Swept Away (26 page)

“I know what you mean.” Cody sounded contemplative. Was he referring to this mystery woman he’d met in Utah? Maybe someday he’d share. But for now, it was just good to have him back.

“So things are good with you two?” Cody sounded like he had been afraid to ask.

“Real good.” Carson braced himself. The rest of it was pretty serious. Permanent. Something that neither of them had prepared for. “Lily’s pregnant.”

“Is it yours?” Cody asked, but there was no teasing in his voice. “Or did she go with the sperm donor?”

“You knew about that?” Carson had learned that she’d rescheduled her appointment the day Cody disappeared. She cancelled it altogether after the pregnancy test came out positive.

“Yeah. I guess she figured if I knew she wanted to have a baby, I’d run for the hills.” Cody laughed. It was a different kind of laugh. Less cocky. Yet he seemed a lot more sure of himself.

“Seems to have worked.” Carson believed Cody would have never taken off if he hadn’t been upset about him and Lily. Cody didn’t like change. It was the main reason Carson had put off talking to him in the first place.

“You going to marry her?” Cody said it like he was asking about what they should order for take-out. Like it didn’t matter either way.

“I asked her.” Carson kept his own voice neutral.

“Don’t tell me she said no.” Cody sounded surprised. Concerned, even.

“Not exactly.” Carson kept walking. The closer they got to the river, the more comfortable he’d feel.

“What’s the deal?” Cody followed, like it was just another fishing trip.

“She wants us both in the wedding.” This shouldn’t be so hard. They were brothers. Best friends. It should be a given that they would stand up for each other when they each took the plunge.

“I don’t think that’s legal. Not even in Utah.” Cody’s voice held that teasing note that he’d known all his life.

“No, you dope. She wants you to be the best man.” He couldn’t help but laugh.

“And you thought I might say no?” Cody sounded a little hurt by the suggestion.

“I haven’t spoken to you in over a month.” Carson shrugged. Cody had made it very clear that he had Lily in his sights. That he was determined. And the last time they saw each other, he’d shown how he really felt about Carson and Lily being together. “We haven’t had a knock-down, drag-out fight since junior high. No, not even then.”

“You broke my nose.” Cody could laugh about it now.

“And I know you had an interest in Lily.” Isn’t that what the fight had been about?

“I’m over it, bro.” Cody turned, flashed his trademark free-spirited grin. “I’m happy for you. Really.”

“So you’ll be our best man?” Carson nerves were jittery, even more than when he’d asked Lily to marry him. Even more than when they’d waited for the results of the home pregnancy test.

“Do I have to shave my beard?” Cody stroked his chin.

“You’ll have to talk to the boss lady.” Carson felt a huge relief. Not that he worried Lily truly wouldn’t marry him. Once they’d gotten past the initial shock of her pregnancy, they’d become more and more sure of their relationship. “But, I’m sure she’ll be fine with it.”

“Boy, have you met your match?” Cody chuckled. “I’m glad she picked you. I don’t think I could deal with marriage and a kid.”

“You think you can manage being an uncle?” He was trying to picture either of them holding a tiny baby. It terrified and excited him at the same time. But he was ready. Or as ready as a man could be.

“Will I have to change diapers?” Cody sounded genuinely worried. And a little bit grossed out.

“Sure. You man enough?” Carson tossed out the challenge.

“For Lily?” Cody said. “I could be.”

“Don’t even go there.” Carson could only take so much.

“Just messing with you, man.” Cody chuckled softly to himself. “You’re really going to be a dad?”

“Yeah. I am.” Carson was still a little unsure. Afraid he wouldn’t be good enough.

“You know, I think you’ll be good at it.” Cody somehow knew the exact words he needed to hear. “You’ve got the nagging thing down.”

“Oh really?” Carson should have known Cody would get a jab in. “You think I was too hard on you?”

“Sometimes.” Cody said. “Most of the time. But look how I turned out.”

That’s what he was afraid of. Making the same mistakes with his own kid as he’d made with Cody. The only thing that kept him from being absolutely terrified was knowing Lily would be right there with him. She would keep them on the right path.

“So we’re good?” Carson knew their relationship would never be the same. Maybe in some ways, it would be better. Maybe the space between them would actually bring them closer. Or as close as two guys would want to be. Maybe Carson finally getting a life of his own would convince Cody to want more out of his own life.

“We’re good.” Cody clapped his brother on the back. “Hey, are we still going to fish? ’Cause the last time we came down here, we never got the chance.”

“We brought our rods, didn’t we?” Carson had spent his whole life trying to make his brother happy. What was one more day?

“Hey, isn’t that your bride-to-be?” Cody pointed upstream, where Lily stood waiting for them.

“Sorry for interrupting your fishing trip.” Lily was talking to both of them, but she kept her eyes on Carson. “I just couldn’t stand around waiting.”

Carson came up behind her and put his arms around her waist. His hand immediately strayed to her belly. His child grew inside, and he couldn’t help but feel protective.

“So, you two are good?” Lily snuggled up against him. “All made up?”

“You sure you want to spend the rest of your life with this guy?” Cody teased. “If you change your mind…”

“I won’t.” Lily placed her hands over Carson’s, both of them subconsciously protecting their budding family.

“Oh, get a room.” Cody groaned. “Are you two going to be all lovey-dovey all the time? I think I liked it better when you thought I didn’t have a clue. At least I didn’t have to see it.”

“You’ll just have to get used to it,” Lily said. “Did Carson tell you you’re going to be an uncle?”

“I can’t wait.” Cody grinned. It was his same old no-worries kind of grin. “I’ll teach him how to fish, swim, climb trees, play pool. I’ll teach him how to really impress the ladies.”

“And if we have a girl?” Lily asked.

“Then I’ll teach her all those things.” Cody flashed a playful grin. “And more importantly, I’ll teach her how to stay away from guys like me.”

“Now that I know you two are good, I’m going to go back to the house.” Lily turned to give Carson a quick kiss. But kissing her was never quick. He kissed her thoroughly, forgetting that Cody was there.

Cody cleared his throat after a minute. Or maybe it was two. “You two go on. I’ll be fine on my own.”

“You sure?” Lily took Carson’s hand. Even the slight contact sent his heart racing. “I was just going to put a meatloaf in the oven.”

“Sounds delicious.” Cody patted his stomach and made appreciative noises. “How much time do you need?”

“Dinner will be ready in about an hour.” Lily glanced at Carson with a look that indicated they wouldn’t spend the whole time in the kitchen.

“I’ll give you guys one hour,” Cody said. “Then, I’m knocking on the door.”

“One hour.” Carson turned back toward Cody, as he led Lily back to her place.

“Sixty minutes,” Cody reminded him.

“You realize we may never get rid of him.” Carson turned to Lily. It was only fair to warn her now, before it was too late.

“I know.” Lily gave an encouraging squeeze of his hand. “I’m getting a two for one deal.”

“He doesn’t step foot past the kitchen,” Carson warned. He was not going to share Lily any more than he had to.

“We could let him use the bathroom.” She had a teasing note to her voice, letting him know that she was taking his jealousy seriously. But not too seriously.

“He can use a tree.”

“He’s your brother.” She leaned her head against his shoulder.

“He’s going to be yours too.” He put his arm around her.

“I guess I’ll just have to live with that.” Lily let out an exaggerated sigh.

“He’s not going to live with us.” He had to draw the line somewhere. Maybe he didn’t need to live alone. But he certainly didn’t need to live with Cody anymore. And the last six weeks had proven that Cody could handle living without him.

“He’ll be fine.”

“You think so?” He was so used to being the responsible one. The only responsible one.

“Yes. You don’t have to worry about Cody.” Lily did her best to assure him that everything would be all right. “He’s a grown man. He can take care of himself. He’s just never had to.”

“Remind me not to make that mistake with our kids.” Carson knew she’d keep him balanced. On the river, he knew to spread the load around, to keep from capsizing. He also knew that paddling only on one side, would send them around in circles. Teamwork was required to move forward. Lily helped him realize the same was true in life.

“I’m sure you’ll guide them down the right path.” Lily said. “I mean, we will. Together.”

Yes. Together. He was still getting used to that feeling. Having someone he could rely on just as much as she relied on him.

Lily glanced at the river. “Thank you for saving me.”

“No. Thank you.” Carson wasn’t sure if he could ever explain how close he’d felt to drowning before she’d come along. Not from the river, but from his responsibilities. From having to worry about Cody, and everyone else in his life. “You’re the one who saved me.”

Carson had worried that letting Lily into his life would only add to his burden. What he didn’t know was that loving Lily actually made life easier. He had someone to share his responsibilities with. He had someone to share his life with.

And life was good.

Keep reading for an excerpt from

BETTER THAN PERFECT

Life beyond the game...

Johnny “The Monk” Scottsdale has won it all on the baseball diamond. He’s even pitched a perfect game. Known for his legendary control both on and off the field, his pristine public image makes him the ideal person to work with young players in a preseason minicamp. Except the camp is run by the one woman he can’t forget…the woman who made him a “monk.”

Alice Harrison once traded her dreams so that Johnny Scottsdale could make it to the Majors—and then her dreams fell apart. Now here comes Johnny back into her life, just when she’s ready to finally go after her dreams. This time she’s not letting up. Even if she has to reveal what she kept secret for too long from her son and Johnny. She can’t be sure how things will turn out, but she’s not leaving until she swings for the fences…

A Lyrical book on sale now.

Learn more about Kristina at

http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/30540

“Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in thirteen days, twenty-one hours and seventeen minutes,” Hall of Fame broadcaster Kip Michaels announced, and the crowd went wild. “Kicking off today’s Fan Fest, I’d like to introduce one of our newest players. Two-time Cy Young Award winner, perennial All-Star, and the last man to pitch a perfect game. Give a warm San Francisco welcome to Johnny ‘The Monk’ Scottsdale.”

Thirty thousand people were expected at the ballpark today. A great crowd—for a baseball game. But instead of working the count, Johnny would be working the crowd. Answering questions. Signing autographs. Putting himself out there in a way he wasn’t entirely comfortable with. He was as nervous as the day he’d made his professional debut fourteen years ago. Butterflies? Try every seagull on the West Coast taking roost in his stomach.

Focus. Breathe. Let it go.

“Thank you. I’m thrilled to be here.” He’d much rather face the 1927 Yankees than sit in front of a camera and a microphone talking about his game instead of playing it. “I hope I can help the team bring home a World Series Championship.”

He tried to relax his shoulders. Tried to hide his nerves. The Goliaths could be his last team. His last shot at a ring. His final chance to prove himself and leave a legacy that went beyond the diamond.

After fielding a few questions about what he could bring to the team, and deflecting some praise about his success so far, Johnny was released to another part of the park to sign autographs. Little Leaguers approached with wide eyes and big league dreams. Tiny tots with painted faces squirmed with excitement about getting cotton candy while their parents shoved them forward to collect an autograph. A shy boy with a broken arm asked him to sign his cast. The look on his face was more than worth the discomfort of being in the spotlight for something other than his on-field performance.

Johnny had signed the big contract. The team paid him a lot of money to pitch every five games. They also paid him to interact with the fans, to be an ambassador for the game he’d loved for so long. The game that had saved him from a completely different kind of life.

He shared a table with another new player, shortstop Bryce Baxter. They were set up near the home bullpen along the third base line. Several other stations were set up around the park, giving fans a chance to get up close and personal with the players. Some tried to get a little too personal.