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CHAPTER

TWENTY-SEVEN

AMBER

Ford’s three days off fly by faster than I want them to. I’m lucky we even got those three family emergency days with him though, considering it’s the middle of the season.

I thought I’d be okay on my own after few days, but I’m so grateful his mom and sister are here for another week. Especially since Ford leaves for a week of games on the West coast tomorrow. I’ve been married to him for one week, and I’m already spoiled and don’t want to give him back to the NHL just yet.

My bedroom door is open, but a knock comes from the doorway. I look over from where I’m resting on the bed to see Sally holding Nella, always the doting grandma. I’m so happy Nella has her. Sally uses her hand to make Nella wave at me. “Someone wants some snuggles with her mommy. Are you feeling up to it?”

I laugh, and the sound makes Nella grin. Ford’s mom brings Nella into the room and very gently hands her into my arms. I hold her with my right arm, avoiding the small incisions on my left wrist.

“How are you today? Missing that husband of yours? ”

I answer honestly, not needing to act. “Yes, so much. I loved having him here.”

Her face goes soft. “Seeing you two together after all this time has been so, so special. Me and Gordon used to talk about how Ford looked at you like you were the only girl in the world, but you two just never seemed to be in the right place at the right time, you know?”

I contemplate her words. What she said is so similar to what Farrah said the other day. About how Ford has been in love with me all this time. “Do you really think Ford had a crush on me when we were younger?”

Her eyebrows shoot up, obviously surprised by my question. “You really didn’t see it?”

I huff a laugh. “No. I always thought he was too good for me.”

“Oh Amber. You’re the only girl for him. The only one who understands him. I can’t remember a time when Ford didn’t love you.”

Love me. I look down at Nella, trying to focus on anything other than that word.

Sally glances at the gold watch on her wrist. “It’s almost five. Do you need any more pain medicine?”

“I’m okay. I stopped taking them this morning so I can nurse Nella tomorrow.”

She smiles down at me and Nella.“You’re such a wonderful mother, Amber. It’s a joy to watch you with her.”

Her words mean so much to me, but there’s a pang of sadness somewhere inside me, something telling me it should be my own mother bonding with my daughter and telling me I’m a good mom. But that will never happen. I appreciate the kind words, though, and nod my thanks while trying not to let the tears creep up. I’ve cried enough in the last week to last a lifetime .

“Thank you. I learned from watching you, I think. All those afternoons spent at your house.”

Ford’s mother shoots me a look that’s full of sympathy. “Has your mom met Nella?”

With a sigh, I shake my head. “She hasn’t spoken to me since I got pregnant and Theo broke off our engagement. Her last words were something like, You ended up making the same mistakes I did, and I want no part of it .”

Sally tsks. “I’m sorry. It’s her loss because you’re both amazing.” She reaches over and runs a finger across Nella’s soft red curls. “She’s the cutest thing ever, with all that red hair.”

“I agree.”

We laugh together, and Nella smiles, as if she knows we’re talking about how adorable she is.

Farrah peeks into the room. “Am I missing all the fun?” Her gorgeous, dark hair is pulled back in a Dutch braid and she’s wearing black leggings with a lavender athletic top.

“We were just talking about how cute my daughter is,” I admit.

Farrah strides into the room, curvy and confident as always. Her deep blue eyes twinkle as she sits on the end of the bed. “Ah, my favorite subject! I love being an aunt.” Her words are honest, but there’s an underlying sadness to them. I’m not sure why. Maybe I’m not what she pictured for her brother. I wouldn’t blame her. Ford deserves the best.

“I was just making dinner,” Farrah says, her eyes bright again. She loves cooking, especially baking, I’ve learned. And with all the fresh homemade treats in the house, I’m not going to fit in my pre-pregnancy pants anytime soon.

“We’re having chicken pot pie,” she adds. “With French bread.”

Sally and I both groan at the same time, then laugh .

“Your cooking is terrible for my waistline, Farrah,” Ford’s mom says.

I laugh. “Yeah, I’m going to need to use Ford’s gym at this rate.”

“Sorry.” She grimaces. “But hey, the chicken pot pie has veggies, so it’s fine.”

“True! More bread for us,” I say with a shrug.

Nella turns her head and begins rooting around for a nipple. She whimpers as she searches. My chest tightens, I wish I could nurse her. I miss those sweet moments.

Ford’s mom chuckles. “Oh, dear, someone’s hungry. Do you want me to bring a bottle up here so you can feed her? Or I can feed her, whatever you’d like. I do love the snuggles.”

I smile and allow Sally to take Nella since my incision is feeling sore.

Sally gently pulls her out of my arms and moves off the bed, smiling once more before she heads downstairs with Nella in hand.

Farrah lingers behind. “Any snack requests while we watch the game tonight?” she asks.

I bite my bottom lip. “Actually, I always eat popcorn while watching his games. I swear it’s good luck.”

She grins. “Popcorn it is.”

It’s almost midnight when Ford slips into our room. I can hear the opening of a drawer and then his footsteps padding to the bathroom. I’m sure he showered in the changing room after the game, but he’s likely still in his game day suit.

The bathroom door opens and then more footsteps, until he pulls back the covers. The bed dips with the weight of his body, and a sigh escapes him. Not a content one, a frustrated one.

“Sorry about the loss,” I whisper, not wanting to startle him.

He seems unsurprised I’m awake. “Something’s off, but I can’t put my finger on what it is. This is our third loss in a row.”

I nod, even though he can’t see me. Losses are expected, every team has them. But three in a row is bad for morale. Especially for a team captain.

The bed dips again, and he’s rolled over on his side to face me. “I feel like I’m failing the guys, like I should know how to fix the issue. Our chemistry is all wrong, but I don’t know what to do.”

Reaching out, I lay a hand on his arm. “You’re the captain for a reason. I have no doubt you’ll figure it out. Maybe the coach has some ideas?”

Ford brings a hand up and rests it on top of mine. His hand is large and warm and comforting. I want to roll closer to him, let him pull me into his big arms—the way he did in the hospital.

“Yeah, I’m hoping to sit down with Coach Young soon and troubleshoot this. We should have time to discuss it during our flight to California.”

His thumb gently moves up and down across the back of my hand, sending a tingle down my spine. “Anyway, how are you? Sorry I was gone all day—and that I have to leave again tomorrow.”

“Don’t worry about me. Your mom and sister are spoiling me to death…and Nella too.” I smile into the darkness. “I’ve missed Nella the last few days, but I’m still sore, so it’s been a godsend having them here. ”

He hums. “My mom is a little obsessed with her. Understandably so. How’s your wrist?”

“I’m just sore where my incision is, but as long as I’m careful it’s not too bad.”

“Glad you’re feeling better. I hated seeing you so tired and not like yourself. I need my spunky best friend.” His thumb continues its path along the back of my hand, and I shiver at the warmth of the caress.

“You cold?” he asks.

I’m not. I’m plenty warm, especially with his nearness. But it’s okay to lie sometimes, right? “A little.”

Ford, ever the caretaker, scoots all the way over until his body meets mine. He scoots close enough that my body is pressed against his, then he ever so gently wraps an arm around my waist. It’s not a provocative touch, but caring and tender. Everything I’d expect from Ford Remington.

And it’s just what I need to fall fast asleep and never want to get out of this bed.