Page 4

As I’m talking to Hanna, I realize everything I’m saying is true. I no longer blame Brad for what happened to me. Todd’s broken ankle and my fall weren’t his fault. How can I blame someone who wasn’t even there when it happened? And it wasn’t my fault either, not completely. Accidents happen, especially when you’re putting in twelve-hour days on the ice.

Everyone thinks I gave up on my dream because of what happened, but they’re wrong. Now that I’ve quit skating, I’ve realized I was on the wrong path all along. I was never meant to be an Olympic champion. Instead, I’ve always wanted to teach kids how to skate and eventually coach Olympic hopefuls. Now that I have a job at the local ice rink, I have that opportunity. One day, I’d love to own my own rink. That’s my actual dream.

And no one is going to get in the way of my aspirations, especially a handsome hunk with dark brown hair and gorgeous green eyes.

I may not blame Brad for the accident, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven him for what he did to me. He said he cared for me but would never love me in the way I deserved to be loved. Then, he left without another word, and I’ve not heard from him since.

If he really cared about me, there’s no way he would have treated me that way.

Running into Brad has brought up all the memories I’ve done so great at repressing. For however long he’s in town, I’ll do my best to avoid him. That could be difficult since I’ve already promised his mom I’d help her pack this week. Patricia Anders is like a second mom to me, so there’s no way I can back out on my promise. I just hope he’s not there helping her pack as well. If he is… it will make it hard to avoid him.

“Helloooooo? Earth to Winny. Wake up,” Hanna says, waving a hand in my face.

I blink away my maudlin thoughts and focus on my friend again. “I’m sorry, just thinking about my schedule. I picked up two more clients for skating lessons. They’re starting today.”

Hanna rolls her eyes. “Yeah, sure, that’s what you were thinking about. Anyway, I was trying to tell you something, but you were all spaced out. Didn’t hear a word I said.”

“I’m sorry, Hanna. What were you saying? I’m paying attention now. I promise.”

“Yeah, you’ll pay attention when you hear what I’m about to tell you.” Her voice is low and serious, and I’m instantly on alert. “I went to old man Gerald this morning to discuss my vacation time. I was about to knock on his door, but it was cracked open, and I overheard part of his phone conversation.”

“Oh, Hanna. Tell me you didn’t eavesdrop. Never mind, don’t tell me anything. Whatever was said, it’s not my business. And not yours either.”

Hanna holds up her hand. “No, seriously. You have to hear this. Just listen.”

I push back my chair and grab my bag. “I’m leaving now. My client should be here in a few minutes, and I need to get my skates on.”

“He’s thinking of selling the rink, Winny.”

That stops me cold. “What?”

“You heard me. He was telling someone that the ice skating rink was in need of repairs, and because of some medical bills and his looming retirement, he didn’t have the extra funds to keep up with the demands of the rink anymore.”

I’m shaking my head in denial, even though I know she’s speaking the truth. “He can’t sell this place. What’ll we do? What if the new owners don’t keep us on here? I need this job. It’s the only ice skating rink in the area, and I love it here.”

“I wish that was the worst of it. Winny, I’m embarrassed to admit that I kept listening to his conversation. Whoever he was talking to on the phone must’ve mentioned something about the land being worth a lot. Gerald responded that it would break his heart to sell to a developer, but he might not be left with any choice.”

My hands grip the table’s edge, and I see my knuckles go white with the effort. “No, we can’t let that happen. We’ll talk to Gerald. We’ll convince him to keep this place.”

“I don’t see what we can do. If he wants to sell, it’s his right.”

“I’ll offer to buy it,” I surprise us both by saying.

“Unless you’ve been holding back on me, I don’t think you have anywhere near that kind of money,” Hanna says. “Did you happen to find a rich uncle who left you a huge inheritance that I don’t know about?”

“I wish, but no. I’ve managed to save some money, but nowhere near what I’d need for a down payment. I don’t know, but there has to be something we can do,” I say despondently. “Gerald knows I’m interested in the place. We’ve talked about it before.”

Hanna looks at me sadly. “Maybe it will all work out somehow. For now, let’s just wait and see what Gerald says. Nothing sounded definite.”

“Yeah, maybe you’re right. Maybe nothing will come of all this.” I try to appear upbeat, but we both know it’s an act.

I understand how serious this is. I know the rink has been in disrepair for a while, but I just never thought Gerald would think of selling to an outsider or a developer. He loves this place even more than I do.

My chest is heavy with defeat as I grab my ice skates out of my locker and head towards the door.

“I’ll see ya out on the ice,” I tell Hanna as I walk out.

Chapter 3