Page 18

Caitlyn (Cat)

My eyes pop open and I stare into the darkness. Where am I?

I know where I’m not. I’m not in the apartment above Nonno’s Diner. The bed is too soft, the pillow too fluffy, the heat at my back too warm. I inhale a shaky breath, and a comforting scent engulfs me.

Turk.

Vague memories of him holding me while I cried. Soothing me in warm baths, feeding me when I didn’t want to eat. Cuddling me when the memories became too much. More talking and crying with a woman I don’t know. And hours and hours cuddled in Turks reassuring embrace, just listening to the solid thumping of his heartbeat. His hand is clasped in mine.

“Turk’s bed,” I whisper just to see if my voice works, and this is real and not a dream.

“Our bed, sweetheart.”

“So, I am really here.”

“Yes.”

“And it’s really over. Slack is… is gone.”

“Yes. He’ll never hurt you again. You never have to be afraid again.”

“She said that. She kept telling me I was safe. But I don’t know her, so I wasn’t sure it was true. I thought she was a dream. I couldn’t think. I was so tired.”

“Her name is Barb. She’s a friend and trauma therapist. She’s been talking with you, helping you to work some things out. Yes, you needed sleep.”

“How long?”

“Two days.”

“Oh!”

“Barb said you needed to sleep. It’s been a long time since you’ve felt safe enough to just let go.

“Would you like to get up for a while? Maybe come to the kitchen? Stretch out your muscles. Mom has dinner in the oven and Mel brought your favorite dessert.”

I nod and he climbs out then helps me stand.

There are flowers on the coffee table and a stack of cards. He notices the direction of my gaze.

“That’s for you when you’re ready. Flowers from the team and cards from them and friends at the diner. Cat…”

When he doesn’t continue, I look up.

“You are loveable. You are loved. They miss you and are all waiting for you to come back.

“And I love you, most of all.”

Tears fill my eyes and roll down my cheek. I swipe them away and smile at him. “I love you.”

True to Turks’ word, no one blamed me for the disruption or danger. They unanimously blamed Baylor, Missy and my stepbrother. They’re all glad that Clark bought the team although it brought all my family drama to light. We’re better off.

Turk was on the ice with me every night that first couple of weeks. I was so afraid I wouldn’t be able to concentrate. He said playing the game is muscle memory. He was right. The first time he skated toward me and tried to take the puck I forgot everything but the game.

Turk, Tatum, their mom and dad have been more than I could ever have hoped for. A family right out of the books. How does a girl like me get that lucky?

Once the news about Slack’s death hit the news, my father’s mother had her lawyer reach out to me. He explained that she tried to get custody of me, but my stepdad attempted to extort money from her then threatened her. She tried again when she found out I was in juvie, but the courts wouldn’t support it because of her age and health. We are slowly building a relationship.

I never left Turk’s apartment. I still have my job with Mel, but he’s putting his foot down now about the hours. I come for a shift like everyone else and he has me on the schedule for pay. He’s teaching me to be the pastry chef because those things I can do in advance and still make my games. He does fuss at Turk for buying extra desserts every time he comes in to pick me up.

Something is going on with Tatum and Mel. They growl at each other every time they’re close but can’t keep their eyes off each other.

Madge, oops… Mom, Tatum, and I are going shopping and to dinner tomorrow after work. She’s so excited to have two girls to shop with. The two of them have slowly been building me a wardrobe other than sweats and hockey uniforms. I actually have some dresses now. Turk insists on buying the lingerie, which is a whole other shopping experience.

Tonight is the last regular season game. If we win, we go to the finals. I’m more nervous than I’ve ever been. The team practiced yesterday morning and then a little this afternoon. Clark and Turk were there. Clark gave a speech about regardless of win or lose, he was so proud of us. But he secretly knew we’d win.

“Game time, ladies,” Coach yells. “Now listen up. The only thing you need to remember is to be yourselves. Each one of you is a professional and first-class player. You’re a team. Play your game. And you can’t be beat. Now go win.”

In the final play of the game, with seconds on the clock, I shoot the puck to Tatum. With an inspiring breakaway move she scores the winning goal.

After all the press and interviews, Clark and Coach ask us all to go back on the ice for some specific team photos. Once we’re grouped, I notice that all of our families have stayed, including Mel, Joel and Madge. Everyone is on the ice and part of the photo semi-circle. That’s one of the things I love about Clark and Turk. Family is first, and we’re all family.

The photographer takes a couple photos then a man in a tux and a goalie mask skates onto the ice, stopping in front of me. Dropping to one knee he pulls off the mask. I’m staring down at the face and eyes of the man I love. What is he doing?

“Caitlyn ‘Cat’ Carr, I couldn’t let tonight slip away. I couldn’t wait another day. All our friends and family are here making it the perfect time to say… I love you. I love you with all my heart. You are the only one for me.

“Will you marry me and be my forever wife?”

“Yes. Yes. Yes! Oh, Turk I want nothing more than to be with you.” He pulls a ring box from his pocket and slips a simple diamond studded band on my finger. Cheers, clapping, laughter erupt. The flash from phones and cameras go off all around us. He stands and eases me into his arms.

“I love you,” he whispers before taking my lips with his. Long moments later I hear someone clear their throat.

Coach stands beside us, arms crossed over his chest, a stern look on his face and asks me, “I though you said the thing you wanted most was to win the Walter Cup?”

Everyone breaks into laughter. Wrapping his arm around my shoulder Turk meets Coach’s gaze. “She’ll bring that home and we’ll say ‘I Do’ two weeks after. That way everyone can come to the wedding. How’s that?”

Coach nods.

True to Turk’s words….

We win. And I Do….

After the book…

Wondering what’s going on with Mel and Tatum? Stay tuned for their story coming soon…..