Promise Forged, page 16
Amazing what a difference an article could make.
Still, the thought of nine months filled with days that mirrored this one horrified her. The summer had spoiled her with its constant activity. It may have worn her out, but she’d felt alive. She wouldn’t miss the strawberries sitting in classes, but her body already felt dormant, legs slack, arms useless.
It didn’t take much effort to hold a pencil and scribble a couple of notes.
The final bell sounded, and Kat launched from her chair.
“See you tomorrow, Kat.” Joanna, her constant companion last year, waved as she hurried out of the classroom. She stopped in the doorway. “You want to join some of us at the dime store for a Coke?”
“Can’t. I’m supposed to help my sister with her kids tonight.” Another change from when she left. It was odd not being the youngest in the house anymore. “See you next week.” Kat stuffed her last assignment into her satchel and closed the flap. She walked to the door and collided with a solid chest. She looked up, up into Bobby Richardson’s smoky eyes.
“Welcome back. I wondered if you’d decided to stay away.”
“I agreed to come home before I signed the contract.” Kat shrugged. It had certainly taken him long enough to track her down.
“Did you see the article the paper ran on you?” Was that admiration in his eyes? “Jeepers, Kat. You made an impression on somebody. Being selected out of so many trying out.”
“I guess.”
Bobby starred on the high school baseball team, and their friendship had slowly developed last year. Then she would have done anything to have him look at her in such an assessing way. Now his eyes weren’t the right color. She wanted someone else to show the interest in her.
“Can I walk you home?”
Kat cocked her head and considered him. “Isn’t that out of your way?”
“It’s not a problem. I’d like to hear about your season.”
“All right.” What could it hurt? Even if he wasn’t the man she wanted to be with, he’d help the blocks pass.
During the walk, Bobby coaxed stories from her, until Kat wearied of talking and tried to turn the attention back to him. Finally they reached the walkway to her home. “See you Monday, Bobby.”
He handed her bag over after a moment. “See ya.” He saluted her and sauntered down the sidewalk as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Kat watched a minute, empty from the assurance that boys like Bobby held no interest for her anymore.
No, a certain man had stolen her heart with his ability to see into her heart and coax her to believe in herself. Jack had known she could contribute in a real way to the Blossoms. His belief had transformed her.
Boys like Bobby couldn’t compare. Not anymore.
Jack Raymond had ruined her.
Kat turned to her house, dreading a night filled with the noise and activity that had invaded with the return of Josie and her children. After her summer she needed some peace and quiet, but this wasn’t the place to find it. She took a step up the sidewalk but stopped when she noticed a figure sitting in Mama’s rocking chair.
And it wasn’t Mama.
In that instant every stifled hope surged to life.
He’d come back.
Just like he’d said, Jack hadn’t forgotten her.
The future was theirs, filled with the hope of a promise.
❧
A rumble of thunder sounded, one that matched the clanging in his head as Jack watched the kid saunter off. He wanted to read Kat’s mind. She hadn’t appeared engaged, keeping a couple of feet between her and that boy.
Maybe he should leave now. Before he did something crazy that revealed how insanely, over-the-moon, crazy-in-love with Kat he was. Especially since Kat stood on the sidewalk, white as a sheet, still as a statute, her gaze glued to him. She licked her lips but still didn’t move. Guess he’d hoped for a different reaction. Anything more than this.
He pushed out of the rocker, sensing it whiz into motion behind him. He grabbed his fedora, slammed it on his head, and danced down the stairs. No way he’d let her see how her lack of emotion impacted him like a head to the chest in a brawl. He drew closer then stopped. Twin tears trailed down her cheeks.
Tears?
He hated tears. Didn’t know how to respond to them. Always did and said the wrong thing. Why did women have to cry so much? And couldn’t Kat provide a clue as to whether they were good or bad tears?
He took a hitched step forward. Stopped two feet from her. Kat’s chin dipped as if she wanted to hide her tears. “Kat?”
She took a step forward and was in his arms before he could move. “Where have you been? Why did you leave before I did? Do you have any idea how lonely it was in Cherry Hill without you? And then you weren’t here?” Her words blubbered on top of each other, and all Jack could do was circle her with his arms and put his chin on top of her head. She fit so well next to him.
How could he have thought of walking away a minute ago?
A throat cleared, and though Kat tried to step out of his embrace, he tightened his hold.
“Katherine Miller?” The tone was firm as it questioned.
Jack looked into her father’s eyes. “Sir.”
“I believe you have an introduction to make.”
Kat settled against Jack’s side. “Daddy, I hope you remember Jack Raymond from your trip to South Bend. Jack, this is my daddy.”
“You can call me Louis.” The man shook Jack’s hand with an extra-firm grip. Message received. No one could hurt his baby girl without going through him. Jack respected that. “Darling, let’s get Jack inside and reintroduce him to Mama.”
“I’ve already met her. In fact, she’s the one who invited me.”
Kat’s head bounced off his shoulder as she turned to look at him.
Jack studied her. “What?”
“Mama’s intuition working overtime again.”
Louis laughed. “You know better than that, Kat. I’d call it her prayer life.”
“Yes, Daddy.” Kat looked at Jack. “You’ve only got one more person to survive.”
He quirked his eyebrows.
“My brother. He’s a typical big brother. Loving. Picks on me. Overprotective.”
“That worries me.”
Kat grinned, the last shadow of tears clearing from her face. “He should.” She looked Jack up and down. “He’s bigger than you.”
Jack puffed up at the challenge. “I can take him.”
“I hope you don’t have to.” A wistful quality lengthened her words.
“Me, too, Kat. Me, too.” Jack squared his shoulders and led her to the door.
Dinner was a loud affair, the table surrounded by Mr. and Mrs. Miller; Kat’s sister, Josie, and her kids; and Kat and Jack. Mark didn’t make his appearance until dessert. The conversation bubbled around them, chaotic and scattered, while all Jack wanted to do was take Kat to the side and hear about how the season ended. Learn where her heart was now that she’d returned home.
After Kat helped clean up the supper dishes, her mother shooed them out the door. “Why don’t you two walk a bit?”
“Don’t be too long.” Her daddy didn’t even look up from his newspaper.
A soft smile brightened Kat’s expression. “Guess you passed Daddy’s inspection.”
That was good. Now he wanted to pass hers. Kat grabbed a small bag that sat tucked in a corner of the porch. He reached for her hand as they strolled down the street, deeper into the neighborhood.
“Let’s turn here.” Kat led him around a corner.
“Why do I get the feeling you’ve got a plan?”
“Maybe I do. Don’t worry. It’s a spot we can catch up but also do something fun.”
“Lead on.” He grinned when she led him to an open field. Mature trees dotted it, but lines in the grass delineated a baseball diamond. He should have known she’d bring them to a spot where she could be completely comfortable. If she was, then he would be, too.
She opened her bag and pulled out two well-worn baseball gloves and a ball ready to come apart at the seams.
“Do you think the ball will last?”
“I’d be more concerned about the glove. It’s Mark’s.” She winked at him over her shoulder as she sashayed away from him. She had no idea what she did to him. “Ready?” She whipped the ball his way before he had the glove on.
He sidestepped out of the way, and Kat laughed while he pulled the glove on and crab walked to the ball. “This is why I cover sports.”
Kat sobered instantly. “Do you regret it?”
“Regret what?” He had to hear her answer.
She plopped down on the grass, her skirt billowing around her. “Moving here. For me.”
“Katherine Miller, I could never regret that. You are the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. And I knew I didn’t want to stay in Cherry Hill. Dayton’s a good move.”
“But what if I go back to Cherry Hill next summer?”
There. That was the crux of the issue. “Addebary still trying to get you to commit?”
She nodded, chin wobbling. He sat down next to her, leaned over, and kissed her before she could succumb to more tears. She clung to him, returning his kiss. He pulled back, staring into her eyes. “Are you listening to me, Kat?” She nodded, but he couldn’t tell if she really heard. “You need to get this, though I’ll say it as often as you need. I want to be with you. You’re the woman I want to forge my future with. If that means we return to Cherry Hill from time to time, I’ll go gladly as long as you’re with me.”
“Do you mean that?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good.” She smiled at him in a way that made him sit back, wondering what was coming. “Because you’ve spoiled me for all the high school boys. And everyone else is off fighting.” She tried to slip away, but he wouldn’t let go.
“I think that comment entitles me to another kiss.”
A sweet smile lit her face from the inside. As the ball and glove dropped to the ground, Jack leaned closer. And in that moment, he sensed the power of a future forged on a promise of forever.
About the Author
An honors graduate of University of Nebraska-Lincoln and George Mason Law School, Cara C. Putman is an attorney licensed in Virginia and Indiana. She’s written six books for Heartsong Presents, including Canteen Dreams, a WWII historical set in Nebraska that won the ACFW 2008 Book of the Year for Short Historical. She currently has nine books out with three more releasing in 2010. Cara is also a wife, mom to three, home school teacher, occasional professor at Purdue, active church member, and all around crazy woman. (Crazy about God, her husband, and her kids, that is.) You can learn more about Cara at www.caraputman.com.
Dedication
To my uncles Rick and Bruce Kilzer, both great baseball fans. And to my aunt Laurie Kilzer, who has always made me feel like an amazingly special person. My life has been so much richer because of you.
Much thanks to fellow author Cindy Thomson for ensuring I had the softball scenes right. A task since I’m a football lover! And to Scott Shuler, archivist at the Center for History in South Bend, Indiana, which houses the archives of the AAGPS/BL, for opening the archives to me and helping me navigate the wonderful files and resources the center has accumulated.
A note from the Author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Cara C. Putman
Author Relations
PO Box 721
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
Letter to Readers
I hope you enjoyed reading Kat and Jack’s story. I had a great time watching it unfold. There was something fun about Kat—her spunk made this book a joy to write.
The All-American Girls Professional Softball League was a very real experiment that began the summer of 1943 and continued until 1954. The first summer, there were only four teams. I created Cherry Hill, Indiana, and the Cherry Hill Blossoms because, despite the excellent help of Scott Shuler, archivist at the Center for History in South Bend, Indiana, which houses the archives of the AAGPS/BL, I was unable to find the exact dates and play schedules of the 1943 season. Rather than create too much havoc with real events, I created two shadow teams. How the teams traveled, the rules, the uniforms and other details are all accurate reflections. Just don’t look for Cherry Hill, the Cherry Hill Blossoms, or the Joliet Jewels.
Though you might not be a baseball fan, I hope you enjoyed Kat’s story of learning to be a light for Christ and to stand on her own faith—important lessons for all of us.
It’s always a joy to write for you!
Cara
Cara C. Putman, Promise Forged
