Read Online Finding Hope by Brenda Coulter - Free Book Online Page B

vision.
    â€œWhich of your brothers played ball?” Charles inquired, grimacing as the batter struck out on the next pitch.
    â€œAll of them played varsity in high school, but Mark played in college, too. He taught me how to throw a curve.”
    Charles leaned forwards and spit elegantly.
    Hope picked up the shell that landed in her lap and soberly handed it back to him. “Don’t spit into the wind,” she deadpanned. “It’s the mark of an amateur.”
    He looked sheepish. “Sorry. When I’m finished with this mouthful of seeds, do you think you might buy me a hotdog?”
    â€œYes,” she promised. “And ice cream, if you’re good.”
    â€œI don’t like ice cream, but I’ll be good anyway,” he offered, spitting another shell as she watched approvingly. “Please don’t tell anyone I actually did this.”
    She hooted at that. “Are you kidding? I’ve got people taking pictures! You’ll have to outbid the tabloids to get ’em. Just how rich are you, anyway?”
    He patted her knee. “Kid, you can’t count that high. Hey, guess who’s up next!” he said, drawing her attention back to the game. Another batter had gone down swinging, but the bases were still loaded and the team’s home-run champion was approaching the plate.
    â€œWe need this!” Charles shouted. “Come on! Give us a grand slam!”
    It actually happened, and with the rest of the crowd, Charles and Hope leaped to their feet.
    â€œDo it, Hope!” Charles yelled.
    She watched in wonder as he laughed and pounded his hands together.
    â€œCome on, Hope!” he urged again, poking at her ribs.
    She’d never been more motivated to whistle in all her life. This would be the granddaddy of them all—a whistle of praise and unrestrained joy. She took a deep breath to steady herself. Then she filled her lungs again and whistled long and loud, shrilly enough to rattle car windows in the parking lot.
    Women recoiled and men stared, unbelieving. Little boys watched and worshiped. Three ballplayers turned to look at Hope and one lifted his cap in awed appreciation.
    Charles covered his ears and laughed like a tickled ten-year-old.
    Gazing up into his face, Hope thrilled to the sight and sound of him. She’d known him for almost a month, but she’d never seen him laugh like this. She hugged herself, thinking that if she accomplished nothing else in life she would still count her time on earth well spent because on this night she had done a marvelous thing: she had made sober, cynical Dr. Hartman laugh until his eyes were wet with tears.
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    The ball game was over, but Charles didn’t want this night to be. He hadn’t had this much fun in years. Strike that: he had never had this much fun. Not in his entire life.
    It was all Hope. In three short weeks the girl had shaken his world.
    They strolled back to her car without speaking. It was a balmy, beautiful evening and Hope was happy, humming under her breath, almost skipping beside Charles. Her hands were shoved deep into the pockets of her jeans and he could hear the jingle of her keys and loose change.
    â€œCharlie, where’s my car?” she asked suddenly.
    â€œOver there.” He pointed.
    â€œOh!” She giggled. “Now you know why I brought you.” As she lifted her arms and executed a giddy pirouette someone behind them shouted.
    â€œHope Evans! Hey there, Twinkle Toes! How are you, sweetheart?” She was scooped into the arms of a large young man who squeezed her until she actually squeaked.
    â€œRyan!” Her voice was muffled in his bear hug. “It’s great to see you!”
    As the man let her go, another grabbed her and soundly kissed her forehead. “How ya doin’, Shortstop?”
    â€œScott! I thought you were in Florida these days?”
    Charles watched in amazement as the second man stepped back, allowing