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Of course, Grace hadn’t accepted the extremely generous offer since she wouldn’t be staying long enough for her plantings to come into bloom. But as she’d stood in that meadow, children laughing on the nearby swing set, the mountains rising up so abruptly, the granite peaks glittering in the sunlight, she’d had a profound sense of rightness. A longing for a life she knew in her bones fit her.
She wanted to live here. With Jaime, Kinny, and a whole passel of blond-haired babies they’d make together. She’d have own her own bakery and live in a home with a spectacular view of the Teton mountains.
As she headed toward the ice, she reined herself in. She was getting way ahead of herself.
Ah, dreams. Those nasty suckers wrap around your heart like vines and squeeze.
Besides, how could she even consider raising children two thousand miles away from her family? Her parents wouldn’t be right down the street. Her kids wouldn’t grow up with her brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins.
That’s not going to happen.
Anyhow, she’d come to meet the hockey boys, so she headed toward the cluster of players. People sat in the bleachers, most looking at their phones, some watching the action on the ice. It looked like several classes were going on at once. In the center, coaches led kids in a figure skating class. At either end, teams gathered around the net doing hockey drills.
And of course, in the sea of moving bodies, Grace spotted Jaime right away.
He blocked the net on the far end of the rink. Teenage boys worked him hard, as they lined up to fire off a row of pucks.
Not one got past him, of course.
He liked to say she’d only seen him at the right time, but she knew better. It was every time.
A woman came up to her. “And that’s why they call him Goose.”
Who’s she talking about?“Are you talking about Jaime?”
“Yep. Back when he played for this same team, he was known for shutouts. Which meant the other team had a big goose egg. Zero goals.”
“That makes sense. He’s good.”Oh. Ick. She’d sounded a little swoony there.
The woman checked her out. “Are you dating him?”
Yep. It was that obvious. “Yeah. I am.”
“Really?” The woman checked her out—a full-body scan from Grace’s hair all the way down to her chef clogs.
Grace raised an eyebrow.Excuse me?
The woman laughed and waved her hands. “Sorry. Oh, my God. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—well, no, I did. I totally did. He’s got a reputation, and I was wondering—never mind. I’ll stop talking.”
“What kind of reputation?”
“He owns a professional hockey team, he’s gorgeous, he’s a powerful athlete. He’s basically the most eligible bachelor in Calamity—and yet he doesn’t date.”
“Well, maybe I’m safe. I’m only in town for the summer. I’m Grace, by the way.”
“Alice. My son plays on the Juniors team. Well, he’s suspended right now.”
“Oh, that’s why I’m here. To meet the boys.”
“Well, you’re in luck. I’m Dipshit number one’s mom.”
“And I’m the baker he might be working with.”
“Glad to meet you. Helen couldn’t be here. She’s out of town, but she’s Dipshit number two’s mom. Come on. I’ll introduce you.” She pointed. “That’s them, sitting on the penalty bench watching their teammates get ready for their season.”
“Oh, that hurts.” Grace followed the well-dressed woman.
“Jaime said you were hesitant to work with them, so I’m here to assure you they’re good kids. Helen’s Dipshit thought it was a brilliant idea to date my son’s ex-girlfriend after they broke up. It was Jeremy’s first heartbreak, and so when his best friend and teammate betrayed him, he lost it. They held theconversationon the ice.”
