Duke-ing It Out by Jami Albright

Epilogue

Sienna

Sixteen Months Later

“Darlin’, that looks just perfect.” Patty takes a tissue and wipes a smudge from the glass of the trophy case that now houses my Wimbledon cup and dish, along with trophies from the other Grand Slam tournaments.

That’s right, I’ve won four major tournaments this past year, and it’s been the best year of tennis I’ve had since I started. I was in the finals of all but two tourneys, which were at the beginning of the season when I was still not one hundred percent. But the wins aren’t what made this last season so great—though that didn’t hurt, nobody hates losing more than me. It was because I did it my way, with the people I love surrounding and supporting me.

The press called it the comeback of the decade. Whatever, they’re so dramatic. They’d have a field day if they knew the secret I’ve been keeping. For right now, though, I’m holding onto that information.

In so many ways, it’s been the best year of my life. Contributing to the town I love by using my celebrity to bring in Gavin Bain to perform at Tiger’s benefit, and helping her get elected mayor, made me feel like a real part of this community. On top of that, my relationship with my dad has never been better.

And then there’s Duke, I’m not sure I have the words to describe how loving him and being loved by him has changed my life. I’ve gone from a one-dimensional, grey existence to a three-dimensional, multi-colored world, and I’ve never been happier. But it hasn’t all been butterflies and sunshine. Duke and I have had our challenges too. We’ve had to spend time apart due to my travel and his overseeing the building of the Ryder Maximum Performance Center.

I scan around the grey, black, and red interior of the old barn that has been transformed into a place for high-performance athletes and regular Joes to get stronger and healthier and am smiling again. This is the perfect place for Duke to do all the things he does best.

“It was nice of you to let Duke display your trophies here at the center.” Phil slips the key in the cabinet lock to secure the contents, which also include Cash and Hartly’s MVP trophies and championship photos of some of Duke’s high school and college clients.

My heart stutters as my gaze lingers on the photo of Vivian holding her first place trophy from the countywide tennis tournament, that’s situated next to my Wimbledon awards. I place my fingers to the smooth surface of the trophy case. The cockiness in her grin is full-on Vivian Masters. I love it, and I love her still. It’s been six months and I still miss her like crazy. She lived like she died, with love, courage, and brashness. I hope I can be half the woman she was. I turn back to Phil, and I’m sure my melancholy smile matches his. “I think, given everything, this is where they belong.” I scan the area. “Where is Duke?”

Phil breathes on the glass and wipes it with the sleeve of his shirt. “He’s around here somewhere.”

“I’m anxious to see him. It feels like forever since we saw each other.” There were press conferences and appearances after my win at Wimbledon that kept me on the road and away from home longer than I’d hoped.

Since it was my last tournament, I asked Duke not to come to Wimbledon. I wanted to finish like I started, with just me and my dad. He understood, and we spoke every day by Facetime. I don’t regret my decision—it was good for me and Dad to have that time together—but now I’m ready to see Duke.

“We’ve missed Robert at poker night. Your dad’s good at a lot of things, but bluffing isn’t one of them,” Phil laughs.

“How is your dad?” Patty asks.

“Great. He flew home last night and stayed in Fort Worth for an early morning meeting with his realtor to sign the closing papers.” Dad loves this town too and bought a house down the street from Patty and Phil. “He’s anxious to get back to town and begin helping Duke with the center.” That’s right. Duke and my dad have become the best of friends. Dad will be managing the center, so Duke and his team can concentrate on getting high-performance athletes and the good citizens of Ryder back to optimal health.

My phone pings with a text. I check the screen and see it’s Duke.

Hey, sorry, but I had to run to Fort Worth. I’ll see you in a few hours.

What the hell? He knew I was coming home today. I turned down his offer to pick me up at the airport, because I know how busy he is with the center, but the least he could do is be here when I arrive.

I wish I’d known. I could’ve met you somewhere when I landed at DFW.

Yeah, I know, but something came up last minute. I’ll see you in a bit. Love you.

Okay, love you.

“Is everything alright, dear?” Patty asks.

Duke had to go to Fort Worth and won’t be home until later.” I can’t hide the disappointment in my voice.

“I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”

I nod and hike my purse higher on my shoulder. “Well, I guess I’ll go to the new house and see the progress the decorator’s made.”

Patty looks sad. “Okay. Come on over whenever you can.”

Another nod is all I can manage. I push through the door into the overcast Texas afternoon. The weather fits my mood. I have the biggest news of my life to tell the most important man in my life, and he’s nowhere to be found.

I climb into my SUV and slam the door shut. My key slides into the ignition, but I don’t turn the vehicle on. I take a minute to calm my riotous emotions. After several moments of deep breathing and two stray tears, I turn the key and say, “Well, baby, I guess we’ll have to tell your daddy about you later.”

“Surprise! Wait, what?”

My gaze jerks to the rearview mirror to see Duke’s confused face staring back at me.

I turn the car off and twist around to make sure I’m not hallucinating. “What the hell, Duke? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

“No, I’m trying to ask you to marry me.”

“By scaring me to death?”

His expression hasn’t changed. “I thought it would be funny. You know, because of how you stowed away … never mind. What did you say?”

I can’t control the way my lips turn up at the corners. “I’m pregnant.”

He’s out his door and opening mine before I can take my next breath, then I’m in his arms. For several moments the only things I’m aware of are his lips, his tongue, and his hands on my back.

And love.

So much love that it leaks from my eyes in salty rivulets down my face.

“Did she say yes?” Patty’s voice comes from somewhere far away.

Duke breaks the kiss and answers his mother but doesn’t look away from me. I’ve never seen so much joy in one man’s face. “I haven’t asked her yet.”

“Well, why not?” Phil yells.

I look toward the center while still wrapped tight in Duke’s arms. Patty, Phil, my dad, and all our friends are standing together in a group. “What are they doing here?” I ask Duke. “And why did Patty and Phil act like they didn’t know where you were?”

“They came to see me propose. They were in on the secret, but you just upstaged me.” He turns and says, “Y’all need to come here.”

“All of us?” Cash asks.

“Yes, all of you.”

Duke puts me down so gently that I start crying again, and kneels in front of me. It takes me a moment to register the tears leaking from his eyes. “You’re crying.” I bend forward and wipe them away, but it’s no use, they keep coming.

“Must be pregnancy hormones.” He grins.

“Must be,” I say on a hiccupped sob.

“Duke?” The concern in Patty’s voice is palpable. “Is everything alright?”

He swipes his face with the back of his hand. “Everything is great, Mom. We’re having a baby.”

There’s a chorus of surprised exclamations, but none louder than my dad. “You won Wimbledon pregnant?”

“I did. I hope they don’t disqualify me, since it was two against one.” I laugh and turn my attention back to Duke. “I found out after the semifinals. I was tired and nauseous, so I took a pregnancy test. When it was positive, I called my doctor, and she said as long as I felt like it, I could play.”

“You didn’t tell me.” It’s a statement, not a question, from Duke.

I place my hands on his face. “I didn’t want to tell you over the phone.” I glance around at our friends and family. “I also wanted to tell you in private.”

Everyone laughs.

Maggie wipes moisture from her eyes. “Oh, honey, you should know by now that there are no secrets in Ryder.”

Phil squeezes Duke’s shoulder. “Well, son, now you’re down there, you better do something with that ring.”

The man of my dreams grins at his mother and Phil, then turns his attention to me.

“Sienna, I never knew it was possible to love someone as much as I love you. You, and now this baby”—he chokes on emotion and more tears flow from his green eyes—“are my whole world, and I can’t imagine my life without you. You challenge me. You comfort me. You make me better in every way. Say you’ll marry me, Sienna.”

I’m nodding before he gets to “baby.” Marrying him is all I want in the world. “Yes.”

He slides the ring on my finger, kisses my hand, then pulls me to him and buries his face in my middle. I wrap my arms around his head and hold him and our baby close.

Duke speaks to my belly. “Hey, baby, it’s your dad. Every day of my life will be about loving you and your mom.” He stands and holds his hand out to Patty, who takes it and wraps her arms around both of us. Not to be outdone, Phil and my dad join the group hug.

Our friends cheer and gather around us.

I’m in the middle of my family with the man I love and our baby.

This normal life I found is simply extraordinary.

***

Keep reading for a preview of Queenie and Hart’s story, Queen of Hart’s.