by Laura Simcox
She searched for Brett, her gaze darting around—and then she saw him. He stood next to his brother, and both of them were smiling. She took a step forward. So did Brett. And then they were in each other’s arms, and it was the best feeling in the world.
She kissed his cheek and then his jaw, her eyes closing in pleasure. “I missed you.”
Brett held her close, pressing her cheek to his chest. “Sugar,” he murmured. “I’m never going to let you go again.”
She tightened her hands around the back of his neck. “I’m never going to leave again. I promise.”
Brett gently pulled her away and gazed down at her, his eyes full of love. “Let’s go.”
“Okay.” She leaned up to whisper in his ear. “That uniform is sexy, but I can’t wait to get you out of it.”
Brett laughed.
“What did she say?” asked one of the guys.
Georgia glanced around at the men, all staring at her with curiosity. “I said, ‘It’s nice to see you again, Knox.’”
The guys groaned. One of them cupped his hands around his mouth. “See, Meat? She doesn’t have the hots for you!”
“Oh yeah?” Georgia grinned. She grabbed the front of Brett’s Cardinals jersey and pulled him close. And then she kissed him for everything she was worth. Which, as she’d discovered, was a hell of lot.
When she let go of him, he looked stunned—but only for a second—because then he looked around the room, his face transformed by a cocky grin.
“Kiss my ass, fellas. I’m Knox the Fox,” he declared.
This time, the guys didn’t groan—much. They began to clap, and Georgia grabbed Brett’s jersey again. “Come on. You still want to show me the stadium?”
“Only one part. There’s plenty of time for the rest.”
He took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers, and they walked with Ernie and Stan down a tunnel and into the dugout. Brett stepped onto the field and spread his arms wide. “What do you have to say about this, sugar?”
Georgia looked at the perfect diamond, the beautiful grassy outfield. She marveled at the size of the place. And then she turned to Brett. “Do you feel at home?”
He wrapped his arms around her. “You’re my home.”
She leaned her head against his shoulder and looked up at him—her hero.
“You’re mine too.”
He dipped his head and murmured against her lips, “Welcome home, Georgia.”
She smiled then, knowing that, with him, her future could be anything she wanted it to be.
“Kiss me, slugger.”
He did.
Epilogue
Busch Stadium, fourteen months later
THE ROAR OF the crowd was almost deafening, even in the tunnel near the home dugout, but Georgia wasn’t bothered by it. She wasn’t nervous, either, because she wasn’t the one throwing out the first pitch at the first game of the World Series. Her dad was.
And the entire family, along with most of the world, would be watching. Virginia was here with Dex. Carolina was standing next to them, and Jake was in the stadium too—although not in the tunnel. Marie, ever the contentious First Lady, was going over her schedule with her aides. It was a rare moment for all of them to be together, and, though the craziness of a baseball stadium wasn’t as idyllic as something like a Thanksgiving dinner, Georgia was grateful.
She squeezed her dad’s arm and smiled. “Did you have a chance to practice? It’s a good idea to make sure you can get the ball across home plate, you know.”
Patrick Fulton looked down at her. He didn’t appear to be amused. “I don’t need to practice. I’m the president,” he retorted.
She rolled her eyes. “You sound just like my fiancé—well, not the president part—but other than that, yeah. Pretty much the same cocky attitude.”
“Do you hear this, Marie?” Patrick turned to her. “She’s trying to psych me out. Comparing me to Knox the Fox.”
Marie patted his arm. “So psych yourself back up.” She winked at him and reached up to smooth her gray bob, not that it needed smoothing. She looked every bit as polished in a casual blouse and jeans as she did in one of her signature flowing pantsuits. “But Georgia,” she said, “Quit picking on your dad.”
“Okay.” Georgia linked her arm through her mother’s. “I’ve missed you.”
Marie smiled at her fondly. “I’ve missed you too. All of you girls are officially grown up, now.”
“We’re all college graduates,” Georgia added. “And we all have jobs.”
“That magazine is lucky to have you as an editor.” Marie hugged her. “Even though we’ve technically been empty-nesters since we moved into the White House, it’s strange to realize how much older—and wiser—you girls are getting.”
“I don’t know about wiser, but I feel about a hundred years old,” Virginia grumbled. She waddled forward, dragging Dex along with her. “I don’t want to give birth at a baseball stadium.”
“You won’t,” Dex said quickly.
Georgia eyed her sister’s enormous stomach. “You have two months to go, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Virginia said with a sigh. “And until then, I’m stuck wearing maternity clothes.”
Carolina, who stood near the opening of the tunnel, turned around. “Didn’t you tell me that dress is Chanel?”
Virginia shrugged. “Yeah.”
“Then get over yourself.” Carolina laughed.
“Hey!” Georgia said, “You better watch it, sister. Virginia’s hormones are raging.”
Carolina shook her head. “You don’t want to mess with me, Curious Georgia. I’m already mad at you.” She turned back around.
“What crawled up her butt?” Virginia asked.
Georgia sighed. “Oh, when she and Jake moved to St. Louis, I graciously agreed to work on her photography book about national monuments. But she says the copy I’m writing is way too wordy.”
“It is,” Carolina commented. “We don’t need eight pages to describe one photo of Mount Rushmore.”
Virginia’s eyes widened. “Eight pages?”
“She won’t leave me alone about it,” Georgia said.
“Don’t pay her any mind.” Virginia smiled. “She’s nervous for Jake, I think. It’s his first World Series as a major league pitching coach.”
“Isn’t it Brett’s first World Series, too, hon?” Patrick asked.
Georgia glanced at her dad. “Don’t remind me.”
Dex chuckled. “Well, if it makes anyone feel better, I’m not nervous.”
“You’re sexy Dexie is what you are,” Virginia said. She gave him a teasing smile.
“Okay, everyone,” Marie said. She folded her hands. “No more talk about nerves. We’re excited. Not nervous. Excitement is a lot more fun.”
Georgia glanced at her dad, who dutifully held up his arms as Secret Service agents checked his bulletproof vest. “Well, I’m excited for you, Mister Baseball-Fan President. You’ll be amazing.”
He grinned. “Thanks. It’s a good thing you decided to be nice to me because I have a surprise for you girls.”
Carolina turned around. Virginia did too. “What is it?” Georgia asked.
Patrick chuckled. “Something you all love. So quit bickering.”
“Okay, Dad,” they mumbled.
“The national anthem is about to play, and your mom and I need to go. You girls will have the best view from the front of the tunnel, I think. But if you decide to freak out, kindly step back inside, won’t you?”
“Freak out over the national anthem?” Georgia asked. She exchanged dubious glances with her sisters. “Okay.”
“Say, ‘Thank you, Dad,’” he prompted.
“Thank you, Dad,” they chorused.
“You’re welcome.” Patrick took Marie’s hand. He kissed each of his daughters on the forehead and then walked with Marie into the dugout, surrounded by agents.
When the door closed behind them, Carolina shook her head. “What the hel
l is he talking about—freak out?” she murmured.
Virginia wrapped her arms around her belly. “No clue.”
“It’s just Dad being Dad,” Georgia said, but she was curious. She walked to the front of the tunnel and gestured for her sisters to join her, which they did. Georgia watched as the color guard assembled with the flags. She scanned the row of Cardinals players standing along the first base line, until she found Brett. Then she cupped her hands around her mouth. “Knox!” she yelled.
Brett turned around and gave her a devastating grin. She sighed.
Suddenly, Carolina gripped Georgia’s arm. “Holy shit.”
“What?”
“Oh. My. God.” Virginia surged forward and leaned out of the tunnel.
“What?” Georgia repeated, following her gaze. And then she saw.
Justin Timberlake stood near home plate in front of a microphone stand. He held up his arms and waved at the crowd. Then he turned and pointed toward the tunnel.
The sisters sucked in a collective breath and let it out in a shriek.
Justin turned around with a grin as the first strains of the “Star Spangled Banner” began to play. And then he sang.
Cameras flashed. People cheered.
“Being a First Daughter doesn’t suck,” Georgia commented. ‘Especially when you find the love of your life along the way.” She paused. “I’m not talking about JT.”
Carolina grinned. “I know.”
Virginia winked.
And then the three of them, hands over their hearts, stepped forward to face the crowd.
Acknowledgments
IN ORDER TO create the world of Georgia’s internship, I conducted a lot of research and asked many questions. Thanks to the generosity of TV news professionals in my area, I was able to watch a live morning news broadcast, chat with anchors, and sit in the control booth while the magic happened. The perspective of smart young women who have been through internships was an added benefit. I thank Laura Levitt, television news producer, and Victoria Cook, television news producer.
And to Brian Slocum, television broadcast meteorologist, many thanks for not laughing at me when I asked, “So what is that earpiece thingy you wear?” Any inaccuracies in the novel can be pinned on me, although they might have been on purpose. . . .
Special appreciation goes to Trinitee Mitchell-Dunn, the winner of the “Suggest a Secret Service Code Name for Georgia” contest. There were many great entries, but you hit it out of the park with “Cherry Blossom”! Thanks, Trinitee.
About the Author
After spending years in professional theater as a costume designer, LAURA SIMCOX eased out of the hectic whirlwind of opening nights and settled in a comfy desk chair to write romance. She believes that life is too short not to appreciate heartwarming, quirky humor and her novels are lighthearted journeys into the happily-ever-after. She lives in North Carolina with her true love and adorable little son.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
By Laura Simcox
Various States of Undress: Georgia
Various States of Undress: Virginia
Various States of Undress: Carolina
Give in to your impulses . . .
Read on for a sneak peek at seven brand-new
e-book original tales of romance from Avon Impulse.
Available now wherever e-books are sold.
HOLDING HOLLY
A LOVE AND FOOTBALL NOVELLA
By Julie Brannagh
IT’S A WONDERFUL FIREMAN
A BACHELOR FIREMEN NOVELLA
By Jennifer Bernard
ONCE UPON A HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS
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RUNNING HOT
A BAD BOYS UNDERCOVER NOVELLA
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SINFUL REWARDS 1
A BILLIONAIRES AND BIKERS NOVELLA
By Cynthia Sax
RETURN TO CLAN SINCLAIR
A CLAN SINCLAIR NOVELLA
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RETURN OF THE BAD GIRL
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An Excerpt from
HOLDING HOLLY
A Love and Football Novella
by Julie Brannagh
Holly Reynolds has a secret. Make that two. The first involves upholding her grandmother’s hobby of answering Dear Santa letters from dozens of local schoolchildren. The second . . . well, he just came strolling in the door.
Derrick has never met a woman he wanted to bring home to meet his family, mostly because he keeps picking the wrong ones—until he runs into sweet, shy Holly Reynolds. Different from anyone he’s ever known, Derrick realizes she might just be everything he needs.
“Do you need anything else right now?”
“I’m good,” he said. “Then again, there’s something I forgot.”
“What do you need? Maybe I can help.”
He moved closer to her, and she tipped her head back to look up at him. He reached out to cup one of her cheeks in his big hand. “I had a great time tonight. Thanks for having pizza with me.”
“I had a nice time too. Th-thank you for inviting me,” she stammered. There was so much more she’d like to say, but she was tongue-tied again. He was moving closer to her, and he reached out to put his drinking glass down on the counter.
“Maybe we could try this again when we’re not in the middle of a snowstorm,” he said. “I’d like a second date.”
She started nodding like one of those bobbleheads, and forced herself to stop before he thought she was even more of a dork.
“Yes. I . . . Yes, I would too. I . . . that would be fun.”
He took another half-step toward her. She did her best to pull in a breath.
“Normally, I would have kissed you good night at your front door, but getting us inside before we froze to death seemed like the best thing to do right then,” he said.
“Oh, yes. Absolutely. I—”
He reached out, slid his arms around her waist, and pulled her close. “I don’t want to disrespect your grandma’s wishes,” he softly said. “She said I needed to treat you like a lady.”
Holly almost let out a groan. She loved Grandma, but they needed to have a little chat later. “Sorry,” she whispered.
He grinned at her. “I promise I’ll behave myself, unless you don’t want me to.” She couldn’t help it; she laughed. “Plus,” he continued, “she said you have to be up very early in the morning to go to work, so we’ll have to say good night.”
Maybe she didn’t need sleep. One thing’s for sure, she had no interest in stepping away from him right now. He surrounded her, and she wanted to stay in his arms. Her heart was beating double-time, the blood was effervescent in her veins, and she summoned the nerve to move a little closer to him as she let out a happy sigh.
He kissed her cheek, and laid his scratchier one against hers. A few seconds later, she slid her arms around his neck too. “Good night, sweet Holly. Thanks for saving me from the snowstorm.”
She had to laugh a little. “I think you saved me.”
“We’ll figure out who saved who later,” he said. She felt his deep voice vibrating through her. She wished he’d kiss her again. Maybe she should kiss him.
He must have read her mind. He took her face in both of his hands. “Don’t tell your grandma,” he whispered. His breath was warm on her cheek.
“Tell her what?”
“I’m going to kiss you.”
Her head was bobbing around as she frantically nodded yes. She probably looked ridiculous, but he didn’t seem to care. Her eyelids fluttered closed as his mouth touched hers, sweet and soft. It wasn’t a long kiss, but she knew she’d never forget it. She felt the zing at his tender touch from the top of her head to her toes.
“A little more?” he asked.
“Oh, yes.”
His arms wrapped around her again, and he slowly traced her lips with his tongue. It slid into her mouth. He tasted like the peppermints Noel Pizza kept i
n a jar on the front counter. They explored each other for a while as quietly as possible, but maybe not quietly enough.
“Holly, honey,” her grandma called out from the family room. Holly was absolutely going to have a conversation with Grandma when Derrick was out of earshot, and she stifled a groan. All they were doing was a little kissing. He rested one big hand on her butt, which she enjoyed. “Would you please bring me some salad?”
Derrick let out a snort. “I’ll get it for you, Miss Ruth,” he said loudly enough for her grandma to hear.
“She’s onto us,” Holly said softly.
“Damn right.” He grinned at her. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” His voice dropped. “We’re definitely kissing on the second date.”
“I’ll look forward to that.” She tried to pull in a breath. Her head was spinning. She couldn’t have stopped smiling if her life depended on it. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay in my room instead? You need a good night’s sleep. Don’t you have to go to practice?”
“I’m sure your room is very comfortable, but I’ll be fine out here. Sweet dreams,” he said.
She felt him kiss the top of her head as he held her. She took a deep breath of his scent: clean skin, a whiff of expensive cologne, and freshly pressed clothes. “You, too,” she whispered. She reached up to kiss his cheek. “Good night.”
An Excerpt from
IT’S A WONDERFUL FIREMAN
A Bachelor Firemen Novella
by Jennifer Bernard
Hard-edged fireman Dean Mulligan has never been a big fan of Christmas. Twinkly lights and sparkly tinsel can’t brighten the memories of too many years spent in ramshackle foster homes. When he’s trapped in the burning wreckage of a holiday store, a Christmas angel arrives to open his eyes. But is it too late? This Christmas, it’ll take an angel, a determined woman in love, and the entire Bachelor Firemen crew to make him believe . . . it is indeed a wonderful life.
