Baby It's You (Seven Brides Seven Brothers Book 6)

by Calhoune, Belle

  “This looks amazing.” Wyatt looked around the table with appreciative eyes.

  “Thanks. It’s an easy stir fry recipe, but quite delicious. Adding the ginger gives it a nice touch.”

  “I’ll have to remember that,” Wyatt drawled, flashing her a smile that caused her stomach to do flips. It felt so nice to do something special for Wyatt. This was love, she realized. It was a soaring, breathless feeling that created a desire within her to make Wyatt’s world better for having her in it. Seeing him shine like the sun gave her a feeling of resplendent joy. If anyone tried to harm this man she would do battle for him in an instant. She loved him. That knowledge settled inside her chest like a warm, fuzzy blanket.

  They settled in to the meal, enjoying a companionable silence as they enjoyed the dinner she’d fixed for them. With so many of the men she’d dated there had been moments of uncomfortable silence where she’d struggled to find something to say. There was absolutely no need to fill those moments of silence with mindless chatter. It felt right to just settle into the quiet moments with Wyatt and savor them.

  Wyatt put his fork down and looked at her from across the table. “Hey, I’ve been wanting to tell you something. I received an invitation to attend a celebration in honor of Coach Finch. It’s in Boston, and I was thinking about heading there for a few days.”

  She felt a sudden pang at the idea of Wyatt being gone from Breeze Point. It was silly of her to feel this way, considering the fact that Wyatt would be living in Boston when he returned to the Bay State Bombers. And he’d be traveling all over the country when the team was on the road. She’d have to get used to that.

  She swallowed past her feelings of disappointment. Ugh! She hoped that being in love with Wyatt wasn’t making her needy or possessive. Those were unattractive qualities in a person. More than anything, she wanted Wyatt to be happy and fulfilled. If heading to Boston for a few days made him smile, she would be happy for him.

  “That sounds like fun. I know he’s a beloved figure all over the country, but especially in Boston.”

  “They don’t make ‘em like Finch anymore,” Wyatt said with a shake of his head. “That’s for sure.”

  “They don’t make ‘em like Wyatt Donahue anymore either,” she teased. “You’re a pretty big deal in case you didn’t know.”

  Wyatt threw his head back and let out a spirited laugh. He looked so content and carefree she almost wished she had a camera to capture the candid moment.

  “The team doc wants to check me out before Spring Training, so making the trip to Boston serves two purposes. The physical is just a formality,” he said with a shrug. “I’m happy to give ‘em a chance to green light me.”

  “There are lots of great reasons to go to Beantown,” Kaitlyn said with a grin. It was evident how much Wyatt missed the vibe of the city he treasured so much.

  Wyatt leaned forward in his chair. “So, I was wondering if you’d like to make the trip with me.”

  Feeling stunned, all she could do was ask, “To Boston? Seriously?”

  Boston! With Wyatt. Romantic strolls along the Charles River, riding on the Swan Boats, window shopping on Newbury Street. If she closed her eyes she could imagine it all unfolding.

  “Of course I’m serious,” Wyatt said. “How about it?”

  As much as she would love to make the trip with Wyatt, how could she just ditch her work responsibilities for a whirlwind trip to Boston? As it was she already felt as if her head was spinning madly due to Wyatt’s presence in her life. Was she going overboard with her feelings for Wyatt? Would going to Boston with him be a sure sign that she was making him the most important thing in her life? In that she had no idea how he felt about her, would she be foolish to even consider it?

  “I’d love to come, Wyatt, but I’m not sure I can take time off from work,” she hedged. It was the truth. She had a full list of PT clients on her schedule, which she usually considered a blessing. At the moment she was wishing for a few less clients. A getaway with Wyatt would be amazing.

  Wyatt quirked his mouth. “It would be a Friday, a Saturday and a Sunday if that helps any.”

  “It might,” she said with a slight frown. “I’ll look over my work calendar and get back to you. I’d love to go if it works out.”

  Wyatt broke his piece of bread in half. “Mac has some business to take care of in Boston, so I’m going to ask him to come along as well.”

  Kaitlyn swallowed the last portion of her stir fry. “I’ve driven by his business a few times. I keep meaning to pop in and ask him about a project for my yard. My deck needs some serious work.”

  “That would be great. It’s always hard starting up a business. Mac is very proud so he’s always reluctant to ask for help.”

  “I always think of him as the strong silent type. He used to scare me back in high school. It always felt like he was glowering at me.”

  “He’s a teddy bear, Kaitlyn. Some of us wear our scars on the inside. Mac sometimes wears his like a shield of armor.”

  Kaitlyn felt a burst of sympathy for Mac. Wyatt was alluding to something terrible in Mac’s past and she knew better than to press him on the subject. From now on she would view Mac with different eyes. She would try to make friends with him.

  “That makes sense. It keeps people at bay.”

  Wyatt nodded. “I guess we all wear our armor no matter who we are.”

  What armor are you wearing, Wyatt? He’d been touted in the media as a heartbreaker. Did he push women away for a reason or had he simply never found the one?

  After dinner Wyatt helped her load the dishwasher and clean up the kitchen. As she was wiping down his counter he grabbed her by the wrist and spun her into his arms.

  “What in the world?” she asked with a laugh.

  “Let’s dance,” he suggested, blue eyes flashing.

  “There’s no music playing,” she protested. “I can’t dance without music.”

  Wyatt grabbed the sponge from her hand and tossed it back onto the counter. “I’m going to hum a song for us to dance to.”

  Kaitlyn burst out laughing. “You’re going to hum? Oh that should be interesting.”

  Wyatt took her in his arms and began to hum loudly. She rested her head against his chest, feeling the vibrations from his humming as it rumbled through him. She began to giggle. Once she started she couldn’t stop. Before she knew it she was bent over at the waist in hysterics. There was something so hilarious to her about the way Wyatt was acting.

  When she finally composed herself enough to stand up, Wyatt was looking at her with a mock frown. “You really know how to wound a guy. Here I was trying to impress you with my humming skills and you have to go and laugh at me.” He placed a hand over his heart. “An arrow straight through the heart.”

  “I’m sorry.” She reached up on her tippy toes and placed a swift kiss on Wyatt’s lips. She held up a finger to him and said, “Wait a second.” She reached into her purse and pulled out her cellphone. After a few seconds of tapping on the screen she found what she was looking for. Soft, romantic music from her favorite singer filled the kitchen.

  “May I have this dance?” she asked, holding out her hand to him.

  “I thought you’d never ask,” he quipped as he took her hand and swung her toward him. She settled against his chest, letting out a big sigh as feelings of contentment washed over her. She might just die of happiness right now. Wyatt’s scent rose to her nostrils. He smelled like a mix of the great outdoors mixed with vanilla. Two of her favorite scents. She inhaled deeply as they slow danced around his kitchen. As the music ended, Kaitlyn resisted moving away from Wyatt. With each day she was finding it harder and harder to keep her feelings to herself. She loved this man. At some point her emotions were just going to overflow like a swollen river.

  He grazed his thumb against her cheek. “Kaitlyn, I have a confession to make. I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re on my mind when I go to bed at night. You’re in my thoughts as soon as I wake u
p in the morning. I hear your voice when I’m all by myself. I’ve been Kaitlyned.”

  “I think about you all the time too, Wyatt,” she admitted, ducking her head down shyly. Wyatt reached out and lifted her chin up. “And I have a confession to make as well. When you first mentioned going to Boston for a few days, I had this unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach. And even though I reeled myself in from that selfish feeling, I knew it was all tied up in my fear of missing you when you’re gone.”

  Wyatt leaned down and brushed a kiss against her lips. His lips tasted sweet and tangy from the red wine. Kaitlyn wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

  He pulled back from the kiss, staring at her intensely as if he wanted to get a glimpse into her thoughts. “In case you’re wondering, we can stay at my place in Boston. It’s pretty roomy. You’ll have your own room of course. And it’s a quick walk to the public gardens.”

  She let out a groan. “You’re making Boston sound irresistible.”

  “I’m not trying to pressure you.” His blue eyes flickered with emotion. “Truth is, I would love to have you there by my side. I would love to have you walk with me on this journey.”

  She bit her lip, torn between her head and her heart. As always, her heart won the battle. “Wyatt, I’d love to come with you to Boston. I think I can work it out.”

  “Seriously?” Wyatt asked, mocking her earlier question.

  “I’m very serious,” she said. “I wouldn’t joke about Boston.”

  Wyatt let out a celebratory whoop as he lifted her up and spun her around.

  “Let me down. I’m getting dizzy,” she shrieked. “Only small children should be spun around!”

  “Sorry. I got carried away,” Wyatt said sheepishly as he gently placed her back on two feet.

  “I can’t wait to show you my home away from home,” he gushed, his handsome features crinkled with excitement.

  “I can’t wait either!”

  Although she’d made a split decision about going to Boston with Wyatt, she knew in her heart it was the right move. God had been moving her in Wyatt’s direction for quite some time now. He had placed her in a position where she could help Wyatt with his rehab and see that he’d turned out to be a wonderful, God-fearing man.

  If she was going to move forward with Wyatt she had to step out of her comfort zone. She had to exist in his world, the one he was chomping at the bit to get back to. She’d been praying for her relationship with Wyatt, seeking God’s guidance and support. Even though Wyatt was someone she’d known for years, he was still a famous baseball player. She knew his life in Boston was vastly different than his Cape Cod world. And even though she was thrilled to be joining him on his Boston excursion, she couldn’t help but worry that she might not fit in to his superstar world.

  “Some places burrow into your heart and stay there for a lifetime. For me, it will always be Breeze Point…and Boston.”

  Wyatt Donahue

  Chapter Nine

  The crisp March wind blew mightily off the Charles River as Wyatt walked hand in hand with Kaitlyn. Members of crew teams from local colleges glided across the water wearing sweatshirts emblazoned with bold letters. Young lovers happily strolled hand in hand. Wyatt stood on the bank and stared out across the water. How he’d missed this sight. It was one of his favorite spots in Boston.

  Being from Cape Cod, he always found himself drawn to water. It compelled him, fascinated him, inspired him.

  “This is so beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here. I can see why it’s your special spot,” Kaitlyn said, standing so close to him that their arms were touching. She looked up at him, her blue eyes barely visible under the Bay State Bombers’ cap she was wearing.

  “When I was a rookie I came here every time we had a home game. It gave me something to focus on that was way bigger than myself and the game.” He spread his arms wide. “This is timeless. It will be around way after I’m forgotten.”

  She reached for his hand and squeezed it. “The people who love you will never forget you.”

  An older couple walked past them and smiled. Normally, he would have attributed it to being recognized as a baseball player, but his gut told him they were simply admiring them as a couple.

  It felt nice, he realized, to be part of a twosome. This was all new to him. He’d dated lots of women casually, but none had ever laid claim to his heart. Not a single one had reached into his chest cavity and tugged at his heart strings. That honor belonged only to Kaitlyn O’Malley.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” Wyatt said simply. His feelings could be summed up in just that one statement. God was good! He’d brought Kaitlyn into his life just as he’d been drowning. Without her, he wasn’t sure he would have had the gumption to pick himself up and try to rehabilitate his leg. He wouldn’t be here in Boston celebrating Coach or being steps away from a return to the game. This morning he’d had his physical, and although it had been more comprehensive than he’d anticipated, he fully expected to get a thumbs up.

  Wyatt and Kaitlyn got in his car and headed over to the park. Along the way Wyatt cheerfully pointed out landmarks and his favorite restaurants and shops. When they pulled up alongside the building, he flashed his team ID and was directed to the player parking area. When he pulled up to the security stand, Wyatt slowed down and greeted the guard.

  “Hey, Ernie. Long time no see, partner.”

  “Wyatt! I’ve been praying to the big guy upstairs that you’d be coming back soon. It’s great to see you.”

  “Good to see you too. Just showing my girlfriend around the Park. She’s never gotten the fancy tour.” Girlfriend? He’d never used that word before. Not ever. But it felt right sliding off his tongue. He darted a quick glance at Kaitlyn. She was beaming at him from the passenger seat.

  She waved at Ernie. “Hey there, Ernie. I’m Kaitlyn. Nice to meet you.”

  “It’s a pleasure,” Ernie gushed, his smile threatening to blind them.

  He winked at Wyatt. “Now I see how you’ve been keeping yourself busy.”

  Wyatt let out a throaty laugh and drove off to find a spot near the entrance. “See? You’ve got a fan for life in Ernie.”

  She winked at him. “I’ll remember that if I ever decide to sneak into the building.”

  After finding a spot and turning off the car, Wyatt led Kaitlyn toward the entrance. Excitement had been building up inside of him all morning. Showing Kaitlyn his beloved Brimley Park would allow her a glimpse into his life as a pro baseball player. The reality of it hit him like a ton of bricks. It felt as if he was about to give her a piece of his soul.

  “Ready to get a tour of Brimley Park?” Wyatt asked as he used his key card to swipe and enter the building.

  “Of course I am,” Kaitlyn squealed. “I can’t believe Mac didn’t want to come and experience all this awesomeness.”

  Wyatt snickered. “He’s gotten the tour on several occasions. All of my family has received the tour, several times over. They’ve always been very supportive of my career.”

  His family had been fixtures at Brimley Park, especially during his rookie year. Everyone knew them by sight, from his teammates to the Coach to the janitor who swept up the place after the games concluded. The Donahue family was legendary in Bay State Bomber circles. Years ago Sports Illustrated had done a cover story on him where they’d featured his entire family and the story of how his parents ended up with seven adopted children.

  “They must be so proud of all you’ve accomplished. Not many can say they made their way to the Major Leagues.”

  Wyatt basked in Kaitlyn’s praise. She was so supportive and sweet. There wasn’t a single false note in anything she said or did.

  “Without them I’d be nothing,” Wyatt said fiercely. His parents had rescued him from the foster care system and saved him from a life of uncertainty. They had given him the world, as well as their undying love and devotion. And they’d instilled in him a deep love for the Lord and laid a foundation
for a life lived in faith.

  “I can’t believe I’m here,” Kaitlyn sighed. “The last time I was at Brimley Park was when I was six years old. It was my birthday and my Dad bought us tickets to a game. I ate so many hot dogs I made myself sick. But it was still the most wonderful day ever. The players even signed autographs later.”

  “So your thing for baseball players started early, huh?” Wyatt teased.

  She playfully jabbed him in the side before bursting into a fit of the giggles.

  “I’m just kidding. I bet you were the cutest little thing on two legs.” He could picture her in his mind’s eye as a little kid. Two sandy blonde pigtails, little freckles and a Bay State Bombers baseball hat. The thought of her stuffing down a bunch of hot dogs made him grin.

  As they walked out to the field, Kaitlyn reached for his hand. The solid weight of her hand resting in his gave him courage. As exciting as this moment was after being away from the game for so long, it was also full of landmines. Every sight and sound and smell gave him shivers. Moments from his past flashed before his eyes. Doug pitching a no-hitter. Sully Baines suffering a career ending injury after being hit by a ball. The night he made the record books for the most assists in a single game. For him, Brimley Park was hallowed ground.

  Kaitlyn let out a hoot of approval, her enthusiasm spilling over. When they reached the pitcher’s mound she opened her arms wide and spun around. She was acting like the exuberant little girl she’d once been.

  “It’s beautiful out here. I don’t remember the field looking so green or this place being so huge.”

  “They built this place to last,” he said wistfully. Brimley Park was a monument to hard work, sacrifice and dedication to the craft of baseball.

  Wyatt looked around at the place he considered his second home. The impact of being back at Brimley Park hit him squarely in the chest. Tears pricked his eyes. More than anything he felt a sense of pride being associated with this wonderful organization. If he never accomplished anything else in his life, at least he would have this achievement.