Page 39 of Shot to the Hart

Look at my grandbaby. So cute. Miss and love you all.

Me

Love you both.

Grace

Love and miss you.

“This is delicious, I would’ve never thought to do this myself,” Kodi says through a mouthful of sandwich.

“Pretty genius, right?” I chuckle.

“Why did you leave Charlotte? You seem really at peace here.”

“Daddy, help,” Bella whines from her stroller, “No crust.”

She ate half of the sandwich with its crust but has apparently decided the crust is no longer a feasible option for her. I take the time to remove the crust off the other half and place it back down in front of her.

“And now we say what Bella?” I look to my daughter, waiting for those two little words that I know for a fact I ingrained into her.

“Thank you Daddy.” Bella smiles coyly before diving back into her sandwich.

“Well when the NHL drafts you, you can say no to a trade from another team, but you may not get picked up by another team, and I didn’t want to lose my livelihood. So, when Tampadecided they wanted me and offered me more, I took the opportunity,” I answer Kodi’s question from before.

“Hmm. . .interesting. If they wanted you back, do you think you’d come back?”

“Truthfully, I don’t know. Tampa has felt like home for two years now, we are all happy and we’ve found a really good group of friends who I now consider family. I don’t think I’d want to lose that.”

“That’s fair, I think if I were you I’d feel the same way.”

“Kodi, swings please!” Bella grins at us, her face is covered in peanut butter and jelly causing Kodi and I to chuckle at the sight. I grab the wipes from the diaper bag and clean her face up while she thrashes her head back and forth.

“Can Daddy push you on the swings?” I ask her.

“No, Kodi!”

“I don’t mind really.” Kodi looks at Bella with adoration in her eyes.

“Okay fine, you two go, I’ll throw this trash out and then meet you over there. We only have about twenty minutes before we need to head out,” I say before Kodi is chasing Bella towards the playground, both of them laughing wildly. Kodi looks back at me as she follows, my heart seizing in my chest at how beautiful she looks at this moment. Her curls wild from the wind, bright smile on display as the sun creates a frame behind her head. Then I look at Bella whose little legs are moving as fast as they can, her little space buns bouncing as she runs, and I can’t help but think that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be in life right now.

The fact that Kodi has only been around for a few weeks and Bella is so enamored with her, scares the shit out of me. The thing that scares me more is the possibility that Kodi might leave one day, leaving mine and Bella’s hearts in pieces.

23

MAVERICK

THE HOTEL FIASCO

“Let’s get you guys to the hotel and then I have to head to the arena,” I tell Kodi as we exit the park and head to the car I called for us.

We ride the short distance in silence. Pulling up to the hotel, I grab our belongings, and Kodi follows holding Bella as we walk up to the concierge. “Mr. and Ms. Hart.” She smiles at me then Kodi, who has turned the cutest shade of pink at the inference she’s my wife.

“Mr. Hart and Ms. Roscoe. There should be a room for each of us,” I correct.

“Oh. I’m so sorry. Let me just get you guys checked in. Alright, room three hundred and seventy-six for Mr. Hart and room three hundred and sixty-four for Ms. Roscoe. Just take those elevators by the bathrooms up to the third floor.” She hands me two room keys.

“Thank you Wendy.” I smile. peeking at her nametag, taking the keys from her hands before walking beside Kodi towards the elevators. Once the doors have closed, I speak, “I’m sorry aboutthat. I swear I told Hudson to put your name on the reservation too.”

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