Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“We’re even now, Boudreaux,” Kriecheque calls out as two other guards appear on the steps, dragging him off the larger guard. “No more bad blood between us.”
Aaron lifts a hand, giving him a thumbs-up before pointing at me and mouthing, “I love you,” sending a rumble of approval through the crowd.
“I love you, too,” I mouth back, adding to the girly cooing sounds keening in the air.
“Marry me?” he asks, setting my pulse to racing and bringing every woman in the arena to their feet.
“Yes!” the woman who shared my pregnancy news shouts. “You have to say yes.”
I nod, laughing and tearing up as I shout, “Yes! Now play hockey.”
The crowd cheers, the ref blows a whistle, and the rest of the game plays out in three final frantic minutes. But Wisconsin doesn’t score again and when the final buzzer sounds, the Midges are still up by two and going home with another win.
Down by the locker rooms, Aaron is the first man out, running to meet us in his socked feet, a white t-shirt, and sweatpants. Chase runs to him first, but I’m not far behind.
Aaron gathers us both into his arms, hugging us tight as he says, “What happened, guys? Are you okay? What the heck was wrong with that man?”
“I had to go potty really bad, Daddy Awin,” Chase says in a rush, before I can get a word in. “And the man was mad we were in the boys’ room, and he tried to grab Mama, and I hit him. But I’m not a bad boy. I was saving Mama.”
Aaron hugs him closer, balancing him easily on his left side, the last vestiges of his injury long gone. “Of course, you’re not a bad boy. Wow, that’s crazy. What a brave kid you are, bud. I’m so proud of you.” To me, he asks in a softer voice. “For real? This guy tried to rough you up for being in the men’s room with Chase?”
I nod. “Yeah. He was going to kick us out and give me a ticket or something.” I shake my head. “It was wild, but it’s over now. Let’s not let him ruin our evening. Chase is so excited about meeting the team.”
“I can’t wait to introduce him,” Aaron says, kissing Chase’s forehead. “My kiddo, the hero.”
Chase beams and tightens his grip around Aaron’s neck.
I’m sure I’m beaming, too, when Aaron turns to me and reaches into the pocket of his sweatpants, pulling out the most gorgeous ring I’ve ever seen. “Just in case you thought I was kidding. I’d already planned on asking you. Tonight. While we were hanging out in the room after Chase went to bed.”
Grinning hard enough to make my jaw ache, I take the ring with shaking hands. “It’s beautiful.” I slide it onto my finger and hold it up to the light. “I can’t wait to be your wife.”
“And have my baby,” he whispers, heat in his voice that makes my cheeks flush. “How pregnant are we?”
I meet his gaze, nibbling on my bottom lip. “Nine weeks. I’m due at the end of the summer.”
“Perfect,” he murmurs, gathering me close with his other arm. “I’ll be able to stay home with you and the kids for a while before the season starts.” His smile widens. “The kids. We’re going to have more than one.”
“I’m going to be a big brother,” Chase says, sounding more excited about that than he was when I explained things on the way down to the stairs. But change takes time to get used to. By the time the new baby arrives, I know he’ll be ready.
We all will. And by then, hopefully our family will be official.
“Should we elope to Niagara Falls like Barrett and Wren did?” I ask as Aaron guides us back into the locker room. “Or do you want a big wedding?”
“I want you to be mine as soon as possible,” he says. “But Gram will cry if we elope. Maybe we could do a ceremony in Bad Dog when I have a weekend off? Something simple at your parents’ place or at Gram’s?”
“Sounds perfect,” I say, accepting the kiss he presses to my lips before he sets Chase down and starts the grand tour.
Watching my little boy tail my future husband around with love in his eyes, I feel like the luckiest woman in the world. Because Aaron loves him right back. He’s already a wonderful father and soon we’ll have another little one to love.
I feel almost embarrassingly lucky, even when Ben calls to freak out about the security guard he saw roughing me up on TV. “Are you okay?” he demands. “Is Chase?”
“We’re both fine,” I say, briefly explaining how we ended up on the wrong side of Mr. Militant. “But he was given a leave of absence and the danger has passed.”