MIKE PULLED THE McLaren to a stop by the O’Reillys’ home. He looked over at Bridget, sitting in the passenger seat.
“Ready?”
Eyes sparkling, she nodded. The tip of her nose was a little pink, and her freckles were in full force. The Phoenix sun had been a challenge to her fair skin.
“You’re sure about this?”
“Completely.”
When Mike had talked about being free a week after the Cup finals, he’d been a little optimistic. Toronto had gone completely crazy with joy, and full credit had been given to Mike for his work. There had been interviews, a parade, and endless celebrations for the team. No one wanted to call it over. It had been two weeks before Mike and Bridget had been able to escape to Phoenix to visit Mike’s mother. It didn’t surprise him that she and Bridget got along. His mother admired strong women, and she was pleased to hear that Mike wasn’t getting his own way with his girlfriend.
Now, a month after that last big game, and the entire O’Reilly family was packed in the backyard of the family home. They had come to share Mike’s Cup Day. Every player who won hockey’s ultimate prize got to spend a day with the actual trophy. Mike had been through this three times before. The first time he’d gone back to Saskatchewan with the Sawatzkys and his old coaches and teammates. The next two times had been in Ottawa, mostly doing charity events. This time, spending the day with the O’Reillys was a no-brainer. He couldn’t imagine a more perfect scenario.
* * *
THE FAMILY HADN’T seen Mike and Bridget since they left for Phoenix, so there was chaos for a while as they entered with the Cup and its keepers in their wake. Mike kept firmly by Bridget’s side, arm wrapped around her waist. Bridget was wearing a white sundress and sandals, and he thought she looked beautiful. He was in white as well. He was tanned and happy. The playoff beard was gone.
Once the keepers had the Cup set up just so, he stood by it to say a few words, Bridget still close by his side. He looked at her, and she nodded back. She put a hand into his back pocket, unnoticed, and pulled something out and slipped it on her finger. He looked out at the happy faces, and felt a warmth inside that even a fourth Cup win couldn’t match.
“Thanks to everyone for coming here today. It’s great to share this with you. It’s not my first day with the Cup, but I think this will be the one I remember best.
“This isn’t official yet, so please don’t spread the news, but I’ve accepted a three-year deal with the Blaze.” He’d agreed to a hometown discount on his salary so that the team could still sign some of the young guys. Three years, and then Mike was going to retire, and see how he did as a dad while Bridget kept coaching. Bridget was arguing that one, but he was confident he’d get his way.
There were cheers from the family.
Mike looked down at Bridget. “The fact that Bridget is going to be coaching here in Toronto has of course had everything to do with that decision.”
He looked out at the family again. “The Cup has done some interesting things in its long life, traveling around the world with the players who’ve won it. This may be a first though.” Mike paused, nervous for a moment. Would the family approve of this as well?
Bridget held up her left hand. It sparkled. There was a diamond, and it was on her ring finger. There was a shocked silence and Mike rushed on before bedlam broke out again.
“We have something else to do—Father James?” Mike called.
The family priest came through the gate. Mrs. O’Reilly gasped and sat on her chair with a thump.
“We’re getting married!” Bridget shouted.
Then the family erupted. The women converged on Bridget, the men gathered around Mike. Fortunately, they were mostly congratulatory. Mike faced Mr. O’Reilly.
“Sorry, sir, I wanted to ask for your permission but Bridget started making comments on how many sheep I was willing to pay for her. But if you have any questions, or concerns...”
Mr. O’Reilly looked at him levelly. Even though he had to look up to meet Mike’s eyes, Mike was the one feeling small.
Bridget’s dad held out his hand. “Welcome to the family, Mike. I appreciate that you’re willing to stay here for Bridget. Be good to her.”
Mike swallowed a lump. “I will, sir.”
Mike had been anticipating a big ceremony, but Bridget hadn’t wanted a fuss. She’d been through four weddings for her brothers, and she wasn’t interested in that hassle. “Been there, done that, bought the dresses I’ll never wear again.”
So, here in the backyard, they had a quick and simple ceremony, and the family potluck was all they needed for a wedding banquet. Mike and Bridget had brought champagne, and they toasted with the Cup.
In a quiet moment, Mike pulled Bridget aside. She turned to him, smiling widely. “This was a fantastic wedding. You didn’t really want the big fancy ceremony, did you?”
Mike agreed. It would have been a circus, after the Cup win, but he would have happily gone through it if that had been Bridget’s desire.
“I haven’t given you your gift yet,” he said.
Bridget’s forehead creased. “I didn’t think we were doing presents. I don’t need anything!”
Mike smiled in anticipation. He pulled out his key ring. “This isn’t wrapped...” he said as he pulled off the fob to the McLaren.
Bridget stared at the keys, speechless. Mike dropped the fob in her hand and wrapped her fingers around it.
“But, the bet...” she said, looking up at him.
“Now that we’re going to be living together, I don’t want to spend my time in fear of you setting up some trick to score on me. I’m playing it safe,” he teased. In reality, he just wanted to see the look on her face, the one he was seeing now.
“Mike, you’ve done so much for me already. You’re staying in Toronto, you’re going to spend the summer hanging around here while I start working with Jonesy, you’ve promised to coach Cormack—and I didn’t get you anything.” She looked distressed.
Mike gazed around the backyard. A year ago, he’d been questioning his future, his own worth, alone and lonely. Now he had Bridget, a big crazy family, and even though he was back on top, he had a future that didn’t depend on hockey.
He looked at her. “You’ve given me more than you know,” he said and kissed her.
Suddenly Jee cried out. Brian raced to her. She was in her ninth month, and finally conspicuously pregnant.
“I think—I think my water broke,” Jee said, in shock.
The backyard emptied as Brian picked Jee up and carried her out. The rest of the family quickly followed.
Bridget looked at Mike, grinning. “My family. I should go to the hospital. What do you want to do with that?” she asked, indicating the silver Cup, now looking forlorn with only its tenders to keep it company.
“Let’s bring it with us. Babies usually take a while, don’t they? Maybe someone at the hospital would like to see it.”
“And I can drive!” Bridget gloated.
She leaned up to kiss Mike. The Cup keepers had to clear their throats a few times before the couple stopped and gave them directions.
Mike swore that the drive over gave him his first gray hair. They were a long time getting to the hospital, but they arrived in time for the day’s second addition to the O’Reilly family.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from MARRYING THE WEDDING CRASHER by Melinda Curtis.
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