He blushed and looked away, squeezing the back of his neck before meeting, and holding, her gaze again. “I thought I was interested, but it didn’t take long to figure out she’s a man-eater. I used to think she was beautiful but now when I look at her all I see is a preying mantis.”
A laugh bubbled out and she pressed her fingers over her lips in an attempt to stifle the sound.
He chuckled as well, shaking his head. “It’s hard, being new in town. And…well, dating is hard in general. At least, for me…”
She cocked her head and reached her hand out, resting it on his arm. “Oh, Scott, don’t worry. You’ll find someone special, I’m sure.” She hesitated for only a few seconds before adding, “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about becoming a partner.” Encouraged by the spark in his eyes, she said, “Let’s set up a time next week to discuss the particulars.”
With a huge grin, he nodded. “Absolutely. I’ve decided to make Baytown my home, so this’ll be perfect.”
Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny, and Aiden took Emily to the ball game early. Arriving after the game had started, Lia slipped through the crowd and walked toward the bleachers behind the dugout. Standing next to the fence before climbing up to sit with her friends, her eyes searched the field, landing on Emily at third base. Thrilled that her daughter had made it that far, she leaned against the fence and watched.
Her gaze swept over the rest of the field, recognizing Brogan, Jason, Zac, Grant, Mitch, Lance, and, of course, Aiden. She saw Katelyn and Ginny near the dugout, but in the outfield she saw someone that she did not recognize. It was a man, muscular, in an American Legion T-shirt and cargo shorts. What held her attention was that he had a prosthetic right leg. She wondered if he were new, since she had not seen him before.
Her attention was diverted as the crowd cheered. A batter had hit the ball toward the outfield and was running full out. She jerked her gaze around as the third base coach told Emily to run. Jumping up and down, screaming and waving, she watched as Emily ran to home plate, scoring a run. Aiden was there and he swung her up in his arms, celebrating. Behind them, the crowd was on their feet, many of them with their hands in the air, waving in the American Sign Language sign for applause.
Tears pricked her eyes as she watched Emily grin, throwing her hands in the air in thanks. At the end of the game, her attention was once more snagged as the man from the outfield jogged closer. Her mouth hung open in surprise as she recognized Scott. He caught her eye and grinned, jogging over to where she now sat with her friends.
“Scott, I had no idea.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt foolish, but he quickly jumped in.
“Well, I tend to not wear shorts to work,” he laughed. He glanced down at his prosthetic leg and shrugged, saying, “My souvenir from Afghanistan.”
Jason walked up and clapped Scott on the back. “Glad you decided to coach. We’re all heading to the pub, will you join us?” With a grin and a nod, Scott agreed, and they walked off together.
Barely having time to process that new information, Emily came running to her. Throwing her arms around her daughter, she congratulated her. As the crowd dispersed, they walked down the street toward the pub with their friends. Emily ran ahead and chatted with some of the others, leaving her to walk alone with Aiden.
He looked at the smile on her face, and asked, “Happy?”
She linked fingers with his, and said, “I don’t think it’s possible for me to be happier.”
He grinned. “Well, let’s see if I can find a way to make you even happier. Grab Emily and we’ll skip the pub. I’ve got something to show you.”
Gaining Emily’s attention, she motioned for her to come back. Promising them a surprise, Aiden herded them to his truck. A few minutes later, they were driving down the road and as they pulled onto her street her house came into view. She and Emily had moved into Tori’s Sea Glass Inn while she worked with the insurance company about repairing her house. The only real fire damage had been the back deck, including the back door and part of the kitchen wall, and the front porch, along with the front door and entryway. There was also water damage in the living room and the kitchen. The rest of the house was fine, but she did not know how long it would take before they could move back in.
As he pulled up to the front of her house, her mouth dropped open in awe.
“Wh…what’s going on?”
“Look, Mama. Our house is getting fixed!”
Looking nervous, Aiden turned to her. “I know I was taking a big chance, but your insurance adjuster is part of the American Legion and so is the owner of North Heron Construction. I wanted them to hurry and start the reparations, so I put up the initial money until the insurance money comes in.”
She turned and looked at him, realizing he was doing everything he could to give her and Emily a home again. Tears pricked her eyes as she said, “Aiden, you’re amazing. Thank you so much.”
The three of them climbed down from his truck and walked a little closer to the construction.
Emily, piping up again, said, “But Mama, our house is getting bigger!”
Paying closer attention to the work being done, she noticed the construction workers were busy not only repairing the front but, from what she could see, were also adding on to the side and back of the house.
“What’s happening?” she asked, facing Aiden.
“This is what’s happening.”
He dropped down on one knee and took a ring box out of his pocket. Opening it, inside was nestled a diamond solitaire. Her mouth fell open and she glanced to Emily to see her reaction. She was looking between the two of them, her gaze shooting back and forth, and grinning widely.
“Amelia,” Aiden said, gaining her attention again. “I hoped one day I would meet someone that I would want to spend the rest of my life with. Amelia, you’re that person. I want to build a life with you and Emily and thought a great place to start would be with your beautiful home. Will you marry me?”
With tears sliding down her face, she nodded. “Yes, yes I’ll marry you.” She stared at her hand as he slid the ring onto to her left ring finger, waiting for him to rise, but he stayed on his knee. So, she bent over, clutching his face, kissing him. As she stood, she was surprised that he continued to stay on bent knee.
He then pulled out another ring box and flipped it open as he faced Emily. Inside was a tiny diamond solitaire on a necklace chain. Emily’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.
“Just as I love your mother, I love you too,” he said. “Will you let me be your daddy?”
Her tears continued to flow as she watched Emily jump into his arms, holding him tight. Dropping to her knees, their arms tangled together as they held each other close. With Emily squished in between of the two of them, she looked up, and grinned. “Now I can hear both of your hearts.”
Baytown Boys (small town, military romantic suspense)
Coming Home
Just One More Chance
Clues of the Heart
Finding Peace
Picking Up the Pieces
Sunset Flames
Waiting for Sunrise
Hear My Heart
Lighthouse Security Investigations
Mace
Rank
Heroes at Heart (Military Romance)
Zander
Rafe
Cael
Jaxon
Jayden (coming March 2019)
Asher (Coming 2019)
Zeke (coming 2019)
Saint’s Protection & Investigations (Military Romantic Suspense)
Serial Love
Healing Love
Revealing Love
Seeing Love
Honor Love
Sacrifice Love
Protecting Love
Remember Love
Discover Love
Surviving Love
Celebrating Love
Searching Love
Alvarez Security (military romantic suspense)
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Gabe
Tony
Vinny
Jobe
Sleeper SEAL
Thin Ice
Letters From Home (military romance)
Class of Love
Freedom of Love
Bond of Love
The Love’s Series (detectives)
Love’s Taming
Love’s Tempting
Love’s Trusting
The Fairfield Series (small town detectives)
Emma’s Home
Laurie’s Time
Carol’s Image
Fireworks Over Fairfield
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Hear My Heart: Baytown Boys Page 24
