26
Six days later
Emma hurried into Wade’s kitchen. The aroma of hot cooking oil permeated the air. Her heart did a contented ecstatic dance seeing Wade wearing an apron and slicing jalape?os. She could get accustomed to this image.
“I scheduled the game to record for an hour beforehand and extended it an hour past what should be the end of regulation. I also placed a jar on the living room table. If anyone mentions the opposing team they owe us a quarter.”
“I’m feeling a Tennessee win.” Wade’s exuberance almost had her changing allegiance from Green Bay. Almost. She had changed states to be near Wade, but she clung to her football team.
Wade motioned her over. “Come help me with the bottle caps. You can dip the slices in the batter, and I’ll fry them.”
As she came closer to wash her hands, he kissed her lips. “Those jalape?os aren’t the only thing that’s sizzling.”
“Hold that thought ’til later.” His grin was spicier than the peppers.
The doorbell rang.
“It’s us.” Cole entered the kitchen holding two square cardboard boxes with a white bag on top. “The pizza guy arrived at the same time as we did. He said to thank you for the tip.”
Sam plunked a huge container of ranch dressing on the counter. “We have dipping sauce for the wings and whatever is permeating this kitchen.” She displayed a small bottle. “Sriracha is in the house.”
“A game day favorite. Something spicier than cheese and sausage.” Wade’s teasing grin was delicious.
She lightly bumped his arm as she coated her first jalape?o in batter. “There’s nothing wrong with cheese and sausage.”
“You tell them, Em.” Sam removed her coat and revealed an ‘I love my teacher’ hoodie. First grade would never be the same in Whispering Creek.
“Tell them what? Are my boys behaving?” Linda headed straight toward the refrigerator. “I brought the ice cream. Tin Roof for the host and Fudge Swirl for the rest of us.”
“I never got a tub of my favorite flavor.” Cole crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway.
“You can host next time.” Wade shifted some browned jalape?os onto a paper towel lined plate.
“No one wants to drive out our way.” Cole held Sam’s hand. “Now that Emma is going to live here, we’re outnumbered.”
Emma bit back a smile. She loved the banter between the Donoven men and their parents. Sam had been like a sister, and now she and Sam were dating brothers. Their circle of family and friends had expanded. Instinctively, she went to stroke her tortoise charm and thought better of it with battered fingers.
What would make this day perfect was if her parents could enjoy the Super Bowl with her, Sam, and the Donovens. But leave it to God. He had even better plans. Incredible plans. Her mom and dad had suggested coming for Easter and going to church with her and Wade. God worked in mysterious ways, so she would trust Him and enjoy the journey.
“Emma? I’m ready for the last of the jalape?os.” Wade towered over her in his apron-covered football jersey.
He had caught her daydreaming while she soaked in the dynamics of his family. Her jaw ached while she beamed her biggest smile at him. “And I’m ready for a new beginning in Nashville with you.”
Wade gave her a sizzling kiss which only stopped when the oil started burning.
~*~
Wade closed the door and leaned his back against the smooth wood after his family finally left. His throat burned from screaming at the referees and celebrating a Super Bowl win. Now was the best part of the night. Better than a franchise championship. He wanted to spend some alone time with Emma. She’d been the perfect hostess organizing the food and helping with the cleanup. After being shot, she’d come into the office to cover the lunch hour for the temporary hire. He’d been out on service calls during the day, but he would wager a quarter that the phone rang non-stop with customers wanting to speak with Emma.
She’d made him a better man. And he had not only opened his heart to her, but to his family and friends, and the world around him. Bitterness did not plague him about his trials.
Emma lounged on the throw pillows that she’d bought to accent his couch cushions. A candle burned on the living room table. Nothing in his life at the moment, except for God, burned brighter than Emma.
He sat next to her on the cushion and gently resettled her onto his lap making sure her dress didn’t drag on her wound.
“Do you realize that a few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have been able to hold you or hold onto you.”
“We definitely don’t need any fumbles or dropped passes.” She quirked an eyebrow and smiled that high-energy smile.
He laughed at her quick-witted reply. Emma made him feel as if he chased a kite. Happy, free, and soaring.
She slid her arms around his neck and sent a quiver across his nerve endings. “God held onto both of us. And He taught me to hold on tight.”
Wade kissed her, knowing one thing for sure. This time, he wasn’t letting go, and he wasn’t the least bit sorry.