Page 60 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
Maddie’s cheeks burned. The heat increased when Luke and Matt chuckled. She kept her eyes lowered as they organized the ball game. Thankfully, her team played field first. She was doubly grateful that no balls came in her direction for she couldn’t seem to corral her thoughts. How could she be so fortunate as to marry a man like Wally? One who loved her so freely and openly. Her situation reminded her of the Pharoah’s dreams, only in reverse. The good years—and hopefully she could make that plural—had swallowed up the bad years. Making her past only a faded memory.
Her team was up. And out again before she had to go to bat. The next time up, it was her turn to swing at the ball. She’d never played this game before though she’d watched her brother, Jerome, play it with his friends. Delroy had been one of those friends. Recalling his name made her stand motionless as a ball whizzed past.
“Umm, Maddie, you’re supposed to swing the bat.” Andy seemed as amused as he was instructive.
“Throw it again.” This time she connected with the ball, surprised that the bat reverberated in her hands.
“Run!” Her teammates yelled.
She ran, head down, headed for the base. Maybe if she’d been looking she would have seen Riley racing in her direction, his head up as he kept his eyes on the descending ball.
But neither of them saw the other. He crashed into her, knocking her off her feet.
She fell to the ground, landing on her bottom. She jerked her feet under her and skittered back like a spider trying to escape a man’s boot. It took a moment for her to realize the pounding in her head was not from footsteps but from her own heart. A scream clawed at her throat. She managed to contain it to jerking breathless sobs.
Riley held out a hand. “Let me help you up.”
She lurched back, her vision obscured by a blanket of darkness, edged in red panic. This was not happening. Delroy was in her past. He could no longer hurt her.
Breathe in and out. In and out. But no oxygen refreshed her lungs. Her heart threatened to explode.
“Maddie, what’s wrong?” Wally squatted before her, his dark eyes searching her face. “Are you hurt?” He reached out to touch her.
She shriveled away.
“Maddie, look at me.” His voice was firm yet gentle. “Maddie.”
Soft tones. Gentle and kind. She sucked in air. Her lungs finally started to work. Her chest rose and fell in large gulps. Slowly, reason returned. She met Wally’s concerned gaze. Blinked. Safety enveloped her.
“I’m fine. Just knocked my wind out.”
He took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “You sure? You looked like—” He shook his head. “You looked scared to death.”
The smile on her lips was genuine. She was safe here. She trusted Wally to treat her well. “Sorry if I did.” The others circled them, concern on every face. Poor Jonathan. He clung to Ivy, his eyes wide. Maddie picked him up. “Mama is fine. You’re fine. We’re all fine.” She looked at the others. “Are we playing ball or not?”
“Play ball,” Riley hollered. As the others ran to resume their places he stayed at Maddie’s side. “Maddie, I’m so sorry. Believe me, I’ll be more careful in the future.”
“I’m sorry for overreacting.” With a determined smile, she followed her team to the field.
Wally was up to bat. He swung and connected with the ball. It arched far into the sky. But Maddie’s eyes didn’t follow the ball. They followed her husband. He threw his hat on the ground and ran for the base. Jonathan stood dangerously close.
Maddie’s lungs again forgot to work. Not her son. Please, not her son.
Wally scooped up the little guy and held him as he ran. Jonathan’s giggles filled the air.
Sweet, pure laughter bubbled from Maddie. She laughed until tears ran down her face.
Wally trotted over to her, Jonathan bouncing in his arms. “Nice to hear you laugh.” The way he studied her, she knew he wondered if she was as fine as she insisted.
She wiped her eyes. “It’s just…” How could she begin to explain how good all this felt? “It’s wonderful to be part of all this after struggling alone so long.”
The presence of the others faded into nothing when he touched her cheek, his finger trailing to her lips. “You will never again be without family. You’ll have me until death do us part. And even then, you’ll have the children and the Shannon family.” He leaned close enough to brush his lips to hers.
Jonathan giggled.
Wally kissed Maddie again,ignoring Otis’s, “Yuck,” and Ivy’s giggle.
The Shannon men clapped.
