The Hockey Player’s Heart

Some things never changed.

Caleb drove his luxury SUV down the familiar streets of Foster Grove on his way to grab breakfast.

“Gotta love small towns.”

He’d arrived at his parents’ house late last night, just before midnight, after a three-hour drive from New York City, where he’d run out of patience with the sports media shadowing his every move, asking when he’d be back on the ice. The team doctor had already provided them the date he was expected back from his broken foot, but the media seemed to think something magical would make it earlier.

Six weeks ago, all it had taken was a fast slap shot to the inside of his left foot. It’d felt like he hadn’t even had a skate on as the puck slammed into him, sending searing pain up his leg.

He still didn’t know how he’d kept from falling over. He’d managed to keep his wits about him, maintain control of the puck, and clear it out of his team’s defensive zone to send the New York Empire on a breakaway. Afterward, he’d made the slowest trip to the bench he’d ever taken because any weight on the foot was excruciating.

Now the cast was off, and it was time to get out of town.

His phone rang, and Caleb clicked the button on the steering wheel to answer. He smiled when he saw the name on the dashboard display.

“Big sis!”

“Little brother!” Pam shouted. “I’m guessing I didn’t wake you.”

“Nope. I’ve been awake for a while. And, before you ask, I’ve already done today’s rehab exercises, and my foot’s doing fine.”

“Good to know.”

“I’m headed to Paxson’s right now. Care to join me?”

“You’ve gotta meet me at this new place. I’m already on my way there. FG Café. It’s on Fernwood and Main.”

“Better than Paxson’s? But that’s always—”

Pam cut him off. “You have no idea. Meet me.”

“Okay.” He was dubious. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“You won’t regret it.”

She disconnected, and Caleb couldn’t help but chuckle. Pam had always been the bouncy—and somewhat bossy—one. When they were kids and went to skating practice on ridiculously early winter mornings, she was a chatterbox when all he wanted was a few more minutes of sleep in the car. At least today he was already awake, though he’d never match her energy.

It was weird to be home, especially at this crucial point in the season.

Pam was getting out of her car as Caleb pulled into the parking lot.

Caleb grabbed his cane and carefully maneuvered himself out of the car. “Pammy!” he called, waving as she strode toward him, her smile wide.

For the next week, he had to make sure he walked with measured strides, using the cane until he got used to putting his full weight back on his foot. He knew the drill. It wasn’t his first broken foot, but it was the worst break he’d had in nearly twenty-five years of playing.

“It’s good to see you.” Pam hugged him, careful not to disturb the cane.

“You too, sis.”

“You look well. Rest and rehabilitation must agree with you. Though you could use a haircut,” she said, reaching up and ruffling his hair. “A bit shaggy around the edges.”

Caleb let out an exaggerated groan. “Not even five seconds and you’re already critiquing me. Is this cane up to your high style standards?”

“Oh, stop.” Pam gave him a playful swat on the shoulder. “It’s good to have you home. Come on. Let’s get inside so I’m not late for school.”

“This is impressive. Doesn’t even look like it belongs here.” He took note of the changes on the block. Apparently, at least a small part of his hometown had changed.

A shoe store had anchored the busy street corner when he’d been here last summer. The overall shape of the building was the same. New stonework on the facade gave it a classic but updated look.

“It opened in the fall. The café runs late into the night, with coffee and pastries, which are to die for. FG Plate serves lunch and dinner. This block has transformed, adding galleries and even a small theater,” she explained, as if she worked for the Chamber of Commerce instead of the local school district. “Foster Grove attracts tourists now, especially to the restaurant. People from Albany come here to eat.” Pam opened the door for Caleb.

“Thanks,” he said, not the least bit embarrassed for the assist. As they stepped inside the café, he was assaulted with the most tantalizing scents—dark roasted coffee, rich aromatic cinnamon, fragrant vanilla. He turned to Pam with wide eyes.

“Yes.” She nodded. “When I tell you something is going to be good, you better believe it.” At the counter, she ordered their coffees and a cinnamon bun. “You know, you could’ve stayed at my place.” Pam maneuvered them to a table, and Caleb settled in a comfortably upholstered chair.

“I’m fine,” he assured her. “I’m perfectly comfortable in my old room at Mom and Dad’s. I don’t want to be in anybody’s way.”

Four years ago, when he’d signed a huge contract renewal with the Empire, Caleb had given their parents open-ended tickets for an around-the-world cruise. His mother had always talked of traveling, and his father loved boats. Now that they had retired, Caleb was happy to offer them an opportunity to try new things and see different places. They’d already sailed through several ports of call the past few months and had three more weeks of their voyage left. From the pictures his parents had posted online and the phone calls he and Pam had received, they were having the time of their lives.

Before he and Pam could discuss anything else, their drinks and cinnamon roll arrived. The decadently iced treat was massive.

“That’s incredible.”

“It’s bigger than your head,” Pam joked, though it was only a slight exaggeration. They wasted no time pulling off chunks of sticky bun. “So, how long are you in town?”

“A couple of weeks. I’m scheduled to return to the ice for the first playoff game. If things keep going right, I’ll be on skates Monday. I’m going to call the rink and see if I can get some practice time.”

“I doubt that’ll be a problem. You know people will be glad to help. What made you come up here anyway?” she asked, taking a careful sip of her dark roast.

“Even though we’ve already clinched our playoff spot, everyone’s obsessing over whether I’ll make it back to the ice in time, wondering if I’ll be ready. The sports media has been more like paparazzi lately.”

“Well, you are the leading scorer.”

Caleb shrugged. “It’s not like the team has been hurting in my absence.”

“They probably miss their captain.” Pam made sad eyes at him that nearly made him laugh.

“And their captain misses them.” He frowned and tried not to sound too grouchy. These conversations were why Caleb escaped the city. “You know I hate not being able to play.”

“I’m glad you’re not rushing it like you did after that sprain in eighth grade,” Pam said before rolling her eyes at him.

Caleb couldn’t help but grin at the memory and Pam’s expression. “I can’t put one over on the team doc like I could on Mom and Dad. It was stupid, of course, since I ended up out far longer than if I’d just let it heal.”

“Well, you’re an athlete. Not usually a group known for exhibiting the smartest behavior when it comes to injury.”

Caleb raised an eyebrow at her and ripped off another huge portion of the roll.

“So, I was wondering, since you’re here, could you do me a huge favor?”

Pam sounded like she was making a request rather than a demand, and he was immediately suspicious. Though they were only a year apart in age, his sister had always had a strongly protective streak when it came to him. Pam, however, wasn’t afraid to exercise her position as eldest whenever she needed something.

“What’s up?” He decided to play along to see what she’d ask. He was as much intrigued as afraid of what she’d pull him into.

“The school carnival is Friday afternoon, and it would be amazing if you’d sign a few autographs. It’s a fundraiser for the after-school sports program. It’d be so perfect if the hometown hockey superstar could be there.”

Nervous laughter spilled out before Caleb could stop it. “That’s a lot better than anything you made me do when we were in school.”

Pam was the principal at Foster Grove Elementary, the same school they’d gone to when they were children. She’d always helped with school events as far back as he could remember. Her involvement usually meant he ended up doing something she needed.

“I promise you’ll just be signing stuff, nothing crazy. Unless you want to work the kissing booth too.”

“Why would there be a kissing booth at a grade school carnival?”

“I’m kidding, although it would certainly keep some of the parents busy. And if we had a celebrity, someone like you….”

Caleb stared at Pam in disbelief as she seemed to be mentally filing the idea away for future reference. Best to nip that idea in the bud, and quick. “No, thank you. But I’d be happy to do the autographs. Just let me know where to be and when.”

“You’re a great little brother.” She jumped up, came around the table, and hugged him. “Any chance you might donate a few things for the silent auction?”

“Why didn’t you ask me to send something up? I mean, I’m happy I’m here to sign in person, but I would’ve given you auction stuff regardless.”

Pam sat back down and shrugged. “You outdid yourself a few years ago with the whole New York trip and game package, so I didn’t want to push. But since you’re here….”

“Of course.” He couldn’t help but grin. “I’m sure I can get something good put together.”

“Perfect. You’re the best! Aaron and I have been pulling our hair out over the last-minute details that have to be dealt with.”

“Aaron?”

“Yes. Aaron Price,” she said, looking at him as if he’d lost his marbles.

“He’s back in town?”

“Oh God, I never told you? His job in California didn’t work out. When he told me, I suggested he come back home. He started teaching third grade at the beginning of the school year.”

“Well, what do you know.”

“He’s doing a phenomenal job. I knew he would. The kids adore him, and I’ll admit, I love having my best friend back, just like the old days.”

Caleb sipped his coffee and tried to picture Aaron Price after all these years. “I hope I have a chance to see him while I’m in town.”

“You’ll see him on Friday. Like I said, he’s been helping with the carnival.” She checked the time on her phone. “Crap. I’ve got to go. I’ll send you all the details. It’s this Friday afternoon,” she said pointedly. “See you later.”

She got up, gave Caleb a peck on the cheek, and was off like a shot. He wasn’t even sure if she heard him say goodbye.

He sat back and took another bite of the delicious pastry.

It felt good to be back in Foster Grove.

He hadn’t really intended to do anything other than lay low while he was here, but he was more than happy to help out with Pam’s fundraiser. Playing in the youth hockey league and after-school programs had started him on the path to the career he had today. He liked to give back whenever possible.

Caleb pulled out his cell phone and called Grant, his assistant, to arrange to have some items sent up for the event.