Home Field

by Laurie Winter

  Once the books were read and prayers said, Julie tucked her little son into bed, blowing him a kiss and turning off the light.

  Reagan went down the hallway to his temporary bedroom and grabbed his cell phone, noticing a barrage of texts and missed calls. Media, teammates, friends, and family were all concerned about his condition. He made a call to his mother, whom Julie had talked to earlier that day, and let her know he was still doing fine. She sounded disappointed he couldn’t come home this weekend but didn’t hide her excitement that he was with Julie.

  The sharp ache in his shoulder was now unbearable again, along with a pounding in his head, and he swallowed two pain relievers to take off the edge. Unfortunately, he knew the pills would make him sleepy, but he hoped to enjoy some time alone with Julie before he started dozing off.

  He walked downstairs to find her talking with Mary in the family room. Hiding his disappointment at having company, he smiled at Julie’s mom as she came over to give him a gentle hug.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked while studying Reagan’s face. “His pupils don’t look dilated anymore.”

  “I noticed that, too,” Julie said. “I think he’s out of the woods with the concussion.”

  Reagan got comfortable as the women discussed his medical condition. He had to admit, his care was in excellent hands.

  “Reagan,” Julie called out and snapped her fingers. “Are you still planning to see the team doctor at the stadium tomorrow?”

  He slowly opened his eyes. “I’ve got a Defensive Team meeting at the stadium, which I should attend, and then I’ll go see the medical staff. If I get the all-clear, than I can catch a ride back to my house afterward with one of the guys.”

  “I’ll drive you to the stadium tomorrow on my way to work,” Julie said. “I think you should be fine to go home, although we’ll miss you around here.”

  Mary zipped-up her coat. “Glad you’re feeling better, Reagan. See you soon.” She gave him a quick wink.

  “Thanks, Mary. I’m really lucky to have the two most beautiful women watching out for me.”

  After Mary left, Reagan made a move to pull Julie onto the sofa. She dropped next to him and snuggled into his side, but by now the pain pills had kicked in. In his foggy mind, all his previous intentions evaporated. They sat together and watched TV, his head resting on her lap, while she raked her fingers through his hair. The act relaxed him into almost a hypnotic state.

  When Julie told him to go to bed, he didn’t resist but held her hand as she led him upstairs. He stood in the doorway of his room and watched as she went into the bathroom to get ready. When she finally exited, his woman was more beautiful than ever.

  His body slanted toward the door frame, suddenly needing support. Julie’s hair had been let free of its faithful ponytail, auburn waves cascading over her shoulders and down the back of her faded shirt. Standing before him, she was a vision straight from a Renaissance painting.

  When she reached him, she lifted herself up on her tiptoes, meeting her soft lips to his.

  He became dizzy by her taste and smell, floral and fresh—a drunken man who’d lost all orientation. She was a cocktail of overwhelming sensations.

  “Goodnight,” she whispered. “I'm glad you came to me when you needed help.” Julie twirled around on her bare feet and walked back down the hall.

  He refused to move until she had disappeared into her room. His body begged to follow her, but his respect for her won out over his instincts. “Sleep tight, my beautiful angel,” he said quietly as he turned into his own room. “I will never go to anyone but you.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Julie spent the better part of her Saturday tearing apart her closet, figuring what to wear. “How am I supposed to pick out an outfit when I don’t even know where we’re going?” she asked herself. I really, really, really hate surprises.

  Last Tuesday, when she’d dropped off Reagan at Warriors Stadium, he’d left her with very specific instructions. She was to leave Saturday night free because he had a special date planned. The only hint he’d given her was to expect to be out late. She had tried her hardest to get him to spill the beans, but he was as stubborn as a mule and wouldn’t budge.

  While rummaging through the back of her closet, she found several of John’s clothes that, after the move, she had unpacked. Julie slipped an olive-colored twill coat off the hanger and brought it to her nose. Memories flooded her mind, causing a stinging pain in her chest. She slipped her arms into the coat sleeves, and then wrapped them around her chest. “I miss you.” With John, everything had fit together so easily. Their relationship had been as comfortable as a favorite pair of fleece pants. The feeling of nervous excitement Reagan aroused was new. Something she’d have to get used to.

  She took off the coat and returned it to the closet then walked over to her phone to call in back-up. She needed help, and fast. At this rate, she’d meet Reagan at her door wearing pajamas, which would totally serve him right.

  A few minutes later, Chrissy arrived, curling iron and make-up bag in hand. “This is a crisis.” Chrissy’s brown curls bounced around her face. “How come he hasn’t told you where you’re going tonight? How does he expect you to know what to wear?”

  “I don’t know. How about jeans and a T-shirt?”

  “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” Chrissy started rummaging through the closet. “My first date with Matt was at a bowling alley, but I doubt that’s Reagan’s style. Let’s choose something that might be too nice instead of too casual. How about this short green skirt and white blouse? You can show off your legs.”

  “Mom,” Aiden yelled. “Someone’s here. He’s got a box.”

  A knock sounded at the front door while Julie descended the stairs. She opened the door to see a delivery man standing on her front porch, holding two white boxes.

  “Julie Ellis?” the man asked.

  “Yes.”

  “These packages are for you.”

  “Please come in.” She directed him into the house.

  He placed the boxes on the coffee table, and then held out the scanner. “I’ll need you to sign the confirmation of delivery.”

  Julie signed and went to her wallet for cash to give as a tip.

  “That’s not necessary. The tip has already been covered.” The man took back the scanner and made his way to the door. “Have a good day.” He left as quickly as he came.

  “Oh my gosh!” Chrissy shrieked. “There’s a card. Open it!”

  “If you insist.” She couldn’t help but be infected by her friend’s enthusiasm. Picking up the cream-colored envelope that rested on top, she inhaled the sweet scent of peppermint. After running her finger underneath the flap to open the envelope, she pulled out a note card made of heavy stock. The front was plain, but inside she saw Reagan’s sizeable script.

  Dear Julie,

  Please accept these gifts in appreciation of your excellent care.

  I look forward to seeing you tonight.

  Yours,

  RH

  She opened the larger of the two boxes and gasped when she saw its contents. First, she pulled out a fitted, champagne-colored silk cocktail dress with a beaded sheer neckline and cap sleeves. Never in real life had Julie seen a dress so breathtakingly beautiful. The sound of Chrissy’s squealing stopped temporarily, as she stared at the dress, slack jawed.

  Next, Julie lifted a white fur bolero jacket and a small jewelry box. She opened the jewelry box to reveal gold drop earrings, adorned with diamonds and emeralds.

  “Holy cow,” Chrissy squeaked.

  A second, smaller box sat on the coffee table. Julie untied the ribbon and removed the lid. Inside were gold heels and a clutch purse, both matched the dress. “I guess we figured out what I’m wearing tonight.” Julie gave a small laugh, still stunned by the gifts.

  They carried the items upstairs. “I should hang up the dress.” Julie went into her closet to retrieve a hanger.

  “I don’t th
ink you’ll be bowling tonight.” Chrissy spread out the jacket, shoes, and purse on the bed. “I predict something very fancy and expensive in your future.”

  “You think?” She burst out in an almost-hysterical laugh. Her palms started sweating, and she forced herself to take a few calming breaths. Years had flown by since her last real date. She’d been a teenage girl with a ten o’clock curfew. And tonight wasn’t just an ordinary date. She would be on the arm of a rich, famous, and very handsome man. “I think I’m going to be sick.” Julie clutched her middle.

  Chrissy reached over and took her by the hand. “When you called me on Tuesday and told me you and Reagan finally got together, I flipped. You deserve to be treated like a princess. Whatever he’s planned will be great. Don’t get distracted by all this fancy stuff. He’s still the same great guy you fell for.”

  “All right, I hear ya, but I just thought of another problem.” She tugged at her ponytail. “What to do with this hair?”

  At six o’clock, Julie heard a car pull into her driveway. Her mom had come over earlier to help Chrissy with lookout duty. They both called out Reagan’s arrival while Julie put on the finishing touches upstairs.

  The sound of Reagan’s deep voice kicked up her pulse another notch.

  The two women came upstairs to check on Julie. They rushed into the bathroom, where she was fixing her hair one last time. She’d finally decided to sweep her hair to one side. Her unruly waves had been straightened and then curled into five large, red ringlets, which lay over her shoulder.

  “You look beautiful.” Mary wrapped an arm around Julie’s shoulder. “Your date has arrived.”

  Chrissy’s mouth curved in a huge smile. “You better go before I leave with him. He looks smokin’ hot in that suit.”

  Julie checked herself in the mirror one last time. Her face glowed with excitement, her hair was still behaving, and the gold earrings sparkled against her skin. She thanked her mother and Chrissy before descending the staircase to Reagan. “Sorry for keeping you waiting.” He had knelt next to Aiden, talking like a father would to his son.

  His head turned at the sound of her approach. Their eyes met.

  The tightness in Julie’s chest melted at the sight. Reagan was here, for her.

  “You look absolutely stunning.” He stood to take her hand, giving it a soft kiss.

  Inside her small family room, he looked like a fashion model. His face was clean shaven, and he’d even made an attempt at styling his overgrown hair. “You have great taste.” She twirled, and the dress glistened as she moved through the late afternoon sunlight.

  “Thanks, but I can’t take all the credit. My mother and sisters have trained me well. For a grown man, I know way too much about women’s fashion.”

  Aiden came beside her and placed his small hand in her own. “Mom, why are you two all dressed up? Where are you going?”

  “I can’t tell you, it’s a surprise.” Reagan winked before returning his attention to Aiden. “But doesn’t your mom look beautiful?”

  “Aiden.” Julie gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning. Don’t forget to take along your overnight bag to Grandma’s.”

  “Yeah, I won’t. Love you, Mommy, see you tomorrow.” He went back to play with his train, obviously bored with the goings-on of the adults.

  Reagan wrapped her hand inside his own and escorted her to the waiting car, which was one of those luxury brands with deeply tinted windows.

  The driver opened the back passenger door for her, and she slid onto the butter-soft black leather.

  Closing the door behind her, he moved around to the other side.

  “This car is gorgeous.”

  “Tonight was too cold for Cinderella’s carriage, so I opted for the next best thing.” Reagan wrapped his arm around her shoulder, bringing her in close to his warm body. “Thank you for agreeing to come tonight. You look exquisite.”

  Reagan made a perfect Prince Charming. She hoped this magic wouldn’t disappear at midnight. “The dress you got me fits like a glove. How did you know what size I wear?”

  “I have a confession, and don’t get mad, but on Monday when you went to get Aiden from school, I snuck into your closet.”

  She wagged a finger at him and frowned. “That was clearly a violation of nurse’s orders. I remember telling you to stay on the sofa. What else were you up to while I was gone?”

  Reagan laughed out loud at her scolding. “It was worth risking your anger to see you in this dress.”

  After an hour’s drive, they arrived in downtown Chicago. When the car stopped in front of a nondescript building, a doorman hurried over to open the door for Julie. She stepped onto the sidewalk with Reagan exiting right behind her.

  He took her elbow, leading her under a brick archway and into a small, elegant restaurant. Inside, the entrance was painted with beautiful frescos of country landscapes. The maître d’ approached them, wearing a wide smile. He was a short, balding man who spoke with a thick Italian accent. “Mr. Harrison, Ms. Ellis, welcome to Mestiere. Please follow me to your table.”

  They were taken to the rear corner of the restaurant and seated at an intimate table for two. Reagan pulled out a chair for Julie and waited until she was seated, before settling himself across from her.

  “Your waiter will be with you shortly.” The maître d went back to his post at the front of the restaurant.

  Julie took a minute to appreciate her surroundings. The restaurant, which was decorated in a modern style, still retained the old world charm of the building. Contemporary paintings hung on exposed brick walls, and the rustic wooden tables created a cozy space. Overhead lighting was kept low, with candles and wall sconces providing illumination.

  Their waiter arrived with a wine list and dinner menus.

  Reagan ordered a bottle of Riesling, Julie’s favorite wine, and the waiter left to fill the request.

  “I thought you didn’t like wine.” She stared across the table at her handsome date. The sight of him made her heart skip a beat. Waves of electrical energy danced over her skin.

  “I’ll make an exception for tonight.” He watched her with half-mooned lids.

  Julie opened the menu, needing to take her gaze off him. Breathe. Don’t forget to breathe. “This is all in Italian. I can’t read anything on the menu.”

  “Mestiere is the top Italian restaurant in the Midwest.” He grinned. “They make the best marinara sauce on the planet. I think they keep a little Italian grandmother in the kitchen.”

  “Yum. Pasta sounds delicious. Will you order for me?”

  “I’d be happy to.” He reached across the table to hold her hand.

  They stayed that way, connected by sight and touch, until the waiter returned with their wine. He poured them each a glass, and then Reagan ordered their dinners.

  The nervous butterflies, which had fluttered inside her stomach, had now morphed into a hum of excitement. Tonight was different than any date she’d ever been on. Being wined and dined with Reagan felt perfectly right. He’d taken her into his world, and she had to admit, it was pretty darn nice.

  “I’m glad you don’t need your sling anymore.” She glanced at his injured arm.

  “I feel good. Hopefully, I’ll get cleared to play in next week’s game.”

  Their first course arrived, consisting of a salad of baby greens with a tasty homemade dressing and small bites of garlic toast. Reagan raised his wine glass. “To the most beautiful woman in the world. You’ve made me a very happy man.”

  She smiled as their glasses clinked, and then took a sip of the delicately flavored wine.

  As they dined, their conversation traveled through many topics but many revolved around stories about their childhoods and families. Reagan told tales about his older sisters and the trouble they had caused him. About the special bond he and his dad had. How they would go fishing and hunting to escape a house full of females.

  Julie told him about her father—how he’d left the fa
mily when she was two years old. She hadn’t heard from him since and didn’t want to. He’d given her the red hair, but that was all. Everything else she owed to her mother.

  The food was delicious, just as Reagan had promised. Definitely haute cuisine, but with a taste that could only be described as ‘homemade with love’. When they finished their meal, Reagan paid the bill and stood to take Julie’s hand, pulling her to him.

  A perfect gentleman.

  He kissed her softly before a waiter brought her coat, and he helped her slide it on. They stepped out of the warm restaurant into the cool, November air, to the waiting car.

  “How did the driver know when to pick us up? I didn’t see you make a call.”

  “If you pay people enough money, they become very good at reading your mind.” He chuckled and opened the car door, letting her get seated. He slid in next to her and pulled her close, moving his hand to her chin and stroking it gently.

  The driver pulled away from the curb.

  Julie gave no thought to their destination. She tipped her head forward, meeting her lips to his, and gave into the deluge of sensation. The kiss was slow and intense, as if he was savoring a delicious meal.

  She couldn’t help but recall John’s kisses, which always possessed a sense of urgency. When he’d come home after deployments, their coming together had been fast and fervent. Her time with John always had a caveat—she never knew when those stolen moments would disappear.

  Coming back to the present, she pushed the comparisons out of her mind. Tonight was Reagan’s night. He deserved her whole attention.

  “What are you thinking?”

  He stared into her eyes, which must have hinted at her distracted thoughts. “Nothing.” She willed herself to enjoy and appreciate the here and now. “So, are we heading home?”

  He laughed and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Not yet, I have another surprise planned.”

  ****

  A short time later, at Reagan’s direction, they arrived in front of a seemingly abandoned building. A neon sign reading Club Remix hung crookedly above the entrance. Outside stood a long line of people, which snaked down the sidewalk. But he wasn’t concerned about getting inside. Not when he was good friends with the owners.