Page 3 of Playoffs & Promises

I nod.

"Still better than Matt's lucky socks. I won’t miss that in the locker room this season."

"If you know I need the lemon bars so much, why did you take mine this morning?"

Coach gives me a big toothy grin. "I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't challenge you. Wanted to see if the lemon bar on the line would work as well as the lemon. Nice touch putting the puck into the goal post. Now get cleaned up."

Shaking my head I skate towards the locker room.

Yes, I hate lemons, but for the love of the game and my career, I need them. Missing that goal post shot wasn't on purpose. If I'd had one of my lucky charms this morning I wouldn't have missed. Back in the locker room I use my phone to put in the order for Maria's daily lemons. I won't be going without a lemon bar again this season.

After thoroughly brushing my teeth, an extra round of mouthwash, and gum, I finally get rid of the lemon taste in my mouth. The drive through Glacier Bay isn't bad and I'm enjoying the sunny day with my windows down as I hop on the highway out of the city. The radio DJ reminds people to submit names for the new ice resurfacing machine at the arena.

Already there are two fan favorites taking the lead, the Glacier-nator to honor the city, and the Ice Bear to honor the mascot. I don't bother listening to the rest of the debate between the two names as I take the exit for Crestfield. It's a small town, and I don't even know if it has proper stoplights since my stop isn't really in town. I park my Jeep outside of a partially renovated farm Gabby & Gavin own.

Familiar with the property, I don't bother with the clinic building, and instead I enter the big barn. Kennels line one of the walls, and I grab the muck tools from where they wait by the wall.

"Look what the cat dragged in."

I turn to see Gavin grinning at me.

"Yeah well, it's you it'll drag out," I tell him.

He lets out a chuckle. "Thanks for coming out. Gabby and I have been swamped with working on some of the renovations and I know cleaning up after the dogs isn't glamorous for a hockey star like you."

"Hey it needs to be done, besides I can't take a selfie with poop in the background."

Gavin shakes his head. "You know the routine. Stop by the house on the way out. We'll feed you dinner."

The first kennel I approach is for my favorite dog Cinnamon. She's brown like the spice and sweet too with her fuzzy tail wagging so fast it makes her whole body wiggle. When I enter her kennel to clean up, she immediately lifts her front paws so she's standing on her back legs. On just the two legs she's tall enough to reach my chest and she tries to lick my face.

I set the tools aside and using both my hands rub behind her big floppy ears. Her fur is soft and I crouch down to Cinnamon's level where she proceeds to lick at my face while I keep petting her. After she's calmed down a smidge, I pull a treat out of my pocket for her and then while she's distracted I hurry to clean up what I need to.

It's the same process with the other kennels, and I'm happy to discover that two of the dogs that were here on my last visit have been adopted. I hope that Cinnamon will find her forever home one day soon. She's been living at the rescue for long enough now, and living at a shelter Gavin knew before that, and I'm sure she'd be a good dog for someone.

Gavin returns just as I'm giving Cinnamon a second treat.

He watches me for a minute, then asks, "Want to adopt her?"

Crouched next to her so I can give her belly rubs I tell him. "It wouldn't be fair. I live in an apartment and travel a lot. She deserves a home with a yard."

"We both agree she deserves a good home, and you are welcome to come out to spend time with her as much as you want. Want to walk her before dinner? It'll be ready soon, just need to ask how you like your steak and I thought I'd give you hand with clean up, but you got it all done."

My head snaps up, and I don't have to be asked twice before I've grabbed the leash and I'm hooking it to her collar.

"Rare is good," I tell him as I leave the barn with Cinnamon.

She practically prances as we walk past him to follow the trail around the farm yard. Gabby and Gavin haven't completely finished the renovations for the clinic and home, but they were able to get the barn operable enough for the dogs to be rescued after a bad storm hit the area and the county shelter needed to send the animals somewhere else.

Cinnamon sniffs at each rock or bush, and I'm content to let her as we mozy around the barnyard.

My phone buzzes, and I pull it out to find a text in my family chat.

Hannah: What is the plan for Thanksgiving? Matt and I are trying to figure out flights after his game.

Me: I'll bring Cinnamon with me.

Mom: I thought you stopped dating her? What kind of woman are you bringing into my home????

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