Page 100 of Hockey Wife

Too much? Probably. But she didn’t run screaming, so he took it as a win.

She lay her cheek against the pillow and ran her fingertips over his bicep. Just lying like this beside her, in this peaceful way, was amazing. Kind of like the night they married, only she slipped through his fingers the next morning.

“Where did you go this afternoon?”

“I had to help a friend get ready for an interview. She needed an outfit, so we had a rummage through Georgia’s Closet.”

“I was worried about you.”

“No need.”

“Because?”

She seemed surprised to be called on it. “I’ve always managed.”

Because her parents were so focused on her sister. This girl—this woman—had learned emotional independence at an early age. She was used to hiding how she felt, all in deference to Dani and her parents’ needs.

“I’m not trying to be a helicopter husband. I’m just concerned for you, that’s all.”

“Helicopter husband. I like that.” She grinned. “Keep rotating around me, Big Guy.”

As long as he was able.

“Did you tell your parents about what happened?”

“My mom heard and called me. Get this: she thought you might have done it!”

“I hope you told her it was an accident.”

She sighed. “I did. She’s worried about any negative publicity, how that might affect the foundation she wants to set up for Dani.”

Strange angle to take. He suspected Georgia downplayed her injury, but all the same, her parents should be worried about her, not the optics.

“That reminds me.” He turned to the nightstand. “I printed off some stuff for you.”

She took the sheaf of papers from him and scanned the top page. “This is information on how to set up a charity in Illinois.”

“Yeah, I’m guessing you have people who can do that for you and sure, your family are the experts.” The longer he spoke, the stupider it sounded. She came from a clan of noted philanthropists. “But there are still some things you’ll want to do to get off on the right foot.”

Her gaze was focused on the documents. “Like registering it and all that?”

“That, but because you’re the person in charge, you want to be sure you choose the right people as your directors. People who can contribute and aren’t just there for the credit. And you’ll need a business plan, a registered agent, and experienced staff.”

She looked up, her eyes troubled. “You don’t think I can do it?”

“Peaches, I think you can do anything. I didn’t print this off to show you how hard it is. I just wanted to give you a roadmap. I’m on your side.”

“It-it seems like a lot.” Her voice trembled.

“And you can do it. Just open up another pack of flash cards, attack it like you do everything else, and if you have questions about the financial stuff, I can help.”

She bit her lip. “Trish said you’re really good with numbers.”

“I do alright.”

That reminded him: he needed to do that financial planner research for O’Malley. Though really, it would be easier if he looked over the kid’s accounts himself.

“Thanks, Dylan.” She snuggled in close and wrapped her arm around his torso, and he closed his eyes, safe in the knowledge his wife was where she was supposed to be.

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