Various States of Undress Read Online Free

of his time. Solid relief man, that one. If he hadn’t been throwing brush backs and walked a batter today, he might’ve pitched a no-hitter. But gotta love him. He’s got the best ERA in the league—you know what I mean?”
    â€œSure. Incredible ERA.” She didn’t have a clue what Fred was talking about.
    â€œI’m tickled to know that a presidential kid is such a baseball fan,” Fred said and then wrinkled his nose. “I don’t mean kid as in child. You’re a young lady,” he continued.
    Georgia gave him a patient smile. “That’s okay, Ship. I’m a kid at heart.”
    Not really . And sports fan? That would be a big no—not that she was going to admit that. “So, uh, I appreciate your showing me the field. The heat’s getting to me just a bit, though, so do you mind if we go to the press box?”
    â€œOh, sure. Would you care for a cool drink?” Fred asked.
    She’d give her left arm for it. “That would be nice.”
    â€œConcessions aren’t open after the game, but there’s a case of cold water in the gift shop. We can stop by there on our way.”
    Georgia nodded, shrugging her briefcase strap higher on her shoulder. She followed Fred up steep concrete steps to a covered deck and then down a long curved concourse. By the time the gift shop, encased in glass walls, was in sight, it was all she could do not to pull her blouse off, tie it around her head, and stumble toward it as if it were an oasis in the desert. But she knew she had to wait for one of her agents to check the place out before she could go in.
    Ernie opened the door swiftly, disappearing behind racks of baseball jerseys and plastic cups. Thirty seconds later, he reappeared and Stan gestured for her to go inside. “We’re all good, Cherry Blossom.”
    Georgia smiled at the use of her Secret Service code name. “Thanks, Stan.” The cool air hit her like a blast of pure heaven, and she closed her eyes. “Ahhh.”
    Fred chuckled and followed her inside. “Lots of great souvenirs in here. Think your dad might want a cap?”
    Actually, he probably would. “Good suggestion. I’ll browse before I come to a game, which I’m sure will be soon.” She made a mental note to stop by and purchase a cap, even if she managed to get removed from the baseball assignment.
    â€œGood.” Fred walked to a case and pulled out a large bottle of water. “Here ya go.”
    â€œThanks.” Georgia took it with a smile and followed him toward the back of the shop, glancing at the souvenirs she passed. Reaching out, she flicked a wide-eyed bobblehead of a player named “The Fox,” watching it grin and jerk. Hopefully, that wasn’t what she looked like at the moment. She forced her face to relax as Fred opened a door at the back of the shop and stepped into a carpeted hallway.
    â€œRight through here are the steps to our premier luxury box and the press box,” he told her, and she followed him to a door marked “Staff Only.” They went up a staircase, emerging into a small lobby. He opened another door and gestured grandly. “The press box.”
    As Georgia stepped inside, she noticed a middle-aged man in a baseball uniform standing a few feet away, his arms folded over his paunchy stomach. When he caught sight of Georgia, he removed his hat and stepped forward. “Hi there. I’m Monty Ballard. Coach Ballard.”
    â€œNice to meet you.” Georgia shook his meaty hand. She didn’t know much about coaches, but this one looked every inch like what she expected. Weathered face, sharp eyes, and a no-nonsense attitude.
    â€œJust wanted to stop by and introduce myself. Anything you need, let me or Ship know. We’ll round up players for you.”
    â€œI’m already on top of that,” Ship commented.
    â€œThanks.” Georgia knew she ought to at least go through