Read Just a Little Hope Online
Authors: Amy J. Norris
Just a Little Hope (6 page)
Tori grabbed all the sticky notes off her monitor, stuck them together not-so neatly, and stuffed them in the drawer of her desk. She swiped at the crumbs and dust that covered her desk and threw them into the garbage can. Tori brushed her hands together to rid them of any remaining grime. Rolling her chair back from her desk, Tori observed the results of her light housekeeping.
“There. My desk looks about as neat and presentable as it can be.”
She pulled her makeup bag from her purse and started for the nearby restroom. A touchup would make her feel a bit more confident. Tori slowed at Michael's voice as it echoed down the hall.
“Tori, have you seen the O'Donnell file? I can't seem to find it anywhere.”
Pausing to exhale, Tori redirected down the corridor to Michael's office. “Um, isn't that the packet you had me drop off with Pax today? Or at least, it's the packet I took over there. Did I take the wrong one?”
Seated behind his desk, Michael put his head in his hands. “No, you're right. I forgot I asked you to do it. My mind is all over the place these days.”
“Don't worry about it, Michael. You're doing the work of two. It can get overwhelming.”
He lifted his head and smiled. “Thanks for all your extra work. I'd be barely breathing without you.”
She waved her hand at him. “Nah, you'd be fine. Although, I do appreciate the compliment.”
Tori started to go back down the hall when Michael stopped her again. “So, big plans for the evening?”
She spun around in his direction. “Um, why do you ask?”
“You've got your little bag of stuff in your hands. Elisa has one just like it. It's your primping bag.”
Tori's mouth dropped open. She closed it and swallowed before responding. “Well, you'd be right. It is a makeup bag. I don't think I've ever heard it called a primping bag. Wait a minute, who's Elisa?”
Michael's eyes twinkled. “Maybe I met someone new myself.”
“Do tell, Michael, do tell!”
He laughed at her antics. “Well, there's not much to tell yet. She showed up at church last week. She's new to the area, and I offered to show her around. We've gone out a couple of times and have plans to meet tonight for dinner.”
“A couple of times in less than a week? That's a good sign. And Elisa. I like the name. I like that she likes you even more. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.”
“Thanks. And I'll do the same for you. So, are you going to tell me who you're seeing?”
Tori bit her lip. “Well, it's Carter Manning. He plays ball with Seb.”
“Sure. I know who he is. Up and coming superstar they're saying. And I hear he's a super nice guy. Wow, Tori. Good for you.”
“Well, we haven't gone out yet. So, don't be thinking I'm a about to be married or anything.”
Michael shook his head. His eyes crinkled as a smile spread across his face. “No matter what happens, I think Carter will never know what hit him. Have fun!”
“Thanks, Michael. Enjoy your dinner with âAlluring Elisa'!”
****
Carter entered the lobby of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society expecting to be greeted by Tori first thing. He knew she was the receptionist. Her nameplate sat on the front desk, but no one was there. A quick glance down the hall proved Tori didn't seem to be in.
He glanced at his watch confirming the time. Five o'clock on the dot. Carter frowned.
We did say today didn't we?
He reached in his back pocket for his cell phone and scrolled through the text messages, wondering if perhaps he'd mistyped something along the way.
Just when he was about to send Tori a text, the door to the ladies room flew open. Carter swung around at the sudden noise only to do his best to keep from bursting into laughter when he saw Tori's face. She appeared mortified. Why, he didn't know, but something had her off kilter.
She pushed a flyaway curl back behind her ear and slowed her steps. “Oh, hey. Um, wow. So I didn't realize it was already time for you to be here. I was in there. Well, you don't need to know why, but I'm here now. So, hey how are you?”
Carter stifled another laugh and smiled. “I'm fine. How are you?”
“Good. Great, actually. And you? Wait, I asked you that already.” Carter couldn't hear the next few phrases she muttered under her breath.
He put his hand over his mouth and coughed, only to hide his laughter. Embarrassing Tori now probably wouldn't be the best way to start the evening.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. I have reservations for us at six o'clock. And it will take about thirty minutes or so to get there. You ready?”
“Sure. Let me grab my stuff.”
He noticed her try to hide something from him as she walked back to her desk. Carter peered over the desk as Tori stuffed a multi-colored bag into her purse.
Aha. She was re-doing her makeup. She's pretty enough without it.
“You like Italian I hope?”
Tori's head popped up. “Italian? I have been known to eat a piece of lasagna. Or two. Maybe some ravioli. Perhaps. Not all at the same time of course.”
“Of course. I thought we'd try Gian-Tony's on The Hill. I haven't been there, but the guys assured me it was delicious.”
“Gian-Tony's? I've heard the same thing. Believe it or not, I've never been to The Hill. Good choice, Carter. Well done.”
She patted him on the arm and smiled.
Carter knew she meant it playfully. It only stirred the desire in him to grab her by the hand and pull her close. Maybe see if her kiss would be as sassy as she was. Pushing the thought from his mind, he smiled.
“Thanks. I'm glad you approve. I'm surprised you haven't been to The Hill yet, but I'm kinda glad this is something we can both experience together.”
A flush rose over her cheeks, and her voice came out in a near-whisper. “Me, too.”
He hadn't remembered her being so quiet since their incident in the hospital a few days before. Carter loved all the aspects of her personality she let leak out every now and then.
He opened the office door, waiting for her to exit. Once outside, he bowed and flourished his hand. “Your chariot awaits.”
She cocked her head in his car's direction and grinned. “Hmm. I think I might have met this chariot a few times before.”
Laughing, he pressed his hand to the small of her back as they walked toward the car. “That could possibly be true. In fact, it is true.”
“Well, at least this time I'll be inside the car instead of trying to crawl under it.”
Carter's laugh couldn't be contained, and Tori turned to him, a smile forming on her lips. “I kinda consider it a victory for both of us. Now you don't have to worry I'll crash into your car with mine or somehow disengage something vital underneath it. I don't have to fret over getting my skirt all covered in greasy grime. A true win-win for us all.”
Carter knew he was going to have one of the best nights of his life, for she was going to keep him smiling all evening. A victory for sure.
“So, Carter. Tell me your life story.”
Tori's request took him off guard enough that Carter knew he waited longer than he should have to answer. If Tori noticed the delay, she didn't comment. Carter poked at his spaghetti with his fork.
“I'm not sure what exactly you want to know. I was born and raised in Oklahoma, near Tulsa. My folks are still there. Dad has a cattle ranch in the county. He does pretty well.”
“Any siblings?”
Carter swallowed hard. Putting down his fork, he wiped his mouth with his napkin before answering. “I have a sister, Danielle â Dani, we call her. She's a couple of years younger than me. How about you?”
Tori's smile reduced the pang of sadness about Dani. “My folks live nearby. Well, they're visiting relatives in Arkansas right now, but I've been from the St. Louis area my whole life. I don't have any siblings. Mom and Dad wanted more, but it just didn't work out.”
“Do you miss having a sister or brother?”
“I don't know. How do you miss what you've never had? I think I would've enjoyed having someone to talk to about silly things, but I'm blessed. I've got Pax. She's a great big sister even if it's not a true blood relationship.”
“Sometimes blood relatives aren't any better,” Carter muttered under his breath as he took a sip of water.
“What?”
Startled when he realized he'd spoken out loud, Carter stammered. “Oh, nothing. Did you go to college around here, too?”
Tori laughed, and Carter didn't understand why such a simple question made her laugh.
“What is so funny?”
“I was just thinking about my dad. I used to be a total homebody. Seriously. I was content to hang with my parents all the time.”
Carter had a hard time believing her with the apparently fun-loving girl across the table.
“It's true.” Tori put down her fork and leaned across the table pointing at him, a smirk on her face. “I see the doubt in your eyes.” She sat back in her seat and toyed with the napkin in her lap. “Anyway, when I graduated from high school, I knew I was planning to go away to a small junior college in Arkansas. Not too far away from home, but far enough I couldn't visit Mom and Dad all the time. I think Dad knew it would be difficult for me, so the Sunday after I graduated on Friday, my folks shipped me off to live with my Aunt Pat in Nashville for the summer. Talk about rocking my world! I was pretty upset for a while. But of course, looking back now I know Dad was right. I would've never survived unless I was forced to make it on my own. Well, sort of on my own.”
Carter thought about how difficult it must have been for her. And what a hard decision it had to be for her folks to send their only child away for the summer knowing she would be out of the house permanently not too long after. “Wow. Good for your dad for being proactive, though. My dad is great, too. My mom worries about me too much, I think, but I guess it goes with the territory.”
“Moms are that way, for sure. Mine is great, though. She can be tough, but she's always there when I need her. And my dadâ¦he gives the best hugs.”
“It's neat you are close to your parents. Many people wouldn't have a relationship like yours.”
“Yeah. I know, but they raised me so we'd have a good relationship. I'm thankful to God for it.”
“My faith is important to me. It's part of the reason I've enjoyed getting to know Seb and Pax. It's pretty rare in my profession to find people of faith.”
“I actually wanted to ask you about that. When Pax met Seb, he was living the life I imagined most professional baseball players do. I guess I didn't know there were some who tried to have an active spiritual life. Not that I am saying it can't be done; Seb's proof of it. But I would think it's difficult.”
Carter clasped his hands together and rested his elbows on the table. “It is hard. Quite hard, actually. But if you surround yourself with the right people â like Seb â it makes it easier. Even though he can't be with the team right now because of his injury, calling him when things are tough helps a lot too. And he's pretty new at this. But pretty advanced spiritually, considering.”
“You can thank Pax. She's a rock.”
Carter nodded his head in agreement. It was nice to see the serious side of Tori, although he loved her fun side too. He found himself staring. Perhaps he'd done it a little too long when she squirmed.
“This has been an amazing meal. Thank you so much for asking me to join you.”
“I'm glad you agreed to come. Even if you thought we were going off-roading in the woods somewhere.”
Tori threw her head back and laughed.
Carter noticed the people around them smiled as they too enjoyed her happiness.
He signaled for the check. “Come on, let's get out of here.”
****
Butterflies took flight in Tori's stomach. If she'd been nervous before dinner, the thought of what might happen next caused her to be anxious in anticipation. Did Carter have more plans for the evening? Would he just take her home? Would he try and kiss her?
Slow down girl, just enjoy the moment.
They left the restaurant, and as they walked back to his car, Carter pressed his hand to the small of her back, igniting a sudden surge of warmth within her. A slight gasp escaped her lips, thankfully too quiet for Carter to hear.
Carter opened the passenger door for her. She slipped into the Lexus and deliberately tried to slow down her breathing.
You've been on dates before, silly. Act like it!
Carter's voice broke through her thoughts. “Would you like to go over to Ted Drew's and get custard or something? We're not too far away.”
He wasn't ready to end the night. Tori breathed a sigh of relief. “Sure. Something sweet sounds nice.”
She thought she saw a smile cross his face as he started the car. It was hard to keep from smiling herself.
“What does your sister do?”
Carter's smile disappeared and a frown replaced it only to be quickly covered with a tight smile. Tori thought she'd noticed something similar at the restaurant earlier but had waved it off to her nerves overreacting. Now, she wasn't so sure.
“Dani works at a café, I think. She's had a few jobs recently. It's kinda hard to keep up with her. She's still trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life.”
Tori thought she understood Carter's avoidance. Dani, it seemed, might be causing some trouble for his family somehow, and Carter didn't want to share. Sorry to have brought her up, Tori decided to change the subject.
“You must have been excited to hear you were being called up back in April.”
Tori could sense a relief in tension in Carter's body at the question. She made a mental note to refrain from discussing his sister anytime soon.
“It was amazing. Exciting didn't begin to describe it. Then hearing why I was being called up dampened things some.”
Again, Tori seemed to be putting her foot in her mouth without realizing it. She struggled to find the right words.
“I know Seb was disappointed when he got hurt, but I know for a fact he was happy when he heard you were replacing him. He loved working with you in Spring Training. Pax told me.”
When Carter glanced at her, Tori could see how her words had pleased him.
Whew. Good save, girlie.
She looked out the window. They were almost to Ted Drew's, a St. Louis landmark for frozen custard. As Carter pulled into the parking lot, she sighed.
“I ate so much at the restaurant, it's a wonder I could even fathom putting another thing in my stomach. But their custard is so good!” She patted her stomach as she spoke and Carter laughed out loud.
“I know exactly what you mean. Let's see how much more we can stuff ourselves.”
Tori waited for Carter to open the door for her. She delighted when he reached for her hand. They strolled to the walk-up window to look over the menu while they waited their turn to order. As usual, the place was packed, but the line moved quickly.
So caught up in the warmth of Carter's hand around hers, Tori didn't hear him until he nudged her with his shoulder. “Yo, Jessica, what sounds good?”
Startled, Tori turned to him and smiled. “I won't ever live that nickname down, will I?” She studied the menu. “Um, something chocolaty with a hint of strawberry. Maybe a little whipped cream?”
“You got it.”
Her hand felt instantly cold when Carter released it to lean into the window and order. But Tori didn't have to fret too long before she felt his hand slip back around hers again. Her heart rate skyrocketed.
How did I get so lucky to be here on this amazing night with such a wonderful man?
“What do you do besides work at LLS and shop?”
Tori stared at him with pretend outrage. “Why do you assume my favorite pastime is shopping? I could be a big game hunter for all you know!”
Carter's whole body shook in laughter. “A big game hunter? More like big sale hunter!”
She reached over and punched him the arm. “Hey. Don't assume anything. I've been known to do lots of things besides shop.”
He faced her and captured her other hand in his. Carter lightly swung their joined hands as he spoke. “Oh, really? And what are those?”
Suddenly, her mind went blank except to notice how breathtakingly gorgeous his blue eyes were in the fading light of day.
“Um⦠what?”
“I said name one thing you do as a hobby besides shop.”
“Oh, yes. Um, I read. Yes. I read.”
“Cosmo? Redbook? A Shopper's Guide to Big Sales?”
She laughed and squeezed his hands in response. “You think you are so funny don't you.”
Carter's only response was to cock his head to the side and grin. Her heart melted.
“Hey fella, your order is ready.”
Carter's thumbs skimmed over her knuckles and then he released her hands to retrieve their custard. After handing her a strawberry chocolate sundae, he nodded in the direction of the tables.
“Let's sit over there. I think that man and boy are getting up to leave.”
Tori followed him as they walked through the crowd to the table he indicated. As they approached, the man glanced their way as he cleared the tabletop. “We'll be done in just a secâhey, wait a minute. Don't I know you? Carter Manning right?”
Tori saw a rush of color rise in Carter's cheeks. Apparently, he still wasn't comfortable with his rising celebrity status.
“Yes, sir. You're correct.”
“Samuel. Come here, son. I want you to meet someone.”
A second later a youngster, no older than seven or eight appeared. “Yes, Dad.”
“Sam, this here is Carter Manning. You know who he is?”
The boy's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “Oh, boy! You bet I do. Can I please have your autograph, Mr. Manning?”
Carter handed Tori his custard. “Sure, Sam. Call me Carter, okay? Mr. Manning is my dad.”
“Yes sir, Carter. Dad, do you have a pen?”
The boy's father handed Carter a pen from his coat pocket and a slightly used napkin. Tori found the situation simply adorable, from Carter's obvious nervousness to the star-struck faces of the boy and his father.
Carter scribbled his name on the napkin. He patted the boy on the head as he returned the pen to Sam's father. Carter handed the napkin to Sam and kneeled down to be at eye-level with him.
“It was nice meeting you, Sam.”
“You too, Carter. My friends aren't going to believe this. I wish I had a camera.”
Sam's father jerked, and he started feeling in his pockets. “Wait, my cell phone. Let me just get a quick picture if you don't mind.”
“Sure, sir. It's no problem.”
Tori put both the custards down on the table. “Let me take it of all three of you. It will make a nice memory.”
The man handed the phone over to her and showed her the correct button. He put his arm around his son as Carter embraced the boy on the other side.
“Okay. One, two, three. Go Cardinals!”
With eagerness Sam responded with the prompt, and his smile reached from ear to ear.
Tori handed the phone back to his father. “Check to make sure it looks okay. I'd hate for Sam's friends not to see it.”
“It's great, thank you. Now come on, Sam, we've kept Carter and his girlfriend long enough.” Tori cringed when she heard him use the “G” word.
Carter smiled.
“I'm sorry, Carter. Your custard is half melted by now.”
Carter squeezed Sam's shoulder. “No, it's fine. I like mine a little soupy. How âbout you?”
“Me too! Thanks again for the autograph and the picture.”
“You're welcome. Come to batting practice sometime, and yell for me. I'll bring you a ball, if I can.”
“Really? Did you hear, Dad? Carter's going to try and get me a ball? Wouldn't that be cool?”
Sam's exclamations continued as he and his Dad walked toward the parking lot.