“No,” he said. “What do you do?”

  “I pray. Would it be okay if I prayed with you?”

  Austin’s depression lifted. “That would be great. Mom always prays with me before a game, and I forgot to have her do it before I left. I was afraid the guys might think it was a baby thing, and well...”

  “I understand. Just so you know, it’s never a baby thing to pray.”

  Austin rubbed the back of his cheeks with his hand to wipe away the tears. “Yeah, Mom would say the same thing.”

  Before someone interrupted them, Elizabeth held his hand and whispered a prayer. She prayed for his mother’s healing, and for his safety, and for a great game for the whole team. When she rose up and opened her eyes, Austin was smiling.

  “Thanks, Elizabeth. I feel much better.”

  “Good. You should feel better. Now you need to get out there and play some baseball.” Elizabeth stood back up next to Bruce. Quizzically he looked at her, but she volunteered no information. After few moments, Austin’s face lit up, and he ran off. Elizabeth followed him with her gaze and noticed Cole nearby.

  “Ah, so the father finally shows,” said Bruce.

  Elizabeth noticed Cole wasn’t alone. Bruce muttered under his breath, “Who is that?”

  She heard him, but she didn’t comment. Looking at her, he said, “I guess we should go over and take a seat.” Lifting his hand forward, he said, “After you.”

  Elizabeth headed toward the bleachers. She wanted a good seat where she could see the game. One that didn’t look like she was avoiding Cole. To think he could call her and ask to go out, when clearly he wasn’t a man without womanly attention.

  The girl Cole brought to the field was barely in her twenties. She might as well have been naked for all the clothing that graced her body. She lounged against the side of the concession stand, wrapping gum around her index finger as Cole conversed with his son. Elizabeth picked a seat on the bottom row and Bruce sat on the opposite side of her on the edge. He appeared to be doing some avoiding on his own.

  Cole spent a few minutes with Austin then sent him back to the field while he walked over to his waiting “date.” On the way, Austin stopped in front of Elizabeth and Bruce. For a moment he stood there. Then he threw himself into Elizabeth’s arms and gave her a huge hug. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his small frame and patted his back with affection.

  “Go get ’em, tiger.” she said in his ear. Austin leaned back and hugged Bruce as well. Turning at the sound of the coach’s voice, Austin ran to the dugout with his team.

  Elizabeth noticed the look that passed between Bruce and Cole. It was shock.

  “Austin doesn’t give affection easily. What caused him to just run up and do that?” asked Bruce.

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “He hugged you. Out of the blue, came up and hugged you. That kid won’t even hug my mother, his own grandmother, unless he’s threatened.”

  “I don’t know. I guess you’ll have to ask him.”

  “Yeah, I guess I will. Don’t look now, but here comes Cole.”

  Sure enough Cole and his friend were coming their way. “Elizabeth, fancy meeting you here.”

  She nodded her head in greeting. “Cole, it’s nice to see you again.”

  Not too loudly, Cole said, “I tried to call you.”

  “I know. I got your message.”

  “You didn’t call back.”

  “No, I didn’t. Remember, you told me not to.”

  Cole didn’t have time to respond because his date was angling for his attention. “Hey baby, can you go get me a drink. I’m totally parched from this heat.”

  Elizabeth couldn’t see how she could possibly be parched from heat. It was in the middle seventies today, and she was wearing a bikini top and shorts that went all the way up to her rear. Cole didn’t seem real inclined to leave. He retrieved his wallet and gave her a couple of dollars and told her to go get whatever she wanted. She pouted, but she went anyway.

  Cole had sat on the other side of Elizabeth. Bruce leaned over in front of her to speak to him. “Cole, what were you thinking?”

  “She was with me when you called, dude. I wasn’t about to leave her at my house. She might steal something.”

  Elizabeth fought to control her emotions. She knew that Cole had issues. They had been talking about them, and she had thought things were improving. Obviously Cole had fooled her.

  Bruce replied, “You could have taken her to her own place instead of bringing her here. What if Julie shows up or something?”

  “So what if she does show up. We’re divorced, remember? You filed the papers and helped me to get the divorce. What does it matter if she sees me with another woman? I don’t belong to her.”

  Elizabeth looked over the two heads leaned together, bickering back and forth in front of her, and realized the game was starting. Rude or not, Elizabeth put a hand on each forehead and pushed the brothers apart. “Cool it, guys. Austin is up to bat.”

  They straightened up in time to see him hit a fly ball. Austin ran to first. Elizabeth was up and yelling first thing. When the other team missed catching the ball and Austin made it to second base, she jumped two feet off the ground. When she turned to sit back down Bruce and Cole were staring at her with a flabbergasted look.

  The next batter came to bat and she cheered for them just as vehemently. Before you knew it, the whole crowd of onlookers was doing the same. Everyone was having a great time, save one—Angel, Cole’s friend. Angel had returned to the bleachers and now sat with her legs crossed, her elbow placed on her knee, chewing gum and tapping her red lacquered fingernails.

  When the game was over, Austin’s team were the victors. The whole team was smiles. They carried Austin on their shoulders because of his winning run. Cole ran to the field saying to anyone that would listen, “That’s my boy; that’s my boy.” When the crowd dispersed and the team started to leave the field, the little boy, who had received all the attention and had won the game, didn’t seem very happy. Elizabeth could see the expression on his face going from happiness to disappointment as he talked to the coach.

  Elizabeth left Bruce, Cole, and Angel in a group and walked over to Austin. He was telling the coach good-bye. She overheard the coach say, “I sure wish you could come to the ice cream parlor with us. You really deserve it.”

  Austin responded meekly, and Elizabeth couldn’t hear what he said. After the coach left, she approached Austin and put her arm across his nine-year-old shoulders. “Hey Austin, what’s this I hear about an ice cream parlor?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Austin, come on now. We’re buddies; you can tell me.”

  Austin hesitated. “When we win a game, the team meets at the ice cream parlor for a treat, and the coach buys. Only I know I can’t go because Mom isn’t here.”

  “Maybe your dad will take you.”

  His tone was cynical. “Yeah, right. Dad brought a girl with him, and there is no way he’ll take me to an ice cream parlor with her around.”

  “Austin, perhaps Bruce and I could take you to the ice cream parlor. Your father could join us after he takes his friend home?”

  “You think so?” Austin’s face showed a hint of joy.

  “Sure. You come with me and I’ll ask him.”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “I’ll wait here because, because I don’t want Dad to be mad at me for not wanting Angel to go.”

  “Okay. You sit on the bleachers, and I’ll go talk to them.”

  Angel had gone to the restroom, and Bruce and Cole were arguing. Elizabeth wanted to make her suggestion while the girl was gone. Was that going to be possible?

  Elizabeth made a sound in her throat to alert the two men to her presence. She interrupted, “If you two are done arguing, I have a question to ask.”

  “We weren’t arguing.”

  Cole said, “Yes, we are arguing. At least you were fussing at me about how I never do anything right by my son or my family.”

  “Okay, let me try this again. Austin’s team is going to the ice cream parlor, and the coach is buying since they won the game. I told Austin if you couldn’t take him, Cole, that Bruce and I would be glad to.”

  Cole took offense at her offering to take his son. “And why wouldn’t I take my son to the ice cream parlor with his team? Why do I need my kid brother and his little chick to take my son anywhere?”

  Bruce pulled his arm back as if to hit Cole. Elizabeth restrained him and then shook her head. She couldn’t begin to express her disappointment. All this time working with Cole, talking to him, encouraging him to get back with his family, and this was the result. As far as she could see, there had been no change in him at all. He was still the selfish man that he’d been in the beginning.

  Angel chose that moment to return. She laid her hand around Cole’s arm and started stroking it up and down. Leaning up to speak in Cole’s ear, she said loud enough for everyone to hear. “I am so bored, Cole. Can’t we go back to your house? I was having so much more fun there.”

  Elizabeth felt her eyebrow rise. She didn’t wait to hear Cole’s reply before saying, “Bruce and I will go ahead and take Austin to the ice cream parlor. You can join us after you drop Angel off at her home.”

  Elizabeth turned around and beckoned Austin to come to her. While he moved, she kept waiting to hear what Cole would say to her command. When Austin stood before her and looked up at her with his big brown doe-shaped eyes, “Your father said you could come with us and he’ll be there shortly.”

  Austin did a dance before running back and hugging his father’s legs. “Thanks, Dad! See you there.” Austin skipped off toward Bruce’s waiting car.

  Cole sent her a look, one that was indescribable, but fortunately he didn’t say a word. The three of them walked to the car and sped off while they were still being watched.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  They arrived at the ice cream parlor about ten minutes behind the other families. Austin bounded into line, holding Elizabeth’s hand.

  “Elizabeth, I’ll go find a seat,” said Bruce.

  “Okay,” she answered.

  Bruce watched and listened as he walked away. Austin’s enthusiasm was infectious. He had chattered non-stop in the back of Bruce’s vehicle while they rode. He was a pleasant little boy. Elizabeth bent down to him and Bruce heard her say, “You know what, Austin?”

  “No, what?”

  “I think you should go ahead with your teammates, and I’m going to go sit with Uncle Bruce. He looks a little lonely, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah, you’re right, he does. Will it be okay if I sit with the guys, too?”

  “Yeah, I’m sure it will be. We’ll be watching you, okay?”

  “Yep,” he said, and he turned back to the moving line.

  Elizabeth came and plopped next to Bruce on one of the curved bench seats. The ice cream parlor was done in a fifties look. A jukebox sat in the corner and belted out tunes from the fifties while records hung on the ceiling. Bruce’s arm was propped up on the back of the seat as Elizabeth slid in beside him and sat close to his side.

  “Bruce?”

  “Hmm?” he answered, enjoying the feel of her sitting close to him.

  “Do you think I was too hard on Cole? I feel as if I might have over-stepped my bounds.”

  Bruce didn’t want to talk about Cole. He only wanted to think about Elizabeth. How good she was to Austin. How enthusiastic she was at the ball game. How happy she seemed. How much fun it was to spend a normal afternoon with her. He answered, “No, I think you did what you needed to do to help Austin.”

  “Can I ask you something else?”

  “Yes?”

  “Why did Cole divorce Julie? Did she have an affair? Was she a bad wife? What happened?”

  Bruce didn’t normally get jealous of his brother. But he was getting a little upset that Elizabeth kept asking questions about Cole and his problems. Then it dawned on him: perhaps she liked Cole, and this was a way to get information about him. Should he give it to her or not?

  “The reason I ask is because Austin said his mom prays with him before games. And I can’t see a woman who would do that with her son willingly being divorced. I know it’s none of my business, but Austin would be happier if his parents would get back together.”

  Elizabeth wanted to get Cole back with Julie? Now that was too much. If that was her line of thinking, Bruce had no problems telling her everything he knew. “Cole divorced her.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s simple, really. They were both Catholic when they got married. Neither one of them went to mass, you understand. They were born Catholic. And then one day, Julie came in and announced she didn’t feel right about some things. She started attending a different church, and next thing you know, she wanted Cole to go with her. He did for a few times. But he didn’t get it like her. Julie didn’t push. She began reading her Bible and praying. None of that bothered Cole because Julie was becoming a better wife to him. Then she became unhappy. Julie started worrying about Cole’s soul. And that was the end.”

  Elizabeth turned and gave Bruce a look of utter shock. “You mean to tell me, Cole divorced Julie because she became a Protestant?”

  “I guess you could say that.”

  Elizabeth was stunned speechless. Before she had time to say anything else, Cole arrived. He slipped into their booth and pressed up close to Elizabeth. Bruce furrowed his brow as Cole’s thigh practically touched her. The heady scent of Cole’s cologne wafted toward his nose. What had Cole done? He smelled like he’d made a special trip home and doused himself in liquid scent.

  “Little lady, I’m here, and I did exactly what you said. I took Angel home, and here I am to have ice cream with my little man.” Cole frowned. “Where is my little man?”

  “He’s sitting with his teammates,” Bruce responded, through gritted teeth.

  Cole’s face relaxed. He looked at their empty table. “Where’s our ice cream?”

  “We haven’t ordered any.”

  “Elizabeth, what can I get you? Surely one as sweet as you needs something sweet to tide her over.”

  Was Cole hitting on Elizabeth? Bruce tensed. “If she wants anything, I’ll get it for her.”

  “We’re here for my boy, so I’ll get it for her.”

  “I think she’s my date, and I’ll buy whatever she needs.”

  Elizabeth rested her elbows on the table and put her hands into them. Bruce and Cole continued to bicker until she interjected between the two, “I need to be excused, please.”

  Bruce and Cole both left the booth, allowing her to get out on either side. She exited on Bruce’s side and went to the restroom. As Cole and Bruce sat back down, he could feel the anger settle over his features and his fists knotted under the table. “What was that all about? ‘Little lady’ and ‘I’ll get it for you because you are here for my boy’?”

  “I like her. Austin likes her. I thought maybe I could make her interested in me.”

  Bruce couldn’t believe his ears. “You must be joking.”

  “Why do I have to be joking? You said you weren’t interested in her that way. She was just an ‘employee.’ So I thought maybe I could have a chance with her. Did she mention I left a couple of messages on her answering machine about going out sometime?”

  Bruce didn’t know how to respond. Why hadn’t Elizabeth told him Cole had called her? What was she trying to hide? The fact she liked Cole or the fact she didn’t? Bruce was very upset with his brother. Cole should’ve known he had feelings for Elizabeth. Bruce had brought her to the game, hadn’t he? Before Bruce could tell his brother what he thought, Cole was up and using his arm to direct Elizabeth back in-between them.

  “While I’m up, I think I’ll run over and tell Austin I’m here. By the way, I would be more than willing to get that ice cream for you.” Cole looked directly at Elizabeth without a wavering glance.

  “Hmm. Thanks, Cole. I’m fine.”

  “Suit yourself,” Cole said as he left them and headed to the counter.

  Elizabeth turned to Bruce while they were alone. “Bruce, I think there’s something I should tell you. I didn’t tell you earlier because I thought he was joking, but after the way Cole has been acting, I’m not so sure. Cole has been calling me and asking if I would like to go out. I did call him back, but not because I wanted to date him. I wanted to talk to him.

  “I asked you earlier about Cole’s divorce because I’ve been trying to counsel him about getting back with his wife and putting his family back together. But that brother of yours can be very close-lipped. I was finding it next to impossible to help him when he wouldn’t tell me anything. And I didn’t tell you about talking to him because, well…” She lowered her head, “I don’t have an excuse. Honestly, I should have told you when I saw you earlier, but I didn’t. Can you forgive me?”

  Bruce didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t done anything wrong. They weren’t dating or committed. He’d only known her for a few weeks. Admittedly, he’d spent almost every waking moment either with her or thinking about her since they’d met, but still they were just friends. Weren’t they?

  And what about her talking to Cole, trying to make his family life better? She’d only met him one time, and here she was, trying to help him. Elizabeth never ceased to amaze him.

  Bruce took Elizabeth’s hand in his and stared down at the smooth lines and the frailness of her fingers. No wonder her family worried about her being so far from home. She needed a protector. Looking over at Cole as he stood at the counter, Bruce could honestly say Cole protected those things that belonged to him. Would he be good to her?

  And what about Cole’s normal mode of operations? Was he playing on Elizabeth kindness just to get to know her more intimately? Did Bruce want to take that chance? No, the only protector he wanted for Elizabeth was himself.