“Well, now. What is it you’d like me to do?”

“Carry me up to your bedroom, and make sure I can’t walk for the rest of the week.”

“Jesus,” I murmured as I lifted her into my arms and carried her down the hall to the master suite.

“See? Good-luck charm,” I said, showing her the tattoo when she peeled my shirt over my head after I set her on my bed. And then she launched herself at me, and I made her come four different times before the clock struck midnight.

In the early-morning California sun, I sat at the small kitchen table, watching as Aspen cooked up some eggs and bacon, wearing nothing more than my baseball jersey. I’d already taken a dozen pictures I was sure would have her swapping my shampoo for glue if she ever found out, but she was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.

“What’s your family up to today?” I was still amazed almost her entire family traveled to LA for the week and that my mother had plotted with my coach to get Aspen to the game.

“I think they’re going to do some touristy things. See the Hollywood sign. Do a celebrity bus tour. Things like that. Nate is playing tour guide.”

I knew her brother-in-law lived in California before moving to Ashfield, but he didn’t come across as the tour-guide type. When I mentioned it, Aspen agreed and said Alex had a backup on speed dial in the form of one of her dancer friends from school.

“And what are you doing today?” I asked as she spun around with two plates of food. She sashayed toward me, and instead of taking the seat across from me, she planted herself right on my lap, exactly where I wanted her.

“I plan on watching my boyfriend play baseball.”

“Good answer,” I mumbled around a delicious piece of bacon. “I could get used to this.”

Watching her move around my kitchen was something I’d only fantasized about.

“I know it’s probably a touchy subject, but who is watching the farm?”

“Well, funny you should ask that.” Aspen set her fork down on her plate with a clink and spun around until her legs were on either side of my hips as she faced me. “Andrew is watching the farm while I’m gone.”

“Well, that’s nice of him.”

“He’s actually moving back to Ashfield to help more. And we’ve hired two more managers for Sunny Brook Farms.”

“Okay.” Her tone was suspicious. Almost like there was a “but” coming, yet not exactly.

“And I made a decision. If you’re up for it.”

I tried not to get my hopes up, but my heart was beating so erratically in my chest that it sounded like a marching band was playing outside my door. “What’s that, cricket?”

“I was hoping that maybe I could move here… with you.”

I swallowed, trying to keep my voice calm, even though my insides were jumping around like a cheerleader. “Really? Is that what you want?”

Her fingers twirled the lower part of my hair around my neckline as I slid my hands up and down her bare thighs.

“I want to be with you. And during our time together, you taught me to have more confidence and courage. I’m taking the leap.”

“I didn’t do that, cricket. You did it. I just gave you a little extra strength. Remember?”

It was the same thing I’d said to her when I helped her during the camp. Aspen always had the strength; she just needed that extra push from someone who believed in her.

“That doesn’t answer my question, Owen. I don’t want to overstep or anything.”

“Baby, I’d move your stuff in today. I’ll pay for a moving company to bring it all by the weekend.”

She laughed so lightheartedly, with her head tilted backward, that I couldn’t help but press a kiss against her exposed neck.

This woman was giving me everything I ever wanted. A friend. A companion. Love.

“So, we’re doing this?” she asked as she took a few calming breaths.

“Abso-fucking-lutely. I can’t wait to have my good-luck charm with me all the time.”

“Maybe this time you’ll actually win the championship.”

She bolted off my lap as I stared at her in shock. “How dare you! You know we’ve won two already.”

“A little extra luck couldn’t hurt,” she joked as she grabbed a piece of bacon and made her way toward the living room.

I stood up quickly and chased after her, toppling us over the back of the couch as I tackled her. Our laughs intermingled until she settled against my body, tucking her face in my neck.

“I can’t believe you’re really here with me, and moving in.”

“Believe it, superstar, I’m exactly where I want to be. With you.”

Epilogue – Aspen

Two Years Later

“Are you sure about this?” I asked for the dozenth time while hovering over Owen, who’s seated at the desk in our hotel room. Beverly was on the sofa across from us.

We were in Miami for a charity event, a first for me, and I was busy writing a blog post about my ventures so far, when Owen popped into the room with a call from the general manager. The Nashville Bears were interested in a trade.

I knew he adored playing for Coach Hampton and the Coyotes. Most of the players had been at our wedding last year. And Owen had taken his team to the championships twice, winning both.

But he wanted to be closer to his mom, and with the changes about to come our way, he wanted me home with my family.

A popular travel show had taken notice of my blog and wanted to commission me for a series. I was scheduled to film two episodes as a pilot in the next month.

I worried Colton, our Food Channel Star, had something to do with it, but he assured me he didn’t. His connections, however, did make it easier to convince the studio I could film anywhere. Thankfully, they agreed. Only, in my mind, I had planned to film in the guest house out back behind our home in California. Not in Tennessee.

Owen rested a reassuring hand on mine, running his finger across my wedding band and the gorgeous diamond engagement ring. It had been his grandmother’s on his mom’s side, and I loved that Beverly passed it down to me.

“I’m positive,” he said.

We hadn’t shared the news yet that we were expecting. It was still early, and I was trying to navigate the television series options available while being pregnant. I convinced Owen that we needed to wait until I was through the first trimester before telling anyone, though I was certain he let it slip to our friend Marc. A three-foot teddy bear had been delivered to the house last week, and I had the damnedest time trying to talk my way out of that one when my mom saw it during our daily video chat.

“Please don’t do this for me, Owen. I know how much you love the Coyotes.”

“I do, and I’m thankful for everything they’ve done for my career. But things change. And, cricket, we—” He dropped his eyes to my stomach. “—will always come first.”