Hot Corner (Baseball Romance) Read Free

whistle while she made breakfast.  Yet there Elizabeth was in the apartment, walking on air without a care in the world.
    "I don't think I've ever seen someone be so happy making breakfast before," Audrey joked.
    "Trust me.  This has nothing to do with breakfast," Elizabeth replied.
    "I'll bet," Audrey said.
    "Nice try," Elizabeth replied.  "So I guess you haven't gotten tired of John yet then," Audrey joked.
    "You could say that.  Go figure, I just can't get rid of the guy," Elizabeth said sarcastically. 
    "Maybe you're just not trying hard enough.  I could give you some tips if you want," Audrey joked again.
    "You know what?  I think I'll just stick with what I have," Elizabeth replied.
    "That's what I figured.  Look at you all smitten.  You're happier than I've seen you in a while.  It's a good look on you," Audrey commented.
    "You know, I wasn't sure I'd ever say this again, but I'm in love," Elizabeth revealed.
    "Wow, that's amazing," Audrey said.
    "It sure is.  Especially after what I've been through," Elizabeth replied.
    "Does he love you too?" Audrey asked.
    Elizabeth leaned in close.  "Don't tell anyone, but I think he's close to proposing."
    "Lucky you," Audrey said, with a smile.
    But inside, Audrey's emotions were far more mixed.  Of course Audrey was happy for her sister.  She only wanted the best for her family members.  At the same time though, Audrey wondered when luck would come to her own life.  When she'd be the one smiling again.  When happiness would fill her days.  But it was clear that day had not come quite yet.
    ***
    Audrey decided to take her dog out for an extra long walk in the park that day.  She needed the air.  And she also needed to clear her mind.  But as Audrey went to take a seat on the bench, a surprise was waiting for her.
    "Isabel Hoffman.  Wow, I haven't seen you in a while," Audrey said, seeing Isabel already sitting on the bench.
    "Audrey.  What a pleasant surprise," Isabel replied, tearing herself away from the horizon.
    "I'll say.  You look different," Audrey pointed out.
    "You mean I look happy for a change," Isabel said.
    "No, that's not what I meant," Audrey replied.
    "It's ok.  I was miserable for a long while there," Isabel said.  "To be fair though, I had a good reason."
    Did she ever.  If Audrey thought life had thrown her for a loop, all she had to do was look at Isabel to see how dire her circumstances really could be.  Audrey and Isabel were in the same class in high school years ago.  And so was Isabel's future husband Mark.  Isabel and Mark hit it off immediately.  They were great together.  And their lives seemed like dreams come true.  Then Mark had a brain aneurysm completely out of the blue one day, leaving Isabel as the youngest widow Audrey had ever met.
    Isabel sleepwalked through the next couple of years, not sure what to make of her life or how to rebuild.  Then one day, Isabel just picked up and left.  But now she was back and looking happy.  It was great to see Isabel again, but even better to see her with a smile on her face.  Audrey was curious to see how Isabel was able to bounce back only three years after her husbands death.
    "Yeah, you deserve to be happy," Audrey said.
    "We all deserve to be happy.  No one should have to go through life miserable," Isabel replied.
    "Amen to that," Audrey said. 
    "I just wish I'd taken my own advice sooner," Isabel replied. 
    "Speaking of, where have you been all this time?  I haven't seen you in ages," Audrey said. 
    "I took a vacation to Hawaii that lasted a little longer than I anticipated," Isabel replied. 
    "So that's where you've been all this time," Audrey said. 
    "Yeah, all the way up until a few months ago," Isabel said. 
    "That must have been one hell of a vacation," Audrey joked. 
    "It sure was.  I went there a widow and came back a wife," Isabel replied. 
    Audrey's eyes opened as wide as saucers.  "Damn."
    "What can I tell you?  I found a man that I couldn't say