by Anne Stone
He grabbed ahold of her hands. “Honey, what is it? Did I do something to upset you? Please, let me in— tell me what’s wrong.”
“I’m fine.”
“No you’re not. I can see it in your eyes, in your mannerisms. What have I done?”
In a wobbly voice she asked, “What did you want to speak to me about?”
She knew he’d figure out something was wrong. She was scared. Scared of the unknown. She felt his warm embrace and relaxed. “Hey there,” he placed his finger under her chin and raised it. She focused her eyes on him. “What’s this about? Why the sad look?”
“I…”
“Are you worried about what I have to say?” He played with her hair pushing it behind her ear. “Honey, you have nothing to worry about.”
“But…”
“Sweetheart, I love you. Did I do something to make you think otherwise?” She shook her head. “I wanted to talk to you about the holidays.” The holidays? What about them? She watched his face as he stroked her jawline. When he kissed her, she felt her confidence start to return. She wasn’t sure why it had flown the coop but it had, if only for that brief moment in time.
“We had a team meeting on the plane coming home. Since we have a tiny break in our schedule, Trevor has decided to give us that time off. No practice, no meetings, nothing. He believes we need to spend time with our friends and family. It will help us regroup and recharge. So…” He ran his fingertip along her lips. “I was wondering if you’d come home with me. Home to Calgary. Spend the holidays with me and my family.” She was flabbergasted. She hadn’t expected that from his request to speak with her. After their dinner conversation, she should have speculated that he’d have time off but didn’t put two and two together. She assumed professional hockey players spent those few off days practicing.
“I’m sure you want to spend time with your grandparents. We’d leave Christmas day so you could spend a part of it with Wilford and Rose. I’d have to go on to Chicago myself for our next game on the thirtieth. I’d love to fly you from Calgary to meet with Rowena and Miles for the New Year and then back home in time to return to school. What about it? Will you come with me?”
She gnawed on her lower lip chastising herself for doubting their relationship. Maybe the sense of doom stemmed from his long road trip and missing him. He’d been gone for ten long days, and she knew he was tired exhibited by the dark circles that rimmed his eyes. She’d overreacted.
“So what do you say, huh?”
“Isn’t your last game before the holidays on the twenty-second?”
“Yeah, so?”
“Don’t you want to be home with your family on Christmas?”
“I would but it’s more important to me that you spend that day or at least a part of it with your family. So will you come home with me?”
She nodded. “I’d love to spend the holidays with you.” She leaned in and pressed her lips to his wondering why she’d become so insecure.
“Are we good now?” He held her against his chest. “You had me worried there for a few minutes. You know how much I love you, right?” She’d developed a huge lump in her throat as she held back her tears. She dipped her head, afraid to speak. It took her a few moments to get her emotions under control. He kissed her forehead. “Okay, now?”
“I am. You had me worried there for a minute. I thought you wanted to break up with me.”
“Where did you get that idea? I love you with all my heart.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Overactive imagination?”
“Let’s put that imagination of yours to bed for the night.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” She sat in his arms and just as he was about to fall asleep leaned over and kissed him one more time. “I’m going to go. You’re tired and I have an early morning meeting. I’ll see you after the game.”
As she drove home, she had a good talk with herself. She realized she needed not to worry so much. All was good between her and Ryne. She couldn’t let her imagination run wild because she possibly heard something in his voice that wasn’t there. She should have realized how tired he was after his long road trip and not jumped to conclusions. Tomorrow would be a better day. She said a silent prayer for not only Etienne but that all three would come out of the game unscathed.
Their game the following night was definitely a barn burner. She and Lauren sat in their seats, gnawing on their nails as they watched the play move from end to end. She often wondered how they were able to skate practically nonstop for an hour.
No sooner would Philippe clear the puck out of their end, Ryne would come rushing back with it. This back and forth continued well into the second period when Ryne scored the first goal of the game with twelve minutes remaining in the period. She smiled as he received high fives from his teammates and a disgusted look from his brother Etienne. She was surprised his brother was in the line-up, as bad as his back had been the day before. She imagined he’d undergone a good session with their trainer that enabled him to play.
She was glad when Ryne came off the ice for a breather. Her eyes were glued to him as he sat on the bench, then he jumped over the boards and back into the game. His skates hit the ice at the most opportune time as the puck careened off the boards right onto his stick. He skated, weaving in and out of traffic past the blue line and wound his way around the back of the net, casting spray as his skates cut through the ice. Philippe was right there with him. He ran him into the boards where Ryne lost his balance and fell on top of the puck. Play was called.
A faceoff was held which Derrick won. He passed the puck back to Ryne, who with his masterful slap shot, raised his stick and took a shot at the puck. Everyone in the arena heard the crack of the puck as it ricocheted off the crossbar. He was lucky enough to retrieve his own rebound. The goalie slid about the crease, trying to prevent the puck from entering the goal, but Ryne snuck it underneath his pads for another score. A lot was going on in front of the net right before Ryne scored. Etienne had dug his skate into the ice which propelled him as he tried to prevent Ryne’s shot. He couldn’t stop his forward motion and at the end of the play, Etienne rushed Ryne from behind pushing him hard into the boards where Ryne slumped. In a heartbeat, he’d scored a point, and Etienne had received a major penalty for boarding.
Ryne’s skate had plowed into the boards, ramming his knee and then his hip. She gasped and threw her hands over her mouth as he fell. He wasn’t moving. Stafford rushed onto the ice. He leaned over Ryne, and assessed his injury. She felt Lauren wrap her arm around her.
She had a difficult time watching him lie there. Circling around him at a distance were his brothers. She knew Etienne must feel remorseful, seeing him lying on the ice, knowing he’d been the one to cause him going down. It seemed forever before Ryne moved again. She worried about his hip; he’d worked so hard to return to playing form.
When he’d started to move, both Philippe and Etienne inched closer. She could tell by the look on Etienne’s face how badly he felt. In fact, when Ryne was finally able to get to his feet, his brothers skated alongside him where Stafford took over and with assistance helped him from the ice.
Jen’s heart beat wildly; she didn’t know what to do or where to go. She needed to get to him. She grabbed her coat and purse and hurried from the arena with Lauren right by her side. She said prayer after prayer as she made her way down the corridor to the trainer’s room where she waited anxiously for word on his condition.
As the minutes passed, she heard the buzzer announcing the end of the period. His fall happened towards the first half. She looked at her watch. It felt like time had stood still, but it hadn’t. Almost forty-five minutes had elapsed, and she hadn’t a clue as to his status. After pacing for an eternity, she noticed the door to Stafford’s office crack open with Stafford peeking out. Clearing his throat, he motioned to her. Rushing to the door, her voice wavered, “How is he?”
“Shaken up. He’s going to sit out the rest of the game.”
<
br /> “Can I see him?”
“Yeah, he sent me to look for you.”
He motioned her through the door while Lauren waited. “Jen, he’s going to be fine. I’m just holding him out as a precaution.”
“It’s his hip, isn’t it?” She could tell by the look on his face she was right. He led her around a corner and right to Ryne. His eyes were closed and his cheek pulsating. One look and she knew he was in pain.
She approached his side and ran her hand softly over his forehead, brushing his damp hair from his face. “How’s it going?”
He opened his eyes and smiled wryly. “I’m fine. There’s no need to worry.”
Her fingers trembled as she held her hand to her lips. She didn’t believe him. She rested her forehead against his, and held onto him.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he said.
“How can you know when I don’t even know?” She ran her hand over his jersey. He was so much larger with all of the pads and protective gear. How with all of the equipment he wore could he get injured? She spun away and clasped her arms about herself. “Stafford told me they’re holding you out for the rest of the game.”
“Jen, it’s just precautionary.” She returned to his side and leaned against the table. “I can’t believe my own brother took me out like that.” He chuckled. “I’m going to have to have a little discussion with my twin.”
“I know he got a boarding call for it, but to me it looked accidental.”
“I’m sure it was but the ref had to call what he thought he saw—even though he is my brother.”
She clasped his hand. “You’d tell me if you were really injured, right?”
“Yeah, I would.” He ran his hand along her brow. “I wish you’d stop fretting. Other than being a little shaken up, I’m fine. Now, tomorrow may be another story.” Her head shot up with a look of concern. “I was joking, but in all honesty and with full disclosure, I’ll probably be sore tomorrow. It wouldn’t surprise me if I become a healthy scratch for our next game. I’m being completely truthful with you. You know how hard we play.”
“I know. I just worry.”
“I realize that, but I promise not to keep anything from you. If I’m hurt, I’ll let you know, okay?” He ran his hand along the side of her face. “Can I have a smile now?” She’d been holding back the tears. He pulled her in close and whispered, “I love you.”
“I love you too,” she said and slipped her arms around his neck. “You scared the living daylights out of me.” She stroked his face. “Please, don’t do that again. When you didn’t move, I thought the worst.”
“Let’s not go there anymore. I’m going to get dressed and I’ll meet you in a few. Is Lauren still here?”
“Oh my, I forgot all about her. I left her in the hallway.”
“You go find her and I’ll meet you out there.” He brushed her hair aside and kissed her lips. He slid off the table and hobbled to the locker room.
She knew he wasn’t telling her the complete truth but decided not to go there. He said he wasn’t hurt and she had to believe him.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ryne’s injury had not been severe and he returned to play the following day. After that, the days flew by and before Jen realized it the holidays were upon them. She spoke with her grandparents, and they decided to celebrate Christmas the weekend before so she and Ryne could spend Christmas with his family.
When she told Ryne of the arrangements, he was speechless. He couldn’t believe that Wilford and Rose would do that for him—for them. Now they could fly to Calgary on the twenty-third and surprise his family. In fact, for the first time in more years than he could remember, the entire family would be home for Christmas.
He and Jen spent the morning of the twenty-second with her grandparents. Rose called it brunch while Ryne thought it was a good old breakfast that she served. He wasn’t sure what the lunch portion was.
While Jen and Rose put the finishing touches on their meal, he sat with her grandfather, watching some Sunday morning news program. He wasn’t paying attention because he had other things on his mind.
Half-way through the show, Wilford reached for the remote and muted the television. “Something on your mind, son?”
He glanced at Wilford and wondered how he knew what was going through his mind.
“I can tell there is,” Jen’s grandfather insisted. “I have never seen you quite this nervous before.”
“Where do you get that I’m nervous?”
Wilford gestured to his hand. “You haven’t stopped tapping that damn finger the entire time you’ve been sitting there. Made me lose my concentration on what they were saying.”
Ryne was flummoxed.
“I wasn’t aware, sir.”
“Didn’t I tell you not to call me sir?”
“Yes, sir you did.” Wilford gave him the evil eye. “Sorry, ah, Wilford. Yes, you did.” He didn’t know why her grandparents always worked him into a tizzy but they did. He became brainless. If he didn’t know better, he’d think he failed college and not graduated at the top of his class.
“See, you are nervous.”
“I guess I am.”
Ryne was flabbergasted when Wilford moved closer. In a whisper he said, “You have our blessings.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“I had a little conversation with someone who shall be nameless. I was told that you made an impromptu visit somewhere.” Ryne’s eyes got larger as Wilford spoke. “I won’t go into the conversation I had with this person other than, Rose and I are on board.”
“You are?”
“Well, of course we are.” Before either of them could say another word, Jen called out that brunch was served. Ryne stood and shook Wilford’s hand.
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate your approval.”
“Let me just say, for Rose and me that is, our dear Jen was lost in a way we weren’t aware of until you entered the picture and brought her back to us. I’d forgotten how much I missed her smile. You’ve given that back to our dear Jen, and we’re forever grateful. Promise me one thing, son.”
“Anything.”
“Just never hurt our girl. She’s been through so much in her life, and I don’t think she can take another disappointment or loss.”
“I promise you I would never do anything intentionally to hurt her. I love her.”
“I know you do. Enough of this conversation, let’s eat!” Wilford slapped Ryne on the back as they headed off to the dining room.
That was much easier than I expected. Two down and one to go.
The next morning Ryne arrived bright and early at Jen’s. The team had won the night before which made going into their holiday break even better. He practically ran to her door, taking the steps two at a time. “What’s got you so excited this morning?”
“Well, of course, you, my dear.”
“Yeah, right.” She smiled and grabbed her suitcase sitting beside the door. “Ready?”
“Car’s still running.”
“You know better than to leave your car running like that. Someone could come by and steal it.”
He raised his hand. “Extra set of keys.”
“Now I know why I love you so much. You’ve got brains.” She leaned in and kissed him then stepped out the door. Ryne took her suitcase from her and started down the stairs while she locked up. “I’d say you’re definitely in a hurry.”
He stopped dead in his tracks and waited for her to catch up. “Sorry about that, I guess I am.”
“And why’s that?”
“It’s Christmas and vacation all rolled into one, that’s why. Plus, I get to spend it with the woman of my dreams and my entire family.”
They arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare. For once in a long time, Ryne wasn’t recognized while they waited. He was able to sit comfortably and not worry about having to take selfies or explain why he’d ended up in the penalty box the night before. He breathed a sigh
of relief as their plane was called and they stood to board. “What was that all about?”
“For once I could people watch.” She looked at him funny. “I never get a chance to just watch people when I’m at the airport. I guess we’re here so early, my adoring fans are still fast asleep.”
She shook her head at his sarcasm. “Sweetheart, only you would say something like that.”
They had a smooth flight and right before landing, she asked, “What are your plans? You really think your family hasn’t a clue that we’re coming early?”
“Nope. Not one clue. In fact, my mom thinks we’re at a holiday party today.”
“We are? Where?”
“At Lakeview. I told her a wee little fib.” He raised his thumb and forefinger about an inch apart. “She thinks we’re at your Christmas party.”
“But it’s Monday. You think she didn’t check to see when we got out of school? I thought you were the one with the brains.”
“I am and I thought this was a brilliant plan. What does it matter? Phil and Et aren’t coming in until late Christmas Eve. Rafael arrives later this afternoon, and I think Jules is already home. We’re the ones who are going to be a complete surprise. She wanted you to come, and she got her wish, right?”
“Well, yeah, but what if she’s not ready for us? We weren’t supposed to arrive until Christmas Day.”
“Oh, she’ll be ready for us. Don’t you worry your pretty little mind.” He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. “She’s going to love having you here. We’re going to have to be sure and phone your grandparents on Christmas.”
“Yeah.”
“All of a sudden you seem sad. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
He knew by the tone of her voice something troubled her. He turned her head so she was forced to look directly in his eyes. “Jen?”
“Don’t get me wrong… I love it that I have the chance to spend some time with your family. I really do. It’s just that this is the first Christmas I haven’t been with my family.”
“I knew we shouldn’t have left early.”