Earning a Ring (More Than a Game Series Book 4)

by Kristina Mathews

  “It’s part of the game.” He shrugged, even though he knew she could see right through him. She understood him better than anyone, and he’d taken her for granted so many times. “But it’s looking up.”

  She smiled, her cheeks turning pink as he approached her.

  “There’s something I want to show you.” Her eyes shone with nervous excitement.

  “Did you have the ultrasound? Do you know if we’re having a boy or a girl?” Had he been so focused on Hailey that he’d missed an important milestone?

  “We still have a few more weeks before we can find out.” She reached for his hand. “There’s something else I want to show you.”

  Bryce breathed a huge sigh of relief. He wouldn’t worry about whether or not he’d be on the road when she did get the ultrasound.

  “Come on. Let’s take a ride.” Rachel dangled her keys. “I’ll drive.”

  Bryce climbed into the passenger seat with a sense of anticipation. Where was she taking him, and why was she almost giddy at the prospect?

  He was just tired enough to sit back and enjoy the ride across the Bay Bridge, into the city of Orinda. She pulled off the freeway and onto a side street that led up into a quiet neighborhood. Only a few miles from the BART station, yet it felt like they were in the woods. To accentuate that feeling, a deer darted across the road and Rachel slowed, allowing the doe and her fawn to cross safely.

  She turned into a driveway in front of a “For Sale” sign.

  “I know we haven’t really discussed what we wanted in a house.” Rachel turned toward him, a nervous smile on her beautiful face. “But something about this place feels like home to me.”

  “You picked out a house?” Was this the same woman who had been afraid to even think about school districts, minivans, and college savings plans? “I thought you were allergic to white picket fences.”

  “The fence is black, and made of steel. It’s required around swimming pools.” She was trying to sound defensive, but there was an underlying note of excitement in her voice. “It has great views, a hot tub…”

  She winked at him and his mind filled with all kinds of things they could do in a hot tub together.

  “Come on, let’s look inside.” Her enthusiasm had convinced him already. He could care less about the square footage, the architectural details, or location, location, location. If this was the house Rachel wanted, he’d be more than happy to put his autograph on the mortgage paperwork.

  “Did you find an agent willing to show us the house this late at night?”

  “She gave me a key.” Rachel held out a shiny brass key. “Guess celebrity comes with some perks.”

  “Lead the way, darling.”

  Rachel opened the front door and flipped on the lights. He tried to notice the details. A fireplace in the living room, the kitchen with a stove, refrigerator, and sink. The view was pretty sweet standing on the deck. Damn, Rachel had a fine ass. Oh, and there were trees and hills and stuff in the distance.

  “The pool and hot tub take up a lot of the back yard, but there’s a great big tree in the front that will be great for climbing.”

  “I think tree climbing is one of the activities my contract forbids, along with skydiving, and base jumping.”

  “I was thinking of the kids.” She gave his shoulder a friendly shove.

  “Kids. Yeah, I guess some kids like climbing trees.”

  “I suppose Hailey will be more interested in swimming.” She started down the steps to the pool below. “And then there’s the pool house.”

  Rachel pointed to a structure on the far corner of the property. It was bigger than the childhood home he’d shared with his dad the first few years after his mother left.

  “Is that your way of telling me I’m still in the doghouse?” He let out a nervous laugh.

  “Actually…” She grasped his hand. “Maybe it’s a crazy idea, but I’m willing to give it a shot.”

  Had he missed something? What was a crazy idea?

  “I was thinking that maybe Hailey’s mom could stay there.” She pointed to the pool house or guest house or mansion in some parts of the world. “You know, until she gets back on her feet.”

  “Wait. What?” Bryce tried to remember if maybe he’d been hit on the head earlier that night. “You want my ex-wife to live in our pool house?”

  “Well, yeah. I guess it does seem weird.” Rachel let go of his hand, and clasped her hands together. “I just thought that it was a way for you to have your cake and eat it too. Or in this case, Hailey could have her father and her mother, too.”

  Powerful emotions whipped around inside him like the flags in center field on a windy night.

  “But what about you? And our baby?”

  “Well, we’ll have the master bedroom. And after Hailey picks out her room, we can start decorating the nursery for the baby.”

  “And you’re okay with my ex-wife living in the pool house?”

  “Well, temporarily, yes.” Rachel’s confidence seemed to waiver. “I just thought that it would be a way to keep Hailey from having to travel back and forth from here to Pittsburgh. I mean, that would be nearly impossible when she goes back to school. And I know you don’t want to let her go back. I just thought this would be an easy solution.”

  Her lower lip started to quiver. He had to reassure her somehow.

  “I think it’s a brilliant and very generous idea. “ He reached for her, taking both of her hands in his. “I-I just can’t believe that you would be willing to make such a sacrifice.”

  “If it keeps our family together, it’s not really a sacrifice.”

  “Even if it means having Jillian so close by?”

  “I know she’s in a rough place right now,” Rachel said. “But maybe if she doesn’t have to fight you over Hailey, we can all heal.”

  “Wow.” Not only was this woman beautiful and sexy and witty, but she was also very wise. “Not many women would offer their home to their husband’s ex-wife and stepdaughter.”

  “I’m not most women. I thought you knew that by now.” Rachel stepped toward the pool. In the moonlight, she looked more beautiful than ever. And for a moment, he thought, why not? Why couldn’t they make it work? Why couldn’t they find a happily-ever-after with his ex-wife in the backyard? As long as Hailey was safe and Rachel was happy, he was game for anything.

  “No, you are not like most women.” Bryce put his arms around her. “And that’s why I love you.”

  “You love me?”

  “Yeah. I know I’ve been an idiot for not telling you.” He slid his hands up under her loose-fitting blouse. Her skin felt so soft. So warm. He pressed his lips against her neck. “I love you. I thought I could just buy my way into your heart, but I failed.”

  “No, Bryce, you haven’t failed.” She melted into his arms. “You found your way into my heart. You’ve been there all along.”

  “So I don’t need to buy this house for you?” He dropped tiny kisses along her neck and collarbone.

  “I was hoping you’d want this house for us.” Her head fell back, soft murmurs of pleasure escaping her lips. “For all of us.”

  “I don’t know. I think we need to check out the pool first.” He tore his shirt off and started working on hers. He started at the top button, working his way down, his lips following his fingers as he made his way to her breasts. Sliding her blouse off her shoulders, he reached behind and unfastened her bra.

  A sense of urgency followed as they reached for the buttons on each other’s pants. The next thing he knew, they were both naked. He pulled his bride into the pool.

  The combination of the water and the moonlight made her skin sparkle. Her full breasts seemed to float in the pool. He grabbed her, caressing her curves that were becoming curvier by the day. His child grew inside her. He had no doubt that this baby was the fruit of his loins.

  Bryce chuckled softly. Like DNA was what it took to make a family.

  “You know, if we consecrate the pool, we’ll ha
ve to buy the place.”

  “I think you mean ‘desecrate.’” Rachel splashed water at him.

  “No. I mean consecrate. As in make sacred.” He pressed his body against hers. “Rachel, your love has blessed me more than I could ever dream of.”

  “I do love you, Bryce Baxter.”

  “Good. Now let’s get this pool dirty. Maybe we can knock a few hundred grand off the asking price if we clog up the filter.”

  “You’re so bad.”

  “I used to be.” He ran his hands through her damp hair. “Then I met you.”

  “No Bryce, you’ve always been a good man. You just were afraid to admit it.” Rachel swam away, enticing him to chase after her.

  “But you love the bad boy side of me, admit it.” He swam toward her.

  “I love all of you.” She let him catch her. Let him kiss her. She let him sink himself inside her. “Even your hair.”

  Epilogue

  Bryce Baxter sat in his old clubhouse in Pittsburgh for his third All-Star game appearance. The first two times, he’d been worried about living up to the hype. Now, as he returned to the city that had given him his first break, the place where he’d come close, but hadn’t quite lived up to the promise, he was able to appreciate the honor. He’d left Pittsburgh feeling like he’d done his best, but he’d still failed the team, the city, and most of all, his family.

  As an older, wiser veteran, he now understood that he wasn’t that special. Baseball, like marriage, was a team game. It wasn’t up to just one person to ensure success.

  He’d learned about teamwork as a member of the San Francisco Goliaths. It wasn’t about ego, or talent, or luck. Sure, those things played a part in a team’s overall performance. The first was often to the detriment of the team. Talent and luck could contribute to success, but the most important thing was sticking together, through thick and thin. Through hot stretches and losing streaks. In front of packed home crowds or empty, yet hostile road venues.

  Marriage wasn’t all that different. Sure, it was easy when things were going well. When they couldn’t keep their hands off each other, or when Rachel would take his breath away with just a smile.

  But there were tough times, too. And sometimes going through the hard times made the good times that much sweeter. Getting through those hard times made them that much closer.

  Rachel had been there when Jillian got out of the residential treatment center. She’d stood by when he’d requested to have Hailey live with him full time. And she’d shared his relief when Jillian agreed that giving him temporary custody was the best thing for the child.

  They’d revisit the arrangement in six months. If Jillian felt like she’d recovered enough to be a part of Hailey’s life, she would move to California. As much as she’d appreciated the offer to live in the pool house, she insisted on finding her own place nearby.

  The only thing left to settle was what color to paint the nursery. Hailey had picked out her room and decided to paint it in neon pink, green, and yellow. Bryce just hoped she’d be able to sleep in such a colorful room.

  Rachel had stayed behind for a doctor’s appointment. He hated missing the sonogram, but he’d been selected to take part in the home run derby and other All-Star festivities. Rachel had been asked to cover the All-Star game, but she’d had to decline doing a three-day behind-the-scenes extravaganza. She’d agreed to cover the game itself, but before and after were reserved for family time.

  The clubhouse doors opened. It was too early for the press, but his favorite reporter approached his locker. She had a smile on her face, as if she had a secret of some sort.

  “Hey.” She tried to play it cool, but he knew exactly the kind of news she was here to share. “You look relaxed and ready to play.”

  “I’m always ready to play.” He removed his hat and ran his hands through his hair. He’d considered cutting it, but it was a part of his image. A part he didn’t mind keeping. The arrogant playboy image had morphed into something different. A fun-loving, yet responsible husband and father had replaced the guy who’d once been rated a home run on a groupie’s blog of players she’d scored with.

  “I’m proud of you.” Rachel approached him and put her hands on his shoulders. “You worked hard to get here. You deserve the honor.”

  Her words lifted him up more than any award or trophy ever could.

  “I never used to believe it.” He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her onto his lap. “I often thought I was only in the big leagues by mistake.”

  Rachel didn’t say anything, just put her arms around his neck and leaned against him.

  “I always thought it was only a matter of time before everyone saw through me. Before they realized I was a failure.”

  “You’re not a failure.” She snuggled closer. “You’re not here by a fluke, or a mistake. You’ve earned your spot on the Goliaths. You’ve earned your spot on this All-Star team.”

  “I finally believe that.” He brushed her auburn hair off her neck and placed tiny kisses in the exposed spot. “But the important question is have I earned a spot in your heart?”

  “You know you have.” She rolled her head back, giving him better access. “I love you, Bryce.”

  “I love you, too.” If he wasn’t careful, he was going to give the media and his teammates a real show when the clubhouse opened in the next twenty minutes or so.

  “So don’t you want to know my news?” Rachel pulled away slightly.

  “You have news?” He already knew it was good. Whatever the results were, he was game. If it was a girl, he would welcome another daughter into his life. And if it was a boy… Well, he had visions of having a catch with his son.

  “I had the sonogram.” She beamed, pride radiating off her like the bright lights of the stadium.

  “And?”

  “We’re having a boy.”

  “A boy?” His throat felt smaller than normal, his heart so much larger.

  “I hope he grows up to be just like his father.” Rachel’s voice was tinged with emotion. The kind of emotion a guy like him could never put into words, even if he shared that feeling.

  Bryce was at a loss for words. In the past year, he’d had several milestones. He’d won the World Series, been named MVP, and been rewarded with a huge contract.

  He’d learned how to be a father, even if Hailey wasn’t his own flesh and blood.

  He’d married the only woman he’d ever loved and now they would be having a son.

  It was more than he’d ever dreamed of. Definitely more than he deserved. But he would spend the rest of his life earning the blessings he’d been given.

  Meet the Author

  Kristina Mathews doesn’t remember a time when she didn’t have a book in her hand. Or in her head. Kristina lives in Northern California with her husband of twenty years, two sons and a black lab. She is a veteran road tripper, amateur renovator and sports fanatic. She hopes to one day travel all 3,073 miles of Highway 50 from Sacramento, CA, to Ocean City, MD, replace her carpet with hardwood floors and serve as a “Ball Dudette” for the San Francisco Giants. Visit her on the web at kristinamathews.com.

  Keep reading to see where the series began, with 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

  Chapter 1

  “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.