Page 103 of Goalie Interference

Instead, I nudged Beast with my toe. “We’ve got things to do, buddy.”

He pushed up to a sitting position with a sigh. Unlike in Austin, he had free range of the property here and had been busy asserting ownership of every bit of vegetation in the area, pee by pee, bush and shrub and tree.

Unlike last summer, I could nudge him now and put on his leash without fearing for my fingers. I had hopes that by next summer I could have another rescue here to keep him company. I also had hopes that Sophie and I would be permanent.

The cottage was as clean and tidy as I could make it. A glance at the sky confirmed that the weather was cooperating and should stay dry. I grabbed the keys to the boat and Beast’s leash, and headed to the dock.

Beast followed me and jumped into the boat with a twitch of his tail, as close as he got to a tail wag. He loved the wind on his face when we went out on the water. I turned the engine on and slipped off the lines. Fifteen minutes later we were slowing at the marina dock.

One of the summer staff caught the line I threw, and Beast and I were soon walking into town. I made a few stops atdifferent stores, leaving Beast tied up outside. He no longer went into attack mode when people passed by, but also, no one would try to steal him. I got sunscreen and after-sun lotion since Sophie might not be aware that the sun could burn up here. Some flowers and books at a gift shop. A Lake of the Woods T-shirt and hat.

We took everything back to the boat, and then stopped at the grocery store to pick up the food and drink order I’d placed. For an extra charge everything was packed in insulated boxes, and they had a kid help deliver it to the boat.

Eddie, who ran the marina, had the parcels I’d ordered online and had delivered to the marina address.

“Shame the Aces lost in the second round.”

I agreed, but already hockey was less important. I’d retired, and next season I would work part-time with Lappy on the Aces farm team. I’d committed to twenty hours a week at the shelter, and Delores was happy—and also wanted me to use my hockey contacts to give the place exposure. I had Sophie and that was the most important part. Life was good.

The boat was getting full. With everything organized, I went to the marina entrance to wait for her.

She wasn’t long. She was driving slowly, finding her way, and I smiled to finally see her again. Her own face lit up when she noticed Beast and me.

She pulled to a stop and rolled down the window. “You weren’t waiting long, were you?” I shook my head, but I’d been waiting for her for years. Maybe my whole life. A few minutes now wasn’t going to change anything.

“So where can I park?”

Sophie

I hadn’t been to this part of Canada before. The Winnipeg airport was small and easy to navigate, and it wasn’t long till I was driving east on flat, straight roads. Then, as I approached where Manitoba turned into Ontario, trees, rocks and a wildness I wasn’t used to.

Remy had offered to pick me up, but it was a three-hour drive each way and he had Beast to take care of. We’d decided against bringing Goober, since she couldn’t be kept in the cottage and there were predators around outside. Cash told me I was smart to have my own getaway, but I wasn’t worried. It was hard enough waiting to get to Lake of the Woods. If Remy had been driving, after two weeks without seeing him, I’d have struggled to keep my hands off him.

My guy was reserved. He didn’t pull me into an embrace as soon as I was out of the car. But the smile on his face when he saw me? Bigger, freer than normal. And the heat in his eyes told me he was having similar problems being discreet.

I’d packed lightly. He’d warned that evenings could be cool this early, but I would use him or his clothing to make up for anything I lacked. He helped carry my case to his boat, his hand constantly touching me, as if making sure I was here. Little shivers raised goose bumps on my skin when he did. Beast led the way. There were a lot of things already in the boat, so I was glad I hadn’t brought more than I had.

He shot a look at me as he wedged my carry-on in. “I stocked up. So we don’t have to come back too soon.”

Who didn’t love a man with a plan? “Good thinking.”

Beast hopped aboard, obviously familiar and comfortable with the boat. I sat beside him and didn’t even get a growl. It had taken a while, and Beast would never be completely comfortable with people, but Remy’s patience and love had done wonders for the dog.

And for me.

“How was your visit with Lappy?” Remy had invited him to spend a couple of days at the cottage while I was tied up in Austin. The young man had been in a rehab center, and the cottage was a quiet place for him to adjust back to regular life.

“Good. He’s had a lot to deal with. Family pressure, stuff like that. He’s going to work out with a trainer in Toronto, and when he’s back in Austin we’ll meet up.”

I wasn’t sure if Remy was happier about helping Lappy or the animals at the rescue when we returned.

Once we moved away from the dock, Remy sped up the boat. There were lakes in the Austin area and we weren’t too far from the coast, but this was a different experience. Hard rock islands, thick forests, water looking deep and cold. Remy reached a hand over to me and I gripped it, smiling like a loon. He was relaxed here, and comfortable. The wind ruffled his hair beneath his ball cap, and when he turned to look at me, he looked happier than I’d ever seen him.

We passed cottages, some small, some large and elaborate. But we hadn’t seen any for a few minutes when he slowed the boat at a wooden dock.This must be it.

It wasn’t a big and fancy place, which was a relief. That wouldn’t fit Remy, and my shortage of appropriate clothing would be an issue. The cottage was very woodsy, almost part of the surrounding forest. The hillside sloped upward, and there was a porch across the front of the building, looking down over the incline to the dock. I couldn’t tell how large it was, since it blended so well into the surroundings.

“I like it.”

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