“No?” he asked incredulously. Like it was impossible for a person to not know how to catch a ball. He needed to get out more.
“No,” she said firmly.
His arms fell to his sides and his anger melted into disappointment. She wasn’t sure what was worse. “You never played T-ball or volleyball or anything?”
“Nope.” She bent down and pulled a head of lettuce out of the box and set it on the display.
“Baseball is the all-American pastime. It’s everywhere. Kids should learn how to play catch.”
Clover shrugged. She wasn’t about to tell him they never stayed in a town long enough for her to have an address, let alone play a full season of T-ball. “We moved around a lot.”
“That’s not an excuse.” He picked up lettuce with both hands and threw it at her. “Catch.”
“Aaahhh.” She fumbled, and the lettuce ended up in the box. “Hey—you can’t waste food like that. There are people counting on this for dinner tonight.”
He grabbed another. “Then catch it.” This time he smiled before he threw.
She managed to clutch this one to her chest. “Are you insane?”
He scratched his chin. “You know, when a player throws you a ball during a game, you’re supposed to catch it.”
Her shoulder suddenly ached. She’d forgotten that he’d hit her with a baseball last night. That was rude. “Why?”
“Why? Because it’s part of the game.”
She rubbed her shoulder. “That’s stupid.”
He scowled. “I can’t talk to you if you’re going to disrespect baseball.” He stormed through the door.
Jane cleared her throat. She was standing in the doorway to her office. Clover had no idea how long she’d been there, but the disappointment on her face was clear as day.
“I know. I’m supposed to play nice with the rich guy.”
“You’re supposed to play nice. I think you owe him an apology.”
Clover nodded at the same time she sighed. “He attacked me. He threw lettuce.” She tossed her hands in the air. “He is the most unlikeable man on the planet.”
“And yet, you were drooling.”
“Was not!”
Jane lifted one eyebrow.
“Eavesdropping is as big of a sin as drooling.” Clover pointed at her in an effort to move the spotlight.
Jane pushed off from the door. “Fine, I’ll jump in next time and keep him from throwing produce if you’ll tell him you’re sorry for calling what he does for a living stupid.”
Clover flipped around and leaned against the display. “That’s just it—baseball isn’t stupid. In fact, I think I’m in love with baseball. But Dustin makes me so mad I say things I don’t mean.”
“Maybe it’s time you two start over.” She pinned Clover with a look. “An apology would go a long ways to making that happen. Remember, a nice word for a not-nice one.”
“Well, I can’t run faster than a Camaro, so the apology will have to wait.” Inside, she was relieved. Talking to Dustin was hard enough; eating crow in front of him would be awful.
“The Redrocks are playing at home tonight. I’m sure you could track him down.”
“I’m working.”
“The game doesn’t start until nine. You’ll be fine going over after your shift.”
