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A couple of days after accepting his marriage proposal, I’m sitting on the sofa next to Jensen watching a movie when I finally get up the nerve to ask him what he’s planning to do about his hockey career. “When are you planning to rejoin your team?”

“I’ve been working on things.” He sighs. “The team’s head coach is one of my best friends.” I already know about his close friendship with Grayson Marrow. “He’s planning to give up the head coach job to stay in Silver Spoon Falls with his woman.” That’s all news to me. The last I heard, the popular head coach was single. “So, the negotiations have been a little unusual, but the owner has decided to release me from my contract at the end of this season.”

“You’re quitting hockey?” I sit up and shake my head. “You can’t give up your career for me.”

“I’m not giving anything up for you. I’m making plans for our future.” Jensen hugs me close. “I’m getting up there in age, and hockey is a young man’s sport. It’s time for me to leave hockey in my rearview mirror. Plus, I have much more important things to concentrate on from now on, like knocking up my gorgeous goddess.”

“Are you sure you aren’t going to miss the excitement of professional hockey?”

“I’m positive I’m not going to miss something I didn’t really love in the first place,” he insists. “I appreciate all the opportunities playing hockey gave me, but I always knew it was just a job.”

I lay my head against his shoulder and sigh. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, goddess. Why don’t we sneak off to the bedroom and work on our new project?”

“I love the way you think.” I laugh as Jensen stands and pulls me into his arms.

A few days later, Jensen leaves to catch up with his team on the road, and both Rufus and I miss him like crazy. It doesn’t take me long to realize how much loving him has changed me. My job used to be my life, but now it’s something I have to do to pass the time. When Zane married Celine, he cut back his hours significantly and I stepped in to pick up the slack. Our law firm is very successful and profitable, but it isn’t my main focus anymore.

It doesn’t take my brother long to notice the change in me. He comes strolling in my office and sits in the chair across from my desk. “How long do you plan to mope around here?”

I look up from the contract I’ve been staring at for an hour without really reading and glare at him. “Excuse me?”

He glances down at the contract on my desk before looking into my eyes. “What do you think about the offer?”

“I haven’t finished reading it.”

“You’ve been staring at the fucker all morning long. You should’ve memorized it by now.” He isn’t wrong, and I’m so frustrated with myself.

“My heart isn’t in it.” No use lying to my brother. He’s like a freaking human lie detector.

“I already know that.” He isn’t pulling punches today. “Why don’t you take a few days off and decide how you’re going to handle things.”

My first instinct is to refuse, but deep in my heart, I know my brother is right. “I think that’s a good idea,” comes out of my mouth, surprising both of us.

“I’m going to meet Jensen in Silver Spoon Falls when he gets home from his road trip and see the town firsthand.” Relief cuts through me when I make my decision.

“I think that’s a great idea.”

“We need to hire a couple new attorneys to help with our caseload,” I blurt out before I can change my mind.

“I totally agree.” My brother rubs his bottom lip. “Why don’t you plan your trip to Silver Spoon Falls, and I’ll start looking for new associates.”

“Thank you.” I stand and walk over to hug my brother.

“You’re welcome.” Zane smiles at me and turns to walk to the door. He pauses with his hand on the doorknob and turns back to me. “By the way, you need to reassure Mom that you’re okay before she has fit.”

Oh, man. I’ve been missing Jensen so badly, I totally forgot about my parents. “Do you think Mom and Dad are going to freak out when they find out about Jensen?”

“Of course, they are.” Zane smirks at me and walks out the door. “Especially if you move to Silver Spoon Falls.

Since flying commercial with a large Rottweiler is next to impossible, I end up begging Zane to keep Rufus for me. I walk up to Zane and Celine’s front door, pulling my big baby behind me. “Come on, Rufus. I won’t be gone long.” He instinctively knew something was up when I led him out to my SUV at the crack of dawn.

My brother throws the door open and grumbles, “You owe me big fucking time.”

“I know.” He glances over his shoulder at the small Miniature Schnauzer sitting on the bottom step. “And you owe Bennie. You know Rufus tortures my poor dog.”

I wouldn’t call it torture. My spoiled baby just doesn’t share anything well. “I’ll bring Bennie a whole bag of his favorite treats when I come home.” I give Rufus a quick kiss on his furry head and look up at Zane. I don’t have much time to make my flight.

“You better.” My brother hugs me. “And fucking call me when you get to Silver Spoon Falls.”

“I will,” I promise as I rush back to my SUV.