The bright, mid-November, late afternoon sun shone through the picture windows behind Julia, creating a halo of light around her dark hair. In a short-sleeved ivory sweater dress, a delicate gold necklace with an intricate cross hanging to her midchest, she was almost like a holiday angel here to guide their efforts with her creativity and vision.
“By the end of the evening, I knew she’d be the perfect addition to our committee,” Laura said. She reached out to place her hand over Julia’s and gave her an endearing, almost maternal smile. “I think we all agree that’s been the case.”
Julia’s tanned complexion darkened with the hint of a blush at Laura’s praise and the answering “You got that right!” and “Most definitely!” heard around the table.
“Gracias,” she murmured.
Ben liked that she accepted the praise rather than brushing it off. She knew her worth and didn’t shy away from accepting the compliment.
She mouthed a thank-you to several others in the group, but when her gaze fell on him he could have sworn the smile in her eyes dimmed. Before he could be sure, she moved on to wink at the young intern who’d yet to say a complete sentence to him. Poor kid.
During their short break earlier, he’d done his best to ease her sports star awe, asking about her major, classes, and expected graduation date. Typical icebreakers among college students. So far, no dice.
Give her another meeting or two, the run-through for the event at the very latest, and she’d see he was a regular guy. One who happened to throw a ball pretty fast, occasionally with a mean curve that brushed a batter back off home plate. At least, he used to, anyway.
“I’m heading to the youth center for a choir rehearsal tonight. It’s only our third, but we’ve had a decent response to our call for participants.” Julia ran her fingers through her hair as she spoke, combing it back off her shoulders.
“There’s also a nice mix of ages. From as little as five . . . ay, Bernardo’s a cute little guy without a shy bone in his body.” Julia chuckled, a low husky sound that had others joining in and Ben wanting to do whatever he could to elicit that sound again. “To a handful of students in their high school choir. I asked if they might help recruit a few more for good measure.”
“Let me know if you’d like some help drumming up singers,” Ben said.
“Really?” Julia’s brow furrowed, a mix of surprise and doubt clouding her features.
“Sure.” Ben shrugged, wondering at her reaction to his offer. “I’m involved with the baseball camp the Humboldt Park Youth Center holds in the summer. I could probably round up a few of the athletes.”
“Um, okay. Thanks. I’ll see how it goes tonight and will ask Laura to get in touch with you if we need assistance.”
There was definitely a strong note of hesitation in Julia’s voice. Whether she doubted his sincerity or his ability to come through for her, Ben couldn’t be sure. Neither reason was a good one as far as he was concerned.
For most of his life, few people had doubted his ability to accomplish anything. Some had even believed he’d beat the odds after his last surgery, eventually getting his pitching arm back to full strength.
However, while Julia’s exuberance, striking good looks, and ease with the others on her team intrigued him, it was evident that when it came to him she had some reservations.
Why that would be, he had no idea.
Nor did he understand why that bugged the hell out of him.
“As I mentioned at our last meeting, if anyone would like to join me for a rehearsal, feel free,” Julia said. “I’m having a great time working with the kids.”
One by one the reasons for why a committee member couldn’t make it to that night’s rehearsal went around the table, ending with the college intern, who apparently had a date.
Looked like Julia was on her own.
At least, she had been.
“Actually, I’m free this evening. I’d love to come along with you,” Ben said.
“That’s a wonderful idea!” Laura clapped her hands together in front of her chest. “I had mentioned to Julia earlier that she might want to chat with you about the script for the event. Perhaps the two of you can put your heads together once we’re done here.”
Just like that, Laura Taylor unknowingly greased the wheels for him.
“Sounds like a plan. Why don’t we chat over a quick dinner on our way to the Humboldt Park area?” Ben tilted his head in question at Julia.
Her hazel eyes narrowed the tiniest fraction, like a batter staring him down from home plate as Ben stood on the pitcher’s mound preparing to throw his next pitch. Sizing him up.
He found the fact that she didn’t jump at a chance to spend more time in his company when many scrambled to do so refreshing. Something told him that while Julia could be polite and professional when the situation warranted, she wasn’t one to hold her tongue if pressed for the truth.
And he wanted to know the truth behind her reluctance where he was concerned.
More importantly, he hoped she’d give him a chance to change her mind.
Chapter Two
“So tell me again, how did you find this restaurant?” Julia asked as she walked beside Ben along Division Street, the late fall sun slowly making its descent behind the businesses and apartments.
Once the meeting had wrapped up, they’d left the Chicago Youth Association’s office building on Wabash Avenue together. Since she’d taken public transportation, they’d driven in his Range Rover over to the Paseo Boricua area of town.
The popular Puerto Rican section of Division was bookended by large steel replicas of the Island’s flag, with red metal stripes, its blue triangle, and a cutout for the large white star seemingly waving in the wind. Along the street in between the flags, you were treated to several of the famous Humboldt Park intricate murals
