by Hart, Taylor
The big timer ticked off to ten seconds. The whole crowd started counting down like it was New Year’s Eve in New York.
Even though he was ticked at her, the fact that she was here gave him some type of hope. He had to see her.
Before he could go to her, his agent shoved him towards the ESPN camera. They wanted an interview right when it happened.
The reporter with a wide mustache and black, clearly dyed, hair shook his hand. “Are you ready for this?”
“Sorry, can we do this in a minute?” Legend was sure his heart was beating at heart attack speed.
The reporter gave him a half smile. “Sorry, son. Here we go.” He pointed to the camera. “And, folks, we are here with Legend James. Number one draft pick in the nation. Legend, what are you feeling right now?”
“I’m excited.” He forced a smile into the camera. All he wanted to do was find Charity, but he couldn’t leave now.
“An exciting new chapter in your life, son?”
“Yep.” Nervous jitters pulsed into him.
“I’m sure it’s not gonna hurt your feelings to see this number put into your bank account tomorrow.”
Legend let out a light chuckle and tried to see over the reporter’s shoulder in an attempt to find Charity. “Nope, can’t say it will.”
The reporter laughed, too. Then he got serious. “What do you think about the recent article in The New York Times?”
His heart almost stopped. It felt like a million things and nothing at all went through his mind at the same time. “I haven’t seen it.”
“Really?” The reporter grinned. “It just came out today. Of course, it is draft day.”
A light sweat formed on Legend’s palms. Maybe she was here to rub it in his face. He felt his mouth go dry.
The reporter picked up a newspaper. “Let me read you a couple of lines, and you can tell me what you think.”
“Okay.” He tried to smile. What had she done?
The reporter cleared his throat. “Hang with me here. It’s kind of long, but I think it’s interesting to note that the reporter’s name is Charity Saint, and she wrote a scathing article about you a few weeks ago. Folks, you’re going to like this.”
He could barely breathe.
“She says, ‘I thought when I wrote my first article on Legend James that I could find out what kind of man he was by simply interviewing others and putting together a fact sheet, but I was wrong. The best part of Legend isn’t any stat or anything that will be recorded in the football hall of fame. The best thing about Legend James is he doesn’t reach out and help people as a publicity stunt. He doesn’t do things for others for show. He does them because he cares. The only real thing I can tell you about the week I spent with him was that it was one of the best weeks of my entire life. And one day, if he lets me sit with him on a porch swing again and watch the stars, I’ll count myself as blessed.’”
At that moment he couldn’t explain why every part of him trembled. Well, actually, he could explain it. It was because she loved him. She loved him! And she was here because of it. He shot to his feet, tears in his eyes.
“Whoa, hold on, Legend. We have more questions for you.”
“I’m sorry. I have to find her.”
“Who?”
As he scanned the crowd, he found her two rows back. The tears in her blue eyes mirroring his own. A smile filled her face.
He grinned, and it felt like the first time in a week that he’d smiled. “Hey, Rook.”
She let out a stifled laugh. “Hey.”
He reached out to her, but couldn’t quite connect. “Can you guys help her up here?”
Happy to accommodate, the crowd of reporters shifted.
The ESPN guy doing the report let out an exasperated sigh. “Is this…wait a sec…Legend, is this Charity Saint?”
Feeling the best he’d felt in what seemed like forever, Legend pulled her into his arms and kissed her lips. “It is.”
All of the reporters let out a cheer. He heard Brad going. “Woot! Woot! Woot!”
Pulling back, Charity looked around and then back at him, a smile on her face. “You asked my grandpa?”
It was like they were suddenly in their own world. The reporters faded away. The lights. The people wanting him to sign the contract. None of it mattered. All he saw, smelled, felt, was her. “Yep.” His heart was about to burst. “I guess he ruined the surprise.”
She let out another laugh.
“Legend! Legend…” everyone seemed to be calling out to him.
Their eyes stayed locked together. He thought he could die and go to heaven in this moment. “I love you.”
She laughed. “I love you, too.”
He searched her face. “Why did you come? I heard you got the job.”
She shrugged. “You have to take chances, and I got to choose…and I choose you.”
His heart felt like it was going to race out of his chest. He kissed her again. “So how to work the logistics out? Every other week we fly to see each other?”
She grinned. “Ya know, I don’t think being apart is a good idea.”
“You don’t?”
She shook her head. “I told The New York Times no.”
“You did?”
“I figured—aw, heck, what’s one more rookie mistake in my life?” She kissed him. “Plus, you’ve already promised to pay for all the travelling and use your connections to get me a job.”
He laughed and kissed her, again. Not caring they were under the microscope of the spotlight. He tugged her back and kept his hands on her shoulders. “You’ll come to Dallas?”
She couldn’t stop smiling. “Yes.”
Getting down on one knee caused the entire room to explode. “Charity,” he said, hesitating and looking at her with laughing eyes, “Charity no middle name Saint, will you marry me?”
All the cameras were fixed on her. All the microphones were held out, waiting.
Her face turned serious, and she reached down, softly putting her hand to his cheek. “Legend James, I will marry you.” She couldn’t hold back her smile.
Seconds after she answered, he picked her up and spun her in a circle.
When he put her down, the press was asking a million questions. Over the loud speaker came the announcement: “The Dallas Destroyers have chosen Legend James as their number one pick in the NFL draft.”
He kept his eyes on hers. “I’m about to be a millionaire.”
She kissed him. “I guess I’ll have to live with it.” She laughed.
He kissed her again, holding her close. “You’re the best, Rook.”
She grinned and held him back. “I guess we’re both really rookies right now.”
Gently placing her hand against her cheek, he grinned. “I’ll be the rookie if it means I get to be with you the rest of my life.”
She grinned and kissed him. “Sounds good.”
I hope you enjoyed The Rookie. If you would like to receive a book FREE, The Christmas Eve Kiss, ($3.99 value), sign up for my newsletter HERE. Another benefit of receiving my newsletter (which I send out about once a month) is that you will be notified of the 24 hour discounts on new releases that only newsletter subscribers receive.
Other Works by Taylor Hart
Roman Young, quarterback for the Dallas Destroyers, doesn’t expect to get a gun shoved in his face by the beautiful red head, Katie Winters, when he arrives to sell the Inn he inherited from his uncle in Wolfe Creek, Utah. But, he’s not surprised, either. It’s the way his life has been lately. Just ask the tabloids that have happily reported his shattered knee, his wife's affair, and the car accident.
Unfortunately, Katie is wearing a wedding ring. Not that he noticed. He doesn’t know why he doesn’t tell her about the fact he’s selling the Inn, even after she shoves a list of supply demands into his chest and rambles on and on about all the projects they have to do.
When he discovers her husband passed away a year ago, and her seven-year-old son asks him to come to dinner and
movie night, things start to change. Or did they start to change when Katie took him sledding? Or when all he could think about was kissing her? Now he has to make a choice—keep ignoring the truth—or try one Last Play.
Purchase it HERE!
Janet Snow didn’t understand why getting caught in a full-blown make out session with the first boy she’d ever kissed meant anything. It didn't. And it really didn't matter that her heart pounded and adrenaline spiked through every part of her. In fact, the only thing she did understand was that Michael Hamilton wasn’t staying for long. Which suited her just fine. Too bad he looked even hotter than he had in high school. But that didn't matter, either!
Michael Hamilton only knew one thing…coming back to Snow Valley to see Janet had been the best decision he’d made in a very, very long time. Too bad his business was back in LA and the relationship between he and his father would never be suitable for close quarters. Good thing he didn’t plan on staying for very long.
When Michael finds out Janet hid the fact that she’d almost died of cancer and when Janet discovers Michael wanted to marry her, they both have to make a decision—learn to trust again or miss out on the first love that could be their last.
Purchase it HERE.
When high school football star and ex-marine, Ryan Hardman, comes back to Hidden Falls, he doesn’t care that his company wants to buy the ranch he’s always loved. He doesn’t care that he hasn’t seen his two brothers in seven years. And why would it be any of his business that Charlotte Love isn’t married anymore. It’s not.
Charlotte Love doesn’t believe in fairytale endings or happily ever after. She doesn’t want it, either. To say that she’s not the least bit concerned Ryan Hardman is back in town—would be saying she even cares that much. All she wants is to raise her son and run her bookstore.
After Charlotte discovers the ranch Ryan wants to buy—is hers…and a news story releases information surrounding the mystery of why Ryan hasn’t been back, they are left with a choice—run or fight.
Purchase it HERE.
Molly O’Hare gets the utterly ridiculous prediction that she will kiss her true love on Christmas Eve. But when she returns to Snow Valley and comes face to face with Kevin Snow, suddenly the kiss thing seems…a lot less ridiculous. Too bad the reason she left still has the power to make her deny her real feelings. Now Molly is left with a choice—forget the home town and the boy that she never quit loving or let Christmas work out a miracle all on its own.
Purchase it HERE
Young Adult
After getting court ordered to live with her grandparents in Sugar Valley, Colorado, seventeen-year-old, Maddie Haven doesn't expect to tick off the hot student body president, have a faceoff with a horrendously grumpy girl in a wheel chair, and get blamed for a school fire—all on the first day of school.
Good thing she plans to leave. And don't even ask why Maddie volunteers to help out after her grandpa has a heart attack. Staying in Sugar Valley is not possible! After an unexpected friendship with a girl named Grace leads them both on a journey that will change their lives, the only thing Maddie knows for sure is the truth never comes easy. And helping someone else just might change her in ways she never thought possible.
When the people that share her secret threaten the people she loves, Maddie is left with a choice: run away or let it all go up in smoke.
Purchase it HERE.
Sixteen-year-old Lacy O’Donnell discovers her best friend has cast a spell, putting everyone in a time loop, forcing them to relive the same four days before prom over and over. The good thing—Lacy doesn’t remember the loop. The bad thing—Drake Davis, the guy she’s been stalking, does. Only true love’s kiss can break the spell, but true love’s kiss has to happen at a precise moment. It’s not exact science…it’s exact magic.
Purchase HERE.
Seventeen-year-old Delanie Hart has a past she wants to keep hidden. Moving to a new state and attending a new high school seems to be just the thing — until she accidentally sees a mark exactly like her own. When the people she is running from come after her, Lanie is left with a choice — give up what she wants or save her friends.
Purchase HERE.
