From Neighbors...to Newlyweds?

by Brenda Harlen

Georgia spun around to see the ball pop high into the air and over the backstop of the baseball diamond. Instinctively, she cupped her hands and snagged the ball before it dropped near the baby. There was a smattering of applause from the field as she tossed the ball back to the catcher.

  “Sign her up!” somebody yelled from the field.

  Georgia ignored the commentary and turned back to Pippa who had, in her mother’s brief moment of inattention, rolled all the way to the edge of the blanket. With a mock admonishment, she scooped up the baby and set her in the middle of the quilt again.

  “Mrs. Reed?”

  She glanced up to see Brittney jogging toward her. Georgia smiled at the girl. “Another practice for the Fourth of July tournament?”

  “Yeah,” the teen responded with a complete lack of enthusiasm. “And I still completely suck. Unfortunately, there are strict rules about the number of men and women you can have on each team, and uncle Matt’s team needed another female body on the field.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do just fine,” Georgia told her.

  Brittney shook her head. “After half a dozen practices, it’s still my instinct to get out of the way when the ball’s coming toward me. I haven’t fielded a single hit and I haven’t hit a single pitch past the pitcher’s mound.”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Because when that ball came at you, you didn’t even think about it—you just reached out and grabbed it.”

  “A mother’s instinct,” she explained. “I was protecting the baby.”

  “Still, it proved that you’d be a much better asset to the team than I am,” Brittney told her.

  “Matt asked me if I wanted to play, but—” she gestured to the boys on the climber and Pippa on the blanket under the tree “—I can’t sit them in the bleachers and expect them to stay put.”

  “I’d be happy to hang out with the kids if you took my spot at second base. No, I’d be thrilled,” the girl amended.

  Still, Georgia hesitated. “I haven’t played baseball in more years than I care to admit.”

  “Give it a try now,” Brittney urged, offering her glove.

  * * *

  And that was how Georgia found herself playing second base for the Garrett Gators on the Fourth of July.

  The local sports complex had been turned into a carnival for the holiday, including a family fun zone with an enormous ball pit, a twenty-foot inflatable slide, a puppet theatre, and face painting and balloon animals for the little kids. For the bigger kids, there was a midway area with thrill rides and games of chance and skill. And since everyone in attendance had an appetite, food vendors offered everything from hot dogs, popcorn and snow cones to perogies, schnitzel and sushi. But one of the biggest draws of the day was the Sixth Annual Co-ed Softball for Sick Kids Hospital Tournament.

  Brittney’s best friend, Nina, had offered to help out with the kids, but Georgia still couldn’t help worrying that the twins and Pippa would be too much for the girls over the course of the day. And she was feeling more than a little guilty that she wasn’t able to spend the day with her family. But the twins were happy to wander off with the teens, who pushed Pippa along in her stroller, leaving Georgia with nothing to do but play ball.

  There were two divisions of three teams in the tournament, so every team played a five-inning game against each of the others in its division to determine standings. Then the two first-place teams played for the championship trophy.

  Georgia nursed Pippa between games and made sure that the girls had enough money to keep the twins occupied and supplied with snacks. At the end of the first round, it was announced that the Garrett Gators would be facing off against the Sullivan Swingers for the hardware.

  “A rematch of last year’s final,” Ashley Turcotte said, in a tone that warned Georgia that game had not ended well for the Gators.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “Tyler Sullivan cranked a solo home run over the right field fence to win it for the Swingers in the bottom of the ninth.”

  “Ty got lucky on that one,” Luke grumbled.

  “And for months afterward by retelling the story to any female who would listen,” Jack chimed in.

  “We’ve got a better team this year,” Matt said confidently.

  “So do they,” Karen, Luke’s receptionist and their right fielder, noted. “They finished with a better run differential, so they’re the home team again.”

  “Then let’s get ready to bat,” Matt suggested.

  * * *

  Matt had always loved baseball. Hardball or softball, windmill or slo-pitch, it was a fun game. And while the annual charity tournament didn’t have quite the same intensity as the high school state championship, there was definitely a rivalry between the Gators and the Swingers, and Matt really wanted payback.

  This year’s game, just like the previous one, was a close contest. The Gators would go up by a couple of runs in the top of the inning, then the Swingers would catch up when they batted in the bottom. And just like the previous year, the game was on the line in the bottom of the ninth when Tyler Sullivan stepped up to the plate with two outs. But this time, he didn’t need a big hit. With his sister-in-law at third base, he only needed a single to score her and tie the game.

  In center field, Matt pulled his ball cap lower and focused his attention on the plate. Tyler took a big swing at the first pitch, fouling it back and out of play. When the second pitch came off of his bat, Matt immediately knew by the crack of the bat that it had made contact right at the sweet spot.

  Cursing under his breath, he watched the ball fly...straight at Georgia. As if in slow motion, she lifted her glove and the ball disappeared inside its pocket.

  The umpire held up his closed fist to signal the final out; Tyler dropped his bat in disgust; the spectators went crazy. Matt stood still, stunned.

  Georgia barely had time to toss the ball back toward the pitcher’s mound before she was lifted off her feet and swung around. Jack, from his position at shortstop, had reached her first, and when he finally put her feet back on the ground, he planted a kiss right on her mouth. Luke, who had been on first, was next in line. Following his brother’s example, he gave her a smack on the lips, too.

  Adam Webber showed a little more restraint. After high-fiving her, he said, “I’m just glad the ball wasn’t hit to third. I mean, I like all these guys, and I don’t mind them patting my butt, but I draw the line at kissing.”

  “I draw the line at kissing you, too,” Jack told him.

  There were more high fives all around, and then the Gators lined up for the post-game handshakes with the Swingers.

  After the trophy had been presented and the crowd began to disperse, Matt saw Tyler Sullivan approach Georgia to ask, “So what are you doing next Fourth of July?”

  She just chuckled. “I don’t make any plans that far ahead.”

  “So you’re not on the Gators’ permanent roster?” he pressed.

  “Back off, Sullivan,” Matt growled.

  Tyler just grinned. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

  “Are you trying to steal my second baseman or snag my woman?”

  Georgia seemed as startled by the question as Tyler.

  “Your woman?” she echoed.

  Tyler, sensing that the fireworks might start hours ahead of schedule, held up his hands in a gesture of surrender and backed off.

  Matt slipped his arm around Georgia’s waist. “Any woman who can snag a line drive for the final out in the bottom of the ninth and go three-for-four at the plate is the woman for me.”

  “The ball was hit right into my glove and it’s pretty hard to strike out when your own team is pitching to you.”

  “Cam managed to do it,” Luke said. “Twice today.”

  “They were foul tips,” Cam pointed out in his defense. “They don’t count as a third strike in real baseball.”

  Ten-year-old Maddie, who had been their bat girl, patted his shoulder. “You’re still a
hero to me, Daddy.”

  He kissed the top of his daughter’s head. “That’s all that matters to me.” Then he draped an arm over his wife’s shoulders. “That, and scoring when I get home.”

  Ashley shook her head, but she was smiling as they walked away.

  “Speaking of scoring,” Karen said, winking at Georgia. “I have to admit that I’m curious. Now that you’ve been kissed by all three of the Garrett brothers, which one would you score the highest?”

  Georgia’s cheeks filled with color, but she responded lightly, “I’m not the kind of girl who kisses and tells.”

  “At least tell me this—is their reputation warranted?”

  She smiled. “Absolutely.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Thankfully, before Georgia could be pressed for more details, Quinn and Shane came running onto the field. She bent down to receive their hugs and kisses. As sweaty and dirty and exhausted as she was, just holding her boys was enough to make her forget everything else.

  “You were awesome, Mommy!” Shane’s voice was filled with admiration, and her heart swelled with pride.

  “Better than the Yankees!” Quinn declared, because that was undoubtedly the highest praise he could think of.

  “A performance that definitely warrants ice cream,” Matt noted.

  “Ice cream?” Quinn said hopefully.

  “Well, don’t you think your mommy deserves a reward after that terrific game?”

  Shane nodded. “Me, too.”

  Matt grinned. “You bet. Ice cream for everyone. Go tell Brittney and Nina that they’re invited, too.”

  Georgia held back a groan as the twins raced away again.

  “You, too,” Matt told his brothers. “If you want to join us.”

  But Jack shook his head regretfully. “I’ve got a huge file to review before a trial on Monday.”

  “And I just got a call from Peggy Morgan asking me to take a look at Southpaw.”

  “She still has that old cat?”

  “Probably not for much longer,” Luke said. Then, to Georgia, “Make him spring for a double scoop—you more than earned it today.”

  “I guess it’s just you and me,” Matt said to Georgia when his brothers had gone.

  “And two teens, two preschoolers and an infant,” she added. And then, more hopefully, “Or you could let me beg off, too.”

  “You don’t want ice cream?”

  “Right now, I just want to go home, wash all the sweat and dust from my body and crawl into bed.”

  “That sounds even better than ice cream,” he said.

  “Alone,” she said pointedly.

  His smile never wavered. “A doctor knows all the muscles in the human body. I’d be happy to help you work out some of the kinks.”

  “A tempting thought, but I think I’ll pass.” She tossed him the baseball glove she’d borrowed.

  He caught it against his chest, then took a step closer. “Is it?” he wanted to know. “A tempting thought?”

  “If you’re asking if I’ve thought about your hands on my body, the answer is yes.”

  His eyes darkened. “I should have known you’d make that admission at a time and place where I can’t do anything about it,” he grumbled.

  She smiled sweetly. “It seemed safest.”

  He stepped closer. “Do you want to see the fireworks tonight?”

  She lifted a brow; he grinned.

  “That wasn’t some kind of secret code,” he assured her. “The town puts on a fabulous fireworks display back here after dark. I’m sure the boys would love it.”

  “They probably would,” she agreed. “But I don’t know about Pippa.”

  “Brittney could keep an eye on Pippa and the puppies at my place.”

  “She’s been watching my kids all day.”

  “She owes me, for bailing on the team.”

  “I thought you said you owed her a ‘thank you’ for that,” she reminded him.

  “I’ll thank her tomorrow,” he promised. “After she babysits tonight.”

  * * *

  Of course, Georgia wouldn’t really disappoint her boys by bailing on a trip for ice cream, so they all piled into her van and made the short drive to Walton’s. Unfortunately, the lineup at Walton’s was not short, and she suspected that everyone who’d been at the game had the same idea as Matt. But they finally made their way to the cashier and placed their orders: s’mores sundae for Brittney, hot fudge with nuts for Nina, a chocolate chip cookie dough kiddie cone for Quinn, alien invasion again for Shane—apparently he had a new favorite—lemon-lime sorbet for Georgia, and the colossal banana split for Matt.

  By the time they polished off their treats and headed back home, the boys could barely keep their eyes open and Georgia knew there was no way they would stay awake for the fireworks show. In fact, she still had doubts about whether she could stay awake, but she owed it to Matt to make the effort.

  While he went home to shower and change, she steered the boys into the bathroom and filled the tub. When they were clean and dry, she instructed them to put their pajamas on and brush their teeth while she took her turn in the shower. By the time she finished, Pippa was hungry again, so Georgia sent the boys downstairs with Brittney and Nina while she fed the baby, promising them a story when she was done.

  * * *

  Matt returned to find the twins hanging out with the teens, waiting for their mom to read them a bedtime story. When he suggested that he could read the story, the boys exchanged wary glances.

  “Mommy tells the bestest stories,” Shane told him.

  “But you can read to us now,” Quinn said, handing him the book he’d picked out. “’Cuz Mommy’s busy with Pippa.”

  “All right, then,” Matt agreed, and opened the book.

  “Upstairs,” Shane told him.

  “It’s not a bedtime story if we’re not in bed,” Quinn explained.

  “I don’t know what I was thinking,” Matt said, and followed them up to their room.

  When the boys were settled with Matt sandwiched between them—in Shane’s bed tonight, because apparently they alternated and it was his turn—he opened the book again. It was a story about a funny, furry monster that had the boys giggling out loud at various parts, sometimes even before Matt read the words on the page, so he knew it was a story they’d heard several times before. By the time he got to the last page, both boys were snuggled in close and struggling to stay awake.

  When he closed the cover, Shane tilted his head back to look up at him. “Maybe you could be our new daddy.”

  It was the hopeful tone even more than the words that squeezed Matt’s heart. And he wanted, more than anything, to agree with the little boy’s suggestion. But it wouldn’t be smart to get Shane’s hopes up—or his own—until he knew that Georgia was on board with the idea, too.

  “If you were our daddy, then me and Shane could take care of Finnigan and Frederick for you all the time,” Quinn said.

  Matt had to clear his throat before he could speak. “Well, that’s definitely something to consider.”

  “But you’d hafta marry Mommy to be our daddy,” Quinn continued.

  He was mildly amused and incredibly humbled by their reasoning. “Is that how it works?”

  Both boys nodded.

  “You do like her, doncha?” Shane asked.

  “Yes, I like her,” he admitted, fighting against the smile that wanted to curve his lips. “And I like you guys, too.”

  “That’s good, ’cuz we like you, too.”

  * * *

  Georgia paused just outside the door of the twins’ bedroom. She hadn’t intended to eavesdrop—she hadn’t even known that Matt was back until she heard his voice down the hall. And she hadn’t overheard much of their conversation, just enough to get the impression that they were having a meeting of the mutual admiration society.

  But when Quinn said, “That’s good, ’cuz we like you, too,” she saw Shane shake his head. And her heart broke, just a lit
tle, when her shy son looked up at him and said, “I love you, Dr. Matt.”

  She’d worried that she was making a huge mistake in allowing herself to get close to Matt; she’d been even more worried about the twins. And just as she’d suspected, her boys had already given him their fragile, trusting hearts. Now she stood frozen in the doorway, waiting for him to respond to her son’s heartfelt confession.

  Matt lifted a hand and gently tousled Shane’s hair. “I love you guys, too,” he said, his voice husky with emotion.

  And Georgia’s heart tumbled right out of her chest to land at his feet.

  Over the past couple of months, she felt as if she’d gotten to know Matt Garrett fairly well. She knew he was a dedicated surgeon who cared about his patients, a brother with close ties to his siblings, a neighbor always willing to lend a hand, and the man who made her heart beat faster whenever he was near. He was good with kids and kind to animals—and he kissed like there was no tomorrow. He was smart and sexy and far too charming. But he was also steadfast, reliable and trustworthy.

  She pressed a hand to her rapidly beating heart and prayed that she wasn’t wrong about that part. Because she’d decided that she was finally ready to prove that she trusted him, with her body and her heart.

  But first she had to get her kids to sleep.

  Obviously Matt was thinking along the same lines, because he said, “Now let’s get you both tucked into your own beds before your mom comes in to check on you.”

  Quinn climbed out of his brother’s bed and into his own, pulling his sheets up under his chin and closing his eyes tight.

  “Well, look at this,” she said, stepping into the room. “My two handsome boys with their jammies on and teeth brushed, all snuggled down and ready to go to sleep.”

  Quinn’s eyes popped open and he exchanged a guilty glance with Shane.

  “You did brush your teeth, didn’t you?”

  Of course she knew that they hadn’t, because she’d checked their brushes on her way past the bathroom and found they were still dry.

  “We forgot,” Shane admitted.

  “Then you better go do it now,” she advised.

  “But I’m already in bed and I’m really tired,” Quinn protested.