“Please direct your attention to the video screen,” said the director of ceremonies. Clips from Crush’s games flashed on the screen, along with quotes from his coaches, managers and other players. It was surreal hearing things like “one of the smartest pitchers who ever played,” and “with Crush, he’s always three steps ahead.” The video even touched on his ownership of the Catfish. He watched, a little misty, as Mike Solo and Dwight Conner told stories about playing for him.
And then, something incredible happened. Wendy’s beautiful face appeared on the screen. Her caption read, “Mayor of Kilby, Texas.”
“I’ll tell you one thing, Kilby wouldn’t be the same place without Crush Taylor. San Antonio has the Alamo, Houston has the oil fields, well, we have Crush Taylor.” She paused, as if she knew that line would draw a laugh from the audience. He shook his head in admiration. She really knew how to work a crowd, even when she wasn’t in the same state as them.
Then she looked directly at the camera and dropped an even bigger bombshell.
“And it’s a darn good thing we do, because I love that man. I love Crush with all my heart, but it might come as a surprise to him, so you there in the crowd at Cooperstown, do you think you could show him a little love for me? Just stand up and give him a big round of applause. Could you do that for me? And while you’re at it, tell him to come home and sweep me off my feet, would you?” She winked at the camera.
The crowd roared and stomped, applauding and waving little American flags.
It was mayhem. Mayhem and madness.
Pedro Martino, the legendary shortstop, nudged him with his shoulder and winked. “You always did know how to steal the show, Crush.”
“I didn’t…I…I …shit…”
She loved him. Wendy loved him. And she’d gone on camera to say so. She’d announced it to the whole damn world. And he was here, in front of thousands of people, maybe millions watching on the live broadcast.
He looked at the shortstop next to him. “Fuck, Pedro. How’m I supposed to give my speech now?”
“Focus, man. Focus. One word at a time.”
* * *
This time when the pounding came at her door, Wendy flew down the stairs with her heart in her throat. Micro-seconds after flinging open the door, she was off her feet and wrapped tightly in Crush’s arms.
“You love me?” He murmured in her ear. “You really love me?”
“I can’t take it back now, can I?” She smiled up at him, noting the shadow of stubble and lines of weariness. “What took you so long? The ceremony ended hours ago.”
“Couldn’t get clearance out of Cooperstown. Had to sign ten million autographs.”
“I wanted to go, so badly. I really wanted to be there. But I just took time off to see Teri and I couldn’t get away again. But I watched every minute of the ceremony. You were wonderful.”
“I was so damn rattled. It’s a miracle I got a word out. I can’t believe you did that.”
“So you liked it?” She realized that he still hadn’t said the words back. Sure, he’d hinted that he felt that way at the Ask the Mayor session. But he hadn’t come out and said so.
“I loved it. I love you.”
Sweet relief flooded her heart. “Even though I acted so terribly, and said all those awful things?”
“Even so.” He grinned, those bright hazel eyes making her heart do jumping jacks. “I might have deserved a few of them. Nothing wrong with a kick in the pants now and then. And you’re just the woman to do it. I want you in my life, Wendy. However I can get you. Marriage, no marriage, it doesn’t matter. Whatever you want. I’m with you. From here on out.”
Tears started in her eyes. “I love you so much, Crush. I think maybe I would even marry you if it came to that. But maybe we could start simple. Attend a few Rotary Club meetings together. Maybe grab some barbecue. Public, normal things.”
“You got it, hot stuff. As long as we can do a few private, abnormal things as well.”
His diabolical wink made her so weak in the knees, it was a good thing he was carrying her up the stairs at that moment. “What sort of things do you have in mind?”
“Well…” He reached her bedroom and tossed her onto her pile of pillows. “I guess we have half a lifetime to figure it out.”
* * *
Teri sprung her surprise on a hot day in mid-August, when the Catfish were playing their arch-enemies, the Isotopes. It happened in the seventh inning, when the starting pitcher for the Isotopes jammed his thumb and had to be relieved.
“Taking the mound for the Isotopes, right-hander Teri Dimitri,” intoned the announcer.
“What?” Crush jumped to his feet so fast his sunglasses flew off his head.
Wendy was torn between laughing at his shocked expression and cheering for Teri. The young woman bounded across the field as if she’d been shot from a cannon, all exuberant eagerness. Her huge grin as she waved at Crush had the whole stadium clapping for her. It was so good to see her back to her old bouncy self, Wendy could have cried.
“What…how…”
“The Isotopes approached her after the Friars dropped her contract. They saw potential.” Wendy put her fingers to her mouth and gave a loud wolf-whistle.
“Holy hell.” Crush groaned even as he clapped for her first pitch. “My chance to make history, destroyed. I’m going to give the Friars hell for this.”
“Do you mind?” She touched his hand. “Teri was a little worried, but since the Friars dropped her…”
“Hell no, I don’t mind. Good for her. She went and did it on her own. I’m even prouder now. Look at how good she looks out there. Pitching against my team. In my own ballpark. Cool as a cucumber.”
“You taught her well.” Wendy twined her hand in his. Now that they were officially engaged, complete with a gorgeous diamond ring on her right hand, she loved showing her affection in public.
“Nah, that part’s due to her calm, cool, and collected mother.”
“I wasn’t so calm and collected last night,” she whispered in his ear.
“Or this morning,” he pointed out.
She giggled, because Crush made her feel lighthearted and young in a way she probably never had before, even when she was actually young. “Well, I guess that’s what comes from being with a Hall of Famer.”
“Don’t you forget it, lady.”
“How could I?” She shot a pointed glance at the Hall of Fame uniform he was wearing. Even though he felt a little ridiculous in it, with its big “Hall of Fame” lettering across the front, he’d decided to embrace the honor with all he had.
“Hey, I’m making a statement.” He whistled and clapped as Killer Garrett hit a short hopper to second. The Isotope second baseman handled it easily for the first out. Teri’s first Triple A out. Damn.
“Really, what statement is that?”
“I’m a Hall of Famer here with my lady love who happens to be the mayor of Kilby, an incredible human being and a smokin’-hot mama who lights up my life. All my kids are speaking to me, and I’m not sure that’s ever happened before. The Catfish are ahead in the standings and my protégé pitcher went and got herself onto a Triple A team. So what does it all mean?”
The smile was already trembling on her lips. Wow, did she love this man. She loved his sardonic jokes and generous heart, his complicated nature and the way he accepted every single part of her. “What, Crush? What does it all mean?”
He grinned down at her with the intensity that always made her heart soar. “It means we’re crushing it, babe. Totally crushing it.”
Afterword
I wrote Crushing It after my newsletter readers chose Crush Taylor as the Love Between the Bases character who most needed his own story. I completely agreed! After making Crush and Mayor Wendy Trent dance around each other for four books, it was a pleasure to give them a Hall of Fame happy ending. You too are invited to join my newsletter for that kind of fun opportunity, bonus content, exclusive sneak peeks, and newsletter-
only giveaways. Thank you so much for reading!
About the Author
Jennifer Bernard is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. Her books have been called “an irresistible reading experience” full of “quick wit and sizzling love scenes.” A graduate of Harvard and former news promo producer, she left big city life in Los Angeles for true love in Alaska, where she now lives with her husband and stepdaughters. She still hasn’t adjusted to the cold, so most often she can be found cuddling with her laptop and a cup of tea. No stranger to book success, she also writes erotic novellas under a naughty secret name that she’s happy to share with the curious. You can learn more about Jennifer and her books at JenniferBernard.net and sign up for her newsletter here.
Connect with Jennifer online at:
@Jen_Bernard
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[email protected]
Also by Jennifer Bernard
Love Between the Bases
All of Me
Caught By You
Getting Wound Up (crossover with Sapphire Falls)
Drive You Wild
Jupiter Point
Set the Night on Fire
Novellas
Seeing Stars
Finding Chris Evans: The Hotshot Edition
* * *
The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel
The Fireman Who Loved Me
Hot for Fireman
Sex and the Single Fireman
How to Tame a Wild Fireman
Four Weddings and a Fireman
The Night Belongs to Fireman
* * *
Novellas
One Fine Fireman
Desperately Seeking Fireman
It’s a Wonderful Fireman
Crushing It: A Love Between the Bases Novella Page 12