The game passed quickly, and Austin played well. Not outstanding, but at least much better than a week ago. His teammates were skating around the edges of the rink, waving to fans and little boys wearing their jerseys. Austin forced himself to join them. He was back to business as usual. Life without Kate. Though he’d missed Kate through the years, this had sustained him. He loved the game, the fans, his family, friends, and teammates.
He lifted a hand to fans and grinned as if his heart hadn’t been torn apart a mere week ago. He skated slowly around the periphery of the rink. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of long, silky, reddish-blond hair. The woman had her hands on the glass, was pounding on it and mouthing his name. One look in her blue eyes and Austin tripped on his own skates, landing hard on his gloves and kneepads.
His teammates cried out in surprise, “Dude!”
“Strong.”
“What the …?”
Austin tried to ignore some of the words that came from his teammates’ lips. His mom would be sick if she knew what he heard, and tried not to let slip.
Kate banged her palms on the glass. Was she really here? For him? He pushed quickly to his feet, dropped his stick, ripped off his helmet and tossed it. Throwing down both of his gloves, he skated toward the penalty box entrance. He was ready to fight. For her.
“Strong!” he heard his teammates and maybe a coach or two yelling behind him. He ignored everyone but Kate.
He shoved his way into the crowd, screaming her name. She pushed through people as best she could, and fans parted for both of them, some watching, some cheering, “Strong, Strong, Strong!”
Austin ran on his skates until he reached her. He swooped her into the air. She was tall for a woman, but he was over six-six on his skates. Her feet dangled from the ground, and she laughed.
Austin wanted to just kiss her, but he had so many questions first.
“Kiss her, kiss her,” the crowd around them started the chant.
Austin arched an eyebrow. Okay, maybe kissing could come first. “I hate to disappoint my fans.”
She laughed and said breathlessly, “Make it a good show, then, Strong.”
He bent his head and kissed her, feeling breathless himself. He set her on her feet. “I’m assuming I reek like a locker room again.”
“You assumed correctly.”
He chuckled and framed her face with his hands. “I’m afraid to leave you. It didn’t work out so peachy a week and a half ago.”
She nodded, and the smile left her face and eyes. “I promise to stay right here and not talk to or even look at anyone.”
“Okay.” He felt as serious as she looked. Where was the Trent guy? He bent low, balancing on his skates, and gave her one more kiss. He lingered on her soft lips and whispered, “I’ll be speedy.”
“Please do.” She smiled again, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She’d come for him. She’d kissed him. Please let the cop be history, he prayed.
Austin backed away, hearing the cheers around him again. He looked to a couple of young teenage boys who reminded him of when he and Will had been that age. “You guys see that woman there, the most beautiful one in the arena? If you two will watch out for my girl, I’ll bring you some serious swag.”
Their eyes widened, and the taller of the two nodded vigorously.
“Will you sign something for me too?” the smaller one asked.
“Sure.” Austin held out his fist, and they both bumped it. “I’ll be right back.”
“Okay, Mr. Strong!” the taller one almost yelled.
He smiled, gave Kate a tilt of his chin, a meaningful look, and mouthed, “I love you”. Then he hurried back to the ice. This would officially be the quickest shower of his life, and he’d take a fine for missing the coach’s speech. He couldn’t let Kate slip away again.
Kate’s nerves ramped up as the stands cleared. Her two new buddies, Jace and Nelson, waited with her, telling her about their hockey team, the girls they liked, and how they never missed a Bruins game, unless they had a game of their own.
She couldn’t believe Austin’s reaction to seeing her tonight. Well, she could believe it, because the Austin she knew and loved was impetuous and loved her as much as she loved him. Was he not upset with her anymore about her dad trying to rob and kill him? Her mom had begged and pleaded with her for days to go after him, and finally Kate had said she’d come to his game simply to get her mom to stop. After the game, she’d found that she couldn’t resist rushing down the aisles and to the glass wall surrounding the ice, even if she had to work her way through a lot of other fans. Then Austin had seen her. She put a hand to her heart and sighed.
“We lost her again.” Nelson elbowed Jace. “You love Austin Strong a lot, huh?”
“Yes,” she admitted, smiling at the pair of them. “Won’t your parents be worrying about you?”
“We texted them,” Jace reassured her. “Told them we were helping out Austin Strong and he was going to give us sick swag. My mom said she’d wait outside. Said it would probably save her from buying me more crap.”
Kate laughed. Teenagers were great.
She saw movement and glanced up. Austin was walking determinedly across the ice. She stood quickly and rushed to the glass, wanting to simply watch him. He was wearing a button-down pale blue shirt and black slacks. His hair was still wet from his shower. He grinned at her as he walked. He was strong, irresistible, as beautifully powerful as any man she’d ever known. Could such a perfect specimen really want her, with her messed-up background and lack of family besides her mom?
Austin pushed through the penalty box, and she and the boys rushed to meet him. It was all she could do to hold herself back as Austin handed over T-shirts, hats, pennants, and several signed posters and calendars to the boys.
“Hey,” she protested. “I want one of those.” She pointed to a large poster of him holding his helmet and stick and grinning irresistibly for the camera.
Austin chuckled. “I’ll see if I can arrange that.” He shook the boys’ hands. “Thanks for your help.”
“For sure, man. See you next game. Bye, Kate!” They both happily jogged toward the portal that led to one of the lobbies.
Kate shuffled her feet uncertainly and found herself suddenly shy. Now that she had Austin alone, she didn’t know how to gush about how much she loved him and ask if he truly loved her without looking insecure and lame.
Austin edged in closer. “Kate,” he whispered, tilting her chin up with his fingers so she had to meet his gaze.
She smiled at him, her body trembling slightly from a mix of nerves and the joy of being close to him. “You smell better,” she managed to get out.
His grin grew. “You smell and look better than I’ll ever hope to.” He drew in a breath, and Kate hoped he’d profess his love. Instead, he said, “Where’s Trent?”
Kate pulled back, her brow wrinkling in confusion. “Trent?”
Austin clenched and unclenched his fists. “Look …” He paced away and then back, shoving a hand through his hair. “Maybe you were dating the jerk before you found me again. I guess I can understand that, though honestly, I haven’t dated anyone. I’ve just waited for you, dreamt of you, longed for you …”
Kate opened her mouth to explain, but he grabbed both of her hands and stared at her so earnestly. “Just please give me a chance. Maybe that’s not fair to Trent, but I feel so deeply that we’re meant for each other. You know I’ve always felt it. I worried with time it might dim, but it’s just gotten stronger. Please give me a chance, Kate. Please.”
Kate sighed happily and squeezed his hands. “Austin … it’s only you for me. Trent tried to date me. I told him time and again I wasn’t interested.”
“Truly?”
She nodded, biting at her lip. “I haven’t dated anyone either. From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the one for me.”
Austin’s face broke into a happy smile.
She pulled a small pendant out of her pocket and handed
it to him.
Austin read the engraving on it, “Strong”. He looked up at her, his dark eyes bright. “The last pendant.”
She nodded. He bent forward and she undid the clasp on the silver chain with trembling fingers. Austin slid the pendant on and then she refastened it.
Keeping her hands on his neck she looked up at him. “It’s our time, Austin. Finally our time to be together.”
He whooped and picked her up off the ground, swinging her around. He set her on her feet and bent her low, giving her a deep and thorough kiss.
When he released her mouth from the kiss, she sighed happily, but she found she had to know. “I thought you were upset with me, after my dad tried to rob and kill you.”
His eyes widened slightly. “Oh, no. I was upset because I looked over and that cop guy had you all cuddled in his arms.”
“He hugged me, but I wanted you—only you.”
“And then he took you home, and brought you flowers the next day.”
Now her eyes were widening. “You were there? I heard the elevator, but Trent was pushing my head against his bony chest.”
Austin gave her a tight smile. “I came for you, and then I saw you hugging him again.”
“Oh, Austin, I’m so sorry. He grabbed me and held on to me. I didn’t want to be rude since he’d helped me so much with the entire mess.”
“Next time, be rude,” he growled.
She laughed. “I’ll plan out my rude responses.” But this was huge. “I can’t believe you came for me. I talked myself into thinking that you couldn’t possibly want me. Here you are, all successful and amazing with a great family, and I come from scum like my father.”
Austin shook his head, his eyes sparkling at her. “Kate! Do you know your man at all?”
She smiled and admitted, “Not as well as I’d like.”
He grinned. “Well, we’ll remedy that little problem.” His smile fell away. “The truth is, my real mom is a psycho crackhead who tried to sell me to human traffickers as a baby.”
“What?” Her jaw dropped. “You never talked about her.”
“Do you see why? Plus, like you said …” He arched his eyebrows. “You haven’t had near enough time to kiss on, or get to know, yours truly. Let’s make up for that now.”
Kate snaked her arms around his strong back and held on. “I love you, Austin Strong.”
“I love you, Kate Joy.” He wrapped her up tight and whispered against her lips. “Are you ready to bring some joy into my life?”
“More joy than you’ll know what to do with.”
“I don’t know about that. I can handle a lot of joy.” Then he was kissing her, and the comebacks she wanted to make were swallowed in pure joy.
Epilogue
Kate was decidedly nervous as Austin pulled up to a huge two-story home nestled in the mountains of Colorado. There was a smaller rambler across the small box canyon, but this home with all its windows and rock exterior and all the green trees and landscaped yard surrounding it took her breath away. Most of her life, she’d been surrounded by concrete and buildings. This was an incredible view and setting for a home, but more importantly, these were Austin’s people, and she wanted them to be hers.
Austin hurried around and got her door, taking her hand and grinning at her. The gesture settled her nerves. She was anxious about meeting his family, but this was right. He was right.
It was Memorial Day weekend, the first long break Austin had from hockey. The trial for her dad and Gerald had been quick and put behind them a few weeks ago. Her dad had received twenty-five years to life. Gerald only got five to ten years. She wished it was more, as he creeped her out, but with Austin around she couldn’t worry too much. Her mom was doing well; she’d started working at a floral boutique and had plans to start her own craft and floral booth near Faneuil Hall Marketplace when an opening came.
Austin squeezed her hand. “You ready for insanity?” She could hear the roar of people from the backyard.
“Bring it on.” She grinned and walked toward the front porch.
He tugged her in a different direction. “They’ll be around back.”
She wanted to walk through that gorgeous home, but there’d be time for that later. She’d met his twin brothers and younger sister and a few of the aunts and uncles, Mama Strong, Will, and Sherisse at hockey games in April and May, but now she was meeting almost the entire extended family.
They walked around the side of the house and found people everywhere: children and adults in the pool, children on the playsets, Gavin at the barbecue grill, and Kari rushing out of the house with a platter of fruit. Some teenagers were playing volleyball.
A cheer of “Austin!” went up, and then they were inundated. Austin hugged everybody and introduced Kate; then they in turn hugged her as if she were already a part of the family. She loved angelic Cassie, stylish Mary, Hazel with her English accent, and Ella, who advised her to sass Austin regularly, as he deserved it. Kari fussed over her and hinted broadly she was hoping for a late summer wedding. Austin just hugged his mom and laughed. Kate wouldn’t mind a proposal and a summer wedding as well. That would be quick, but she didn’t want anything fancy or drawn out. She simply wanted Austin.
Mama Strong made her way over, moving a little slow since she’d had surgery on her hip a month ago. She framed Austin’s face and kissed his cheek. “Ah, my boy. You’ve finally come home.”
Austin hugged her fiercely. “I’ve missed you, Mama.”
When Austin released her, Mama turned to Kate. She hugged her, then grasped her hands and tilted her head to Austin. “You know how special this boy is to all of us. Please treat him right.”
“I plan to,” Kate promised her.
Mama looked her over. “Such beauty, all the way through. Welcome to the family, love.” She hugged her again.
Kate loved this family, but she couldn’t help but notice that through all the hugs and greetings from everyone aged two on up, Gavin had just stayed at the barbecue grill, and oddly, Austin’s super friendly little sister Annie had stayed with him. Gavin had been slowly warming up to her when they’d visited. He was a good guy, and she knew Austin and Kari adored him, but he intimidated her a little bit. She hoped that if Austin did ask her to marry him, his dad would accept her. She’d failed in the father department. She didn’t want to fail in the father-in-law one as well.
“I have something to say,” Gavin called over the din, and miraculously, everyone quieted but a small child whining.
Kate swallowed and turned to him. He was smiling at her. It was almost a full smile, which was like a gift from Gavin. He beckoned them closer, and she and Austin walked past family members to the grill.
“Kate …” Gavin cleared his throat, and his grin got a little sheepish. “This is kind of cheesy, but Annie insisted.”
“Not cheesy!” Austin’s youngest sibling, Annie, yelled.
Gavin winked at his daughter and gestured to the grill.
Kate stepped in closer and gasped. On the large grill, spelled out with thinly sliced peppers, were the words, “KATE WE LOVE YOU.”
Kate’s eyes widened, and she put a hand over her mouth. “Not cheesy,” she managed. “So sweet.”
Gavin looked embarrassed, but he stepped away from the grill and gestured to Austin, who was looking more serious than Kate had seen him. “Austin’s very special to all of us. He makes us laugh, he inspires us, he keeps us together.” He gestured around at the large gathering. “Everyone here could probably tell a story about how he has touched their life, or gave them advice that changed it.”
There were murmurs of agreement and a few calls of, “Love you, Austin.”
“Yeah, he told me to buck up and be a man!” one of the uncles yelled.
“He told me ‘losers whine about not getting their spot; winners buck up and make a spot,’” another uncle called out. She thought it was Stetson, who’d played for the Titans.
Austin lifted his hands. “C’mon. Is this
Roast Austin Day?”
“Yep,” Will said. “Finally.”
Kate brushed at the tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. She loved this family, and she knew how special Austin was. She hoped his dad thought she was worthy of him.
“When he was younger,” Gavin continued, and the crowd quieted to listen. “He loved all of his girlfriends.” Everyone laughed. “If you asked him how many he had, he’d usually say a hundred and twenty-six.”
Austin ducked his head, looking irresistibly embarrassed. “It’s definitely Roast Austin Day.” He winked at her.
“A lot of us told him that when he found the right one, he’d only need one.” Gavin’s eyes softened as he looked for his wife. She stepped up close, and he wrapped his arm around her. “Finding the right one is the most important decision you’ll ever make.” Gavin drew in a breath, and his mouth tightened. “I have to admit I was concerned about you, at first. You know about Austin’s birth mother and the mistakes I made. I was afraid, because of your dad and our past, that Austin might be making the same mistakes.”
The crowd held their breath, and Kate swallowed hard. Gavin had judged her. Not that she blamed him, but she hoped they could get past her past.
Gavin looked away and admitted, “But you’re an angel, stronger and better than your past, just like Austin.”
Kate’s eyes prickled with unshed tears.
“When he told us you were his one, we felt the rightness of it. I know you’re the right woman for my son.”
Kate couldn’t stop the tears now. Austin cuddled her close and whispered against her hair, “I love you.”
Gavin pulled a small velvet box from his pocket, and Kate’s eyes widened. “When I asked Kari to marry me, Austin gave her a pair of diamond earrings.” Kari pointed to the large diamond earrings she always wore. “Kari and I thought it would only be fitting if we gave you a gift … today.”
The Strong Family Romance Collection Page 109
