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I was glued to the action on the field. Carter was playing first base and had made a few good plays so far. The pitcher wound up and threw a fastball that rocketed toward the plate. I held my breath as the batter swung, a loud crack sounding as the bat made contact. The ball flew high in the air, into foul territory behind first base. Carter went racing back, leaning into the protective mesh as he reached to catch the ball that would clinch their playoff berth.

The ball hit his glove, and Carter squeezed it tight, securing the out. I jumped up with the rest of the crowd, screaming. The noise was unlike anything I’d ever heard. Anna grabbed me in a hug, laughing and crying at the same time. “Come on. Let’s go down to the field and congratulate our guys.”

Chapter 43

Jane

I followed Anna down a set of stairs that led to a secured entrance to the field, a large group of family members trailing behind us. I couldn’t wait to see Carter, to have his arms wrap around me after I told him I was wrong . . . and that I loved him too.

The thought that might not happen, that he wasn’t ready to forgive me yet, had my stomach churning. I didn’t have a backup plan. I was so sure his decision to come back to Alberta was for us to be together, I couldn’t let myself believe I was wrong.

Anna flashed an ID badge at the guard by the gate, who opened the door and allowed us to stream out onto the field where the team was already celebrating their win.

The food I’d eaten earlier sat like a rock in my belly as I approached the players, searching for Carter. What if I was wrong, and his decision wasn’t about me? I’d look like an idiot to have rushed out here. I reminded myself that Anna had known enough to recognize who I was, and why he was retiring. Anna took my hand and dragged me toward the cluster of players, all still slapping each other on the back and hugging.

“Julio!” Anna let go of me and threw her arms around Julio, who responded by bringing his hands up to her cheeks and giving her the most passionate kiss I think I’d ever seen in real life.

I turned away to allow them some privacy, and my eyes connected with Carter standing behind me. I froze, taking in every inch of him. His jersey was untucked and unbuttoned, showing off chest and abs outlined beneath his undershirt. My fingers itched to stroke the warm skin underneath. His eyes were bright with excitement.

“Jane?” His face lit up as a wide smile stretched across it. He strode over to me, reaching to pull me into his arms.

As soon as I touched him, I was home. Every fear, every anxious thought, all the noisy celebration around us melted away, and I only saw Carter.

“I can’t believe you’re really here. You saw the interview?” His words carried a mixture of hope and hesitance, so I melded my body against his, wanting to banish any doubt.

“I saw. Are you sure about not playing anymore? What about the World Championship?” I didn’t want him to have any regrets.

Carter brought his head closer, his lips against my ear. “Nothing is more important than you. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”

The deep conviction in his voice sent a shiver through me, and I turned my head until our lips met. The kiss started gentle, almost hesitant, before he opened his mouth, deepening the kiss. My pulse sped up. I laced my fingers through his hair, not caring that he was hot and sweaty, needing to be as close to him as possible. It had been barely two months since he left, but it felt like forever.

His tongue slid against mine, and pure longing swept through me. I wanted him so much. When we finally broke apart, my cheeks were hot, and my body ached for his touch.

“I missed you,” I whispered in his ear.

“Same, baby. So much. You look great in my number, though.” He took in my gear, nodding with approval. “How did you manage to get down here with the families?”

Raine came over and draped a champagne-soaked arm over Carter’s shoulders. “That would be on me, bud. I got a call from Red Rock that Jane was on her way and wanted a ticket. I talked to Julio and the front office and got her taken care of for you. She used my tickets to sit with the families.”

“And I can’t thank you enough for that.” I smiled up at Raine.

“I owe you one,” Carter said.

Carter had shifted so that I was tucked next to him, his arm around my shoulder to shield me from some of the chaos. The celebration was winding down, and the families were being directed off the field. Anna came over with Julio. “You coming with us to the family rooms? We can wait for our guys there.”

Anna’s easy acceptance and outgoing nature made me feel welcome. Most of the people in the family section had seemed nice as we watched the game. I hoped no one connected me with the old viral video scandal, but I could handle it.

“Where are you staying? Will you wait for me here, or do you want to go back to your hotel?” Carter asked.

“Who had time to book a room? If you don’t take me back to your place, I’m sleeping at the airport tonight,” I teased.

He laughed. “You are not sleeping at the airport. I’ll come get you as soon as we’re done. We won’t be celebrating long. We have another game tomorrow.”

He gave me another quick kiss before I followed Anna off the field. I felt like I was floating as Anna led me through the underbelly of the ballpark. How had I gotten so lucky? Carter had given me everything I wanted—a future with him, and the ability to stay in my hometown to run my bakery. The emptiness that had taken up residence in my chest had disappeared as soon as he had confirmed he was coming home to me.

I chatted with Anna as we waited, trying to hide my nerves as she introduced me to some of the other families. It had been a lot of years since the viral video, and I’d changed my name and my looks a little, but that didn’t mean someone wouldn’t recognize me from my old life. Some enterprising reporter would figure out who I was, and I didn’t want that to overshadow Carter and the team’s success. Let them find out in the offseason, when it would be a nothing story because he was the manager of a Triple-A team, and not a big-league player. Everyone was welcoming, though, easing my fears.

It wasn’t long before Carter and Julio came into the family room together, having showered off the sweat and champagne.