Epilogue
Funny how it was when a girl and a guy gave the reins of their lives over to God, to trust His hand.
After their May wedding in France, Chloe and Sam settled into an easy, newlywed routine.
They bought a recently renovated house in Hearts Bend.
On the day they signed papers, the Raiders called to say they were turning Sam down due to his knee.
They didn’t like their doctor’s report or how he’d looked on the day he worked out with the team.
Guess what? He didn’t care. He said he was actually relieved, and Chloe knew then and there, God was indeed in heaven. Not that she doubted much these days.
They talked of having kids, but decided to wait a year. See how the near future worked out. Then one July morning when Chloe was at the bakery, getting the morning pastries mixed and in the oven, it hit her. The answer.
“Laura Kate,” she’d said when the girl arrived to start the donuts, “how would you like to move to Deux Jardins and run Café LaRue? We have about six months until the renovations are done, so I can train you properly. I’ll go over and help you hire a staff and stay with you through the opening but—” The girl gaped at her, mouth open, eyes wide.
“Yes, yes, yes.” She flew at Chloe and wrapped her in an enormous hug.
“I was hoping you’d ask because I was too scared to ask but look—” She pulled her phone from her pocket and opened an app.
“I’ve been learning French, you know, just in case.
” Sam thought it was the best idea since sliced bread, and the LaRues promised to look out for Chloe’s protégée.
Mid-July rolled around, and Sam resigned himself to retiring. The Raiders’ rejection scared off any other interested teams. The seemingly brusque castoff was something he wrestled with in the night. Chloe prayed for him through the night as he paced the living room crying out to God for help.
Then just before July camp, the Titans called. They wanted him back. Fields had torn his Achilles during drills and was out for the season.
“How’s the knee?” Bruce said.
“Ninety percent,” Sam said, honest and upfront.
“Good enough.”
Bruno negotiated a great deal. Sam Hardy had willingly, heartily given up his dream of a Super Bowl ring for love and a wedding ring. Yet here he was now on the field in Miami this February Sunday playing in…
The Super Bowl.
Chloe sat huddled with the other players’ wives, Mom with her new beau Tom Worley, Janice and Frank, Sam’s mom Annabeth, Sophie and her new boyfriend, Alex.
“Come on, Sam.” Chloe cupped her hand over her lips and asked God for a bit of Titan help.
It was fourth and four on the ten-yard line.
Two minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Titans were down by six to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This was potentially the final play for them.
If they failed to get the first down or score, the Buccaneers would take over on downs and their quarterback would take a knee, letting the clock run out.
Sam looked to the sidelines, then called the play. Chloe could hear his calls in the stands.
“Blue fifteen, fifteen, fifteen…”
She smiled. She knew that play. The fifteens indicated a play Sam had drawn up with the coordinator. If executed correctly, it would catch the Buccaneers’ defense completely off guard.
Sam had the ball. He dropped back to pass.
Come on, babe, come on.
Suddenly he took off running. The defense scrambled. He got the first down. Chloe rose to her feet.
“Come on, Sammy!” she screamed.
He was still running. Five-yard line. The two… Touchdown!
The Miami stadium exploded, the cheers so loud, Chloe had to cover her ears. Or maybe it was just the sound of her own screaming and screeching.
Frank boldly hugged everyone who would be hugged, announcing, “That’s my boy! Way to go, Sammy.”
The extra point kick sailed through the goal posts and just like that, the Titans were ahead by one.
With a minute and a half on the clock, the Buccaneers tried for a comeback, but the Titans’ defense was having none of it.
Marco Martelli had two more sacks in the last thirty seconds.
As confetti rained down on the field and the players celebrated, Sam pushed through the throng of players and media personnel, scanning the bleachers.
“Chloe,” he called. “Chloe.”
She waved from her seat and when Sam spotted her, he jumped over the barrier and climbed up. Wrapping her against him so tight, he whispered in her ear as they swayed side to side. “I love you, babe, I love you.”
“I know, Hardy, I know. I love you too.”
So far, their happily ever after was off to a good start. A very good start.