by Mia Madison
“Naw, Sandy’s got this,” Owen said, winking at her. The little girl grinned and gave him a high five.
“Where do you want Brad and me?” Brad was scheduled for surgery with Owen and a team of other doctors a few months from now.
“Brad’s batting first.”
This was apparently very welcome news to Brad. “I am? Really? With a real bat, not just my cane?”
I laughed. I’d seen firsthand the damage he could do when he pretended his cane was a bat, or a lightsaber, or golf club… or anything other than a cane, actually.
“Yep, we’ve got a real bat, but it’s plastic. That’s so we can all stay and play rather than some of us needing stitches.” Owen patted Brad on the arm. “We’ll let you use a tee, and Becca can help you with your swing.”
As Owen walked away to greet a new group of his patients, both past and present, I whispered in Brad’s ear. “You’re lucky—everyone else has to put up with his pitching.”
“I heard that,” Owen said, jogging past. He seemed to be everywhere at once, clearly in his element. But the game had actually been my idea. I remembered seeing the baseball game he’d set up for his patients when he was overseas with DBW. When I’d suggested trying it here, his face had lit up. Of course, it had taken a bunch of waivers, meetings with hospital lawyers, and convincing my dad. That last one had been the biggest hurdle, but we’d done it. He was even here now, sitting in the makeshift stands looking a bit odd in a suit, tie, and a Yankees cap.
“Where do you want us?” Kristin showed up wheeling a boy with a full cast on his leg and a baseball glove in his hands. Mark, who was now her husband, held a little girl with a muscular disorder.
“First base for you and that slugger there, Kristin. Mark, you take Tess to left field. No, your other left. Perfect.”
It took a good fifteen minutes to get everyone—and their helpers—in place, but Owen managed. The way he acted when he was around kids made me love him even more.
Finally, we were ready to play. Owen was the pitcher, umpire, coach, and an assistant helper to everyone on the field. After a couple of practice swings in which I helped Brad get a feel for where the ball was, he hit it a surprisingly long way. Arm in arm, we ran the bases as everyone cheered.
This version of baseball didn’t seem to have any particular teams or outs, but everyone got a chance to bat and take a position in the field. And when kids got tired out, their helpers either took them back inside or led them to the sideline where the cafeteria workers had a variety of pre-approved snacks.
It was a magical game—and a magical day.
An hour later, when most of the kids were gone, Owen let the few who remained practice batting.
“Swing just a bit higher, okay Susie? I promise, I won’t let the ball hit you.”
It was only a wiffle ball, but Susie was afraid of it hitting her face. But seventeen swings later, when she finally smacked the ball, sending it a few feet beyond Owen, she was all smiles.
“Way to go, kiddo! Run to first!” But instead, she ran to Owen and gave him a big hug, making my heart nearly burst.
Alejandro was the last one in line, a boy with limited use of the left side of his body. But with his good hand, he’d already hit several balls that Owen had declared were home runs. He was small for his eleven years, but right side of his body was strong.
This time, he hit it nearly to second base, which wasn’t as far away as in a real baseball field but was still pretty impressive. Since he couldn’t run the bases, he leaned on the bat and squinted up at Owen. “Why do they call it a baseball diamond?”
“That’s the shape. See? First base, second base, third base, and home plate. They form a diamond.”
“It looks like a square to me,” Alejandro said, and I laughed. He wasn’t wrong.
“Could be. But it’s always been called a baseball diamond. Even in Spanish, right?”
“Yeah. Diamante de beisbol.” He grinned. “When I was a little kid, I thought that there were real diamonds buried in the dirt. I thought that was why American baseball players were so rich.”
I laughed, putting my arm around Alejandro.
Owen grinned. “Maybe you’re right.” He winked at me over the little boy’s head, clearly wanting me to humor the charming young man. “It couldn’t hurt to look now, could it?”
Alejandro smiled and shrugged, only one shoulder rising. He leaned on me as he kicked at the dirt with his good leg.
“Find anything yet?” I asked.
“No. Let’s look over there.” He pointed to a spot a few feet left of the plate. “Dr. Hawthorne can keep looking on the other side.”
“You’re the boss,” Owen said, and I smiled at him before helping Alejandro hobble over to the spot he’d chosen. As we kicked at the dirt and grass, I glanced at the stands—which were just a bunch of folding chairs. To my surprise, my dad was still there, as were a couple of other staff members including Jessica and Kristin. Even Uncle Max had hung around.
After another minute, I shook my head theatrically. “Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure this diamond mine has run dry.” I was mixing metaphors, but Alejandro’s first language was Spanish—he’d never know.
“Let’s see if Dr. Hawthorne found anything.”
I smiled at his eager face. “Sure. Maybe he found a huge diamond and we’ll all be rich.”
It took a little doing to get turned around. With the boy clinging to my side, it was a bit like competing in a very slow three-legged race.
But Alejandro was still excited about our game though I could feel that he was tiring. Still, his enthusiasm was contagious. He tugged on my shirt and said, “I bet he found a good diamond.”
“We’ll see.” Owen was crouched on the ground, digging at the dirt as we approached. “Well, Dr. Hawthorne, have you found the Hope Diamond?”
“Something like that,” Owen said. “Wanna come see?”
Slowly, Alejandro and I made our way over to him, Jessica coming out to support the boy on the other side.
Owen had his hands cupped around something, making the most of the moment. He was so damn good with kids. I played along, pretending to be giddy with excitement. “What do you think he’s got in his hands, Alejandro?” We inched closer. “Why look, it’s a… a…” My voice trailed off as Owen opened his hand.
On his palm was something sparkly.
Almost like a real diamond.
A real diamond set in a silver ring.
A ring held by the man I loved.
The man who was now balanced on one knee.
My hands flew to my mouth in shock. As if from a great distance, I could hear Jessica leading Alejandro away, telling him what a good actor he was while he giggled.
For a long moment, Owen just stared up at me, smiling, a gleam in his eye as tears filled mine. When he spoke, his voice was rich, warm, and intimate, as if we were the only two people in the world. Right now, I felt like we were.
“Surprised, Becca?”
“Yes.” My voice quaked with emotion.
“Good. You’re not an easy one to surprise. You’re too smart.” He grinned up at me. “And beautiful. And caring. And warm. You’re the woman I want to wake next to every morning. The woman I want by my side at home—and at the hospital. You’re the woman I want helping the kids I treat—as well as any kids we might have together. You’re the one, Becca. I had to travel across the world and back to find you, but I can’t imagine feeling this way about anyone else. Rebecca Miller, you’d make me the happiest man in the world if you’d agree to be my beloved wife.”
I stared for a long moment at this amazing man who somehow loved me. He was a hero. A healer. A miracle worker for so many of the patients in the hospital.
And he wanted to share his life with me.
“God, yes,” I said, and my knees gave out as I collapsed onto the ground next to him. He took me in his arms, cradling me, and slipped the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly. I stared at it, dazed.
&nb
sp; We were engaged.
I had a fiancé.
Owen’s lips met mine and the cheering patients, coworkers, friends, and family faded to the background. All that mattered was Owen. His arms around me. His warm body pressed against mine. His deep kiss transporting me to another world. I never wanted it to end.
But eventually our friends and family surrounded us, and reluctantly, Owen broke the kiss and pulled me to my feet. Everyone wanted to hug us, to congratulate us. My dad even clapped Owen on the back, and I heard him say, “Welcome to the family, Opie.”
Uncle Max didn’t just hug me, he lifted me up and swung me around in his excitement. I was glad that he’d be my uncle now, too.
After receiving the well wishes of what felt like everyone I’d ever known, Owen took my arm. “Come, we’re going out for an informal engagement dinner. Kristin planned it.”
“Oh no,” I said without thinking, and Owen laughed.
“Don’t worry, I didn’t let her go Bridezilla, Part Two.”
“Thank goodness for small favors. But will you forgive me if I act a bit Brideblivious from time to time? I’m marrying the man of my dreams, so I’m kind of thinking I might want to plan the wedding my dreams.”
“Well… all right. But only because I’m marrying the woman of my dreams.”
“That works out well,” I said, leaning up to kiss the corner of his mouth.
“I thought so too. Ready to go eat, Future Mrs. Dr. Rebecca Miller Possibly Hawthorne Bridezilla?”
“I’m ready for everything.”
And I really was. To go to medical school. To become a doctor. A wife. And a mother. Suddenly it all seemed possible, thanks to the man at my side.
The man who’d be at my side for the rest of our lives.
It was indeed a perfect day.
About the Author
In the mood for something decadent, delicious, and provocative? Meet Mia Madison, purveyor of Forbidden Fantasies Romance. Come in, sit back, and relax. The candles are lit, and the dancing shadows on the wall promise sexy, seductive tales of spine-tingling love, leading to a pleasure-drenched happy-ever-after.
You'll discover young women eager for experience, who have scorching encounters with older men who know exactly what they're doing between the sheets. In Mia Madison's world, anything can—and does—happen. So leave your inhibitions at the door and come along for the ride.
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