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“You’re welcome.”
And this was why Grace had taken a chance on him. Yes, he was damaged. Yes, he’d hurt her. But he was trying so hard. And he was winning. He was truly overcoming his fears. “Good job.”
“It’s past time. I just know her. I know she’s going to try triple axels when the rest of the class is learning figure eights.”
“Too bad they don’t have like…I don’t know,coacheson the ice or something to keep them in line.”
He grinned. “I get it. I get it.” But his hand flexed on the wheel.
“I doubt she’s the first spirited student these coaches have ever seen, but if you’re worried, talk to them. They’ll keep an eye on her.”
He squeezed her thigh. “I like that you call her spirited. It’s a much better way to describe her than reckless.” He flashed her a grateful smile. “Thank you for giving me another way of looking at it.”
“Daddy, can I have my own skates?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“I want white ones. And I want a pink skirt. And I want pink socks. You know what the girls wear?”
“I do.”
“Can we get it now?” Kinny asked.
“Sure thing.”
“Thank you, Daddy. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, sweetie.” His eyelids squeezed shut. “I hope I don’t regret this.”
“You’ll be fine.” She gave his thigh a squeeze.
What could possibly go wrong in a beginning figure skating class?
“What in the world?” Sunlight filtered through a canopy of pine trees. As they passed under a stone and wrought iron arch that said Wild Wolff Village, Grace sat forward. “Did we just drive through a magical portal? Am I in Europe?”
“Feels like it.” Jaime cocked an elbow out the window. A warm breeze tousled his hair, and he looked so damn handsome, she wanted to crawl onto his lap and make out like drunk kids at a frat party. “This place used to be a dude ranch just like ours, but about twenty years ago, they turned it into a ski resort. Everything you see is owned by the Wolff family.” As they approached the town square, he tipped his chin toward the commercial area. “They lease out all the stores and restaurants.”
They parked behind the lodge and then walked into town. Cobblestone streets, window boxes bursting with colorful flowers, and iron benches only added to the European feel of the village. A trolley rumbled by, its bell clanging.
The town square had an ice-skating rink, a clock tower, and kiosks that sold crepes, cocoa and coffee, and ice cream.I could sell my pastries here.She didn’t dare voice it out loud. It was impossible since she had to get back home. But she could see herself in an apron selling pastries and espresso drinks.
An image hit, filling her with a rush of happiness. She needed to decorate her new truck, and she knew exactly what she wanted. She’d paint it magenta and then string a wreath of light pink peonies all around it.This is going to be so much fun.
And now that Jaime didn’t mind her spending time with Kinny, her summer would get that much fuller. They’d sit together in the bleachers watching her figure skating class. Or maybe he’d be on the ice with the Juniors at the same time. He’d skate over to the wall and give her that sexy look and motion her over. Give her a kiss. Kinny would call out,Daddy, as if she was embarrassed but secretly loving it.
It was throwing off family vibes, and she was there for it.
“You all right?” Jaime interrupted her absolutely psycho reveries.
Which was a good thing. The more carried away she got, the more it would hurt when she had to leave. “Yeah. Of course. I just love this place so much.”
Besides, the only planning she needed to worry about was decorating her truck and the pastries she’d sell now that she had help and more time.
Except…she knew she was lying to herself. She’d accepted her life on Duff Island. It was all she’d ever known, and Ian was an obvious part of it.
But this one with Jaime? It was nothing she’d ever imagined but everything she craved.
Because here, all her senses fired up. She felt alive, vital, and free.Creative.
