Filed to story: Luci Forrester and Easton Reed: Hockey Romance Story
“And Humphries?” I prompt and she sighs.
“He tried to blame me for Maxton shoving that girl. I told him he was responsible for his own behavior. He called me a pain in the rear. He was upset he had to suspend Maxton I think.” She glances over her shoulder at the boys.
“Barrett enjoyed the game with Cole?” I think she needs a break from the serious stuff.
“Yes. Cole…he never called you daddy or them uncle at the game.” She seems to be reassuring me. “I forgot to ask about that.”
I tilt my head. “I told you he knew not to before I left. Did you forget?”
Her eyes widen though I see her looking down.
“…yes I did.” Her breathing has picked up too.
Becker is listening intently from the island. He moves to sit with us. “Luci, did you enjoy the game? Cole said you know nothing about hockey.”
Kingston has turned around. He observes her a lot.
“It was very exciting. I enjoyed the pace of it.”
Becker opens his mouth as we hear the door opening to the mudroom. All our eyes are glued in that direction.
“Grandpappy!” Cole says happily as Dad steps into the kitchen, smiling at Cole. He’s home after a month. Now where is my mother?
He walks quickly to embrace Cole, but I saw his sharp eyes take in Barrett’s appearance.
Becker reaches for her plate, subtly sliding it in front of himself while Dad lifts Cole off the stool. I frown at him. She’s not done eating.
“Who are our guests?” He asks Cole.
“That’s Luci, who watches me and Barrett, her friend’s nephew. We went to the hockey game.”
“How exciting. Hello Luci, I’m Jason Reed.”
“Hello.” She says and goes to stand.
“Please don’t get up.” Dad tells her quickly when Mother sweeps into the kitchen.
“Eating dinner?” Mother flanks Dad and looks at the table in front of Luci. Becker picks up a chip from her plate, crunching it loudly.
“Yes. Hard game.” Jackson says.
“Your father is back from Europe for a while. We were going to see about all of us eating together as a family.” Guess you should have shared that, I think sourly.
Luci motions at Barrett. “Barrett, we should get home. Thank you for letting him come to the hockey game, Easton.” She glances at me when she says that and stands up. Barrett hops down before reaching for his plate. Jackson grabs it.
“I have it, Barrett.” He says quietly.
“I’ll grab my backpack, and we’ll leave.” She ushers Barrett back toward the playroom.
“I go say goodbye.” Cole rushes out. Dad sets him down, though not before Mother clucks her tongue.
“I will go say goodbye.” She tells him. He runs off after them once he repeats the proper phrase.
“He’s four, Imogen.” Dad reminds her softly before he hugs the four of us.
“Jason, you know you have to start early to raise the proper young man you want to present to the world. I’ll go change and you can order dinner.”
“Be back in just a minute, boys, and you can catch me up. Just dropping my bags upstairs.
Missed all my boys.” He walks out and I stare at Becker.
Once they are out of earshot, he whispers to all of us. “I figured there’s a rule for Luci about the help eating with us.”
“Judging by those hawk eyes on the table in front of her, you’d be right.” Jackson adds.
“Back in a second.” I find her by the front door telling Cole goodbye.
“Night Coco. Hmmm let me think. Dream about flying marshmallows that fly through chocolate rainstorms.” He laughs. “Can they have graham cracker wings and then sprinkle storms after the chocolate?” She smiles widely. “Oooh. I like that. See you in two days.”
“Bye Barrett.” I say and he waves. He runs out the front door to her car and I send Cole to find his uncles. I grab Luci’s arm gently. She turns to stare at me puzzled.
“Luci…thank you for going to Coach for me. I appreciate what you did. Listen, if Porter bothers you, call me. Or one of us. Don’t let him box you in anywhere.” I can’t shake the feeling she might not take her own safety seriously.
She looks worried. “Do you think he’s going to bother me?”