Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Linc is fine, Miss Yander.” He didn’t want the center to become a place of strict formality. Respect? Definitely. But in the end, this was a community center, not a corporate office.
Cynthia Yander, the tiny brunette, blushed and by some miracle he kept the exasperation from showing on his expression. He truly needed to get himself an assistant who didn’t care who he was or what his name meant to those in the sports world. Not a young girl from high school or some starry-eyed woman who thought that by being here she would garner additional “benefits” from working so closely with him. The last thing he needed right now was any complications. The center had to be his main focus.
Was. Was his main focus.
“I’ll try to remember.”
They’d been officially open for more than a month.
Hands in his pockets, he gave her a slight smile and continued down the hall. The meeting wasn’t as important to him as making sure the kids were safe, learning, and having fun. And yet, in another aspect, it was just as important. The center needed funds to keep running. Not that he was strapped for money, because he wasn’t. However, he wasn’t foolish enough to ignore that investors could provide more options and opportunities.
He peeked in the rooms with current activities and smiled at the hunger in the expressions of those gathered. He’d insisted on having a computer room that kids could utilize if they didn’t have access at home and tutors to assist with homework. The center offered sports, of course, but he didn’t leave the arts out—painting, music, and more. In his mind, these kids didn’t have enough options for their futures and he was trying to do more.
Currently, he was recruiting high school students to help. They could use the money and the work would teach them to help others and mold them into better team players for whatever they wanted to do after high school.
He paused at the gym doors to glance inside and couldn’t stop the grin at the sight of his best friend, Mitchell Anderson, taking on a team of middle schoolers in a rousing game of basketball. The man had played professionally and had no problem giving back as well. Neither of his friends did.
The kids were running Mitchell well, making him work. The gym had plenty of spectators cheering them on. Mitchell was going to be busy for a while. His friend glanced up in his direction and gave him a brief nod. Even not being on the court in a professional capacity any longer, there was no denying the man’s skill.
With a quick check of the time, he headed out to the backfield. The blue sky above was dotted with a few white fluffy clouds and some soaring birds and the day was beautiful. The gentle breeze brought with it the clean mountain air. Beyond the batting cages there was a football field with a track, as well as a baseball field.
The track had some runners on it but what caught his attention was the young girl hanging out, practically spying on the kids in the batting cages.
He’d seen her a few times but wasn’t sure who she was.
His phone rang and he touched his left ear to accept the call. “Mr. Stevenson, I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me.”
“My pleasure.”
The man’s booming Texas twang filled his ears. Linc could picture him with a large white Stetson on his head as the man rocked in his highbacked leather chair. Suit smooth and devoid of any and all wrinkles. One of those bolo neckties on. Handlebar moustache? No, probably a full one.
The man continued, “I looked over your proposal and am impressed. Whoever wrote it outlined the key points with clarity.”
Linc bristled but didn’t respond. He was used to people assuming he had no brain because he played sports and because he wasn’t white. He swung his gaze to the girl again. She was mimicking the batters—their stances, how they held the bat. All of it.
Impressive.
Unfortunately, also concerning, ’cause he didn’t see any adult or older child with her. His protective instincts kicked in.
“My best man did it.”
“I am extremely interested in coming out for a visit to see your place.”
What the fuck? He stumbled over his feet and quickly straightened up, glancing around to see if anyone had seen. Nope. He was in the clear.
“You want to come here?” He’d not made any contingencies for that scenario.
“Yes. My wife and I are coming. I’ve made reservations at your town’s hotel. We can do business face-to-face, like I prefer. Never been a fan of doing it this way, you know, over the phone. I need to look a man in the eye and shake his hand.”
Well, shit. “I’ll make sure I have some time set aside if you can send me your itinerary when you’re in town.”