Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

BECC A

Returning to reality had been tough.

After hiding away at the family’s farm all weekend, being able to relax and unwind in a peaceful setting combined with stealing kisses from Travis every time no one was looking— well, it was a harsh awakening going back in to work Monday morning. The first phone call of the day was a royal butt-chewing by an irate customer. The second one was frustrating, but the third had her texting for sympathy.

I know you’re busy, but can I just say that I would have liked to have paused life yesterday at about lunchtime.

Same here.

Coach is on a bender and hasn’t stopped screaming at us yet. I think Gerry is actually going to end up benched if he keeps talking back – and Theo?

Theo hasn’t said two words to anyone today and is in a horrible mood.

Ouch. I’m sorry to hear that.

I’m sorry you are having a rough day, too. I can’t wait to see you Wednesday at the game. I would invite you over this evening, but my uncle wants to talk to me about something.

I need to go to the grocery and do laundry.

Adulting.

Tell me about it.

I miss you.

I miss you too – can I call you later? I wanna hear your voice. ??

Same. ??

Good news, though – stitches come out Tuesday morning!

Don’t get them back Wednesday night at the game.

Nope!

New helmet – I’ll send you a pic in a bit from practice.

I’ll be waiting.

Becca sighed, putting away her cell phone and taking a moment to glimpse at her new wallpaper on her phone. They had taken a photo together in Yonder at the farm. It was so much fun to be home and exploring a world that felt so familiar, seeing the joy and appreciation written all over Travis’ face. The photo was of the two of them sitting on a haybale near the barn, and Travis turned to kiss her.

In the picture, Becca was holding his wrist, laughing happily, as Travis was smiling and leaning toward her for a kiss. You could see the ardent love and happ iness in the photograph. His eyes were so beautiful and so focused on her – and that was part of what she loved about him. How he looked at her like she was the best person he’d ever met in the universe. His face softened, his demeanor changed, and the tough guy turned into butter around her.

And she loved it.

***

The rest of the afternoon at work wasn’t much better.

Becca kept thinking of her time at the farm, thinking of how relaxed and free they both seemed to be as Travis’s words repeated in her mind. Those words kept echoing and each time she had to deal with an upset customer, she was creeping ever closer to that line in the sand. By the time she got home, after sitting in a traffic jam, she was completely done with all of this, and it was only Monday.

Kicking off her shoes, she changed into her pajamas and then padded back to the kitchen to throw something in the microwave. At this point, she didn’t even care what she ate – it was literally a ‘ feed your face so your body can function ’ moment. Flavor, taste, and preferences went right out the door because everything was tasteless anyhow. She was craving mac and cheese – Travis-style.

And sighed as his words from this weekend echoed in her head once more.

We could escape each weekend and work on things together.

We could build a future together.

It would give us a place to hide while working toward something…

You could work for yourself.

What would that even be like? She could practically see his face as he had spoken to her only two nights ago – and right now, it felt like it had been forever. What would it be like to work for herself and try to make a run of things? Would there be enough traffic in the area to make a bed and breakfast work? Could they market it as a honeymoon retreat in the country? What about Travis’s hockey schedule – and their relationship? There was the money, the financing, and …

Her phone rang, glimpsing at the screen she felt something in her soul sigh in relief as she saw Travis’ name on the display. Sliding her thumb across the screen, she immediately answered.

“Hey… I was just thinking about you.”

“So, what time do we leave?”

“Leave? For what?”

“I was hoping we were running away together,” Travis chuckled softly as she heard a knock at her door, looking up immediately and hesitating.

“Are you…?”

“I am,” he interrupted emotionally, finishing her sentence. “I missed your smile. Can you open the door?”

Becca held her phone in her hand limply as she yanked open the front door to her apartment and met his eyes. He didn’t say a word; he just walked in and hugged her tightly. Closing her eyes, she blindly put her phone down on the nearest thing and wrapped her arms around him, breathing in his scent and needing this sense of security that being close gave her.

“I probably smell like sweat…” he chuckled almost in an apology. “I just couldn’t stop thinking about you today.”

“You are fine – and I understand completely. I missed you too.”

“Is this crazy?”

“If it is, I’m not sure being sane is appealing anymore…”

They held each other as he dropped soft kisses on her hair, her forehead, and her cheek before cupping her face with his hands and dropping the softest kiss imaginable on her lips – and Becca sighed, melting immediately.

“You know,” he began, chuckling softly and smiled at her. “I was only half joking about the running away thing.”

“I’m half-tempted,” she confessed, not bothering to look away from him. “Today was not the greatest day.”

“No, it certainly was not – but it’s over and infinitely better now.”

“Thank goodness. ”

“And I get to kiss my favorite girl, plus, I lose the ‘whiskers’ tomorrow,” he smiled ruefully, lifting a hand and flicking a finger knowingly at his stitches.

“Awww, man,” she chuckled playfully. “I was just getting used to that.”

“I could grow a beard?”

“And hide that handsome face? I think not.”

“Oh good – because I cannot grow a beard,” he laughed, pulling her close again. “It comes in all patchy, and I look like a man with a bad case of parvo on my face.”

“Travis… dogs get parvo - not you!” she laughed easily, meeting his dancing eyes.

“Okay, not parvo – but just as bad.”

Becca stepped back slightly, smiling and feeling so much better, linking her hand with his as she drew him further into the apartment. Travis showing up was an unexpected treat and honestly the highlight of her day. If every day started with a small dose of his smile and ended with it – she felt like she could do anything.

“Do you want a soda or some iced tea? Should I be pumping you full of healthy stuff, like some sort of carrot juice or…”

“Oh gosh no,” he chuckled and shook his head. “I should probably go though, in case we still have reporters watching us from a distance. I wouldn’t want word to say that I was here all night – especially not when I’m getting along with your family, whom I will be seeing Wednesday night at the game. You are coming – for sure?”

“I couldn’t stay away,” she smiled proudly. “You had better wear that new mask in the photo.”

“I promise.”

“Tell Theo and Gerry to watch out for you, not start a bunch of crap either…”

“That might be a little harder,” he grinned – only to have his smile fade a moment later. “Did you think any more about what I said regarding that property? Do you want to go see it together or talk about it some more with a realtor? ”

“You were serious,” she whispered in amazement, realizing that he wasn’t laying the groundwork for some pipe dream for her to tackle – he intended to be a part of it just like he’d mentioned. “You really meant it?”

“I want to support your dreams,” he began, taking her other hand in his. “And there is no reason our dreams can’t run along the same line, you know? I want peace and a place to escape with you. You want independence and a chance to do something of your own. We could work on things together, take it one step at a time, and…”

“I’m not sure where I’d even begin,” she interrupted, searching his eyes as her mind raced in disbelief. He was so sweet, and this was all so unbelievably surreal. They were discussing a future. “We’re talking about us… being an actual ‘US,’ Travis.”

“I kinda like the idea if you think you can put up with me.”

“Do you think you can put up with me?”

“Effortlessly,” he chuckled, winking at her. “Just think about it, and we can talk Wednesday.”

“What about tomorrow?”

“I’ve got a few things to handle and need to talk to my uncle about something. I called him on my way here and delayed it until tomorrow.”

“Oh?”

“Yup. Apparently, things are serious for him and his girlfriend.”

“That’s wonderful,” she smiled. “I’m so happy for Davy.”

“Me too, honestly – but I do need to get going. See you at the game – and I’ll have jerseys waiting for everyone if you can text me your family’s sizes.”

“Oh boy,” Becca laughed, stepping forward to hug him once more before he left. “You know, you’re never going to shake any of us being so perfect like this.”

“ Good ,” Travis whispered emphatically, kissing the tip of her nose. “Sweet dreams, princess.” And he practically took off out the door before she could respond.

Becca was left standing there, almost speechless at the sudden change in Travis and his rush to leave. She walked out into the breezeway and caught a glimpse of him climbing into the old Blazer. Lifting a hand, she smiled and waved as the engine turned over right before Travis pulled out of the parking lot.

Wednesday evening, Becca was pushing her way through the crowd toward the doorway where security was standing. Travis had tickets waiting for them at ‘Will Call,’ and Matthew was the first to arrive at the arena. His excitement was palpable from his text message and made her laugh in delight – along with giving her a burst of pride and love that made her chest swell.

All right! Becca – your boy came through with the goods! Travis got us freakin seats directly behind the penalty box where we can see everyone!

OH MY GOSH, BECKSTERRR – these are awesome!

As she walked up to the entrance, one of the security guards stopped her – only to have the other one wave her through like it was magic.

“My apologies, Miss Baird. If you’ll follow me…”

To her shock, Becca was escorted down a hallway that was nowhere near as crowded as some of the other parts of the arena – only to nearly get mowed down by a few hockey players in uniform rushing past her. She immediately stepped to the side to make way and hesitated, feeling a hand on her elbow. Turning, she met Travis’ eyes and his smiling face. The stitches were gone, leaving a reddish line hidden behind a cage attached to his helmet – that he immediately yanked off before she could say ‘hello.’

With zero hesitation, Travis swooped down and kissed her passionately, causing a few of the other men in uniform to holler and whoop in delight as she was left reeling the moment they separated from the quick and rushed kiss.

“For luck,” he whispered, smiling at her. “I’ve gotta go.”

“Good luck…” she breathed as he nodded, yanking his helmet back on and turning to melt back into the throng of gray, green, and black uniforms exploding out onto the ice about fifty feet from her. The crowd roared in delight as the security guard waved her forward, bringing her toward the seats where she saw her family waiting— in jerseys.

“Becca!”

“Oh my gosh, your man came through!”

“They’re autographed too!”

“Don’t you ever dump my boy Travis…” Matthew said openly, grinning and holding a beer up as he smiled. He was decked from head to toe in Coyote colors, from his baseball cap marked with their logo… down to a pair of black boots.

“I’m not,” Becca laughed as Jason reached around several of them to hand her a gift bag. She was already wearing Travis’ jersey, so she didn’t expect to see a bag for her with team gear waiting. Accepting it, she smiled and looked up to see him talking to Thierry and Batiste, smiling and posing for photographs, before skating around again. The trio was obviously close, and she couldn’t wait to meet his friends.

Opening her bag, she looked inside and saw a single red rose on a trimmed stem laying next to a pair of green and gray hockey socks.

Socks.

Travis got her matching socks. It wasn’t what she was expecting, but then again, she really wasn’t expecting anything from him – nor did he have to get her anything… but socks? Really?

“Put them on,” Luke grinned, showing her his own feet enclosed in his sneakers, and Toni did the same. Jason then yanked up the pant leg on his jeans, smirking, as Matthew slapped a boot onto the folded-up arena seat, pushing it down and revealed the neck of his boots .

“They’re there,” he chuckled. “Don’t be a party pooper – you’ve gotta dress the part!”

“Fine,” she laughed, sitting down awkwardly and yanking off her flats to pull on the socks emblazoned with North Texas Coyotes and a large number ‘80’ on the side of her calf. Just as she was slipping the last one on, she heard the music in the arena start as the announcers spoke.

“The National Hockey League in accordance with governmental rules and regulations, have embraced a Zero-Tolerance policy for fan behavior at all games… but today we will be taking a moment to welcome one of our own back on the ice after his injury – our golden boy, number eighty, Travis Giroux.”

The crowd went wild as Travis bolted from the side of the rink back onto the ice gracefully. Becca felt guilty that she didn’t even notice him moving off to sit with the other players. She had been so distracted by her family and then putting on the socks that she missed his exit, wondering if he waved at her. Travis skated around for a moment in a large circle, working the crowd, before a referee met him on the ice, pointing to the penalty box. She chuckled, wondering if Travis was getting into trouble… only to hesitate as Travis pointed at her.

Directly at her.

Out of nowhere, hands clamped under her arms pulling her from her seat bodily, and Becca lost her shoe. Stunned, she saw the two men who had been skating right beside Travis, dragging her forward, and his Uncle Davy was right behind them.

“What’s happening,” she blurted out, looking at the two men. One of them was huge with long blond hair sticking out the bottom of his helmet – and the other had a nasty scar on his dark eyebrow that was hard to hide.

“Come, petite femme …”

“Come where?” she began again, nearly tripping, but the men held her fast. They were clopping along at an alarming rate in their skates like it was nothing – and she was terrified she was about to lose a toe by mistake. One wrong step, and it would be like a cleaver falling on a chicken tender.

‘And this little piggy went to the guillotine…’

Ohhh the imagery. Not good.

“Woooo Becca!”

“Bye, Sis!”

“Don’t screw this up for me!”

“What’s going on?” she began, looking over her shoulder as they pulled her away from her family and toward the ice rink ahead. She could hear everyone’s cheers, including her family behind her – only to find herself standing precariously on the ice, not two seconds later, in front of Travis, on one foot.

Becca splayed her hands nervously – nearly slipping – and met Travis’ eyes as he yanked off his helmet, dropping it onto the ice beside him.

“What’s going on?”

“You’re out of uniform,” he began and held up her missing shoe before her.

“ Bonhomme , do dis’ right… eh , Giroux?” the man with ‘Batiste’ across the back of his shoulders said bluntly, skating past them. The other guy who’d helped her onto the ice was sliding a chair up to the back of Becca’s knees as she collapsed onto her butt. The chair slid sideways about a foot, causing a ripple of laughter in the crowd that surged as Travis knelt before her.

“What is going on?”

“Have I mentioned that I love seeing my name on you?”

“I guess I’ll wear it more often,” she chuckled nervously as the crowd seemed to fade away, staring at the man she loved – and she could see that same emotion shining back at her.

“What do you think of maybe signing it?” he asked softly, not looking away, and her breath caught in her throat at the raw hope and devotion in his gaze. “I know this has been kind of quick between us, but it’s n ever felt so right. I adore laughing with you, look forward to hearing your voice, and feel my whole soul sigh in happiness when you are near. I love our whirlwind romance – and I never want it to change.”

“I feel the same,” she whispered tearfully, not bothering to hold back.

“I’m really glad to hear that,” he chuckled, his eyes glistening. “I want us to buy that property out by your family, to figure it all out, and make a haven where we can escape everything together in our own little world… a world of love that we’ve created.”

“Oh Travis,” she began breathlessly and heard the crowd roar in delight as Travis suddenly reached down, putting his gloves onto the ice as he slipped her shoe onto her foot slowly, not looking away from her, like some crazy Cinderella story.

“You appeared out of nowhere and caught my eye,” he breathed, not looking away from her. His bright eyes were gazing at hers, so full of promise. “I’ve searched for someone like you, someone who is real, who admires the nerd that I am… and truly cares for me.”

“ Chez Giroux is awfully addictive, you know,” she smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek and he chuckled, wiping his own eyes as he held up a ring.

“I really hope so,” he whispered, reaching for her hand. “Would you do me the honor of marrying me, Miss Rebecca Baird? Can I whisk you away, dance with you under the moonlight, and tickle those pretty lips for all the years to come?”

Becca threw back her head, laughing in sheer joy as he slipped a solitaire over her knuckle and let out a soft exclamation of relief as the arena went wild. She could barely hear Travis’ next words.

“Oh, thank goodness it fits – I guessed at the size. Do you like it?”

“Travis, it’s perfect,” she hollered, nodding.

“Does this mean ‘Yes’?” he laughed, cupping his hand over his ear – and to her surprise, the crowd quietened just a bit. It was as if they understood that the man proposing couldn’t hear his girl, and they wanted to know her answer as he popped the question.

“Yes,” she smiled and leaned toward him as he pulled her slightly to her feet before him. Travis leaned down, kissing her tenderly and gave a slight nudge to his feet, pulling her close to his arms as he circled around for a moment before scooping her up. Her arms wrapped around him, slightly concerned he might trip or fall – but his smile was everything as he held her close, and the camera flashes exploded in the distance. Everyone wanted a picture of the proposal, including her.

Becca stuck out one leg, pointing her toe almost in a pose as she threaded her fingers in his brown hair, pulling him close and kissing him in front of everyone. Travis adjusted his grip on her but was still slowly skating in a circle as a whistle blew nearby.

“Off the ice, Giroux,” the referee hollered. “Let me be the first to say, Congratulations, Mrs. Giroux – but your soon-to-be-husband’s two minutes are up, and we’ve got a game to play.”

“Go get ‘em, Travis…” she smiled. “I’ll be watching.”

“I’ll be winning,” he grinned as he skated over to the penalty box so he could return her to the entrance to the rink where she’d been carried onto the ice. “Once more – for luck.”

“For luck,” she repeated softly, smiling as he kissed her again.

“I love you…”

“I love you, too.”