“Of course.” I smiled. “And this must be Tabitha.” I turned to the girl. “Your mom told me all about you.”
The girl’s lips turned up and her cheeks went pink. Lauren wrapped her arm over her shoulders. “Tabby Cat is a little shy.”
“That’s okay. I was shy too.”
“I like your hat.” Tabitha took the marshmallow from the end of her stick, blew on it, and then popped it in her mouth.
I had forgotten that I was still wearing the hat. “I’m goingto be in the skijoring contest on Monday, you should come and watch.”
“Mom, can we?” Tabitha was already putting another marshmallow on her stick.
“Sure, sweetheart. Who is your skier?” Lauren asked.
“Clementine.”
Lauren grinned. “We will definitely be there. That woman is a legend.”
Charlotte sidled up beside me. “I thought it might be that cute new player you chased after the other night.”
“Nick?” I shrugged. “That didn’t exactly go as planned, and he’s not really a skier.” It felt wrong saying it. Nick had picked up the sport like he’d been doing it for years.
Lauren and Tabitha hovered over a table of chocolate and graham crackers, attempting to slide the marshmallow in between layers of each thing. Charlotte pulled me out of their earshot. “I told Logan that his rule was ridiculous. He’s going to talk to Nick. I didn’t use your name or anything, I just told him that he couldn’t dictate the rules of love to his players. Also, I wanted to call you sooner. I was a little tipsy the other night in the bathroom, I shouldn’t have butted into your love life either.”
“It doesn’t really matter.” I shrugged. “Nick isn’t interested in a relationship, and he’s not into short term either.”
“Really?” Charlotte’s brow furrowed. “That’s weird.”
“It’s okay.” I stood a little taller. “I’m actually okay with it. We like each other, but he’s focusing on hockey. I’m focusing on saving money to get my own place. I just got a job at the Lumber’s ranch, training their horses. Nick and I are…” a few days earlier, I would’ve cringed and felt rejected, but today I felt proud to say it, “friends.”
“That’s totally not the vibe you two were giving off—but congratulations on the ranch job! If you’re interested in a little bit of land, the property next to the Lumber’s is going up for sale in the new year.”
“Oh, I wish.”
“It might be closer than you think. There are options. You’d be surprised what you can get with a fifty-thousand-dollar deposit. If you can scrape that together, give me a call. I’m sure we can work something out.”
The property next to the Lumber ranch.
Fifty thousand bucks might as well have been fifty million. “It’s a beautiful property.” I could already see the house I’d build. A traditional farmhouse next to the river. The land had everything; water, rolling hills, and good neighbors. I couldn’t have picked out a more perfect piece of land. “Maybe one day.”
Charlotte took out her phone. “Speak of the devil. It’s Logan. He’s finished up with his Triple-A practice and the guys are heading to the log sawing contest. Want to go?”
“Sure.” I wasn’t really interested in the log sawing contest, but Charlotte was cool, and I didn’t really have any other options.
Walking through town with Charlotte and Lauren was like having two popular, older sisters letting me tag along—and it felt good.
TWENTY-ONE
NICK
I’d playedon outdoor rinks before, but none as impressive as the setup for the Chance Rapids Christmas Classic. Stands soared high all around the perfectly polished ice surface. After the practice with the Triple-A guys, a Zamboni scrubbed away all evidence of our amazing skating. A portable dressing room that was almost as nice as the one at the rink stood at each end of the rink, one for each team. The sound system was impressive, and TV crews were already setting up for tomorrow’s game.
“I am impressed.” I sat on the bench next to Logan after leaving my hockey gear in the dressing room. I was going to be back in less than twenty-four hours to play with the Bobcats.
“The mayor here is excellent at submitting grants.” Logan leaned on his elbows and stared at the ice.
“I meant the Triple-A players. There are a few kids on that team that have some serious potential.”
Logan grinned. “I’ve been working with most of those kids for their entire career.”
