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“No,” I repeat. “Not until I’m sure we won’t run into each other. Let’s just make some coffee here.”
She rolls her eyes at me but sits at the breakroom table while I start some coffee in the pot. “I hesitate to tell you this, but you’re going to find out soon. I heard Gerald finalized the paperwork for the rink. It’s a done deal,” she says.
My eyes shoot to hers in surprise. I expected this news, but it still feels like a gut punch. “Already? He’s moving faster than I expected.”
“It could be because Brad had to get back to Boston,” Hanna guesses. “They probably wanted him to close the deal before he returned to Boston.”
“I’m sure you’re right. So, what are we going to do? Start looking for jobs?”
Hanna grimaces. “No idea. My aunt has been wanting me to take some shifts at her store. I’m sure she’d be willing to give you a job, too. It could be temporary, just to tide us over for a while until we figure something out.”
“Yeah, maybe. I don’t know. I’ve been thinking. As much as I hate the thought of leaving Winter Ridge, I can’t imagine not having an ice rink nearby. It might be time to start thinking about finding somewhere else to live. It’s either relocate to a place with a rink, or I give up on my career. I love training these kids to ice skate. It sounds silly, but it’s what I want to do,” I explain.
“That doesn’t sound silly at all,” Hanna says. “I can totally picture you as a famous Olympic coach, leading your team to victory. If that’s your dream, you have to find a way to make it happen.”
Do I give up the home I love and move, or do I give up the career I love and find something else to do? The question has been eating at me since I learned what was happening with the rink. I’m no closer to an answer than I was the first time I asked it. Either way, it’s a lose-lose situation for me.
The coffee pot beeps to signal it’s ready. I’m pouring Hanna and myself a cup when Gerald walks in. The sheepish look on his face would almost be comical if I wasn’t so pissed at him for keeping his secrets.
“Glad I found you two in here,” he says. “I’ve been meaning to have a chat with you both.”
“You don’t say?” I snap ungratefully.
He clears his throat, and I swear he’s nervous. The way his eyes are darting from me to Hanna reminds me of a dog who’s been cornered and doesn’t know a way out.
“Well, now,” he says. “As you probably have heard, I was in the process of selling this place. I signed the contract yesterday, though it will take some time to close on the property. I wanted you both to be the first to know.”
Hanna makes a strangled sound. “For real, Gerald? We are literally the last to know. Everyone has been talking about it. You could’ve said something to us since we’re the ones most affected. Are you at least going to give us a severance package before you kick us to the curb?” she asks.
Gerald puts his hands up in defense. “No need to be testy with me,” he says gruffly.
I cross my arms over my chest and look at him in disbelief. “Ha! We have lots of reasons to be testy.”
“If you are going to be like that, maybe I won’t tell you the news,” he mumbles.
Hanna slaps her hand on the table, spilling the coffee over the lip of the cup. “Just spit it out, Gerald.”
“Nah, I don’t think I’m gonna. You’re gonna have to go talk to Brad Anders and find out what he did.”
“Fat chance that’ll happen,” I say. “Not sure why we’d care what Brad has to say.”
Gerald pushes himself up from the table. “Suit yourself. If I were you, I’d talk to him. I bet you’d be pretty interested in his news. Might as well go see what he has to say since he’s waiting out there in the foyer for you.”
“What!” I almost shout. “He’s here?”
“Yeah, out there and looking like a lost puppy dog,” he says. “I have a feeling he’s gonna come in here if you don’t go out there.”
More games. Didn’t he do enough already? Why is he here, and why is he involving Gerald? I don’t think I can handle seeing him right now. I’m on the verge of either bursting into tears or erupting in anger, and I have no idea what will happen if I see him.
“You might as well see what he wants,” Hanna says. “Sounds like he’ll wait out there indefinitely.”
“He can wait out there all day. I’m not going to talk to him,” I snap irritably.
Gerald clucks his tongue and shakes his head. “After that boy went and bought the rink, and now you won’t even talk to him.”
“That’s exactly why I’m not talking to him, Gerald.” My voice rises in anger. “He knew his company was buying this place, and he didn’t have the decency to give me a heads up.”
“No, no. You misunderstand. He bought the rink, not his company.”
