Page 66 of Stick Play

“Inside voice, honey.”

“We’re making pancakes and then me and Grandpa are going to watch all the cartoons.” She offers me a bright-eyed look. “You can watch with us.”

I like to limit her TV time, but shut my mouth when I see the big grin spreading across ‘Grandpa’s’ face.

“That is going to be a great morning.”

“If you have any errands to run, or anything you need to do, I can watch Zoe.” Grant stops stirring the batter, and pulls a spatula from the container on the counter. “We had fun last night, didn’t we, Zoe?”

“We did. Mommy, we played board games and had popcorn.” She laughs hysterically. “Grandpa couldn’t pop a six at all, and I won the game.”

“What can I say?” He throws his hands up in defeat. “The dice doesn’t like me.”

“Oh, Grandpa, you’re silly.”

I breathe deeply and work really freaking hard to swallow down the lump punching into my throat, and when tears begin to press against the backs of my eyes, I go in search of coffee.

“I really appreciate you watching her, Grant.”

“No problem at all.”

“Coffee?”

He checks his cup. “I’m good for now.” Switching gears, he asks, “Are you going to watch the game tonight?”

“I want to watch Ash play tonight,” Zoe pipes in. As Grant takes a drink of his coffee, she mimics him and reaches for her juice to take a big gulp.

“I’ll record it for you.” I tap her nose. Pouting, like she’s about to protest, I add, “You’ve had enough late nights lately.”

I toss a pod into the coffee machine and get it brewing. “Yes, I’m going to watch the game tonight.” Until I moved here, I never watched hockey.

Oh, and why are you watching it now?

Because I’m friends with numerous WAGs.

Oh, puleeze.

Okay, fine. It’s because I’m in love the with the star defenseman.

“You getting together with the girls to watch?” Before I can answer, he gives an easy shrug and continues. “You can if you want. I can stay with Zoe again.”

“They did mention all getting together at Brighton’s for game night. While that sounds nice, I’m up for a night in.” I glance out the kitchen window. “I don’t love being on the roads late at night.”

He frowns and looks down. “How is this, Zoe?” he holds the batter out. “Enough lumps for you?”

She peers into the bowl and holds her hand up for a high five. As they slap hands, thick as thieves, I can’t help but laugh at their antics.

I grab the milk from the fridge and set a frying pan on the stove. “Are you watching the game?” I ask.

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

I glance out the window again, and for the briefest of seconds, I’m sure someone is in my yard. I lean forward and peer outside, but don’t see anything. Maybe it was an animal. Last week the garbage cans were knocked over, and I’m betting on hungry racoons.

“If you were serious about watching Zoe for a bit, I wouldn’t mind running some errands.” Normally I’d take her. Today it’s clear she’d rather hang out with Grant.

He gives me a big smile. “Not a problem at all. We have a morning of cartoons to watch. It looks like it might be a nice day, so maybe we can get out for a walk too. Do you want to go for a walk, Zoe?”

“Can we go to the playground?”

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