“Hatch askedHuck to prospect.”
Mom let out adeep breath. “Oh, wow. That’s huge.”
“Iknow.”
“How will thatwork with his hockey contract?”
“Hatch saidthey’d talk about it more, but let’s be honest, the entire club has a crush onHuck the Puck, so I have a feeling their shiny new toy’s schedule will beaccommodated. But saying that, I see what recruits go through. It’s almost afull-time job. And he’s got his knee replacement coming up, I just don’t knowhow he’s going to do it all.”
“And where youfit in this?”
“Yes.” Icouldn’t stop the tears now. “But saying that out loud makes me sound like aselfish bitch.”
She leanedforward and took my hands. “Oh, my beautiful girl. It doesn’t. You sound like awoman in love.”
“We’re so newand I want him to do whatever he wants, but I also hate it when I don’t see himevery second of the day,” I admitted. “So, if he’s prospecting, and I’mworking, then he’s getting ready for an intense hockey season, I’ll never seehim. Not to mention, one of the things I liked the most about him is that hewasn’t in ‘the life.’”
Mom chuckled.“Little girls always end up marrying their daddies in the end, huh?”
I grimaced. “Ew,Huck’s nothing like Dad.”
She raised aneyebrow. “Mmm, we’ll see.”
I grabbed atissue from the tissue box sitting on Dad’s desk and blew my nose.
“Look, Iremember how conflicted I felt when I met Daddy. I mean, Grandpa was the policechief, can you imagine?”
“I know, helikes to remind Daddy he still has contacts in the force if he gets out ofline.”
Mom chuckled.“This life isn’t for everyone, but I’ll tell you one thing. Your dad alwaysputs me first.”
“I know.”
“Okay, then whydo you think Huck would be any different?”
I shrugged. “Iknow he’d want to, but sometimes it’s not always within his control.”
“Baby girl,believe me when I say, it will be. Your daddy, and even Hatch, aren’t going tolet their precious Ducky want for anything and if that means Huck is spendingtoo much time at the club, I have a feeling that will change.”
“But that willmake me a bitch.”
“No, it won’t,honey.” She smiled. “It’ll make you an old lady.”
I let out aquiet snort. “I guess it will, huh?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
I settled myhead in her lap, and she stroked my hair. “Thanks, Mama.”
“Anytime, baby.”
We stayed likethis for a while. I’m not sure how long, but it was enough time for me tofinally feel like my world was back on its axis. I sat up and took a deepbreath.
“Feel likejoining the rest of the old ladies?” Mom asked.
“Hell yes.”
She chuckled,standing, and pulling me to my feet before hugging me. “Are you sure you feelbetter?”
