Nearest Thing to Heaven (Maverick Junction)

by Austin, Lynnette

  The fresh snow that blanketed the streets and sidewalks had already begun to morph into gray sludge from exhaust fumes and other pollutants. Christmas decorations clung to lampposts. Now, though, instead of reminding travelers that something joyful waited, they served as a reminder the holiday was behind them and it was back to the daily grind.

  And weren’t those happy thoughts?

  When a yellow cab pulled up to the curb, he climbed in, giving Sophie’s address. Then he dialed his pal, Parker.

  Here goes nothing.

  *

  Incredulous, Sophie stared out the peephole. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And look what he’s dropped off on my doorstep! She blinked, but when she checked again, her cowboy still stood there.

  Hesitantly, she undid both locks and opened the door a crack. “Ty? What are you doing here?”

  “I missed you.”

  Oh, boy! Her knees threatened to buckle, and her heart raced like a greyhound at the track. He looked exhausted. She opened the door wider. “Come in.” Brushing at her hair with her free hand, she stepped back. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

  He stood just inside the door, examining her small apartment. “Your place is perfect, Tink. It suits you.”

  “I guess so.” She shrugged.

  Unsure of herself and more than a little uneasy, she asked, “Do you want something to drink? To eat?” She checked her Betty Boop wall clock and saw it was a little after one. The day had started dreary, but when the snow finally stopped, the sun had come out.

  And now Ty was here.

  Her mood soared into the stratosphere. Could he hear her heart thudding? She clasped her hands together to hide their shaking. All the while, she reminded herself to be careful. Why had he come?

  He wandered past her and picked up an afghan from the window seat, ran his thumb over it. “Soft. Like you. Lavender and gray. A nice combination.”

  She stood quietly, watching him.

  Walking to several framed prints on the wall, he asked, “You do these?”

  “Yes.”

  “They’re good. Very good.” He tossed his jacket over the back of a chair. “You’re probably wondering what in the heck I’m doing here.”

  “I am.”

  Face tense, forehead wrinkled in concentration, he said, “Before we get to that, I have something for you.” He unzipped his carry-on and handed her a rectangular, beautifully gift-wrapped box.

  She squinted at it. “You did this?”

  He shook his head and dropped onto her sofa. Lilybelle jumped up beside him, and he absently set her on his lap, scratching behind her ears. “I wish, but no. The salesclerk took pity on me. Open it.”

  “Now?”

  “Yep. It’s your Christmas present. By the way, thank you for the watercolor. It’s amazing.”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  “I more than like it. I love it. The boys made me promise to thank you for their gifts, too.”

  Her eyes grew misty. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to see them open them.” She twisted a gold chain at her neck. “I shouldn’t have left like I did.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have, even though I understand why you did. Or at least I think I do. But let’s not talk about that yet. Open your gift.”

  She studied him for a moment. Did he really understand?

  “Tink?”

  Giving her head a small shake, she removed the ribbon and laid it on the couch. Lilybelle instantly pounced on it, flinging it into the air, then jumping off the sofa to chase it.

  Sophie pulled carefully at a piece of tape, then at a second.

  Ty moaned. “You’re one of those?”

  “Those what?”

  “Save-everything types. The paper isn’t the gift, Sophie. It’s meant to be used once, then thrown away. So go ahead. Rip it off. You’ll be amazed at how good it feels.”

  “No way. The anticipation is the best part.”

  “Not this time.”

  “Okay.” She gave the paper a couple yanks, then flipped open the box lid. Laughing, she held up the royal blue Texas Ranger T-shirt. “You have to be kidding.”

  “I’m hoping I can get you to switch allegiance.”

  She quirked a brow. “Why would I?”

  “Because you’re an intelligent woman.”

  “You’ve got to be able to do better than that.”

  “Because the Rangers are one hell of a ball team.”

  “My Cubbies are better.”

  “Because they’re Texas’s team.”

  “I don’t live in Texas.”

  “Not yet.”

  Her heart lurched, and she again fingered her chain. “Ty, before we go any further, let me get this off my chest.”

  When his gaze dropped to that chest, she rolled her eyes. “Oh, for—” She held up a hand. “Not even going there.”

  She paused, then rushed on. “I owe you an apology. Probably several of them, but I’ll start with I’m sorry I went into your attic. That was your space.”

  “No, it’s—”

  “Shhh. Let me finish.”

  When he nodded, she continued. “I had no business snooping in Julia’s things.” She searched his eyes. “I didn’t know they were hers. Honest. I’d never have opened that box had I known.”

  “I understand that.”

  “The thing is…” She took a deep breath. “Oh, I’m going to handle this badly, I’m afraid.” She stared up at the ceiling. “The thing is if we don’t talk about her, if we don’t acknowledge that important part of your life, we have no future. And I know I insisted what we had was only temporary, but—”

  “Sophie, sit down. Please.” He tugged at her hand, and she sat beside him. Rubbing a finger lightly over the back of her arm, he said, “You’re right.”

  Her breath caught.

  “You said I was angry, and you were right about that, too. I was.”

  “Was? As in past tense?”

  “Yeah. Past tense.”

  He readjusted himself on the sofa, and she read the tension around his mouth, in his eyes.

  “Julia had a heart problem. She was born with it. Early on, the doctor told her she could never have children. The risk to her would be too great. I understood that going into our marriage. I accepted it.”

  He met her eyes and brushed at the strand of hair that fell over his forehead. “This is tough.”

  Sophie recognized the hurt this telling caused. But as tempted as she was to tell him to stop, she couldn’t. Without this, there could never be anything real between them.

  “Two months ago, I couldn’t have imagined having this conversation, Tink. Six months ago, you weren’t in my life. Now? Guess it’s time to spill my guts, huh?”

  She linked their fingers and nodded.

  “Julia and I both agreed we had each other and that was enough. We decided that somewhere down the road, when the time was right, we’d explore adoption. We could still have a family if we chose to.”

  He blew out a deep breath and fixed his gaze on the toes of his boots. “I offered to have a vasectomy, but she talked me out of it. She insisted she had it covered, that she was taking birth control pills.” He shifted his eyes and met hers. “She wasn’t.”

  “Oh, Ty.” She squeezed his hand.

  “She made that decision without me. When she got pregnant, I thought at first it was an accident. That the pills hadn’t worked. I blamed myself for not having taken extra precautions, but that’s when she ’fessed up.” He shook his head. “I never once suspected she’d lie to me about something that important, but she did.”

  His mouth set in a hard line. “I was absolutely livid at first. Not because of the child…or children, as it turned out. I love kids. But I was so scared. She assured me everything would be fine.” He ran a hand through his hair.

  He stood, moved to look out over the city, his fists jammed in his pockets. “Long before the babies came, we knew—” He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long
, shaky breath. “We knew she wouldn’t make it. Julia’s mom and I never left her side. One or the other of us was there round the clock with her, sometimes both of us together.

  “When the boys first came home, Babs and Mom pitched in and helped me through the worst of it.” He shrugged and turned to her. “Now, well, the boys and I have a half-assed routine that works. Mostly.”

  Tears streaked down Sophie’s face and she stood, hands at her sides.

  “Hey, I didn’t tell you this to make you sad. I want you to understand where I’m coming from, though. You talk about baggage? I’ve got me some. You have to know, to understand I’d charted my life’s course. With Julia. And then everything changed.”

  Crossing to her, he wiped at her tears with his thumb. “But you were right about the anger. I didn’t realize I was still holding on to so much of it. That I hadn’t forgiven Julia for lying to me. Acknowledging it, I can finally let it go. Christmas is a perfect time for forgiveness. I’ve done that. I’ve forgiven her now, and I’ve forgiven myself. I’m more than ready to move on.”

  Pausing, he searched her eyes. Gave her a tentative smile. “Julia would like you.”

  Unable to deny herself any longer, Sophie wrapped her arms around him. They held on to each other for long minutes, both giving and taking comfort. His hand rested on her hip, and he thought of the fairy tattoo beneath the snug jeans. Lilybelle gave up her pursuit of the ribbon to wind between their legs.

  “Forgive me?” he whispered in her hair.

  She nodded.

  “Walk with me.”

  “Outside?”

  “Where else?”

  “You’re kidding. The sun’s misleading, Ty. It’s freezing out there. Why would I—or you, for that matter—want to go out in the cold?”

  “I have something to show you.”

  She eyed him speculatively. “Here? In Chicago?”

  “Yep.”

  “A smart woman would probably say no.”

  “I hope you won’t.”

  “Okay, but in a few minutes when you’re freezing your butt off, remember I tried to talk you out of it. Before we take that walk, though, there’s something else we need to talk about.”

  He frowned.

  “I did leave because you wouldn’t open up. Wouldn’t move beyond the past. But there was more. Nathan.”

  “He’s not a problem anymore.”

  “We can’t know that for sure. I won’t put you and the kids in danger. He scares me, Ty.”

  “And you dealt with that alone, rather than tell me the whole story. Rather than let me in on how bad the situation really was.”

  “We’re both guilty of that, aren’t we?”

  “Yes. But I’ve talked to the sheriff. Nathan won’t be hurting you or the boys or anyone else. He’s gonna be tied up for a long time in the judicial system. And if and when he’s released, we’ll deal with it. Together.”

  Nodding, she bundled up, drawing on boots, scarf, gloves, hat, and a coat that covered her from neck to ankles. He slid his jacket back on and buttoned up.

  “You want to borrow a warm hat?”

  He recoiled. “I’m not wearing your hat.”

  She dug in a drawer and came out with a black ski cap. “It’s gender neutral.”

  “Oh. So it is. Thanks.” He pulled it down over his head.

  “You be a good girl, Lilybelle,” Sophie advised as she closed the door behind them.

  Out on the street, the tall buildings only partially blocked the wind coming off Lake Michigan. Ty threaded her arm through his, and they picked their way along as yet unshoveled sidewalks.

  For the first time in days, Ty felt hope. He might be freezing his ass off, but he had his girl beside him again. And she’d listened while he stumbled through that whole sad tale.

  His mouth felt dirt-dry; nerves danced in his stomach. So much hinged on this next little while.

  “This whole area is called Wrigleyville,” she said. “It’s kind of a village or community all its own.”

  “Is this where I’m supposed to say, ‘Go, Cubs’?” he asked.

  “It wouldn’t hurt.”

  “Oh, yeah, it would.”

  She elbowed him in the ribs. “So where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.” He blew on his hands. “Damn, it’s cold here.”

  “Hate to say I told you so, but…”

  A couple blocks later, the iconic red and white sign announcing Wrigley Field, Home of Chicago Cubs, came into view. Off to the side, Parker waited, kicking at a pile of snow.

  Ty waved at him.

  Sophie slowed down and glanced up at him. “Ty?”

  “Come on. Go with me on this,” he urged. “How the heck are you, Parker?”

  “Doing okay. Never thought I’d catch you here.”

  “Neither did I.”

  The two slapped each other on the back in a man hug.

  “Everything under control?” Ty asked.

  “As promised.”

  “Sophie London, I’d like you to meet Parker Lansky. He and I tossed a football together, played on the same team in college.”

  “You played college football?”

  “Sure did.”

  “Go, Aggies!” Parker pumped a fist in the air. Then he extended his hand. “Hey, Sophie London, glad to meet you.” Over the top of Sophie’s head, his eyes met Ty’s, and he winked. “Follow me.”

  “Come on, Tink.” Ty reached for her hand.

  “What have you two cooked up?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Parker opened a side door and disappeared inside.

  “We’re not allowed in there,” she said.

  “Parker fixed it. It’s okay.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Positive.”

  But before she could follow Parker, Ty stopped her. “Wait. There are a few things I need to say first. I didn’t want to fall in love again, Tink. I didn’t want to open myself up to that kind of hurt again. But I have.” He laid his hands on either side of her face. “This needs saying. Sophie London, I love you.”

  “You do?”

  “I do.”

  “I love you, too, Ty.” She drew away. “But I can’t promise I’ll never get sick. I can’t promise things will be perfect.” She raised a hand to cover one of his. “But I will promise you can trust me. I will never hurt you on purpose. And I’ll never lie to you. But, Ty? You have to trust me back.”

  “I do, Tink. I will. Always. You’re the nearest thing to Heaven I’ve ever known. You’re my here and now. My future. Our future.”

  “You’re not playing fair.”

  “I don’t want to play fair. I want to win.” He tucked a strand of silky blond hair behind her ear, stared at those full lips that begged to be kissed, and tipped his head. “I ask myself, what are you afraid of? What are your phobias? Your favorite book. Favorite song. What do you like to do when you’re all alone? I have so much to learn about you. To discover. And I can’t wait. I want to take time unwrapping you, one piece at a time, the way you unwrap gifts. I hope you’ll give me that time. I find you fascinating, Tink.”

  He fiddled with his hat, pulling it a little lower over his ears. “I was a fool. I need you, Sophie. I let you leave without telling you how I felt.”

  “Ty—”

  “Not yet.” Taking her hand in his, he led her through the side door.

  She dragged her feet. “I’m telling you, we’re not supposed to be in here.”

  “It’s okay. Parker works here.”

  When they stepped onto the field, the lights over the scoreboard lit up, and the electronic message board beneath the old hand-turned scoreboard flashed to life.

  Sophie stared open-mouthed.

  Ty read the message out loud as it scrolled past. “Sophie, let’s hit it out of the park! Marry me. Be my future.”

  Heart in throat, he turned to her. “The boys, Trouble, and I would love to have you and Lilybelle come live with us. Marry us, Tink.”
/>
  With a squeal, she threw her arms around him. “Yes, yes, yes!”

  Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a box and opened it. “I have another gift for you. One you don’t need to unwrap.”

  Tugging at her glove, he removed it and replaced it with the ring he’d picked out late yesterday.

  “Hey,” Parker called from the announcer’s box. “I’m freezing up here. You guys almost done?”

  Ty raised Sophie’s hand in the air, the diamond solitaire gleaming in the winter sun.

  “I’d say we’re just getting started.”

  About the Author

  Lynnette Austin grew up in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains and moved to upstate New York, then to the Rockies in Wyoming. Presently she and her husband divide their time between southwest Florida’s beaches and Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. She has a master’s in educational leadership and taught middle school language arts before leaving to write full-time. Her books have been finalists in Romance Writers of America’s national Golden Heart contest, PASIC’s Book of Your Heart contest, and Georgia Romance Writers’ Maggie contest. Somebody Like You is the first in her Maverick Junction series, followed by Nearest Thing to Heaven and the upcoming Can’t Stop Lovin’ You. Her other books, written as Lynnette Hallberg, include Enchanted Evening, Moonlight, Motorcycles, and Bad Boys, Chantilly Lace and a Pretty Face, Night Shadows, and Just a Little White Lie. Lynnette loves to read, write, and lose herself in her characters’ world. She also enjoys traveling—always on the lookout for new characters or a new story. Visit Lynnette at www.authorlynnetteaustin.com.

  Welcome to Maverick Junction!

  See the next page for an excerpt from the first book in Lynnette Austin’s Maverick Junction series

  Somebody Like You

  Chapter One

  You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  Annelise Montjoy motored her Harley along what appeared to be the town’s main street. This was Maverick Junction?

  A blue Cadillac, surely old enough to be in a museum, was parked nose-in to the curb. An incredibly ugly dog sat in the front seat.

  Thank God, this, the final destination of her cross-country trip from Boston, was temporary. It looked like the kind of place you ran away from, not toward. If luck was on her side, she’d be out of here in a couple weeks at the most.