Author: Jaci Burton

For the first time since he’d started playing professional football, he actually felt like he was part of a team.

Things were changing. He’d done a lot of the changing, and he had Savannah to thank for that.

When the media came in to interview him, he answered their questions—even the tough ones—honestly.

“I have a lot to prove this season. I’m with a great team, and I’m lucky to be here. I’ve been given another chance, and I’m going to work my butt off to prove to the team and to the fans that I deserve to be here.”

He left it at that, and the media seemed satisfied. Maybe because it was the truth, and he’d finally left his attitude behind.

Now it was time to look forward.

SAVANNAH COULDN’T BE MORE PLEASED FOR COLE. IT had been such a great game. His performance on the field had been nearly perfect. And off the field? She couldn’t have asked for more. She’d listened to his after-game interview, and he’d done everything right, had answered the media’s questions honestly, and had even added touches of humor. He’d had a complete turnaround, and she wouldn’t be surprised if he continued playing well. The media hounded him for interviews now, but more for the positive than the negative.

She hoped his family celebrated his success today.

She went home and waited for him to pick her up, knowing he had those interviews and a team meeting. It took him an hour and a half, and she nearly ran to the door when he rang the doorbell. She opened it and threw her arms around him.

“Congratulations,” she said when he scooped her into his arms. “I’m so proud of you.”

He brushed his lips across hers, then grinned. “Thanks. But it’s only the first game. I don’t want to get my hopes up.”

“I think you should definitely get your hopes up. It’s going to be a great season and you should be positive and hopeful about it.”

He kissed her again, this time wrapping his arms around her and giving her a deep kiss that curled her toes and made her hotter than the weather outside. When he pulled back, she licked her lips and tried to calm her rapid pulse.

“You’re good for me. And my ego.”

She laughed and laid her hand on his chest. “I don’t think your ego has ever needed any boosting.”

His lips curled. “You ready to go?”

“Yes. Is there anything I should bring?”

“No. There will be a ton of food and drink at the bar. And family, too. It should be pretty crazy, especially since Mick’s game is tonight.”

“I can’t wait.”

Riley’s Sports Bar was an amazing place and, as Cole had warned, absolutely packed with people, a mix of both customers and Cole’s family. His parents were there, along with his sister, Alicia, as well as his aunt Kathleen and uncle Jimmy, who owned the bar. His cousin Jenna was bartending, Jenna’s fiancé Tyler was helping her. Tara was there, too, surrounded by the family in protective mode. They grabbed seats at a huge table reserved for the family.

Savannah met Tara’s son, Nathan, a very handsome teenager who smiled at her, shook her hand, stayed long enough to be polite and exchange a few sentences, then ran off with his cousins to play games in the back room.

Cole got her a seat, then went off to get them drinks. She figured she likely wouldn’t see him for a while since he was being congratulated by his family and several of the patrons.

“Come sit by us,” Alicia said.

“Thank you.” She changed tables, since Cole had found them a cozy table for two. They had plenty of time to be alone later. She’d much rather sit with his family.

“It’s a madhouse, isn’t it?”

She grinned at Tara. “It’s amazing. You must love it.”

Tara laid a hand on her belly, which had expanded some since she’d met her the night of Elizabeth’s wedding. “I do love it. I unashamedly adore this family. My own left a lot to be desired, so I was always sad not to be able to give Nathan a big extended family.”

Tara looked around. “Now we have all this. Nathan loves the Rileys. They’ve accepted him as their own and have since the beginning.”

Savannah could imagine they would. The Rileys seemed to have an unending capacity for love and acceptance.

“And with the new baby coming, I feel like the luckiest woman alive. He or she will never lack for love.”

Savannah saw Cole sandwiched between his father and uncle, talking with Ty at the bar. Their gazes were glued to the action on the TV. “I can see why.”

“Do you have a big family, Savannah?” Alicia asked.

Savannah pulled her attention away from Cole and back to the women. “No. It was just me and my mom.”

“So this might be overwhelming to you.”

“Not really. I find it all just a little bit wonderful.”

Tara laughed. “So did I when I first met them. I have to admit it wasn’t just Mick I fell in love with, it was his entire family. And when Mick and I decided to get married, we figured it would be best to relocate here—for Nathan’s sake and for mine.”

“Mick plays for San Francisco, right?”

“Yes. And that’s where my business was. But he knew how much his family meant to me, and to Nathan. And his season is only a few months out of the year. With only half of his games being at home, it made sense to make our home here, where the family was. Now that I’m pregnant, I’m so glad we’re in St. Louis. Otherwise I’m pretty sure his mother would have packed up and moved in with us.”

Savannah laughed. “I take it she’s excited.”

“Beyond thrilled. Which in turn thrills me.” Tara’s eyes filled with tears and she blinked. “Sorry. Damn hormones.”

Alicia put her arm around Tara. “I think it’s normal to be like this when you’re pregnant, honey.”

“Oh, god, you’re not getting weepy again, are you?” Liz pulled up a seat at their table and kissed Tara on the cheek. “I swear to god, woman, you’re like a walking faucet.”

“I know. I can’t help it. Everything makes me happy lately, and when I’m happy, I cry.” Tara looked across the table at Savannah, then shrugged. “I’m sorry.”

“I don’t think you should ever apologize for being happy. Or for being pregnant and hormonal.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t encourage her. She’ll cry more.” Liz shifted her gaze to Tara and winked.

Tara stuck her tongue out at Liz. “It’s going to be like this for at least four and a half more months. Suck it up and deal.”

“If I must. The things an aunt-to-be must tolerate.”

Savannah’s stomach tightened. She’d pay all the money she had to be a part of a large family like this, to be able to celebrate triumphs, get together and talk babies and husbands and just about anything.

To have sisters, even by marriage.

To have a family. Her foster families had all been temporary. Nice at the time, but not permanent. When she’d left, there had been no ties, no one to come back to. Just like always, she’d been alone.

She took a deep breath and shrugged it off. This wasn’t her family and wasn’t going to be. She smiled when Jenna came over and fell into a chair.

“Oh. My. God. This place is a nightmare tonight.”

“Why are you even working?” Liz asked. “Shouldn’t you be turning the reins over to your new manager and getting your sweet ass over to the new place?”

She shrugged. “It’s Mick’s first game and I wanted to be here. The new place is coming along fine, and Dave needed help so I just stepped in to assist behind the bar, then I got sucked into chatting with the regulars. Old habits die hard, ya know.”

“What new place?” Savannah asked.

Jenna turned to her. “Hi, Savannah. I’m so used to just launching myself into the middle of a family conversation I forget you might not be used to it.”

“It’s no problem,” Savannah said with a laugh.

“Good. You kind of have to get used to that with this family. Anyway, I’m so glad you could make it tonight. Cole told me he’d be bringing you.”

“He did?”

“He did,” Jenna said with a waggle of her brows. “In answer to your question, I’m opening a new club. A music club. Well, kind of a music club. More of an open-mike kind of place, where people can come in and show their stuff.”

Savannah caught the excitement in Jenna’s eyes, the way she wriggled in her chair when she talked about the club. “How thrilling for you. It sounds like a unique place, and a lot of fun. I can’t wait to check it out when it opens.”

Jenna grinned. “Thank you. I’m pretty stoked about it. Of course at the same time I’m also planning my wedding. Nothing like a little massive juggling.”

“Hey, that’s why you have family. So we can help you,” Tara said.

“Please. You’re busy being pregnant.”

Tara rolled her eyes. “And that makes me, what? Incapacitated? Brain-dead? Incapable of doing what I do best? For your information, I can be pregnant and plan your wedding at the same time. The baby is due in January and your wedding isn’t until late next year. By the time this little one arrives, I’ll be up on my feet again and ready to take care of the final details.”

Liz looked over at Savannah. “She thinks she’s some kind of superhero. We all think she’s insane.”

“I don’t know,” Savannah said. “She looks pretty capable to me. I’ll bet she can handle it.”

Tara nodded. “See? Savannah believes in me.”

“Oh, I believe in you, honey,” Jenna said, patting Tara’s hand. “I just don’t want you to overdo it. Isn’t it enough to have a new baby to take care of?”

“Mom and Liz and you will help. I’ll have plenty of people to help with the baby, and God knows Mick will be all over that baby when he or she arrives. So, see? I’ll have plenty of time to deal with the wedding.”

By the time Cole came back to drag her out of the chair, she was immersed in wedding and baby talk and reluctant to leave.

“Hey,” Jenna said. “Where are you going with Savannah?”

“It’s halftime, Miss None-of-your-business. I’m taking her outside for a walk.”

“Sure you are,” Liz said. “Will we see her again tonight?”

Cole laughed. “Yes. I promise to bring her back.”

He directed her toward the back of the room, his lips near her ear. “The women will suck you into their vortex of female talk and soon I’ll lose you forever. Next thing you know, Jenna will hook you into to helping her with the music club.”

“I am very good at PR and image building, you know. I could offer her some assistance.”

“Don’t tell her that. She’ll sink her claws into you and never let you go.”

She laughed as he led her out the back door and into the garden. There were tables set up, places for people to eat and drink overlooking a lovely garden with trees and flowers. Of course no one was out here tonight since there was a game going on. Inside it was raucous. Out here, it was peaceful and quiet. Such a night-and-day difference.

“This is nice.”

“It’s still hot outside, which is why no one is out here. Well, that and the game, of course.”

“Of course. And I see Mick’s team is doing well.”

“They are. Up by fourteen points at the half.”

She turned to face him. “And did you lead me out here to give me a score update?”

He laughed. “No. I wanted you all to myself for a minute or two.”

“Really? And why is that?”

He gave a quick glance at the door, then pushed her up against the wall. “For this.”