Prologue

He hated the hospital. The amount of times he had been through these halls either pacing or in a wheelchair you would think he would be use to it. But it was always the chemical clean and coldness that bothered him the most.

Right now, the worry was eating at him. The surgery was a success and she was in a stable condition but he couldn't help the gnawing worry in his gut. He walked the halls, his body was wound up tight and honestly he was too sore to sit for very long. He just needed to see her and everything would be better.

What the hell were the doctors doing anyway? Scenario after scenario played through his head, each one worse than the next. If he wasn't allowed in that room soon he was going to lose his mind.

"Sir, she's awake. Everything went great but she might be a little groggy." The nurse smiled at him and opened the door.

He rushed through the room and saw her curled upon the bed. A large blue cast stuck out on her right arm. She looked so small in that bed. He walked over and brushed the hair off her forehead kissing the little frown between her brows.

"Hey, can you wake up for me?" he asked, desperate to hear her voice.

"Go away, I'm sleeping."

"Do you want to hear a story?"

Her eyes pop open instantly and meet his.

"Maybe, which story?" she grumbled.

"Your favorite story, of course."

Her eyes lit up and she snuggled deeper into her pillow. Once she was situated, she gave him a serious look and a single nod.

"It was a magical summer in a time before hashtags and snapchat."

"You're not funny."

"I am very funny. Now be quiet or you won't get your story." She mimed zipping her lips and threw the key away. "Where was I?" She pointed to her lips and shrugs.

Chapter One:

This was Mike Lawson's last summer at San Diego's State baseball camp. He had just turned 19 and was starting college after the program ended.

Camp started in two days and was tradition that the returning players got together for a home run derby. Whoever hit the most balls over the fence was made honorary team captain until the couch picked. Mike so far was leading the count with two to everyone else's zeros. He did admit to himself that he was trying to show off for the girls in the metal bleachers.

There were four of them. Three were chattering and pointing out different boys in the field and giggling. He noticed they pointed at him a few time and he may have wiggled his butt towards them before hitting his last home run. Girls love baseball players - it's just a fact of life, Mike thinks to himself as he takes his rightful place behind home plate.

The fourth girl stood out in contrast to the giggling girls with her serious intensity. She was watching the players as they hit and nodding or shaking her head depending on the call. Mike wondered if she played softball.

She was young, maybe 15. It was hard to tell with her clean, full face and straight black hair pulled back in a single braid with a cap on her head. She wore loose fit stonewash jeans and a San Diego Padres t-shirt. If she wasn't so young, he'd make a big effort to get her number.

Mike was so distracted by the girl that he missed the batter hit a foul ball that was headed right towards her and the other girls. A few of the guys shouted for them to watch their heads. His Padres girl just assessed and stood her ground the Giggle sisters squealed and jump out of the way.

"Hey Sweetheart, can you toss us the ball?" Mike asked from behind his catcher mask.

"Who you calling Sweetheart, Cupcake?" She arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms.

"I was talking to you, Sweetheart. I could get a little closer, give you my number and we can talk about this more over dinner." Mike pushed back his mask and winked at her.

"Sorry Cupcake, I don't date ballplayers."

Mike ignored the ooh burn and damn coming from his teammates. Of course it was Frank Abbott that had to take score of this encounter.

"That's strike one Lawson." Abbott cheered. Man, Mike hated that guy.

"Nah Abbott, I haven't even stepped up to the plate yet. So Sweetheart what should I call you?" Mike took a few steps closer to her. He thought he smelled brown sugar.

"Uninterested." Mike could see the hint of dimples in her full cheeks. And he couldn't help but wonder what her smile was like.

"STRIKE TWO!" Abbott and now a few of the other guys joined in the call.

"So, why don't you date baseball players…?"

"Listen Cupcake, if I wanted some loud mouth guy like you anywhere near my bases I'd being doing the pitching." She was cute when she was fired up even if she did interrupted him.

"Oh really, so you think you can pitch the ball, Sweetheart? This isn't Softball" He wondered if he could get her number after all. Maybe a little challenge will warm her up.

"Nope, I know I can. And don't call me Sweetheart. I'm talking about throwing the ball and not underhand. Although that might be the only way you could get a hit off me." Oh he liked her spunk.

"Ohh damn, Lawson" Abbott pumped his fist in the air. "I hear a challenge coming on" he sing songed.

"How about a wager between new friends? You strike my friend Abbott out and I won't
call you sweetheart...Sweetheart."

Mike didn't even realize that he had made it to the fence. She was now directly in front of him and her dark brown eyes were looking up at him. He could read her perfectly; she was annoyed but amused.

"Aww, it's cute that you know you can't hit off me so you send your friend to the slaughter instead." She gave him a warm chuckle and he lost his footing and bumped the fence. Her smile lit up her whole face and he had never seen anything like that before.

"I'm not scared to hit off you, Sweetheart. I just want to catch whatever you are throwing. For every hit Abbott gets you answer my questions. If he hits it out of the park or you get the ball over the plate, you're buying dinner. But first, I need your name" Mike wasn't going to beg. Alright, he would totally beg.

"Hey, if I'm doing all the hitting shouldn't I get the date." Abbott sulked.

"Shut up, Abbott. What do you say, Sweetheart?"

"Hold on, what do I get if I win?"

"A date with me of course."

She threw her head back laughing. Her hands covered her mouth, trying to hold in her full body expression of joy. She was so serious before that he had never thought she would sound like that. It was now his mission in life to make her laugh everyday. Of course, he needed her name first.

"Cupcake, you are cute but not the catch you think you are."

"So you think I'm cute?" Mike's whole body buzzed with adrenaline. The brown sugar was definitely coming from her and he was willing to take his time finding out where it was coming from. Hey perv, control yourself, Mike tried to shake the smell out of his nose.

"Wait, how old are you?" Mike demanded.

"What does my age have to do with winning this bet?"

"It's all for my peace of mind, Sweetheart."

"Will you stop that? That is not my name" Did she just growl at him? Yep he needed her name. "If I win, you can never call me Sweetheart again."

"But Sweetheart, what should I call you instead?"

"Mike, you can call me anytime," the feminine voice was light and airy.

Padres girl and Mike snapped their heads towards the voice. It belong to Kellie Morris, who was a petite, blue-eyed brunette and a very energetic cheerleader. She hadn't lied; he really could call her anytime and before today he figured he would do just that before summer ended but now he had a name to figure out. Kellie's perfume slammed into his senses knocking his head back. Now he missed the brown sugar.

"Hey, Kellie we are about to watch…." Mike looks down expectantly and gestures with his hand to his Padres girl. She rolled her eyes at him and worried her lower lip with her teeth. He saw the moment she gave in to his charm also known as persistence.

"Call me, Baker."

"Baker? Is that you last name?" Mike felt a little cheated here.

"It's my name and if you win you can get my first. Lawson? Was that it, Cupcake?" She arched her eyebrow at him.

"Mike Lawson, future Captain of the San Diego Padres and All Star catcher, at your service, Sweetheart"

He offered her his hand and she snorted and shook it. He was surprised at her firm handshake and calloused hand. Her skin was warm and the calluses were smooth, hmm maybe a lotion. He thought it might be strange to sniff her hand so he let go.

"Get them out while you still can, Lawson, cause your not going to be winning this. Let me get my glove."

Mike watch her as she made her way to a duffel bag. She must have dropped it so she could watch them play. She pulled out a worn pitcher's glove. The hand on his arm startled him from his pear shaped view.

"Will I see you later, Mike?" Kellie asked with a hopeful gleam in her eye.

"Camp is starting Kellie. It's my last year so I really need to focus." He hoped she didn't notice the way his eyes drifted to Baker.

"I thought camp started on Monday?"

"Yeah but the returning guys and I are meeting the new rookies to show them around. Tonight is the bonfire, you know that."

"I could be your date." She gave him a wink.

"Kellie, I don't think that's a good idea."

"Hey, Cupcake! Are you chickening out?" Baker was standing on the mound. Her gloved hand was extended down by her side. A ball grasped in her other hand. Her body facing home plate but her head turned to him at the fence.

"Let's see what you got, Sweetheart." Mike jogged to home plate, squatted down and adjusted his mask. Abbott stepped into the batter box.

"What's up with you and the kid, Lawson?"

"Hey, Abbott, why don't you pay attention."

Baker's demeanor changed from relaxed to ballplayer so fast Mike was impressed. Her eyes drifted to Abbott, cataloguing his stance and analyzing his hand placement on the bat. She then locked eyes with Mike and the world faded.

He stopped hearing the rest of the team's taunts or the giggling from the bleachers. Her eyes widen for brief second and he was sure she felt the connection snap in place.

Knowing Abbott was a stronger hitter was cheating a bit so to even the playing field he called for a curveball which he knows is Abbott's weakness. Baker narrowed her eyes and shook her head. He signaled a curveball again and again she shook him off. Did she think he was trying to cheat?

She stood up, turned her body, lifted her leg and then threw a perfect slider past Abbott's swing and into Mike's glove. Whoa!

"STRIKE ONE!" Rang the voice of the stand in umpire.

"What the fuck!?" Abbott exclaimed. "I wasn't ready." Abbott kicked his shoes into the ground and twisted his grip on the bat.

Baker watched on as Abbott prepared; she didn't gloat, just waited. Mike called for a fastball this time but again she shook him off. This time she threw a curveball.

"STRIKE TWO!"

"Bullshit! Come one, Sweetheart, I got your number now." Abbott hissed.

"Don't call her, Sweetheart." Mike's voice was low and menacing.

"Whatever you say, Lawson." Abbott muttered.

Baker narrowed her eyes and watched. Mike didn't bother trying to give her a sign and let her make the call. It wasn't looking good for him on winning the bet but watching her pitch was one hell of an alternative. He just hoped he can learn her first name.

She threw a screwball and Abbott swung so hard he spins. His bat barely nicking the ball popping it straight up . Mike jumped to his feet, threw his mask back and dived for the ball.

"YOU'RE OUT!"

"What the fuck, Lawson? Why are you helping her win the bet? Hey, Sweetheart, that was nothing but a fluke."

"Abbott, you call her that one more time and we are going to have a big problem." Mike walked towards Abbott.

"Whatever, Lawson, I'm out of here. Let's go guys, Captain Lawson has babysitting duty." Abbott glared at Baker as she walked towards home plate. Mike stepped in front of her and glared at the pimple-faced punk. The rest of the players grabbed the equipment and headed towards the dorm that was to be their home for three months.

"Why would you do that?" Baker looked both angry and impressed.

"Do what Baker, tell him to stop being a dick? Or the stepping between you and king hothead. Because honestly I've seen that guy try to fight every pitcher that's struck him out."

"No, why'd you catch the ball?"

"Cause I'm you're catcher."

"But you lost?" Baker said softly.

"I'm not sure I did. Watching you pitch was definitely a win and you made Abbott look like a fish. Though I am sad about not knowing your first name. Would you like to come to big bonfire tonight?"

"I thought you said you needed to focus on camp." Baker said with a bit sarcastic flair.

"Were you eavesdropping on my conversation? Were you jealous?"

"More amused by your distraction. Can't go with you anyway, I already have plans."

"Let me walk you home and you can distract me some more."

"Nope, I'm close, don't need it."

"Will I see you again?" Mike was feeling a little desperate knowing he might not see her again.

"I'm sure you will."

"When?"

She laughs and shakes her head at him.

"Soon enough, Cupcake."

She brushed his shoulder as she walked past him. Before she got too far away he felt a hard smack on his ass making him jump a little bit. He turned to see her watching him with a little smirk. He threw his head back and laughed.

Baker grabbed her duffle bag, heading off in the same direction that the rest of the team had gone. He watched her jog away and he wanted to follow and talk with her some more. She suddenly stopped and turned.

"Oh, the name's Ginny and I'm 16." Her smile is bright even from the distance apart. "He got a hit off me so…"

"Hi, Ginny Baker."

"Hello, Mike Lawson."

Ginny turned and ran off. Mike watched until he couldn't see her anymore. Mike had a feeling this was going to be the best summer of his life. He couldn't wait to find out everything he could about one Ginny Baker

"This is going to be fun." He said to himself with a smile.