Empty Net (54 page)

Either way, she was happier than ever before.

“I’m surprised Fallon hasn’t called a thousand times,” Tate joked as they climbed the hill to where his family was.

Audrey grinned. “She’s busy today,” she said. Fallon had been on her like white on rice since she left the hospital. The whole experience had scared her sister to the core, and she just wanted to make sure Audrey was okay. It didn’t bother Audrey, but it didn’t keep Tate from teasing Fallon about it. It seemed so long ago that everything had happened, when it had only been four short months. She was completely recovered, and she knew it was because she had so much love and support from all of her family. Things were still a little tense with Tate and her father, but she didn’t care. It would all work out, and she had bigger things to worry about.

Like their wedding and the birth of their child.

“Now we need to decide on a name for our little chicken,” Tate said.

Audrey laughed. “I knew you were going to bring that up.”

“Well, if we could decide on something, I wouldn’t have to bring it up. I think Alice is a nice name.”

“Ew, hell no,” Audrey said as they reached a black iron gate. Tate took a deep frustrated breath before pulling the gate open and bringing her inside. He didn’t say anything else as they made their way through the graveyard to three large tombstones covered in fresh flowers. Tate smiled, crouching down and running his fingers over each of the names. He looked up at Audrey and brought her down beside him. She laid down the flowers they had brought with them on each grave and leaned over to kiss his cheek just so he knew she was there for him.

He had done so well the last couple months. His anxiety was getting better. He didn’t freak out as much and he seemed to finally be recovering. She knew it wasn’t going to be quick and easy but was proud of what he had accomplished so far. Now, he didn’t even freak out when she drove and sang in the car, so that was a big plus in her book.

Not looking at her, he said, “Mom, Dad, Matilda, this is my love, Audrey Parker.” He looked back at her and she smiled as he went on, saying, “She is my world, my everything, and she is pregnant with our first child. We call her Chicken right now because we cannot decide on a name.”

Audrey giggled as she rolled her eyes. “It will come to us,” she said, looking at the tombstones. “It’s nice to meet you.” She gazed up at the sky and smiled before looking back at the tombs and rereading their names once again, one at a time. When she came to Matilda’s, she paused.

Matilda Penelope Odder
.

What a beautiful name, she thought.

“Penelope Ryane Odder.”

She hadn’t realized she had said it out loud until Tate looked over at her and said, “What?”

“Penelope Ryane Odder. Both our sisters’ middle names! They go together fantastically! I love it. We could call her Penny!”

“Penelope Rayne,” he said, testing the words. When he flashed her a bright, happy grin, she about screamed as she wrapped her arms around him, then fell on top of him and kissed him senseless.

“Told you it would come to us!” she exclaimed against his lips.

Tate smiled, holding her close as he dusted her jaw with kisses. “You were right, I should have known. Which reminds me,” he said, digging into his pocket. “Mom would want me to do this here.” He took her hand and held it out in front of them, then slid the most gorgeous ring Audrey had ever seen onto her finger. It took her breath away. It looked like a bloomed tulip with diamonds encrusting the sides. In the middle of the tulip, a large diamond sparkled in the bright sun. “It was my mom’s,” he whispered.

“Oh my God, it’s gorgeous. Thank you, I love it.”

“Good, because I love you.”

Tears spilled over her cheeks as she whispered back, “I love you more.”

Why do I always want to cry when I start these things?

First, and always, my thanks and love go to my amazing, breathtaking, perfect husband, Michael. I love you more than anything in this whole world and I couldn’t do any of this without you. You are my rock when I’m sad. You are there when I need to complain about bad reviews and no matter what, you love me. You give me everything I want and need, and I couldn’t have done this for a third time without your love and support. I love you, so much.

Second, my little bits, Mikey and Alyssa. You two are my world, my heart and soul. I know love because I am loved by you two and your father. I love you two so much. My world wouldn’t be right without my little booger and princess.

Nick, I love you and thanks for the support.

Mom, I am so glad that you gave me the gifts of writing and of reading. You mean the world to me and I love you so much. Thank you for always supporting me and telling me I can do anything I put my mind to.

Noey, HA! THIRD PORN BOOK! WHAT?! And this one is hot, read it, you might learn something … lol. I love you, bubba. Thanks for being there for me and being proud of your big sis.

Dad, and Kristina, I love you both very much. Thank you for being proud of me.

Nortis, my sister, I love you, Boo! My life wouldn’t be right without you and I’m so proud to call you my best friend.

Jackie and BB, I love you two so much! I am so blessed and lucky to have two people in
my life who mean the world to me.

Tara, my sister from another mother. Who would have known this relationship would work so well? I adore you, girl, I really do. Thank you so much for being right there with me. Supporting me, listening to me cry, and being the person I needed through this whole experience. I couldn’t have done it without you. I love you so much!

Althea, I love you, girl. I never thought I would be able to connect with someone the way I have connected with you. I love you so much.

Lisa, my partner in crime. I adore ya, babe. Thank you so much for being there for me and reading my book. I will miss your “bitch” texts but it’s okay, ’cause hockey season is coming up! I love you so much!

Beth and Karen, thank God I have you two. I am sorry that I am the worst speller in the world, that my grammar is horrible and that I write very graphic sex scenes. I love you two so much for being there with me and fixing them. I’ve enjoyed this run with you and I can’t wait to do it again with the next one! Love ya!

Susie, Tabby, Shannon, Mary, Kaci, Jodi, Kristi, Maxine, my girls! Thank you so much for being my beta readers and telling me what you liked and didn’t like. I love each of y’all so much and each of you know why. Thank you so much again. Y’all are fantastic!

My fans, wow. Who would have known? Three books later and y’all still love me? Heck yes! Hehe. I love all of you and you know I do. Every e-mail, every Facebook post, every tweet, I answer. I care so much about every single one of you that it brings tears to my eyes to know that I have done this and y’all support me. It blows my mind. Know that all of you hold very dear places in my heart.

Thank you so much for reading
Taking Shots
,
Trying to Score
, and now
Empty Net
. I
hope to see y’all again for Piper’s story,
Blue Lines
.

Love, Toni Aleo

Welcome to Loveswept!

Kick off the summer with these sultry Loveswept reads. We’re starting June off with two fantastic e-originals …

 … And ending the month with
HER BETROTHED’S DILEMMA
, a special original historical short story from Loveswept author Megan Frampton.

We also have some wonderful classics for you to enjoy:

Temptation runs rampant in Linda Cajio’s
DOUBLE DEALING
, #1
New York Times
bestselling author Iris Johansen tells an engrossing story about a man who promises a forever love in
FOREVER DREAM
, and Sandra Chastain enthralls with her three searing romances,
SINNER AND SAINT, SHOWDOWN AT LIZARD ROCK
, and
SCARLET LADY
.

If you love romance … then you’re ready to be
Loveswept
!

Gina Wachtel
Associate Publisher

P.S. Watch for these terrific Loveswept titles coming soon: July brings
Samantha Kane’s sensual new e-original,
TEMPTING A DEVIL
, Toni Aleo’s third entrancing book featuring hockey hunks,
EMPTY NET
, Ruth Owen’s dazzling
AND BABIES MAKE FOUR
, Jean Stone’s beguiling
SINS OF INNOCENCE
, Katie Rose’s utterly irresistible
A HINT OF MISCHIEF
, Iris Johansen’s seductive
TIL THE END OF TIME
, Sandra Chastain’s enticing stories,
DANNY’S GIRL
and
SILVER BRACELETS
, and August heats up with three e-originals: Stacey Kennedy’s intoxicating
CLAIMED
, Elisabeth Barrett’s blazing
SLOW SUMMER BURN
, and Toni Aleo’s red-hot
CROSSING THE LINE
, as well as Sandra Chastain’s stirring
SURRENDER THE SHADOW
, Katie Rose’s unforgettable
COURTING TROUBLE
, Adrienne Staff’s alluring
CRESCENDO
, Iris Johansen’s tantalizing
YORK, THE RENEGADE
and Ruth Owen’s ultra-sexy
BODY HEAT
. Don’t miss any of these extraordinary reads. I promise that you’ll fall in love and treasure these stories for years to come.…

Eleanor “Elli” Fisher didn’t understand why she was so forgetful. She was convinced that if her ass wasn’t attached to her, she would forget it at home too. But really? How in the world did she forget all the bulbs for her light stands?!

Elli stood in the entrance of the Luther Arena, waiting for Harper Allen, her assistant, to bring the bulbs back from her studio on the western side of Nashville. This was one of the most important days of her career and she forgot the bulbs.

God, I am an idiot
.

How did she manage this? She ran her hand through her unruly brown curly hair, sighing. As if forgetting the bulbs wasn’t enough, she was also having a really crappy hair day. This was her first year with the Nashville Assassins. She couldn’t blow it. Being chosen to be the photographer for a hockey team was huge, but when it was for the team that just won the Stanley Cup and had the prospect of winning again? Hello, it was HUGE.

When she saw Harper running into the arena with the bulbs in hand, she let out the breath she had been holding. Damn, that was fast.

“For Christ’s sake! It’s a mad house out there!” Harper complained in her thick southern accent. Her hair was in spikes this week. The spikes were also purple, which made it even more interesting. Hadn’t she discussed with Harper how they needed to keep a professional image? Yes, purple was a team color.

But still!

“I know, come on. Let’s go put the bulbs in.” She didn’t have time to have it out with Harper right now; she had to get to the ice. They all but ran towards the entrance to the ice. Once there, she was greeted by the Assassins’ PR rep.

“Ms. Fisher, how do you do? Are you ready?”

Melody Yates was intense. That was the only way Elli could describe her. She was from New Jersey, and had been converted into a Southerner. And that made no damn sense to Elli, but whatever, this was her boss. So she flashed a huge grin and turned on her southern charm.

“Yes, ma’am. Let my assistant put these bulbs in, and we can get started.”

“Good, the boys will be out soon. Then we’ll go downstairs for the other shots we need.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Harper ran ahead of them and started setting everything up. Elli took in a deep breath. She had been photographing weddings almost her whole adult life, and now she was moving to sports. She had always wanted to do sports photography, partly because she had such a love for hockey, but she never could get an opportunity. Now, thanks to a job opening, and being related to the owner of the Assassins, here she was.

This was her chance.

A big one.

Harper handed Elli her camera with a big smile. Harper knew how important this day was, and also how nervous Elli was.

“Go on over there and let me test shoot, Harp.” Harper started towards the goal and turned with a stick in her hand, making a stern face. It brought a smile to Elli’s face. Harper was a dork, but God, Elli loved her. After fixing the aperture on her camera, Elli called Harper over as the guys started skating onto the ice.