Page 19 of Falling for the Forward

“Do you feel like you need to help them do things the way your mom would want?”

“Yeah, but Charlotte just gives me attitude. Hallie listens sometimes, I guess.”

I shift in my seat, unable to get comfortable. It’s new for me, trying to say things to the girls in a soft, sensitive way. You have to be pretty unsoft and insensitive to make it in hockey, where I spend most of my time.

“You know, I’m the one who needs to keep your sisters in line. I like that you’ve tried to help me with it because I know I’m not the best at some things. I want you to just be a kid. Just focus on you and don’t worry about your sisters. Let me do that.”

“And Suki.”

There’s a catch in my chest as I picture the concern on Suki’s face last night when I told her about my predicament. She hasn’t even been working for me for two months, and already the girls have a strong bond with her. I was still in such a daze from Rachel’s death that I mostly ignored her until very recently.

I probably owe her an apology. She was right to rattle my cage a couple of times. I figured she’d laugh and quit when I asked her to marry me last night.

Damn, it sounds so weird to even think the words. I never thought I’d propose to anyone. Even if it wasn’t really a proposal as much as a proposition. It took my attorney telling me Chad has an actual chance at taking the girls from me to make me wake the hell up and see things clearly.

“You guys like Suki, don’t you?”

Olivia smiles. “Yeah, Suki’s awesome. She’s always happy and she takes us to do fun things.”

I check my watch, remembering Leo’s text. “We need to get going. How about a jewelry store? You want to pick out a necklace or something?”

She grins. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, absolutely.”

I look for jewelry stores on my phone and find a locally owned one right off downtown with good online reviews. We’ve only been talking to our salesperson, Julia, for about a minute when an older man in a shirt and tie approaches us.

“Mr. Stanton, thank you for coming in. I’m Bill McKay, the owner. If there’s anything at all I can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

I feel a flicker of annoyance, though it’s irrational. Being recognized in my team’s town happens often. Today, though, it feels like someone intruding on my time with my niece.

“Thanks, man.” I shake his extended hand. “I appreciate it.”

“I’ve had Crush season tickets for the past twelve years. My wife and I are big fans.”

“We appreciate that. I brought my niece in to pick out a gift.”

Bill looks at Olivia and smiles. “If there’s anything we can do to help, just let us know. We’ll let you look.”

My irritation fades with his acknowledgment of her. Rachel would balk over me bringing her eleven-year-old here to choose her own gift, but I’m going with my gut on this one. This birthday is special.

Olivia is wide-eyed as she scans the jewelry in every single case before making her choice. When Julia asked her if she wanted something with a topaz, the birthstone for November, she asked about the February birthstone, Rachel’s birth month.

When Julia fastens Olivia’s new amethyst necklace around her neck, I have to swallow against the lump in my throat. The girls have told me Suki asks them about their mom all the time, and at first it annoyed me because I thought she was just pouring salt in their wounds.

I see it now, though. Olivia is beaming as we leave the store. Remembering Rachel today has made it easier for her, not harder.

Suki is a lot more than just a beautiful face. She’s amazing with the girls. I hope like hell she accepts my offer.

“Now I’ve got a surprise for you,” I tell Olivia when we’re back in the car.

“Uncle Carter, no. This is already so much.” She gently touches her new necklace. “I love this. You don’t need to get me anything else.”

“I already did. We’re going to pick it up. It’s going to be a long drive, though. Like an hour and a half.”

“That’s okay.” She gets her phone out of her tiny purse. “I have a playlist we can listen to.”

“That sounds great.”

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