Page 94 of Saddle Storm

Silas shakes his head and straightens the collar around Max’s neck. “No, no. I need to wear a boring jacket today. I like you wearing this one.”

He straightens and catches the attention of a passing Ice Queen with a white smile and a lanyard swinging around her neck. “Hey, hotshot. Good to have you back.” She brushes a hand against his shoulder. Silas’s eyes narrow a fraction, not at the girl—but at the space between us, exhaling through his nose. Slow and controlled. “Hey, Tray.”

“Tracy,” Pepper acknowledges tightly, before letting her slip into the Ice Queen locker room.

Silas steps into my space, taking my breath away, then leans in to kiss my cheek, letting me know in no uncertain terms, he’s my hotshot. “Enjoy the game, Bee. I’ll find you as soon as it’s over.”

He disappears behind the double doors a few feet down. Still, it seems like he’s been swallowed by another world—one I can’t compete with.

A few minutes later, Pepper, Max, and I are cruising through the halls—Max and I having to practically jog to keep up with her speed. She smiles and waves at guests along the way, glancing back at us. At some point, she stops at a popcorn stand and mutters something to the guy. He gives her a smile and a bucket of popcorn and two bags of M&Ms.

She waves us over through a set of double doors and we follow her into the arena. The moment we step inside, the air changes. It’s sharper, colder, charged with anticipation.

“You’ll be in good hands tonight. My brother-in-law, Levi, is here with the fam. They’re in Chase’s reserved seats right next to Silas’s.” She guides us almost all the way down to the glass, then slides us into the second row—close enough without being exposed.

“I’ve gotta run. Enjoy the game.” She waves to a family of three next to our seats and races back up the steps.

I recognize the tall man instantly. The cowboy’s traded his hat for a baseball cap but I’d know that sharp jaw and broad frame anywhere.

“Levi Reeves,” I say with a smile, remembering the Hideaway Ranch owner.

“Miss. Dalton,” Levi stretches, reaching to give me a quick hug. “Nice to finally see you outside the barns. You remember Jackson and my wife, Tessa.” He places a hand behind the beautiful redhead with the bright smile, who I’ve only met once when they stayed at the ranch last year. But Levi comes much more often for trades, sales, or just to hang out with the guys. “Ah, this must be the kid I’ve been hearin’ about.”

Max introduces himself like the well-mannered kid I taught him to be. And Levi shifts around to sit the boys together. Leaving me next to Tessa.

“First game?” she asks.

I nod, scrunching my nose.

Tessa waves a hand. “Oh, we’re huge fans. Here all the time. Sit with me, I’ll catch you up.”

I settle into my seat, wrapping my arms around myself, my fingers brushing the knit of my sweater while she walks me through the warm-up.

A small procession of men slip into place near the bench. Dark suits cutting a clean line against the growing crowd. The coach is first, familiar from the small distance.

Then him.

Stepping into the big space like it belongs to him.

Silas’s expression is stoic. One I don’t recognize. He nods at something one of the suits says to him, then quietly looks around. Several cameras are aimed in his direction, but he doesn’t pay them any attention. He’s focused on the ice, players circling, sticks snapping.

My chest tightens for him.

His gaze rises to the fans with a barely there grin and I follow it.

The signs. So many signs.

WELCOME BACK #31

WE MISSED YOU.

His name stretched across poster boards. His number flashing in every direction.

Roaring swells when he finally flashes a smile. How can anyone see that? I can barely see it.

Tessa nudges me and points up. “Looks like your man’s stealing thunder tonight.”

I look up at the jumbotron. His gorgeous face blown up.