Jennifer didn’t know what came over her, but she was bolder than she’d ever been in her entire life. She barely knew him, and she was going with him to his hotel room. She still didn’t feel well and, in the end, hadn’t wanted to disappoint him, so she showed up at the game. A chill hit her as she walked beside him. She knew he felt her body tremble when he drew her close.
As they walked along, she felt protected, cared for. She hadn’t really felt that way since her parents died. Yes, her grandparents had been there for her but this was different. As they walked through the revolving door of the hotel, a large photograph of the city skyline stood before her. She took one look at it and realized it was one her father had taken right before his death. She’d forgotten he’d sold it to the hotel. A feeling of sadness overcame her. She’d never really dated since her parents died, and as she made her way with Ryne towards the elevator bay, she wondered if her parents would approve of him. From what she knew, he seemed kind, protective, and gentle off the ice. She decided not to go there right now. She’d contemplate that another time.
“You feel okay?” he asked as he called for the elevator.
“I’m okay right now. I just wish I could get rid of this cold.” The elevator opened as she finished her thought. Ryne, being a gentleman, held the doors open as she entered. He reached for her hand and squeezed it as the elevator began to move.
When the doors opened, she started to step off and was hit with a sneezing fit. She sneezed several times. “Maybe this wasn’t such a bright idea. You can’t afford to get sick,” she choked out around another sneeze.
“Let me worry about that.” He smiled at her as he slipped his arm about her waist and led her to his room. He inserted the key card into the door, and she swayed. His hold on her tightened as he led her through the doorway. “It’s early yet, unless you’re hungry, how about you lie down and take a rest? Maybe you’ll feel better…”
“I didn’t come here to fall asleep on you.”
“I realize that, but I think that would be the best medicine for you. You rest while I take care of a few things. The bedroom’s right through that door. We’ll figure out dinner later.”
She quirked a smile at him and reached in, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”
“You know, you didn’t need to come to the game today. I completely understood you were under the weather. We could have gotten together another day.” He pulled her into his arms hugging her. “I’m glad you came, though. I missed seeing you.” He led her to the doorway and opened the door to his bedroom. “Rest and I’ll see you shortly.” He dropped a kiss atop her head and eased her towards the bed where he drew down the covers. She sat on the side of the bed and curled onto her side. He covered her, placing one last kiss on her cheek and walked away. “Sweet dreams,” she heard as she drifted off to sleep.
Ryne grabbed a bottle of water and his laptop. He’d seen the look that overcame her when she walked through the revolving doors and was greeted by that photograph. He wasn’t mistaken when she’d tensed. The photographer’s name was proudly displayed beside it. Marcus Steele. Ryne hadn’t put two and two together until he saw her reaction.
He waited while his laptop booted up. He needed to learn more about her life before he met her. He knew her father was rather well known in the area but wasn’t fully aware of the impact he had on the community until he searched for Marcus Steele. The wealth of information available shocked him.
Her father was from a well-known family that resided in the Northeast. He’d relocated to the St. Louis area when he attended a local university. By happenstance, he’d picked up photography and had never looked back. He’d won several awards and had been featured in quite a few magazines for his landscape photography. He also was known for his sports photography where he’d had many of his action shots featured in the sporting magazines. Ryne understood why Johnston asked her to have a showing of her work. Jennifer had been mentioned in several articles for her knack for photography as well. She was described as a natural who followed in her father’s footsteps.
Ryne speculated why at the age of seventeen she’d given up what would have been a promising career. She’d been touted as the next big photographer in the area. As he researched her further, he noticed that all articles regarding her and photography stopped without another mention eight years earlier. He paused and thought back to their earlier conversation. Eight years. That’s when her parents had been killed and when she must have ended her career as a photographer. Why?
As he perused the examples of her work he found on the internet, he was captivated with her style. She’d had a showing at one of the local galleries. He’d come across the catalog of the pieces she displayed and had been amazed with her talent. In time he hoped to uncover why she walked away from such a promising career.
He closed his eyes and let his mind wander. With her talent and his connections, he knew they’d be able to raise quite a sum for Lakeview. As he sat there his muscles relaxed and his eyes drifted shut.
The next thing he knew, he felt a presence. He cracked open an eye and discovered her standing before him. A smile broke across his lips as he fully opened his eyes and reached out his hand. She tentatively grasped it and slid down beside him. “Did I wake you?”
“I was just resting my eyes.”
“Sure you were, right along with that snore.” She giggled.
Groaning, he forced himself to sit upright. “Are you in pain?” she asked.
He pulled his lips in, trying not to let her know how much pain he was actually in.
“What can I do for you? Do you need ice, a heating pad?” She started to rise but he squeezed her hand.
“I’m okay. It’s nothing new. Let me catch my breath for a second.” He felt her eyes as they scanned his face. Reaching her free hand upwards, she smoothed it along his forehead and then moved towards his cheek.
“Please tell me what I can do for you. I know you must be in tremendous pain after taking that hit earlier.” She carefully ran her hand across his shoulder and along his chest. “I want to help you. Let me.”
“I’ll be fine, I promise. I’ll meet with the trainers tomorrow, and they’ll see to my aches and pains. It’s you I’m worried about. How’s that cold?”
Sniffling she raised her eyes to his. “About the same. I probably should have stayed home, but I couldn’t go another day without seeing you. Ryne, I missed you while you were gone. Really missed you.”
“Same goes here,” he said pulling her close. He glanced at his laptop. Thankfully it had gone to sleep since the last thing he remembered was looking at the catalog of her gallery showing. He needed to uncover a little more about her past before he raised the subject again. He didn’t want to cause her any undue upset. She’d been through a lot with her parents’ death. He wanted to get to know her inside out, and the more he could to minimize her anguish, he would. Since Ed was a friend of hers, he’d speak with him and maybe get the answers he was searching for.
She curled herself into his side. They were getting more and more comfortable with one another. He felt her breathing slow. “Going to sleep on me?” he asked nudging her side.
“Nope just warming myself and getting comfortable.” With that her stomach growled.
“Hungry?”
“I guess you heard that.” She snickered into his side.
Nodding he said, “Sure did.” He tried not to jolt her as he reached for the room service menu that sat on the table in front of him. “I already know what I want.” Handing her the menu he added, “The food’s pretty good. I’ve tried practically everything. I’m having the grilled chicken and a salad. Choose whatever you want.”
“Soup’s about all I can handle.”
“I can’t vouch for that since I normally get a meal of some sorts.” She decided on a cup of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.
While they waited for their order, he brought up the fundraiser. “Has Johnston set a date yet?”
“Not that I know of, but I did inform him of your concern about it being around training camp and the start of the season. He said he was going to speak with Ed and set a date.”
“Good. At least Ed will know what will work for everyone.” She looked at him funny. “It’s not about just me. I want everyone involved from the Generals and whoever else from the other local teams we can recruit to participate. Anything I put my name on is a success, and this will be a success, too.”
Their food arrived in short order. “How’s that tomato soup?”
“Since I can’t taste a thing, I have to say it’s great.” She raised her sandwich to her mouth. “Mmm, this grilled cheese is the best,” she claimed as she chewed and smiled at him.
“Not that you would know,” he returned as he took a bite of his chicken.
By the time they finished their meal, it was getting late and Jen could barely keep her eyes open. “Come on, let’s get you home.” He stood reaching for her hand.
Pulling her from the couch, he grabbed their coats and led her from the room. When they reached the lobby, he requested his car be brought around. He held her close as they waited for the valet. “I’m sorry you’re not feeling well. Next time, we’re going out on the town. No more tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for you, my lady.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “Thanks for understanding. I just don’t think I could have gone out tonight.”
“Hey,” he said placing his finger underneath her chin raising it so he could look her squarely in the eyes. He winked at her adding, “Don’t worry. We have plenty of time to have a redo.”
“Yes, we will have a redo. Sooner rather than later.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek.