But today would be the real test. She knew she couldn't just accept that Matt's life was in baseball, she had to embrace it. She didn't want his life to be separate from hers. Over the past month, she'd begun to realize that it wasn't just physical distance and time that had separated her parents but also emotional distance and an unwillingness to really try to love what the other person loved. She wouldn't make the same mistake.
"These are great seats," Liz said as they sat down in the second row.
"Only the best for the star hitter's girlfriend," Isabella teased.
She smiled at both of them. "Thanks for coming out with me. I'm not quite ready to sit with the wives and families yet. The only one I know is Connie, and she isn't coming, because she's been having some bad morning sickness."
"Don't worry. We're always here for you," Liz said.
As they sat down in their seats, Julie saw Matt walk out of the dugout. He looked into the stands, and when he saw her, a huge smile spread across his face. His eyes sparkled as he looked at her. They were a dozen feet apart, surrounded by thousands of fans, but in that moment it was just the two of them. She could see the desire and the promise in his eyes. He wanted to talk to her, but they'd both agreed they'd speak after the game.
Finally, Matt gave her a small wave and walked back into the dugout.
"That was intense," Liz said dryly. "I felt like I was watching the last scene of a movie where the hero and heroine finally find each other and admit their love."
"He just smiled at me," Julie said, knowing that Liz was right. A lot more had passed between them than a smile. Her stomach tightened as the players lined up on the field for the introductions and the ceremonial first pitch.
"Remember to breathe," Liz advised as Jack Michaels walked out to the mound.
"It's okay," she said. "We're good now. Or at least we're on the way to good."
Two adorable blonde girls wearing Cougars t-shirts and jeans accompanied her father to the mound. He held each of them by the hand, and they were clearly delighted to be with him and happy to be in front of a huge crowd. Her sisters, she thought with a wave of yearning. She wanted to get to know them. She couldn't believe now that she'd let so much time pass in anger and bitterness. But hopefully they could forge a relationship going forward.
The announcer introduced Jack with a long list of his accolades, and the fans went wild, the cheering getting louder with each accomplishment.
Julie couldn't believe the feeling of pride that swept through her. She hadn't been proud of her dad in—forever, but seeing him now, getting the acclaim he so loved, she couldn't help but acknowledge that he'd had a remarkable career. He'd lived his dream.
It was time to live hers.
Jack stepped up to the mound and rubbed the ball between his fingers. Then, like he'd done so many times before, he pulled back his arm and threw the ball to the plate. It was a dead-on strike with almost as much power as he'd had in his last game almost a decade earlier. The crowd broke into another round of applause.
Jack waved and picked up his youngest daughter with one arm and held on to the other one's hand as he walked back toward the Cougars' dugout. He spoke to the team for a few moments, and Julie felt another knot of emotion in her stomach when Matt and her father shook hands. She'd told her dad during their last phone call that she was in love with Matt, and he'd been shocked but pleased. He was probably hoping that Matt could help bring the two of them together, but she didn't need Matt to fix her family. She could do that for herself.
After leaving Matt, Jack walked up into the stands with the girls.
Julie stood up. Her father stopped in front of her, and she was shocked to see moisture in his eyes.
"Julie," he murmured. "You're beautiful."
She drew in a shaky breath. "Dad. It's good to finally see you again, too."
"I want you to meet Amanda and Grace." He paused, looking at his girls. "This is Julie."
"You're our sister," Amanda said with a happy smile.
"I am," she admitted.
"They'd love to talk to spend time with you," her dad said. "When you're ready."
"You know what, Dad, I'm ready. Why don't we get together this weekend?"
He looked surprised but pleased. "This weekend is perfect."
She said goodbye to the girls and then sat down, relieved to have the last hurdle behind her. It had been one thing to speak to her dad on the phone and another to see him face-to-face.
"You okay?" Liz asked with concern.
"I'm great. Now all I need is for Matt to have a good game."
"I don't think you have to worry about that. He's one of the best."
"He is," Julie agreed, but she wasn't talking about baseball.
Nine innings later, Matt had hit a double and a triple, and the Cougars won the game by four. As the crowd left the stadium, Matt opened the field gate and walked up the stairs to say hello. She threw herself into his arms, giving him a hug and a kiss, without a single worry about who was watching.
"Good game," she said.
"I was trying to impress you," he replied with a smile.
"I've been impressed since I first met you," she replied.
"How was it seeing your dad again, hearing the crowd cheer for him?"
"Surprisingly good. I'm going to spend time with him and the girls this weekend. I'd like you to come."
"I will." He paused, giving her a long, loving look. "I'm so happy to back in the city with you."
"Me, too," she murmured. "I love you, Matt."
"And I love you, Julie—more than I've ever loved anyone in my life," he said with complete and utter sincerity. "I'm going to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as I can."
"Me, too." She pressed her lips against his, sealing their promise with a kiss.
* * *
Isabella looked over at Liz with a dry smile. "Another single woman bites the dust. I'm beginning to think I'm going to be the last girl standing."
Liz laughed. "Love comes when you least expect it. I certainly never thought Julie would fall for a baseball player."
"They look happy," Isabella said, watching Julie and Matt kiss and laugh, then kiss some more. She wanted that for herself one day, but she couldn't quite imagine it happening. She hadn't met anyone who made her dizzy in a very long time.
"Looks like we'll be gearing up for another wedding," Liz said.
"Let's get through yours first. Did you finally decide on a venue?"
"The Stratton in Napa. Maggie is getting me a deal. We're going to tie the knot the second week in June. So mark your calendar."
"I've got it down," Isabella said.
"Hey, guys," Julie interrupted. "I'm going home with Matt."
"We figured," Isabella said, as she got to her feet.
"Let's all get together soon," Liz added as she stood up.
"We'll see you both soon," Matt promised. "But I need Julie to myself for a while."
Isabella smiled a little wistfully as Matt kissed Julie again. Love did look like a lot of fun. Maybe she should give it a whirl—one day.
THE END
Watch for Isabella's story—coming Spring 2015!
Book List
The Callaway Family Series
#1 On A Night Like This
#2 So This Is Love
#3 Falling For A Stranger
#4 Between Now And Forever
#5 All A Heart Needs
#6 That Summer Night
#7 When Shadows Fall
#8 Somewhere Only We Know
Nobody But You (A Callaway Wedding Novella)
The Wish Series
#1 A Secret Wish
#2 Just A Wish Away
#3 When Wishes Collide
Standalone Novels
Almost Home
All She Ever Wanted
Ask Mariah
Daniel's Gift
Don't Say A Word
Golden Lies
Just The Way You Are
Love Will Find A Way
One True Love
Ryan's Return
Some Kind of Wonderful
Summer Secrets
The Sweetest Thing
The Sanders Brothers Series
#1 Silent Run
#2 Silent Fall
The Deception Series
#1 Taken
#2 Played
The Angel's Bay Series
#1 Suddenly One Summer
#2 On Shadow Beach
#3 In Shelter Cove
#4 At Hidden Falls
#5 Garden of Secrets
About The Author
Barbara Freethy is a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of 40 novels ranging from contemporary romance to romantic suspense and women's fiction. Traditionally published for many years, Barbara turned to Indie publishing in 2011 and since then has sold over 4.8 million ebooks! Nineteen of her titles have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. In July 2014 she was named the Amazon KDP Bestselling Author of ALL TIME!
Known for her emotional and compelling stories of love, family, mystery and romance, Barbara enjoys writing about ordinary people caught up in extraordinary adventures. She is currently writing a connected family series, The Callaways.
Barbara's books have won numerous awards - she is a six-time finalist for the RITA for best contemporary romance from Romance Writers of America and a two-time winner for DANIEL'S GIFT and THE WAY BACK HOME.
Barbara has lived all over the state of California and currently resides in Northern California where she draws much of her inspiration from the beautiful bay area.
For a complete listing of books, as well as excerpts and contests, and to connect with Barbara:
Visit Barbara's Website
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All Your Loving (Bachelors & Bridesmaids) Page 16
