Catch of a Lifetime: A Cricket Creek Novel Read Free Page B

it’s almost finished. It’s hard to imagine that just last year we were wondering how this little river town was going to survive the lack of tourism. Now we just need to fill the stands.”
    “Mom, stop worrying! Noah Falcon built it, and they will come! And eat at Wine and Diner. Positive thinking!” Madison tapped her head firmly. “The Cougars have already been practicing. Jason said that Ty and Noah should have the team picked by the end of the week.” Madison cocked one eyebrow and then gave her a slow smile. “You should totally be like Annie Savoy in
Bull Durham
.”
    “Madison! For Pete’s sake, were you watching a Kevin Costner marathon or something?”
    “No . . . I’m just sayin’. There are some hot ballplayers trying out for the team.”
    “Yeah, and I’m old enough to be their mom. No, thank you.”
    “There’s always Ty McKenna. You keep giving him the brush-off, but the man is so into you, it’s not even funny.”
    “He’s into my food at the diner,” Jessica scoffed, and hoped her face wasn’t beet red. She was not about to admit how she looked forward to seeing Ty walk through the door, or their conversations that were getting longer. “Plus, the man is an absolute player, and I’m not talking baseball.”
    “Then play with him.”
    “Madison! I can’t believe the stuff that comes out of your mouth.” She rolled her eyes and changed the subject. “But I’m looking forward to opening day. It really should bring much-needed tourism back to town and entertain the locals too. Cricket Creek has always loved baseball, and now we finally have a professional team,” she said breezily, but Madison’s comment brought a hot vision of Ty
McKenna slamming into her brain.
Now,
he
sure as hell looks good for forty,
she thought with a little internal shiver. In fact, Ty could still be playing professional ball, but he had said that he wanted to quit while at the top of his game.In spite of how she felt about his playboy shenanigans, she had to admire that he had walked away from millions to retain his integrity. Ty was one of the investors in the baseball complex aimed at giving major-league hopefuls a second chance at the big show. Ex-pitcher and hometown hero Noah Falcon spearheaded the project, along with another silent partner. Jessica prayed it would bring back prosperity to the once-booming river town. And while business at the diner had improved since she had taken over last year, the renovations had been more extensive than Jessica had first projected. She inhaled deeply and realized that a glass of wine would hit the spot. “I’m going to head out on the balcony for some fresh air.”
    “You might see Owen laying down some mulch down by the stadium. Aunt Myra said he was going to be doing some landscaping over there today.” Madison added over her shoulder, “If he looks up, give him a wave.”
    “Will do,” Jessica said as she headed to the kitchen and uncorked a bottle of merlot. She had to smile when she thought of soft-spoken local landscaper Owen Lawson and her spunky aunt Myra falling in love. “Crazy love,” she mumbled with a soft chuckle. After pouring a glass of wine, she opened the sliding door and stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the Ohio River. A cool breeze brought the musky scent of muddy water and a hint of fish, sweetened with the fresh fragrance of budding trees. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply before taking a sip of the smoky merlot. “Wow.” Jessica looked over at the shiny new baseball stadium trimmed in fire-engine red and felt hope blossom in her chest. Opening day was already sold out, and season-ticket sales were going strong. Local merchants were sprucing up their shops with glossy paint and stocking inventory where shelves had been bare. Spring pansies cheerfully spilled out of the planters lining Main Street. After several years ofbattling the sluggish economy, the sleepy little river town was rubbing its eyes and coming