AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Saige. Yes! I love that name.” She stumbles through more names, but she’s determined. Out of thirty-some names, she got about thirteen correct. But she makes a valiant effort to memorize each name as she goes. As she concentrates on that, Grams and I share a glance. She smiles and gives a subtle nod.
The tiniest motion is what I was waiting for. Her stamp of approval.
After the introductions, the women whisk her away to decorate cookies. I keep an eye on her, half expecting her to hesitate or give me a sign that says she needs saving. But my woman happily joins them.
Grams slinks her arm through mine and rests her head on my arm. “It’s good to see you, Pax. And so happy in love.”
Laughter echoes from the kitchen. This is turning out better than I imagined. Kali fitting in was never a concern. I just didn’t think it’d be this easy. “I told you, Grams. I was going to marry her someday.”
A couple hours later, with a full belly of decorated cookies, I call out, “It’s time to go ice skating.”
“Ice skating?” Kali says, glancing back outside to the small lake. “Is it frozen enough?”
“It’s frozen solid,” I assure her.
“But I don’t have skates.”
“I got you covered,” Oakley says, heading to the mudroom. “Pax told me your size before you guys got here.” She appears with a pair of white skates, holding them up.
Kali stares at them, then looks at me with wide eyes. I thought she’d be more excited. “Do you ice skate?”
“Paxton!” Oakley scolds, giving me that same disapproving gaze she always has when I do something dumb. “You didn’t tell her?”
I shrug. It never came up. “Tell me what?” Kali asks, glancing between us.
“He kills it on the ice,” Oakley says.
Kali’s smile widens. “Like a figure skater? Can you do things like turns and jumps?”
My mouth falls open as Oakley throws her head back in laughter. “Do I look like a figure skater to you?”
“Well, she said you killed it on the ice.”
“As a hockey player,” I blurt out.
Oakley’s still laughing, doubled over now.
“Oh my gosh,” Oakley says between gasps. “You guys!” she screams out, and I roll my eyes.
Really? It was an honest mistake. She walks away, and I hear her tell everyone what happened. The room erupts.
Kali winces. “Sorry.”
I pull her close and kiss her on the forehead. “Don’t be. You just made their day. I’ll just have to take it out on them on the ice. They won’t be laughing long.”
She hums. “Any other skills you’re keeping from me?”
“I’ve shown you the important ones,” I reply with a wink, and then lean down and kiss her.
“I hope he kisses better than he skates,” eleven-year-old Carson says, interrupting us. I chuckle against Kali’s lips. This kid.
I playfully push him away. “You can’t even put your own skates on without your mommy’s help.”
“Shut up. I do too,” he retorts, puffing out his chest.
Everyone, still making twinkle-toe jokes, joins us in the kitchen, gearing up to go outside. “Have you ever ice skated before?” Emma asks.
“I’ve only ever been once. My dad took me when I was six…” Her voice trails off, and her body stiffens beside me. I glance around the room to see if anyone’s reaction triggered this. There’s not one ounce of judgment in their faces. But a mind’s guilt is heavier than reality sometimes. “I’m sorry for mentioning him,” she whispers, walking out of the kitchen.
