Catch of a Lifetime: A Cricket Creek Novel (33 page)

“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.”

T
y 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 restau
rant. 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.

“Ecstatic! I couldn’t be any happier.”

“But we’re . . .
old
!”

Ty chuckled. “We’re ready. Besides, we have lots of help. This kid is going to be spoiled to death!”

Jessica laughed, but tears slid down her cheeks.

“Tears of joy?”

“Yes . . . oh yes!”

“Wait. Did you just say yes?”

Jessica nodded.

“I didn’t even get to properly pop the question. Pretend you didn’t say yes yet.”

“Okay.”

Ty cleared his throat. “Jessica Robinson, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” She shouted, and then raised a fist in the air before leaning down and giving him a long kiss. “I will marry you, Tyler McKenna.”

“Oh, I almost forgot.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out the ring box. His fingers trembled as he pulled it open.

Jessica sucked in a breath. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”

“You like it?” When she nodded, he took it from the box and slipped it on her finger. “Does it fit?”

“A perfect fit.”

“Good. I guessed at the size.”

“I wasn’t talking about the ring.” She put her hands to his cheeks and then leaned down and kissed him. “I am
thrilled that you asked me to be your wife and to be having your baby, Ty.”

He came up from his knee and sat down next to her. “I’m guessing you struggled at first.”

She felt tears well up in her throat. “Yes.”

“Jessica, this is your chance to go through the joy of it all. You are a great person and a wonderful mother. And you deserve happiness. I love you and I want to say those words to you in this gazebo when we’re married.”

“And I’m guessing Jason and Owen got this ready for your proposal?”

Ty nodded. “They worked their tails off.”

“So who else knows about this?”

“Um
 . . .
let’s just say that I’m glad you said yes.”

“Oh, boy.”

“There might be a little celebration party over at Sully’s.”

“Might be?”

“Well, there is now that you said yes.” He grinned, but then looked at her with serious eyes. “We don’t have to go if you’re not ready to tell the world.”

“I’m ready.”

“Good. Because Madison has been waiting for the go-ahead, she-said-yes text message. Can I send it?”

“Hit the
send
button,” she answered with a laugh. “Do you want to walk?”

“Walk? You’re pregnant. I’m going to carry you.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“A little. But be ready to be pampered.”

“Oh . . . Ty.” She put her hand over her mouth.

“Did I say something wrong?”

Jessica shook her head. “You know, I was feeling all melancholy a few weeks ago when I was looking at brides’ magazines on the night of my birthday party. It’s every little girl’s dream to have a flowing white dress with all the trim-
mings, and I knew my time for that was ticking away terribly fast.”

“I’ll give you any wedding that your heart desires.”

Jessica smiled and slipped her hand in his. “I don’t need the fairy-tale wedding.”

“How about a fairy-tale life?”

“Now, that’s an offer I can’t refuse,” she said. “And you know what?”

“What?”

She gazed up into his handsome face. “It was worth the wait.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Ty nodded, and they headed hand in hand over to Sully’s. When they walked inside, they were met with a huge cheer. There was another gorgeous cake on the table where her birthday cake had been, but this one read: congratulations, ty and jessica! And Jessica had to laugh when she looked up and saw that the original birthday banner now read lordy, lordy, jessica is forty and
GETTING MARRIED
!