Page 127 of Meant for Mayhem

Mikko set Leena down on the floor, and she reached for my leg, hiding behind it. Without me asking him to, Mikko crossed the room and bent down to shake Walt’s hand.

His hands shook so bad today, I had to look away. Emotion clogged my throat, hating that I couldn’t make this better for him.

But the sight of him grinning up at Mikko, both of his hands wrapped around one of Mikko’s, was something I’d never forget.

“You’re in her chair, Owen.” Walt shooed his son, pointing over at the table until I crossed the room and took my usual spot.

The crossword sat on the table, same as always, but it wasn’t even today’s paper. This was the same one I’d left for him a week ago, the pencil still next to it.

It was the first time he’d never even tried on his own.

I tried not to think about how fast his disease was progressing lately but couldn’t seem to swallow down the fear raging inside me.

It wasn’t even so much the reminder of Lori’s inevitable demise anymore either.

Now, the thought of losing Walt hurt just as badly.

“And who’s this pretty girl?” Walt said when Leena climbed up into my lap.

I gave her a squeeze, needing the simple comfort as much as she did. “This is Leena. Leena, this is my friend Walt.”

Walt lifted his hand like he'd intended to wave but couldn't seem to get it to cooperate. He dropped it back down with a frustrated sigh and settled for a smile instead.

Or, at least, he tried.

The muscles in his face fought him every step of the way, but his eyes still warmed when they landed on Leena.

“Hi, sweetheart.”

Leena looked up at me, then back at Walt.

“She doesn’t talk much,” Mikko said.

“That’s okay. Thank you for coming to see me for Christmas. I like your mom a lot.”

I blinked away tears, having to look out the window to hide the emotions overtaking me.

Conversation turned to hockey, both of Walt’s sons informing Mikko that their beer league would never believe this turn of events. He chuckled when they told me to cover Leena’s ears, then announced their team name was the Zamboners.

“I need to talk the Mayhem into having a beer league,” Mikko said. “Think Tate will go for it? Get all the boys back on the ice together?”

I shrugged. “Probably. You can ask them tomorrow.”

Grant looked at me. “The Mayhem Hockey Club? You know the Mayhem?”

“I’m from Linwood, so yes, I know the Mayhem.”

Owen smacked his brother on the shoulder. “Isn’t that who you lost the state championship to in high school three years in a row?”

“Don’t remind me,” he grumbled. “The only thing that made it better was that several of their players went pro shortly after.”

“Let me guess,” I said. “Beckett and Mason Conway, and Ty Hudson.”

Grant’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, that’s right. You know them?”

“You could say that.”

Walt huffed. “Last time Shannon said that, she forgot to mention she wasn’t a Yeti fan—she was married to the best defenseman we’ve ever had on the roster. So, what? Are they your brothers or something?”