Page 167 of Small Town, Big Storm

Cedar Hollow showing up for me when, once upon a time, I was standing on the outside looking in.

“I think it’s time for you to go,” Rain says.

“Right.”Joey tugs on Damon’s arm.“We’ll leave.We’re sorry we intruded.”

Damon’s eyes connect with mine and he nods.

“Actually,” I say, “I’m glad you’re here.”

“You are?”everyone around me asks in shock.

“You are?”Joey asks more softly.

I nod, ignore the eyes on me, and focus on Damon and Joey.“I was pissed.And hurt.But I don’t blame you for trading me.It was…” I shake my head.“Untenable for everyone.And I wasn’t producing,” I say.“You’re trying to win a Cup, and I was dead weight.”

“Storm,” Joey begins.“That’s not?—”

“It’s the truth.And I need you to know I understand.I didn’t before, didn’t realize what it felt like…” I look to the side, to Poppy.“I didn’t know what it was to truly love someone.Not until I came back.”

Poppy’s eyes fill with tears and her hand tightens around mine.

“Don’t cry, Poppyseed,” I murmur.

“I’m not sad,” she murmurs back.

“I know.”I wipe away a tear that escapes.“But I still don’t like to see you cry.”

“Aw,” Gertie says, and Christ, I forgot where I was for a second.

“That better not end up in the Cedar Hollow Gazette,” I warn.

She just winks, taps her phone screen repeatedly, and…

I just roll my eyes.

Gertie’s gonna Gertie.

But at least Poppy’s not crying anymore.She’s holding my hand and leaning closer and whispering, “I love you too, honey,”

I touch her cheek and turn back to Damon and Joey, and since the whole town knows all of my business anyway, I give them all the rest of the truth.“You gave me a gift,” I say.“You gave me the freedom to come home, to recognize what I was missing, to have a life I never dreamed was possible.So, I’m not pissed—not anymore, anyway.I’m thankful.”

Everyone gapes at me, Joey and Damon most of all.

But I just tug Poppy a little closer, brush my lips over hers.

“But if you really want to make it up to me, let my woman make you a few Cedar Hollow Kisses then tell the team to come down every once in a while and do the same.”

“Cedar Hollow Kisses?”Damon asks, his eyebrows dragging together.

“Drinks,” Gertie supplies.“Delicious ones.”

Joey’s lips twitch.“We can do that,” she says then adds softly, “And the guys will too.They miss you.”

I nod in thanks.

“Great,” Clover grumbles.“More hockey players.”

Shep looks just as surly.