He loved hockey,but he loved me more, and although it took a little while for him to verbalizeit, he loved the club as well. So, when the Portland Winterhawks put up anoffer for him to coach, he started to think about where his life might go oncethis season was over. Long term, at least.
And long term,he’d decided he wanted to be in the Pacific Northwest. Closer to the club,closer to his parents, and closer to my family.
But he wasn’tgoing to make a final decision until tonight. He wanted to ‘win this fucker,’then he could go anywhere and do anything he wanted.
Technically,with the settlement Mack had negotiated from his knee injury, he could do thatanyway, but with a Stanley Cup win under his belt, he felt he had legitimateclout.
“Now’s the timefor Huck to find Daisy,”the announcer teased, as Huck pulled off hishelmet and skated toward my spot in the stands.
Dad practicallylifted me over a few of the other players’ families to get down to the glasspartition. I slapped my palms against the glass and Huck did the same before wedropped our foreheads to it. We did this every game… our little love tap if youwill because we couldn’t kiss.
“I’m so proud ofyou,” I yelled through the plexiglass.
“Thanks, baby.Love you.”
“Love you too.”
“I’ll come findyou soon.”
I nodded, agiant grin on my face. “Okay.”
“Well, that’sthe game,”the announcer said.“Huck and Daisy have had their moment, sonow we can all celebrate.”
The crowd wentwild, and I couldn’t stop myself from blushing as I rejoined my family andwaited for the horde to disperse.
“Let’s go meetHuck,” Archer said about twenty minutes later.
“He still needsto shower and talk to the press, Arch,” I pointed out. “He’s going to be awhile. He’ll come find us.”
We didn’t haveto wait long. Huck and Keith walked back into the arena, security guardsclosing the doors behind them, and I made a run for Huck.
He caught me,lifting me high, as I threw myself into his arms, and kissed him. “Oh my god,I’m so proud of you.”
Huck laughed. “Thanks,baby.”
My familygathered around us and congratulated both Huck and Keith before Keith joinedhis own family.
“I have news,”Huck said.
“You made adecision?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“Winterhawks?” Iasked, a little more hope in my voice than I realized.
“Yeah, baby.”
“What’s goin’on?” Dad asked.
“We’re cominghome!” I squeaked.
“What?” Mombreathed out.
“The Winterhawkshave offered me a coaching position,” Huck said. “And I’m taking it. I’mbringing our girl home.”
My mother burstinto tears as she wrapped her arms around Huck. “Oh my god, thank you. I neverwanted to interfere, but you have no idea how much I miss her.”
Huck smiled,hugging her back. “Oh, I have some idea. Or I would if we didn’t have unlimitedtalk and text.”
