One of the voices coming down the hall was familiar. The accented Brazilian whom he’d been working with sounded upbeat. It was a good sign.
Rique popped his head in before entering.
“Hey, Allie. How are you? I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“I have taxi duty until we can get Mateo a license.”
Rique leaned against the doorframe, his arms folded across his chest, a broad smile on his face.
“You do take care of your boys of summer.”
She chuckled, “It’s January, or have you forgotten? Taking care of my Greenies is a four-season job.”
Her Greenies. Mateo couldn’t forget he was just a job to her; one she might have taken on for anyone of value. He closed his eyes against that thought.
When he opened them again, he noticed Mac hovering just outside the room, bestowing a smile on Allie that said she was not only respected but well loved.
“Thanks for getting him here. You going to stick around?”
“I planned on it.”
Rique looked over at Allie and said, “I can wait for him. We can grab a coffee when we’re done, swap notes.”
Alicia looked too relieved for Mattie’s liking.
“You’ll take him home afterward?”
“To the hotel? Sure.”
Mateo answered for himself. “No, she moved me into my own place yesterday. If you drop me off there, you could see it.”
“Where is it?”
“Right near the field. Water views and everything.”
Mac checked his watch and said, “Come on back, Mateo. I have very limited time for each of you today and I want it to count.”
Mateo rose from the chair, saddened that he wouldn’t be in Alicia’s company any longer. He guessed the art museum was off the agenda.
“You will get my clothes and car home safely?”
“I will. I’m going to head back to my office for a few hours. There’s a couple of things I have to take care of, and I don’t want to fall too far behind at work. Oh, and I’ll print out a copy of the driver’s manual so you can study for the permit tonight. That way when we can go to the Registry, you’ll pass the test. The sooner we get it, the better. I’ll meet you back at the condo.”
He nodded and followed Mac to his office.
When he entered it, Mateo was suitably impressed. Years’ worth of memorabilia hung on the walls and lined the shelves, reminding him he was dealing with a Hall-of-Famer. Mac had won just about every award out there over the decade-long career, and he hoped to be half as good. There were a couple of pictures of Mac’s family that had a place of honor on his desk. It seemed what he’d heard was true. There was abiding love there.
Mac directed, “Sit. Please.”
Mateo sank down into one of the black leather chairs and Mac took a seat next to him.
“How are you settling in?”
“Good. It is everyone’s favorite question. Alicia is making sure my transition is a smooth one.”
“We were very lucky you were able to get here for the season.”
Mac’s eyes were penetrating in their intensity and Mateo was instantly alert. Did the manager know the particulars?
Hoping to avoid any landmines ahead, he said, “Yes, Alicia and Keith worked magic.”
“I’ve known her since she was a kid. She loves this team, will do anything for it. Even marry a player to acquire him.”
Mateo’s jaw clenched. “You are aware of the situation?”
“I am. Dan thought it was a need to know. I concur. I’m not happy about it, but more because I love her like a daughter. She works a lot on gut instinct and it usually turns out to be right on target, but this… I hope you appreciate what she sacrificed. I don’t want you taking advantage of her motives.”
He narrowed his eyes, not understanding the question.
“How would I do that?”
“By forcing something on her that she didn’t sign up for.”
Anger raced up his back, tightening every muscle and vertebrae.
“I would never force anything on her. This was her idea, not mine, and I take offense that you would think I’d violate her in any way.”
“Then my question is, why did you go along with it?”
Should he tell him the truth? Should he tell him that he felt a strong connection to her, that it had happened as soon as she sat down next to him? Or go with the other reason?
He opted for that.
“It was a way to bring my mother here.”
“You’re close?”
Mateo nodded in the direction of the pictures. “She is my family.”
She’d sacrificed so much for him.
Mac’s gaze no longer held malice, only gentle cautionary advice.
“I don’t know you yet, so I have to put the warning out there.”
“I can promise I will not disrespect her in any way. No matter that it’s temporary, she is my wife and I have promised to protect her.”
Mac’s eyes narrowed as he studied him as if measuring his sincerity before saying, “Seeing that I invited you here to talk baseball, I’ll pack this away for now. You need to know I’ll be watching you and it won’t only be on the playing field. I’m not only looking for talent, Mateo. I’m looking for men who have character, who have discipline and mental toughness. I’ve done my homework and I’m betting the farm that you have all three. I hope I’m not wrong.”
The tension in Mateo’s shoulders loosened. The man was only looking out for his daughter’s friend, and he had to accept it as such.
“I understand and appreciate your concern.”
Mac sat back, seemingly more relaxed now
