Catching Summer, page 22
“Hmm, I don’t know if I could give up everything. I kind of like my chocolate. Can we compromise and let me have you and chocolate?” I teased with a wide grin.
He shook his head, laughing. “Anything for you. I love you.”
“I love you, too…always.”
Epilogue
Summer
ONE MONTH LATER
When the investigation came to a close, it was confirmed that Philip had indeed paid off Levi Milner to sabotage Evan in hopes of ruining his football career, and he was also responsible for supplying Peter Trazinsky with the lethal dose of heroin. The media had finally calmed down, and it was nice to be able to walk around town without being harassed by reporters. It was easier being with Evan—when he was around, we weren’t hounded as much. I guess people were afraid of pissing him off. He was a big guy, so I could see why no one would want to get on his bad side. Luckily, we’d made it out of the house with no problems today.
“Where are we going?” I was blindfolded and had been ever since we got in the car.
“Can you not understand that it’s a surprise?” Evan said, chuckling. “We’re almost there.” He helped me out of the car and I stood there while he grabbed something out of the trunk and slammed it shut. “All right, I think we’re ready.” Taking my hand, he guided me to wherever we were going, snickering the entire time.
“I’m glad you think this is funny,” I griped.
“I do. Although I have to say you’re pretty sexy with that blindfold on. Might need to use it on you tonight.”
“Not unless I use it on you,” I countered seductively.
“Don’t tempt me with a good time. You sure have gotten horny here lately.”
I giggled. He was right. Ever since I got pregnant I hadn’t been able to keep my hands off him. He didn’t complain, though. “It’s the hormones. Gotta love ’em.”
“You have no fucking idea.” Evan opened a door and led me inside. Immediately, I knew where we were because of the smell. I’d grown accustomed to the scent of fresh paint, locker rooms, and fried foods from the stadium. When he opened the door to the field, I could feel excitement bubbling in the air. We weren’t alone.
“I have to say I’m intrigued. Can I take off the blindfold? I know where we’re at.”
“You may know where we are, but I’m not ready yet. Bear with me, we just need to go up a few steps.” A few steps ended up being a million by the time we were done. It was a good thing I was only seven weeks pregnant and not fully ripe. I had only a tiny baby bump and a raging case of morning sickness. Once Evan stopped, I breathed a sigh of relief.
“All right, sunshine, you made it.”
As he took off the blindfold, I had to adjust to the light. The sun was shining with not a single cloud in the sky, but the breeze was cool. It was late December and we were still having sixty-degree weather. I wanted snow, but nothing could beat the lavish display Evan had set out for us.
“Evan, this is amazing,” I cried. The bleachers were lined with fluffy blankets, including a large pillow for me to lean on. “You even have a pillow.”
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 fucked 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.
Kim Walker, my best friend, PA, and the one I can always count on—I have no idea how you put up with me. I’ve told you this before and I’ll tell you again…I would seriously be lost without you. I will always and forever be grateful for the things you do for me. I’m lucky to have you.
Heidi McLaughlin—I love your positivity and how it always brings me back up when I’m feeling down. You are extremely talented and I love your books. I’m so thankful we became friends and that we can confide in each other. It’s hard to find that with people in the world today.
To my amazing readers and hopefully future readers—thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have no idea how much I appreciate your support and kind words. I love waking up and seeing messages or comments from you. It always brings a smile to my face. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to write. For that I will always be thankful.
BY L. P. DOVER
Second Chances
Catching Summer
Defending Hayden (coming soon)
Second Chances Series
Love’s Second Chance
Trusting You
Meant for Me
Fighting for Love
Intercepting Love
Armed & Dangerous Stand-alone Series
No Limit
Roped In
High-sided
Gloves Off Series
A Fighter’s Desire—Parts One and Two
Tyler’s Undoing
Ryley’s Revenge
Paxton’s Promise
Camden’s Redemption
Kyle’s Return
PHOTO: REGINA WAMBA
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. DOVER is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she began her literary journey, she worked in periodontics, enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.
She loves to write, but she also loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes and white-water rafting, and has a passion for singing. Her two youngest fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime, usually Christmas carols.
Dover has written more than twenty novels, including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, the Gloves Off series, the Armed & Dangerous series, the Royal Shifters series, and her stand-alone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense, but if she got to choose a setting in which to live, it would be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.
lpdover.com
Facebook.com/lpdover
@LPDover
The Editor’s Corner
April is a promise of spring, and Loveswept romance is here to warm things up.
L. P. Dover continues her edgy, emotionally gripping Second Chances series with the story of a beautiful widow who can’t resist a chiseled NFL player in Catching Summer. The Society of Gentlemen series from K. J. Charles continues with the sizzling A Gentleman’s Position. For a new series, ladies, meet Micah, a man who takes what he wants—until he meets the one woman he needs in Stacey Kennedy’s Bound Beneath His Pain. An epic love affair steals the show in Stina Lindenblatt’s This One Moment. Annie Rains continues her small-town Hero’s Welcome series with a cowboy turned Marine in Welcome Home, Cowboy. Gillian Archer is hot on the trend of MC romance, introducing her True Brothers series with Ruthless. And MC Sons of Odin returns with Violetta Rand’s irresistible novel about a sexy-as-sin biker who tempts a good girl to go bad, Possession.
Off the Hook from USA Today–bestselling author Laura Drewry is the first in her Fishing for Trouble series featuring three unforgettable brothers—each of whom is a great catch. Then the swoon-worthy McKinney Brothers series from New York Times–bestselling author Claudia Connor continues with J.T. in Worth It All. USA Today–bestselling author Alexis Morgan kicks off her new Sergeant Joe’s Boys series with Always for You: Jack, where a foster son learns about love and life in record time. And the new Fireside series tells a story of an old love reunited in His to Love from new Loveswept author Stacey Lynn. USA Today–bestselling writing duo M. J. Fields and Chelsea Camaron are back with the Caldwell brothers in Jagger, which is not only full of swagger and sensuality, but also packs an emotional punch, as the last bachelor standing fights for a woman who’s worth every ounce of trouble. And yet another Aces Hockey romance from Kelly Jamieson releases this month featuring pro hockey hunk Duncan in Icing. There’s also something naughty for you from New York Times–bestselling author Jen McLaughlin in Lust Is the Thorn, where a soon-to-be-ordained priest has to decide who he loves more. Then prepare yourself for razor-sharp suspense from New York Times–bestselling author Patricia Rosemoor with His Deception. Two words for you: secret bodyguard. And for fans of the hit TV show Empire, Lisa Marie Perry’s Sin for Me kicks off the sizzling Devil’s Music series.
Friend Loveswept and let the romance begin!
Until next month—Happy Romance!
Gina Wachtel
Associate Publisher
Read on for an excerpt from
Defending Hayden
A Second Chances Novel
by L. P. Dover
Available from Loveswept
Prologue
Derek
The night air was cool, the wind whipping by us as we rode home in Brianna’s convertible. The top was down and we’d just left a party at the Second Street Bar downtown. Evan was in the back seat laughing and talking to Bri while I watched on in amusement. How could I have gotten so lucky?
“I told you, it’s mine and Luke’s secret,” she said to Evan. “I just told him what I would want if I was in Lara’s place. Just whatever happens, don’t tell her it was my idea.”
Evan bellowed out a laugh. “Oh, hell.”
“Exactly,” Brianna laughed.
Lara wasn’t going to take that jackass back. Even I wasn’t stupid enough to sleep with a girl and dismiss her for three months, then expect her to stick around. Luke might as well get the fuck over it and move on.
For the longest time, we had been alone on the dark country road, but now a set of lights caught up to us from behind. Brianna tilted her mirror to get the lights out of her eyes. “That’s weird.”
I glanced over my shoulder. “What the hell is this guy doing?” The truck sped up way too fast, getting closer by the second.
“Brianna, speed up,” Evan yelled. She slammed on the gas, but the person behind us kept pursuing.
“What the fuck?” I hissed, flipping the person off.
Brianna grabbed my hand and yanked it down. “Derek, stop! It’ll just piss them off more.”
“I don’t give a shit. They’re riding our ass.” If the guy didn’t stop, I was going to get out and kick his ass the first chance I got.
Brianna’s car was no match for the truck, which could easily run us right over. The idiot was probably drunk. “When we get up close to the high school, pull over and let the fucker by,” Evan suggested. Then out of nowhere, the truck slammed into us from behind and we jerked forward.
“What the fuck!” I growled. Brianna screamed and tears streamed down her cheeks. I grabbed her thigh and squeezed. “Keep driving, baby.”
Drenched in sweat, I swung my legs over the side of the bed. The memories of that night five months ago still plagued my mind. Asleep or awake, Brianna’s screams always echoed in my ear. Every time I heard them, it felt like a knife pierced my heart. It didn’t matter where I was or what I was doing; her cries always came back to haunt me. I could be wasted with a bottle of rum in my hands, doped up on pain meds, or even fucking another woman. Nothing helped. Even my request to be traded from the Carolina Cougars to another team was denied. Couldn’t they see I needed to get the fuck away? I’d endured five months of hell, and it hadn’t gotten any easier. Football was all I had, but I couldn’t bear to be in the same goddamn city where Brianna was taken away from me. Not to mention she was pregnant when she died. I didn’t just lose her…I lost my child as well.
A set of car lights showed through the bedroom window and a horn blew down the street. The sound sucked me back into my nightmare.
Brianna’s cries were all I could hear as everything moved in slow motion. I cursed at the guy in the truck, especially when he pulled up beside us. It was dark and I couldn’t see his face, but when I tried to get a better look, he slammed into the side of Bri’s car, knocking me to the left. Evan flew out of the car, and before the car flipped over, I grabbed Brianna’s hand before I, too, was ripped out of the car. Darkness overtook me and the pain went away.
Sucking in a breath, I ran my hands through my damp hair. I wasn’t big into the church scene, but I had my faith. That night I swear I saw the light drawing me closer. Maybe even Brianna was there, holding my hand as we walked closer to it. It was ripped away from me in a flash when I heard Evan screaming my name, his fists pounding on my chest.
I rubbed a hand over my heart, the pain so excruciating I could barely breathe. What the fuck was I going to do? Getting out of bed, I found my jeans on the floor and slipped them on. I didn’t want to look at the bed, knowing very well there was a mistake lying there. I didn’t even know her name; I didn’t care. All I’d wanted was an escape from the pain. Disgusted with myself, I put on my shirt and grabbed my keys and phone off the dresser. I had to get the fuck out of there.
