Chapter 18

The game ended on a homer. Jackie appreciated a good hit, even when it was by the opposing team, and when Tyler had swung for the fences, he’d meant it. He drove Doug home, and when he crossed the plate, her team officially lost by two runs.

She wasn’t a serious player. Neither were the rest of her teammates. The local league was a reason to get out and have fun in the summer. On the other hand, Tyler’s team were hardcore and on their way to the provincial championships. Losing by only two runs to them was as good as a victory.

It was still hot in August, but it was different kind of heat. The glow of coals rather than the fierce burn of a blazing campfire. It was comfortable and appreciated all the more, since everyone knew there’d only be another month of nights like it, if they were lucky.

“Good game, everyone,” Scarlett said as they broke up to gather their gear and help spectators lug lawn chairs back to their cars.

Jackie let her glove fall to the ground next to a stack of balls she was supposed to be putting away. Barb Poulin and her family were heading their way.

Barb walked slowly, her hands on her hips and her elbows pressed back. Her hair was tucked under a sun hat, and sunglasses were perched on the broad brim. Her husband Theo pushed a stroller beside her, and their four-year-old raced up and down the fence along the base line.

“Hello, Momma,” Jackie called in greeting. “How are you doing?”

“We’re enjoying a gorgeous summer night with two sleeping infants. I couldn’t be better.”

Despite their early introduction to the world, her little girls were out of the hospital in a few days. Lillian and Hope Poulin were the first twins to be born in town in a decade, and everyone clamoured to see them. Jackie peeked through the mosquito netting into the baby carriage. Two squishy little faces greeted her, eyes closed, lips puckered and moving in their sleep. Both girls had a tiny fringe of delicate red hair held down with a beribboned headband.

“Lil’s in pink. Hope is in yellow,” Theo said.

“They’re beautiful.”

“Thank you. And thank you again for getting Barb to the hospital in time. Louise says forty minutes from the first contraction set a new delivery record,” Theo said. Jackie didn’t know him well, but by all accounts, he was a good husband and father. Barb seemed to like him, and that was all Jackie cared about.

“You are both welcome for that. I’d barely made it home before I got the call that the stork had landed.” Somebody else would have driven Barb, but Jackie was glad it had been her.

“Let me see my girls!” Doug jogged over from the pitcher’s mound, and without an ounce of shame, lifted Jackie away from the stroller and took her place. “They look wonderful. They’re growing already.”

“Tell me about it. They never stop eating.”

Jackie grabbed Doug by a belt loop and tugged. “Excuse me, I wasn’t done oohing and aahing yet.”

“Yes, you were.” He blew her a kiss and then went back to ignoring her. “Besides, I delivered them.”

She tugged again. “Move it, buddy. You’re hogging all the baby action. Besides, I delivered them to be delivered.”

“Look, Hope just smiled. She recognizes my voice. She likes me better.”

He was going to pay for that one. Jackie wrapped both arms around his waist and spun him around. “Don’t worry, girls, I’ll protect you from Dr. Doug and his cold stethoscope.”

The baby in pink—Lil—waved her hands and smacked her lips. That was when her mother ended the fight. “It’s been lovely to see you, but we have to get going. If the girls are about to wake up, I’d rather they do it at home, where the diapers are.”

Theo gave the carriage a push and a jiggle, and the spring shocks had it bouncing softly before they reached the sidewalk. Jackie didn’t hear the babies make a peep.

“Now that the show’s over, would you like to come over for drinks? We could fire up the barbecue if you’re hungry,” Scarlett offered.

Scarlett had yet to get tired of her new barbecue. Jackie figured she’d probably move it into the garage and use it all winter too. After a lifetime of doing without, Scarlett and her family were taking great joy in all the little things the lottery had brought them.

Jackie didn’t know if Scarlett was addressing Doug or her, but it didn’t matter. Their friends knew they were a unit. “Sure, for a drink,” she said.

They stopped at Doug’s car and threw the gear in the backseat. Then they walked through the field, across the street, and down another block to the St. Jameses’ backyard. Scarlett’s mom, Alice St. James, had already set a cooler of drinks on the picnic table. “You are all welcome to stay, but remember, Scarlett, we have to be in Brandon at the lawyer’s office by nine tomorrow.”

“Lawyer?” Doug asked.

Scarlett handed each of them a drink. “Lawyer,” she confirmed with a smile.

“And?” Jackie pressed.

She dropped on the bench beside them. “Since this will be a done deal tomorrow, I can finally tell you guys!”

Her enthusiasm was contagious, and totally unexpected. Doug squeezed Jackie’s leg under the table. “Do you know what’s going on?”

“No idea,” she whispered back.

“Scarlett is buying Ruth’s Place!” Mrs. St. James burst out.

“We are buying Ruth’s Place,” Scarlett corrected. “It’s a family purchase. Heidi wants to sell, and nobody knows the business better than my mom.”

Doug snuck her a questioning look, and Jackie nodded. Scarlett was right; Alice St. James had worked for Ruth’s Diner back when Heidi’s mother was still running it. When Heidi took over, she’d moved up to assistant manager. She knew the restaurant inside and out.

Jackie had no doubt Alice could make it even better. Unlike Heidi, she wouldn’t insist on working in the kitchen. “That’s exciting!” It was a terrific opportunity for the whole family.

It wasn’t until she got home that she realized that although the news was good for Scarlett, it likely meant her new deal with Heidi was never going to get off the ground.

Maybe she should join the queue at the gas station and get another lottery ticket. Heaven knew she was due for a spurt of good luck.