Todd seemed to mull his words for a moment. Then he grinned. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
As the boy slouched away, tires squealed outside the tent and the Batman theme song filled the air. Batman and Robin bolted for the door, trailed by about three-quarters of the kids in attendance.
Greg, too, followed the crowd, curious to see what was happening now. Although Jenn had done most of the planning for the event, his old man had managed to slip in a few surprises.
Like now. His father’s limo, decorated to resemble the Batmobile, sat near the tent’s entrance. Amid oohs, ahs and shouts of “cool,” the door opened. A pair of bright red, knee-high boots emerged. They encased two of the longest, most perfect legs he’d ever seen.
He recognized those legs. He knew them well, seeing as how they’d spent time wrapped around his waist.
Jenn. She wore Wonder Woman’s costume well, and she was so beautiful his heart hurt.
A clanking tore his gaze away from the vision. His father stood beside him, armor-clad arms folded across his glowing chest.
Greg gestured at the car. “You could have rented the real Batmobile.”
“Not as much fun.” Iron Man’s mask distorted Big Jake’s voice, but the words were still unmistakable. “My date’s here, Man of Steel.”
His date? Like hell. Jenn was his woman.
Like she wants you anymore.
While he debated himself, his father strode away, armor still jangling. The crowd parted to let him through. He reached Jenn’s side and offered her his arm. “Lovely to see you again, dear.”
Her laughter carried. “Why thank you, Iron Man.”
“Please. Call me Tony.”
She laughed again. “As you wish, Tony.”
His father leaned in to whisper something in her ear and her face lit.
Greg watched and a part of him seethed. He wasn’t sure whom he was more pissed at: his father for claiming Jenn as his date or Jenn for agreeing to go with the old man.
She should be here with you.
Big Jake steered her through the crowd, away from him.
Go after her, dumbass.
He made it less than ten yards before a gaggle of kindergartners swarmed him to demand hugs from Superman. He was less peeved after handing out the hugs, because it was impossible to be in a bad mood in the presence of so many enthusiastic little people.
Finally alone again, if he could call being in the presence of hundreds alone, he sought out Jenn. She ought to be easy to find in that outfit. No luck. Where could she have disappeared to?
He looked for his father instead. That hulking Iron Man costume was impossible to miss. There he was, with Batman, Robin and Aqua Man near the refreshment table. Had Aqua Man even moved? He made a mental note to see how much they’d paid the guy to stand around and stuff his face. Too much, no doubt.
Big Jake shifted to the left, and Greg saw Jenn in the center of the superheroes. She looked to be listening with rapt attention while the old man waved his massive Iron Man arms.
If he didn’t know his father was happily married, he’d be jealous.
If?
Okay, so he was jealous anyway. He strode toward the group, stopped and not-so-subtly nudged his father out of the way so he could be closer to Jenn.
“Is this an invitation-only meeting of the Justice League?”
“Obviously not, if they let you in the door.” Big Jake laughed and made a creaky bow. “Boys, let’s circulate. Superman and Wonder Woman need a moment alone. Outside.”
Up close, Greg could see shadows under Jenn’s eyes. Maybe she, too, was having trouble sleeping alone. He offered her his arm. “Take a walk with me? Please?”
“Of course.” Her green eyes glowed with an emotion he couldn’t define as she nodded and slipped her arm through his.
Together, they sneaked through the tent’s emergency exit and into the night. Several hundred yards away, under a circle of light from a streetlight in the parking lot, he stopped. While he was thrilled to have Jenn back on his arm, something didn’t feel quite right.
He inspected her from head to toe before he realized what it was: She didn’t need to tilt her head up to look at him.
“Did you—um—get taller?”
Her sweet, clear laughter rippled over him. She shook her head and lifted one leg, showing off bright red boots with stiletto heels. “Blame these. I can’t help but think they called her Wonder Woman because she not only walked in these boots but also sprinted and beat up bad guys.”
“You wear them well.”
“Thanks.” Jenn hesitated, again at a loss for words in Greg’s presence. Everything she wanted to say to him would sound too needy and desperate—and until she had some indication he had feelings for her, too, she refused to be that vulnerable. She decided to state the obvious. “I didn’t think I could pull this costume off.”
Greg’s gaze traveled the full length of her body again, lingering on the swell of her chest, enhanced by the skin-tight costume. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “You look great.”
“Thanks, but I wasn’t fishing for compliments.”
“Why not? You deserve them.”
She shivered under the heat in his gaze and pulled Wonder Woman’s cape around herself. “Jess offered to come in my place tonight, but I told her no.”
His mouth tightened, but he didn’t reply.
She took a deep breath and summoned some of Wonder Woman’s courage to forge ahead. “I learned that lesson the hard way. Greg, I’m sorry for deceiving you. I should have—”
He pressed a finger to her lips. “Don’t apologize. I was the one out of line. I believed what I wanted to.”
“I wanted you to believe, too.”
Greg shook his head. “The past doesn’t matter, Jenn. Let’s not rehash who said what or who was to blame.”
“Wait. What?” How could she apologize if he refused to listen?
“The last two weeks without you have been hell. But they’ve shown me what really matters. You.” He dropped to one knee. “I need you by my side, in my corner. Rooting me on and keeping me grounded.”
Was this a marriage proposal? Jenn couldn’t move. Could barely breathe. Her head was spinning. The ground rushed up to meet her, but he caught her before she hit the asphalt. His arms, locked around her waist, were strong. Supportive.
“Careful there,” he whispered, his breath hot in her ear.
He gently set her on her feet and she regained enough equilibrium to crack a joke. “I thought Superman was used to women swooning in his presence.”
“You’re the only woman I need swooning for me.”
Jenn gulped. “What, exactly, are you trying to say?”
“I don’t care what happened last month or last week or even yesterday. All that matters is you and me, together against the world.” He pulled a black velvet jeweler’s box from behind his back and flashed her that heart-stopping grin. He flipped the top and the ring sparkled in the streetlight. “What do you say? Wanna be my bride?”
Speechless, she nodded.
“Is that a yes, Counselor?” He brushed a stray lock behind her ear and grinned. “As a certain judge would say, I can’t hear your head rattle.”
“Yes.”
Greg slipped the ring on her finger and then pulled her into his arms and swung her around. His joyful whoop split the air. Their lips joined for a kiss that took her breath away.
An unmistakable whistle sounded. Then a pop. And another.
Eyes still closed, she asked, “Do you hear fireworks?”
“You too?” he murmured. “Thought it was my imagination.”
“Nope.”
She opened her eyes, and together they turned in the direction of the sound. Fireworks exploded over Tempe Town Lake. She and Greg held hands while they watched the display.
“That wasn’t in my arrangements.”
He shook his head. “Mine either.”
Just then, Jake came clanking up to
them. “‘Course not. I came up with that idea all by myself. What kid doesn’t love watching fireworks?”
Jenn could think of several squalling babies she’d stood near over the years who’d refute his claim, but she held her tongue. The night was going too well to mar it with disagreement.
“You two get things straightened out yet?” Iron Man’s head turned from her to Greg. “The kids have been asking about Superman and Wonder Woman.”
Greg chuckled. “Iron Man isn’t cool enough for ’em?”
“Guess not.”
He held up their joined hands. “Then it’s a good thing Superman and Wonder Woman are about to become king and queen of America.”
Jake whipped off his Iron Man mask, apparently needing a better look. “Is that—”
“Mom’s engagement ring? Yes.”
“She’d be so proud of you, Two.” Jake threw his arms around both of them and his eyes filled with tears.
Jenn sensed a subtle shift in Greg’s mood and had to interject. “I hope you are, too.”
“Hell yes, I am.”
The emphatic admission gave her the confidence to push her luck. “Proud enough to stop calling Greg Two for good?”
Jake’s laugh, so like his son’s, surrounded them. “You drive a hard bargain, young lady. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try.”
Greg and his father exchanged a look. “That’s all I can ask, Dad. Try.” He grinned and added, “And I’ll try not to count my inheritance before you kick the bucket.”
Jake snorted. “Just try not to get yourself arrested anymore. The Diamondbacks are less likely than the Condors to let something like that slide.”
Now Greg looked at her. He squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. That’s not gonna happen as long as I have Jenn on my team.”
“You two make a good team. The Foundation will be in good hands with you at the helm.”
Greg paled beneath his tan. “Don’t talk like that. You need to stay around long enough to see your first grandchild.”
That made Jake snap to attention. “Did you just say Jenn’s pregnant?”
“I’m right here. Don’t talk about me like I’m not present.” She rolled her eyes. “And no, I’m not pregnant.”
“Yet.” Greg waggled his brows. “I suggest we get busy remedying that. Pronto.”
“Well, I suggest we focus on you completing your first Major League season and then a wedding. In that order. Then we’ll talk about children.”
Now Greg’s eyebrows lifted. “Getting bossier by the minute, are you?”
Jenn giggled. “Can’t help it. It’s the boots.”
Jake cleared his throat to get their attention. His lips curved into a sly grin as he looked first at Greg and then at her. “Since neither one of you seems to be wearing any pants in this family, I suggest we get back to the party. We have more impressionable children to inspire.”
“Keep talking, old man.” Greg grumbled, but there was no heat to it. “Someday I’ll be able to kick your ass.”
“Looking forward to it, Son,” he called over his shoulder as he stumped back toward the tent.
Jenn squeezed Greg’s hand and he looked over at her, his eyes brimming with emotion. Her throat threatened to close up. She was one lucky woman to have him—and Jake—in her life. “You’re both heroes to me.”
“You’re pretty heroic yourself, Wonder Woman.” Greg kissed her again and she melted into him.
“I love you, Jacob Gregory Bartlesby II.”
His chest rumbled with laughter. The sound bathed her in warmth. “And I love you, Jennifer Louise Simpson. When this shindig is over, we’re going back to my place to celebrate.”
She caught her breath. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me too, Jenn. Me, too.” His lips tilted into a sly grin. “Maybe this time you’ll dance for me?”
For him, she’d do anything. “As long as you’re not expecting a pro, I think that can be arranged.”
THE END
Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank Turquoise Morning Press’ staff for all their hard work on my behalf. Thanks also to the Northern Arizona RWA chapter mates who helped me brainstorm story ideas (we talked a lot about how to handle Greg’s already-established arrest record and “drug problem”); to the LaLaLas and NARWAns who helped me with the title; to members of the LaLaLas, Power Writing Hour and my fellow 2011 Golden Heart finalists, the Starcatchers, who offered unwavering encouragement; and to the teachers and professors who nurtured my writing talent—and showed me how to tell great stories. Tony Howell, Darwin Sievers, Pat Troyer, Dr. Caroline Dow and Dr. Samuel Longmire, some of you may be gone, but you’re far from forgotten. And, as always, a heartfelt thanks to the baristas at the Camp Verde and Flagstaff, Ariz., Starbucks stores who not only supplied me drinks and snacks during long hours of writing/editing but also inquired about my progress—and shared in my excitement when I showed off my latest cover or review.
ABOUT ARLENE HITTLE
Arlene Hittle is a Midwestern transplant who now makes her home in northern Arizona. Sliding into Home is her third novel with Turquoise Morning Press. Diva in the Dugout was released in October 2013. Beauty and the Ballplayer, a 2011 RWA® Golden Heart finalist, was released in March 2014 and is her second novel with Turquoise Morning Press. Arlene suffers from the well-documented Hittle family curse of being a Cubs fan, but will root for the Diamondbacks until they run up against the Cubs. Longtime friends are amazed she writes books with sports in them, since she’s about as coordinated as a newborn giraffe and used to say marching band required more exertion than golf. When she’s not writing, spending time with her boyfriend or slurping down Starbucks drinks, she works as a copy editor/page designer for the Arizona Daily Sun. Find her at arlenehittle.com, on Twitter or on Facebook.
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