Catching Summer (Second Chances #6)(73)

He laughed softly and set down the large basket he had in his hands. “I wanted you to be comfortable. I also brought you some cheese, crackers, grapes, and your favorite,” he said, opening the basket. He pulled out a bowl and opened the top. “Banana pudding.”

Eyes wide, I snatched the bowl and breathed it in. Since I’d gotten pregnant, I couldn’t live without it. It was one of the foods I could eat and not feel like throwing up afterward. “I am so in love with you right now.”

“That’s not all, sunshine. Why don’t you look behind you?”

I looked out onto the field and gasped. “Oh my God, what’s going on?”

Evan took my hand and helped me sit. “I thought we could use some entertainment.”

“I see that. What are they doing here?”

On the field, the local high school band, color guard, and cheerleaders were in uniform and in position. “The school asked if they could practice for their next competition on our field. I thought it’d be fun to watch them.”

Evan handed me a spoon and I smiled as I scooped a huge bite of pudding onto it. “Fun? It’s awesome. I can’t wait to hear them play.”

As if they had heard me, the drummers started up their beats and the band began their hypnotic tunes. Evan moved closer and took my hand, entwining his fingers with mine. My wrist was still sore from where it’d been broken, but thankfully it hadn’t been a bad break. It was my third day without a cast and it was stiff. Lara’d had to take up the computer work at the restaurant since it was hard for me to type with one hand.

“I think it’s amazing how they can move across the field and play their instruments at the same time,” I said, watching in awe.

“Our school is the best in the county. I’m lined up to coach their football team when I retire.”

Eyes wide, I turned to him. “Really? You’ve talked to them already?”

He nodded. “I’m still young and have plenty more years in the NFL, but now that we’re starting a family, I want to make sure I have everything mapped out.”

I patted him on the leg. “I wouldn’t let you be without a job,” I teased. “Because now when you’re not at the school, you can help me manage the tavern. I could be your boss.”

Leaning over, he kissed me on the cheek and nipped my earlobe. “I seem to remember me being the boss of you when I f*cked you on your desk.”

“Evan, stop,” I said. “There are high school kids down there who can see you.”

“They’re almost done. I think they have one more song left.”

I gave the band my full attention as they started on a new beat. It was slow and one I recognized from a long time ago. “Is this Rascal Flatts?” I asked.

Evan smiled. “I didn’t think you’d recognize it.”

I snorted. “I love me some Rascal Flatts. I have every single one of their CDs. Lara took them away when I moved out. In fact, I think she hid them.”

“Bless the Broken Road” was one of my favorite songs. I sang along to the music and watched as everyone marched around the field. They were positioning themselves differently from the last few songs.

“This must be the finale,” I noted excitedly.

“Must be.”

The band was spelling something out on the field, and it didn’t take long to figure it out. Gasping, I got to my feet as the words “Will” and “U” came into focus first. When the final two words were written out, “Marry” and “Me,” I broke down in tears.

Evan turned me to face him and got down on his knee. In his fingers, he held an exquisite diamond ring that sparkled and shimmered in the sun. “Evan, what are you doing?”

“I’m asking you to marry me.” Slipping the diamond on my finger, he lifted his gaze to mine. “And I’m hoping you’ll say yes. You’re going to be the mother of my child, and there’s no greater gift you could give me except one thing.”

“What?” I whispered.

“Your heart. I want everyone to know it’s officially mine. All you have to do is say yes, that you’ll be my wife.”

I didn’t even have to think. Throwing my arms around his neck, I shouted as loud as I could so the band could hear me. “Yes! The answer’s yes.” The band cheered and started playing the “Bridal Chorus” as Evan swept me up into his arms and kissed me. “I can’t believe you did all of this. As far as wedding proposals go, this one is pretty epic.”

He grinned. “What can I say? I’m just full of surprises. My first thought was to do it during the Super Bowl, but I didn’t want to copy Cooper. I figured you’d want something a little more intimate anyway,” he said, setting me down.

“It was perfect. Now all you have to do is make it to the Super Bowl and win it.”

Holding my hand, he pulled me close and turned me around so that he was at my back. Placing his hand on my belly, he kissed the side of my neck. “That’s not going to be a problem. As long as I have you, I can do anything.”

I squeezed his hands. “I’m not going anywhere. You have me for life.”

“And you have me.”





Acknowledgments


To my second chance at love, my husband—throughout our journey we’ve hit bumps in the road and traveled off the beaten path. The good thing is that we always find our way back to that smooth road to happiness. I look forward to many more adventures and having you by my side. My dream wouldn’t have been possible without you.