Page 42 of Ice King

Samantha winked and I wanted to crawl into a hole.

“Oh, you are as beautiful as I’ve heard,” Margaret said as she grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the group.

Whatever the reason, including believing I’d had a hand in healing their family member, I wasn’t going to be allowed to say no. I’d never felt so welcome or so helpless in my life. I’d grown up in a small family, longing for siblings that were never meant to be, I was a little befuddled as to how to handle the situation.

But I certainly couldn’t say no.

When I was pulled onto the seat cradled by Margaret on one side, Roxanne on the other, and the line of the Kendrick family stretching out on both sides, a smothering effect should have taken hold.

It didn’t.

For a little while, maybe I could almost feel as if I belonged.

There was no reason for me to feel stiff, but every muscle was still tense. Margaret patted my leg as any mother would do when consoling their child. “Don’t allow Ford’s caustic behavior to fool you. He’s a wolf cub inside, all happy and giggly.”

“Giggly? Do you wolf pups actually giggle?” Was I seriously having this conversation?

“They do, but not the way you’re thinking. With teeth and growls instead.”

Wow. That was comforting.

“He’s very good,” I told her. “As a hockey player. Just a player. That’s all I’m talking about.”

“Relax,” Beck told me while leaning over. Why did he also wink? Oh, I was so cooked.

Margaret shook her head and there were memories lashing her expression. “Ford always wanted to be a hockey player. Some people don’t believe this, but his first steps were taken on the ice. He’d grabbed Patrick’s stick and managed to get away from us, crawling away in a few seconds. That split second where I almost lost my mind, but there he was, on the ice at barely one year old, dragging the stick around. By the time he was three, I couldn’t get him off the ice. He’s always loved to play.”

Her face clouded over. “What’s wrong?” I dared to ask.

“Nothing is wrong. I just… Well, I hope my son’s quest at becoming the next great one doesn’t destroy his love of the game and the freedom it allows.”

As I’d suspected with Ford, there was more of a story behind the man. I shouldn’t care, but everything about him intrigued me in ways that didn’t make any sense.

The family bantered as I’d always thought should happen. My father had told me my ideals were grandiose, that I was jaded by watching one too many shows on television where the episode ended with squabbles being solved, families embracing closeness.

At least while the stadium rocked with electric vibes, I was able to relax. Still wide eyed at the almost cultlike following.

There were even dudes in the stands without shirts, jersey numbers painted on their skin. You would think this was the Superbowl instead of a regional sports event.

But I had to admit the energy was catching, the atmosphere keeping a vibrating hum drifting up and down the length of my body.

“Oh. Oh,” Roxanne said as she squeezed my arm. “The announcement of the teams. Now you’ll truly get the whole team spirit thing.”

She wasn’t kidding. With every team member announced, the crowd went wild. Even with the players from Manitoba. Well, there were a few expletives used, but for the most part, the audience was fairly nice to them.

But the home team. Forget about it.

The crowd was on their feet, the jumbotron highlighting every player announced as if they were rockstars. Including with gold stars and fireworks on the screens. I was caught up in the festivities, on my feet since I knew every member of the team and longed to show my support.

Yet nothing had prepared me for when Ford’s name was announced, done so by an announcer with a deep, penetrating voice in a tone that everyone would remember long after the game was concluded. The cheering was loud enough I covered my ears, people jumping up and down in their seats.

And Mama Bear had her hands clasped together, staring at her son with tremendous pride on her face. Meanwhile, his two brothers were catcalling him right and left. I could only imagine what growing up in their family had been like.

Something very special.

The insane yelling and cheering continued long after it should stop, but for a full three extra minutes, no one bothered to try to crush their spirit.

But the game was ready to commence and even though I’d tried my best to read up on the game itself, including rules and shots made, all I knew for certain what that Ford was supposed to hit the black, shiny round thing into the huge net being protected by a member of the other team.