand. “Run a couple of laps, and then we’ll start on drills. What position do you play?”

“Second base.”

“Perfect. We’re putting you on second.”

**** *

“Why is our baseball field covered in Kid McNuggets?” Dean asked.

“You’re late.”

“Alex called me, and you’re lucky I didn’t know kids were here.”

“They came just for you. You missed the part where they screamed your name.” I nodded towards the dugout for a private conversation. “Did you learn anything important?” I asked after confirming we were alone.

“He found someone who may be a hit. I sent the information to your phone.” I held up my empty hands. “You don’t carry your phone?” he asked with genuine shock.

“I left it with Lilah. Anyone who ever calls or texts me is already here.”

He lowered his voice. “We’re lucky I didn’t send this part to you then. Are you still staying quiet about her grandmother?”

Keeping it a secret was not my intention.

After learning about Lilah’s toxic mother, I wanted to vet the woman first. Lilah didn’t deserve to be hurt, and her timidity regarding our search efforts said she worried that would happen.

If I could protect her from heartache, I would. “Until I check her out. In person.”

“Evelyn Carter still lives around here,” he started, before I raised my hand to cut him off.

Too late. Lainey Jensen walked past, carrying several bottles of water to the kids. “Evelyn Carter?” she asked.

Shit. “Do you know her?”

“She attends the library book club. Are you looking for her?” Lainey covered her mouth with a bottle before pulling it back. “Is that her grandmother? You found her, didn’t you? Oh, does Lilah know? I can’t believe it’s true. Another mystery solved.”

“Maybe. Don’t tell her.” Her brows drew together at my order. Directing people was preferable to polite requests. I aimed for a more pleasant tone. “I want to speak with her before telling Lilah. She’s been through enough. Will you keep the secret for me?”

“She’s told me about her mother, and everything else,” Lainey said with an appreciative nod. “You’ll like Evelyn. She’s…a personality. The next meeting is tomorrow, so drop by. Oh, goodness. A mystery solved.”

“Damn, asking the librarian would have saved me some work. I’ll send you her new address later. Also, I won’t be at the library tomorrow. That’s tons of people at once.” Dean stared out at the field. “Why are all these kids here again?”

*****

“It’s busy tonight,” Lilah observed as I opened the door to the Creekside Diner. “Half the town is in here.”

Half the town came to watch our practice. “It’s the pie.” I placed my hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward the last remaining booth.

“Sam came by while I helped Aiden today,” she said as soon as I took the seat opposite her. Lilah fiddled with the ends of her cap, pulling at it before changing her mind. “Manners say we shouldn’t wear hats indoors, but I’m stuck.”

“Did you put glue in it by mistake?”

“I have hat head, and there’s no way anyone can be allowed to see it.”

“That’s never been a problem for me. Hell, I don’t even get haircuts. Once it gets long, I hack at it with a knife.” I demonstrated with the table’s butter knife.

Lilah covered her mouth as her sweet laugh faded to a sigh. “I….”

“You what?”

“I find you funny.”

“You’re the first person to say so.” I expected her to say something else. “So, tell me about Sam coming by. What did he want?” I took one of her hands in mine to admire the rose-pink nail polish.

“Sophie will be at the presentation next week, and he reminded me I’m going with.”

“To Tallahassee?” I leaned back, considering. Sam asking her to come along wasn’t a surprise, especially considering my suggestion, and I couldn’t find a reason to argue against it. “You’ll do a fantastic job. Fortune’s Creek is lucky to have you.”

“If the grant comes through, I volunteered to manage the financial portion.”

“Did you now?” Sam had better hurry and extend that offer.

“I also looked up how to become a CPA here in Florida.”

“Does that involve tax tables?”

“You laugh, but those are the best tables.” Lilah bit her lower lip as her cheeks pinkened.

Josie approached, interrupting our conversation. “You two ready to order? Will it be the usual or tonight’s special? We have shrimp fresh from Mayport.”

“Can I get those in a salad?” Lilah asked.

“Honey, you can get them however you want.” Josie pulled the pen behind her ear and started writing. “Garden salad drowning in baked shrimp.”

“I’ll stick with the usual,” I said.

Josie tsked her disapproval and left.

“What does it take to become a CPA? Is that a license?”

Her blush deepened. “I need to pass tests. They’re difficult, and it might take a while.”

A state-specific license implied a lot of time. Plus, a volunteer suggestion to Sam. The longer Lilah stayed here, the more invisible strings I attached to her. Enough of them, and she couldn’t leave. “If that’s what you want, go for it.”

“I’m still thinking about it.” Her lips tightened. “You were wonderful with the kids today.”

“Waiting to start next season was a mistake.”

“Now you sound like me.”

“Maybe so.” My phone sat in my pocket with Dean’s text message still unread.

We needed to discuss it, but not at the expense of our meal or her positive news.

Lilah deserved another evening’s respite from her problems. Instead, I took her hand in mine to kiss her palm.

“You grow more beautiful every time I see you.”

*****

I shut the passenger door and hurried around to the driver’s side. “You ready to go?”

“Drive fast.”

I chuckled at her request. “It’s not far.”

Lilah grabbed my hand, pressing it against her pussy. “Drive fast.”

Damn, I low-key enjoyed her giving me orders. The quick drive was one of the many benefits of small-town life.

I turned onto the long driveway and slowed as the truck’s headlights flashed on the family sign.

“It’s a new moon out here. Nice and dark,” I said, turning off the ignition. “I forgot to turn on the outside lights.”

Nighttime changed from dark to pitch black.

“Shane.”