The whole flight, it felt like something out of a storybook, because I’d never been on a plane. I could tell that both Darcy and Ferguson were experts, despite being kids. Dad’s always been scared to fly, and it was only due to my grandmother’s insistence that I’d need it one day that I even got a passport.

I listened intently to the instructions given by the stewardess, but the kids took it all in stride.

The team was only a few rows ahead of us, but Tristan may as well have been a million miles away. He’d come over once the stewardess announced we could leave our seats, offering up his seat with the team if I’d rather he sit with the kids, but I declined, much more content with Darcy and Ferguson than a slew of men I didn’t know. He would turn and wave once in a while, though, and the kids did the same.

It didn’t take long for me to fall asleep on the flight, and by the time Darcy woke me up, I realized, much to my dismay, that we were landing in Colorado.

“I tried waking you when they were handing out the meals,” the little girl exclaimed. “But you were dead!”

Darcy laughs at her own joke, and I open my eyes to see the last few seconds of the plane landing through the little round window to my right. I didn’t want to tell her that I didn’t sleep much last night. Or, that I spent most of my time on the Internet searching for anything on her father that I could find. Once again, it amazes me how someone can come into your life one day, and then take over your body and mind the next.

“I must’ve been more tired than I realized.” I smile at her, ensuring they both still have their seatbelts on.

“Yeah,” Darcy says apologetically. “Sorry about that. You were waiting for Daddy to get home, weren’t you?”

I nod, then quickly change the conversation. I do not need to be broaching this subject with her. “Did you see any more movies?” I ask instead. That’s the last thing I remember doing before sleep took over, and part of me is disappointed that I slept through the whole flight. I’d never been on one before, and had only managed to occupy the kids with the in-flight entertainment before I’d stared out the window, mesmerized by the clouds, then fell into a deep sleep.

I’d meant to only close my eyes for a moment, but my mind had taken over, and I’d dreamed of Tristan, asking me up to his room and doing all sorts of sexy, erotic things to me.

The type that my father once said a girl like me should never want from a man like Tristan.

To be touched and not seen as just poor Faith, who lost her mom at a young age and works in a hardware store.

There was a time when I had the eye of every boy in school, when every girl aspired to follow in my footsteps. At least, until I lost my mother and withdrew from everything I loved, including hockey. I just couldn’t play at the level I’d been able to when she was alive.

She’d been so proud of me back then. Now, I wondered if she’d even be able to look me in the eye.

I feel like crying as I stand up and get the kids ready to leave the plane. My eyes dart ahead a few rows to Tristan. He’s looking at me, too.

I yearn to know what’s going through his mind. Was he on the flight thinking about me, the way I was thinking of him? Or, maybe this is all just something that’s going on in my mind. Maybe I’m delusional, and ridiculously naïve, and he just kissed me to make me want to stick around and look after his kids?

Either way, it worked. I wonder what kind of person that makes me. And the deal we struck—was that a delusion of mine, too? That I’ll ever bounce back and not just be able to play the game well, but adore it like I used to?

“Guys, are you ready?” I stare down at the two faces on either side of me.

They both nod, and it occurs to me again that they’re good kids. Sweet. And I need to focus on them. Tristan’s entrusted me to look after them, and I have to stop acting like a kid myself, with my head in the clouds. I can’t just look after them; I need to take good care of them. I know what it feels like to lose a mom, but in their case, they were too young to know her that well. It doesn’t make the pain go away, though, I’m sure.

I vow to try and make them feel cared about. They deserve that much. Even if I’m just with them for a few weeks, a lot can happen in a short amount of time. All I can do is try.

* * *

We arrive at the hotel, and check-in is a breeze to get through. I unpack the kids’ things after calling room service. Another one of those storybook moments, since I’ve only ever witnessed room service in the movies.

Once they’ve had something to eat, I have to admit, I’m at a loss as to what we should do next. We’re sitting in the room, and I realize then that Tristan didn’t give me clear instructions regarding extracurriculars. He’s busy, and I get that. He’d only stuck around long enough to make sure we got into the room okay before he was whisked off to a practice. I know he’ll get in touch when he’s able to, though, because I’m pretty sure he hasn’t even checked into his own hotel room, the one adjoining this one.

I stand, beginning to pace up and down the carpeted floor at the foot of the beds, trying to figure out ways to entertain the kids. One glance out the window gives me the answer I need.

Bingo!

I’ll take them to the pool. That should kill a few hours before Tristan shows back up. It was great getting into the room and getting things situated, which distracted me from all the thoughts of him that plagued me. Now, I need to keep him off my mind.

“Guys, I have an idea.” I clap my hands, which pulls their glazed eyes from the TV they’re watching, their mouths wide open as if they’re ready to catch flies.

“Why don’t we go to the pool? You’ve eaten over an hour ago now, and it’s better than being stuck in here watching boring old TV.”

I’m hoping for excited expressions, but Darcy just laughs. “It’s too cold outside. We want to watch TV.”

I sigh. “It’s not that bad. It’s warm here compared to Boston.”

She laughs again. “Anywhere is warmer than Boston. But, no, it’s too cold. We can’t go outside in the pool.”

I smile. “But they have an indoor pool. We can go there and have some fun. But if you guys want to stay in here, then that’s cool, too, I suppose.”

It takes ten minutes of deliberation for them to give me their final answer, but I could tell immediately that Ferguson wanted to go, and he has his shorts in his hand now, ready to go. It’s Darcy that over-contemplates it, trying to be the adult in this equation.

“Okay then, fine. Seeing as Ferguson’s so excited, let’s do it.” She sighs as if she can’t win. At least she’s reasonable and isn’t throwing a tantrum about not getting her way.

After a few more minutes, we’re ready and just about to head toward the elevators when I open the door and see Tristan standing on the other side.

He smiles. “Hi. Everything okay?”

I seem to be speechless whenever he’s around, so I just nod my head.

Darcy grins excitedly. “Daddy, we’re going to the pool.”

See, I knew she actually wanted to go.

Tristan side-steps out of the way. “That’s great. I was worried I abandoned you and that you’d be bored or something.”

Ferguson shakes his head. “Daddy, I’m going to swim like a fish!”

Tristan nods at him, but leans toward me, whispering, “He can’t swim.”

I give him a wry grin. “Darcy already warned me about that. I’ll make sure he’s safe.”

We lock eyes as I’m shutting the door. I can feel the heat between us again.

He’s so close to me. Too close.

Darcy bring us back to reality. “Dad, can you come with us?”

Tristan blinks, as though thinking about it, then shakes his head. “I would love to, but we have a meeting. I thought that before dinner, maybe we could meet up, then. And Faith can show me her moves.” He’s looking at me. “On the ice, I mean.”

Damn him and his cocky innuendo.

I nod my head, relieved he’s taking our deal seriously. In another way, though, I’m apprehensive. It’s been a long time since I donned a pair of skates. A long time.

“Sure, sounds good to me.” I say it a bit too enthusiastically. I’m fully aware that spending more time with him might be more than I bargained for, and that notion knots in my stomach tightly as well.

I grab both Ferguson and Darcy’s hands, and we head toward the elevators that’ll take us down to the pool. I’m sure that Tristan’s watching us walk away, and as I cast a glance over my shoulder and spot him, he’s smiling mischievously. I shouldn’t be so eager to get up close and personal with him later. But, so far, everything’s going as planned, and skating for the first time in a long time is something I find myself anticipating. Especially with him.