Safe Harbor Page 7

The tumble of emotions inside her overwhelmed her, but one thought hovered and wouldn’t be ignored. She was lying to Seth, pretending to be someone she was not. Would he ever forgive her? Why can’t I just tell him? But she knew the answer. Telling him might lead to losing him. The revelation would definitely change everything.

  She had to figure out a way to confess the truth and keep Seth from feeling like he’d been deceived. She had to. But for right now, all she wanted was to be held and feel cared for. She tightened her embrace. Because a sick feeling inside warned her it wouldn’t last.

  Chapter Five

  At seven a.m. on game day, Melanie opened her apartment door.

  “You’ve got to be kidding.” Seth’s mouth quirked as he leaned his shoulder against the doorframe. “I can’t take you to Fenway Park wearing that.”

  Melanie glanced down at her Yankees jersey and then looked pointedly at Seth’s Red Sox T-shirt. “I could say the same about you.”

  Seth pushed off and took a step toward her. “I’m serious. Sox fans can be…uh, let’s call it single-minded.”

  “So can I.” She flipped her ponytail as she stepped past him onto the landing. “Now, come on, or we’ll be late.”

  “How can you possibly look so attractive in that thing?” Seth followed her outside.

  Melanie pulled her door shut and turned the knob to make sure it locked. She took her time, leaving her back toward Seth while she waited for the burning in her cheeks to subside. A grin pulled at her lips. Today will be perfect. And after the game, she planned to tell Seth everything. The drive was close to four hours each way, plenty of time to explain. She was tired of keeping secrets. Especially from a person she’d started to care about. Maybe even love. As her face heated again, she pushed away the thought. Calm down. It’s too soon to be thinking like that. I’ve only known him a few months. She hurried down the stairs ahead of him.

  “So, you ready to watch Jeter today?”

  “Yep.” Melanie couldn’t hold back her grin. “You think he’s a first ballot Hall of Famer?” she asked

  Seth snorted. “Of course he is. He’s the best shortstop in the history of the game. Even if he is a Yankee.” He settled into his seat, leaning one elbow against the center armrest. “So, how’s it you know so much about baseball? And where’d you learn to play? You former MLB?”

  She smirked at his teasing words. “No. I played on an intramural softball team in prep school until—” Melanie stopped short, holding her breath as she felt her chest tighten. She’d almost slipped. Slowly, she blew out a puff of air, deciding maybe this was a chance to test out the waters with Seth. Gauge his reaction. “I stopped once my parents found out. They, um, didn’t want me to play.”

  The skin around his eyes tightened, but he gave no other reaction. “Why not? You love it. And I’ve seen you pitch. You’re good.”

  Melanie folded her arms. She felt both warmed at his understanding and nervous at sharing something so personal. “Playing ball didn’t fit with the image they had in mind.” She glanced at him, weighing her words. “My mother and father are…particular…about appearances, and they…” She cleared her throat, feeling nervous that she’d already said too much.

  “I’m sorry they’d take away something you’re so passionate about.”

  Melanie nodded. “At first, I just did it to rebel. My dad cheers for the Cubs, so I found my own team, the Yankees. I followed the team obsessively, reading stats, watching games, sleeping with jersey-wearing teddy bears.” She worried the conversation was becoming too serious, and bumped his arm with her elbow. “Ya know—crazy Yankee stuff.” Seeing his smirk was a relief. “And, you’re right. I do love it. Maybe because ball is one thing that’s really ‘me,’ ya know?” She watched his expression, noticing that his brows had pulled together. What is he thinking? “I sound ridiculous, don’t I?”

  “No. I’m glad you had something of your own.” He chewed on his lip and glanced sideways. “I’m glad you told me.” He slid his hand under hers and squeezed. “You could have chosen any team, you know.”

  She squeezed his hand back. “If I hadn’t been cursing out the Yankees’ first baseman that night, you wouldn’t have broken down my door and…” She turned to look out the window, feeling suddenly shy.

  “You’re right.” He lifted her hand and brushed a kiss over her fingers. “Looks like I owe a debt of gratitude to New York’s crappy infield.”

  Melanie’s fingers tingled, and she was grateful to Seth for joking to keep the mood light. She wasn’t, however, going to stand for his insult to her team. “How many championships have the Red Sox won in the last twenty years?”

  “Ouch. Let’s save the trash talk until after the game.”

  Melanie watched out the window as they left the rocky Maine Coast and drove through thick pine forests interspersed with green meadows. Occasionally, they passed a small town with colorful wooden clapboard houses and quaint white churches. Sprawling green farmland grew more scarce as they neared the city, following the Charles River and finally exiting the turnpike. Signs all around announced they were near Fenway Park, and Melanie had to keep from bouncing in her seat in excitement.

  Seth found a parking spot and held onto her hand as they joined the crowd heading toward Fenway Park.

  Melanie had only seen the iconic brown stadium with its arched doorways and green stairs on television. A thrill ran through her at seeing it in person, like shivers on a cool night. As they got closer, the crowd grew. Barricades blocked the streets, allowing only foot traffic. The air was filled with the smell of game day food, music, and the voices of excited fans.

  Seth walked slowly, pointing out the statues of Ted Williams setting his cap on a young fan’s head, and Carl Yastrzemski waving his cap before his last “at bat.” As they continued around the stadium, they stopped in front of a bronze sculpture depicting the four “teammates.” Seth put his arm over her shoulder, leaning closer to speak above the noise of the crowd. “Ted Williams, Bobby Doer, Johnny Pesky and Dom DiMaggio.” He pointed to each of the players on the pedestal. “They all played together before serving in World War II.”

  Melanie watched his face as he spoke and saw a combination of excitement and reverence in his expression. She loved being with someone who appreciated the game as much as she did.

  “Hey, Mac!” A man on the other side of the statue walked toward them looking like an advertisement for the team store.

  Seth’s arm tightened slightly.

  “Why don’tcha get your girlfriend a new shirt?”

  Melanie watched the stranger’s face, wondering if he was serious. She glanced at Seth’s face and saw his jaw was tight.

  After a brief hesitation, he smiled but didn’t relax. “I’m working on it. Hoping today’s game will convince her.”

  The man’s expression didn’t soften. He scowled and opened his mouth to say something Melanie was certain she didn’t want to hear.

  “What do ya think about the third baseman getting scratched from the line-up? My girlfriend thinks they’ll have to adjust the entire batting order.”

  Girlfriend? Seth used the word so casually that she was taken aback.

  “Yeah.” The man rubbed his chin. “That’s a lot of lefties in the line-up.”

  “Here’s hoping the game doesn’t have to go extra innings.” Seth led her away without waiting for the man to respond. “I told ya, Sox fans can be pretty loyal,” he leaned close and whispered in her ear.

  Melanie hated to admit it, but she loved that he’d protected her. The sensation of Seth’s arm around her shoulders and the knowledge he’d keep her safe made her feel like there was nowhere else she’d rather be. Which was saying something based on her actual location.

  Once they entered the stadium, the crush of people made seeing where she was going nearly impossible. She let Seth lead her through the halls and listened as he showed her the array of pictures and pennants. They stepped through an archway into the stands.

  Seth
pointed toward the famous “red seat” in the right field bleachers. “That’s where Ted Williams hit the longest homerun in Fenway history. And you recognize that wall, right? The Green Monster. If ya want, we can go rub it, and give the team luck.”

  “They’re going to need it,” Melanie teased. She loved watching the excitement in his face and felt like she was getting to know a new part of Seth. And if the Boston Red Sox was the cause, she’d maybe hate them a little less.

  “Too bad it’s such an early game, or I’d have brought ya on a tour, showed ya the press box and the trophy hall.”

  “Maybe next time.” Melanie darted a look at him after she said the words, just now realizing the implication behind them. Would there be a next time? Did she and Seth have a future together? He seemed to realize the same thing and his face lit up. His perfect smile lifted his perfect lips, and his eyes sparkled with delight and something more. Something that made Melanie’s breath hitch. She looked away quickly as heat rolled up her neck.

  “Over there’s Pesky’s Pole.” Seth indicated the right field foul pole.

  She’d heard the story of Johnny Pesky winning a game with a homerun hit down the short right field line, right around the pole. Melanie saw a smirk still remained on Seth’s lips and wondered if he could tell her heart was turning somersaults.

  He squinted. “Our seats are that way, in the field box behind home plate.”

  Melanie made a move to start down the stairs.

  Seth tugged on her arm. “But first, we need to get you a Fenway Frank.”

  “A hot dog?” She grimaced. “I don’t really—”

  “Hot dog? Don’t insult me.” He slapped a hand over his heart. “I’m talking about the best frank you’ll ever eat.” He slipped his arm around her shoulders, leading her back through the arch to the concessions.

  Once they reached the front of the line, Melanie saw the pink dogs rotating behind the glass, and worse, she smelled them. “Um, maybe I’ll just get some fries.”

  “You’ll have to try a bite, okay?” He zig-zagged mustard over the dog and covered it with onions.

  At the sight, she wrinkled her nose. “We’ll see.” Hotdogs were pretty far down the list of foods Melanie could stomach.

  Once they had their order, the pair headed down the stairs careful not to spill their drinks and muttering apologies as they slid past other spectators, and finally settled into their seats.

  “You ready for your frank?” Seth moved the smelly hotdog toward her.

  Melanie grimaced and glanced at him. As terrible as it smelled, she didn’t want to hurt his feelings, plus she figured a Fenway Frank was part of the experience. She scraped away the onions from one end with her finger and bit into the frank, feeling the hot juice burst through the skin. She smiled at Seth as she chewed, hoping he wouldn’t try to get her to eat more. One bite was enough.

  “What did I tell ya?” Seth wiped mustard from the corner of her mouth with a napkin.”

  Melanie took a drink, hoping to get the taste out of her mouth. “It’s good.”

  “You are a terrible liar.”

  She darted her gaze to him. The words made a bit of guilt churn in her stomach, mixed with processed meat and mustard. Today, she would tell him everything.

  Seth took a huge bite of the frank and elbowed her, pointing toward a familiar figure taking the field to warm up.

  Derek Jeter. Melanie cheered for her favorite player, earning a few scowls from spectators seated nearby, but she didn’t care one bit.

  As she gazed out at the ballpark, admiring the white lines and green grass, a thrill went through her, the excitement making her either want to laugh or cry or yell again. She knew she was displaying a dopey grin. She leaned over the armrest and kissed Seth’s cheek. “I love this.”

  His brows rose. “And I thought this day couldn’t get any better.” He balanced his drink between his legs and laid his arm across the back of her seat.

  “You must have forgotten we’ll be watching one of the best games of the year.” Melanie slid closer, nestling beneath his shoulder. When she glanced up, she saw he was watching her with the same look in his eyes. The one that made her insides turn into jelly.

  “As a matter of fact, I did.”

  ****

  As he drove toward Lobster Cove, Seth used sideways glances to watch Melanie chatter about the game. Her eyes were bright and her voice animated. He wouldn’t have believed a day at the ballpark watching the Sox could be improved on, but today, he’d been proven wrong. The outing had been more perfect than he could have imagined. He smiled as he thought of Melanie’s wrinkled nose when she’d taken a bite of his Frank, and his smile grew when he remembered her yelling at the umpire.

  Seth’s thoughts became more somber as he considered her. What was Melanie’s plan? Were her feelings for him deepening in the same way as his own? The idea of her leaving made his chest feel empty. He could still feel a burning on his cheek where she’d kissed him. Not like he’d never been kissed before, and rarely in such a chaste way, but for some reason, her impulsive gesture and the resulting flip of his stomach hadn’t left his mind for the rest of the day. I’m falling for her. The thought hit him so strongly that he glanced toward Melanie, sure she’d notice some kind of reaction.

  “Coach pulled the starter back into the bullpen too early. If he hadn’t, Yankees would have won easily. Did you even see their batting streak today? Unbelievable.”

  Her words brought his mind back from its wandering. Melanie didn’t seem too upset about the Yankees loss, but she wanted to discuss the game from every angle. Seth was happy to oblige. “True. The lefty just didn’t have his stuff together today. But the errors in the outfield were what cost them the game.”

  She tapped her finger on her lip. “Sox had the home field advantage, so I guess we wait until tomorrow to see which team’s the winner of the series.”

  “You recording the game so you can scream at the TV alone in the middle of the night?” Seth bumped her with his arm.

  Melanie shrugged. A pink blush spread over her cheeks. “Depends on how late I work.”

  “If you want to watch with us, Daisy and I would love you to come for dinner.” He glanced her way and saw the blush had deepened. “We won’t even tease when the Sox win.”

  She grew quiet and rubbed her arms as she turned her gaze out the window.

  The air felt heavy, and Seth got the feeling she had something important to say.

  “Seth?” She opened her mouth, and then started to turn, but something caught her gaze and she squinted, bending forward her neck to look out the windshield. “Those dark clouds came in quickly. Do you think they’re near home?”

  Seth kept his face impassive as he considered her words. Did Melanie consider Lobster Cove home? He squinted and looked at the sky where she indicated. A storm was forecast for tonight, but the cloud mass looked like it was coming in early. He turned on the radio.

  The news report confirmed his worry. Heavy winds were already hitting the coast of Maine, and a North Atlantic Storm was on the way.

  Seth drummed his fingers on the wheel. He squinted, calculating how quickly he could get home. They were still half an hour away from Lobster Cove, but by the time he drove into town to drop off Melanie, the trip would be closer to an hour before he got home. That is, if no debris blew over the forest roads. Moving branches would only delay him further.

  Melanie brushed her fingers over his arm. “You’re worried about the storm, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah. I didn’t think it would hit this early. And storms up here are insane.” He smiled, hoping to reassure her.

  “Will your house be okay?”

  He nodded. “Once I fasten the shutters.” He mentally kicked himself for not shuttering the windows this morning. In his excitement to get to the game, he’d forgotten.

  Squinting, Melanie studied his face. “But you’re still worried. Is it Daisy?”

  “Storms terrify her.” That was the unde
rstatement of the century. Last time Daisy had been left alone during a storm, she’d run away and hidden in the forest, and Seth had searched for hours.

  As if to emphasize his fears, a gust of wind pushed the car. Seth straightened out the wheel and sped up.

  “Let’s go to your house first, then. Get things taken care of there.”

  “Do you mind?” The trees on the side of the road whipped back and forth.

  “Of course not.” She looked out the window at the choppy ocean.

  He threaded his fingers through hers on the center console. Though she acted calm, he could feel that she was tense. “Thanks. Shouldn’t take long to batten down the hatches.” He tried to keep his voice light.

  “No problem.” Melanie squeezed his hand.

  “Oh, and I promised Nathaniel I’d check on Val and the kids.” He placed a quick call. Luckily, Nathaniel had returned home. One less thing to worry about. “Make sure you have flashlights and batteries,” Seth told Val before disconnecting.

  As he drove up the cliff road, Seth felt his jaw tighten. The heavy black clouds were nearly on top of them. Waves crashed beneath the road. He turned onto the gravel road between the trees. Even inside the car, he could hear the wind wailing and branches snapping.

  Melanie’s fingers tightened.

  Raindrops splattered the windshield just as the car turned from the forest road, past the old wooden fence, and down Seth’s lane.

  He peered through the storm as they emerged from the trees. Branches wheeled across the yard, but the house seemed undamaged. Once he pulled the car into the garage, he grabbed the flashlight from the glove box, then jumped out and ran to find Daisy. When he reached her chain, he followed it and lifted the end. Her collar was still attached, but the dog was nowhere to be seen. Seth’s stomach dropped. “Daisy!” He yelled, but the wind whipped away his words.

  “Daisy!” Melanie yelled as she reached him.

  Seth hadn’t realized she’d followed him. Her wet hair stuck to her face. He grabbed onto her arm, leading her to the porch. “I’ll find her. Wait inside.”