Legend (Arizona Vengeance 3)

I take a seat on the couch, flip my arm on the back and watch them both with enjoyment. I didn’t expect that my dad would get snared like that.

When he looks up to me, his face is serious and my gut tightens. Here comes the lecture and I just decide to brave it.

“She’s beautiful,” my dad says gruffly. He glances at her, then back to me again. “I’m proud of you.”

I can’t help it. My jaw drops. It’s not that praise from my dad has been nonexistent, but it has been used super judiciously over my life. I only remember him saying those words to me twice before—when I graduated high school and when I got drafted into the NHL.

I never expected to hear it for having a baby out of wedlock and by mistake.

He watches me a moment and the corners of his mouth tip up slightly. I know I’ve amused him with my shocked expression.

I’m sure he gets I’m confused, so he takes it upon himself to explain it to me. “You were thrown into a situation you didn’t ask for and I guarantee you weren’t ready for. But from what I can tell—and that’s your mom relaying stuff to me—you have handled this with a maturity far beyond your years and a grace I don’t think many men could pull off. I think this is one very lucky little girl that was born into this world.”

Mouth still open, I can do nothing but stare at my dad. And while it’s not necessary to bolster my confidence, his validation means everything to me because I respect him. He may have been strict and not an overly warm dad, but he is directly responsible for the success I am today.

Charlie gives a tiny whimper and I watch as her face screws up. It’s a look I recognize immediately and I push up from the couch. Just as she starts to cry, I hold my arms out for her. “She’s hungry. I’ll get her a bottle.”

My dad shakes his head, and coos at Charlie. “Hungry, huh little one. Well Grandpa will get you fed.”

I stare at my dad, another wave of shock causing me to be cemented in place.

My dad looks up, rolls his eyes, then nods toward the kitchen. “Go get a bottle.”

I can’t help it. I just have to say it. “Who are you and what have you done with my father?”

“Smart-ass,” he says affectionately and I’m laughing as I turn toward the kitchen.

I find Pepper and my mom chattering as they fix a tray of coffee mugs to bring into the living room.

My mom smiles at me. “Legend…I was just asking Pepper if she was going to come to the All-Star weekend.”

Jesus…I had completely forgotten about it. I’d been picked for the All-Star team. The skills competition and games are routinely held every year at the end of January, just a few weeks away.

“I’m not sure I can go now,” I mutter.

“Why not?” Pepper asks, and there’s challenge in her voice. “Having a kid certainly doesn’t stop you from being a hockey player.”

She knows damn well it’s the thought of Lida that’s got me worried, but still I say, “Yes, but it’s one thing to go about my regular job duties as a player for the Vengeance and another to spend the winter break playing in a game just for funsies.”

Pepper snorts and my mom looks confused.

“Don’t you want to go, Legend?” she asks. “Since it’s in Boston, your father and I had planned on it. And maybe you can bring Charlie along and we can spend some time with her.”

And there’s the first guilt trip I get from the grandparents. It’s kind of cute.

I look at Pepper. “Would you like to go with me? I mean, as long as the remainder of the evening goes okay with these two people. You may not even like them by the end of the night.”

“Legend,” my mom gasps in faux outrage. “You be nice to your parents.”

Pepper laughs. “I think I’m going to like your parents just fine, and I’d love to come.”

This is good to hear despite the fact she’s known them less than five minutes. However, I met Pepper’s parents—Richard and Meryl Nantais—last night for less than five minutes when I drove to their house to pick Pepper and Charlie up after the game.

It was a good suggestion Pepper made that she and Charlie stay away from my house while I was playing. It let me focus on my job rather than worry about Lida showing up and doing something crazy.

In that five minutes, her parents were overly gracious, kind, and welcoming. They didn’t seem bent out of shape at all by the fact their daughter was dating a man who had recently become father to a young infant. I was invited back to dinner “soon” so they could “get to know me better” and play with that “precious daughter of yours.” Those were their exact words and I liked it.