“Nice.” Will nodded. “I have the other siblings. I call them Wolverine and Sabretooth. You should see their claws.”
“Appropriate for you, you nerd.” Marlie studied him. “Jeff called you to ask for help fostering too?”
“Yeah. But I’ve been thinking of getting a pet for a while.”
“Oh? What do yours look like? Are they from the same litter?”
He pulled his phone out, ready to pass it, when Mona interrupted, “Hey. I’m the one asking the questions, here.”
Will sighed and put his phone away. “I’ll show you later.”
Mona took Damon’s phone and studied the kittens before passing it back. “Cute. So, let’s sum up, shall we? You’re friendly with Jeff. You’re fostering kittens at my daughter’s house as an excuse to spend extra time with Marlie. And you’re helping the boys win hockey games.”
“Yep.”
“And you’re here in town because you’re recovering from an injury and helping out your parents, who are also recovering from injuries.”
“Correct.”
Marlie wished her mother would get to the point so they could eat.
“You grew up in Hope’s Turn, your parents still live here, and your sister is currently serving in the military.”
“She’s a U.S. Marine.” He nodded. “Major Grace Sinclair. My folks are Leila and Mike Sinclair. You mentioned you knew my dad.” He paused. “Would you like their address?”
“Sure.”
Marlie sighed. “Mom.”
“What? It’s only right I know all about my daughter’s new not-so-secret boyfriend.”
Damon’s smile expanded, and he grasped Marlie’s hand, resting it top of the table. “Aw, love muffin. Our secret is out.”
Her brothers laughed, but her mother watched them with suspicion.
“Relax, Mona,” her father finally said. “Let the boy eat. He looks like he needs the calories.”
“Do I.” Damon studied his plate with clear hunger. “I’ve been working my tail off to heal my knee, and Morgan, my PT, isn’t making things easy after our massive victory on Saturday.”
“I don’t know that I’d say massive,” Marlie muttered.
Her father asked, “Morgan Asby? I saw him last year when I was rehabbing my shoulder. Skiing accident.”
“Skiing? Is that what you were trying to do on the slopes?” Will asked.
Irv frowned. “Respect your elders, boy.”
Damon laughed. “Man, that sounds just like my dad.”
“Oh?” Mona took a bite of food, so everyone started eating the homemade lasagna Irv had made. Silence reigned as everyone ate.
“Holy hell,” Damon swore. “This is outstanding.”
Irv flushed. “Thanks. It’s a new recipe.”
“You made this?” Damon took another bite, chewed, swallowed, then said, “Will you marry me?”
Everyone laughed, and Mona finally cracked a smile. “He’s mine, fella.”
