Free Michaela's Choice by Lisa Harris Page B

Michaela,” Daniel said when it was her turn.
    They were winning, three to two, and Michaela had picked up a few things about baseball along the way, but she still felt ridiculous standing at home plate with the bat grasped between her hands. She tried to remember everything she’d been told. Bend legs, lean over slightly, watch the ball. Eric, who was pitching for the opposing team, threw the ball at her and she swung.
    “Strike.”
    She looked over at Daniel and the Johnson kids, who were cheering her on. Eric threw the ball again. This time Michaela thought she detected a slight smirk on his face.
    “Strike.”
    Michaela took in a deep breath and stared straight at him. Inky black hair curled slightly over his ears, and dark stubble shadowed his square jaw. Their gazes met, and an odd sensation swept through her. Feeling off balance for a moment, she tried to shake the feeling. Determined to concentrate on the game, she sucked in her breath and raised the bat.
    Eric threw the ball. She swung. A crack sounded from the bat, and a cheer went up from behind her as she stood there watching the ball fly toward second base.
    “Run! Run!” someone screamed behind her.
    Michaela threw down the bat, picked up the hem of her dress, and ran for her life.
    ❧
    An hour later, Michaela leaned against the rail of the Johnsons’ front porch, enjoying the end of the sunset. The murmur of voices filtered into the night, joining the low croak of a lone frog. Fireflies danced in the distance, their soft glow shimmering in the murky twilight.
    “It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?”
    Michaela jumped at the deep male voice and turned around. “Eric?”
    He came and stood beside her, keeping an arm’s length between them. “I’m sorry if I startled you.”
    “No, it’s fine. I was just enjoying the sunset.” She brushed a hair out of the corner of her mouth and looked up at him. Despite her height, he still towered over her.
    Eric rested his palms against the rail and leaned forward. “My mother always said that sunsets were gifts from God that should be shared.”
    She smiled at the expression. “I like that.”
    “Then you don’t mind if I join you for a few minutes?”
    “Of course not.” Michaela watched the breeze tug at his hair and brush the top of his collar, then shifted her gaze to the orange and yellow of the sunset. “This has always been my favorite time of the day. Just before evening fades into night, and there’s still a splash of color across the sky.”
    “I have to agree. It’s beautiful.” He cleared his throat and glanced at her. “Sarah tells me you offered to give the children piano lessons.”
    Shadows masked his expression, and she suddenly wondered if she’d made a mistake in agreeing to teach the children without talking to him first. “I hope I wasn’t out of line.”
    “No, I didn’t mean that.” He angled his body toward her, one elbow still resting against the wooden rail. “What I meant was that six kids is a lot of lessons.”
    “It’s something I really enjoy. Plus, it’s a pity to have such a beautiful instrument that no one plays.”
    He let out a soft chuckle. “I have to agree with you on that one. If you’re sure you wouldn’t mind, I would be happy to pay you—”
    “I’m not looking for a source of income.” Michaela wondered if she’d left the wrong impression. “It really is something I enjoy. Just let me play it every once in a while and I will be more than happy. Are Saturdays all right with you?”
    “Saturdays would be perfect.”
    ❧
    Eric watched as Michaela pulled her embroidered shawl around her shoulders and tried to interpret the torrent of unfamiliar feelings that rushed through him. All afternoon, he’d been aware of her. Then when she’d caught his gaze on the baseball field, something had awakened within him.
    Six years ago, he’d lost Susanna. She’d been the love of his life, and there hadn’t been a woman since who’d captured him