Hard & Deep: A Football Romance

“No, she's not,” Tracy agreed. “But, he still see's her that way.”

Mr. Hayes let out a long breath. “You sure you're okay? Seeing you both pass out like that...”

“I'm fine,” Tracy promised. “And I promise to let the doctor look me over.”

"What about him?" Mr Hayes asked. “Is he fine, too?”

Tracy looked over at the still unconscious man.

“I don't know,” she said honestly. “And I don't really care. He tried to have you killed.”

Mr. Hayes kissed her head, and tightened his arms around her. She closed her eyes, breathing in his scent and letting her tired body relax against his.

“He will never hurt either one of us again,” he promised. “I swear to you.”

“I believe you,” Tracy said softly. She turned to face him. Worry creased his face, but love warmed his eyes.

He raised his hand to cup her blood-flecked cheek. When he finally met her stare, Tracy could see the laid-bare emotions that he wanted to express, but for which words were inadequate. She waited for the blinding pain of the connection, but instead just felt a warm rush fill her mind. The pain was gone. She knew her dreams would be of Mr. Hayes and no one else.

"I love you, Tracy, and I will fight from here to hell and back to make sure that you know it." He pulled her in and kissed her lips with a new-found tenderness that was a first for both of them. When he pulled away, Tracy could see the tear-stained trails leading from his eyes as he asked, "This might not be the best time, but I've never been more sure than I am right now. Will you be my wife?"

The question rocked Tracy more than any of the events leading up to it. It was obvious that neither one of them had planned to make that leap so soon. She could see it in his eyes: the pleading desperation that comes only from realizing that he'd found the one thing he couldn’t live without.

"Yes," she responded simply and fell into his arms. It was the one place that where she knew she would always be safe.

Mr. Hayes pulled her off her feet with one arm and carried her away from the car with a renewed urge to protect and provide for Tracy, no matter what the cost. As a second helicopter began to rise over a distant tree line to the east, it felt as if the dawn heralded not only the new day, but a new chapter in their lives.

Tracy closed her eyes and let him carry her to an awaiting car.

"Mrs. Tracy Hayes," she whispered to herself and smiled.

It was the most beautiful thing that she had heard in a long, long time.