“My goodness.Lenni, this is so beautiful!Thank you.Do you want to tell Ax what you drew?”
She shakes her head timidly.
I tilt my head to the side, dropping my chin so I can peer into her face.“Do you mind if I take a look anyway?”
Her soft pewter eyes stare at me, and she gives a little nod of approval.Halle tips her head up to me, her mouth curving into an appreciative smile, and I take the paper from her fingers.A sizzle of electricity skirts up my arm the minute we touch, and I nearly snap my hand away, fumbling with the picture.
I look down at the handmade drawing.It appears to be a rendition of Lenin and her mom standing next to a house.In the top right corner are three tiny stick-figure people.There’s also a black circle that looks like a hockey puck—definitely not drawn to scale—that’s half the size of the house.
Surprisingly, the picture gives me a pretty good idea of what’s going on in Halle and Lennon’s lives.Or at least, I think I’m on the right track.I’m no kid-art expert.
I turn the picture around to face them and point to the icons.“This is a really good drawing.Is this you and your mommy and your new house?”
Lenni lifts her head and nods emphatically.I mean, I’m not too familiar with kids, but I have been known to charm a lot of women.I’m thinking same skills employed, just different audience.
“Mm-hmm.”
Then I point to the people in the corner.“And who are these people?”
“That’s my papa.”She first points to the larger of the three stick figures and then extends her small hand to the guy now standing at my side.My gaze follows the direction she’s pointing and I come face-to-face with Halle’s dad.I remember meeting him a few times back in Calgary when Halle and I dated, but I can’t for the life of me remember his name.
I give him a nod but don’t say anything.Luckily, I have his granddaughter to help me out.
“And what’s your papa’s name?”I ask, deploying my stealthy spy skills.
She giggles, swinging her head first to Halle and then to her grandfather.
“Papa,” she states with certainty, and gives me a critical look like I’m some kind of idiot.Fair point.Kids her age probably don’t know first names of their immediate family members.
This earns chuckles from all of us, and I look like the fool she made me out to be.
I snicker.“Ahh, of course.”
Halle’s dad jumps in to save me from further embarrassment, giving me a clap on the back and extending his hand to shake mine.“Clint MacAlister.And it’s good to see you again, Dane.We’ve watched your career grow over the years, and I’m proud to say I knew you when.”
I peer at Halle and notice the red-tinged neck and cheeks have returned once again.I raise an eyebrow at her, and she rolls her eyes.
Turning back to Clint, I shake his hand.“Good to see you again too, Clint.Are you still in Calgary?Or here permanently?”
“Nah.I’ve just been here to help my girls get settled.I’m leaving soon, but I’m looking forward to seeing you play tonight.”
“Oh, yeah?”I pin Halle with my knowing gaze.“You’re attending the game?”
Halle shrugs indifferently.
“I really wish the two boys could be here, too, but they’re busy with school and their own hockey.”
That’s right.Halle had two younger brothers who both played hockey.Back when I was playing juniors, they were at the rink all the time, which is how Halle wound up working part time at the concession stand.Although she was their older sister, she’d been responsible for them after her mother died.That always impressed me about Halle.She was far more mature than any of the other girls I’d met.
My eyes travel back to Halle, who smooths her daughter’s hair away from her face.It’s such a tender, motherly gesture that it warms the inside of my chest with its sweetness.I examine both of their faces.Lennon’s coloring is somewhat different from Halle’s, who has dark teal-blue eyes and reddish-brown hair.Their mouths are the same shape, though, and their button noses are very similar.
Lennon is an adorable girl with an infectious smile and laugh.
“How are your brothers doing?”
Halle looks first to Clint and then back to me, her expression turning to sisterly love.
“Good.Zack’s playing college hockey in Utah, and Drew is a high school senior and playing juniors.Just like you did.”Her bright blue eyes flash something I can’t quite read, and she quickly turns away.
