Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,81

lost in a haze of imagining just that. The bat cracked, and in an unlikely turn of events, Clementine drove one past third. “Gotta go, Otter,” Gabriella said and shot off. It took everything Ryan had to get it together and make the play to nab Clem out at first. She passed Gabriella a How could you? look, only to have her blow a kiss from second base. Forgiven.

In the end, the Otters managed to squeak by, putting them one step closer to the championship game. Ryan was happy to see her mom clapping in the stands as she approached.

“Looking good out there, but maybe keep your eye on the ball and not the runner.” Her mom smiled sweetly.

“Did I just get roasted by my mother?”

“Totally did,” Billy said, on his way past to Wrigley, who’d been keeping Joanna company.

“I saw you watching that girl who is a cook,” Wrigley said with a smile. Joanna hooked a thumb at her as if to say, See?

“Yeah, well, I was set up,” Ryan said meekly.

“Joanna!” Ryan turned to see Gabriella emerge from her team meeting in the dugout and move instantly to embrace her mom, who lit up like the Fourth. Nearby, she saw Maude the Biddy snap a photo, which would likely hit Instagram before nightfall.

“I had no idea you could play like that,” Joanna said, beaming. “You’re like a professional with a whoosh and that zigzag deal to avoid the tag at home.” Her mom mimed a throw and swing and slide.

“Let’s not get crazy,” Ryan said. “She’s okay.”

“You’re good too, sweetheart,” her mom said in total pacification.

Ryan nodded. “Oh, thanks for remembering I exist, Mom.”

“No problem, kiddo.”

Gabriella turned to Ryan with a grin and shoulder nudge. “Good game.”

“I had to keep up with a wily little Muskrat. No easy feat.”

“I’d say you held your own pretty well. Took home the big W.”

“She was watching you,” Wrigley called out to Gabriella. Billy playfully covered his child’s mouth.

“Nice game, guys.” Ryan turned to see Madison sitting four rows up on the bleachers. Joey and Becca were next to her, and both waved happily. Gabriella shot them the muskrat face, and they, of course, reciprocated.

“Hey, thanks,” Ryan said to Madison, grateful for the gesture. “They made us work out there.”

“Made it exciting.” Madison stood. “Do you, by chance, have a sec?”

Ryan first glanced around to make sure Madison was speaking to her. Next, she looked to Gabriella, who offered a conservative smile. “Uh, yeah, I do.”

Madison nodded, hopped to the ground, and led them a few yards away where there was a quiet spot to talk on the grass. “Listen, I was an ass the other night and had no right to be. I wanted to apologize. That’s definitely not the person I want to be.”

Ryan took off her cap. “I appreciate that. I wasn’t any better, and I’m sorry. You mean a lot to Gabriella, and that makes you important.”

“Can we work on a clean slate?”

Ryan smiled, not one to hold a grudge. Life was way too short, and she’d always believed Madison was a good person underneath her distrust. “Done. I don’t hold on to stuff.”

“Good. And if I haven’t said so, Tangled is looking amazing. You guys surpassed my expectations, and Gabriella seems over the moon with the place.”

“Thanks.” She was proud of the project herself and planned to use photos from it in her portfolio and advertising materials. “Before we know it, we’ll be ready for our inspections. I believe Joey is on top of the permit side of things.”

“You guys okay over here?” Gabriella asked nervously from a few yards away.

“Why would you even need to ask that?” Madison scoffed. “I can’t imagine what would make you nervous.”

“Seriously. I’m offended,” Ryan huffed. “Us?”

Gabriella, looking amazing in her yellow and white uniform, rolled her eyes. “Lord help me.”

Because Gabriella had hitched a ride to the game with her friends instead of bringing her own car, she rode home with Ryan. They drove with the windows down and the music up.

“My mom couldn’t get over how great you were.” Ryan grinned, enjoying the night.

“She’s incredibly sweet. Does she know…about us?”

“Well, not everything, but the basics. She’s really happy. About where this is going.”

“And where is that?” Gabriella asked.

The air racing through the cab of the truck picked up as Ryan accelerated. She had no idea what to say, what wouldn’t make her look like an idiot making things up as she went. “We’re right here. In this truck. Enjoying