Chapter Twenty-seven

Gwen’s jaw dropped when she drove into the parking lot of D.C. Duckpin Alley. If she wasn’t so sure she was in the right place, she’d have sworn she took a wrong turn somewhere. The lot was freshly paved. The cracked exterior had been repaired and painted a striking combination of red and black, and a brand new flashing neon sign hung on the outside of the building. Most unbelievable, it was packed with cars, the most she’d ever seen in the all the times she’d been here.

Where did Stan get the money to do this? Duckpin bowling alleys were on the decline, fighting for their lives. No bank would be crazy enough to give him a loan. Maybe he won the lottery. Or married a really rich widow.

Yanking open her car door, Gwen stepped out of her Civic and made her way through the crammed lot into the building. The scent of brand new carpet filled her lungs, along with paint and floor varnish. The interior had been fully restored and given a 1950s retro facelift. Every lane was filled with families playing duckpin, with scores of children hauling the mini balls down the newly refurbished lanes. Something else wafted through the air, too. Rich and savory, it was familiar, though she couldn’t quite place it.

Gwen spun around, taking it all in. Was she dreaming?

Stan bolted out of his office. “Gwen! I’m so happy you’re here.” He beamed, happier than he’d looked in years.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“People are playing duckpin! Isn’t it great?”

“It’s wonderful, but how? Where did all these kids come from?”

“Oh, they’re from the D.C. Home for Girls.” He pointed to the four lanes at the far end of the alley, then to the next four. “And those kids are from the Boy’s Home. The rest of them are here for the free family day celebration.” He reached over the shoe rental counter and grabbed a flyer advertising the event.

“But how can you afford all this? You can’t survive giving free bowling sessions to everyone. And how did you pay for all these renovations?”

Stan smiled. “I got a development grant.”

“From who?” she asked, mystified as to who would invest in a dying sport.

“Me.” Carter’s voice rang out behind her.

Her heart leapt at the sound of his voice. Whipping around, she covered her mouth with her palm. He was wearing the most atrocious black and red bowling shirt she’d ever seen. Next to the Work It Gear logo on the breast pocket, the words “Mr. Anderson” were embroidered in red script. Behind him, Judith stood beside Rocky in his wheelchair, her hand on his shoulder.

Rocky waved. “Hi, Gwen! I’ve missed you so much,” he uttered, his speech halting but clear.

Tears of joy leapt from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. “Hi Mr. A. I’ve missed you, too.”

The scent of falafel wafted in the air. But that was impossible. Ari’s cart was miles away on the Walter Reed campus. Then she noticed the concession stand had been refurbished as well, converted into a full-fledged restaurant with Ari hard at work behind the counter, tending to a line of customers.

Just then, Emerson charged through the front door and stood off to the side. “Sorry I’m late. Traffic was killer.”

Her mind whirled. What was going on? The most important people in her world were here, obviously in the know, yet she was as clueless as a chicken in a fox den. She felt like she’d walked into a surprise party, except today wasn’t her birthday.

Her skin pricking, Gwen turned to Carter. “What the heck is going on?”

“A grand re-opening of a Washington, D.C., institution,” he replied as he stepped toward her wearing brand new red and black plaid bowling shoes. They were the most un-Carter footwear she’d ever seen.

A giggle escaped her lips. “But why?” Her question was as much about the grand re-opening as it was the bowlers.

“Because Work It Gear is branching out to focus on more family-oriented sports. And nothing brings families together like duckpin. It did it for you and Stan, and it’ll do it for countless others. Just look at how much fun they’re having.” From the joyous look on his face, he was having fun, too. The relaxed, easy-going Carter she’d fallen for was back.

Gwen gazed at the lanes filled with happy people. “True, but I don’t know if you’ve noticed, half the alleys in the region have shut down. You’re liable to lose a lot of money.”

Carter cocked his head. “Money isn’t everything, Gwen. I thought you already knew that.” He smiled and his eyes were bright. “Don’t get me wrong, it certainly helps transform things fast”—he chuckled—“but in the end, it’s only a tool for helping people.”

She crossed her arms. “I’ve known that all along.”

“You have. And thanks to you, I’ve finally figured it out. Which is why Work It Gear and several other major corporations will be sponsoring duckpin tournaments around the country with Stan as our national spokesman. I’m no fool. This has gigantic profit potential down the road what with the apparel, footwear, and equipment tie-ins, but for now, I’m just happy to help restore something great.”

Could it be true? Had Carter really finally gotten it after all? Gwen looked at Stan. “So you’re okay with all of this? You don’t feel taken advantage of or anything?”

Stan laughed, throwing his burly arm around her shoulder. “Okay? I’m overjoyed. I thought I’d have to close the doors this winter. This man saved my business and with a little luck, he’ll help save the sport I love. I’m more than okay.”

Relief washed over her. Perhaps this wasn’t just a dream, maybe Carter’s change was a reality. “Well, then I guess I should say thank you.”

“No thanks necessary. I didn’t do it for you. I did it for me,” Carter answered.

Her brow furrowed. “For you?”

He smiled. “Yes. I fell in love with this sport, too. Playing with you was some of the best times I’ve had in years. But there are a couple things I would like to give you.” He walked to Rocky’s wheelchair and retrieved a thick envelope from a bag hanging off the back. Returning to her side, he pulled a packet of pages from inside and tucked the rest of the packet under his arm.

Drawing a deep breath, Carter gazed into her eyes. “I hope you can take this with the very best of intentions because honest to God, that’s how I’m offering it, no strings attached. It took me a while to realize just how wrong I was to misjudge you and try to manipulate you into doing what I wanted. I’ve got to live with the consequences of such a colossal mistake. But I can make one thing right. My father understood the wisdom of family working together to make Work It Gear successful. I couldn’t appreciate that until I had all the control but no one to share my success with. It was very lonely.” He turned the document to face her. It was the proxy vote agreement that had caused so much pain and sorrow. He tore it in half, then half again.

Gwen gasped. “What are you doing?”

“Restoring a family company to the family.”

She shook her head. “But I don’t know a thing about running a business. I can’t make decisions for Work It Gear.”

He shrugged. “You’re going to have to learn. That little angel of yours has quite a large inheritance you’ll need to manage, which will include your share of the Walk It royalties, assuming you still don’t want them. But don’t worry, you only control a third of the corporate shares. You’ll still have to deal with me and my mother.” He smiled.

“I don’t suspect that will be much of a problem.” Judith grinned. “At least from my perspective.”

Gwen’s mind reeled, suddenly realizing the weight of responsibility she’d just been granted. “I don’t know if I’m up to it.” Her chest tightened.

“Sure you are,” Carter said. “You’re a natural. And we’ll do it together. As partners. For real.”

She stared into his gorgeous navy blue eyes. Old feelings she’d tried so hard to bury bubbled to the surface, making her pulse thrum. If only she could dive into his arms and be enveloped in his caress. But too much had passed between them and it was too late. Why hadn’t he realized this earlier? They could have been so much more than business associates.

Ripping her gaze from his, she looked down at the new carpet. “You didn’t have to do this.”

Gently, he reached out his hand to lift her chin. “I know, but I wanted to. Not because I had to, but because it’s the right thing to do. And, not that it’ll change a damn thing, because I know I’ve already screwed up everything beyond all repair, but it’s because I love you.” He brushed a lock of hair off her forehead and tucked it behind her ear.

Her breath caught. “You love me?”

He nodded. “I’m totally, head-over-these-ugly shoes, madly in love with you. I realize I started falling in love with you the moment we met. And even though she isn’t born yet, I love that little baby growing inside you.”

Gwen swallowed hard. They were the words she’d longed to hear. But were they enough? Her heart longed to say yes, but her brain flashed the caution sign.

“Do you love me, Gwen?” He gazed into her eyes, searching her soul.

Unable to hide her truth, she nodded. “I do.” Her heart leapt at the admission, but reality jerked it back. “But so much has happened, Carter, and so much is about to change.” Her throat clenched. “I’ll be a mom, I’m moving, and I’ll be starting a new job and—”

He lifted his hand. “I know. Things are complicated. But I wouldn’t be the businessman I am if I quit negotiating the first time I got turned down.” He nodded at Stan who brought him two boxes of brand new shoes. Dropping to one knee, Carter opened the larger of the two boxes, revealing a woman’s pair of black and red plaid bowlers, a perfect match to his own. Then he opened the second, smaller box containing a coordinating set of plaid leather baby booties.

Emotion surged as Gwen stared into Carter’s misty eyes. His gaze told her so much more than words could convey. Despite all that had gone on before, she loved him, not just because he’d rebuilt this alley and would revive a dying sport, but because of who he was on the inside, and for how much he obviously cared for her.

Carter cleared his throat. “Gwen Radley, you opened my heart and taught me to love again. Please stay and marry me. Let me be a father to your child. If you give me the chance, I’ll cherish and love you every moment we spend together for the rest of our lives. It may not be all strikes, but I swear there won’t be any gutter balls, either.” His voice quaked as he peered into her eyes. Gwen’s chest shuddered. He truly loved her, and he loved her child. What more could she possibly ask for?

“Yes. Yes I will marry you.” She leaned forward to kiss him.

Judith, Rocky, and Emerson cheered as Stan draped her shoulders with a black and red bowling shirt.

Pulling away from her new fiancé, she glanced at the garment. “What’s this?” The pocket was embroidered with the words Mrs. Anderson.

Carter rose to his feet. “When you’re on Team Anderson, you’ve got to have a uniform.”

Gwen laughed. “You were pretty sure of yourself, weren’t you?”

He smiled. “What can I say? I’m an excellent negotiator.”

Hands cupping her face, he kissed her gently. Parting her mouth, Gwen succumbed to his touch, enraptured by the warm press of his lips. With his words and touch, he’d brought every one of her childhood dreams of family to life, and sealed the promise of their future together, just as it was meant to be.