Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
I know you; I know your heart. You won’t leave Kitty behind, and you definitely won’t take Jett’s dream from him. Ever since he came back to Thistlebrook, he has been my right-hand man. The Ice Thistle wouldn’t be what it is today if it weren’t for him. I need you to grow it and make it even bigger for him. Do what you did at other rinks and make our skating program a contender with those around the States. I want him to have everything he ever wanted, but he needs you to do it. I believe in you. Don’t ever forget how much I love you, my snowflake.
Don’t let the storm get you.
Feel, my girl.
And shine.
Grandpa
I cover my mouth to keep in the sob as I lean over, hugging my knees with my arms. I feel a hand along my back, and then I hear Kitty’s sweet voice. “It’s okay, darling. I’m here.”
Aren’t I supposed to be saying that to her? I draw in a deep breath before I sit up, meeting her moss-green eyes that are swimming in tears. She cups my face, rubbing my cheek with love in her gaze. With her voice low, she says, “You do what’s best for you.”
Another sob breaks free as I shake my head. She always did what was best for me, and Grandpa for her.
It’s my job to do the same.
I lean over to look at Jett, who is still fuming, his hands shaking along his tree-trunk thighs. “Looks like the team is back together.”
I wait for him to smile, to agree, but Jett does neither.
Instead, he stands and storms out of the room.
CHAPTER
EIGHT
Jett
JT,
The stuff to fix the wall is in my office closet on the bottom shelf, by the holiday pucks. I know either my house has a hole in the wall or your office does. Hell, wouldn’t put it past you to hit both.
I know you’re pissed, and you have every right to be. I’m sorry, but you know how I feel about Kitty. You know how much I love her, how I’ve wished for you to find that kind of partnership. I have to do everything I can to make sure she is taken care of since I know that deadbeat son and daughter-in-law of mine won’t. We both know they only care about their careers and the mountains. They can’t even be bothered with the incredible daughter they made. Fable has always had such a special connection with Kitty, and I know she needs her granddaughter.
You probably feel like I’ve betrayed you, but that isn’t my intention at all. You and Fable have always been a great team, and this way, the Ice Thistle grows. You’ll control the hockey side, and she can develop the skating side, show you everything she’s learned over the years, and then you’ll have one hell of a business. I know we’ve done a great job, you and I, but she is the missing piece. I think you know she is—in more ways than one.
I don’t regret much, JT, but that day after Salt Lake is a day that has haunted me for years. I should have stood beside you, not agreed with what my son and his wife wanted. I don’t know if you hate me for how that played out, but I want you to know I’m sorry. I’ve watched you, your failed relationships, and your loneliness, knowing I had a hand in it. I wish I had known what I know now. I wouldn’t have agreed. I truly wouldn’t have. Maybe that’s another reason why I’m asking her to stay, to give you the chance I took away.
I love you, son, and I know it doesn’t seem that way with what I’ve asked of you, but I truly do. I know you’re going to blow this town away and make the Ice Thistle everything I couldn’t. Just like I was in Salt Lake, I’ll be in the front row in heaven, cheering both of you on.
Believe in yourself, JT.
I always have.
Phillip
I can’t help but look back at the fist-sized hole in my wall.
A sad smirk pulls at my lips at how well Phillip knew me. He was the dad I never had. The only male figure in my life that I believed wouldn’t hurt or turn his back on me. Not only did the asshole go and die, but he is also making me wait a year for the Ice Thistle. He’s giving part of my building to someone he’s always wished were running it with him.
If I were a weaker man, I’d let this fuck with me. Let myself think that he did this because he thought I couldn’t run the Ice Thistle, but I know that’s not the case. There is only one love in Phillip Winthrop’s life, and that is Kitty. I understand why he wants Fable to stay, but why did he have to use me to make it happen?