Susan Mallery - Sweet Spot

Nicole was surprised to see the teen. “Um, I’m sure it is.”

Brittany handed over the basket she was carrying. “This is for you. Kind of an apology for everything.” She sighed. “I’m doing a lot of apologizing lately and I’m getting really good at it. I’m not sure that’s an improvement or not. I think I’m supposed to get to the place where I don’t have to apologize. Oh, my dad took me shopping for all this. I didn’t sneak out. In fact, it was kind of his idea.”

Nicole didn’t know what to think. She still hadn’t heard from Hawk and it hurt more than she could say. If he’d really meant his proposal, wouldn’t he have tried to get in touch with her? Except she was the one who had rejected him, so maybe it was up to her. The problem was, she didn’t know what she wanted and she was terrified about putting herself on the line and admitting her feelings. Which meant they were both trapped in silence until one of them managed to make the first move.

Brittany set the basket on the sofa. “Well, open it.”

Nicole settled on the couch and pulled off the ribbon holding on the tinted plastic.

Inside were a couple of books on pregnancy, a stuffed bear, a receiving blanket, baby wipes, a baby-naming book, a gift certificate for ten hours of babysitting from Brittany, a rubber duck and a rattle.

Small presents, silly presents, but so thoughtful.

“This was really sweet,” she said, fighting a rush of emotion. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Brittany grinned. “I liked buying the baby stuff. My dad told me a lot about when I was little, which was cool. He’s excited, too, about having more kids. He told me.”

The teen hesitated. “I know my mom and dad really loved each other and it’s hard for me to think of my dad marrying again. But he’s a really great guy and he deserves someone special. Someone like you, Nicole.”

Which was great to hear, but did the message come from Brittany or Hawk and, if it was Hawk, what on earth was he doing sending it through his daughter?

“Thanks,” Nicole told her. “That means a lot.”

“We’re changing stuff at the house. Painting and getting some new furniture. Dad’s had me pack up a lot of the pictures. I’m keeping most of them to help me remember my mom. It’s kind of hard, but it’s good, too. You know? Making changes. Dad says it’s time for us to move on.”

“I’m glad,” Nicole said, hoping the moving on meant moving toward her. Was that what Hawk wanted her to think? And if it was, why wasn’t he telling her himself?

THE KEY TO WINNING a game was the details, Hawk thought as he diagramed out his strategy. Practice the basics, the essential skills that the other team would take for granted. Want it more than anyone else, put in the time and have a plan for success.

He picked up the phone. It was time for the first play of the game.

FLOWERS ARRIVED at the bakery Thursday morning. Beautiful starburst lilies with pink and white roses. The card said, “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

Nicole touched the perfect petals and, for the first time since the previous Friday, felt herself relax. She hadn’t driven him away, rejecting his proposal like that. Which was good. Did he understand why it hadn’t been enough? Did he really love her?

She stared at the phone, wanting to call him and ask, but she wasn’t ready to talk to him. Not until she was sure.

At eleven, a real estate agent called.

“Ms. Keyes? I’m Geralyn Wilder. I have some material I’d like to send you.”

Nicole stared at the phone. “Okay, I think you have the wrong person. I’m not looking for a new house.”

“Mr. Eric Hawkins was very clear. He said for me to find the perfect house for a family. One close to your business and his school, with plenty of bedrooms and a big lot. I have a few listings I’d like to drop by. Will you be available tomorrow morning?”

“I guess,” Nicole said, not sure how to take the information. A big house perfect for a family sounded good to her. She pressed a hand to her chest and decided maybe, just maybe, it was okay to hope.

Chocolate was delivered at one, followed by a short man with a crew cut at two.

“Ms. Keyes, I’m Don Addison. May we speak privately?”

Nicole was more than a little nervous as she led Mr. Addison into her office. He shut the door.

“I’m a private detective, hired by Mr. Hawkins. He came to me a couple of days ago and told me about your sister. That she’s moved away. As she’s well over eighteen, she has a perfect right to do that, but family members worry about each other. I’ve found her.”

Nicole sank onto her chair. “You found Jesse?”

“Yes. Mr. Hawkins made it clear. If you don’t want to know, I’ll walk away. It’s up to you.”

Nicole didn’t know what to think. She’d been so torn about Jesse. About letting her go versus going after her. The old battle between head and heart.

“Tell me,” she whispered.

He handed her a folder. “She made it as far as Spokane. She’s working in a bar. The owner seems to have taken her under his wing. He’s older, a well-liked member of the community. There’s nothing romantic or sexual between them. He appears to be acting like a surrogate father. Her health is good. She recently saw a doctor about her pregnancy and all appears normal.”

She didn’t ask how he knew that or got access to Jesse’s medical records. What did it matter? What was important was her sister was okay. She’d managed to find a place for herself, which was all Nicole could have asked for.

“Thank you so much for this,” she said, hugging the file close to her chest.

“You’re welcome. Mr. Hawkins has prepaid for quarterly reports. Would you like me to deliver them to you directly?”

Nicole nodded.

The man excused himself and left.

She looked at the clock and saw it was still early in the afternoon. Hawk would be at the high school, practicing for the play-offs.

She thought about the flowers, the house, and most important, the report on Jesse. Hawk had more than proved he knew her and understood what was important to her.

She grabbed her car keys and hurried out of the bakery.

Fifteen minutes later she walked toward the football field. Hawk stood with his players, a clipboard in his hands. He blew his whistle and the guys formed two lines.

She moved to the side of the field, prepared to wait until he could take a break, but when Hawk looked up and saw her, he literally dropped everything onto the grass and started toward her. Nicole hurried toward him and they met by the fence.

“I’m sorry,” she said, while at the same time he said, “I screwed up.”

“You didn’t,” she told him.

“I shouldn’t have proposed like that. I didn’t get it. We had to talk because I ran off when you told me about the baby. It’s not that I don’t want more kids. I was just surprised.”

She stared into his dark eyes, telling herself the love burning there had to be good news. “Are you sure? You said before you didn’t want another family.”

“That was because of Brittany. This is different. I love you, Nicole. I want to have kids with you. I want to love you forever. I want us to be together. I want to make you happy.”

“You do.”

“I haven’t, but I will.”

She put her hands on his shoulders. “You found Jesse for me.”

“I wanted to show you how much you mattered to me. I knew you were torn up about what to do. It was a risk. You could have been mad.”

“She’s okay. Did he tell you? She’s okay. I needed to know that.”

Hawk cupped her jaw and kissed her. “God, I love you. Do you believe me? I love you, Nicole. Not just because you’re beautiful or great in bed. But because you get in my face and tell me the truth. You never back down. You’re loyal and tough and soft and giving. I never want to spend another night apart from you. I love you and I want to marry you.”

The words washed over her like a warm, healing rain. “I love you, too.”

He stared at her, hope bright and alive in his gaze. “Are you sure?”

“Very sure. I think I’ve been in love with you from the first minute you walked into my bakery. You were just so damned hot.”

“I know.”

She laughed. “You have the biggest ego of anyone I know.”

He leaned close. “That’s not all that’s big.”

She leaned against him and he held her tight. Held her as if he would never let her go.

“We have complications,” she said. “I don’t think Raoul and Brittany should be living under the same roof.”

“I’m not waiting to marry you. Unless you want me to.”

She eyed him. “So I’m in charge?”

He looked uncomfortable, but nodded.

She grinned. “You’re so lying.”

“You can try to be in charge. Maybe I’ll like it.”

That made her laugh again.

“I’m never letting you go,” he told her. “We’ll figure it out.”

Then he kissed her. A long, slow, sexy kiss that made her blood heat and her toes curl. Somewhere in the background, she heard the hoots and applause from the players.

“Ignore them,” Hawk murmured against her mouth. “Let ’em get their own girl.”

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