“Ladies and gentlemen, if I can direct your attention to the activity on the field and the screens, please. We have one last event before we resume play and we hope you’ll all join us in a special celebration.” An image of them standing there flashed full-screen across the Jumbotron. Roshawn watched as Baxter pointed toward the largest screen directly behind them, a digital message slowly evolving over the surface.
Tears swelled in Roshawn’s eyes as she read the words posted for the whole world to see. ANGEL RIOS LOVES ROSHAWN BRADSHER. BABY BOBCAT, WILL YOU MARRY ME?
Without her realizing it Angel had made his way to her side and he tapped her lightly on the shoulder. Spinning around she watched as he dropped on one knee, a large diamond ring extended in his hand. She tossed a quick glance back to the sidelines where Ming, Dix, Chen and Allison had joined the rest of them.
Angel laughed. “See, I can be devilish, too, beautiful lady.”
Roshawn couldn’t help but laugh with him.
Angel suddenly turned serious. “I would never have imagined falling so deeply in love with any woman as I have fallen with you, Roshawn. You have become my entire world. I cannot imagine myself waking up or falling asleep without you by my side. I never knew that it was possible to have someone love me as much as you have shown me your love. I don’t ever want to lose that or you. Will you marry me, Roshawn, and be the mother of my children? Will you let me love you always? Por favor?”
Laughing and crying, Roshawn nodded her head, the bobcat headpiece waving up and down, and the entire stadium erupted in a loud cheer. Angel jumped to his feet and hugged her, wrapping his arms around her and the costume, and beside them, Baxter clasped both paws above his head, waving them in victory. Fireworks flashed across the screen and “Here Comes The Bride” was playing loudly over the speakers as their friends and family cheered in celebration.
Minutes later, Roshawn stood room center sans the bobcat suit. Angel kissed her, his mouth like velvet against hers. “I love you so much,” he said as he gave a quick hug.
Roshawn nodded, the sweet lift of her smile all the response he needed, love shimmering flecks of light and gold from her eyes. “You need to get back,” she said, gesturing toward the dugout below. “They’re about to get the game started again.”
With his arms still around her he turned to their friends and family. “Thank you, all,” he said softly. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Israel nodded his agreement, Ming hugging him with one arm as she hugged Dixon with the other. As they watched Angel sprint back out to the game, Jeneva and Bridget moved to Roshawn’s side to give her a deep embrace. Jeneva wiped at the tears that filled her friend’s eyes.
“You guys do know I’m going to have to get you for this, don’t you?”
Bridget giggled. “We love you too, heifer.”
Jeneva nodded, her gaze resting on each face in the room. “You know, girls, I really like how our little family is growing.”
At that moment a rush of noise filtered loudly from the stands below. They all turned to see Angel as he stepped out one last time, waving as his fans cheered their well wishes. He stopped to blow one last kiss in Roshawn’s direction before disappearing into the dugout. The announcer’s voice rang out over the intercom. “Wasn’t that just spectacular, folks? I think we’ve got us some love in the lineup, all you Titans fans! Let’s give Angel Rios another round of applause, why don’t you!” The crowd cheered once again as the announcer continued. “Congratulations, slugger, now that’s what we call a real grand-slam hit. Okay, Tucson, let’s play us some baseball!”
ISBN: 978-1-4603-4999-1
LOVE IN THE LINEUP
Copyright © 2006 by Deborah Fletcher Mello
Love in the Lineup is a work of fiction, and is not intended to provide an exact representation of life, or any known persons in amateur or professional baseball. The author has taken creative license in development of the characters and plot of the story, although Major League Baseball teams, games and sites referenced may be real. Arabesque/Kimani Press develops contemporary works of romance fiction for entertainment purposes only.
All rights reserved. The reproduction, transmission or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without written permission. For permission please contact Kimani Press, Editorial Office, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
® and TM are trademarks. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and/or other countries.
www.kimanipress.com
Love in the Lineup Page 27
