Page 63 of Cold as (N)ice

I love you, too.

“And when you are late – you have to make a grand entrance in life, which is why I swept you and your mom away, dragging you with me to my new home… and we are late now – so cue another grand entrance!”he teased and shot up to his feet, scooping up the boy before he could answer – and put him on his shoulders.

“Oh gosh, Barrett, hang on,” Irene chided, laughing tearfully as he looked at her, already walking forward. Stephen was clutching his head, laughing thickly, and hanging on for dear life. He saw someone with a camera in the distance, realizing it was probably either someone from the social media team or a reporter and smiled, pausing for their photo to be taken. Irene immediately moved to his side and he knew,he knew, it was going to be a great memory of them arriving today.

“I want a copy of that,” Barrett said openly.

“Yes, Mr. Coeur,” the woman smiled, nodding. “I’m Jamie Salas – Kenneth’s wife and your worst nightmare.”

“I thought that was your husband,” Barrett grinned and heard Irene’s confused exclamation beside him, quickly explaining. “Kenneth Salas plays left defense for the Wolverines– and I’ve met him on the ice before. He plays hard and has a mean right hook.”

“I wouldn’t know about the hook, but he does have an attitude,” Jamie grinned, smiling.

“He’s hit you?” Irene gasped, shocked as she reared back to look at Barrett.

“It’s hockey,” Jamie and Barrett said in unison – right before he saw his wife’s eyes narrow. Yeah, he knew that look, and it was time to smooth her sweet, ruffled feathers. She was jealous and that was shocking that she could even remotely feel that way.

“Sweetheart andLove-of-my-life– hockey is a rough sport, and her husband is an incredible player,” Barrett crooned tenderly to Irene, leaning down despite the weight of Stephen on his shoulders, to kiss her quickly, claiming her publicly. “I love you, Troll doll. Let’s go meet the others.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Coeur – Hi, Stephen,” Jamie motioned and then looked at them. “Kenneth showed me after you taught him.”

Barrett plucked Stephen from his shoulders the moment the child let go to say ‘hello’ back – and put him down as another child ran forward, causing him to look up. Boucher was standing there, watching, and raised a hand in acknowledgment.

“Girls, remember to use your hands to say ‘hello,’” Boucher called out easily as she grabbed his arm – and to his utter shock, the little girl standing there turned, looked at the man who played hockey beside him, a man with an attitude that could rival his own… that tiny girl uttered the most shocking thing he had ever heard in his life.

“I’m not stupid,Keith,” the child snapped at the six foot tall man– and then ignored him completely as she tugged Stephen forward into the chaos.

“Hang on,” Barrett called out, shocked at how rude and headstrong she obviously was as Boucher sighed, rubbing his face in dismay and looking completely flustered. He knelt, immediately waving his hand before the distracted child to get his attention and signing to him.

Stephen, you are free to walk around safely here, but do not leave the building, okay? If you need something, you can find me, your mom, Mr. Boucher here, and they will try to help you. Not everyone knows how to sign, but they know ‘hello’ and ‘help’ – okay?

I’ll be okay,DaddyStephen replied and then hugged him.Thank you for showing them how to say ‘hello.’

“You betcha, buddy – love you.”

Love you too.

He rose to his feet, watching Stephen and the little girl disappear into the crowd, and met Boucher’s gaze.

“Keith?” he asked, grinning.

“Shut up, Coeur.”

“That kid calls you by your first name?”

“Obviously, not everything has gone as smoothly for me as it has for you and your wife,” Boucher said bluntly, his tone terse. “Mrs. Coeur, nice to see you again.”

“Hello, Mr. Boucher,” Irene began, and Barrett chuckled, correcting her.

“Apparently, you can just call him Keith.”

“She can,” Keith smirked and then pointed off in the distance. “The blonde woman holding the toddler – that’s my wife, Constance. She could use someone to talk to, especially a new friend who has a kid also. Obviously, my new stepdaughter has taken a shine to your son.”

“I could use a friend also,” Irene smiled gently, nodding. “While we were really lucky, maybe Constance could usesomeone to talk to – and don’t worry. You have my husband’s back on the ice, and I’ll have yours.”

As Irene walked off, Barrett looked at his friend – and hesitated. Boucher’s stance softened slightly as he chuckled and shook his head in disbelief and wistfulness. He felt a pang of understanding, his heart going out to his friend. The gruff man obviously liked his wife and had no clue how to handle it as he spoke, his eyes staring across the room at Constance.

“Coeur, you are one lucky cuss… and I hope your wife can work miracles cause I could use one in my life. The last thing I want is to ruin this, because I think this is my last shot in the NHL, brother.”

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