Chapter Seventy-Two

Eight months later

“You okay?” Natalie asked, taking her eyes off the road to check on Darcy in the passenger seat.

“Fine,” Darcy said, her jaw tight.

Natalie squeezed her hand and pointed to the glove compartment. “There’s snacks in there, crackers, a few candies.”

“Thanks, I’m okay. Or I would be if you would just tell me what we’re doing.”

Natalie slowed the car and turned off the main road. The road curved up and around a bend. “You’ll see in like three minutes.” The road curved off to the left but they took a small dirt driveway to the right. It opened into a parking lot dotted with cars.

Families with little kids walked toward the small tent set up near an old barn.

“Apples?” Darcy said with a grin. “The big secret was apples?”

Natalie leaned across the center of the car to kiss Darcy. “Try not to sound so disappointed.” She pulled back only to stop when Darcy grabbed a fistful of her T-shirt and pulled her back for another kiss.

“You know how I feel about apples.”

Natalie laughed. “Yes, I do.”

Darcy grabbed Natalie’s hand, threading their fingers together. “I appreciate the gesture but I can’t believe Clarky gave you the weekend off during the season to go apple picking.”

Natalie smiled to herself. “I told her it was important for us to get away before our seasons start. It’s not like you are going to have tons of free time once the NHL season starts for real. Besides, our first game isn’t for a month.” She kissed the back of Darcy’s hand. “I can be very persuasive, when I need to be.”

They walked to the tent where Natalie paid for a bag while Darcy grabbed a map of the orchard.

“They have Honeycrisp!” she squealed.

Natalie laughed. “I know. I called ahead.”

Darcy tugged Natalie through the grassy spaces between the rows in search of the red-and-white ribbon marking her favorite variety. Natalie let Darcy lead the way, smiling at Darcy’s giddy excitement. She checked her jacket pocket for what must have been the hundredth time since they left their apartment.

“Catch!” Darcy plucked an apple from the tree, shined it on her jeans, and tossed it to Natalie. She bit into an apple the size of her fist and had to wipe the juice before it ran off her chin.

Natalie stopped next to the tree to take a picture of Darcy with the apple wedged between her teeth. She hadn’t gotten a picture of Darcy from the day they met, but the wide smile, the apple juice dripping down her face, and the absolute joy in Darcy’s eyes were identical. So was the way Natalie couldn’t take her eyes off her.

Darcy cocked her head. “You brought me here and you’re not even going to help me pick?”

Natalie held out the bag for Darcy. “Apologies. I took three seconds to admire you instead of getting right to work on the serious apple business.”

“Smart-ass,” Darcy said, shaking her head. She’d already eaten her first apple and was starting on her second.

Natalie tried to grab an apple out of her reach. Even on her toes she couldn’t grab it. Darcy stepped closer and twisted the apple free, while staring down at Natalie.

“Did you really want that one, or was this a ploy to get me to come over here?” The corner of her mouth lifted.

Natalie licked her lips. Darcy stood deliciously close, holding the apple between them. Natalie’s left hand snaked behind Darcy’s back. “What do you think?” She kissed Darcy, her lips soft and gentle.

“I think you’re entirely too smooth for your own good.”

Natalie laughed. “You love it.”

Darcy dropped another apple into the bag, careful not to let it bruise. “I do. You may still be a cocky little shit, but you’re mine.”

Natalie took a deep breath. This had to be the moment. “Do you remember the first time we met?” she asked, cursing the way her voice shook.

“Oh yes. When you walked up to me and told me maybe I should consider moving to the wing?” She wrapped her arms around Natalie’s waist. “There has never been and will never be a cockier freshman in the history of women’s hockey.”

Natalie laughed. “Well, that seems unlikely. If you remember, you told me that we would be good together. You took one look at me in that orchard and decided that we would be a good pair.”

“I’ve always been very smart,” Darcy said, placing a kiss on the end of Natalie’s nose and leaving a trace of apple juice behind.

Natalie put her hand in her pocket. “I had no idea how right you were. I did know, as soon as I saw you sitting on the bench with an apple hanging out of your mouth, that I was in deep trouble.” She stepped out of Darcy’s embrace and dropped to one knee.

“What?” Darcy gasped and brought her hands to her mouth.

“Darcy LaCroix, will you make good on your prediction and be my teammate forever?” She popped open the ring box, only to have the ring fall out of the box and disappear into the deep grass by her feet. “Shit,” Natalie muttered.

Darcy dropped to the ground next to her and the two of them combed through the grass until they found it.

Natalie looked up. “So? Will you marry me?”

Darcy laughed, her eyes damp with tears. “Of course! Yes!”

Natalie slipped the ring onto Darcy’s finger. Darcy admired the way the ring looked before reaching for Natalie’s hand. “Now your hand looks a little plain, don’t you think?”

Natalie shrugged.

Darcy’s hand disappeared into her jacket pocket and pulled out a box. She handed it to Natalie. “Think you can open it without the ring falling out?”

Natalie blinked. “What?”

Darcy opened the box slowly, revealing a ring. “I’ve been carrying this around for a week, trying to find the right moment. I can’t believe you beat me to it.” She plucked the ring from the box and held it out for Natalie.

Natalie laughed; her chest filled with more joy than she thought it could hold. “God, of course we’d propose at the same time. Our friends are going to have a field day with this.”

Darcy slid the ring onto Natalie’s finger and kissed her, letting her lips linger until they were interrupted by a wet nose.

Natalie opened her eyes to a black Lab wagging her tail and licking her face. “Hi, puppy!” Natalie rubbed the dog’s ears.

“Puffin! Puffin, leave them alone!”

Darcy stood up, leaving Natalie crouched down patting the dog.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry. Puffin, come here!”

Natalie laughed. “Don’t apologize.”

Darcy smiled down at them. “My girlfriend loves dogs.”

Natalie looked up at her with a wicked grin. “Girlfriend? I’m your fiancée now, LaCroix.”

Darcy blushed. “Excuse me. My fiancée loves dogs.”

The dog’s owner squealed. “Did Puffin just interrupt your proposal? Oh my god, I’m so sorry.” She reached for the dog’s collar.

Natalie shook her head. “No, she waited until we were done. Such a polite girl.”

Puffin wagged so hard her butt swayed from side to side. Puffin’s owner finally got the dog’s attention and was able to steer her away. “Congratulations.”

Natalie stood up and looped her arm through Darcy’s. “I think it’s a sign we need to get a dog.” She tugged Darcy toward the end of the row where they could watch Puffin tromping through the long grass, tail wagging the whole time.

Darcy laughed and kissed Natalie’s cheek. “God, you’re a pain in the ass.”

“And now you’re stuck with me forever.”