Chapter 34
Walker
I stepped up to the wooden podium, our logo splashed across the wall behind me, the lights blinding. The room went so still you could hear a pin drop. Every camera lifted, every lens trained on my face.
I glanced to the side. Farrah’s jade eyes were locked on mine. Hadley settled on her hip, both of my girls grinning.
I cleared my throat.
“I’m coming back next season—” I began.
Walker James wasn’t done.
Not yet.
The press conference went exactly how I expected. Mics shoved in my face, a million questions the second I made it clear it would be my final year. By the time I stepped away from the podium, I went straight to my family and pulled them into my arms, pressing a kiss to the top of their heads.
“You girls ready to go home?”
Living with Farrah and Hadley was an adjustment at first. I wasn’t used to anyone else in my space—let alone a kid. But eventually we found a rhythm, and I leaned on Farrah more than I’d ever admit out loud to guide me through this parenting thing.
I wasn’t Hadley’s stepdad—yet—but I wanted to show up the right way.
Support what Farrah and Jake taught her, reinforce the boundaries they set, and follow their lead when it comes to discipline.
My relationship with Jake was… civil. Lily was determined to make us best friends, but I was pretty sure she was destined for disappointment.
Still, we made a point of having a family dinner at least once a month—showing up as a united front, keeping it steady for Hadley.
And Hadley… God. That little girl had carved out a place in my heart that felt permanent. I loved her like she was mine, and I made damn sure she knew it.
As we started gearing up for the holidays and the final months before I went back to baseball, I soaked up every second I could with the two of them.
Farrah and I took the horses out most nights for sunset trail rides, and Hadley followed me around the barn like my shadow, always asking questions, always wanting to help.
I stepped out of the barn and found Farrah leaning against the fence rail by the mini-donkey pasture.
The air smelled like hay and crisp winter, and the last of the light softened everything in gold.
Hadley was brushing Bert and Ernie, humming under her breath as she cooed at them like they were her babies.
I’d gotten her a tiny grooming set of her own, and she was obsessed.
I slid an arm around Farrah’s waist, pulling her into my side.
“Did you ever think we’d get here?” I asked quietly.
She tipped her head back to look up at me, her eyes soft. “Honestly? No. As the years dragged on, I didn’t know how we’d ever make our way back to each other.”
“Life’s funny,” I said, glancing at Hadley and then back at Farrah.
“Because I’d live through all that pain again if it meant you two were waiting for me on the other side.
Every damn time.” A sudden small laugh slipped out of me—disbelieving and grateful.
I shook my head. “What a fucking curveball you were, Wildflower.”
Farrah rose onto her toes and pressed a kiss to my chin. “It was all worth it,” she murmured. “You, Ace… you were worth it.”
The holidays, followed by spring training, went by in a blur. Suddenly, it was already May, and time for Addison and Dean’s long-anticipated (mostly by Addison) wedding.
They exchanged vows on the part of their farm that overlooked the river, with a large tent set up for the reception. Since Farrah, Hadley, and I were all in the bridal party, we were getting ready at Addison’s brand-new house. They’d moved in barely a week ago.
As a wedding gift, Farrah had designed the entire interior once the house was built.
I knew my girl was talented, but every time I stepped into a space she’d touched, I was blown away—and Addison and Dean’s house was no exception.
She’d somehow captured them both. It was calming and soft, but still masculine.
She’d added subtle equestrian touches without taking anything away from the breathtaking views framed by every window.
The girls were upstairs in the primary suite. The guys were downstairs, trying to act like we knew what we were doing.
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie, when Weston stepped up and clapped me on the shoulder.
I turned. “Does my tie look straight?”
Weston shifted it a fraction to the left and nodded. “Looks good.”
Then he paused. His expression went serious in that way it always did when he meant something.
“I’m really proud of you, brother. What you’ve overcome this year—personally and professionally—wasn’t for the faint of heart.
You battled through it, and you came out the other side whole. Happiest I’ve ever seen you, man.”
I couldn’t help the smirk. “Aww, West. Are you being sentimental with me?”
He punched me in the arm—hard enough that I knew I’d be bruised tomorrow. “You’re a dickhead.”
Rubbing my arm, I grinned. “But you still love me.”
Weston rolled his eyes and handed me a beer. “Can you believe our little sister is getting married?”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “I’m just happy as fuck it didn’t end up being Noah.”
Weston laughed as Dean walked up at the worst possible time. “What about my fuckface cousin? And why is his name being brought up on my wedding day?”
Addison had been engaged to Noah before she found out he’d been cheating.
I reached out and set my hands on Dean’s shoulders. “Nothing. We’re just happy you’re our brother.” Then I pulled him into a hug.
“Thanks, man.” His dark eyes looked a little teary. “I’m really lucky I found her…and that she came with a couple of badass brothers.”
Weston lifted his beer. “I’ll cheers to that.”
Addison and Dean exchanged emotional, self-written vows at sunset, surrounded by their closest friends and family. I didn’t think there was a dry eye in attendance, and I was so damn happy for my little sister.
I tried to pay attention, I really did, but I was distracted by a certain blonde standing across the altar from me. Farrah’s sage dress flowed around her ankles in the spring breeze, the amber light catching her hair like it was made of gold. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Never could.
She was my forever, and I couldn’t wait until it was our turn.
After the ceremony and what felt like an endless number of photos, we all funneled into the reception tent.
It looked like something out of A Midsummer Night’s Dream—lush greenery draped everywhere, vibrant flowers spilling over the tables.
Instead of round tables, they’d chosen one long family-style table that ran the length of the tent.
Ava sat beside me and leaned in, voice low. “I’m so happy to see you this happy, big bro. You deserve it.”
She pulled back and smiled.
“Thanks, Avs.” My eyes lifted to Farrah’s as she set a hand on my shoulder and slid into the seat on my other side. “It took a long time to get here,” I said, bringing my attention back to my sister. “But I’d do it all over again.”
After dinner, the dance floor turned into chaos in the best way. Everybody was several drinks past caring at this point.
When the DJ slowed the music down, I grabbed Addison. I hadn’t gotten a real chance to dance with my sister yet.
She looked radiant, and it had nothing to do with the dress, the hair, or the makeup. She glowed from the inside out. Dean fit her perfectly, and I knew he’d love her fiercely for the rest of his life. It was exactly what my little sister deserved and what I always hoped she’d find.
We swayed, and I spun her once, twice, before pulling her close.
“I’m proud of you, Adds,” I said quietly. “You’ve come so far. And it’s been pretty damn cool watching you live your dreams.”
Addison grinned up at me. “I could say the same about you, Walk.” Her gaze flicked toward Farrah, dancing with Grayson a few feet away. “So… when are you going to officially make her a James?”
I chuckled. “I should’ve six years ago.”
Addison narrowed her eyes. “Deflection at its finest.”
“Relax,” I said, and smiled. “I'm working on it.”
Later, I collapsed onto one of the plush lounge chairs near the dance floor. My suit jacket was gone, my tie undone, sleeves rolled up. Hadley was passed out in my lap.
The night was winding down, and only family remained.
I took a long pull from my beer and watched Farrah laughing with the girls on the dance floor while I stroked Hadley’s curls.
My parents approached and settled into the chairs on either side of me.
My mom smiled and nodded at Hadley. “She’s out cold, huh?”
I chuckled. “I don’t think her tiny legs were ready for how much dancing she did.”
My mom stood and held her arms out. “I’m headed back up to the house with Liz to help clean up a bit for Addison. Why don’t you let me take her? I’ll put her in a bed.”
I nodded and stood carefully, transferring Hadley into my mom’s arms like she was made of glass.
Liz walked over and kissed the top of Hadley’s head. “My sweet angel grandbaby,” she murmured, and followed Mom out.
I sat back down next to my dad.
“Fatherhood looks good on you, son,” my dad said, clinking his bottle against mine.
I shook my head. “I’m not her father.”
My dad laughed softly. “You are in every way that counts.” He reached out and gripped my shoulder until I looked at him. “I’m proud of you, Walker James. The man you’ve become. Watching you face your demons, live your dreams, and get the love of your life back…”
He exhaled and shook his head like it still didn’t feel real.
“Most people don’t accomplish that in a lifetime.”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Thanks, Dad,” I rasped.
At a certain point, I wasn’t even sure what time it was anymore. The day had been so full it felt like three days stuffed into one.
Farrah and I finally made it home with Hadley in tow. She woke briefly when we moved her from Addison’s house into my truck, but she fell right back asleep once we got her settled into her own bed.
Exhausted, we changed, showered, and slid under the covers in record time. I wrapped an arm around Farrah’s waist and pulled her close, breathing her in—lavender and citrus, my calm. I kissed her hair. “I feel like I barely saw you today. I missed you.”
She let out a soft laugh. “Ace, this is the most you’ve seen me in months now that you’re back in season.”
“I miss you then too.” I pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder.
Her breathing slowed—steady and relaxed. She shifted closer, her hand finding mine under the covers.
“Thank you,” I whispered into the dark, “for saying what you wanted, Wildflower.”
And I was so fucking lucky it was me.