The game is back and forth. The Pioneers go up. The other team catches us. The other team moves ahead. The Pioneers take the lead. My anxiety level is off the charts. There is under two minutes left in the game, and it’s tied. I’m biting my knuckles. My heart is racing. And my knees are weak.
It’s fourth down.
And we have the ball.
Noah puts the play in motion.
Bodies are flying everywhere.
I’m praying.
His arm rears back to throw and then drops down.
Liam yells for his son to throw the ball.
Bianca Westbury tells the referee to pull his head out of his ass because the other team did something illegal.
Noah throws the brown leather odd-shaped ball. It flies through the air—bodies jump. Hands fight for control.
One person comes down with the ball, and the stadium erupts.
Everyone around me screams.
Julius has it, and he’s crossed the plane.
“Touchdown!” the announcer screams.
Everything is a blur until Julius stands at the railing, yelling my name. I go to him and kiss him, thankful he’s removed his helmet. He hands me the ball. “Read it,” he says.
Read it?
I look at the ball with its black writing, ‘Will you marry me, Weather Girl?’
“Julius?”
Someone on the sideline hands him a box. He opens it and shows me a ring nestled in a black cushion. “Autumn LaRosa, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
I nod and cover my mouth. “Yes. Yes. Holy crap, Julius.”
“Hold this. Don’t put it on yet. I’ll do that after we win this game!” He kisses me and sets the box in my hand. When reality sets in, the clock is at zero, and confetti is raining down from the sky. It takes me a moment to grasp the situation until Reggie is at my side, jumping up and down.
The Portland Pioneers have won the Superbowl.
Acknowledgments
I have to say I never thought I’d get to the acknowledgments for this book. It feels like I’ve been writing it forever, and for me, it has been. Writer’s block is no joke, but I’m thankful for my friends. They encouraged the creative side, held my hand (virtually), and promised me they would stick with me until the end, and they did.
Reggie—I want to thank you for taking my concepts and producing the images I needed to get these covers done. You knew the models to use, sent me great footage, made me FaceTime while I was in my pajamas, and kept me in the loop the entire time. I enjoy working with you so much.
Sarah—it’s hard to believe we’ve been together for nine years! I’ve lost count of how many covers we’ve done, but you always know what my stories need. Thank you!
Amy & Traci—I’m lumping you both together because my passages will be redundant, and you’ll pick on me. I miss you terribly. We had plans in 2020 and again this year. Now it won’t be until 2022 when we can be together. The best part, you girls don’t know each other, but you’re going to become besties! Bring on Texas!!
Trudy—I’m thankful for you & all the help you’ve given me over the past couple of years. You’re a breath of fresh air and a great sounding board.
Debra & Drue—best team ever. I’d be lost without you in my life.
The Beaumont Daily—you ladies crack me up. I appreciate all the love you give me, my characters, and the stories.
To the readers—I appreciate you. I love all the teasers you make on your own, the posts you make about whatever book of mine you’re reading, and when you tell me how much a story moved you. If you’re following me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok – please know that I see you.
And if you’ve read through this—you’re the real VIP in all of this.
Much love,
Heidi
Also by Heidi McLaughlin
THE BEAUMONT SERIES
Forever My Girl
My Everything
My Unexpected Forever
Finding My Forever
Finding My Way
12 Days of Forever
My Kind of Forever
Forever Our Boys
The Beaumont Boxed Set - #1
THE BEAUMONT SERIES: NEXT GENERATION
Holding Onto Forever
My Unexpected Love
Chasing My Forever
Peyton & Noah
Fighting For Our Forever
A Beaumont Family Christmas
THE PORTLAND PIONEERS:
A BEAUMONT SERIES NEXT GENERATION
SPIN-OFF
Fourth Down
Fair Catch
CAPE HARBOR SERIES
After All
Until Then
THE ARCHER BROTHERS
Here with Me
Choose Me
Save Me
LOST IN YOU SERIES
Lost in You
Lost in Us
THE BOYS OF SUMMER
Third Base
Home Run
Grand Slam
Hawk
THE REALITY DUET
Blind Reality
Twisted Reality
SOCIETY X
Dark Room
Viewing Room
Play Room
THE CLUTCH SERIES
Roman
STANDALONE NOVELS
Stripped Bare
Blow
Sexcation
HOLIDAY NOVELS
Santa’s Secret
It’s a Wonderful Holiday
THE DATING SERIES
A Date for Midnight
A Date with an Admirer
A Date for Good Luck
A Date for the Hunt
A Date for the Derby
A Date to Play Fore
A Date with a Foodie
A Date for the Fair
A Date for the Regatta
A Date for the Masquerade
A Date with a Turkey
A Date with an Elf
About Heidi McLaughlin
Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.
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www.heidimclaughlin.com