Catch of a Lifetime: A Cricket Creek Novel

by LuAnn McLane

  “Yes, on sale at an outlet.”

  “And the chunky turquoise necklace adds a splash of color and a Western flair.” She gave her mother a thumbs-up. “When are you leaving for your date—I mean, business venture?”

  Nicolina rolled her eyes. “I’m meeting Mitch in the lobby downstairs as soon as he texts me that he’s here,” she answered, and as if on cue, her cell phone beeped. She glanced down at her phone. “He’s here.” She put one hand to her chest and then looked up. “I’ll see you at the game!”

  “Mom, don’t be nervous. You look amazing!”

  Nicolina blew Bella a kiss and hurried out the door.

  “Well . . .” With a smile, Bella turned back to the pancake batter and put it in the refrigerator before creeping down the hallway to see if Logan was awake. Just as she reached the door, it swung open.

  “Eeek!” Bella bumped into him with a surprised squeak. When her mouth brushed up against his warm chest, she stumbled backward and had to brace her hand against the wall for support. “You scared the daylights out of me!”

  “I do live here, you know.”

  Oh . . . did she ever. “You already know that I get startled easily.”

  Logan folded his arms across his bare chest and leaned one shoulder against the doorframe. He looked sleep rumpled and delicious in low-slung black sweatpants. “Well, you were creeping up on me. Shouldn’t I be the one startled?”

  “I wasn’t creeping up on you.” She pushed away from the wall.

  “Sneaking in to kiss me awake?”

  “You wish!” she sputtered, but the make-out session in the kitchen hung in the air between them.

  “Yeah, I do.” He gave her a lazy grin, but then widened his eyes and mouthed Is your mother here?

  Bella gave him a shake of her head. She wanted to say more, but the realization suddenly hit her that they were alone. All day . . .

  “Oh, then you were coming into my bedroom to have your wicked way with me.” His lazy smile widened, and he reached up to scratch the dark gold stubble on his chin. “I get it now.”

  “Ha! In your dreams.”

  “As a matter of fact, you were in my dreams.”

  “You’re making that up.”

  “No, Bella, I’m not.” His teasing grin faded and he pushed away from the doorframe. He headed over to her and tucked a finger beneath her chin, tilting her face up. “All I can think about is having you in my damned arms, and last night I dreamed that you were in my bed with me.” He sighed. “But I woke up and my arms were empty.”

  “Well, maybe we should do something about that,” she suggested.

  “You don’t have to ask twice.” When he scooped her up into his arms she yelped, causing Logan to laugh. “I really need to have you make noises other than squeaking.”

  Bella laughed with him, but when he gently placed her in the middle of his bed, she looked up at him with serious eyes. Before, they had been caught up in the moment. This was different.

  Logan eased onto the bed beside her and traced a fingertip over her bottom lip. “Hey, if you don’t want this . . .”

  Bella reached up and cupped his cheek with the palm of her hand. “I’m just afraid of you leaving, Logan. And you know it’s going to happen. Now my mother is seriously thinking of moving here and opening a jewelry store. It’s been her dream—no, our dream—for years.”

  “Bella, I don’t expect you to leave here. Granted, being the girlfriend of a professional athlete isn’t easy, but if you truly care for someone, you can give them the freedom to pursue their dream and eventually have a great life together.”

  Bella’s brain tripped over the word girlfriend, but she managed to nod. “I agree,” she replied softly, and rubbed the pad of her thumb over his cheekbone.

  “And it makes coming home so much better.” He smiled and then dipped his head and captured her mouth with a sweet kiss. “God, it feels so good having you in my arms. Baby, you have no idea how much I’ve wanted this.”

  The sincerity in his eyes had Bella melting against the plump pillows. “Me too,” she said, and wrapped her arms around his neck. He kissed her again, but this time with white-hot passion that took her breath away. She moved her hands over his wide shoulders and down to his rock-hard biceps. She arched her back in an effort to get closer.

  “These clothes have to go,” Logan said, and quickly shed his sweatpants.

  Bella swallowed hard when she came up to her elbows and took in the beauty of his naked body. He had the physique of an athlete . . . but whip-cord strength rather than bulk. Watching the ripple of muscle beneath golden, tanned skin when he moved made a hot shiver slide down her spine. “Logan, you are one gorgeous man,” she breathed, and then came up to her knees.

  “And you are a beautiful, sexy woman, Bella,” Logan said, and tugged her shirt over her head in one smooth move. Her breasts were bare, and when he cupped them in his big, strong hands, she sucked in a quick breath. “But as banging as your body is . . . it’s you that I’m falling for.” He looked into her eyes. “And as much as I want to make it back to the big leagues, having you in my life makes me want it even more. But oddly enough, on the other hand, it makes it okay if I fail.” He shook his head. “Does that make any sense?”

  “Yes.” Bella nodded firmly. “It does.”

  “And I’ve never felt this strongly about a woman before,” he admitted with such emotion that Bella felt tears spring to her eyes. “But enough of that sappy stuff,” he said in true Logan form. “Time for some action!” he declared with a grin, then tugged her flannel lounging pants down to her knees. “Dear God,” he said when he saw her little pink thong. “That’s a picture that’s going to haunt me when I’m on the road.”

  Bella laughed and pulled her pants the rest of the way off and kicked them to the floor before easing back down onto the pillows. When he joined her on the bed, his warm skin slid against hers, making her moan. She shoved her fingers into his shaggy hair that she loved so much and kissed him like there was no tomorrow.

  But there was tomorrow, and then the next day and the next . . .

  She suddenly knew what it felt like to have somebody in her life who wanted a future together, and it felt amazing. She kissed him deeply, hotly, and with more love than she knew ever existed.

  “Do we need protection?” he whispered in her ear.

  “No,” she answered, and wrapped her legs around his waist. He entered her with one sure stroke, making her cry out with the sheer joy of having him inside her body. He rocked into her with an easy rhythm and murmured words of love in her ear.

  “Oh!” Bella’s heart thumped harder and her body tingled with sweet heat as her pleasure climbed . . . intensified. She wrapped her arms and legs around him tightly and arched her back, urging him to go faster, deeper, until she exploded with pure pleasure, taking him right along with her.

  “Wow,” he said, and pressed his forehead to hers. “That was so much better than I even dreamed.”

  Bella curled her body around his and put her head on his shoulder. While tracing small circles on his chest, she said, “I never would have thought that I’d end up living in Cricket Creek, Kentucky.” She chuckled softly and added, “My life has gone from sucky to kickin’ in nothing flat. Thank you, Logan Lannigan.”

  Logan pushed up to one elbow and looked down at her. After a moment, he tenderly tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear and said, “Life can sure be crazy. I saw that ad for tryouts for the Cricket Creek Cougars by chance and almost didn’t come. But something compelled me to do it, and I’m sure glad that I did.”

  Bella nodded. “Madison said that we should always go with our gut. Trust in ourselves.”

  “I believe it.” He smiled again. “And guess what.”

  “What?”

  “Our adventure has just begun.”

  26

  The Best Day Ever

  Ty snapped the ring box shut just as Noah entered his office, and then quickly covered it with his hand.
“What’s up, Noah?” he asked, wondering if he could discreetly slide the box from the desk without Noah noticing.

  “What was that sound?” Noah asked with a frown.

  “What sound?” Ty replied, and slowly started to slide his hand toward the edge of the desk.

  “That loud snap,” Noah persisted as he walked into the room.

  “Must have been my World Series ring hitting the wood.”

  Noah tilted his head. “Funny, you’re not wearing your ring. . . . Ring?” he suddenly said. He took his cap off and slapped his leg with it. “What’s under your hand?”

  “Nothin’.”

  “Oh, really? Show me.”

  “No.” Ty growled, but then uncovered the midnight blue velvet box.

  Noah’s eyebrows shot up. “Is that what I think it is?”

  “If you think it’s an engagement ring for Jessica, then yes.”

  “Holy shit.”

  “Yeah.” Ty looked at up Noah. “Holy shit.”

  Noah sat down on the edge of the big desk. “So are you going to pop the question?”

  “Well . . .”—Ty inhaled a deep breath while toying with the box—“it’s kinda hard to do when Jessica won’t see me.”

  “Ty, she’s been sick all week. She hasn’t even been to any games or work.”

  “I’m not really buying that bullshit.”

  “Olivia said that Jessica has strep throat and doesn’t want to make anybody ill.”

  Ty shrugged. “Right.”

  “It makes sense. She works with food and doesn’t want to get anybody on the team sick, including you. We have an important three-game series coming up.”

  “My gut is telling me otherwise.”

  “Ty, why the hell else would she stay in her apartment for days? Jason said she’s even postponed the opening of the patio until she feels better.”

  Ty chewed on the inside of his cheek. “Something just isn’t right.”

  “Have you talked to Madison about it?”

  “She said the same thing: that Jessica is sick.”

  “What about Myra? Has she indicated otherwise?”

  Ty pointed a finger at Noah. “That was another red flag. Myra was closemouthed and evasive about the whole thing, and she’s usually forthcoming.”

  Noah scratched his head. “I’m sorry. Maybe Olivia could find something out?”

  “I don’t know,” Ty answered, and scrubbed a hand down his face. “Damn. If she doesn’t want to see me, then screw it.”

  “Yeah, right. You have a ring sitting there in front of you.”

  Ty looked down at the box and swallowed hard. “I just don’t fucking get it. Everything was going great. If I did something wrong, then she should tell me, damn it.”4

  “Can I see the ring?” Noah asked in a calm tone.

  Ty looked up in surprise. “I guess.” He slid the box forward.

  “Wow . . .” Noah said when he looked down at the solitaire. The light caught the diamond, making it sparkle. “It’s exquisite.”

  “Yeah.” He sighed and then said, “Hey, why haven’t you popped the question to Olivia?”

  “Oh, we’ve talked about getting married,” Noah admitted. “But she’s shied away from the subject. I’m waiting for the right time.”

  “But you know you want to spend the rest of your life with her, right?”

  “No doubt.” Noah nodded without hesitation. “But her mother left Owen early in her childhood. I think her painful past still haunts her, so I’m willing to wait for the right time.” Noah frowned at Ty. “Um, speaking of haunt, you look like you’ve just seen a ghost. Care to explain?”

  “Painful past.” Ty’s heart thumped. It all made perfect sense. “Holy shit.” Could Jessica be pregnant? He waited for dread or fear to wash over him, but all he felt was joy.

  “Okay, spill, Ty,” Noah prodded, but Jason walked through the open door, grabbing their attention.

  “What’s up, Jason?” Ty asked, glad to have the interruption. His mind was racing and his hands shook.

  “I was about to head out and wondered if there was anything you needed me for before I go,” he said, and tucked a sketch pad beneath his arm.

  “I think we’re good to go,” Ty answered, and Noah nodded.

  “Cool. Then I’m heading over to Wine and Diner to work on the gazebo.”

  “Gazebo?” Ty asked.

  “Yeah, Madison wants an outdoor wedding, so Jessica is adding a gazebo to the patio. It’s a great idea, since she’ll be able to rent the space out for weddings after ours.”

  “Oh yeah. I had forgotten that. How close are you to finishing?”

  “Close. Just trim work and a few touches here and there. Why?”

  Ty nodded slowly. “Have a seat, Jason. I have something I want you to do for me. And get Madison to help, okay?”

  Noah smacked his leg. “Oh, boy. I’m getting the picture. Damn, you’re good, Ty.”

  He grinned. “I know it. Now, if she’ll only say yes.”

  “What’s going on?” Jason asked as he scooted a chair up to the desk, and then his gaze took in the ring. “Holy shit.”

  Noah laughed. “That’s been the phrase of the day.”

  “Keep this on the down low, both of you, and tell Madison not to breathe a word to her mother. We’ve got some work to do in a short period of time.”

  Jason nodded. “We will. Now tell me what you want me to do.”

  Jessica knew that sooner or later she was going to have to venture out of her apartment. Her excuse that she had strep throat was starting to wear thin. Plus, she hated putting the burden of running the diner on Aunt Myra and Madison. Since the article in Southern Living magazine, business had been brisk, but the opening of the stadium had kept Wine and Diner packed. She also hated the sad tone of Ty’s messages, which were starting to become scarce. Jessica felt tears spring to her eyes. How was she going to tell him that she was pregnant?

  Aunt Myra had already guessed, and Jessica was surprised that Madison hadn’t picked up on it as well. But, then again, she was forty! “Who in their right mind would think I’m pregnant?” she whispered, and waited once again for the hot shame to send her to the bathroom to toss her cookies.

  But this time it didn’t happen.

  Instead, she put her hand to her still-flat stomach and felt a sense of peace. This was a life, a child she had created out of love, and anyone who said anything about it could be damned. And if Ty McKenna didn’t want this child, then he wasn’t the man she thought he was. Plus, she was in a much better position this time around, even though she hadn’t done too shabby raising her lovely daughter, Madison. She smiled softly and rubbed her hand in small circles. Funny that she had ended up back in Cricket Creek and was having another child. “Oh, boy . . . or girl,” she muttered with dark humor. It was time to come out of hiding and face the music.

  A moment later, her phone rang. Jessica looked down and saw that it was Madison and picked up. “Hi, sweetie.”

  “Oh, good. You sound better.”

  “I am. I’ve been popping vitamins and drinking milk.”

  “Really? Good for you. Wait. You hate milk.”

  “I’ve been craving it lately,” she admitted, and wondered just how much Madison had already guessed. “But anyway, I’m much better.”

  “Good, because Jason is having a bit of trouble with the gazebo and wants your opinion.”

  Jessica frowned. “It’s almost dark outside. What’s he doing working this late?”

  “Oh, Mom, you know how he is. Once he starts a project, he wants it done but done right. So can you come down and take a look?”

  “Okay,” Jessica replied. “Tell him I’ll be down in a few minutes.”

  “Awesome.”

  “Okay, bye, sweetie.”

  Jessica went into her bedroom and slipped out of the hoodie and sweatpants she had been living in for the past several days and tugged on a pair of her favorite jeans and a navy blue blouse. She headed into the
bathroom and pulled her hair up into her usual ponytail, and added some makeup before heading down the back stairs to the restaurant. All was quiet and the kitchen was buttoned up for the night.

  Jessica inhaled the lingering aroma of food and was thankful that her stomach didn’t do flip-flops in protest. A moment later, she walked out the back door. . . .

  “Oh, my goodness!” Jessica put her hand to her chest when the patio suddenly came to life with the illumination of hundreds of twinkling lights. She walked toward the gorgeous white gazebo, but instead of Jason standing there, Ty was sitting on the bench seat.

  “Hi, there,” he greeted her softly.

  Jessica stood there dumbfounded, and almost put her hand to her tummy.

  He patted the bench next to him. “Come here and have a seat. I’ve missed you.”

  Jessica walked over on legs that trembled and gratefully sat down.

  “Feeling better?” he asked.

  She nodded mutely.

  “Good. I was worried.”

  “I’m sorry, Ty.” Her heart hammered, and she lowered her gaze. She wanted to tell him and yet the words wouldn’t come out of her mouth.

  A moment later, Ty McKenna knelt down on one knee, and her heart just about beat out of her chest. “Jessica,” he began, but she put a hand on his arm.

  “Ty . . . no. There’s something I have to tell you.” Her words came out choked with emotion.

  “That you’re having my baby?”

  Her eyes widened. “Did Aunt Myra tell you? Is that what this is all about?” She waved her hand in an arc.

  “Ohmigod, so it’s true? Jessica, are you pregnant?”

  “Yes.” When she nodded and put her palm over her tummy, she saw joy light up Ty’s face.

  “No, that isn’t what this is all about. Listen. First of all, I bought this ring before I even suspected that you were pregnant. So this has nothing to do with you carrying my child. I love you, Jessica. And I want you to be my wife. The fact that you are carrying my baby is only icing on the cake.”

  “So . . . you’re happy about it?” Her heart thudded and she peered at him closely. The joy remained shining in his eyes.