Chapter 12
Renata was enjoying lunch outside on a sunny day in Casarina when her phone rang. Picking it up from the table, she saw the ID and clicked in immediately. “Francesca.”
“Mamá.”
Uh-oh. Renata waited, and when no more was coming, she said, “Darling, tell me what’s wrong.”
The king came out to the patio. “What’s wrong with who?”
She mouthed Francesca.
He sat down.
“My princess status came out today at the office.” Her voice was calm, not tense or strained.
“Dios Mio, I know you didn’t want that.”
“Actually, in some ways, it’s a relief. I’m mostly worried about Raven. She’s trying for a gig at this high-end gallery, but she doesn’t want to get it because of her background.”
“I’m sure Ravenna will understand.”
Nothing.
“And you? How will this affect you?”
“Probably some razzing from the guys.”
Alessio said, “Renate, I want to talk to her. Ask to put her on speaker.”
“Is Papá there?”
“He came to the patio right after you called. Can he be in on this?”
“Yeah, I’d like to tell him something.”
With a soft smile, Renata put the phone on speaker.
Alessio, king of Casarina, spoke into it. “I’m sorry, cucciola, if my name has hurt you and the others.”
“Don’t feel that way, Papá. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. As soon as the news broke, I realized I’m not ashamed of my background. Of your name. And I’m sorry if my using Marcello has upset you.”
“No, no, it did not. I understood. And you are right to be concerned about your sister. You have already made it on your own without my name.”
“So has she.”
“No, I think she is not as well-known as she aspires to be.”
They heard a sigh on the other end.
“Would you like us to come there to be with you?” Renata asked.
“No, I just wanted to hear your voice. Both your voices.”
“That makes me very happy, Francesca.”
“Yeah, Papá. Me, too.”
* * *
Later that day, Frankie sipped some tart Chardonnay and stared out her set of sliding glass doors. The view was lovely with colorful flower beds (thanks to Evvie) and natural growth. But she didn’t take pleasure in the scenery. Today, her life had changed and, despite what she’d told her parents, only time would tell what effect the revelation of her name would have on her career.
Poor Mrs. Collingsworth. She felt terrible for something that was basically Frankie’s own fault. She should have told at least the captain about her background. And she knew intuitively she could trust Mack. Why hadn’t she? She wasn’t ashamed of who she was. Hindsight was twenty-twenty, she guessed.
The doorbell rang. She’d closed everything up tight so the place would seem as if no one was home. But the caller might be one of her sisters, though they had keys. And Evvie should be at work at this hour.
In the living room she peeked through the white sheers on the windows.
Ty.
Don’t answer. It’s dangerous.
But in her heart, she wanted to see him, so without questioning her motives, she crossed to the foyer and opened the door. “Hi.”
“Hi. Is it okay I came?”
“Yeah, sure. Come in.”
He walked into the foyer and she showed him into the living room. She saw it through his eyes: Frankie had spared no expense on the navy leather couch and loveseat with green, blue and white accent pillows, and a wide fabric chair of taupe, blue and green. She’d used casual drapes and lamps on wooden end tables. On the walls were two long rectangular paintings that resembled waterfalls—a gift from Ravenna. “Your place is beautiful.”
“Fit for a princess,” she said dryly.
“Ha.” He turned concerned gray eyes on her. “Pretty big revelation.”
“Yeah. Sit.” She held up the glass. “You want something?
“I’ll have wine.”
When they settled on one sofa, they clinked glasses. “How are you holding up?” he asked after a sip.
“You know, better than I thought I would. Ever since the news came out because of my sister’s books, I’ve dreaded this day. Now that it’s here, the whole thing doesn’t feel too bad. The cap wasn’t that mad.”
“Deke and Mack are.”
“I feel bad about them.”
“The same thing happened when they discovered my background. Although I hadn’t been working with them long, either.”
“Like me.”
“Right, so they’ll get over their hard feelings. They shouldn’t expect you to trust them so soon with a big thing like this.”
“What about you? I jumped all over you about not telling me about your promotion.”
“Not the same thing. That affected you and me as a couple.”
“Are you always fair, Ty?”
His tawny brows rose. “I try to be.”
She watched him over her glass.
He said, “You know what I’d like to do?”
“I can imagine.” Again, her tone was dry.
“I’d like to see Casarina.”
“You want to go home with me?”
“Now there’s a thought.” He grinned. “But no, I meant on the computer. Show me where you’re from, tell me what it’s like to be a princess.”
Her gaze stayed on him. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Yes, of course.”
The idea appealed to her more than he would ever know. “All right, I’ll show you who I really am.”
* * *
Ty woke up with a warm, very female body against him. Francesca. But he didn’t move. He glanced around her house and remembered. They’d had more wine, enough so he shouldn’t drive home. Instead of calling a cab, she suggested they stretch out on the couch for a nap. That was—he checked his watch—wow! Eight hours ago. Since they were on nights for the next shift, work wasn’t an issue.
Now, in the morning light, holding her close, he admitted some things to himself. He wanted this woman, princess though she was, in his life. For good.
She stirred. “Hmm.” Her body stilled. “Uh-oh.”
“’Morning.”
“It’s morning? You were just supposed to take a nap.”
“Neither of us woke up.”
He could feel her chuckle against his chest.
“What?”
“I woke up about three. You were so sound asleep, and I was exhausted, I zonked back out.”
He kissed her head. She didn’t chide him.
“I’ll make you coffee then send you home.”
“If you insist.”
When she stood, she was like a goddess with her hair a wild mass, cloaking her. “I do.”
A half hour later, they parted amicably.
After he left, Frankie sat in her nook again and thought about him. She’d wanted him here last night. And there was something about his kindness...man, she needed to stop obsessing about him.
She changed into jock clothes and went out for a run. She ate, and as she was about to leave for the district, her cell rang. Raven, whom she tried to contact right after she called Casarina. “Hey, Princess Francesca.”
“I phoned earlier, then remembered you were on vacation. How’d you find out?”
“It’s on the cable stations.”
“I know this is the last thing you wanted to come out.”
“It is what it is, Frankie. I’ll be fine.”
Frankie could hear the slight waver in her sister’s voice. Raven had lived with her for a while when she left Casarina, and they knew each other well. “Did you hear from Parkers yet?” The gallery considering a show for her paintings.
“No, not yet. Again, forget that.”
“If you’re sure.”
“We can’t do anything about the situation.”
“I love you, Raven.”
“I love you, too.”
Frankie was thinking about something nice she could do for her younger sister when she reported to work at six.
The squad room was lightly staffed tonight. She and Mack, Ty and Deke, another detective foursome were the only ones here. Then she noticed the captain in his office so she stopped and knocked on the opened door. “You still here or are you on tonight?”
“Still here.” He leaned back. “How are you?”
“I’ll be fine. You?”
“I’m still thinking about having a princess on staff. Do you wear a tiara?”
Her eyes widened, then she realized he was kidding. “Yeah. Around the house and when I go grocery shopping.”
He laughed. “Get outta here.”
Mack, Deke and Ty were in her office. Which was covered in computer pictures of the palace and of Frankie before she left Casarina. In most of them, she was indeed wearing a tiara. “You guys do this?” she asked.
“Nope,” Ty said.
“Do what?” Deke asked.
“I just got in,” from Mack.
“Yeah, sure.” She edged toward her desk. “So, how mad are you two?”
“About as mad as we were at Collingsworth.” This from Deke.
“Hey, wait a second,” he said with a wink at her. “My background isn’t nearly as glamorous as hers.”
Sitting in her chair, she asked him, “How’s your mom, Tyrell?”
“Upset that she outted you. I told her she did us a favor.”
After a few more jibes, Deke slapped his hands on his thighs. “So, where are we at tonight?”
Lincoln came to the door. “I can answer that. No immediate cases, and there’re two teams on in case you get multiple calls. You should do your research, check out any leads, usual stuff.”
“Anything new on the rich guy who beat up Grandma?” Frankie asked.
“He was arraigned this morning, and of course is out on bail. Thanks to his fleet of lawyers.”
Lincoln left and they all got busy. The other team went out on a call, and the rest of them were glued to their computers. At seven, she stood and arched her back. “I’m going to get sodas. Anyone want one?”
“I’ll have coffee,” Mack told her, “but I can get it up here in the break room.”
“I’ll come with you.” Deke followed him out.
“Ty?”
“A Coke.” He smiled. “Doin’ okay?”
“Uh-huh.” Frankie left the squad room feeling a lot better than she had when she went home yesterday. Next to the door to the stairwell, the elevator pinged open. A janitor got off. Hmm, he was early tonight, and she didn’t recognize him, but staff changed a lot in custodial positions. She trundled down the steps without another thought of him.
* * *
Ty sat staring at his computer, thinking of Francesca instead of work when he heard the squad room doors whisk open. He peeked through the windows as a janitor came down the aisle.
When the man got flush with his office, Ty saw a gun in his hand. Oh, my God. He reached for his weapon, but John Paige, he knew now, said, “Don’t or I’ll shoot you through the head.”
“Okay.”
“Stand up.”
Slowly, Ty got to his feet. He had to defuse this before the others got back. But Paige circled Ty and pointed the muzzle of the weapon at Ty’s head. As a police officer, he knew how to remain calm. They were trained for these scenarios.
Deke and Mack came inside and were within a few feet of the office when they stopped short and drew their guns.
“Put them on the floor and kick them away or I’ll blow his brains out.”
His colleagues complied.
Hands up, Mack said, “Okay, buddy, stay calm.”
“I’m calm, buddy. For someone who lost everything.”
“You can come back from this, Mr. Paige.” Deke this time.
“If you don’t do anything stupid.”
“How would you know? You’re dumbass, lazy cops. You’ve never had the pressures I do. Now, turn around and our boy here will put those plastic tie things you use on your wrists.”
“I—”
He cocked the trigger. “Now!”
Ty fished the ties out of a drawer and fastened them on Deke and Mack. Paige told the two of them to stay in the office.
Still holding the gun at Ty’s head, Paige ordered him to lock the door from the outside.
While they were facing the office, Ty heard an oomph down a few feet against the wall.
The guy circled around fast.
Ty lurched at him but Paige got off a shot.
Another rang out and Paige fell to the floor.
Across the room, Francesca also crumpled.
* * *
She awoke in a miasma of pain. And sniffed. She was in a hospital. It hurt when she tried to open her eyes, but eventually she pried up the lids. Three somber faces stared down at her. “Ohhhhh,” she said as she tried to sit up.
“Don’t.” Very pale, Ty bent over her. “You got shot.”
“No shit.” She frowned. “How bad?”
“Not bad.” Ty again. “The bullet when through your shoulder, missing anything vital and went out the back.”
“I hurt.”
“Of course you do.” Mack’s voice was tender.
“Why a janitor?”
Since she hadn’t been on the call to school with them, she didn’t know Paige’s identity. They explained the situation to her.
“Wow!” She scanned the room. “How long have I been here?”
“Three hours.”
“Help me sit up?”
“Yeah.” Gently, Ty drew her up while Deke stuffed pillows behind her.
The cap came into view.
“You here, too?”
“Along with a lot of squad guys who heard about the incident on the scanner.”
“Fuck.” She was half seated now, so her shoulder hurt even more. If that was possible.
“Water?” she said looking at Ty.
“Just sips.” He held her head up and let her take some water.
Back on the pillow, she sighed. “That was something.”
“Feel like talking about it?” the captain asked.
“Not much to say. I noticed the guy on the way in. I’d never seen Paige before.” She glanced at Ty. “I was distracted. When I got back, for some reason I stopped at the door and looked inside, saw what was going on. I was quiet, came in, gun in one hand, soda in another.” She shrugged. This sounded ludicrous. “I threw a can of Coke at the wall. He turned and fired, but I got a shot off before I fell.”
“Why’d you throw the Coke?” Deke asked.
“To get him to face away from Ty. They were too close for me to take a shot.”
“You got an arm, kid.” This from Mack.
“I played softball in school.”
“They got softball in Casarina?” Deke asked.
She rolled her eyes. “I think I deserve one night off from that shit, don’t you?”
“Yeah, they’re callin’ you the Hero Princess now on TV.”
“Does the press know already?”
“Yeah. Reporters showed up and heard the other guys talking about you.”
“That didn’t take long.”
The cap stood. “We should leave. Let you rest.”
Ty scowled but said his goodbyes along with the others.
When he walked out the door, she bit her lip. She told herself it was because of the pain, but she’d wanted Ty to stay.
The doctor came in and examined her. “Glad you’re awake. I’m having you transferred to a room.”
“How long do I have to stay in the hospital?”
“We’ll see in the morning.”
“Did anyone call my family?”
“The next of kin listed on your police file. I’m not sure if anyone got through to her, though.”
“That’s odd.”
“Do you have other family?”
“You could say that. I’ll call them.”
But she’d wait until she got into a room. Lying there, she replayed all that had transpired tonight. She’d reacted on instinct. Any one of her colleagues would have done the same thing, regardless of the danger. She pictured Ty. When she’d seen him with a gun at his head, some things became clear to her. Though her cop’s instinct made her react calmly, she shivered now at the thought of what could have happened to him.
She dozed.
A while later, she was transferred to a room. When they wheeled her in, she saw someone in the shadows. “Ah, just the guy I wanted to see.”
After the nurses got her in bed, then left, Ty took a seat on the edge of the mattress and grasped her hand. “You scared the dickens out of me, darlin’.”
“I had no choice, Ty.”
Leaning over, he kissed her nose. “We have to talk.”
“I want to. I realized some things tonight.”
“Me, too, but right now...oh, God.” He lowered his head and kissed her knuckles. “I could have lost you.”
Weakly, she squeezed his hand. “You didn’t. I love you, Ty.”
His face lit from within. “I love you, too, Frankie.”
“This sucks.” She shook her head. “We finally get here and we can’t do...anything.”
He chuckled. “Soon, love. I promise. And I also promise we’ll figure things out with the department.”
“I know, I—”
Frankie looked past his shoulder when another person entered the room. Nope, not a person...a parade of princesses.
Ty stood as the six of them entered. “Holy hell, I can’t believe it.”
Calla came forward first. She had a smile for them both, and comforting words for Frankie.
Brie next. She seemed wary of Ty when he said hello to her.
Lexy hugged Frankie and tears glistened in her eyes.
“None of that, kiddo. I’m fine.”
Evangelina and Mariella sat on either side of the bed.
Evvie asked, “Does it hurt, sweetie?”
“It does.” She smiled at all of them. “But I’m going to fully recover.”
Raven had said nothing. After she kissed Frankie’s head and drew back, her eyes blinked rapidly. Then she looked over at Ty. “And you are?”
Standing, he faced her squarely. “I’m the man in your sister’s life.”
Raven arched a dark brow. “We know nothing about you.”
He took a bead on her. “I reckon you’d better rectify that, because I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
* * *
“Ready?” Ty asked as Frankie stepped out of the car in front of the Lamplighter Party House. The end-of-May weather was balmy, and Francesca wore a red, skinny-strapped dress with a matching sling that Evvie had made for her.
Francesca shifted uneasily. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
He kissed her nose. “No worries, it’s gonna be fine.”
The valet drove the ’Vette away, but they stood in the dim light for a moment. “I think we should have told the cap and the guys.”
“We’re not coming out, Francesca. They’ll think we showed up as pals. After all, you can’t drive.”
“Pals.” She leaned into him with that intimate smile of hers that drove him nuts. Once things had been settled between them, she became a toucher. Ty had the feeling that was the real woman inside the cop. “That’s not what you said this morning.”
He laughed out loud. He’d done a lot of that last week. She couldn’t work, of course, but would go back to desk duty soon. They’d spent every free minute he’d had together. “Besides, you’re gonna get so razzed about the headlines, that nobody will probably even notice we’re together.”
She closed her eyes. “How embarrassing.”
Every single news outlet covered the Princess Hero story. She’d been called a lot of things: a hero of course, a woman who had no right to be a cop, a great role model for kids, and a debutante, of all things.
At the restaurant entrance, he opened the door for her. The bar was straight ahead, and tables dotted the rest of the room, decorated with white tablecloths and navy blue napkins. A banner across the back wall read, We love you, Officer Jenkins. Cops and their dates mixed and mingled. Ty had been over earlier to check on the details of the benefit, but he’d left to pick Francesca up.
She said, “I want a drink.”
“All right. You’re off the medicine.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“That’s not what you said this morning.” He repeated her words in the same sexy tone.
After installing her on a stool, he ordered them whiskeys.
Judy came right over to them. “Hey, Frankie. How you doing?”
“Okay, Judy.” She noticed the woman was still limping. “You better?”
“Not enough to come back.” She glanced at Ty. “Thanks for planning this for me, both of you.”
“Ty did most of all the work this past week.”
She smiled. “A princess, huh?”
“Yep. Born that way.”
Judy chuckled. After some chitchat, she and Ty went to check on food details and Frankie studied the crowd. She felt at home here, ironically, after the most distancing thing that could happen in the department—the revelation of her background—had occurred.
From behind her, she heard, “So, the princess got shot?”
She swiveled her seat to find Lou standing on the other side of her. His suit was nicely tailored, his hair unruly. He looked wonderful, but she didn’t want him anymore. And this time, she knew she’d see him because he’d been on the signup sheet. “Uh-huh.”
“In two years, you never told me.”
“Nope.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
He moved in closer, making her lean back. “You always kept a part of yourself from me.”
“Now that I do know the answer to.”
“Of course. I—”
“Hey, Bacardi.”
With a fleeting look of impatience, Lou turned. “Collingsworth, isn’t it?”
“You’re the person she saved.”
“In more ways than one.” With a huge, familiar smile, he faced Frankie. “Come on, honey, I’ll get you seated at our table.” He actually edged Lou out of the way and grasped her arm. “Nice to see you, Bacardi.”
“You, too.”
Frankie took one last look at him. “Goodbye, Lou.”
As Ty escorted Frankie away, he asked, “Think he got the message to stay away from you?”
“It was probably the honey that did it.”
When they reached the head table, only the captain and his wife were seated. Taking a deep breath, Frankie said, “Hello, Mrs. Lincoln. Cap, we have something to tell you.”
Ty glanced over his shoulder, presumably at Lou. “The sooner the better.”
* * * * *
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Author’s Note
The follow up to book one brought new people and a new plot in The Gentileschi Sisters series. As I wrote book two, the characters seemed to know just where they were going—or weren’t going—even though they may have been wrong. And the plot took some twists that also surprised even me.
Francesca, or Frankie, was established in NO OTHER LOVE as a tough cop. And she is. She’s good at her work, tireless in protecting her community and, we find out later, has a sense of humor. (My favorite line in the book is when the captain asks her why she didn’t put her royal status on her job application she says, “There was no box to check for princess.”) Did you like that she was so tough in her work? One thing I’d guess you didn’t like is her distancing of her colleagues, especially Ty. But can you blame her? She made a mistake getting close to another cop, a married man, and look where it got her. But she is vulnerable and Ty is determined to break through her shell.
Wasn’t Ty wonderful? I tried to give him faults, really I did, but he simply turned out great. He’s a stellar cop, a good friend, an excellent colleague. I think he knew right away that Frankie was the woman for him, but it takes a long, long time to get there. And how he is with his mother? Didn’t you just sigh? Finally, when Frankie tells him about Lou, he doesn’t berate her. He says she made a mistake, and mistakes can be forgiven.
Which brings me to the adultery thread in the book. Some readers reject a storyline if there’s any trace of that behavior, even in the past. If you read my work regularly, you’ll know redemption and forgiveness are major themes. Yes, I can understand this aspect of her. Once she’s out of the situation, she’s horrified at what she did. I used Lou Bacardi as a foil for her. He’s selfish, unworthy and doesn’t even think he made a mistake. When Ty calls Frankie honey in the last scene in front of him, I could just picture Lou’s reaction and laughed my head off.
Finally, the book has a police department setting. I tried hard to be careful that the hero and heroine were ethical in their actions (no kissing in the locker room!) but also, I wanted to show them as good cops. I set up a fictional district and station house in Baltimore because writers often don’t use the real ones for a variety of reasons. I’m most proud of the scenes where they go on calls. I hate books where a profession is stated, but the people are never shown doing the job. So we have several police calls of differing content. They’re all researched but any mistakes are mine.
I’m sure you liked seeing Lexy and Ryder and all the princesses again, but what about revisiting Gabe and Nick Marino, from their books in my To Serve and Protect? I had a great time getting reacquainted. Hope you did too.
As always, I hope you read the rest of the series and let me know what you think.
Best,
Kathy
Visit or Contact Kathryn at
Don’t miss the rest of the books in
, Book 1
Lexy Marcello Gentileschi may be a princess, brought up in a sheltered world, but she knows how to fight Ryder Reynolds in negotiations for her book contract. However, falling in love with the boss is a very different thing!
, Book 3
When Evangelina Gentileschi is hit by a stray ball at a Major League baseball game, the batter, Mike Jagielski leaps over the dugout and climbs into the stands to help her. Neither knows that the entire course of their lives are about to change.
, Book 4
The last thing grade school teacher Gabriella Gentileschi wants is a man in her life, especially not one who makes her flash back to the worst thing that happened to her. But gym teacher Dante Federico is determined to make Brie like him—and maybe more.
, Book 5
Widowed at twenty, Mariella Gentileschi Moretti came to the U.S. to get her law degree and plans to return home to help her father run the country. But Dr. Jordan Dubois, one of her professors, threatens all that when he takes an interest in her that is anything but ethical.
, Book 6
Ravenna Marcello Gentileschi badly wants a show at the prestigious Parkers, a top-notch art gallery in Baltimore. But can she put up with stiff and starchy Blake Parker, the owner, long enough to have her paintings displayed before the world?
Take a look at Chapter 1 from the next book in the series, :
“I’m so glad you came for a couple of days.” Brie made the statement as she dressed for the last day of school in her bedroom. Evangelina sat on her sister’s bed. “But I’m sorry about the baby.”
A preemie had been born in the neonatal unit at the Children’s Care Center yesterday and died three hours afterward. Since Evvie had tended to the infant and was suffering over his death, she’d come to D.C. to stay with Brie to grieve...and to escape. “Thanks for letting me hang out here. I usually lay this all on Frankie, but she’s out of town.”
“I wish you’d come to me more.” Brie smiled. “I’m not that fragile, you know.” Her sister had had a tough winter last year.
Evvie’s smiled broadly. “I will, then.”
“Your guys are here in D.C.”
Baseball was Evvie’s go-to thing to cheer herself up and today, the Baltimore Lions, her favorite team, would compete against the Washington Raiders in an away-game matinee. “They are. For their yearly rival game.”
“That’ll certainly distract you.”
“Yep. And the atmosphere of any baseball park soothes me.”
“All those screaming fans?”
“I imagine your classroom resembles them sometimes.”
“Nah.” Her sister loved teaching in a low-income school. “I’ll be home by four but don’t rush getting back.”
“I’ll get dinner ready before I leave so you don’t have to do anything later.”
After Brie left, Evvie made an easy marina sauce, cooked up some meatballs and assembled lasagna. The spicy scent reminded her of home in Casarina, an island off the coast of Italy. Deciding to wait on the salad, she dressed in white shorts and a blue sleeveless top, as she’d left her Baltimore jersey with Luke Prescott’s name on the back at home. After tying her hair back in a ponytail, she looped it through the back of a cap and headed out to the Metro which would take her to the game.
A half hour later, as she walked up the concrete ramp into the stadium, she noted the slick touches on their brand-new arena: the well-padded seats in bright blue, the Raiders colors, sparkled in the sunlight. The iron railing caught the rays, too, and Evvie would bet her Baltimore memorabilia that weeds didn’t dare spoil the impeccable field. Like all baseball stadiums, the advertisements on the billboards along the perimeter of the field glared garishly at the spectators, but she liked the readability of the scoreboard. All in all, she preferred Lions Field, of course, but this space was acceptable.
Surrounded by the scents of popcorn and beer, she climbed the steep steps up to one of the top rows because she’d gotten her ticket at the gate. For her season pass to the Lions games, she’d snagged a seat between home plate and first base. But she wasn’t complaining about today. Just being here lifted her spirits.
Evvie settled into her spot, and the pregame festivities began. The announcer introduced the Baltimore players and then the home team, led by their captain Mike Jagielski, jogged onto the field. Rumor had it that he was a womanizer, but the crowds loved him. Of course, his batting was phenomenal. The average in Major League Baseball for 2016 was .255, and the all-time league average was between .260 and .275. However, The Jag might even come close this season to Ty Cobb’s superb career high of .366. She clapped politely.
When play started, she watched the Lions strike out, three up, three down. The Raiders took the field, and the first batter strode to home plate. Jagielski cut an imposing figure out there as he swung at the first pitch, popping it foul. He totally missed the second, and she hid a smile. He was rather...disappointing.
The announcer talked over the loud speaker; she tuned in when he said, “Look at those pitches, Pete. They register 103 miles per hour.”
“Yeah,” Pete replied. “But I have faith in The Jag.”
On pitch three, The Jag swung hard. Evvie predicted a strike, but he got some wood and the ball soared up high and deep behind him. Calmly, Evvie watched the sphere arc then begin its downward trajectory. She prayed a fan would catch it so no one in the stands would be hurt. Heck, the ball seemed to be coming at her, but she didn’t believe she’d get hit. Nothing bad ever happened to Evangelina Gentileschi.
As the ball neared the crowd, a man two rows down leapt up, knocked it off course. It landed on Evvie’s ankle with lightning force.
“Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh,” she cried out and tried to grasp her foot.
“Holy cow! Somebody got hurt!” She heard the announcer through the pain, but his voice was somewhat muffled.
“Hey, she’s hit,” a spectator yelled.
“You okay, ma’am?” the boy next to her asked.
Evvie doubled over and couldn’t catch her breath. Blinding agony radiated from her foot and shot to every nerve ending.
Another person called out, “The medics are coming.”
Head down, she tried to take in air. She was a nurse and knew how to calm herself but...
“Oh, my God.” Suddenly something blocked the sun and she felt a body lean over her. “Oh, my God, are you all right?”
Finally, she could talk. “I...I...”
A hand on her back. Rubbing in circles. That calmed her some.
“I’m so sorry. Where did you get hit?”
She pointed to her foot. “Hurts.”
“I’m sorry,” he repeated.
Someone appeared on the other side of her. “I’m Joe, a paramedic. Where are you hurt?”
“M-my ankle.” The pain hadn’t abated, and she felt her eyes sting.
Crouched down, the paramedic asked, “Can you get your foot up to the top of the seat in front of you?”
Evvie said, “I don’t know.”
“I’ll help.” The man in the sun’s way again. “Can you sit back so I can pick up your leg?”
When she eased away, he placed his hands under her knee, drew it up, then straightened her leg over the seat, her foot resting on his thigh, which was when she realized he was in the row below her. Gently, he untied her sneaker and removed her little sock. The medic handed him an ice pack. A tear fell as the man wrapped her ankle. When he looked up, he said, “Damn.”
The paramedic leaned in close, too. “You’ll need to come to the medical tent.”
She could speak now. “Okay.” She tried to stand, but she fell to her seat.
Grasping her arms, the guy steadied her and she managed to brace her weight on her other foot and draw herself up. She wobbled and then—what, oh wow, he bent over and scooped her up into his arms.
Her stomach started to roil at the motion so she cuddled into his chest. He was sweaty and damp, with felt letters on his...uniform, it had to be. Slowly, they took the steps downward.
Loud clapping. Then she heard the announcer say, “There you have it, folks. If Mike Jagielski hasn’t won your affection before, this cinches it.”
“Yeah, but Pete, he left the game.”
“The ref called a time out.”
“Huh. Anything for The Jag.”