Chapter 9 - Tessa
The road to the lake house winds through tall pines and stretches of golden fields.
Dust lifts off the gravel in hazy waves behind the Carsons’ truck.
Kenzie hums beside me to "Watermelon Moonshine", off-key, her bare feet on the dash and her red sundress riding up her thighs. Every few minutes, she leans forward to look through the windshield like she still can’t believe they actually said yes.
I don't normally let myself get involved in family dynamics; it's not my place. But the Carsons had been so good to me, and I knew how much the rift between her family and brother bothers Kenzie. So, I did what I normally never do. I got involved.
When I’d asked if they’d go, even just for a little while, Maggie and John had shared that look.
The one parents use when they’re weighing how much they’re willing to hurt for something they already miss.
They didn’t say it outright, but I’ve seen enough family fractures to know when love turns into distance.
When you no longer know what to say to each other and distance turns to silence.
Kenzie said they used to talk about Nate all the time.
Drive hours for his games. Maggie and Kenzie had even flown out for a few away games.
Eli would stream them in the shop, John would wear his old team jacket, and Maggie would bring out the scrapbook she started when he was still playing Junior A.
Locals would join in, and families would band around the Carsons in support of their son making it to the NHL.
Then, somewhere between city lights and photo ops, announcers talking about his personal life more than the hockey, it stopped.
Kenzie told me once that the real issues started when he began dating Brielle, that everything about him changed. That her dad finally said, I’m not driving all that way just to be ignored by my own son or talked down to by that girl.
She’d laughed when she told me, but I saw the ache in her eyes.
That’s why I pushed. Why I told them that life’s too short to wait for a “better time.”
You think you have more of it, time, but you don’t. I learned that lesson the hard way. And maybe, just maybe, this would be a small way to close the gap. Eli had cursed low under his breath, John gave a nod that said everything, and Maggie hugged me tight, whispering her thanks.
The trees open up and the lake flashes into view, sunlight scattering off it like coins tossed in for wishes.
The house sits high above the shoreline, all sharp edges and glass, dark siding that mirrors the water.
The lawn’s manicured within an inch of its life; every stone path, blade of grass, and perfectly placed shrub is intentional.
It’s the kind of house that photographs perfectly. The kind that tells the world you’ve made it, even if it doesn’t feel like home.
We pull in behind John and Maggie’s truck.
Eli climbs out first, shoulders tight. I can almost feel the way his jaw sets as his gaze sweeps the chaos ahead.
He turns with a scowl, reaching for a big cooler, which he balances easily in his arms. Kenzie’s the opposite, grinning from ear to ear, her red sundress dancing around her knees as she hops barefoot onto the drive.
I slide from my truck, the heat pressing down, and round to the back to grab a smaller cooler. The air smells like charcoal, lake water, and summer.
“Need a hand with that?”
The voice comes from the right, smooth and low, carrying that self-assured ease that always makes me brace a little. Two men are suddenly there, shirtless, barefoot, and bright-eyed.
The first one’s tall, lean muscle and motion, skin fair enough to show the flush of heat across his shoulders.
His blond hair sticks to his forehead in damp strands, his grin lazy but confident, the kind that probably comes easy to him.
He’s got an accent, soft and northern, maybe Scandinavian, and it slides around his words like he’s not in a rush.
The second seems quieter, steadier. Dark hair pushed back off his forehead, almond-shaped eyes, warm brown and observant. There’s something about him that feels grounded, like he’d be the one to drive everyone home when the night gets out of hand.
I blink, realizing I’ve been staring longer than is polite. “I’ve got it,” I say, though my arms are sore from this morning's work.
"I’m Erik Anders,” Blondie says, his voice light. “And that’s Lukas Jensen.”
I nod. “Tessa.”
He tilts his chin toward the Carson truck. “You were at the farm this morning, right?”
That makes me pause. “You were there too?”
“Yeah,” he says with an easy shrug.
I study them both for a beat before saying, “You were with the groupies.”
That earns a real laugh from Erik, low and rough. “I believe the term is puck bunnies,” he corrects with a grin. “And some of them drove up with us, but trust me, they’re not with us.”
Lukas shakes his head, muttering, “Don’t lump me in with him.” His voice is steady, friendly, the kind of tone that makes you instantly like him.
I can’t help a small smile. “Noted.”
“What about you?” Erik asks, curious now. “You with the Carsons?”
“Sort of,” I say, brushing a strand of hair off my cheek. “I’ve been helping out a bit on their farm when I can. I’m a vet tech. I just graduated and moved here not long ago.”
“Impressive,” Lukas says, nodding. “Bet they’re lucky to have you around.”
I don’t answer that. Compliments from strangers don’t usually feel right.
Then Lukas elbows Erik lightly, motioning toward the deck where the crowd is watching us. “I'll grab the cooler.”
Erik grins, but before he can argue, Lukas steps forward, takes the cooler from the back of my truck, and heads toward the deck.
“Guess you're stuck with me,” Erik jokes, walking alongside me as I follow. His tone is teasing but not pushy. “For the record, you showing up is kind of like a breath of fresh air.”
“Is that your line?" I laugh.
He laughs, eyes bright, not offended. “Depends who’s asking.”
“Then I’ll take that as yes.”
He gives me a cheeky grin.
We reach the deck, and Lukas drops the cooler beside the grill where Eli’s already set down the one he brought. I’m still smiling faintly from the exchange when I glance up, and that’s when I feel it.
The air changes. There’s weight behind it, attention I can feel before I find him.
Nate’s standing on the deck, beer bottle loose in his hand, the sunlight cutting across his shoulders.
His expression is unreadable, but his eyes are on me, steady, hot enough that it sends something I don’t have a name for right down my spine.
For a second, the noise dips. Like the party itself holds its breath.
Then it all comes back, laughter, clinking bottles, the music from the speakers.
A girl’s laugh is too sharp, too practiced, draws my eyes to where a brunette in a dress two sizes too tight is standing closely behind Nate.
She’s saying something I can’t hear, smiling like she’s trying to mark her territory.
I look away first. Because I’m not here for them. I’m here because sometimes people need to be reminded what home feels like. I am here for Kenzie and her family.
So, I turn to Erik and Lukas, smile politely, and say, “Thanks for the help.”
Lukas nods, easy and warm. “Anytime.”
I chat with Eli for a few minutes, and then, like I can feel the pull of the water, I walk towards it.
The air feels like freedom. Something special about the cool air that drifts off the water on a hot summer day.
I pull off my top and kick off my shorts, leaving just my bikini blue green that reminds me of the ocean.
The dock’s warm under my feet, and I tilt my face up to feel the sun and breeze on my face. Perfect.
Somewhere behind me, a high voice cuts through the music.
“Daddy! Hurry... she’s gonna sing with the fishes!”
I turn, startled, and then I’m laughing.
Because a little girl, maybe five or six, is sprinting down the steps, dark curls bouncing like springs.
She’s wearing a sparkly dress that is almost blinding at this angle.
A tall man follows, broad and muscular, Deep brown skin, close-cropped curls faded on the sides, smiling at the little one, headed straight for me like he’s used to chasing her.
The girl stops right in front of me, hands on her hips, chest heaving with excitement.
“Are you really a princess?”
I crouch down, meeting her big brown eyes. “Me?" I look around, exaggerating the gesture, "You think so?”
She nods solemnly. “You look like one. But you don’t have a gown.” And then shrugs like that is the only problem she can see with this.
“I tend to leave my gowns at home. They get tangled when I work with the animals, and I can't ride as well with them.”
Her face lights up. “You live on a farm?!”
I grin. “I don't. But I work with animals on farms." She is so excited that she is bouncing in place. "You like animals?”
“I like horses and puppies and oh, cows, goats are kind of weird but cute, I really want to ride horses, but my daddy doesn't know how and we don't know anyone with a horse,” she says, all in one breath. "You look like Ariel... but..."
“Good animal choices.” I lean closer. “Ariel is great, but you know who my favourite princess is?”
She shakes her head, eyes curious, curls flying.
“Merida,” I whisper. “She’s brave. Doesn’t need anyone to tell her who she’s supposed to be.”
The little girl gasps, delighted. “Daddy says that too! That she doesn’t need no man.”
I laugh. “Your daddy’s a smart man.”
He chuckles behind her, rubbing the back of his neck. “Depends on the day.”
“Tessa,” I say, standing, offering my hand.
He steps beside his daughter, smiling widely. His big, calloused hand grips mine, "Marcus Reeves, I play with Nate. and this little one..."
Before he can finish, my hand is stolen by a little one. She shakes it very seriously. “I am Olivia Reeves. You have pretty hair.”
“Thank you. You too.”
“Wanna swim with me? Daddy says the water is safe, but I watch the Discovery channel and know what is in the deep.”
I glance at him. He shrugs, smiling. “You’d be doing me a favour.”
“Well then, I guess I gotta make sure it's safe,” I say to her, grinning. “What do you think, Olivia, should I do a princess dive or something brave?”
“Brave!” she squeals.
“Brave it is.”
I take a running start down the dock and leap, curling tight midair before hitting the water in a perfect cannonball. The splash is massive. Cold, glorious water engulfs me.
When I surface, the group of girls on the dock are shrieking.
“Oh my god, seriously?”
“My hair!”
“What the fuck!”
Kenzie’s laugh breaks through it all. “That’s my girl,” she shouts, before ripping her dress off over her head, running and jumping in after me, her splash even bigger.
Olivia’s squeal echoes across the lake. “I’m coming too! Daddy, this is the best day evvvverrrr.”
Before anyone can stop her, she jumps, arms flailing, eyes squeezed shut, and lands with a splash that makes the girls on the dock run off. I catch her as she comes up sputtering, both of us laughing so hard I can barely breathe.
We float there, the three of us, Kenzie, Olivia, and me. I am grinning and feeling alive.
I can feel the eyes on us, especially his, but I let it all fade to background noise.
I focus my attention on the little girl who is living her best life, swimming with princesses.
We aren't alone for long; some of the guys join us, clearly all knowing Olivia. She swims around with the group, chatting with everyone about everything.
Later, we dry off on the grass near the deck, the sun shifting lower. Olivia has decided that my towel is our towel and sits cross-legged facing me, her curls puffed into a halo.
“Daddy,” she groans, tugging one strand. “Help! I don’t wanna look like a dandelion!”
I bark out a laugh. “That is too cute! Mine looks more like when Anna wakes up drooling.”
Marcus walks over with a small canvas bag.
Olivia turns her big eyes on him. “Can Tessa do it?”
He smiles, shrugging. “If Tessa’s up for it.”
I pat the spot right in front of me. “Come here, turn around so I can see what we are working with.”
She crawls closer and twists around, smelling like sunscreen and lake water. Taking the mixture that Marcus handed me, I finger-comb the curls gently, working the oil through until they shine again. “There,” I say softly. “Good as new.”
She turns to look at me, all serious. “Now I do yours.”
I laugh, sitting cross-legged while she clambers behind me, tiny hands tugging through my curls with exaggerated care. Every time she hits a tangle, she huffs, muttering something about “royal hair being difficult.”
Kenzie snaps a picture, grinning from ear to ear.
“You’ve officially been claimed,” she teases.
I am not sure what to say. My life has changed so much since coming back here. I don't think I have ever been claimed by so many people before in my life. I wasn't sure what to expect from coming here, but I am glad I did.
When Olivia finishes, she kisses the top of my head gently, something I am sure her daddy must do, and whispers. “All done, my precious princess cowgirl.”
I smile. “Is that a thing?”
She nods like it’s the most obvious truth in the world. “It is now. We might have to tell Disney. They have rights, you know.”
I laugh so hard at that, I don't remember smiling this much in a long time.
I catch Marcus watching us, and before he heads back towards some of the other players, he mouths 'thank you'.
I swear I can feel him watching me again, but I don't look.
He has yet to approach me, and no matter how hot that man is, I am not wading through the sea of his female fan club to fight for his attention.
The afternoon passes in a blur. Kenzie is beaming, soaking in whatever attention she can get from her brother when he isn't surrounded by women.
I am pulled into selfies and group pictures with some of the players.
One of the guys here, Jamie, is a part of the marketing and PR team for the Kodiaks.
We talked about how he's hoping to get some wholesome pictures for the team's social media to balance out the bad press.
I shoot him a look when he says wholesome, and he smirks with a 'I know' look, "I have been selective with who I am including in the pictures.
Plus, the ones I have of you and Liv are golden. "
We chat some more, and he follows my account, so he can tag me in photos.
I look up to see John shifting uncomfortably. I excuse myself and make my way over to one of the families who have claimed me as their own over this past year, hoping that the result of today's visit goes the way Kenzie is hoping for.