Playing for Keeps (8 page)

“What’s so funny?” Olivia asked after they stopped at his car.

“You are.” Noah pushed the keyless entry and opened the door for her.

“That’s not how I’m usually described, but I’m so very glad you’re being entertained,” she commented as she slid into the low-slung leather seat.

Noah leaned over. “Okay, you refuse my cookies, but then I end up with a bone-melting kiss.” He shook his head. “Just when I’m expecting a curve, you throw me a fastball. You’re keeping me on my toes and I like it,” he added before closing the door.

Noah was still smiling as he walked around the car to the driver’s side. This play was an opportunity to be taken seriously, and although he was nervous, he hadn’t felt so alive and lighthearted in a long time. And he wasn’t lying. Her knock-you-naked kiss had taken him by surprise. Just thinking about it was getting him aroused.
Damn . . .

“I live on the corner of Eighth and Oak Street,” she told him.

“Not far from the high school.”

Olivia nodded. “I walk most days.”

“I’m not surprised,” Noah commented. “After all, you are a tree hugger.”

She laughed. “Yes, I demonstrated that pretty well, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did.” Noah liked the fact that she could laugh at herself. He was accustomed to high maintenance, not sweet honesty, and he was more relaxed with her than he had felt with a woman in recent memory. Within a couple of minutes he pulled up to the curb in front of her house, wishing the drive had been longer. “Nice,” he said, looking at her cute Cape Cod with a stone front porch. An inviting grapevine wreath decorated the dark green front door, which matched the shutters. Warmth, character . . . the house suited her.

Olivia peered out the window and sighed. “It’s a work in progress, but I love it. I’m not very handy, but I’m learning.” She slid him a grin. “Mostly by mistake.”

Noah grinned back. “Then we do have something in common. That’s how I’ve always learned too, or as my father would tell you, the hard way.”

“Where are your parents?”

“I bought them a house in Florida. My dad coaches baseball at a junior college and my mother gardens and paints.”

“How nice of you to do that for them, Noah.”

He shrugged. “My dad devoted a lot of his time coaching me on traveling teams and my mother put up with us being gone. I’m glad I could give something back.”

She looked at him for a thoughtful moment. “And you gave up something of your childhood too, I expect.”

“It’s what I wanted,” Noah answered, even though it wasn’t entirely true. But Olivia was the first person who had had enough insight to realize that his success had not come without cost, and he liked that about her as well. His desire for her to see him as something more than beefcake became even stronger. “Well, here you are.” He killed the rumbling engine and hoped for an invitation inside, but she turned and laid a hand lightly on his arm.

“No need to walk me in. I’m sure you want to get settled. Where are you staying?”

“I’m renting a condo down by the river.”

She nodded. “Nice. That’s where Madison is living. It’s another project that got off to a good start but then stalled when the economy went sour.”

Noah nodded. “It’s a shame. That property overlooking the river is some prime real estate. Seems like something else could be done there to bring in tourists.”

Olivia sighed. “I agree. But what? Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“What time?” Noah asked while wondering how in the world merely having her hand on his arm could be sexy as hell. Her fingers felt cool and soft and he wanted her to slide her hand up his arm and into his hair.

“Since it’s Sunday, could we get started fairly early in the evening?”

“How about six o’clock and I’ll bring pizza?”

“That works for me. We have the regular chains on the outskirts of town, or Papa Vito’s—he’s still trying to compete.”

“Oh, boy.” Noah rubbed his hands together. “I consumed many a slice of Papa Vito’s pizza in my day.” He smiled at the memory. “We used to hang out there after ball games, stuffing ourselves and playing pinball until Papa V would finally kick us out. Good pizza and amazing big, fat breadsticks swimming in garlic butter. Does he still run the place?”

“Yes, and he’s as cranky as ever. But you’re right. Papa Vito’s pizza beats the chains hands down. He learned making pizza from his father, who had a pizza parlor in Chicago. I just wish the kids around here were aware of what a gem they have. Everything there is made fresh, not brought in on some big truck.” Olivia shook her head and swallowed hard. “I’m sorry,” she apologized and then cleared her throat. “I hate to see shops that have been here forever closing right and left and the rest hanging on by the skin of their teeth. These hardworking families are suffering. The community center is a source of art and theater and could end up closing its doors as well. Federal funding has been cut, making revenue from ticket sales even more important. We can’t raise prices . . .” She shook her head. “And slips at the marina are empty, Noah. Boats are for sale. You remember how vibrant and fun summers here used to be?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Okay.” She inhaled deeply. “I’ll stop my rant now. But it’s just all so very sad.”

Noah put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Listen, I know I need some work, but I’m a blue chip player, Livie. You can count on me to give one hundred percent.”

“I believe you.” She gave him a trembling smile that shot straight to his heart and, unable not to, he put a gentle hand on her chin. “It’s just that—”

“Shhh . . .” He rubbed his thumb over her chin and inadvertently touched her bottom lip. “Worrying won’t help.” Despite the fact that he didn’t mean it as anything sexual, the touch of her mouth sent a surge of pure longing through his body. But he didn’t want her to get the wrong impression. She needed to know he was serious and not some player trying to score, so he pulled back and nodded toward her house. “Now go on in there and unwind. You need some rest. As you already know, teaching me will take some serious energy.”

She put her hand on his arm again. “You don’t have to get out. Thanks for the lift.” She squeezed his forearm. “You’d better rest up too, Noah Falcon. I’m going to be a lot tougher this time around.”

“I will.” He reached over and opened her door and he thought it was cute when after getting out she leaned over and gave him a shy wave before turning to walk up her sidewalk. He smiled at her pressed khaki pants and sensible sweater, but her long hair blowing in the breeze suggested a sense of untamed freedom that he wished he could explore with her.

Olivia paused at the top of the steps, and for a moment he thought perhaps she would turn and wave once more. When she didn’t, he experienced a bit of disappointment but watched until she was safely inside before turning the key in the ignition.

After he rumbled away Noah took comfort in familiar sights, and faded memories sprang back to life as he passed the Dairy Hut and Papa Vito’s Pizza. He slowed down past the high school and felt a stab of emotion upon seeing the baseball fields. Darkness had fallen, but when he stopped he could make out the backstop and rows of stands. After a moment he cut the engine and stepped out of his car, needing to get just a little bit closer to a place and time that had been carefree and simple. He curled his fingers into the chain-link backstop and inhaled the scent of freshly turned dirt and green grass that would soon be ready to play on.

He could almost hear the cheering fans, the crack of a ball hitting a bat, and the sharp shout of an umpire calling strike three. While making it to the major leagues had been an absolute dream fulfilled, Little League and especially Cricket Creek High School were where his love of the game had come to life. Noah looked out at the pitcher’s mound and smiled. Major-league baseball had been an amazing ride, but this field would forever hold a special place in his heart.

While Noah stood there leaning against the fence, it dawned on him how very quiet it was. Except for the rustle of the breeze through the trees, the only sound he heard was the occasional hum of a car engine, a bark of a dog, and in the distance . . . music and laughter. A sense of peace washed over him, and he thought to himself that this was the heartland, small-town living at its best. Lately he had been waking up at loose ends, with no real reason to get out of bed. He’d always been someone who was driven and focused, and this new status left him feeling oddly disjointed. He told himself he was crazy. Who cared if he was let go from
Love in the Afternoon
? At thirty-eight years old, he had more money than he would ever need even if he didn’t work another day in his life. And so began his mindless spending spree and endless nights of partying, each day blending into the next with no real beginning or end. But instead of feeling carefree and happy, all he felt was depressed.

Seeing this little town struggling had been his wake-up call. Hardworking families were trying to put food on the table while he had been blowing money on crap he didn’t need or really even want. How damned ridiculous was that? He needed to have a work boot shoved right up his butt. He wanted to help! For the first time in a long while Noah felt a sense of real purpose, and it made his throat clog with emotion.

As he pushed away from the backstop, thoughts of Olivia Lawson popped into his head and he had to smile. She was nothing like any of the flashy women he had been gravitating toward recently. As he drove to his rented condo all he did was think about her and what it would be like to have her in his arms once again. But he knew that this play was important not only to his career but also to Madison Robinson and Cricket Creek, so he made a promise not to do anything that might jeopardize its success—and getting involved with his leading lady was at the top of the list of things to avoid. But then he remembered Olivia’s soft, full mouth and subtle sensuality and sighed. Keeping his hands off sweet Livie Lawson wasn’t going to be easy.

J
ason pounded the nail into the two-by-four with more force than necessary and then rocked back on the heels of his steel-toed boots. Working on Sunday wasn’t his favorite thing to do, but normally he just sucked it up and dealt with it, especially in lean times like these.

Not today, though.

Today, what he really wanted to be doing was spending some time with Madison, maybe a long drive through the countryside or four-wheeling so he could have her arms wrapped around him all day long . . . Well, and all night long too. He had to grin slightly when he pictured her city slicker tush on the back of a quad, but then again he knew she would do it. His little Maddie had been working hard to find her inner redneck. Well, okay, without a great deal of success, but it sure was fun watching her try. Jason chuckled. Someday she would go mudding without screaming or ducking her head the entire time. He kept reminding her that she was born here and needed to reclaim her Kentucky roots.

But he looked down at his hammer and his smile faded. Working wasn’t the only thing that had him in a pissed-off mood. The nails he was pounding into the set frame were bought at Home Depot instead of Tucker’s Hardware, where he had been doing business for years. Why? Because Tucker’s was yet another local store that had just fallen victim to big chains. It simply could not compete. So after fifty years, the family-owned store had finally closed its doors.

Jason scrubbed a hand down his face. His own remodeling business had remained fairly steady, but he had cut his profit margins to get jobs and also to help locals who were hurting even more than he was. “Damn.” He blew out a long sigh. For the first time, he had to face the possibility of bidding out-of-town jobs, or even relocating if things got worse. Oh, he could do it. He had connections and a reputation for excellent work. He just didn’t want to leave friends and family or sell his five sweet acres high up on a ridge overlooking the creek, where he planned to build a kick-ass home.

Jason squeezed the weathered handle of the hammer that his grandfather had given him. He had newer, fancier tools, but something about knowing that his grandfather had pounded nails with this old tool gave him a feeling of comfort and satisfaction while he worked. Oh, he had earned a business degree to please his mother, but there was never any question in his mind that he would be wearing boots and a tool belt rather than a suit and tie. He sat there quietly and looked out over the auditorium, hoping that Noah Falcon would bring in a packed house. Although the small businesses and the outlying farming community were no strangers to lean times, the summer tourism had always given them the extra boost they needed to stay afloat. But with the entire country struggling to climb out of this recession, tourism had dropped off sharply. With another sigh, Jason thought about the pressure on Madison to produce a hit play and then shook his head. Of course his thoughts never strayed far from her.

Jason closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath. Oh, boy . . . He could almost smell her perfume, he thought, and then smiled when he realized that she was sneaking up behind him. He sat still and let her think she was surprising him even though he wanted to turn around and grab her.

She knelt down next to him and put cool hands over his eyes. “Guess who.”

“Give me a clue. Are you blond or brunette?”

“Blond . . .” She drew out the word in a low, sexy tone.

Jason rubbed his chin. “Hmmm, I know lots of blondes. Straight or curly?”

“Natural blond, natural curls.”

“Natural blond?” Jason questioned in an amused, skeptical voice. “Don’t think I know any of those.”

She groaned. “Okay, I highlight a tiny bit.”

“Narrows it down just a little,” he teased to get her going. Getting Madison riled up was one of life’s pleasures. “Give me something more to go on.”

She gave him a sharp nudge with her knee. “Like what?”