No Breaking My Heart by Kate Angell

Author:Kate Angell [Angell, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2016-06-09T04:00:00+00:00

Eight

“How’s your tummy today?” Halo Todd asked Danny when the boy and his sister stepped from the shuttle bus. Transportation was provided for the contest winners. They were picked up at Barefoot Inn and driven to the stadium. Halo awaited them in the parking lot. “You ate a foot-long hot dog, a ton of marshmallows, and drank two sodas last night.”

Danny pulled a face. “Not a ton. Fifteen.”

“That was ten too many,” said Alyn. Halo watched as she gently rubbed her brother’s back, right between his shoulder blades. An affectionate gesture. She looked pretty in a white tank top and black shorts. Red ballerina flats. She wore her long hair in a fancy braid down her back. “Thank goodness Mom had Alka-Seltzer,” she added.

“Made me burp.”

“He was starving again this morning,” Alyn said.

Danny held his hands wide apart. “I ate a stack of pancakes,” he exaggerated. “What about you, Halo?”

“Steak and eggs.”

“I’ve never had steak for breakfast.”

“One morning I’ll treat you,” said Halo.

Danny bounced on his tennis-shoed toes. “Can Alyn and Mommy come with us?”

“They’re invited, too.” He raised an eyebrow then. “Where’s Martha?” She hadn’t gotten off the shuttle.

Alyn relayed, “Mom’s knee was bothering her this morning. She has arthritis. She sent me with Danny, and stayed behind. She’ll sit in the shade by the pool, keep an eye on our pets. I exercised Quigley before we left. He’ll be fine for a few hours.”

“Twitches?” Halo hoped so.

“No, but he kicked out his back leg on our walk. That was a first. Could be no more than an involuntary muscle spasm, but still—”

“A kick is a kick.”

“We’ll take it.”

“I’ll give you a tour of the facility, if you like.” He noticed the other winners and players were headed toward the clubhouse. Ninety-year-old Eleanor was in the lead. No one dared pass her on the sidewalk. If someone did, she stuck out Herman to slow them down. No one wanted to get whacked in the shins by a cane. Especially one that talked to her.

Danny was all energy and excitement. “What’s first?” he asked.

Halo was patient with him. He outlined their day. “I’ll show you the locker and workout rooms, the field, and batting cages. Afterward, I need to change into my uniform for Media Day.”

“You get reported?”

“Reporters interview the starting lineup,” Halo corrected. “It’s an hour of questions and answers. We sit on tall stools outside in Rogues Plaza. You and your sister will be seated on bleachers. You’ll be introduced as well, as my contest winner.”

“Will I get my picture taken?”

“I’m sure you will. Someone from the media might even ask you a question.”

His eyes widened. “What if I don’t know the answer?”

“It’s not like school, sweetie,” Alyn assured him. “No math or science. Halo will whisper a response if you get stuck.”

“You will?”

“I always come up with something.” His prediction of winning the World Series had fallen short the previous season. National League Division Series, and he’d been humbled by the Rogues’ loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The press hounded him afterward.

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