CHAPTER 1
Harley Flynn founda place to sit in the arena at the center line behind the penalty box at the skating rink. It was a great spot to be able to see both hockey teams for the policeman’s exhibition game. She wasn’t alone long. Carly Chambers and Simone Donovan joined her a few minutes later.
“Hey, Harley,” the two women said in unison, walking toward her.
“Hey yourself,” Harley returned. “Are you as excited about this match as I am?”
“Excited that we won’t have to come here and watch these guys practice anymore,” Simone said. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy to support Donnie in all that he does, but hockey isn’t my thing.”
“I hear you,” Harley said. “It wasn’t mine either. I preferred ice skating over watching guys chasing a little puck around the ice with a stick. But Reilly and our father were all about hockey and mom and I were constantly dragged to the rink to watch him play. But there is something about the roughness and watching them stay on their skates that eventually hooked me.”
“You’re a good sister.” Carly sat the tote she carried in the seat on the row in front of them and pulled out a blanket beforesitting down beside her. “Supporting your brother the way you do. I don’t think I’ve seen you miss a practice. I hope he reciprocates and supports you in kind.”
“He did when we were growing up,” Harley explained. “He was at every one of my skating competitions.”
“And now?” Simone asked.
Harley grinned. “He supports me off the ice just like a twin should.”
“A girl can’t ask for more,” Carly said, draping the blanket over her and Simone’s legs.
“How far did you go with your skating?” Simone asked.
“All the way to state every year,” Harley said. “My coach wanted me to try out for the Olympics, but my heart wasn’t in it. I saw how my friend Izzy Bellarini worked so hard with her training because that was her ultimate goal. But in the end, she never made it because she sprained her ankle after making the team and they sent the alternate in her place.”
“I remember that being in the news,” Carly said. “It had to have been a huge heartbreak for her.”
“It was,” Harley answered. “That sprain changed her whole career focus. She’s coaching little girls now so they can reach their potential.”
“Hey.” Jules Gentry-McLeod arrived dressed in a long sweater with coordinating leggings and boots, taking a spot on the row below them.
Pregnant Colleen Kincaid and Margot Rosi waved as they slowly made their way on the row behind, carrying seat cushions for the seats and blankets.
“How are the mamas?” Carly asked, turning toward her friends.
“Slow going,” Colleen said, lowering herself onto the cushion. “I can’t wait for my due date. Wyatt and I are so anxious for ourbaby to get here before Christmas and I’m so ready to have my body back.”
“Eli and I are excited too, but I have longer to go,” Margot said.
“Not as long as I do,” Carly said softly.
Harley arched her brows as none of Carly’s friends seemed to react to what she’d said. Had she just announced that she was expecting?
Simone turned and rubbed Margot’s belly bump. “If I knew I wouldn’t show any more than you are at seven months I’d be willing to give it a try, but the thought of getting big as a cow makes me cringe.”
Jules laughed. “Don’t you think your husband should have a say in whether you have children or not?”
“I don’t see you and Will doing it,” Simone shot back.
“We have a plan,” Jules said.
“Hey gang,” Pepper Taylor called, climbing up the steps to join them. “What have I missed?”
“A discussion on babies,” Simone said.
Pepper nodded. “Jett and I have been talking about it ourselves. Is it contagious? I feel like ever since Colleen and Wyatt announced their news, our guys’ biological clocks started ticking.”
The women laughed as Pepper took a seat on the other side of Harley. “Jules, why are you sitting alone?”
