Chapter 1
The crack of a ball hitting a bat is a welcome sound at Wrigley Field. I've been to more Cubs games than I can count and I always enjoy it. This game was supposed to be an opportunity to rub elbows with some potential clients but the meeting fell through. The crowd's cheers echo through Wrigley Field, drowning out my thoughts as I steal glances at Grace. I find my attention divided between the announcers' sports banter and Grace, her beauty captivating me.
I nudge Nick and force myself to focus on anything other than his sister. Nick Reynolds--my right-hand man at work and also my best friend--invited his sister who now entertains my six-year-old. "Can't believe Bellinger is on track to get a hundred RBIs this year already." I'm not a huge baseball fan but Nick is, so I try to keep up on stats so I don't look like a fool at these things.
"Yeah, I can't believe it either. His career took a dip after that 2019 season but he's back on track." Nick goes on with so many stats my head swims but I find myself staring again. Grace is so good with Ava, kind and patient. I can see why she chose teaching as a career. Her finesse with children rivals my ability to schmooze new clients. She has a gift and I'm addicted to watching her.
When Nick asked if he could invite her to the game I learned that despite her rank straight out of college, she's struggled to land a full-time job and she's just subbing at local schools while she waits for a good opening. Whoever hires her will be making the best decision of their career.
"Daddy, more Dippin' Dots!" Ava has had three dishes of the creamy confection so I try to steer her toward something with a bit less sugar.
"How about a pretzel, or a hot dog?" Leaning past Nick to see my daughter on the other side of Grace, I can't help but catch Grace's eye. She smiles at me and blushes. It isn't the first time we've met but it's the first time we've been out socially. Our company picnic isn't exactly an intimate event, and I'm usually so busy with investors and clients I hardly have time to socialize with employees and their families.
"That's a good idea, Ava." Grace slaps her knees and stands. "I'm going for a hot dog. Want to come with me?"
Ava jumps to her feet with a cheer and takes Grace's hand, and I lean back and admire how Grace can command such excitement and obedience from the little girl I know to be a handful from time to time. "Here let me get you some cash." I reach for my wallet but Grace waves me off.
"No thanks. I've got this." She winks at me in a playful manner which I'm certain is only because I'm being a dad and she's planning to buy Ava whatever manner of junk food she requests. I chuckle and lean back in my chair and watch them climb the stairs out of the stadium to the concourse where food is sold.
"Grace is really great with kids." The off-handed comment falls from my lips and Nick nods in agreement.
"She really is. It's such a shame that she can't seem to nail down a job. She is such a great teacher." He picks up his giant soda cup and slurps through the straw just as one of the Cubs' basemen hits one out of the park. Then entire crowd lurches to their feet in cheers and I join Nick standing. "Incredible!" he shouts, and I clap my hands though I'm uninterested.
My mind is on her still, wondering if maybe I can find a way to put her talents and gifts to good use. She is so good with Ava, and though I don't have any need for a nanny or babysitter in my day to day, there is a very real possibility I will need someone in a week or so if this event I have coming up pans out.
"You know, I've been nominated to create plans for a library expansion out east. I'll find out this week if I've been awarded the honor." It's a huge thing too, a multi-million-dollar donor has arranged for a new children's education wing at the town's library and they want only the best architect to handle its design. Thus, my name in the hat.
"Wow, that's awesome." Nick seems genuinely impressed. "So you'll need me to help? I can clear some time, maybe push some of my projects off on Hank."
The crowd begins to die down as the runner rounds home plate and joins his teammates in the dugout. We sit down and Nick returns to slurping his soda. He's one of the best architects I've ever hired, which is why he quickly became my right-hand man and best friend despite being five years younger. One day he'll be my partner if he keeps at it.
"Actually, I can handle the design portion myself. What I will need is some help with Ava." I've been wrestling with the idea of how to handle things. It makes the most sense to travel to Cape May over her spring break. It's two weeks of no school, so I'd only have to keep her out of her classes for a week at most. The problem is I will never just hire a random stranger to watch her. There are way too many weirdos out there. My parents live on the west coast where I was born and raised, and my ex-wife is a ghost in the wind ever since she left me for another man.
"Hey, you should ask Grace. She's so good with kids and I bet she'd love a vacation out east." Nick waves down the peanut guy and hollers at him for a sack of peanuts, and I try to hide a smile. I was hoping he'd say that, because the past ninety minutes watching Ava with Grace has told me they're such a great match.
"She'd give up subbing for a few weeks? Maybe three?"
"Hell yeah. Just pay her something decent. She's been a bit down about not scoring a job quickly."
Nick stands and leans over me to exchange cash for peanuts, and I spy Grace holding Ava's hand as they walk back toward the seats. Ava's face has a smidge of ice cream near the corner of her mouth, and she holds a hot dog in her left hand. Grace has a hot dog as well, and a guilty smirk on her face as she and Ava take their seats. Again I find myself smitten with how beautiful Grace is, and I can't help but think how a trip with her might be an opportunity to get to know her. I've always thought she was attractive, but never knew how good she was with children.
Since Nanette left me three years ago, I haven't even thought twice about another woman. My life has been consumed with working as much as I can while Ava is in school and raising my daughter. Grace is the first woman to pique my interest and give me hope that not all women are like my ex.
When Nick takes his seat I lean forward again, this time aiming my attention at Grace. "You know, Grace, I heard you've had a hard time locking in a full-time teaching gig." I try not to put too much of an emphasis on her and more on the system. "I hear it's a tough market out there."
"Yeah," she sighs and I watch her shoulders drop. "I interviewed a few places but they went with other people. So I'm on a sub list for five different districts. It's not very regular, but so far it's paying the rent." She smiles, but I can tell it's forced. Nick is right; she's feeling down about this and hopefully my offer will be a bright spot for her.
"Well, what would you say to a work vacation?" I lean hard on my elbow and look past Nick munching on his peanuts. I want to ask him to trade seats but I don't want to make her nervous. Nick doesn't seem to care that we're talking around him though. He's too fascinated by the seventh inning stretch show going on down on the field.
"A work vacation? Sort of need to have work to have a vacation." Her smile is so radiant I can't help but wonder why I've never been this drawn to her. Since Nanette I've easily seen Grace twice a year, but this time feels different. More personal.
