Champion (Heartland Heroes #4)

Epilogue

A gain, thank you all for coming here today and for welcoming Champ’s Gym to Jefferson. I look forward to meeting everyone and working with a new group of boxers here. We are committed to community, which means that self-defense classes for women and our new program for teens will remain free of charge.”

The crowd claps as Champ finishes his speech. My heart swells with so much love for him as he formally opens the doors to the new gym to let people come in and have a look. He has put so much effort into making sure that the new location of the gym will serve the community and not just boxers.

“You were wonderful, Champ,” I say, giving him a kiss and a big hug.

He hugs me back and smiles. “I'll be spending a lot of time at this location, I'll have you know.”

He winks at me and I grin back at him. I lace my fingers through his and hold his hand as we watch the crowd.

I know he's going to be here to get the new gym up and running. He’s already been spending so much time at my place that I've already given him a few drawers of my dresser for all of his things.

“As much as I'd love to stay here with you, my dear Opal, I need to go talk to the crowd first.”

“Go and do your thing,” I tell him, squeezing his hand. “I totally understand. I'll be here for you when you're back.”

I look at the crowd, pleased that so many people have shown up for the opening today. I even saw my brothers, which makes me happy. Doyle still isn't quite on board with me being involved with Champ. But I've told him that Champ is my boyfriend and he better get used to it. We all had an awkward dinner a couple of weeks ago, but we made it through without any fistfights or yelling. I consider that a win.

I pull my jacket around me and walk over to where Beth and Dirk are standing under a tree.

“Hey, you two,” I say, pulling Beth into a hug. “How are you guys doing?”

“We're doing great, thanks,” Dirk says. “But Beth here has some news.”

“Are you sure, Dirk?” she asks, looking at him, uncertainty and excitement in her eyes.

“Maybe we should get your brother over here too.”

When Beth nods, Dirk makes his way to where Champ is standing and talking with a few people.

I raise my eyebrow at Beth. “What's the secret? ”

“I'll tell you now, but you have to act surprised when Dirk comes back and we tell my brother. Champ will be mad if he thinks that he wasn't the first to know.” She giggles and threads her arm through mine.

“Okay,” I say. “What's going on?”

Beth smiles, and her whole face glows with happiness. She puts her hand to her stomach and looks down.

“Oh, my god! Do you mean…?” I ask, my voice raising a couple of octaves.

“I do,” she exclaims. “We’re having a baby!”

“I'm so happy for you, Beth. You and Dirk are going to be amazing parents.”I wrap my arms around Beth and hug her tightly, bursting with happiness for her.

“I'm really excited but also terrified. Everything is so perfect with our life that this almost seems like too much perfection.”

“Enjoy it,” I tell her. “You deserve all the happiness and I am so thrilled that everything is going so well for you two.”

“Oh, here they come. Prepare to act surprised.” She giggles.

“What's going on, sis? Dirk came over and grabbed me and said it was urgent that I come over and talk with you.”

“Well,” she says, “we have some news. I'm pregnant!”

As instructed, I squeal with happiness all over again while Champ shakes Dirk's hand and pulls him into a hug. I hear him muttering something to Dirk that sounds a lot like, “You better take good care of her or you'll answer to me.”

“I heard that, Champ,” Beth admonishes. “He’ll answer to me and you know it.”

“If you say so,” Champ says, but he laughs. He pulls Beth into his arms and I can see his eyes glisten with tears that I know he won't let fall.

“I'm really happy for you, Beth. Anything you need, anything at all. And it's yours. The same for you, Dirk. You’re family. And whatever you need, I'll make sure you have it.”

“I appreciate that, man,” Dirk says, wrapping his arm around Beth and holding her tightly.

He looks at Beth with such fierce love and devotion I can’t help but sigh. It’s exactly the way I feel when Champ looks at me.

“I guess this is as good a time as any,” Champ says. “Dirk, I'm going to be spending a lot more time at the Jefferson Gym, which I know is no surprise to you. I want to invite you to take the lead at the Raytown gym while I’m here. I want you to look after all of the boys, lead the classes, and manage the place. Do you think you're up for that?”

“Are you serious?” Dirk says. “I would love that, Champ. Thank you for putting your trust in me.”

“You're welcome, Dirk. You've earned it. I know I can trust you and that you won't let me down.”

“I thought I'd find you here,” Roman says, coming up behind Champ.

“Roman, hey, glad you made it. You want to sign up for some classes?” Champ jokes and slaps him on the shoulder.

“Nah, you know me. I'm not a boxer. I'm happy with my job at Rebel Autos and raising Tessa here,” he says, looking at his daughter.

“Hey, Tessa, how are you?” I ask. I've only met her a couple of times, but she's a bright girl for her age.

“I'm doing okay, thanks,” she says, though I can see that something is troubling her.

When Roman, Dirk, and Champ go off to talk among themselves, and Beth goes to talk to another friend, I pull Tessa aside.

“Is everything okay?” I ask. “Are you having problems with school?”

“No, it's not school,” she says, still sulking. “Dad's just being a hardass.”

I raise my eyebrow at her cursing.

“Sorry,” she says. “Dad's being…he's being mean.”

“What's going on?”

“I want to study writing, but he keeps on telling me that I have to take all of these other academic classes. And that anything that I want to study has to be extracurricular. That wanting to do something creative isn't something he thinks I can be successful at. He's trying to block me from even trying.”

Tessa’s words come out in a hot rush and it’s obvious this has been eating at her. I know better than to try and parent another person's child, but I also know that kids need encouragement.

“Tessa, I know he has your best interest at heart,” I say. “I've only met him a few times. But I know he's very protective and devoted to you.

“I know,” she says, barely concealing how she rolls her eyes. “I just wish that he would be more supportive of what I want.”

“Give it time,” I say. “He might come around and surprise you. But don't give up your dreams. Even if you have to take other classes, still keep practicing writing and doing what makes you happy. If writing is what you really want to do, you'll find a way to make it work. You're a smart girl. I'm confident about that.”

“Thanks, Opal,” she says. “Maybe you could talk to him.” Her eyes light up with hope, but I shake my head.

“No, sweetie. This isn't something that I can get involved in. But feel free to contact me if you need some moral support.”

“Thanks, Opal.” She smiles, resigned.

“Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some more people to talk to. It was really good to see you, and thank you so much for coming today.”

“Of course. Dad said it was important.”

“Man, I'm glad that we got the new location open today. But I'm happier to be here with you, Opal, on our way up to the mountain.”

“Me too, sweetheart,” I say, reaching over and putting my hand on his arm while he drives up King Mountain. We drive in comfortable silence. Usually, we talk the entire drive, but I know we’re both talked out after the opening celebration today .

Ever since our first visit to King Mountain, we've been taking Waylon up on his offer to use one of the cabins for weekends. He said that unless it’s the height of summer, there’s always at least one available. We've come up for a weekend twice before, and we had such a good time that I convinced Champ that we needed to come up more often. It's wonderful to get away from everything and have it be just the two of us. The time we spend on the mountain has become so precious to me already. I still haven't met a lot of Waylon's guys who live on the mountain. But I know I will eventually.

“Here we are,” Champ says, pulling into the driveway of one of the cabins.

There are lights already on in the windows. “Is somebody else here?” I ask, confused.

“No, it's just the two of us.” Champ smiles, and I can see a twinkle in his eyes. “Let's get inside.”

“What's going on?” I ask as I look around the cabin. My eyes widen with surprise. A fire crackles in the fireplace. An open bottle of wine sits on the table, along with a massive bouquet of flowers.

“I had Claudia help me with this,” Champ admits, smiling at me.

“It's wonderful, Champ. Thank you.” I move to Champ and he takes me in his arms, kissing me slow and deep.

The comfort and peace of being in his arms settle through me, and my desire flares to life as our kiss deepens. He slides his hands under my blouse and I arch my body into his.

“I've been wanting to touch you and be with you all day long, Opal,” Champ says, his voice thick .

“I wanted the same thing,” I say, reaching down and unzipping his jeans. “I guess you weren't kidding, were you?” I giggle when I discover how hard he is already.

“Babe, I’m always ready for you, and you know it.” Champ grins at me, a wicked glint in his eye. “But first, let’s sit on the couch and have a drink.”

Champ leads me to the couch and I sip the glass of wine he gives me.

“Opal, you know I love you,” Champ says, putting down his glass of wine and turning his body to me.

“I do.” I smile. “I love you, too. Very much.”

If you'd asked me at the beginning of summer if this is how I thought my life would be in autumn, I would have laughed. Yet the setup that Beth and Shelly put together worked, and now I’m happier than I ever imagined. Not a day that goes by when I don’t silently thank them for helping Champ and me get together.

“Opal, since you entered my life, distracting me with your dresses in the gym, our relationship has redefined what I thought being in love would be. You constantly amaze me with your kindness and passion and your commitment to the community.”

“Thank you, Champ. What is…”

“Please, let me finish,” Champ says, putting his hand over mine. I nod, and he continues. “You make me happier than I thought I ever deserved. I owe you my life for not giving up on me, even when I tried to keep you at a distance. I never want to be apart from you ever again, Opal.” Champ’s voice wavers, and my heart pounds in my chest. “I know it’s quick, but I don’t need months or years to figure out how I feel. ”

“Oh, Champ,” I whisper, understanding what he’s saying.

Champ reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small, blue velvet box. He opens it, and a beautiful diamond ring twinkles in the light from the fireplace. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

“Yes!” I say, not even hesitating for a moment.

I tremble with joy as he slides the ring on my finger. I pull him into a kiss and everything else in the world falls away as we fuse our promise to love each other for the rest of our lives.

Thank you so much for reading Champion !

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