Page 136 of Ice Rebel

“I can’t believe I was so stupid.”

“Well, it is a very unusual set of circumstances. However, you were willing to allow one of the best things to happen to you to be tossed aside because you weren’t interested in listening. As your mother would say, men suck at it.”

“You have no idea how many times I thought of purchasing the sawmill,” I said quietly while staring at the sky.

“Chelsea knew how you felt, which is why she did all this.”

“I was offered a spot in Vancouver today.”

“What? You’re kidding?”

I shook my head. “Nope. An injured player and they want to call me up early. Everything I thought I wanted.”

“Thought you wanted.”

“Yeah, maybe. I can’t imagine being in the NHL without her support.”

“And her love.”

“That too.”

He clapped me on the back. “Well, I think it’s time you apologized and I will tell you that you will need to grovel just like I did with your mother all those years ago.”

“Why would she take me back?”

“Because you’re meant to be together and not only because you’re mates. Because you’re good for each other. But you need to learn to communicate.”

I nodded a half dozen times. “Dad, if you don’t mind, I’m going to go try and find her.”

“You don’t need to, son. She’s not far away.”

“What does that mean?” I searched his eyes. This had been one big ruse he’d orchestrated. My stomach churned.

“Chelsea asked if she could see the best place in North Bend, somewhere special to you. So I told her.”

As I looked at my father, I noticed tears in his eyes. “You did?”

“Absolutely. I’m proud of you, son. Very proud.”

“You recognized her name. Didn’t you? You knew who she was.”

He held up his hands. “Scouts cannot tell a lie. I did.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because all your mother and I have ever wanted is for our kids to be happy. I could tell how incredible the two of you were.”

“Worth losing everything you worked for?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“If losing it meant gaining a daughter-in-law, you bet. Now go.”

“I will. And I’m getting her back no matter how much groveling is involved.”

“There’s one more thing you need to know. Chelsea was given an offer of her own. Something for you to think about.”

Ah, shit.

The reality hit me that I could really lose her forever. No. I would do everything in my power to keep that from happening.