by Barbara Gee
His voice had sounded so hopeful, and she’d jumped at the chance. She loved that her friends had come to visit, but she needed her Vince fix.
He opened his front door before she could even press the doorbell, snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her inside, his grin wide and his blue eyes excited.
“It’s game day, babe,” he announced needlessly, before lifting her off her feet to meet his kiss.
“Really?” she teased when he let her take a breath. “How did that fact slip by me?”
“I feel good, Callie-girl. I feel a big Wild win coming up.”
“Me too. I’m going to lose my voice from cheering so loud. Pretty sure you’ll be able to hear the girls and me all the way down on the ice.”
“What do you mean, all the way down on the ice? You think I put you in the nose-bleed section or something?”
“I don’t care where we’re sitting, as long as I can see you play in person.”
He chuckled. “You might not care, but Brit would. It would be beneath her to sit anywhere other than the lowest section.”
“She does have a whole new outfit for the occasion,” Callie told him, taking his face in her hands so she could kiss him again.
“I have a surprise for you,” he said between kisses, walking toward the kitchen while still holding her off the ground.
“You should know by now I’m not much for surprises,” she told him cheerfully before pressing kisses along his strong jawline, enjoying the feel of the stubble against her lips.
“Yeah, well I didn’t warn you about this one because it was a surprise to me about thirty minutes ago.”
Callie pushed her nose into the curve of his neck and shoulder, breathing in the scent of him. “Okay, tell me about your surprise—that has somehow become my surprise.”
“How about I show you instead?” he asked, a wicked grin curling his lips.
Her eyes narrowed and she cocked her head. “What are you up to, superstar?”
He turned sideways and she followed his gaze, giving a little yelp when she saw a middle-aged couple standing in the kitchen with big smiles on their faces.
“Surprise,” Vince said with a chuckle. “These fine folks are my parents, Larry and Linda.”
Callie wiggled until Vince released her, feeling her face flaming. “Oh, um, hello. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Linda walked over and enveloped Callie in a warm hug. “Don’t be embarrassed about getting caught kissing that big lug,” she said with a laugh. “I smooch those adorable cheeks myself every chance I get.”
Callie giggled as she returned the hug, then gave one to Larry, too. “I thought you two couldn’t make the game.”
“We thought so, too. Larry had that doctor appointment scheduled for his back, and if we would’ve canceled he’d have had to wait another six weeks to get in. But they called yesterday morning and said someone else had to reschedule, and they wondered if we wanted the appointment. We jumped right on that, and here we are. We decided to surprise Vince and hope he could still get us tickets.”
“Which I was only able to do because Jax’s sister went into labor early and he hadn’t called anyone to take her seats.” He shook his head in mock exasperation. “Opening day, and you think I can pull off the impossible.”
“You always do, Vincent,” Linda said proudly.
“Let’s just hope we get a big win tonight,” Larry said, going to the coffeemaker. “Want a cup of joe, Callie?”
“Um, sure. Thank you.”
“I brought a couple dozen of Vincent’s favorite sugar cookies. We can have them with the coffee.” Linda dug around in a paper bag sitting on the counter and came up with a Tupperware. “These will bring you good luck, son. Baked with lots of love and butter.”
Callie couldn’t help laughing, especially when Vince’s eyes lit up at the sight of the Tupperware. “Don’t overdo it,” she warned. “We can’t have you in a sugar coma on the ice.”
“I’ll only have a couple now, and the rest after our win,” he said, grinning.
Linda took a seat at the table in the breakfast nook and patted the chair beside her. “Come sit, Callie. We’ve been so anxious to meet the girl who has stolen our only child’s heart.”
Larry carried two steaming mugs to the table and set one in front of each woman. “We’d ask you to tell us all about yourself, but I don’t think there’s anything we don’t already know after reading at least a hundred articles about you over the past few weeks.”
His dry statement made Callie laugh again. “I still have some secrets,” she assured them.
Linda passed her a cookie and patted her hand. “You know, I remember when you drowned. Or when they thought you had, I should say. I remember being so sad for your parents. They’d just lost their little girl, and then the story hit the news and their grief was laid bare for all the world to see. All because they had money and people thought it was their business.”
“But you still read the articles,” Vince pointed out. “And you read the ones about Callie, too.”
“Well sure, if they’re out there, I’m going to read them,” Linda said with a shrug. “That doesn’t mean I don’t think the media should have more tact.”
Callie nodded. “I understand what you’re saying. It was awful being followed around and reading so much stuff that was published against my will, and yet, I’ve never hesitated to read those kinds of stories myself in the past. I just never thought much about the real people behind the headlines.”
“Exactly,” Linda said adamantly. “It was rather surreal reading about you, though. Not only because I remembered the stories from when you were young, but because most of the new ones also mentioned my son. Who would’ve ever thought that little girl I felt so sorry about would turn up alive twenty years later, and be dating my boy?”
“No one, obviously,” Larry said, returning to the table with two more mugs of coffee and taking a seat across from his wife. “But let me tell you kids, Linda sure has enjoyed the notoriety. She’s had a steady stream of friends and acquaintances calling and stopping by, all hoping for the scoop.”
“Which I hope you didn’t give,” Vince said, raising a brow at his mother as he took a sip of coffee.
“Of course I didn’t.” Linda chuckled. “I made sure they knew I was privy to more, but I said I wasn’t free to share. It really has been quite fun. The fact that I birthed a hockey legend is very old news by now, so it’s been nice to have a new reason to be the hot topic of the neighborhood.”
Vince and Larry both gave Callie apologetic looks.
“I hope giving my wife back her minions was worth the invasion of your privacy,” Larry said dryly.
Linda looked chagrined. “I suppose that did sound rather self-serving, didn’t it?”
“Just a little,” Vince said. “This has been hard on Callie. She’s come through like a champ, but it’s been tough.”
“I’m so sorry, dear,” Linda said. “I didn’t mean it like it sounded.”
“Of course not, please don’t worry about it,” Callie said quickly. “There were some tense times when I was being followed around, but thanks to Vince, I’ve come out on the other side pretty well.”
“And you found a condo close by?” Linda prompted. “Vincent is so relieved you’ll be here in the city most of the time during the season. Will it be sad for you to be so far from your beloved ranch?”
“I’m adjusting.” Callie looked into the blue eyes across from her and gave a dramatic sigh. “It was pretty much a toss-up between the ranch and Vince there for a while. He ended up winning by a hair.”
“I’ll take a win however I can get it,” he said, nonplussed. “And I’m going to get one tonight.”
“I like your confidence, son,” Larry said. “Let’s hope you aren’t eating crow six hours from now.”
“Have you been to see your father lately?” Linda asked, not ready to be pulled off topic. “Vincent told us he has some health issues. I’m
sure that makes everything that much harder.”
“I just got back from a visit a few days ago, and yeah, his health definitely complicates things,” Callie replied. “It’s hard feeling myself getting close to him, when losing my grandfather is still so fresh in my mind. I don’t want to go through that pain again, but there’s really no choice. My father makes it easy to love him. Even Vince has been drawn in.”
“He’s a pretty amazing man,” Vince confirmed.
“Howard’s doing some estate planning and I needed to go down there to sign some documents.” Callie looked at Vince, seeing his surprise that she’d brought that up. She smiled, wanting him to know she trusted his parents and had no qualms about bringing them into the very small loop who knew about the Lila Grace Foundation.
She went on to explain Howard’s vision to them, and told them that after weeks of thinking and praying about it, she had decided, with Vince’s blessing, to give Howard the go ahead to make his vision a reality.
“It’s a big commitment,” she said when she’d laid it all out. “Once the foundation is up and running, it’ll pretty much be a full-time job. I think it’s what I want, even though I’m nervous about it.”
“And just so you know, we aren’t planning to publicize this for a while,” Vince said, giving his mother a stern look. “We’ll operate below the radar for as long as possible.”
“It’ll be at least six months before we’re ready to go,” Callie added. “My father is in the process of selling his companies, and once that happens, the proceeds will be put into trust for the foundation.”
Larry reached across the table and patted Callie’s hand. “You’re a remarkable young lady. The one in a million who doesn’t want to snatch daddy’s millions for her own.” He chuckled and pointed his half-eaten cookie at her. “You might even be good enough for my son.”
“Your father must be so proud,” Linda added. “I’m beyond glad he got to see you all grown up and happy. What an unexpected gift.”
“She’s a gift to many, this girl,” Vince said softly, his eyes warm.
Callie rolled her eyes at him, embarrassed. “You’d better go get ready for the game. I’ve been waiting all day to see you in a suit.”
“Oh yeah?” He stood and grabbed another cookie. “I’ll be back in a bit. You two be nice to her or your game tickets are gonna disappear.”
“Of course we’ll be nice,” Linda said. “It’s taken you twenty-eight years to find a nice girl. There’s no way we’re going to scare her off.”
The woman was true to her word. The three of them shared pleasant conversation for twenty minutes, then Larry announced he needed to grab a quick nap after traveling, so he’d be rested and ready for the game.
“I was going to wait and tell Vince goodbye and good luck, but since he’s being a diva and taking so long, I’ll just get you to pass that on to him, if you will.”
Callie laughed and promised to do so. Linda decided she could use a rest too. She apologized to Callie for deserting her, promised to look for her at the game, then followed him out of the kitchen.
Callie sat there by herself for a few minutes, smiling, because she absolutely loved Vince’s parents. They were funny and warm and had made her feel completely accepted. She was happy with the way things had worked out—their surprise visit had saved her from getting all nervous about meeting them for the first time.
She got up and carried her mug to the sink where the others had dropped theirs. She rinsed them all out and put them in the dishwasher, hearing footsteps on the hardwood behind her as she closed the door.
Turning, she caught her breath and stood rooted to the floor, watching as the man she loved with all her heart walked toward her dressed in a pale gray suit that fit his big body to perfection, a snowy white shirt, and a vividly blue tie that made his eyes look the same incredible shade.
She knew her eyes were wide with appreciation, and he actually looked a little embarrassed as he closed the distance between them.
“Wow,” she breathed when he was a few steps away.
“It’s just a suit,” he said, his big hands going to her waist.
She smiled. “No, it’s you in a suit, and you do it proud.” She reached up and straightened his tie even though it didn’t need it. “I’ve seen you in your suits on TV, and that was always good, but it’s so much better in person.”
“Better than Wrangler jeans and cowboy boots?” he asked playfully.
“Hmm, that’s a tough one.” She ran her palms down his lapels, immaculate against the stark white of his shirt. “I think the best might be yet to come though. You in your Wild uniform?” She pretended to shiver. “I may never recover.”
He kissed her hard. “It means the world to me that you’ll be there. I know you’ve made sacrifices for this, baby. For my career. I’ll do my best to make sure you don’t regret it.”
She shook her head. “It’s hard to dwell on anything I might’ve given up when this is so good.” She smiled up at him. “No regrets, Vince. This is exactly where I want to be.”
He kissed her again, softer and longer. “I love you, Callie. I have to go, but I know where you’ll be sitting. I’ll see you up there and I’ll be the happiest man on the ice tonight.”
“I love you, too, win or lose. I’m betting on the win, though. Oh, and your dad said good luck. He’s taking a quick nap.”
He nodded, his eyes twinkling. “See you after the game. Come down to the tunnel and wait for us to come out of the locker room, okay? Jolene can bring you, she knows how it’s done.”
“I can’t wait. Good luck, and don’t get hurt.”
One more kiss, then he was out the door.
Callie stood there bemused, feeling yet again like she was part of a fantastic dream. In less than two hours, she’d be at her first professional hockey game, watching Vince Abbot skate out onto the ice.
The man who had been her favorite player for the last two seasons. The man who moved like silk across the ice and had a wrist shot that stymied goalies throughout the league.
The man who was her boyfriend, and who loved her.
Unbelievable.
***
“Oh my gosh, Callie. These seats are totally amazing! Be sure to thank that guy of yours.” Brittany led the way down the row, taking her seat and letting out a happy sigh. “This is so awesome.”
Callie sat down beside her, followed by Rose and Kim. Jolene was to their right on the same row, but across the aisle and down a little way. When she saw them, she left her group and hurried over, darting into the empty row in front of them so she could lean in and give each girl an excited hug.
“Can you believe it’s finally the first game?” she asked, her dark eyes flashing with excitement. “Boone has been a basket case. So excited and jittery. He was driving me crazy.”
“The four of us are kind of basket cases ourselves,” Callie laughed. “It’s our first game ever, so things might get a little wild over here.”
“The wilder the better,” Jolene said, playing on the team name and making them laugh. “Vince called me a little while ago to make sure I remember to grab you before I head for the locker room. I usually hang back a little and wait until most of the crowd is out of our section instead of trying to fight them.”
Callie promised to stay put and wait for her, and after another minute of chatting, Jolene went back to her seat. A short while later, the seats were filling up and the players from both teams took to the ice for warm-ups. Callie leaned forward eagerly, searching for Vince.
“There he is,” Brit said, pointing. “Lookin’ good out there.”
Callie grinned as she watched him gliding down the ice, his movements smooth and powerful. Many of the players left their helmets off for warmups, and Vince was one of them. His walnut brown hair shone in the bright lights as he skated in fast circles, firing pucks into the net when it was his turn, and stopping periodically to stretch and chat with teammates.
He looked her way
a couple of times, but kept his expression neutral after one quick smile. Warmups went for about twenty minutes, then it was time for all the players to leave the ice so the Zambonis could come on and get the surface ready for the game. Vince ended up toward the back of the pack and had to wait on the ice while the players filtered into the tunnel leading back to the locker rooms.
Callie was perched on the edge of her seat, her eyes fixed on him, watching as he smiled at something one of his teammates said. Just before he left the ice, he looked up and his gaze locked with hers. Callie gave him a little grin and pressed her hand over her heart, hoping to convey that she loved him and everything single thing about this experience. A corner of his mouth kicked up as he gave her a discreet nod, then stepped into the tunnel.
The Zambonis took to the ice, leaving it smooth and shining, ready for the game. The visiting team was introduced, to polite but tepid applause. Then the lights went down, spotlights began circling around on the ice, and the familiar voice of the Wild announcer boomed out into the arena.
“And now, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to welcome your very own Minnesota Wiiiiiiiiiiiiild.”
The crowd surged to their feet and cheered. Amidst the pandemonium, the announcer took to the mic again. “First out of the tunnel, your captain, number fifteen, Boone Kendall!”
Callie and the other three jumped and cheered as enthusiastically as everyone else, laughing with delight in the moment. This was nothing like watching on TV.
Next came Jax, another veteran player and crowd favorite, and then it was Vince’s turn.
Number twenty-one.
Hearing his name and the frenzied cheering, then seeing him skate out to center ice to bump gloves with his teammates, moved Callie to tears. She cheered and clapped so hard her hands went temporarily numb. It was an exhilarating moment, one she’d never forget. Whether the good guys won the game or not didn’t even matter in the face of the pride she was feeling for Vince. He had made it to the very pinnacle of his sport, and seeing him out there now, knowing he was an integral part of the team he loved, was one of the most moving things she’d ever experienced.
