Page 56 of One Hot Daddy

Within minutes, I'm ready to go in terms of my kit.As for playing the game...

Another man, who I don't recognize, dashes up to me.He slaps my arm---hard."I don't believe we've met.I'm Declan Wilde."

"Of the famous Wilde family of London socialites?"

"Yes, that's me.My wife, Sabrina, is American."He glances at my bat, and I notice he holds one too."Well, let's see who wins this match.Team Declan or Team Dominic?"

"Is that a cricket bat from the Jurassic period?"Reese asks, eyeing my equipment with undisguised humor.

I glance down at my old bat, "It's been in storage for years."

"It belongs in a museum," Declan says, not unkindly."Here, try mine."

He hands me his gleaming new bat, the polished wood shining in the afternoon sun.The weight distribution is perfectly balanced like my old bat never was.I give it an experimental swing, muscle memory kicking in despite years away from the sport.

"That's more like it," Dominic nods approvingly."Now you look like a proper cricketer."

I swallow another swig of whisky, and the liquid courage spreads through my limbs."Right.Let's get on with it then."

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jennifer

Today's game might be just a casual match to help Fletcher get comfortable with cricket again, but it still makes me a touch uneasy.I don't want my husband to get injured.I've heard---from the American Wives Club gals---that this game can be wild.Emery told me not to worry.She's a lovely woman, and I trust what she said, though nothing will completely eradicate my worries.

Right now, I'm standing here alone near the grassy area.

But not for long.

Several women saunter up to me wearing warm smiles and curious expressions.I recognize a few faces from the whirlwind of introductions earlier, though I'm still struggling to keep everyone straight.

"Jennifer!"Emery calls out, her smile infectious as she approaches with three other women in tow."We couldn't let you stand here alone, worrying about the boys and their testosterone-fueled antics."

A laugh snorts out of me despite my nerves."Is it that obvious I'm worried?"

"Honey, you're wringing your hands like you're trying to start a fire," says a petite blonde with a distinct American accent.She extends her hand."I'm Keely MacTaggart, by the way.Evan's wife."

"And I'm Rae MacTaggart," adds a woman with striking reddish-gold hair."Iain's better half.Don't worry about the cricket match---these boys are all bark and no bite when it comes to actual violence."

The third woman, a brunette with kind eyes, steps forward."I'm Chelsea Rigby, Dominic's wife.I know exactly how you're feeling.I was terrified the first time I watched him play after we got married."

Relief washes over me."But you seemed so calm during introductions."

Chelsea laughs, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear."Oh, I've had years to perfect my poker face.But inside?I'm still holding my breath every time he swings that bat."

"The key," Rae interjects with a wry smile, "is to focus on something else entirely.Like gossiping about our husbands' terrible cricket form."

"Ian's particularly dreadful," Chelsea continues."Last time he played, he managed to hit the ball directly into his own wicket.I've never seen a Scotsman turn that shade of red."

I bite my lip."Fletcher's been out of practice for years.I'm worried he'll hurt himself trying to impress everyone."

"Men," Keely says with a knowing nod."They'd rather break a limb than admit they're rusty.But have you seen Declan play?Holy cow, that man is a machine on the pitch---and damn sexy too."

Sabrina Wilde, Declan's American Wife, trots up to us."Sorry to tell you this, girls, but my honey's team is going to trounce Fletcher's guys."

Eye rolls accompany her statement.

I step in to save my man's reputation."Fletcher is the Terminator.Nobody will knock him out of the match.He's one hot daddy."