Page 62 of From Ice to Home
“Good,” I murmur, keeping her close. “Because I don’t havethe energy to chase you down again, Sanders. You’re fast for such a tiny little person.”
Her soft laugh warms the space between us, her body melting against mine.
“What? Too fast for the All-Star Ranger?” She looks up at me with teasing sparkling in her green eyes. “Don’t let your coach hear you now. He might bench you for tomorrow’s game.”
With my arms around her, it’s too easy to retaliate. Rolling over, I lean over her slightly to gain the advantage. I tweak my fingers into her ribs, tickling her just enough to make her giggle and squirm beside me.
“You’re going to get called for roughing,” she says breathless and still laughing, her voice a melody in the dark.
“Do you concede?” I ask, my grin widening as I hover above her.
She looks up at me, her body tucked perfectly beneath mine.
“Only if you’ll kiss me again,” she says, her eyes bright and unwavering.
I lower my mouth to hers, pausing an inch from her lips, savoring the closeness.
“Only if you’ll be here in the morning,” I murmur.
She smiles, soft and certain. “Always.”
14
HANNAH
Sitting in the parking lot of the training facility, Lucas grabs my hand to stop me from nervously fidgeting with the hem of my shirt.
“Are you ready?” he asks, pressing a kiss to the back of my hand.
He’s clearly excited for me to meet his team, and that’s part of the reason why I’m so nervous. This is a big deal—this is his world. I want them to like me, I want all of this to be easy on him and not complicate his game or his life in any way.
Last night was a type of turning point for us, or at least a real starting point to our life together. I’ve been worried about losing the life I had in Durham, the life that’s waiting for me to go back. I worked hard to get where I am today, and in the back of my mind there’s this niggling reminder that I’m busy giving up the past five years for a new life, a new future, with Lucas. But there’s no denying that waking up next to him this morning felt right and while we got ready for the day, side by side I couldn’t ignore the way we fell into an easy rhythm. I can only hope that meeting his team will strengthen that rhythm instead of hinder it.
“As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess,” I say with a smile, trying my best to ignore the anxiety stirring in my chest. I’ve only seen them as names on jerseys and faces behind visors, glimpses of their personalities in goal celebrations or tough plays. But this seems like something entirely different. Lucas sees right through me, as he’s always been able to.
“They’re great guys, you’ll see. Big and burly, but beneath all that gear they’re harmless,” he reassures me. He runs his hand through his hair, before looking toward the facility with a spark in his dark eyes. “Just don’t let them know that you know that.”
I can’t help but smile at him. His excitement is contagious.
Looking at the building, it’s giant windows all marked with the logo of the New York Rangers, I send up a silent prayer.
Father, please help us through this first meeting. Stay by my side and let the Holy Spirit guide me so I can foster lasting relationships with the people that are important to Lucas. Keep me strong because I do not want my nervousness to show in front of them. I exchange my anxiety for Your peace, my uncertainty for Your plan and purpose. Amen.
I grab the brownies I baked last night and start opening the truck door. “I’m ready, let’s go.”
Before I can get out, Lucas is already by my side, taking my hand and closing the truck door for me. His touch is effortless and it sends a wave of comfort through me.
The facility is a large glass and steel covered structure, with more than a few cars already in the parking lot. The giant glass window panes reflect the trees surrounding the building—and in it we can also see ourselves walking toward the door. His steps are sure, his shoulders squared as we approach the place he spends most of his time. One look at me and I can’t help smiling and thanking God for calming my nerves. Looking at me, you wouldn’t know my stomach is in knots. Rather, it looks like we belong next to each other. Without a doubt.
“Are you sure this is alright?” I ask as we enter the facility.
The air shifts instantly, the crisp, unmistakable chill of ice mingling with the distant echo of skates and sticks. The walls are lined with Rangers memorabilia, every inch of the space wrapped in navy blue, white, and red.
“Of course it’s okay,” he says, turning to me with a slight frown. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
I shrug as we walk past framed photos of every player on the team adorning the hallway wall.
“You know, since it’s game day. Aren’t all of you supposed to be super focused on preparing for tonight? I don’t want to be a distraction or ruin the routine.”
