Mad, Bad and Blonde - Cathie Linz [95]
Faith heard the ballpark announcers say over the loudspeaker system, “What is that guy doing? He’s got a pair of shoes in his hand.”
“Looks like he may strike out with that offering,” the other announcer said.
“I love you, Faith,” Caine said. Reaching into his backpack again, he removed a ring box this time. “Will you marry me?” He looked at her expectantly. “What do you say?”
Her Dark Knight was proposing? He loved her? What would Jane Austen do? She’d say, “Yes, sir, I shall marry you,” instead of shrieking, tugging Caine to his feet, and kissing him so hard he nearly dropped the ring.
And it was an incredible ring; she saw that now as he slid it onto her trembling finger. He’d chosen an antique Edwardian setting with intricate lacy filigree work and a beautiful diamond. Jane Austen would definitely approve. So did Faith.
“I don’t need a prince,” she said fiercely. “I need backup. You’re my backup.”
“And you’re mine.”
She kissed him amid cheers and applause from the stadium crowd.
“Wait, it looks like this guy may have hit a home run after all,” the announcer said. “And now, let’s get back to the game.”
Faith was in a fog until the game ended with the White Sox winning by a narrow margin—five to four.
When she and Caine reached the special exit for their section, they were greeted by Buddy and Weldon.
“I’m trying to convert Weldon to the joys of baseball,” Buddy said before thumping Caine on the back in congratulations. “Holy cow! That was some game, huh? And did you see some crazy guy proposing? Looked a lot like you.”
“It was me, but you knew that.” Caine grinned.
So did Faith, who hugged both Buddy and Weldon before being engulfed in a huge hug by Megan. “That was so romantic! Jane Austen would be so proud.”
Faith nodded. “Yeah. I didn’t know you were at the game today.”
“I’m not the only one.” Megan stepped aside to reveal Faith’s parents standing behind her.
Faith’s mom was crying and laughing at the same time. “I told you this was a good idea,” Faith’s dad told Caine.
“You said it was a brilliant idea,” Caine corrected him.
“Yeah, well, I guess this means I should start planning another big wedding,” Faith’s dad said.
“Actually, Caine and I were thinking of eloping,” Faith said.
“That’s right. How does Las Vegas sound?” Caine said.
“Today?” Megan yelped.
“Not today,” Faith said. “But soon. And you’re all invited.”
When Caine pulled her into his arms, Faith knew this was meant to be. No doubts, no reservations, no strikes, no outs. She’d won big time. She’d won it all.
Turn the page for a preview of the next contemporary romance from Cathie Linz
Luck Be a Lady
Coming November 2010 from Berkley Sensation!
It was the perfect day for a wedding. Thank God the groom showed up this time. Megan West couldn’t deal with a repeat of her cousin Faith’s last attempt to get married when the groom took off.
But that was then, and this was now. A new groom made all the difference in the world. Now, former Marine Caine Hunter would be at Faith’s side. Megan was so pleased Faith had found Caine—the man of her dreams.
“You were smart to come here to Las Vegas and have a small ceremony with only a few close friends and family,” Megan told Faith as the two of them completed their final preparations for the big event. “And having it here at the Venetian was brilliant.”
Faith grinned. “I thought so.”
Megan was determined that everything go right this time around. And the magical location sure helped. The instant you entered the Venetian’s lobby with its mosaic Italian marble floors and colorful fresco ceilings, you knew you were somewhere special. And that was a good thing because Megan fiercely believed that Faith deserved the best.
Faith was like a sister to her. They’d been born two days apart and grew up two blocks apart. Even now, back in Chicago as adults, they lived within walking distance of each other in their Streeterville neighborhood. But now Faith was going to become a married woman. And Megan wasn’t.
Megan told herself it