The Athletic Groom: Billionaire Marriage Brokers

by Lucy McConnell

  In his interviews after the game, Jimmy gave a nod to the new manager for pushing him to do his best. Which was really nice of him, considering the criticism Isaac had taken over the “man up” incident—as the national press had nicknamed his visit to the mound. SPORTSNetwork had gone on about it all week. The older guys, retired players, said it was old school and relieved the glory days when they played with broken fingers and strained muscles. The younger announcers went on and on about investments and team morale.

  Jimmy’s comment gave a much-needed boost to the whole Wolfe family with that one sentence. That night, they gathered in front of the big screen television in the family room so they could watch the highlights of the game together. Harper sat next to Isaac, close enough to touch without actually touching. They’d kept their interactions public, Isaac not trusting himself in a room alone with her. However, they’d gotten much more comfortable being together while in the company of others. Harper seemed to need the comfort. He’d spent hours thinking about it when he should have been sleeping. She lost her father almost a month ago. She and Seth weren’t exactly affectionate people, and yet … Harper relaxed when he took her hand or put his arm around her, like they were part of a whole in some way. He felt it too, the loss of her beside him. Nights were especially hard.

  “You guys looked like a whole new team out there today; what made the difference?” asked a reporter from the SPORTSNetwork.

  Isaac smiled, remembering the moment she asked that question. He’d almost blurted out “Jackson kept his mouth shut for once”—the guy had taken advantage of his break in the rotation and was nursing a huge hangover—but managed to come up with something he thought was halfway intelligent. “There was a different feeling in the locker room—a sense of purpose, and it translated onto the field.”

  The image switched to Juan Castillo, who had hit a triple in the ninth. “I visualized the hit and where I wanted to put it before I went out there.”

  “So you wanted a triple?” asked a blonde reporter, shoving the microphone back in Juan’s face.

  “I wanted a home run.” He beamed. “But I’ll take the triple.” Dustin Colt came up behind him and smashed a plate of whipped cream in his face. Juan took off after him, ending the interview.

  Harper nudged Isaac and grinned. “He’s a sweetheart, isn’t he?”

  Isaac threw his arm over the back of the couch. “Such a sweetheart,” he said with sarcasm.

  Harper lightly elbowed his side.

  “I’m going for seconds. Anyone want anything?” asked Logan.

  “I’ll take another soda,” said Seth.

  “I’m good,” replied Isaac.

  “Me too,” added Harper.

  The game coverage continued. “The Redrocks were the team no one dared root for,” said the anchor.

  His counterpart, Johnny, tossed out, “You don’t root for the Titanic while it’s sinking.”

  “No way. But after today, fans are hopeful that they’ll at least have an underdog.”

  Johnny lifted his hand. “Yeah, man, they played with some real heart. That’s what I love to see in a game. I don’t care if my team loses as long as they give it their all.”

  The anchor spread his arms wide. “An underdog always has a shot. Are you saying you think the Redrocks have a chance to compete in this league?”

  Isaac leaned forward, his hand landing on Harper’s back and staying there.

  “If they continue to play like they did today, I’d say so.”

  Isaac did a fist pump. “Yeah, we do.”

  Harper lifted her hands for a double high five. Isaac obliged and turned to fist-bump Seth. Seth didn’t hesitate to reciprocate. Isaac could hardly believe the turn his life had taken. Six days ago this guy couldn’t stand him, and now they were watching SPORTSNetwork and fist-bumping. He had a beautiful wife tucked next to him on the sofa, his team won, and he’d just eaten a home-cooked meal—life didn’t get any better than this.

  “I leave for a grieving tour and my only daughter runs off and gets married.”

  Everyone flipped around to see an older version of Harper standing with her hands on her hips.

  Harper cursed under her breath.

  Isaac hadn’t seen her lips move, but he heard the word. Or maybe he just heard it because he translated the look on her face.

  She stood up, her knees shaking. “Isaac.” She groped the air and Isaac grabbed her cold hand and held it tight. “I’d like you to meet my mother.”

  “You’re in for it now,” Seth stage-whispered.

  Isaac let go of Harper’s hand and got to his feet. “You didn’t tell your mother?” He assumed once Seth was involved the Richmond clan would be informed.

  His not-so-happy mother-in-law plopped her expensive leather bag on the end table as she made her way around the couch. “Would you kindly explain why I had to find out from a bellhop in Paris that my daughter had gotten married?”

  “It’s not what you think.” Harper held up her hands.

  “Then tell me what I should think when I come here and find you cuddled up on the couch with a stranger who happens to be your husband.”

  Harper’s eyes went wide. “We weren’t cuddling.”

  Mrs. Richmond scowled.

  A mischievous smile lit Isaac’s face as he moved to stand next to Mrs. Richmond. He folded his arms and pushed his biceps out with his fists, watching Harper’s gaze dart to them, sweep across his chest, and then land on his grin. “Yeah.” Isaac pumped his eyebrows. “Tell her why we were cuddling.”

  Harper’s eyes went wide and she swatted at him.

  He loved to tease her, but he was truly interested in her answer. They hadn’t defined their relationship or the switch from all business to where they were touchy-feely. Now was as good of a time as any. He lifted one eyebrow. Harper scowled and turned to face her mom.

  * * *

  Harper ran her hands down the front of her skinny jeans. The ones she’d put on after work to relax in but secretly loved the way the dark wash made her legs look longer. Isaac liked her legs and she liked Isaac liking them, so the jeans were a win-win.

  Mom grabbed her left hand, inspecting the large diamond solitaire. Her face lost that you’re-grounded scowl when Isaac stood next to her. He was such a tease, and apparently the Richmond women easy fell to his charms.

  Her mom ran her thumb over the stone. “Darling, I’m trying not to take all this personal.” She looked over at Seth. “I still might.”

  “I didn’t do anything,” he protested.

  “I spoke to you three days ago and you didn’t say a word about your sister setting up house.”

  “It wasn’t my news to tell.”

  “You bet your designer suits it is.” Mother sniffed and turned her attention to Isaac. “On my long and odious flight here, I read that you have a son.”

  “I do,” Isaac confirmed.

  “Very well.” She clasped her hands. “If you’ll just introduce me to my grandson, I’ll refrain from lecturing you both.” She gave him an expectant look.

  Isaac rubbed the back of his neck.

  Harper’s adrenaline spiked. Isaac was super protective of his relationship with Logan, of Logan in general, and anything that had to do with his son. Harper had only recently gotten through his parental barriers. If he felt Mom was at all a threat to Logan, she could ruin all the work Harper had done to become Isaac’s parenting partner.

  Just then, Logan walked in carrying a plate heaped with lasagna and a soda. He stopped and stared as everyone stared at him. “Uh.”

  Mother’s face brightened, a spark in her eyes Harper had never seen before. “Is this him?”

  “Yes,” Harper replied. “But—”

  “Shh.” Mom waved her off before opening her arms to Logan, who took a step back. Mom’s emerald-blue eyes swam with unshed tears. “You’re such a handsome young man.”

  “Thank you?” Logan looked to Isaac for an introduction.

  Harper stepped f
orward, blocking her mom’s view of Logan at the same time as Isaac. Shoulder to shoulder—well, more like shoulder to arm, as Isaac was that much taller than her—they created a human wall. Tears pooled in Mom’s eyes.

  “Pull it together.” Harper rubbed her hands up her mom’s arms.

  “I’m trying.”

  Seth handed her a tissue from the box on the side table. She dabbed just above her lashes.

  Helplessness and a sense of being torn in several directions overwhelmed Harper. Mom was obviously still tender from burying her husband of 35 years. Seth was trying to slink out of the room, no doubt feeling guilty for not spilling the beans. Logan looked like he’d lost his appetite—a very bad sign for the kid. And Isaac? Isaac wanted something from her, an explanation of where they were at in this whole crazy professional marriage thing. She didn’t have an answer for him, so she went for the easy fix first. “Logan, this is my mom, Nora Richmond.”

  “Oh.” Understanding registered on his face. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.” He set the drink on the coffee table and reached out his hand.

  She took his hand and yanked him in for a hug. “You can call me Nana.”

  Logan looked like he’d been handed a live grenade. “Um.”

  “Mom!” Harper snapped. “We need to talk. Now.” Harper took her hand and pulled her out of the family room, down the hallway, and into her private office. Mom cried softly the whole way.

  Once they were behind closed doors, Mom spoke first. “Harper, he’s a good kid—I can tell.”

  “What is with you?”

  “I don’t know.” She fanned her face. “I never believed in love at first sight, but Logan is a gem. It’s like he’s the missing piece.”

  “You’re being dramatic.” Harper couldn’t believe how much she sounded like the woman sitting in front of her. Her mother had said those exact words when Harper bawled her eyes out over Harvey What’s-his-name asking Amanda Heartford to Homecoming.

  “I know, and it feels wonderful.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Darling …” Mom reached for Harper’s hand. “I didn’t realize how numb I’d become. I couldn’t or didn’t feel anything except sorrow and grief. Then, you introduce me to my first grandson and this flood of love for him washed over me like a tidal wave. I couldn’t stop it.”

  Harper leaned back in her chair, her legs sprawled out in front of her. “I’ve made a mess.”

  “No, darling, you’ve mended my heart.”

  “Mom—Logan and Isaac are only here for a year; less than that now.” She bit her lip. If their contract was up tomorrow, would she be able to let them go? Her soul screamed no, but her head told her it was for the best. “You can’t get attached to them—it’s only going to break your heart.” Her words were as much for her benefit as they were for her mom’s.

  “I—I don’t understand. You’re married.”

  “It’s a short-term arrangement. I needed a manager and Isaac needed a job and this woman had us sign contracts and a pre-nup for a one-year marriage that’s supposed to solve all our problems. But now you’re here and I think I’m falling in love with Isaac, and Seth’s his new best friend, and the only thing that I have a handle on is the baseball thing. But if all I needed Isaac for was baseball, why did Pamela make me marry him?”

  Mom handed over her tear-damp tissue, which Harper used to blow her nose.

  “Did you say Pamela?”

  “Pamela Jones, matchmaker extraordinaire.” Harper twirled her hand through the air as if announcing the Queen of England.

  Mom patted her knee. “I think I understand.”

  “You do?” Harper dropped the tissue in her lap. “I’m glad one of us does.”

  Mom laughed. “You’ll get it.” She stood up and brushed off the front of her designer jacket. “A one-year contract or not, your marriage to Logan’s father makes him my legal grandson and I’m going to make the most of the time I have with him.”

  “Mom.” Harper was ready to put her foot down on this one. “Logan comes from a foster care situation. He’s not used to having a big family around. You have to ease into this. If not for his sake, then for Isaac’s.”

  “Overprotective father.”

  “The worst—” Harper scrunched up her face. “Or the best …”

  “I’ll tread carefully. I promise I won’t presume anything and I won’t pressure him to call me Nana—although the name is growing on me.”

  Harper laughed. Her mother may swing towards the dramatic now and then, but she was just as passionate about keeping her promises as anything.

  “I’m taking you all out to dinner.”

  “We just ate.” Harper’s hand went to her gut, where the lasagna sat like an Italian brick.

  “Then ice cream. I’m sure Thomas knows of a good gelato place. Of course, it won’t be as good as the Italian gelato I was supposed to enjoy on my tour you all forced me off of.”

  Harper smiled, the comment no one forced you to come locked tightly behind her teeth. “I’ll let everyone know.”

  “Thank you, darling. I’d like a moment to freshen up.”

  “You’re welcome to the garden suite across from Seth.”

  “Ah, yes.” She pulled open the door. “I would very much enjoy a few moments with your brother.” She strode down the hallway with straight shoulders.

  “Heaven help him,” muttered Harper. “And heaven help us all if she’s planning to stay.”

  17

  The limo ride to the ice cream parlor was as silent as the moment between when the ball hits the catcher’s mitt and the fans realize their only hope just struck out.

  Isaac wasn’t about to make the first move. His relationship with Amy’s parents had been rocky from the start. They didn’t approve of his career path, nor his lack of a family tree. But there was nothing Isaac could do about either of those things. His cells were made up of billions of tiny baseballs, and he had no control over who his birth mother was nor why she’d dropped him at the pastor’s door when he was only three weeks old.

  Up to this point, he hadn’t thought those things would play into his marriage with Harper because A) they only signed up for a year and B) he thought her family knew and C) there weren’t any parents at the wedding to make an issue out of him or her choice of a groom. Now, he wasn’t so sure. Harper came from billionaire stock. He had no idea who or what they’d had in mind for their little girl, but he was pretty sure it didn’t include an orphan with a teenaged son.

  The limo stopped in front of a neon-lit store that advertised authentic Italian gelato. Seth got out first and offered a hand to his mother. She exited the vehicle with grace.

  Isaac put his hand on Harper’s elbow. “Did you tell her?”

  “Yes.”

  “Everything?”

  Her cheeks colored. “Yes.”

  “So what …?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Should we have left Logan home?”

  “Sitting right here, Dad.” Logan waved as they both looked at him.

  Harper went right on with their hurried conversation. “I made her promise not to make him call her Nana or get all emotional.”

  Seth ducked in. “Are you coming?”

  “Yep.” Harper scooted out.

  “I’m sorry,” Isaac said to Logan.

  Logan half-grinned. “It’s cool.”

  “Are you sure? If you feel uncomfortable at any time, we can leave.”

  “Dad! Chill. It’s Harper’s mom. Stop worrying about me and start worrying about Harper—you’re stressing her out.”

  “I—”

  Seth ducked in again. “See, what happens is, the people get out of the car; the car doesn’t move around the people.”

  “We’re coming.” They all filed in and ordered their ice cream creations. Nora had them scoot a couple tables together so they’d all be able to sit close.

  “Can I have your attention?” She tapped her plastic cup with her p
lastic spoon.

  “No one’s talking, Mom,” Seth pointed out. He was in a good mood for someone who had been shut up in a room with their upset mother for fifteen minutes.

  Mom blotted her lips with a gray paper napkin before turning to Logan, who sat between Harper and Isaac. “Young man, since the loss of my husband I have yearned for more family.” Her eyes dropped to her melting mint chocolate treat. “I didn’t realize how empty a house can feel. I would very much like the opportunity to get to know you if you’re okay spending some time with an old lady.”

  Logan smiled. “Sure.”

  The rod melted out of Nora’s back. “Wonderful. I understand you have a week left of school. What would you say to some shopping—my treat. We can golf, too.”

  Harper cleared her throat and gave Nora a warning look.

  “I’m not going to steal all your time. I’m sure you have a girlfriend.”

  Logan’s mouth dropped open and his cheeks flushed. Isaac chuckled.

  “Just as I thought.” Nora shook her shoulders. “A handsome guy like you probably has to beat the girls away with a bat—good thing my daughter owns a baseball team.”

  Harper groaned.

  “Actually, we leave tomorrow for a series in Colorado,” Isaac tossed out.

  “And what does Logan do while you are coaching and Harper is working?”

  Logan shrugged. “I hang out in the booth, in their suite at the hotel.”

  “Any place that has food, really.” Harper winked at him.

  “Pretty much,” Logan agreed.

  “What if he stayed home with me?”

  Isaac rubbed the back of his neck. “He doesn’t golf.” A lame excuse, but he’d never left Logan overnight. In the past, they traveled together to away games. Logan missed some school, but he was a bright kid and managed to make up the missing assignments.

  “Yet.” Nora wagged her finger. “He doesn’t play yet. I’m sure the club could provide an excellent instructor.”

  “What do you think?” he asked Harper just as she put a spoonful of pistachio gelato in her mouth. She gagged it down in surprise.