“If it’s not too much trouble,” Tucker said.

“Not at all.” Helen smiled at him before leaving the room.

“Where did you all walk to?” Clyde asked after the women left the room.

Fortunately, Tucker had walked the grounds before. “We went past the pool house to the statuary gardens, then over to the azalea garden. It’s coming along nicely there. Everything seems to be in bloom. Really pretty.”

Clyde nodded. “Helen loves all her flowers. She makes me get out there all the time and take walks.”

Tucker could picture that.

“So, about Aubry. Is this a serious thing?”

Tucker was prepared for this conversation, knew it was coming eventually. “Yes, sir. From my standpoint it is.”

“I’m glad you’re not taking it lightly. That means something.” Clyde leaned forward. “My daughter worked her ass off as an undergraduate, then in medical school, and now her residency. She has a clear plan for her future, and I know you do as well.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I think you’re an outstanding ballplayer, Tucker. I’ve watched you play and I’m impressed with your talent. I think the Rivers were damn lucky to sign you, and I believe you’re going to have an amazing career as a pitcher.”

High praise coming from someone like Clyde Ross. “Thank you, Mr. Ross.”

“But here’s the thing. Aubry’s not ready to settle down yet. She’s got a year left in residency and she’ll need to take her tests after that, then apply to a fellowship. She has to think about her career, not love or romance. The last thing she needs right now is a distraction from a hotshot athlete like you, or God forbid, to fall in love.”

Tucker didn’t like where this was going, and he wholeheartedly disagreed. “But sir—”

“Let me finish. I’ve worked my whole life to give Aubry the life I feel she deserves. And she’s worked hard as well. I won’t let you take that away from her. So you break this off with her, or you’ll fall asleep one night playing for the Rivers and wake up the next morning pitching for the goddamn Triple-A team again. Don’t think I’m joking here, Cassidy. I will trade you or I will send you down to the minors. You understand me?”

“Coffee for everyone.” Helen came in with a carafe and cups, a smiling Aubry trailing behind her, which effectively cut off the conversation between Tucker and Mr. Ross.

Clyde offered up a friendly smile as if he hadn’t just upended Tucker’s whole world. “Great. I’m ready for some coffee. How about you, Tucker?”

Still barely able to form a coherent thought, let alone words, Tucker nodded and tried for what he hoped was a smile.

Clyde might be able to play the part of doting husband and happy father, but Tucker had gotten the message loud and clear.

He’d just been told to break up with Aubry. Like . . . right now.

No, he hadn’t been told. He’d been threatened. His job—his career—had been threatened. Clyde Ross had made it very clear that if he wanted to keep the job he loved, he had to end things with Aubry.

He just didn’t know what the hell he was going to do about it.

“YOU’RE IN A GOOD MOOD,” KATIE SAID TO AUBRY, frowning at her.

They’d decided to go out to dinner after their shift ended. Aubry dipped her chip in salsa, grinned, then ate it, following up with a sip of her margarita.

“Is that a bad thing?”

“No. But usually these after-work dinners are bitchfests and we’re both grouchy and grumbly. You are neither grouchy nor grumbling about anything. Instead, you’ve got a goofy-ass smile on your face. What’s up with that?”

Aubry shrugged and took another drink. “I’m just . . . happy.”

Katie grabbed her drink and leaned back in her seat. “Okay, what’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Aubry said with a laugh. “Can’t I be happy?”

“Of course you can. But we had a shit day today and we barely had time for a break to pee, yet you’re sitting here all smiles. So spill.”

“Fine. It’s Tucker.”

“Ohh, so he’s the one putting a smile on your face. That makes sense. What’s going on with you two?”

Aubry hadn’t seen him for several days, since that night he’d had dinner with her parents. He’d left after coffee, saying he had an early call at the ballpark the next day, and she knew he had back-to-back-to-back games. But still, her parents had loved him, and so did she.