Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
He nods, looking thoughtful. “I get that. I’ve been bouncing around the minors for years, so I’m used to traveling, but this place always felt more like home to me than anywhere else. Juniper loves it here, too. My sister, Hattie, moved here first, and when Juniper came along… it just felt right to stick around.”
Something tugs at my heart as I watch him talk about his daughter. There’s warmth in his voice, pride in every syllable. It reminds me of how I always wanted a close-knit family of my own, though it hasn’t happened yet. “She’s lucky to have you,” I say softly. “You’re a great dad, Ripley.”
He ducks his head, looking a little embarrassed. “Thanks,” he mumbles. “I’m just doing my best. It’s a team effort. Hattie’s a big help. But I worry sometimes… about what Juniper might be missing, you know?” His voice catches for a second, like he’s not sure how much to say.
I touch his arm lightly, the swing swaying with the motion. “From what I’ve seen, she’s a happy, confident kid. She adores you.” A small, soft laugh escapes me. “And she’s so proud of you. She couldn’t stop talking about your pitching skills during practice.”
Ripley’s lips quirk into a half-smile. “I guess that’s good to hear. She’s got a whole life ahead of her, so I just… yeah. I want her to have good influences.”
I’m about to say something more when Juniper bounds up the porch steps. Her cheeks are rosy from running around, and she clutches a whiffle ball in her hands. “Dad, Kali, come see me hit!” she exclaims, pointing excitedly to the makeshift home plate out in the yard.
Ripley chuckles. “We’ll be right there, Junebug.”
“Okay!” She zooms off again, leaving us in silence for another moment.
I sigh, realizing the time. The sun has fully set now, and the sky is dipping into twilight blues. “I should probably get going soon,” I say reluctantly. “It’s getting late.”
Ripley nods, though there’s a flicker of disappointment in his eyes—or maybe I’m imagining it. “Yeah, you probably should. Don’t want you getting stuck in the dark.”
We stand up from the swing, and I smooth down my sundress, trying not to feel too self-conscious about the lingering closeness between us. We head down into the yard to watch Juniper take a few more enthusiastic swings at the whiffle ball, cheering when she finally makes contact and sends it sailing a few yards. Her giddy smile makes the whole day worth it.
Eventually, I gather my things, and Juniper pouts. “Do you really have to go now, Coach Kali? Can’t you stay for a little while longer?”
My heart twists. “I wish I could, but I have to get home. How about we pick up where we left off next practice?”
She makes a show of sighing dramatically, but her eyes are dancing. “Fine. But you better come back soon.”
Ripley walks me to the front door, the porch light illuminating us in a gentle glow. Neither of us says much at first, just exchanging small smiles. Finally, I break the silence. “Thanks for tonight,” I say. “For dinner, and… well, for not kicking me out when I showed up.”
“When you showed up,” he whispers, his eyes drop to check out my sundress. He chuckles. “I didn’t mind it one bit, actually.”
A swirl of warmth blooms in my chest at his words, but I force myself to keep it together. “Well then, maybe I’ll come back,” I say, flashing him a quick grin before stepping onto the porch.
“Looking forward to it,” he replies, leaning against the doorframe with that slow, crooked smile that I’m starting to find dangerously appealing.
I head off, heart thumping, and can’t resist one last wave at Juniper, who’s standing in the doorway looking half sleepy, half thrilled. The evening air is cooler now, brushing against my skin as I walk toward my car parked along the street. The lamp posts cast long shadows on the sidewalk, and the ocean breeze carries a soft hush.
I start the engine with a quick twist of the key, and give one last wave as I drive off.
Once I’m a few blocks away, I dig my phone out of my purse. Bristol picks up on the second ring, sounding out of breath. “Hey, you,” she says. “How’d it go?”
I can’t help but laugh, the events of the night swirling in my head. “Well, let’s just say I ended up on his back porch swing, talking about life while his daughter practiced batting in the backyard.”
“Whoa,” Bristol exclaims, and I can practically hear her grin through the phone. “You serious?”
“Dead serious,” I confirm, slowing the car as I pass a row of little bungalows similar to Ripley’s. “He’s… different than I expected. And Juniper is adorable. It was nice… comfortable, even.”
“So did you two talk talk, or was it awkward?”