Read Dropped Third Strike (Portland Pioneers #1) for Free Online

in response. He waved to her assistant and continued on down the hall. Just before stepping into the elevator, he turned and smiled back at her. Kate struggled to make a quick retreat into her office without blushing or scurrying away like a scared mouse. Behind her closed door, she fanned her face, but the heat wasn’t due to his smile or even the warmth of his hand enveloping hers in greeting and departure.
    He’d called her “Katie.”
    There it was.
    Katie.
    No one called her that.
    Except Reid.
    What’s more, the familiar nickname rolled off his tongue with such ease, you’d never know he hadn’t used it in years. She sat down at her desk and stared down at his stat sheets and the notes she’d taken during phone conversations with his references, the closest thing to a résumé she had. With great effort, she tried to re-focus on why Reid had just been in her office. The Pioneers needed a hitting coach, and despite her personal issues with him, Reid would be a very good fit. With a sigh, she began drafting a formal offer to e-mail to Reid and his agent. The one-year contract was decent but the salary was nowhere near what Reid was used to making. It also included a clause about his alcohol use. The contract could be voided if he was intoxicated in public or behaved in a way that would embarrass the organization. The team’s legal counsel flinched a little when she added it but assured her it wasn’t illegal. As badly as they needed a hitting coach, she also wanted to protect the team’s investment. She hoped Reid wouldn’t balk at the stipulation.
    James Scott was thrilled when he called to check in on Kate and learned of her progress. He had expected her to drag her feet on even contacting Reid, so he was surprised she was acting so fast. He had done a bit of his own research on Reid, and he believed the signing would be huge for the organization. Not only would Reid satisfy the hitting coach role, but he would also bring some publicity to the team, something James was always trying to generate. He didn’t even try to mask his excitement about the new hitting coach, and he kept Kate on the phone for even longer than usual. It was one of the more pleasant conversations they’d had recently though, so she didn’t mind one bit. She soaked in his praise, letting it make up for all the pressure he’d been putting on her in recent months.
    By the time Kate finally hung up with the owner, Reid’s agent had responded. He was happy with the contract and had already conveyed his opinion to Reid. Now, Kate just had to wait for a call from the man, himself. This certainly wasn’t the first time she’d been in this position.
    Not by a long shot.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
     
    Reid Benjamin had caught Katie Marks’ eye with the ease of tracking down a routine fly ball. It just took a bit longer – and a bold move on her part – for him to notice her. A senior in high school with scholarships on the line, he was too busy working on his bat speed and keeping his grades above water to pay much attention to the quiet brunette who sat in the front row next to the dugout at every home game.
    Even if he had noticed her sooner, Reid probably would have written her off as another jersey chaser. Sure, he’d enjoyed the attentions from a number of those girls, but he never let any of them get too close. He found them to be a distraction. Reid, and others, noticed that his batting average took a bit of a dip whenever he was involved with a female. Even in high school, he couldn’t afford that. His athletic talents would earn him the opportunity to be the first member of his family to go to college. Several college coaches had watched him and visited him over the last few years. A few pro scouts had come and gone as well. They all agreed he had talent, but the consensus was that a season or two of college ball would best benefit him, an opinion that pleased his parents.
    Sam and Kathy Benjamin were certainly proud