Chapter 23 #2
“Why hasn’t Vancouver contacted you?” I asked, yet to be but so knowledgeable about the way contracts were handled.
“It’s early,” Cole said.
“Not true,” Ford said. “But thanks for the kind words.”
“Hey, you still up for that game next week?” Beck interjected.
Ford had a faraway look in his eyes. “Yeah, why not. The three of us haven’t played together in a long time. Besides, I need to show my woman here how I can best the two of you with my hands tied behind my back.”
“When is this game?” I asked while offering Ford a look. He grinned as I’d yet to ‘release’ him officially, although he was perfectly healthy. Enough so his cocky attitude had returned.
“Next Thursday, baby. And I plan on wiping the ice with these boys.”
Ford took a step back when Beck took a playful swing. It was refreshing to see how close they were as a family. As always, I had a sense of melancholy, grabbing my wine as I did. Sometimes, I wished things could be different.
Although this was now my home.
“Uh-oh,” Cole said. “Here comes trouble.”
As their dad appeared, carrying a whiskey in his hand, I noticed a rather serious look on his face.
“I don’t mean to interrupt, but can I have a chat with you boys before the party gets started?”
“Don’t mind me,” I told them. “I need a refresh on my wine anyway. Plus, I think I’ll go flirt with a couple of your teammates.”
Ford jerked me even closer, smacking my bottom as he did. “You know what happens if you do.”
I resisted doing what I would normally do since Mr. Kendrick was present, pulling away and blowing a kiss instead.
The timing was perfect. Now I could make a phone call. Even though it was Saturday, I was hopeful at least I could leave a message.
After watching the guys walking away, I headed closer to the lake while pulling the card into my hand. While I stared at the name and what was supposed to be a private phone number, my thoughts drifted to my dad. Just one phone call. That’s all I wanted. Just one. Just to hear his voice.
“Are you okay, honey?” Hearing Margaret’s voice wasn’t surprising. She had an innate way of making everyone feel so comfortable.
“I’m just fine. I’m just thinking about…”
She patted me on the arm. “Your dad?”
“Ford told you?”
“Only enough to help me realize why someone like you is all alone.” She shook her head. “I know it’s hard.”
“I don’t feel alone any longer. In fact, I feel as if I have a family.”
Her smile was drawn as if she had her own set of memories she was dealing with. “A found family. That’s what I had when meeting Ford’s father. Of course, at the time the only shifters in the world were in movies and romance books.”
“What’s it like being married to a wolf? I hope that’s not too personal.”
“Not too personal at all. I could tease about many aspects of my life spent with Patrick and they’d all be true, but the most important thing is how he makes me feel, which is as if the sun rose and set on me.
Even after all these years. My parents never liked him.
In truth, they only recently discovered their daughter had married into a mixed breed family. ”
Her laughter was as infectious as Ford’s. “Do you ever worry about the hunters out there?”
“Of course, but what’s the difference in anyone facing discrimination?
Shifters aren’t the only beings on this planet facing bigotry.
That’s what the boys are discussing, if the hunters are getting too close.
Sometimes we wonder if the townspeople will be behind us.
However, you can’t let it get to you. You just ask yourself if Ford makes you happy. ”
“He does.”
“Then push all the other fears aside. But one piece of advice. Don’t lose yourself in the process. I understand you would like to continue your studies in medical school.”
I laughed. “There are no secrets in this family.”
“Not when shifters with keen hearing are involved. Patrick happens to know a few people at the University of Washington School of Medicine. They are ranked number in the country in research. And with Seattle being less than three hours away from Portland, you and Ford could live somewhere in the middle perhaps.”
“You’re so certain he’s going to get an invitation to Portland?”
Her smile was as if she knew what I had up my sleeve. “I have a feeling everything you both want is going to come together. Mark my words.”
With a wink and a quiet nod, she walked away. What was it about powerful women in shifter families who seemed to know everything about what was going on?
I bit my lip and stared at my phone. Maybe it was time to set that plan in motion.
After a quick glance over my shoulder, I dialed the phone number, pumping my fist when my call went to a personal voicemail.
“Mr. Young, this is Georgia Wallace. We met a few weeks ago when you were passing through North Bend, Washington. Hopefully, you remember me. Anyway, I was calling to offer you a proposition I think you might like. Is there any chance you might have some time on your schedule next Friday?”
As I rattled off a couple of thoughts, my nerves immediately shot to the edge, so much so my breathing was coming in pants.
Just like a wolf.
The thought brought a smile as I ended the call, doing a little dance by the lake’s edge.
“What are you up to?”
I managed to slap my hand across my mouth before I screamed, jumping around to face Roxanne, who was bubbling over with laughter.
“I didn’t mean to scare you, but since I did, that means you’re up to something.”
With a deep breath, I glanced over her shoulder this time to ensure no big ears were within hearing distance. Still, I lowered my voice. “Maybe. Can you do me a favor?”
“Hmmm… That depends.”
“Can you see if your father has a little time to meet with me tomorrow?”
“Gosh, I’m sure he’d love to see you. The new season is around the corner. Wait. You’re not quitting, are you?”
“No, but I need his help with something.”
“I tell you what. Why don’t I go find him right now?”
“Okay, but make certain no one knows.”
Roxanne grinned. “I cannot wait to hear what you’re up to.”
“Oh, you’ll know. If this works, you’ll know very quickly.” I grinned when catching Ford’s eye. Maybe Margaret knew more than she was letting on. As if there was some shifter magic in the air.
“Then I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
“Don’t worry. I don’t plan on it.” After she walked away, I enjoyed my bird’s-eye view of the property. Without a doubt, it felt as if I was home.
Except there was one piece missing.
I had a new life, a new name. A new job. A new phone. A new place to live. And one hot as sin shifter boyfriend.
What I didn’t have was my father in my life and that was just unacceptable.
Maybe I was crazy or risking all the new happiness, but I needed to hear his voice.
So I called him, the number one I’d had memorized for years.
And thankfully, he picked up on the second ring.
“Hi, Daddy.”
* * *
Ford
Flying.
That’s what the moment felt like, as if I was a bird free to storm and take over the sky.
I dug the inner edges of my blades into the frosted surface, exploding forward with a burst of controlled violence.
As I flew by Beck, ignoring his defensive actions, I realized how in tune to my body I’d become. Almost as if I was one with the stick.
Just like my wild little Georgia had suggested I needed. Okay, so she was right after all. I was no longer fighting with the stick, instead using it as an extension of my body. I mapped the ice three moves ahead, ignoring everything else but the rhythm of the game.
My brothers moved with me, the three of us playing off each other. But I was the one commanding the puck. No longer was it just rubber, now tethered to the end of my stick as if with invisible thread.
It had been a long time since I’d felt this exhilarated.
At that moment, I decided to take the shot.
The Dominator thought he was all over it, determined it wouldn’t make the goal.
But he was wrong.
Again.
Four goals in thirty minutes. This time, I threw up my arms and enjoyed the victory lap. Why the hell not?
The practice felt damn good. In fact, better than ever.
As I slowed, I rubbed my arm across my face, gathering the sweat.
“You are freaking on fire out there,” Cole told me.