Wild Zone (Rough Riders Hockey 4)

All Mia’s excitement went flat. She pushed Rachel a couple more times. “Did you know that when you got involved with her?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you know she lived in Paris?”

“Yeah.”

Pause.

“Then…why?” she asked.

He stopped pushing the kids, pressed his hands to his hips and thought back. “She’s…different. Nothing like the women I meet here. She’s so light, carefree, positive. She’s one of those can-do people, but with a level head and serious work ethic. She makes me feel…” He shook his head and looked at his sister. “God, when I’m with her I’m so damn happy. And I know this sounds pathetic, but she makes me feel special.”

“That’s not pathetic,” Mia said, her voice soft. “That’s connection.”

His mouth lifted in a small smile. “We definitely have a connection I’ve never had before.”

Tina stood on the edge of the deck and yelled, “Dinner!”

All three girls cheered and squirmed off the swings, leaving Tate and Mia there alone.

“So what are you gonna do about it?” Mia asked, crossing her arms.

Tate wrapped one hand around the swing chain. “What do you mean?”

“I mean this is pretty big. Think about it. How many women have you met over the last year, year and a half since you found out about Lisa? Since you divorced Lisa? Hundreds. And don’t think I don’t know how many of those women have thrown themselves at you. I also know you haven’t slept with one of them. Your entire life, you’ve been a relationship, one-woman kind of guy. So this, this is big. And I’m asking what you’re going to do about this situation? Are you going to just let something this special slide through your fingers? Or are you going to put the same kind of determination into changing her mind about your relationship as you do maneuvering a puck into the net?”

Behind Mia, her boyfriend and Tate’s best friend from childhood approached. “Rafe’s coming. Don’t get into this with him. Not until I figure it out.”

Mia didn’t answer before Rafe stepped up beside her an wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “You two look serious over here. It’s a freaking six-year-old’s birthday party for God’s sake. What could possibly be serious?”

Mia smiled up at Rafe and wrapped her arm around his waist. “He’s just nagging us about a wedding date again.”

“Dude,” Rafe said pointing at Mia. “This is where the problem lies.”

Tate smirked. “Let’s let dad work on her over dinner.”

Olivia glanced around the kitchen to make sure she had everything.

“I hate leaving you with all this to clean up,” she told Quinn who was already elbow-deep in suds.

“Are you kidding? You’re the cleanest cook I’ve ever met.”

“Why did mom cancel the serving and cleaning help?”

Quinn refocused on the sink. “She didn’t think we needed them. Liked the idea of keeping it intimate with family.”

“At your expense,” she said, frowning. “I don’t like that. I also don’t like the fact that she took on that christening after everything I told her last night.”

Quinn’s gaze jumped back to Olivia’s. “How’d you hear—”

“Tina mentioned it. What I said last night is very true,” Olivia told her. “If you want mom to keep this business, you two are going to have to come to an agreement on how to grow at a manageable rate.”

Quinn nodded. “I’ll talk to her about it. And she’ll get in here and pitch in soon. We won’t be here but another hour. Go. You’ve worked harder than anyone.”

Olivia really wanted to go. She was so looking forward to a night with Tate. Things had shifted between them tonight. Strengthened. And she was anxious to see how that translated into the bedroom. “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

In the foyer, a tangle of people were saying goodbye. Lily was asleep on her father’s shoulder. Tate was standing near the door. She’d already spoken to Beckett and Eden, Tina and Jake and received countless accolades and thank yous from other guests. She really just wanted to slip out the door with Tate now. She’d especially like to slip out the door without explaining to her mother that she wouldn’t be home tonight.