I love you. I believe in you.
Dad
When I look up, Holden’s silver-blue eyes are swimming in tears. I try to give him a stern stare. “Don’t you dare! I’ll lose it!”
He sniffs and clears his throat, rising off the bed. “Your dad knew what he was talking about.”
“He did,” I say, struggling not to let the tears fall.
“Win!” Sadie calls again.
I take a deep cleansing breath, put the frame on my bedside table and take Holden’s hand in mine. I look up at him as we open the door to our room. Sometimes, like now, I’m in awe of my life. Of this man, who loves me with his whole heart, in a primal way I never even knew was possible.
He kisses my forehead. “Time to watch Dixie and her crazy goalie get hitched.”
I manage to keep it together as Sadie and I walk down the aisle, one after the other, with our tiny bundles of lilacs and forget me not’s. I don’t blubber when Jude walks Dixie down the aisle, but he does—which I can’t wait to tease him about for the next ninety years. Dixie looks incredible in a formfitting antique lace dress as she glides toward Eli, who seems like he’s having a hard time not welling up as his brother, Levi, grins proudly beside him.
I expect to cry when she and Eli light the candle in memory of our dad, but I don’t. I look up at the bright blue sky above us and listen to the waves crash just a few feet away. I curl my bare feet into the warm sand and smile. He would be prouder than a peacock today.
At the reception, we gather in tents in the backyard and celebrate until the wee hours. I know my dad would be the last person on that dance floor if he were here. At around two in the morning, Holden and I wander back up to the beach and drop down in the sand, exhausted. He holds me as I nestle between his legs and rest my head on his chest.
“Thank you,” I say softly, not even sure he can hear me over the rolling tide, but he does.
“For what?”
“For letting me grieve but not letting me get stuck in it. For loving me, faults and all,” I say quietly.
“Are you kidding me?” Holden says. “Thank you for giving me a second chance. You’re my world, Winona.”
“You’re mine.”
I kiss him until I’m breathless. This man showed me how to find my way…and now, miraculously, we’re on this path together and I know, no matter what life throws at us, we’ll be okay because we’ll face it together.
About the Author
Victoria Denault loves long walks on the beach, cinnamon dolce lattes and writing angst-filled romance. She lives in L.A. but grew up in Montreal, which is why she is fluent in English, French and hockey.
You can learn more at:
VictoriaDenault.com
Facebook.com/AuthorVictoriaDenault
Twitter @BooksbyVictoria
Also by Victoria Denault
The San Francisco Thunder Series
Score
Slammed
When It’s Right
The Hometown Players Series
One More Shot
Making a Play
The Final Move
Winning It All
On the Line
Game On
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