The rumble of laughter echoed around them and there were thousands of smiles in the stands.
Sheila ducked her head, still embarrassed that she’d PDA’d with such … passion. They descended the stairs, and Brock held her close to his side. She giggled, swatting his arm. “You stole my thunder. I had a whole campaign worked out to get you back.”
He kissed her hair. “That’s why they call me a heavy hitter. I get the job done.”
She laughed, feeling lighter than air. “I love you, Brock Mattock.”
He kissed her once again, lingering in the kiss to allowing the tenderness of the moment to imprint on her soul.
“Well.” Harper clapped her hands, getting them to turn to face her. “Are we ready to introduce St. George to the new mascot?”
Just then, the home run cannons went off, spraying confetti over the stands and grabbing attention all over the park. The middle of the stage opened up, and Rev spread his wings as he was lifted into the air. In a swoop, he did several flips through the air, earning cheers and screams of excitement.
Sheila leaned over to Harper so she could have a private word with her. “I guess this means you’re not selling the team, then?”
Harper flipped on her so fast her hair flew out around her like a pleated skirt. “What do you mean?”
Sheila stumbled. She’d forgotten that she’d overheard things and Harper didn’t know what she knew. “I’m sorry. I overheard you talking to Coach about quitting. I thought if we got the team in the black, you’d stick around. The stress seemed to take a toll …” She trailed off as understanding dawned on Harper’s face.
Harper’s hand covered her lower belly and a tiny smile appeared. “That was a private conversation about a personal matter.”
Sheila’s eyes dropped to her hand and back up. She shouldn’t ask … but she wanted to so badly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed anything.”
“Don’t worry about it. I want to tell you, but it’s still so early.” Harper’s eyes danced. “Perhaps we could discuss a new line of infant Redrocks swag?”
Sheila squealed and bounced on her toes. “Say no more.” She mimed locking her lips with a key. “But yes. I’d be happy to discuss new merchandising opportunities with you at your earliest convenience.”
Harper laughed. “Fantastic! I’m on restricted activity for the off-season, so I won’t be in the office much. We’ll talk when I get back.” She gave Sheila’s arm a squeeze and headed to where Coach Wolfe waited for her at the top of the dugout. His hand went to her lower back, and he handled her with a tenderness that belayed his excitement over the pending announcement.
Sheila glanced at Brock out of the corner of her eye as he took in the show. He’d make a great father. Maybe she was jumping the gun, but there was a connection between them that whispered of eternal possibilities, like they were written in the stars. She took confidence in that feeling and leaned her head against his shoulder.
Her phone crackled. “Sheila?”
Brock glanced down at her. She couldn’t help herself, couldn’t help the swelling of emotions building inside of her; she had to kiss him. So she pecked a kiss to his talented lips. Before she could lose herself in him, her phone beeped. She sighed. “Duty calls.” She pulled her phone out of her back pocket. “Sheila here.”
“Security has a woman in custody who freaked out in the stands when she saw you kissing Brock onstage. She claims she’s your sister.”
A worry line appeared between Brock’s eyebrows. Sheila considered him for a moment before she said, “Tell her to call her parents to bail her out.” She put the phone back into her pocket.
Brock shook his head. “You can take care of that.”
“Nope.” She popped the P playfully. “I’m done taking care of my sister. She’s a grown-up—a doctor, for heaven’s sake—she should be smart enough to get herself out of this mess.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Besides, I’m busy.”
Brock’s smile interrupted their kissing at least three times, but Sheila didn’t mind. She grinned once or twice herself. They had to break apart to laugh, and then they went right back to exploring one another’s kisses. If they weren’t so happy to be together, they might get to really make out.
“You did it,” he murmured against her lips.
“Did what?” She ran her fingers through his hair, and he shuddered.
“You filled the stadium. You should be proud.”
“I am.” She tipped her head, and he deepened the kiss. Sheila was proud of herself, but not just because she’d done what she’d set out to do, to pay the outstanding loan and bring the Redrocks into a stable financial position. The real victory was getting past a bad breakup that had left scars, freeing herself from her sister’s control, and opening her heart to an amazing man.
His hands brushed her side and then wrapped her up, and she grinned, breaking their kiss in the process. Without hesitation, she jumped right back in. They’d have time to figure out how to kiss without smiling so much later, but she hoped it didn’t happen often. The joy Brock brought into her life was something she would hold on to forever.
I hope you enjoyed Sheila and Brock’s story!
If you liked the Dating Mr. Baseball Series, you’ll love the Start Struck Contemporary Romances.
