Just a Little Faith (3 page)

****

Walking into the LLS office, Seb fought against the desire to rub his sweaty palms against his jeans. For the first time in a long time, he was actually nervous
.
He couldn't remember it happening since he had asked out his ex-wife
,
Melissa, back in high school.
Why am I so nervous? It's like there's an overriding desire to impress this girl. What makes her different from everyone else?

He hadn't made a good impression the first time he met Pax. There was no telling what she thought about him after he and Jim left the meeting. Seb wanted Pax to know there was more to him than just being a jock with a big paycheck.

Pulling the front door of the office open, he saw Tori, phone to her ear in one hand
,
as she packed up her belongings with the other
.
Spying Seb, she greeted him with a wide grin and waved him down the hall to Paxson's office
,
all the while never missing a beat in her conversation. He chuckled. She reminded Seb of a miniature Yorkie pup his Mom had
when he was
growing up
.
Easily excited and always full of energy.

He started to enter Pax
's
office
,
when he saw her at her desk head bowed, eyes closed.
Is she meditating?
Her mocha hair draped over her shoulders like a curtain, shielding her face from view. Seb quickly stepped back behind the door
,
observing her. He held his breath when Pax raised her head, hair falling back into place
, a
smile tugging at the corner of her mouth
.
Fascinated, Seb witnessed her take a deep breath
,
her body relaxing.

He still hadn't figured out what caught him off guard about this woman. He
'd
tried to explain his attraction to his teammates, Rangy and Linc when they met for drinks the night before. Seb knew he sounded strange attempting to tell them not just about Pax's looks, but her…way.

“Seb, buddy…did you have a drink or something before you walked into her office? It sounds like you might have been a bit tipsy
‘
cuz you're making her out to be some kind of angelic being or something.”

Sebastian cut his eyes toward his friend across the table and snagged another peanut from the bowl they
had
grabbed from the bar on the way in. “No
,
Durango Cortez. I did not have a drink before I went to the meeting. It's like
I'm
trying to tell you, Pax just has a way about her.”

Linc laughed. “You better watch out Rangy, Seb here's getting a little testy it seems!”

“Yeah!” Rangy poked Seb in the chest
.
“Nobody but my
momma
was allowed to call me
by
my full name.”

Seb sighed in frustration and took
another swig from the frosty bottle in his hand
.
He waited for the liquid to slide down his throat. “I am not testy
,
Linc. She's not like any other girl I ever met, at least
that
I
remember meeting.”

“That would most likely be because you didn't meet her at
a
bar,
Sebastian
.”

Pursing his lips, Seb narrowed his eyes and looked down at the table. Trying to get a hold on his emotions
,
he closed his eyes and blew out a
long
breath. Linc was a family man
,
and Seb thought his friend's main goal in life was getting both
him
and Rangy to see the benefit in slowing down and smelling the roses
.
But Seb enjoyed living life in the fast lane; at least he thought he did.

He was a
lways up for a night on the town and good laugh,
and
Rangy's dark complexion and chocolate brown eyes were magnets to members of the opposite sex. Rangy didn't encourage Seb's partying ways, but he didn't discourage them either. Quite the trio, Linc kept Rangy and Seb in tow as much as possible.

“So, you have decided this lady is an angel on earth just from one thirty
-
minute meeting and one short chat about coffee?”

Sebastian lifted his eyes in time to see Durango's sideways grin at Linc. “Well, Rangy
,
I didn't ask you. Maybe
the
date tomorrow will be a total disaster
,
and it won't matter anymore.”

“That's the spirit Seb, just decide it won't work and sabotage it from the beginning. It's your MO.”

“What do you mean by that Linc? I don't sabotage things from the beginning. I know what I want until I realize what I thought I wanted was not what I wanted at all.”

“What?” Linc and Rangy chimed in, turning toward one another, eyebrows quirked.

“I mean when I meet
a girl
, or
a girl
meets me,
I'm
never sure what
her
angle is. Do
es
she
want a good time? Is
her
goal to be seen with ‘Sebastian Quinn, centerfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals' or
is she
looking for something serious
?
Who can tell these days? It's easier to go with the reasoning
she
want
s
a short-term no strings attached relationship and be done with it. There's a lot less baggage that way.”

Lincoln cut in. “Are you inferring Ashlynn and Maggie are baggage?”

“No… Ashlynn and Maggie are the greatest achievements in my life. It's their mother who disappointed me.”

“I for sure am not an expert in marriage
,
seeing as how I haven't been married.” Rangy tossed another peanut shell at the growing pile on the table in front of him. “But have you ever thought
,
Seb
, that
the blame in your marriage could be put on both of your feet? I mean Melissa couldn't handle the life of you being gone all the time and found Rick. You couldn't deal with being away all the time and met… well, you met a lot of people.”

Lowering his eyes he peeled the label off his bottle. “I know I messed up. But I wouldn't have messed up as much if Melissa would have been a bit more serious about sticking with me. She knew me as a “nobody” shagging fly balls at Benecia High School. When I signed my minor league contract, she went crazy. All at once
,
she started thinking of how our lives would change and be so wonderful. I guess Melissa thought my signing with a professional baseball team meant suddenly I'd be bringing in big money all the time. And you know that doesn't happen…”

Nudging him in the shoulder, Rangy shelled another peanut, this time leaving the remnants scattered beneath his feet. “I know, Seb. We all have stars in our eyes when we put our John Hancock down on the dotted line. We think
‘
This is it, baby! Bring on the mansion and the Lamborghini.
'
We just don't know about the disgusting ball parks with the rundown buses and
twenty-five dollars
a day to live on.” Distaste grew in Rangy's tone. “Oh yes, the minor leagues will certainly bring a big money dream to a crashing halt. I remember when I told my
momma
I got the call to go pro, the chemo robbed her voice but she cried tears of joy as she rocked herself in my Granny's big chair. I could tell Momma felt it an answer to all her prayers. And it was, it just took three years of greasy diners and cockroach infested motels before it finally happened. And even then Momma wasn't there to enjoy it.”
With disgust laden in Durango's eyes, t
he peanut
he
had meticulously shelled spun across the table.

Rangy's dark face collapsed. Seb knew his thoughts strayed to the struggles of his past life in Wyoming. Determined to raise him on her hotel maid's salary, his Mom had sacrificed everything for his career. During Rangy's last season in the minors
,
his
momma
got a diagnosis of breast cancer and died a month before Rangy had his first big league at bat.

“That's just it
,
Linc. Why settle down with someone?
How can I be sure they are going to be there for the long haul?”

“But you can Seb, look at me and Traci. We've been married for going on eight years now. We've got two beautiful kids… It can work. You just gotta believe it can work
.
You know
,
have a little faith.”
Linc punctuated the sentence with his fist to the table.

“Maybe so
,
Linc. But it's going to take a whole lot more than faith for me to go down that road again.”

 

“Hey there... I hope
I'm
not interrupting. Tori just waved me on back.”

T
urn
ing
her head toward the
quiet
voice coming from the hall
, she smiled
. The sight of Sebastian made her heart flitter and her toes curl.
The light blue
button-
down he wore perfectly matched his cerulean eyes. Pax knew she could lose herself in their depths
.
If Tori had been present, Paxson
would've
beg
ged
her to pinch her
arm
once
again
.

Clearing those thoughts from her mind
,
she
attempted
to form some semblance of a greeting
.
“Hey
,
yourself!
You aren't interrupting at all
. I was just about finished here. Come on in
,
if you like
,
while I gather up all my things.”

Pax organized her desk and packed her laptop
while
,
o
ut of the corner of her eye, she watched Seb
w
ander over toward the bookshelves on the far wall of her office
.

“May
I?”
He nodded in the direction of the photos scattered among her books and binders on the shelves.

“Of course, feel free to look at anything you like.”

T
aking the pictures off of the shelves one by one
,
he
studied them
.
She stifled a laugh when his brows crinkle
d
into
a
frown. She knew he
must have picked up
the photo of her
with seven children of various ages.

“Those are my
two older
sisters' children. Please don't think I have a whole herd of kids at home. The only babies I have around me are little fur balls who want to be fed and petted every once and awhile.”

“Well, I was beginning to wonder if you were some sort of Super-Mom or something.”
H
e held up an official photo from Alabama's most recent national championship in his hand
“So I take it you
aren't
from here… or just like proven winners?”

“Well,
you're
right on both accounts.
I'm
from Alabama
,
and I like a winner. More than ten National Championships say ‘Winner' to me.”
A
grin tug
ged
at the corner of her mouth.

“Point taken.”
N
odding
in agreement, he flashed a smile as
he
placed the photo back on the shelf
,
then stuffed
his hands in the front pocket of his jeans
.

Checking over her desk one more time Pax swallowed back her nerves and then closed her eyes for one more quick prayer.
Here goes nothing, Lord. Help me through this
.
“I think I have everything if
you're
ready.”

Sebastian looked back toward her
,
still
grinn
ing
.
His face, tan from spending days in the sunshine of the outfield
,
set off his breathtaking smile. Her heart skipped a beat.
“If
you're
agreeable, there is a small café just around the corner
from
here. In fact, you may have been there before. I
'v
e stopped there a few times myself. The coffee is good
,
and they have
a nice selection of
soup and sandwiches if
you're
hungry.”

“Something to eat sounds wonderful.
”

She started to put on her jacket
,
but
he stepped behind her and took it from her hands. “May I?” Smiling
,
she nodded. Slipping the coat on, his fingers
barely
grazed her shoulders,
but left
a trail of warmth in their wake.

Onc
e outside, Sebastian pointed to
where they would be dining
.
“How about we walk over? It's a nice enough evening
,
I think the fresh air will be nice.”

Agreeing,
Pax buttoned up her jacket to ward off the slight chill in the air
,
and a few minutes later they were in front of Perks, a quaint sidewalk café.
How have I missed this place? Working too hard I guess.

Although
the sidewalk seating was
empty now,
she
pictured
the small wrought
iron
tables and chairs outside filled with people milling about
once
spring
arrived.

Seb opened the door
,
and
Pax smile
d
.
Between
his
help with her jacket
at the office
and now
this,
her heart cheered to know
a true gentleman was
n't
a dying breed. Funny how small things such as manners still meant so much.

Tables were scattered around
,
and small booths
filled with customers
lined the walls
of the café
.
T
hough a hint of daylight
still lingered
, the ambience inside warm
ed her
.

“Mr. Quinn. Glad you stopped in. How can I help you this evening?”
A young girl in her mid-teens held two menus. Her hands trembled.

“Hi Lana. How about a booth near the back
,
away from the kitchen?”

F
ace brighten
ing, Lana gestured to them to follow
. “Of course, Mr. Quinn.
Right this way
.”

Pax was impressed.
O
f course they know him here. They'd probably know him at a coffee bar in Italy too.

Remaining
quiet
,
Seb
walked behind her toward the waiting booth
, his hand resting
on
the small of her back
.
The touch of his hand sent sizzles of electricity throughout her system. She closed her eye
s for a moment to relish the sensation
.

Once seated, Lana
handed them their menus and
informed them she would return shortly to take their order.
Again,
Sebastian thanked her by name
;
the young waitress blushed in admiration.

Sebastian
's face tinted red as well
. He cast his eyes away before reverting them back in her direction.

“I come here often…more often than I realize
d
,
I guess
,
and remembered her from before.”

Pax smiled. “I think it's nice when someone takes the time to remember your name. It makes you feel special.
I'm
sure Lana was pleased as punch
that
you called her by name.”

He smirked. “Pleased as punch?”

“Hey,
I guess my upbringing sticks with me
.
I'm a country girl at heart.
” His eyes lit up as they both laughed
while picking
up the menus Lana left on the table.

After
order
ing
coffee, with soup for Pax and a sandwich for Seb
, he
sat back in the booth
and crossed his arms over his broad chest.
“So, how does a girl from Alabama end up in Chesterfield, Missouri?”

“Well, you might say I was burned out at my old job and took a leap of faith with a new one. Believe it or not, Alabama is a great place to live. Without a doubt they have
‘
Southern Hospitality
'
. The people are endearing
,
b
ut I needed a change of scenery
,
and St. Louis seemed like a good location.
My parents
lived here before I was born and still
have good
friends in Chesterfield
.
Also,
I enjoy the options
found
being near a big city. So far, it's been a good decision.”

“How long have you been here? I gather
not
long.”

Chuckling, s
he leaned forward across the table beckoning him to come closer with her finger. “How about I let you in on a little secret… You and Jim, you were the first clients I presented to without my boss
,
Michael
,
around. I was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”

Seb's
laughter rang in her ears. “You certainly have a way with words.”

“Like
they say
…You can take the girl out of the country…”

“…but not the country out of the girl.” Seb finished the statement at the same time she did
. His smile sent
a rush of heat over her body
.

Lana brought them two cups of hot fresh coffee. Seb leaned back in the booth and cocked his head to the side
,
studying Pax
.
“You remind me of my friend Rangy. He's rather down-to-earth and comfortable in his boots you might say.”

“Rangy? What a unique name.”

“Rangy is short for Durango. He plays shortstop on the team and
,
well, everyone has a nickname… It's just the way we do it.”

“Oh sure
,
Durango Cortez! I didn't know everyone called him Rangy.
”

“Yep. Sometimes the
nicknames
are silly and sometimes they are just short
ened versions of the first name
.”

Grabbing a couple of sugar packets from the container on the table, she emptied them into her cup. “
So… if everybody has a nickname,
do you have one besides Seb
?”

Seb laughed, giving his coffee a stir.
“
Nope.
Just Seb. Only my mother calls me Sebastian
,
and that's when I
am
in trouble.”

Pax grinned. “I guess I thought if you had a nickname it would be something baseball related…like “Bash” or something. It could come from Sebastian.”

He took a sip of coffee,
blue
eyes
peering
over the rim of his cup
.
Setting his cup down, a smile teased the edges of his mouth.
“So it could.
I guess I've
never thought about it.”

Before the
conversation continued
,
Lana returned with their meal. Pax paused for a moment and looked at Sebastian.
“I'll need just a second.”

Seeing his nod, she bowed her head
in silence
,
thank
ing
God for
her
food and
for the fact the evening seemed to be going well.”
Lifting
her head,
she saw
Seb
staring
with h
is head cocked to the side, and
biting his lower lip.

“Were you praying?
I don't want to seem nosy; I guess
I'm
just curious.”

“Yes. I hope you don't mind. I like to acknowledge when God has blessed me.”

“Oh! Sure it's fine
.
It doesn't bother me
.
It's kind of nice.”
H
e took a bite of his sandwich.