Chapter Twenty-One

David

The buzz of adrenaline pumps through my veins as the team makes its way to our dugout.

The crowd is only vaguely aware that we’ve come out.

The music blasting through the video board shows highlights from last year’s season, but the murmur of anticipation from the crowd as they wait, interrupted by the occasional bark, can be felt all the way down on the field.

Glancing around the stadium, I see its standing room only, minus a few sections with just a smattering of people.

This is an incredible turnout for the first game of the season.

My chest puffs out with pride. Cat has already put our last director of fan experience to shame, and she’s only been here a few weeks.

Being the subject of Tea Time and getting married is undoubtedly helping the turnout, but I refuse to minimize the amount of work Cat and her team have put into organizing this event.

Not to mention, Bark In The Park is the perfect event for our opening game. Who doesn’t love dogs?

My lips twitch as I think about Duncan being broached to bring his dog treats. My brother is all bark, with none of the bite, for the people he loves, but I’m not sure he’s ready to have his secret become public.

Excited barking from centerfield grabs my attention, and a wave of canine calls follow from around the stadium as the other four-leggers join in on the fun.

My gaze skims over the people until my eyes land on Cat. She’s waving her hands animatedly, and I can all but hear her voice telling everyone what they’re going to be doing next.

Scarlett slides up next to Cat, and Cat wraps an arm around her shoulders before leaning down and saying something. Scarlett’s smile beams, and Cat runs a gentle hand down my daughter's hair, a soft smile lining her face. Their affection for each other is evident on each of their faces.

My pulse thrums as warmth explodes in my chest. The last time I experienced emotions like this was when Fiona was holding Scarlett.

For a second, the icy tendrils of fear grip my heart, but the love growing there has the ice melting on impact, and in that moment, I make a decision.

A loud crackling noise from the PA interrupts. “Looks like one of the dogs thought we were taking too long for the fun to begin and decided to start the party now.” Laughter, intertwined with a chorus of every kind of bark, rumbles across the stadium.

My gaze is captured by a streak of fawn-colored fur racing around the field, a deep bark egging on the other dogs stuck on leashes to join her.

Ava’s hands are flying in the air as she tries to figure out how to get Emmy back. Scarlett laughs and chases Emmy, and Duncan’s teeth are visible from here as he watches Ava panic.

There aren’t any openings Emmy could get out of from where she is, so technically, she’s not in any danger. Despite that, I charge out of the dugout and run onto the field, screaming my dog’s name.

To my surprise, she traces a wide arc at the sound of my voice and bounds over to me, barking.

“Good girl,” I mumble, relief pulsing through me. “Looks like I’m getting the hang of being a dog owner.”

“Strike one for our very own David James as the four-legged beauty throws him an unexpected curve ball and tries to steal second.” The PA booms again as Emmy runs right past me.

“Or not,” I chuckle, heat creeping up my neck as the crowd’s roaring amusement surrounds me. I lift my shoulders in a sheepish shrug, sparking cheers that shake the rafters.

From the corner of my eye, I see Cat instructing someone to move along the wall in the outfield and getting the pup parade started.

The Maverick Jerseys become obvious, and I recognize Adam Daniels with his dog Ryder—another Mile High Mutts Rescue alumni. Behind him, wearing the same jersey and walking a pup I think is up for adoption, is his wife, Susie.

Josh Owens and some of the other Maverick players walk by, followed by some of Duncan’s teammates.

“What is this little one up to now? Was this planned? It looks like it was planned…” The announcer’s questioning laughter fills the stadium, and I can hear him covering the mic as he asks the same question of the people in the press box.

I snort. Definitely not planned.

“Emmy,” Cat’s voice calls out, only to get an enthusiastic bark directed at her. A grin breaks free as I see her cheeks redden. Looks like my dog wrangler isn’t having much success either.

“While the professionals try to catch our escapee,” the announcer chuckles, “Let me tell you about the dogs here tonight looking for their fur-ever homes. Mile High Mutts Rescue—”

His voice drones on as I make my way to Cat, and Emmy runs up next to me as if encouraging me to keep going. Eyes bright, tail high, she joyfully prances around the field, and to my surprise, I laugh.

My dog won’t listen to me, and I look ridiculous, but even I can admit this situation is funny. Duncan hands a leash to Ava, and I think I see him mouth ‘hold tight’ and then lift Scarlett onto his shoulders before taking the leash from Ava and moving to his place in line.

My daughter’s laughter tinkles across the field just as I reach Cat.

The murmur of the crowd increases as fans begin to recognize that Ava Norris-James is one of the people in the pup parade.

Emmy, as if agreeing that her being here is a big deal, lets out a rapid-fire burst of deep barks before circling away from the line of dogs and making her way back toward where me and Cat stand.

“Hey.” Cat turns at the sound of my voice. I lift one hand in the air and rest the other gently on her arm. “What happened to those impressive dog wrangling skills I fell for?”

I watch her brows shoot up and her mouth form an ‘O’ as I realize the words I just uttered. Before I can say anything, her body slams into mine, and my feet slide out from under me. As if in slow motion, I fall to the ground with Cat landing on my chest.

The crowd roars. Cat’s body shakes with laughter, matching the rumble in my chest. Her eyes open, and I tumble into her crystal blue gaze.

Our laughter stops as another emotion takes hold. My hand rises to her cheek, my thumb caressing her warm skin. Her mouth parts slightly, drawing my attention, and my pulse races.

She gasps, her heart pounding, beating in time with mine. As her eyes fall to my lips, I swallow, anticipation snatching my breath.

A faraway voice penetrates my thoughts. “Looks like that runaway pup is actually a matchmaker who thinks our newlyweds need to kiss!”

As if given permission I didn’t know I needed, I gently tug her face toward me.

Cat appears to be thinking the same as her head lowers, her gaze pinning me. I raise my other hand to cradle her cheek and close the distance between us. When our lips touch, all outside noise fades, and the world disappears—again.

Slipping one hand to the back of her neck, I lace my fingers through her hair and gently reposition her head, deepening the kiss. When she moans softly against my lips, something inside me opens.

A door that’s been closed.

And there’s only one thing that matters. Cat.

A thunderous bark shoots through my ear, snapping me from my haze, and I feel Cat startle. “What the heck?”

Still breathing heavily, I watch Cat’s eyes shift to the left, a slow smile crawling along her lips. Lips that I want to kiss again. When she gently pushes against my chest, I try to pull her back to me.

“David,” she chuckles breathlessly, her cheeks the most adorable shade of pink. “Everyone is watching.”

Reality hits, and I remember the reason I’m out on the field. I shrug, a wry grin spreading across my mouth. “I forgot.”

Her laughter tugs at my stomach and shoots straight to my heart. She awkwardly pushes off my chest, and I laugh with her as I try to help. Finally, she’s able to climb off me. When she reaches her hand down, all I can do is stare.

Hesitation stalls me because I know I’m not just taking her hand, I’m giving her my heart. I sigh, a smile creeping along my face.

My gaze flicks to hers to find an unasked question. My smile broadens, my resolve firming. I trust her. I trust this. I gently place my hand in hers and push up from the turf, our images flashing on the big screen.

“Looks like they came up for air, Ladies and Gentlemen.” Laughter surrounds us, and Cat’s face turns an even brighter shade of pink, making my smile grow impossibly bigger.

I glance down to find Emmy sitting patiently in front of me, her tongue hanging to one side. “Seriously?” I groan, unable to stop the laughter bubbling up. “Did you plan this?”

Her eyes sparkle, and I shake my head. Picking up the leash easily, I walk off the field, holding Emmy in one hand and Cat’s hand with the other.

The PA crackles and the crowd cheers, but I’m not listening to the words.

“David.” Cat puts a hand on my chest and applies pressure, pointing her head in the opposite direction. “I’m going over there. Give me Emmy’s leash.”

Tugging her closer to me before reluctantly letting go, I notice a flicker of something run across her expression. I don’t have time to address it as I hear Coach shout my name. “Here.” I hand her Emmy’s leash and lean in to kiss her cheek before running to the dugout.

Fans are cheering and clapping, guys from both teams are catcalling, and I can’t wipe this goofy grin from my face.

“Sorry, Coach!” He’s doing his best to give me a stern expression, but the gleam in his eyes tells me he’s amused too.

“Well, that’s one way to get the season off to a memorable start.” Logan slaps me on the back as he walks onto the field and heads behind home plate. “Maybe I should get a dog,” he mumbles.

“Can we please get our focus on the game?” Coach grumbles. “We don’t just want a memorable beginning…we want a win.”

Slipping my glove on, I punch it with my hand, my pre-game routine kicking in. A grin tugs at my lip. And if the slow hum vibrating through my body is any indication, I’m pretty sure I already won.