Stealing Second: Sam's Story: Book 4 in the Clarksonville Series by Barbara L. Clanton Page A

summer softball, otherwise her mother would yank her off the team for sure.
    Sam got settled into her spot at second base and blew out a sigh. They were only in the top of the first inning. How was she ever going to make it through the next thirteen and two-thirds?
     
     

Chapter Ten

     
     
     
    Tougher Stuff

     
     
    AFTER THEIR SEMI-FINAL win over the Milford Cobras, Coach Gellar gave Sam and her teammates a short ten minutes to say hello to their families before taking on the Elmhurst Rage in the finals.
    Sam ran up to Helene in the bleachers and blurted, “Is everything okay? Can they still come over?”
    “Everything’s fine, Samantha Rose.” Helene patted Sam’s arm in a calming manner. “I came to watch you play. That’s all.”
    Sam sighed in relief and then pointed to the blue skies overhead. “You were right about the weather.”
    “Mmm.” Helene tilted her head toward the August summer sun and closed her eyes for a moment. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?” She opened her eyes, grabbed Sam’s chin, and turned it to the side. “Honey, when will you learn to keep your face out of the way?”
    “Sorry.”
    “Are you okay?”
    “Yes.” Sam reached up and felt her cheek. The swelling had receded a little from the ice treatments the trainer had applied in between innings. “I’ll live.”
    “Well, that’s always a good thing. I’m going to watch about two innings of the next game and then head home to help your mother get ready for your party.”
    “Thanks, Helene. You’re the best.” Sam grabbed Helene’s hand and pulled her up. “C’mon, you have to meet Lisa’s family before you go.”
    “That would be nice.” Helene ran a hand over her hair, even though her usual blond ponytail looked fine and smooth as usual.
    Lisa’s parents stood up when Sam and Helene approached.
    “Mr. and Mrs. Brown,” Sam said to Lisa’s parents, “this is Helene, my nanny.”
    “Nanny?” Lisa’s mother looked confused.
    Sam felt the blush creep up her cheeks. “Yeah, I still kind of have a nanny.” She mumbled the last part of the sentence.
    Helene laughed. “I’m more like a jack of all trades in the Payton household, but, yes, I did help take care of Samantha Rose when she was younger.”
    You still do,
Sam thought.
    “It’s nice to meet you, Helene.” Lisa’s mother shook hands with Helene.
    “Likewise.”
    Lisa’s father smiled. “It’s nice to finally meet somebody from Sam’s camp.”
    Helene smiled graciously and shook the offered hand.
    Lisa’s mother reached out to give Sam a warm hug. She pulled back and examined Sam’s bruised cheek in much the same way Helene had done. “Are you okay?”
    “Yeah,” Sam said. “I like to stop base runners with my face.”
    Lisa’s mother chuckled. “You should rethink that strategy, Samantha Rose.”
    “I agree.” Sam smiled.
    “So,” Lisa’s mother turned to Helene, “tell me all about Samantha Rose as a baby. We’ve told her Lisa’s baby stories, but she won’t tell us any of hers.”
    “With pleasure.” Helene made herself comfortable on the bleachers next to Lisa’s mother.
    “Oh, no.” Sam faked a grimace, but inside she was smiling. “I’d better make a fast exit.” She loved the fact that Helene and Lisa’s mother were getting to know each other. Bridget apparently wanted in on the action and climbed into Helene’s lap. Helene didn’t seem to think anything of it and simply readjusted Bridget into a more comfortable position. Sam flashed a grin at Helene.
    “Sam, Lisa,” Susie called from the dugout, “c’mon.” She pointed to her wrist as if she were wearing a watch.
    Sam hugged Helene over Bridget. “I love you.”
    “Love you, Samantha Rose.”
    “Wuv you, Samtha Wo,” Bridget echoed.
    “Thank you, Sweetpea. I love you, too.” She gave Bridget a hug.
    “Wish us luck,” Lisa said to her tribe.
    “Bye everybody.” Sam waved to Lisa’s entire family and then reached for Lisa’s hand.