Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
He laughed. “Wonderful. Can’t wait to watch you with the kids.”
“Yes, sir.”
Despite his worry and concern for the visit, he continued to watch the girl. She didn’t appear to be out of sorts, just shy, like a lot of the children who came to the center. That was one of the reasons he’d started it. To help girls like her—and boys—find friends. Get a network of those they could trust around them.
“Like I mentioned, I’m bringing my wife. I do value commitment…hadn’t heard you were married, but you got a little lady? Might be good…meet, what do you think?”
“Absolutely. Sounds like a great idea,” Linc said, without thought, as the girl swung her imaginary bat and turned a complete circle. His lips twitched as he wholeheartedly approved of her enthusiasm. He’d not heard at all what the man had said. Normally focused during a call like this, today he was distracted.
She had spunk, that was certain. With a little bit of guidance, this girl would be well on her way to playing ball. Assuming she could handle the ball flying at her head. It wasn’t something everyone took to. Hell, boy or girl, you had to have a certain mettle to not flinch at a ball careening toward your face.
“Wonderful, I do value commitment. See you then.”
“Bye, Mr. Stevenson.” He ended the call as he headed in her direction.
He wanted the kids supervised so nothing could happen to them, knowing firsthand how it could, even in Smalltown, USA. The fact that no one seemed to know this girl was out here alone didn’t sit well with him.
“Hey,” he said to her, pausing a few feet away. Linc didn’t want to freak her out. He wasn’t a small man and she didn’t know him. At least he didn’t think she did.
She spun toward him, eyes wide, and he was struck by the uniqueness of her gaze. Green with flecks of a fiery hue that snagged him.
“I’m Linc.” He touched his hand to his chest.
She nodded but still didn’t speak. Her high pigtails moved in time with her nod.
“Did you want to go down to the cages—bat some balls?”
Her gaze moved over him a few times before landing ever so briefly on the practice, then returned to him. All she gave him was a shoulder shrug.
“You do know that you’re allowed to participate, if you want to, right?” He hoped that no one was being made to feel excluded, because that was not what he wanted to create here.
I won’t fucking stand for it.
Another shoulder shrug.
“I’d prefer you be where someone can see you and keep an eye on you. How about you sit with me over there and we can watch it together, if you don’t want to take any swings?”
She rubbed her shoe into the ground and he hid his smile. Her checkered jeans and black shirt just added to the adorable vibe. He also admired her caution.
“Come on,” he said, gesturing to the larger gathering of children.
The quiet child didn’t say a single thing to him but she headed in the direction he’d pointed at, keeping some distance between them. As they strode into view, a few kids called out greetings to him, but only one said anything to the girl.
“Hey, Greer.” A young boy waved at her, showing off his missing tooth.
Her responding wave wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic but it was something, and now he had a name.
“She would like to bat as well.” Holding the gaze of one of the older boys, Linc arched an eyebrow at him.
“Of course. She can bat after Howard finishes his turn. Karly can get you outfitted with a bat and helmet, Greer.” Brandon was the captain of the high school baseball team, and in exchange for some additional time on the field and Linc’s advice, he was working with Linc and the kids. It was paying off. The young man had grown and improved his team-handling skills as well as his attitude.
With a nod of thanks, Linc stepped back and watched as Brandon got everyone working as a smooth unit—issuing orders like it was second nature to him.
After high-fiving some of the kids hanging around, Linc waited to watch Greer.
Karly helped her with the stance and how to choke up on the bat. His heart swelled with pride. This entire place was his baby and he’d poured a lot into it but needed more to implement the other things he wanted to do. But baseball, well, that was his sport.
He perked up at the second swing from Greer. He hadn’t been wrong and she had no problem with the ball coming toward her head. This wasn’t T-ball. They were getting low slow balls lobbed in their direction. She had raw talent and he thought about the baseball team they would be starting soon. Perhaps she would like to be part of that.