Mom Ball, page 26
EPILOGUE
Nate
A lot has happened in a short amount of time.
I gained a son and a fiancée, and announced my retirement from baseball. Timothy gets out of school soon, and I’m pumped to take him to some Braves games and show him around the stadium.
But first, I have a surprise to deliver.
For the first time on a trip back from Atlanta, where I’ve been wrapping things up, I stopped somewhere besides Buc-ee’s. Although many claim that place has everything, they don’t have diamond rings.
I went to a jeweler downtown and picked out the most beautiful, shiny diamond I could find. The saleswoman wrapped it in a tiny box with a perfectly tied red ribbon on top.
It’s currently taking up residence on my dash. Every time I glance that way, I can’t wait to give it to Brooke.
I never intended to propose without a ring, but I couldn’t wait. Once I announced Timothy as my son, then my retirement, I continued with the confession vomit and proposed. Thankfully, it all worked out, since I didn’t want to waste another ten years—or ten minutes—without Brooke in my life forever.
The sign for the orchard comes into view, and I sit straighter in my seat. Gravel crunches under my truck as I pass my house and drive to Brooke’s.
A large balloon arch stretches over the entrance to their farm. The top of my truck scrapes the center. I wince as red circles bounce behind me in the road. I’ll have to answer to Morgan later.
I park behind the Millers’ bigger house, where cars line the drive going to Brooke’s carriage house. Morgan and Aniston stand beside a sign with “Congratulations, Gray Armadillos” in a happy font.
The ring box shines in the sunlight on my dash. I start to put it in my pocket, then decide it’s too bulky. I rip off the ribbon and dig out the ring. It fits nicely in the corner of my jeans pocket, making it easier to keep my surprise.
“That’s too close to the house,” Aniston says when I get out.
“It’s the only branch tall enough.” Morgan points to the tree beside them.
I step toward them. “What’s going on?”
Both women turn to me and sigh. Aniston holds high what looks an awful lot like a papier-mâché armadillo. I frown.
“It’s a piñata,” Morgan offers.
“Give it here.” I take the pathetic-looking creature and cross the yard.
Morgan and Aniston follow me in silence. Brooke’s brothers’ old basketball goal stands at the edge of the yard away from the cars. There’s no net and the pole is rusted, so nobody pays it much attention. I hold the end of the rope and toss the armadillo over the hoop, then secure the rope with a knot.
Morgan claps. I turn and smile. “You’re welcome. Where’s Brooke?”
Aniston laughs. “Getting the cake ready.”
“What’s so funny?”
Morgan and Aniston exchange a look. I head toward the kitchen, running into Timothy on the way.
“Daddy!” He leaps, and I catch him.
I never get tired of hearing him call me that.
“Hey, buddy.” I wrap him in a huge hug, then let him loose.
“You made it before the party.”
“Yeah, I did.”
“Reece said he’s bringing stuff over to teach us all Quidditch.”
“Did he now?” I blink and make a mental note to offer up a kickball game instead. “Come with me a minute.”
We continue to the kitchen. Andrew dashes down the porch, slamming the screen door. I catch it on a bounce and go inside.
“Brooke?”
She turns and smiles widely. We meet halfway in the kitchen. I wrap her in a giant hug and give her a quick kiss since her mom and several kids are rambling in the house.
“How’s your day been?”
“Good.” She nods behind her. “Just trying to make the best of our cake.”
“Yeah, Morgan and Aniston mentioned something about the cake.”
She breaks from me and takes my hand. We go to the counter. I stare at a huge iced armadillo.
“Wow.”
“Yeah.” She sighs. “All the local bakers were booked up or out of town, so we had to use the nearest Walmart bakery. I asked for a cake with “Gray Armadillos” in gray icing. I meant a sheet cake . . . not an actual armadillo.”
“Very Steel Magnolias.”
She laughs.
“Well, I can’t do much about that, but I do have something that should brighten your day.”
“Coffee?” She smirks.
Instead of answering, I dig my hand in my pocket and get on one knee. Brooke’s hands go to her mouth as I pull out the ring. It shines in the sunlight beaming through the window. Timothy laughs happily behind us.
“This is the ring I wanted to propose with, the ring you deserve.”
I take her left hand and slide the ring up her finger. She smiles down at it, then up at me. “Nate, it’s gorgeous, and it fits perfectly.”
“I took a chance that your hand was the same size as when we got class rings.”
She laughs through a few tears. I stand and take her hands in mine. She leans against me, and we hug.
“What’s—” Her mom’s words turn to a gasp when Brooke holds out her hand. “Nate, that’s so pretty.”
“Thanks. I hate I didn’t have this when I proposed.” I give Brooke a squeeze. “I didn’t want to wait.”
“This calls for a celebration.” Mrs. Margaret rummages in her kitchen junk drawer and finds a marker.
She hurries out of the house. I kiss Brooke, then we both hug Timothy. People start gathering in the backyard.
“I guess it’s party time,” I suggest.
“Yeah, a lot to celebrate.” Brooke smiles and leads me outside.
Her mom stands by the banner, beaming. Underneath the “Congratulations, Gray Armadillos,” she wrote, “And Nate and Brooke!”
We all laugh.
“What’s going on?” Georgia asks.
Brooke shows her the ring. More people come to see it and shake my hand.
Morgan comes out with the ugly cake and sets it on a picnic table. She whistles, and the kids come running. “If it’s okay with y’all, I think Coach Nate needs the first piece.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.
We’ve already had a few discussions about me coaching next year, as well as running against Jeffrey for park president.
She stabs the armadillo’s tail with a cake server and cuts out a square piece. It’s red velvet inside. Angel screams, and the rest of us laugh. Very Steel Magnolias indeed.
I take a bite and nod. “Tastes better than it looks.”
“Maybe that can be your groom’s cake,” Brooke teases.
“As long as you’re the bride, it doesn’t matter.” I shove the remaining piece in her face.
She licks her lips and laughs, then wipes some cake back on me.
“Food fight!” Charlie screams.
And that’s all it takes for the kids to engage in a full-on armadillo cake war. Morgan joins us, then Easton. I hug Brooke close, shielding her from flying sugar. We laugh until my throat hurts.
This is not what I planned on happening. But I’ve learned that life is more fun when we can’t predict it. I’ve already gotten the only thing I ever really wanted: life with Brooke.
Whatever else happens is just icing on the cake.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First, I’d like to thank God for giving me creative ideas and placing the right people in my path to help see them to fruition.
My husband, Blake, gets credit next for always supporting my writing endeavors, even if he finds my stories a little too “girly and Hallmarkish.” Of course, this book kind of broke the mold when it comes to that.
My husband and son also get credit on this particular book for helping me with random baseball questions and terminology.
I also want to thank my readers and ARC team for their support. It means the world to me that busy people would give of their time to read early, post reviews, and share the news of my books with their friends. I couldn’t do this without y’all!
As always, I’d like to thank my editor, Joanne, and my proofreader, Charity. Both of these ladies are huge help to making my books shine! They get an extra shoutout this month: Joanne went above and beyond with the baseball research, and Charity helped me beat a tight deadline. I love and appreciate you both more than you will know!
BOOKS BY KACI LANE
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Single Southern Mamas Series*
Mom Squad
Mom Ball (Coming Summer 2024)
Mom Bod (Pub date TBD)
Bama Boys Series*
Hunting for Love
Chicken about Love
Hammered by Love
Cutting out Love
Geared for Love
Guilty of Love (Pub date TBD)
Apple Cart County Christmas*
Christmas in Dixie
Crazy Rich Rednecks
Queen of My Double-Wide Trailer
*New Christmas Novella coming soon
Schooled on Love Series
Taco Truck Takedown
Side Hustle
Buggy List
Off-Season
Books in Shared Series with Other Authors
The Coffee Loft
No Time for Traditions
A Perfect Match in Silver Leaf Falls
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Kaci Lane, Mom Ball
