Feisty Red (Three Chicks Brewery #2) - Stacey Kennedy Page 0,60

“Remember, just like we talked about.” When Clara looked on with confusion, Sullivan explained, “Mason and I were talking earlier today, and we both decided our family should be a little more official than it is.”

Mason took the ring box from his pocket, and as he held it up, he exclaimed, “Mama, let’s get married!”

Clara jumped to her feet, her hands covering her mouth, tears welling in her eyes.

Determined to get this next step in his life right, Sullivan took the ring from the box and held it up to her. “I loved you the day I met you, Slugger. It took a few years, but I finally found my way back to you. Nothing would make me happier than for you to be my wife. Will you marry me, Clara?”

“Yes,” she cried, dropping her hands. “Yes, of course.”

His wife. Sullivan felt a new purpose wash over him—one to always make her happy—as she slid the princess-cut diamond ring on her finger, a perfect fit. “I love you, Clara,” he told her, his voice rough to his own ears.

She smiled through the tears. “I love you, too.”

Overwhelmed by this life she’d given him, he gathered her in his arms, and his lips sealed over hers.

“Ew,” Mason said, proceeding to make gagging noises.

Sullivan laughed against Clara’s mouth then reached out to tickle Mason’s side, sending him into a fit of laughter.

When that laughter ceased, Mason looked up between Clara and Sullivan, swaying from side to side. “So, does this mean I can call you Dad now?”

Sullivan froze.

Clara laughed softly at whatever crossed Sullivan’s expression and wrapped her arm around Mason, pulling him into her. “Sweetie, you can call Sullivan whatever makes you happy.”

Mason wiggled out from Clara’s hold. His clever eyes searched Sullivan’s and then he said, “I like Dad. I’ll call you that.”

Sullivan felt his throat tighten. He gathered Mason—his son—in his arms and hugged him tightly, even if he was obviously too big for hugs from parents. “I’d like that too, buddy.”

Mason withstood the hug for a couple of seconds before tearing away and took off, running down the hallway. “What room is mine?” he called.

“The one on the left,” Sullivan answered. His old bedroom.

Mason ducked inside the room. A moment later, “Cool,” came from inside.

Clara’s eyes were laughing as she looked Sullivan’s way. “Isn’t it amazing how kids deal with things adults would have a breakdown over?”

Sullivan nodded. “He’s a good kid, and all credit goes to his incredible mother.” He grabbed Clara by the belt loop of her jeans and pulled her into him, holding her close. This time, he kissed her with the deep love that only came from two souls who’d gone through hard times and found their way back to each other.

When she eventually leaned away, she smiled up at him. “What are you thinking about?”

“How much I love you,” he said.

She smiled big. “I love you too, but there’s something more. I can see the wheels in your mind turning.”

He held her tightly, staring down at this woman who gave him a life he hadn’t known he needed. “Oh, I was just thinking about how I left this house, never intending to return. But I want to make this home a happy place again, something I think my father wished for when he left the house to you.”

“I think so too,” Clara said.

“That would make my mom very happy too,” he said, no longer keeping those thoughts to himself. “There’s love in this house again.”

Clara kissed him once more. “And there always will be.”

Epilogue

For as long as Clara could remember, she’d had her wedding planned. From the flowers decorating the barn, to the linens on the tables, to the dance floor, where the guests would laugh and celebrate her marriage. Only, this beautiful wedding she’d dreamed of wasn’t hers.

Amelia wore a gorgeous, fitted mermaid gown with a long veil that was currently covering her face. Just seeing her, Clara’s heart hurt a little that their parents or grandparents weren’t there to see Amelia get married. A week after Sullivan proposed, they were married in a small ceremony with friends and family in the backyard, under the big tree. In the end, she hadn’t wanted a big show. She’d only wanted Sullivan and those who had been there for them through it all. Except Sullivan had invited a few teammates and his agent. The day had been perfect, and somehow, even though their lives had once been very complicated, the last year of their