Page 182 of Love, Rekindled

I shake my head. “No. We. My life wouldn’t be complete without you. I wouldn’t know a love like what you can give me. So, even though it took me a while to recognize it and not fear it, to accept it, it’s my second chance, too.”

Rafe pulls me in for a hug, and I squeeze him tight. His voice feathers over me. “Want to know one of the last things my dad said to me?”

I nod, my head pressed against his chest. My fingers dig into his shirt, and my eyes start leaking because I can feel the gravity in his tone.

“He told me he was leaving this Earth happy that you and I were back together. I mean...he didn’t really know where we stood, but yet...somehow, he knew. I know it sounds crazy, but I can’t shake the feeling that my dad’s illness and death sort of fated you and me back together again. And while I’d give anything to have my dad back, I actually find it quite peaceful knowing I have you in his place.”

And, of course, I start sobbing. I think I manage to say, “That’s beautiful,” but my face is pressed so hard into his shirt that I doubt he understands me.

Doesn’t matter.

He just holds me tight as we both grieve our losses and marvel about our gains, both emotions seeming perfectly right.

EPILOGUE

~RAFE~

A lot can happenin four weeks.

A man can die.

A son can grieve his father.

A team can lose a championship.

A man can realize he’ll love a woman for eternity.

James Carl Simmons was cremated, and his ashes now sit in my mom’s bedroom. We have yet to have a memorial service, and that was at my mother’s insistence. She wanted to get me through the rest of the playoffs, a matter she and my father decided behind my back and to which she stuck to her guns about. Within the next few weeks, we’ll have an intimate gathering of family and our closest friends, but for now, Mom is fine having him close.

The Cold Fury fought a valiant battle, but in the end, we lost the war on ice. The Arizona Vengeance beat us for the Cup in game seven, and it was a bittersweet moment for me. I’ve become a full-blooded member of this Cold Fury team, and I’d die for any of my teammates. I wanted to bring that championship home so badly that I could taste it. Playing hockey and working for a team I believe in helped to take my mind off my grief.

And yet...a part of me is happy for my former Vengeance teammates. They deserve the win. They wanted it more. They outplayed us. The Cup is where it belongs, at least for this season.

Next season is another matter.

But for now, I am on official vacation for the next few months until training camp starts, and while my season has ended, my life is really just beginning.

“Okay,” I warn Calliope playfully as I pull into the driveway. “No peeking.”

“I won’t,” she grumbles, pulling down the dark scarf I tied over her eyes. “But, seriously...I have to pee, so I hope wherever it is you’re taking me, we get there soon.”

“We’re here,” I tell her as I put the car in park. “Don’t move, though. I’ll be right around to you.”

Before she can reply, I turn off the engine and exit the vehicle, hustling around to the passenger door. I open it, take her by the hand, and gently help her out.

I carefully walk her toward the front of my car, making sure there’s nothing for her to trip over, but it’s only smooth concrete. I position her body and then place my hands on her shoulders from my place behind her.

“Okay...ready?”

Calliope nods, and I pull the blindfold from her face. I lean to the side so I can see her expression as she takes in the ginormous house in front of her. It’s white brick with a sweeping front porch, shuttered windows, and almost fifty-six-hundred square feet of space that sits on its own private pond.

“What do you think?” I ask her, unable to hide the tinge of pride in my voice.

“It’s gorgeous,” she replies in awe as she takes it in. “Who lives here?”

“We do,” I answer her simply, and it causes her to whip around and face me with disbelief. “I bought it. We can move in at any time.”

Calliope’s mouth drops open, and it’s the perfect opportunity to kiss her. I do so without hesitation or regret and get lost in the way she kisses me back.

---