Page 282 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

"I know."

She smiles toward the windshield. "I realized something today."

"Oh?"

"I kept thinking I was coming back for you." She turns to face me completely. "But that's not true."

"No?"

She slowly shakes her head. "I'm coming back to a life."

The words settle quietly inside me, not because they surprise me, but because they mean more than she knows.

I lift our joined hands and brush a kiss across her knuckles.

"I was hoping you'd say that."

She smiles.

"So..."

"So?"

"Where are we going?"

I glance toward the next turn.

"My favorite building in Briar Cove."

She looks puzzled. "I thought your favorite place was the cabin."

"It is."

"But this..." I slow for the turn. "...is the place that reminds me why I play."

***

A few moments later, a familiar brick building comes into view.

The early evening sun glows against the modest sign near the entrance.

The Walker Family Foundation

Helping Every Child Find a Place to Play.

Annette reads the words quietly, then she looks at me.

"This is where we're going first."

I park near the entrance but don't reach for the door right away.

For reasons I can't quite explain, my pulse has picked up.

Annette notices immediately. "You're nervous."

I let out a quiet laugh. "I've discovered that's becoming a habit around you."

She waits.