She was worried for all the guys. Corey and Doug had spent the day with them at the house. Playing video games with Colton and Kip, trying to keep themselves distracted. But all the talk was of the game. They couldn't not talk about it. If they weren't talking about it, there was silence while they thought about it.
They had a short skate in the afternoon. Mandy and Colton went with them to watch. The air at the Dome was practically sparking as tons of people were skipping work to watch the team practice. She was recognized by some media for her relationship with Kip. They wanted to ask her about her predictions. She didn't want to comment. She stated she was hopeful for the guys, but either way they'd be winners in her book.
Mandy had more than the game on her mind. She was wondering about her future with Kip. Their future. She'd talked to Colton about it, about moving to Calgary to live with Kip.
He was a bit torn. He didn't want to leave his friends in Red Deer behind. But, to live in the same house as Kip Turner, his personal hero, was too exciting for words. "Would Kip, like be my dad?" Colton asked.
Mandy shook her head. "Your dad will always be your dad. But Kip would be, he'd be your step-dad. He loves you like a son, okay. Don't ever doubt that."
"Yeah, but I never see my Dad."
Mandy had almost started crying. She hugged her son tight. "We'll talk about it, okay." That satisfied him.
So, Colton was okay with it, if it happened. But, Kip had been so focused on hockey. He'd said he was getting good news from his agent, that he'd likely be staying in Calgary, so they'd be close by. She was tired of being close by.
While the boys had been playing games, Mandy had been doing Kip's laundry from the road. He'd insisted she just leave it for his cleaning lady, or he'd do it after this was all over. But, she hadn't been able to sit still.
That was how she found the ring. It matched the necklace he'd given her. She couldn't stop fiddling with it around her neck. Every time she touched her necklace, she'd been afraid that Kip would notice and know she'd found the ring.
Was it an engagement ring? She wasn't sure. It wasn't a diamond. She was sure she'd once mentioned to him that she never wanted a diamond, that it was cliche. So, this coloured gem could be an engagement ring. If it wasn't, surely he'd had given it to her by now. She pondered this as paced the floor of the living room.