His impassioned speech hummed through Danielle’s veins, spreading warmth. He loved Bri and would be a good father. Was that enough to keep him in Castle Ridge or at least have him visit his daughter regularly? And how would that affect her?
The humming stopped. Danielle would have to face her emotional fears of dealing with Luke being in her daughter’s life but not in her own.
“Thankfully, Bri won’t need your kidney.” She needed his heart. His love.
Luke grabbed both Danielle’s shoulders, his strong fingers digging into her skin through her thick sweater. “What can I do for Bri? What will you let me do for her?” His tone pleaded and his eyes begged.
He was Bri’s father and Bri now knew the truth. There wouldn’t be a way to cut off their connection. And Danielle would have to survive knowing she loved him and couldn’t be with him.
She moved past him and paused at the doorway. She needed air to breathe and time to think. She needed to get away from Luke if only for a few minutes, but she had to be there when her daughter woke up. She would always be there for Bri.
Would Luke?
Danielle gave him a final glare. “Just make sure you’re around when she wakes up.”
* * *
“Visiting hours are over. Time to go home.” A nurse stood by the open door and stared at Luke, making him feel like a criminal. “Our patient and her mother need rest.”
The announcement was only for him. As Bri’s mother, Dani could spend the night on the small pull-out couch she currently was laying on. Luke wasn’t offered the same consideration. He bristled against the wet long underwear he wore under his ski pants.
“I promised I’d be here when the patient woke up.” He scowled. See, I keep my promises.
“Sorry, Mr. Logan. Family only. Those are hospital rules.” The nurse’s expression showed sympathy.
Dani peeked from under the blanket she’d had tightly wrapped around her. Since she’d come back from buying two coffees, one of which she shoved at him, the two of them had barely said a dozen words to each other. It was as if she was pretending he didn’t exist.
“He’s Bri’s father.”
Dani’s words whispered in his chest, fluttering around before wrapping around his heart. She was admitting the truth to a stranger.
The nurse’s jaw dropped. “We don’t have that in our records.”
Dani’s cheeks flushed red. “It’s recently been acknowledged. He can stay.”
If only she meant stay forever.
“Unless it’s official, rules are rules.” The nurse shook her head, appearing truly sorry.
“I’ve got to get out of these wet clothes.” He reluctantly stood, stupefied at Dani’s admission. He did need to change and he needed to think about what would happen next. “If Bri wakes up, tell her I’ll be back first thing in the morning.”
“I’ll tell her.” Dani’s gaze followed him to the side of the bed.
He kissed Bri on her soft cheek, shot one last, lingering glance at Dani, and headed out the door. The smell of sickness followed him through the hospital corridors. It wasn’t the smell making him nauseated.
Time to go home. The nurse’s words taunted him.
He didn’t have a home, or anyone to go home to. His family, his life, was in this hospital. His life was empty without Dani and Bri.
Luke’s footsteps echoed through the silent lobby. He didn’t want to go back to the hotel. He didn’t want to be alone. He spotted the sign for the rehabilitation center and he automatically headed in that direction.
After the preliminary niceties were out of the way, Coach’s shrewd gaze raked across him. “What brings you by so late?”
“Can’t a guy visit his mentor? I am coaching the team for you.” Luke had stopped by earlier during the day. He’d tried to visit every couple of days, in between physical therapy, coaching, and spending time with Bri and Dani.
“How’s the team doing?” Coach didn’t sound interested. They’d already discussed what was taking place at practices. He knew Luke would get around to the real reason for the visit.
“Not much has changed since earlier today.” Luke’s heart spasmed, sending shards of pain through his chest. “Except Brianna Marstrand is in the hospital.”
Coach’s face showed alarm. “What happened?”
“She went skiing during the blizzard. Tried to take a jump.”
“Is she okay?”
“Hypothermia and concussion.”
Silence filled the room. Only the ticking of a clock and the buzzing of machines could be heard.
“And?” Coach mimicked a psychologist.
“It’s my fault.” The shards shattered into smaller fragments, each one piercing Luke’s lungs. He gripped his head in his hands. He didn’t want to relive his guilt. He needed to move forward and make it right. “I told her about the Turret line and, even worse, I upset her by blurting out a secret.”
“That you’re her father.”
His gaze flew to Coach’s face. “How did you guess?”
“I’ve known you and Danielle since you were teens. Knew your relationship. I can do the math.”
Luke laughed inside, feeling stupid. “Obviously, I can’t.”
Coach raised his brows and angled his head, staying silent.
“Dani finally told me.” Luke ran frustrated fingers through his hair. “She didn’t want Bri to know. Dani and I pretended to date so I could get to know my daughter.”
“Pretended?”
Another chuckle at himself and his stupidity. “Well, it started out that way. Then…” His pierced lungs flamed and he couldn’t breathe. “Doesn’t matter. Dani hates me now.”
“Mothers of cubs are unreasonable creatures.” Coach sounded calm and certain with his wisdom.
Luke kicked himself mentally. “She’s furious. Barely speaks to me.” Although she’d admitted to the nurse he was Bri’s father. A step in the right direction.
Coach shifted on the bed, settling in for a long talk. “What do you want, Luke? With Bri? And with Dani?”
His brain processed the question. He thought deep and long. His mind whirled and lightened. The pain in his chest stopped. He didn’t want to go on as usual. Didn’t want to travel and party. “I know I don’t want to leave town and never see them again.”
“You were always so good at taking calculated risks in your career.” Coach’s tone urged Luke to do something. “Maybe it’s time to take a risk in your personal life. Go big or go home.”
What did Luke want for himself? Personally and professionally?
His head buzzed. Professional skiing had been his life forever. The medals, and the sponsorships, and the notoriety. He didn’t know what he would do if he didn’t have skiing. He also knew he didn’t want to travel the world alone. Without a home or a family. His old bones were tired of the daily workouts and competition. His injuries more than hurt. But his need for competition hadn’t slowed. He still wanted to win.
Coach’s words haunted him throughout the night.
Take a calculated risk. Go big or go home.
Luke knew he was home. Home in Castle Ridge. Home with Bri and Dani.
Could he convince Dani to make a home with him?
Chapter Seventeen
Early the next morning, Luke snuck into the hospital before visiting hours. Bri was asleep. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and recovered her with the blanket.
Also sleeping, Dani appeared as if she’d tossed and turned all night. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a very messy bun. Her tear-streaked face had a ruddy complexion, as if she’d cried and tried to wipe the evidence away. He wanted to hold her close and comfort her, telling her everything would be fine.
She still looked beautiful. His princess. He’d always thought of her as a fairytale princess who’d bestowed her love on him.
“You love her, don’t you?” Bri’s sweet voice whispered from the hospital bed.
Luke’s love pounded and flowed through his veins
. He gathered himself before facing his daughter. “Always.”
“What’re you going to do about it?” Bri’s pitch rose in a challenge. She reminded him so much of Dani at this moment.
In high school, Dani had made him a better skier, a better student, and a better person by challenging him to work harder. He challenged her, too. They made a great team.
Luke tiptoed to Bri and took her hand in a gentle hold. How much did you tell your teenage daughter about your love life? “Your mom won’t talk to me. She’s furious I told you the truth and that I told you about Turret line.”
Bri placed her other small hand over his. “It wasn’t your fault.” Her angelic smile made him believe she was heaven-sent. “Unless you gave me the go-to-hell gene.”
“Possibly.” He relaxed at her joking tone, until he realized this was a teaching moment. He was her parent and it was time to step up to the role. “What were you thinking? Going out in a blizzard and climbing the Turret line?”
She shifted in the bed, obviously uncomfortable.
Maybe now wasn’t the time. What if she hated him if he went strict-father on her? But if not now, when? The terror returned, rushing out in a harsh question. “Do you realize you could’ve died?”
“I’m sorry.” Her voice cracked. “I was so angry and wasn’t thinking. I wanted to prove I could make my own decisions and skiing the Turret line would show both you and Mom. The kids on the team know about the line. It wasn’t your fault.”
“Conditions have changed over the years. I didn’t know about…” He couldn’t go on. Thinking about how the parents of those kids who’d died must’ve felt took his breath away. He’d almost been one of those parents. And he’d only recently found Bri.
He bent, putting his arms around her shoulders. His eyes burned. “Please don’t ever pull a stupid stunt again.”
“I won’t.”
“Your poor mother.” Swiping at his tears, he stood back up and contemplated Bri. “I’m sure she’s going to punish you.”
“What about you? If you’re my father, why aren’t you going to punish me?”
Holding his breath, he stretched on his tiptoes considering her request. What would a real dad do?
He might be her dad biologically, but he wasn’t involved in her life, didn’t know how she was punished. His shoulders sagged, and he glanced at Dani, sleeping. “Your mom only told me I was your father because she thought I’d figure it out for myself. She wants me to leave town.”
“What do you want to do?” Bri’s gaze bore into his. Again, challenging him.
“I want to be your father. A real dad.” The declaration poured from his heart in an emotional mess. He wanted her to know his feelings. He’d never hold back from her again. “I love you, Bri.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
The emotional mess melted into a puddle of goo. He’d never expected to hear those words. Never understood how it would feel. He wanted to pick her up in the air and toss her around as if she were a toddler. He wanted to catch her, and hug her, and never let her go.
“And Mom?” Bri’s lips pursed in a mulish expression. She wouldn’t let him off easy. “You must be pretty important because I’ve never known Mom to date anyone.”
“She agreed to pretend date so I could get to know you without raising suspicions.” Although it didn’t seem like pretend dating.
“I’ve never seen Mom happier.”
“Maybe she’s a good actor.”
Bri graced him with the most beautiful smile. “No. It’s you.”
And even though it was only Christmas Eve morning, he’d been given a gift. A gift of hope. A gift that tumbled through his chest and hugged his heart.
Luke gathered his courage like he was used to gathering awards. “I’m sorry you learned about me being your father the way you did. I hope you’re not disappointed.”
In me.
He held his breath, watching her expression change. Her smile shifted. Her lips turned down, and her face became serious.
“Not disappointed at all. Thrilled.” She squeezed his hand in a tight grip and he felt the touch to his heart. “Doesn’t matter if you’re my dad, my coach, or someone dating my mother, I want you in my life.”
Her words drilled into him in a big exclamation point. Another challenge. Another chance. His thoughts over the tortured night solidified. “I will be.”
* * *
Danielle spent the day chasing down doctors and nurses to get everything done so Bri could be released from the hospital. It was Christmas Eve, and she wanted to be in their house to celebrate Christmas morning. Not that she’d be celebrating inside. Pretend dating between her and Luke was over. She couldn’t continue to act like she enjoyed his company in front of Bri and then act like she hated him when alone with Luke. Bri knew the truth about them, so there was no longer a reason to pretend date.
She stabbed the pen into the paper at the end of her signature on the hospital release papers. And that didn’t even make sense. She wasn’t making sense. She didn’t know what sense was at the moment.
She handed the papers to the nurse and surveyed the dark evening sky. “I can’t believe Luke didn’t even stop by today.”
“He did.” Bri shoved a purple hat with crocheted flowers onto her head.
“What? When?”
“He came by early this morning.” Bri tugged on the hat, calling attention to it. “He said he had a bunch of things to get done today.”
Dani shoved her copies of the paperwork into her purse grumbling to herself. He didn’t think Bri being in the hospital was more important than simple errands.
The nurse came in and wheeled Bri out to the front entrance. Danielle had the car pulled up and helped settle her daughter inside.
“Take these, too.” A nurse handed her a couple of extra blankets.
Odd. The car was warm, and the heater was on full blast. Maybe it was something the hospital did for hypothermia patients. She took the blankets and settled them across Bri’s lap before getting into the driver’s seat.
“Do you mind if we drive by the base of the mountain?” Bri’s voice carried a shaky-excited tone. “I need to see where I fell.”
Danielle’s protective instincts rose like a mama bear. She braced herself. “You don’t need to ever see the mountain again.”
Bri placed a hand on her stiff arm. “Mom, I’m going to ski. I’m going to compete and I’m going to be good.” She removed her arm and waved it around emphasizing her point. “Yes, it’s dangerous, but I take calculated risks. It’s something I love.”
The declaration sounded so similar to something Luke had told Danielle in high school. How he was going to compete professionally and he was going to be successful because he was good and he loved the sport. Their daughter had channeled Luke.
All along she’d feared losing Bri to the sport like she’d lost Luke. In a sense, she had.
Danielle knew she couldn’t fight against that type of passion. She needed to support her daughter in her choices, embrace her passion, and continue to be the sensible voice in her head. “It’s dark and you won’t be able to see the Turret line.”
“Please, Mom. I’ll be able to see the top of Castle Ridge Peak. I need to face my fear now.”
She understood facing fears. Maybe if she’d seen Luke before thirteen years had passed she’d have told him sooner. Luke and Bri could’ve had a long-distance relationship. He could’ve seen her grow and helped her make good choices.
Danielle straightened her spine. He was going to be a great father. She’d contact a lawyer after the holidays and get the process in motion. They’d figure out visitation and other details. Seeing Luke would be hard for her. She’d do it for Bri’s sake.
“Okay, but you’re not getting out of the car.” Danielle turned toward the base of the mountain. The town was situated next to the base of the hill so it only took a couple of minutes to get there.
She parked the car in the same spot as last night, when
she’d been waiting for the ski patrol to find Bri. The emotions in the car were the complete opposite. Relief instead of terror. Happiness instead of gloom. Sadness trickled into her bloodstream, bringing Danielle’s mood down. The only thing that would make this moment better was if Luke was here beside them.
The lift was running late in the evening. The resort must be doing maintenance or having a special event. Or please not, she prayed, not another emergency similar to the one they’d had last night.
The white snow on the slope shone from the bright, starry night. The trees glittered with snow from yesterday’s blizzard. The scene was a picture-perfect postcard.
“Look!” Bri pointed to the top of the slope.
Lights flickered at the top of the mountain. Skiers holding lit torches skied in a formation over the ridge and down the slope.
“It’s a torchlight parade.” Danielle’s memories warmed. The resort didn’t do the parades very often. Luke and she had shared their first kiss when they’d participated in one of the parades in high school. He’d broken formation to ski to her side and kissed her. It was from that point forward they’d been dating.
The warmth inside her melted any hostility left for Luke. He was a good man. Their timing in high school hadn’t been right. And they’d changed too much to make things work between them now.
The torchlight parade must be for a private event because there weren’t any other cars parked in the lot or people milling about waiting.
“Mom, they’re spelling something.” Her daughter couldn’t contain her excitement.
The skiers spread out even more.
She made out the letter M at the top left, and a question mark by the bottom right. “They’re asking a question.”
“Ya think?” Her daughter used the like-duh tone she hated.
The skiers zoomed faster. The flames from the torches blurred together.
“Mmmmaarrrymmmeee?”
“Mom.” Bri smacked her arm. “Marry me.”
The Christmas Match: Castle Ridge Small Town Romance Page 19