"He does," Nicole said to Lucy. "So why would he quit?"
Lucy shook her head and a sinking sensation hit her in the gut. "We have to trust he knows what he's doing."
"He did tell me that when he leaves the game, it will be the right thing for him," Nicole said. "Not because he felt forced into it."
"Then we definitely need to trust him," Lucy said.
"I do love the game," Jordan said to the reporter. "And there might be times when I'll miss it. But there are other things I love just as much or more. I don't want to be a Kincade in name only anymore. I want to be an actual part of my family. I can't do that if I'm never around. So, back to your question. Am I depressed about losing this game and the chance to go to the playoffs? The answer is no. I have something better to do."
"Anything specific you have planned for your future?"
"Yep." Jordan looked into the camera and grinned. "I'm going home to ask my girl to marry me."
Lucy and Nicole looked at each other, screamed, then hugged each other until they cried.
Nicole's kitten sprang off Ziggy's back.
Ziggy cocked his head and completely ruined the moment.
Jordan had texted Lucy while she'd been teaching a class to say he was on his way home via commercial flight. A feat that could mean he'd arrive home on time or possibly end up sleeping on the floor of the Phoenix airport. She'd texted him back saying she couldn't wait to see him. Since she hadn't made any reference to it, he wondered if she'd watched his last game. Wondered if she'd seen the interview afterward.
A grin lit him up inside and replaced any doubt about walking away from his career. With his skates and jersey in his suitcase, he knew he'd have days of doubt. Possible days of regret. Days where he just missed the fast pace of the game and the camaraderie between teammates. He also knew that he was heading into unfamiliar territory.
And that excited the hell out of him.
The possibilities were endless.
He had no idea what he might do with the rest of his life except for one thing. He wanted to be with Lucy during the good times and the bad. He wanted her to be the last thing he saw at night and the first thing he saw each morning. He wanted to plan their future together, have children, and grow old together. And the faster he got to her house, the faster he could make it all happen.
Finally, at ten minutes after seven he rang her doorbell. The front door flew open and Lucy rushed into his arms.
"Yes. Yes. Yes, I'll marry you."
He planted a long, sweet kiss on her luscious mouth, then chuckled. "So I guess you saw the post-­game interview?"
She nodded and her glasses slipped down her nose a little before she pushed them back in place with the tip of her finger. "I saw the whole game. And I'm so sorry you lost. But I'm so glad you're home. And . . . yes. Oh, I love you, Jordan."
Something wound around his heart that he'd never experienced before. Not even the first time he'd slapped the puck between the pipes.
Absolute pure joy.
Lucinda Nutter loved him.
"Can I ask you properly anyway?" he asked with a grin. "Just for the record."
"You can do anything you want."
"Anything?"
Her fingertips danced down the buttons on his shirt. "Anything."
"Exactly what I wanted to hear." He backed her into the house and kicked the door shut. Then he scooped her up and tossed her over his shoulder. She giggled all the way up the stairs and the entire time he stripped her naked.
He took off her glasses and set them on the nightstand. Then he pulled off his own clothes in fast-­forward speed.
When he eased her back onto the bed she was still chuckling. "I thought you wanted to do this properly."
He kissed her deep, hot, and wet. The kiss set him on fire. He wanted her. Needed her. Loved her like crazy. When she moved her legs apart he slid inside, filling her body while she filled his heart.
"This is my version of properly." He framed her face with his hands. Kissed her forehead. Kissed the tip of her nose. "I love you, Lucy. You're everything that matters today, tomorrow, and forever. You've made me a better man. Will you marry me?"
"I love you, Jordan." She sighed dreamily. "Yes, I'll marry you."
Once upon a time, Jordan's wishes had been about hockey goals, fame, fortune, and life in the fast lane. Somewhere along the way he'd learned to be careful what he wished for. But if he'd known Lucy would come into his life and fulfill his dreams for a happily-­ever-­after, he would have made different choices a long time ago. Together they were about to create a life together where the sky was the limit.