“And that’s it. I promise.” She held up her hand.
“Okay, kiddo.” I stood to take her hand. “Anyone want anything?”
“No thanks,” Rachel said, nodding to the top of the aisle. “The stand is right outside the gate. You can’t miss it.”
“You have a lot of faith in me. I’m sure Bennie can find it.” I tugged on the end of her braid.
“I can! I know just where it is,” Bennie said as she pulled me forward.
“I can help you too,” Deacon called out behind us.
“Thanks, but don’t you have a game?” I narrowed my eyes when he caught up to me.
“I’m not playing. I’ve been training them all morning. Nothing else for me to do but watch for now. The dugout entrance is right here.” He nodded as we stepped into the hallway. “How long are you staying with Lee?”
“Until the end of the season, whenever that is,” I replied softly so Bennie wouldn’t hear. Lee had said I was staying for the season, but as she’d always mention that I lived with them, I wasn’t sure if it had sunk in.
“There it is!” Bennie pointed to the extensive line already spreading down the long hall.
“I guess everyone wants a water ice.”
“You should get one too!” Bennie said as she yanked on my arm.
“I love a good water ice. I would if I weren’t working. Silas will get mad if I stain my uniform,” Deacon said to Bennie, flicking his eyes to me.
“Okay, you’ve both convinced me.” I set my hands on Bennie’s shoulders to hold her in place in front of me, Deacon’s eyes still focused on me in my periphery.
“Your husband doesn’t mind you being away all summer and hopefully part of the fall?” Deacon asked, still lingering next to me and attracting side glances from the people in front of us. I wasn’t sure if it was his uniform or ifpeople recognized him or if it was because he was sticking so close to us.
“No, my husband doesn’t mind,” I said with a laugh. “Mostly because he doesn’t exist.”
“Then your boyfriend must be pretty understanding.” His dark eyes narrowed at me when I turned my head.
“Is this your way of asking if I’m single?”
“I thought it was a smoother way than just asking point-blank, but I guess not.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, breathing out a nervous chuckle. “I probably should get on the field. Hopefully my game is better there. Enjoy the ice, Bennie, and it was great to meet you, Stella.”
His gaze lingered on mine before he jogged down the hall.
“Aunt Deb used to get mango,” Bennie said, scanning the menu over the stand as the line inched forward, oblivious to everything Deacon had said. “Strawberry is the best, though.”
“Then I’ll get strawberry too,” I said.
“We can be like twins or best friends.” Bennie beamed up at me.
“Sounds great to me.” I wrapped my arms around her as my gaze drifted toward Deacon’s departure.
I wasn’t up to dating and had no time for it. Even if I were open to seeing someone, going out with someone working for the Bats wasn’t a good idea, whether Lee would be leaving at the end of the season or not.
I bought our water ices and headed back to our seats.
“Here.” I shoved two napkins in Bennie’s hands before she went back to Taylor. At least her shirt was pink if it dripped. “Eat it slowly and be careful.”
“You have to eat it slow, Stella. Or you’ll get an icehead hurt.” She widened her eyes as she set her little hand on the top of my head.
“I’ll watch her,” Taylor said, lifting Bennie onto her lap.
