Jake Lawrence, Third Base — Jean C. Joachim

An off-season adventure, driving his expensive, new car from L.A. to New York, got Jake Lawrence's motor running. Free from his snooty, Park Avenue girlfriend, the third baseman hit the highway, ready for anything. Or so he thought. Kate MacKenzie, aspiring musical theater star, sneaked out of her motel room after her mother had gambled away all the young woman's money. In the middle of nowhere with less than four dollars to her name, the plucky actress planned to waitress her way to New York for a Broadway audition. All she needed was a job that paid enough for bus fare. Saving the beauty from a beating by the motel manager, Jake offers Kate a ride all the way to Manhattan. Leery of offers from men, Kate had no choice but to accept. She vowed to preserve her dignity and keep the sexy slugger at arm's length. Mutual attraction couldn't derail the pair from their goals. Kate's dream of making it on Broadway collided with Jake's of making it to the World Series. Will their road trip lead to love? Or to a lonely existence of separation, and insecurity?