Page 52 of Ice, Ice… Maybe?

“We would save the money and could put it into the house since I quit my job.”

“I’m not worried about your job – and I told you that,” he chuckled tenderly and hesitated. “But I agree and understand why you worry about it.”

“Are you sure about this place?” Becca asked curiously. “We could get a small place downtown near the arena and make it your man cave so you could have some of your things plus be closer to practice instead of having to commute…”

“About that?”

“Yeah?”

“I spoke with the manager over at Flyboys – and they’ve agreed to charter me for free if I can get some of the guys a few tickets.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope,” he grinned. “Two tickets, we’ll split an Uber from the municipal airport down to the arena and then fly back. Theo and Gerry offered to put me up, too, if needed, but I would rather come home.”

They were married three hours later, wearing their paint-stained clothing and surrounded by their closest friends and family. It was strangely wonderful because they were the only ones taking photographs in the courtroom that was shared by one other couple. As they said their vows, there were no crazy emotional outbursts or emotional sobbing. Instead, it was simply beautiful, and they both couldn’t stop smiling at each other.

“Becca, can you flip on the power, sweetheart?”

“Huh? Oh yes, sorry. I was daydreaming,” she blurted out nervously, blushing as she saw Travis’ smile widen in silent awareness. Walking over to the panel located in the closet of the bedroom of the one-room cabin, she flipped the breaker.

“Let there be light…” Travis grinned proudly as she returned to see him coming down the ladder, nodding to her. “A coat of paint, a few simple touches, and this cabin will be ready to go.”

“Are you going to have an ‘ot tub?”

“Again with the ‘H’s’?” Matthew laughed, causing Theo to glare at him.

“Yes, we are going to put in a small hot tub in one cabin, one of those big barrel dry saunas at another, and then a small plunge bath in the third one closest to the house.”

“De’ knees?” Theo guessed, grinning, and Travis bumped knuckles with him, nodding. They all were sore after a game, according to Travis, and his friend confirmed it.

“Oh yes - the knees, brother.”

“I don’t know how you dunk yourself in ice water,” Luke tsked, shaking his head. “That seems… abnormal.”

“Definitely not natural,” Matthew added in complete agreement.

“So is the inflammation in my joints after a game,” Travis chuckled easily – and Becca had already ordered one for their home, too.

She wanted to surprise him because she witnessed firsthand how stiff he could get. His poor knees swelled up after a game where he skipped it, driving home instead. After two hours in the truck, exhausted, and then pulling up to the house – Travis could barely walk up the steps to the wraparound porch. She had massaged horse liniment on his knee to try and work out some of the swelling – followed by a very candid talk about what his future in hockey looked like.

Yes, she understood why Travis was happy to support her dreams – because it gave them a shelter in case someday everything disappeared in the blink of an eye. Right now, he was still the ‘darling’ of the sports scene with all sorts of endorsements, but life was full of changes.

Just like my surprise,she thought silently.

Becca had a very frank and open discussion with her brother, away from the others – and Travis. She cornered him yesterday at the family home, in her father’s old office where Jason now worked, and let him have it. They ended up yelling at each other, but she didn’t back down, and a miracle happened.

Jason listened.

Matthew was taking over the PR and advertising. Toni was going to handle running the cattle portion of the bustling farm while Jason focused on the horses. Luke was wicked-smart with the computer and crafty with his hands, so he would be tackling the maintenance, website, and operations with Becca. Instead of Jason handling everything, they were going to divide and conquer so they could each have a life, a chance to feel helpful and be a part of something greater.

“Sweetheart?”

Becca blinked and saw several sets of curious eyes staring at her in disbelief. Travis started forward, touching her forehead quickly and looking awfully concerned.

“Are you okay? Did you hear me?”

“I wasn’t paying attention,” she admitted nervously, seeing their concerned faces as Theo spoke up.

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