Page 105 of Her Rugged Guardian

“Yep. Isn’t it awesome?

I shook my head again. “Do I need to leave you girls alone to talk?”

“Nonsense,” Cassandra said.

There was some commotion on the ice, a fight almost breaking out. I stood with just about everyone else in the arena, watching the replay. It was obvious the other player was guilty of cross-checking Riley, purposefully hitting him with his hockey stick. The fucker had almost knocked my brother to the ice.

“Shit. That’s Riley.” When a timeout was called, I shook my head. When Riley headed in my direction, I was surprised. There was no doubt he was coming to talk to me. “Don’t you move. I’ll be right back.”

The way Cassandra squeezed my arm would never get old. I headed to the fence, leaning over as he skated toward me.

“I don’t have much time, bro. I need your advice on how to make the winning shot. Maybe that signature move of yours. You know, the one you always used to win the game.” Riley grinned as he looked up, shocking the hell out of me.

For all the years that he’d stopped asking for advice, to do so now meant more than he knew. I scanned the ice, then happily gave him my secret.

“You got it?” I asked just as the buzzer sounded in the arena.

“Got it. I’ll make you proud.”

“Riley. I already am.” I stood where I was as he returned to the game, able to smile about his decision. When the two women flanked my sides, I sucked in my breath.

“Trade secrets?” Cassandra asked.

“Family secrets.” The truth was it was the only move my father had suggested that I’d accepted over the years. Maybe I was more like my father than I wanted to believe.

As shots were made, I found myself holding my breath.

The clock ticked down, leaving less than twenty seconds with no additional score.

Riley powered forward, skating as if his life depended on it. As he grabbed the puck with his stick, the crowd was on their feet.

With only two seconds to spare, he took a shot.

“Goal!”

EPILOGUE

Cassandra

The fall day was gorgeous, not a cloud in the sky. The temperature was chilly, but with the sun against my skin, I didn’t need a jacket. There were hundreds of people in attendance, everyone enjoying themselves.

Everything was perfect from the food catered by Millie’s Diner to the music by the quartet I’d secured. Everyone loved the wine and bottles and cases were flying off the shelves.

Yet the day was bittersweet since the contract couldn’t be broken. The news had been delivered the day before, Stephen being the bearer of bad tidings.

I’d resigned myself to losing the facility but hated the reason behind it. Still, home was where the heart was and it was firmly placed in Jake’s capable hands.

I’d walked away from the party, heading toward the cliffs. The ocean was beautiful today, the light breeze tossing the water against the rocks more gently than normal. I couldn’t help butbask in the moment, trying to remind myself that I was a lucky woman all the way around.

Still, my heart was heavy.

I’d discovered the information I’d hoped I’d find in a closet in the winery, my mother keeping a journal of her discussions with Malcolm, including several recorded conversations with the man. She’d managed to draw out some of his nefarious plans, but it still hadn’t been enough to have the man arrested even after all this time. The wheels of justice were turning very slowly.

There would never be a time when Jake drew near that I didn’t feel his presence. My skin always tingled, my breath always skipping and my heart racing when he was in close proximity. I adored the man. No, I’d fallen head over heels in love with him. There was no doubt. Not only had he saved my life, he’d saved my heart and soul as well.

He placed his hands on my shoulders, pulling me against him. “Penny for your thoughts.”

“Not rich enough, buddy. That will be two million dollars if you want to hear what I’m thinking.”

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