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“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 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 at 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 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. The restaurant 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 in 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 New York Rangers, 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 European ports of call 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?” she asked.

“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 nodded. “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.