Her Best Catch

by Lindi Peterson

  “It’s eight, one, eight, six.” Ashton’s voice.

  I look up. Ashton’s face.

  I can’t take my eyes from him. He’s actually here, in the flesh, in his cowboy boots, blue jeans, polo shirt, with his brown fly-away hair framing his ever-so handsome face.

  Then he smiles at me.

  Just me.

  “Here,” he says and takes my phone. “Let me program it for you.”

  I stare, not moving as he quickly navigates my phone. He kneels in front of me, then hands it back.

  “Now you’ll always be able to find me. Always.”

  I clutch my phone then set it on the floor.

  “It’s not your number I want.”

  He takes my hands in his. “Don’t say anything else. Just hear me out. I want to be with you. I’ll do whatever it takes. I sat at the airport waiting on the plane. The closer it got to take-off the worse I felt. I left you in the middle of a crisis.”

  “It’s okay—” I start.

  “No. It’s not okay. I thought to myself. Man, no wonder Allison doesn’t want to be your girl. You’re not there when she needs you. That’s what you meant about the traveling thing, wasn’t it? And I want you to know I understand now. I really do.”

  “But what about baseball? Your love of the game? I don’t want you to give up your dream. I can handle it. I promise.”

  He squeezes my hands. “I think I needed to prove it to myself that I could do it. You know, recover and pitch again. And I did. But I know I’ll never be the Ashton Boyd I once was. But more importantly, I’ve found out there’s a new Ashton Boyd just waiting to begin. And he wants to begin with you, Allison. What do you say?”

  Finally. A real no-brainer.

  “I say, yes.”

  He leans over, wraps his arms around me and kisses me with his kiss that makes me weak, out of breath, and all his.

  Much to my dismay our lips separate.

  “I heard your party going full swing when I got out of the taxi,” he says. “I had to get the letter to Stoney out of your mailbox. I need to write him a new letter now.”

  My heart warms. “I like that.”

  “Me too. So Where did you find your mother?”

  “In Miami,” I answer.

  He looks at me like I’m crazy (and I am, about him), as he settles himself on my living room floor.

  “It’s a long story,” I say, thinking of the day’s events.

  “That’s okay,” he answers, pulling me onto his lap and wrapping me securely in his arms before kissing the top of my head. “Tell me all about it. I’m not leaving my girl anytime soon.”

  His girl? Just a minute.

  First I’m God’s girl. Trusting in Him for my everyday sustenance. Obeying Him. Loving Him.

  Second, I’m my own girl. True to myself.

  And third?

  I snuggle closer to Ashton basking in his warmth.

  You got it.

  I’m his girl. Ashton’s girl.

  Me. Allison Doll.

  (Continue reading for more about Her Best Catch)

  Acknowledgements

  So many people to thank …

  Jesus Christ—without whom nothing would exist as it does for me.

  My husband, Lenny. I love you with all my heart.

  Mother, Dad, Evie and Mimi-I look up to you so much.

  My children and their forever loves-Brenna, Bobby, Alex, Sarah, Melanie, Jason, Ally B, Tyler, Lisa and Brian-I love all of you.

  My family—I’m blessed to have such a great, big family.

  Fabulous critique partners-Missy, Meg and Maureen. God has a plan for all of us—I’m glad it’s this.

  Joanne—for friendship and that first writing course.

  Wonderful editor, Deb Smith. Special thanks for believing.

  Questers-You love well and for that I’m grateful.

  The F.A.I.T.H. girls, Angie, Jenn, Missy, Christy and Mindy.

  Virginia Kantra, Amy Wallace-thanks for the advice. It worked.

  My friends for the encouragement over the years.

  RWA, GRW, FHL, WORD, and ACFW-awesome writing groups that taught me so much.

  About the Author

  Lindi Peterson definitely believes happy endings are just the beginning. She lives out her real life romance with her husband in a small Georgia town. When she’s not writing, she loves to read, bowl and spend time with her family.

  Visit her at lindipeterson.com and thefaithgirls.com