“Well, that’s just something else for you to think about while you consider the developer’s offer,” replied Mary softly before turning away and going in search of more magazines for Maeve to tear apart.

Scott walked along Larkin Bay’s main street, admiring the shop windows before making his way down to the boardwalk and sitting on one of the benches there.

“It’s so peaceful here,” he said under his breath while admiring the pretty waterfront park spread out in front of him.

Several couples, dog walkers, and parents trying to tire out small children before bed were also roaming the boardwalk tonight, and many of them waved and nodded at Scott as they passed. He was pleasantly surprised to realize how many people in Larkin Bay he already knew by name.

But all this small-town contentedness wasn’t distracting him as much as he’d hoped it would tonight. The phone call that had come earlier from his agent had delivered news he wasn’t expecting, and now all the law cases Scott was supposed to be reviewing this weekend were sitting untouched on his desk as he walked Larkin Bay’s boardwalk, hoping the scenery would help clear his thoughts.

He rubbed his hands together briskly and shoved them in the front pockets of his jeans. Although today’s phone call had caught him off guard and sent his thoughts spiraling into the past, he supposed he really shouldn’t be that surprised that Max had reached out, especially now with Candy showing up in Larkin Bay. Still, Scott had always gotten along well with his agent and since he hadn’t heard from him in over a year, it had been nice to reconnect.

“Maxie,” Scott had exclaimed earlier as a smile lit up his face when he'd picked up the call. “How are you? Long time, buddy!”

The other man had chuckled. “Scottie. How are you? Yeah, it’s been too long. How is my favorite lawyer?”

The conversation began with Scott telling Max all about his move to Larkin Bay and setting up his new office. His words flowed quickly and while he talked, Scott realized he sounded happy—ecstatic, even.

“That’s great. I’m glad that everything is working out for you. I really am.”

“Me too. How’s everything in the big city? Are all those baseball people treating you well?” Scott had asked with a smile.

“They are. But that’s also why I’m calling, my friend. I’ve been getting a few phone calls about you.”

“Me? But I’m washed up and long retired. What could anyone want with me? I actually play in a recreational league here now and got beaned so hard by a ball the other day that I ended up in the hospital. I’m done with the major leagues,” Scott had replied with a chuckle. He was now well and truly over any belief that he could still play ball at a professional level.

“They don’t want you to play, my friend. But you’re young, smart, good-looking, articulate, and you know the game. They want me to see if you’d be interested in doing commentary.”

“Broadcasting?”

“Yep. One of the network guys has got it into his head that you’re destined to be the next Bob Uecker or Vin Scully.”

Scott laughed. “Did they dream this up, or did you propose it, Max?”

“Well, I might have whispered a suggestion or two into a few ears when I heard they were looking for someone. People still remember and like you, Scott, and they want to work with you too.”

“Huh,” said Scott, considering the idea. At one point in the past, he would have been thrilled by this suggestion. This was, of course, before he’d spent many years attending law school. But he wasn’t surprised that Max had come to him with the idea. If he agreed, Max would be only too happy to represent Scott and claim a percentage of his earnings, on his climb through the broadcasting hierarchy.

It might be fun.

The thought had come from nowhere, and Scott had scrubbed one hand across his face while he’d considered it.

“Well, at least think about it. I’ve already talked to some people, and if you decide you want to try it on for size, I’ve got one of the major broadcasting stations all lined up and ready to have you tape an audition. They are excited with the idea that the great Scott Davidson might be interested in coming to call a game for them.”

Scott chuckled, and the two men talked a little longer. When Scott had finally caught up on all Max had done lately, he ended the call by giving his word that he would consider the proposition.

And now he was thinking about it because lately, he hadn’t been able to focus much on anything else. He rubbed a hand across his rolling stomach—once again feeling a combination of excitement and unease as he contemplated returning to work in the major leagues.

As Scott pondered how this would change his life, he stretched his legs out in front of him, enjoying the view and the lovely, warm spring weather.

A moment later, he looked over and his eyebrows rose slightly as Candy sat down beside him. Scott shook his head. “Why am I feeling stalked by you?” he asked in a resigned tone.

Candy beamed back at him and batted her long lashes in mock offense. “I don’t know, maybe because I am stalking you?” she suggested with a giggle. “Besides, seeing how it’s a pretty small town and you’re the only one I know here, neither of us should be surprised that I keep hunting you down for the company.”

Scott shook his head. “What do you want, Candy?” he asked. The call from Max might have finally provided the answer as to why Candy was in Larkin Bay. Being the wife or girlfriend of a successful and well-paid sportscaster was definitely something she would enjoy.

Candy snuggled close, nestling herself under his arm and admiring the view while she considered his question. “Why can’t you just believe I want to spend time with you?” she purred before turning to kiss him under the ear.

“I believed it once,” he said, shifting away from her. “And that didn’t end very well for me.”

Candy sighed and straightened beside him on the bench. She met his gaze steadily. “I’ve already apologized and admitted I was wrong about all that,” she said to him. “I was scared, and I ran. I didn’t want to be with someone who was sick or hurt. I was needy and young, and all I can say now is that I’m sorry.”

“Really?”

Candy used one hand to draw an X over her left breast. “Cross my heart, Scottie. And I’ve changed, honey. I’ve missed you and that’s what changed me. I’m not like I used to be, and I want another chance at us being together so I can prove it to you.”

Scott slid to the very edge of the park bench and looked at her silently for a moment. “Do you want to be the girlfriend of a small-town lawyer or the girlfriend of an MLB commentator?” he finally asked.

Candy tried to look surprised, but to Scott’s cynical eye she failed. “You’ve been offered a broadcasting contract? Oh, Scottie, that’s wonderful!” she crowed. “You’d be so good at that, and you’d be back working in the major leagues again, doing something you love!”

Scott studied her glowing face. “Let me get this straight; you’re telling me you knew nothing about Max getting me a broadcasting audition before you came to Larkin Bay to find me?” he asked her.

“I knew nothing,” she said firmly. She raised her fingers to her chest again, then blushed as she held them there for a moment. “Well, maybe before I cross my heart and all that, I should admit that Max might have given me a tiny hint about it. But he didn’t tell me a thing about getting you an audition. Mean old Maxie. I would have told you before now if he had.”

Scott laughed and looked over at her. “I believe you,” he said.

“Are you going to do it, though?” Candy asked, her voice high with excitement as she scooted closer to him on the bench. “Oh, Scottie, it would be so exciting! And then you and I could go back to doing things just like we used to. It would be so much fun to be together, going to all the major league games again,” she added, her eyes shining up at him.

Scott smiled. Candy had always been one to make big plans and get ahead of herself. He used to find it cute.

“It’s not a done deal yet,” he cautioned her. “I’m still considering whether it’s something I want to try, and I still have to go to New York and do a screen test before it’s even a possibility.”

“But you’d be so good at it. They’d be foolish not to hire you,” Candy protested.

“We’ll see,” Scott cautioned her. “First I have to decide if I want to do it or not.”

Candy snuggled up against him and stroked his arm while she gazed wide-eyed up at him. “Oh, I’m sure you do,” she said. “You love the game too much to be away from it for long. I think you’d be crazy not to jump at this chance.”

Scott considered her words as they both looked out over the glass-like lake surface spread out in front of them, and he once again considered how peaceful it was here. He looked over and saw a man pushing a young child on a swing, and he smiled at their shared laughter. Suddenly, he found himself wondering what Kara was doing tonight and what she would think about Max’s call.

Sighing, Scott felt Candy cuddle closer to him and realized she was still talking. He moved away slightly, so she wasn’t quite as close, and tried to focus on her cheerful chatter as he blocked out his thoughts of what Kara and her ex-boyfriend might also be doing on such a beautiful night.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Larkin Bay’s annual Volunteer Day was one of Kara’s favorite days of the year. It was a tradition that on the Saturday before the May long weekend, the entire town came out and volunteered to complete all the chores that needed to be done around Larkin Bay to help keep it looking its best. Litter was picked up, benches were painted, trees were pruned, and numerous other tasks were completed in a huge, one-day blitz.

Every year, Kara and her garden center staff volunteered at different locations around their hometown, offering their supplies and services to help beautify Larkin Bay. Today, the town council had requested they plant a few young pine trees around the perimeter of the sprawling downtown park. Kara had been happy to oblige, and this morning her team had been hard at work.