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Alek ignored the stinger in his hip as he climbed the grassy bluff.

He welcomed the soft breeze that lifted his hair off his neck.

Hiking the New Hampshire countryside with Hattie and Finn in the July heat had him working up a sweat.

Luckily, his destination resided beneath a decades-old black walnut tree.

He came to a stop in front of a granite headstone. A layer of walnuts and leaves were scattered over its top. Alek sighed as he brushed them away. He bent over and pulled several weeds from the ground in front before sliding down and resting his back against the cool stone.

“Jesus, Jamie, you’re still a slob.”

Stretching his legs out, he crossed them at the ankles and took in the view in front of him.

Down below, Finn and Hattie were chasing a hacky sack ball.

Sheridan was busy arranging flowers into two outdoor vases that she would stick in the ground next to her parents’ and her brother’s markers.

She took her time, giving him several minutes of privacy with his best friend.

It had become a habit over the past eight months.

Whenever he could carve out time during the season to venture to New Hampshire, they brought Finn back to the picturesque little cemetery to visit with his parents and grandparents.

Finn would leave the perfunctory rock on top of his father’s grave and run off with Hattie to explore after a few minutes.

But Alek always liked to spend time filling Jamie in on their lives.

“Well, another season ended without me hoisting the Cup,” he announced. “The New York Guardians knocked us out in the second round.”

Alek was surprised how the bitter aftertaste of being eliminated from the playoffs hadn’t lingered as long this year. He let out a resigned sigh.

“There’s always next season. Everyone’s coming back.

Gus, Twos, Picard. Even the Swedes. The kid, Dern, is a Swiss Army knife on the ice.

He can do it all. Defense, offense, you name it.

And he hasn’t even grown into his body yet.

” Alek shook his head just imagining the star Parker Dern was going to be someday.

“Although Junior was skating on thin ice with management for nearly the entire second half of the season. He turned things around come playoff time, though.” He chuckled.

“It certainly helped that his sister was running interference with Kellogg.”

Hattie barked at Finn to throw her the ball.

“My dad got into a drug trial in Boston. He’s actually taking a position in Dartmouth’s history department as a visiting professor while he’s in the trial.

Talk about full circle. It’s a good thing he wasn’t there the same time we were.

” The dread he’d constantly felt about losing his dad had dissipated somewhat with the slow progression of the disease.

“My mom has promised not to redecorate Barn Burner while they are here.”

Finn laughed when Hattie nearly did a backflip trying to catch the ball.

“Your son is the only nine-year-old I know who got his own bar for his birthday,” Alek continued.

“The corporate types drove a hard bargain, but it’s Finn’s legacy.

I would have paid a ransom to get it back if that’s what it took.

You did what you had to do to protect your family.

I get that. I’m sure it hurt to do it, though.

Rest easy, my friend. It’s back in the family where it belongs.

” He scoffed. “Of course, knowing kids these days, Finn won’t want it. I’ll end up running it after I retire.”

He took in the pastoral panorama spread out before him. It was quiet and peaceful here. Relaxing. The idea of running a bar didn’t sound that bad.

A cardinal glided to a landing on the gravestone two away from where Alek sat.

“Finn and Gunner are going to Valentine’s camp next week.

Can you believe that? Your kid passed on my camp.

” He grinned as he shook his head. “We haven’t told him about the baby yet.

I know we put the cart before the horse, but you can put your shotgun away.

The wedding is in two months. No matter the order we did things, Finn is going to be a great influence on this kid. ”

He glanced back down to where Sheridan was putting the finishing touches on the flower arrangements. She flashed him a radiant smile as if she could sense him looking at her.

“And your sister is going to be a remarkable mom.”

The cardinal cocked its head in Alek’s direction.

“Thank you.” Alek patted the granite. “I’m not sure what I did to deserve the gift of your sister and your son. Know this, though, they will always be safe and loved.”

Alek swore the bird nodded before it flew off.

Sheridan weaved her way up the little hill. He hopped up and met her halfway, taking the metal vases from her. She swatted at the grass sticking to his jeans on his ass.

“Save it for later, lady,” he teased before nipping at her lips.

He positioned one of the vase’s pointed stakes into the ground next to Jamie’s headstone. “Here?”

She nodded. He pressed it into the turf with the heel of his sneaker. Moving over to her parents’ plot, he repeated the process with the second flower arrangement.

Sheridan’s eyes misted up. Alek stepped behind her, wrapping his arms securely around her waist and spreading his fingers over the gentle swell of her belly. She was growing a life inside her. One who was already so loved. He nuzzled her neck.

“I love you,” he murmured against her soft skin. “Have I told you that today?”

She relaxed against his chest. “Hmm. Let me think.”

He spun her around and took her lips in a searing kiss. God, he would never get enough of this woman. She tangled her fingers in the hair behind his neck and responded with equal amounts of passion.

“Gross!” Finn moaned when he and Hattie joined them.

Sheridan smiled as she rested her cheek against Alek’s chest.

“Look.” Finn held out his palm, exposing a round, flat rock.” This one looks like a puck, doesn’t it?”

Alek kept his arm around Sheridan’s waist as he inspected Finn’s rock. “It certainly does.”

Finn hesitated. “Should I put it on Dad’s or Grandpa’s?”

Sheridan exchanged a look with Alek. It pleased her that he kept the memories of both men alive by sharing stories about them with Finn.

“How about you put it on Ed’s marker today? We can run back here tomorrow before we head up to Quebec for camp and move it to your dad’s,” he suggested to Finn.

“Great plan.” Finn set the stone down on the granite. “Can we get lunch now? Hattie and I are starving.”

Sheridan rolled her eyes. “What’s new?”

“Bye, Dad,” Finn called as he raced down the hill, a barking Hattie at his heels. “See you tomorrow!”

Sheridan blew a kiss to her family. Alek adjusted the rock one last time, making sure it was secure. Hand in hand, they strolled down the hill toward their future.

I hope you enjoyed Alek and Sheridan’s story. Are you curious about their wedding? Well, I’ve got you covered with a bonus scene exclusive to my readers. Click here and it’s yours.

Alek was first introduced in Catch and Release , the slow-burn, enemies to lovers, second chance romance between Milwaukee Growlers quarterback Trey Van Horn and the-one-who-got-away , London Headley.

It was fun catching up with Trey and London again, along with Collin Slater.

You should definitely check out their story.