Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Caleb hurried to get himself suited up and out on the ice.
As soon as he did, Marianne skated over to him. “I was afraid you weren’t going to make it.”
“So was I.”
“We need you if we’re going to have any chance of winning tonight.”
Caleb shook his head. “I’m really not that good.”
“You’re big, and you’re strong. That goes a long way in this league.”
“Maybe, but everyone knows you’re the best on the team. If it weren’t for you, we’d lose every game.”
Marianne shrugged. “I try to hold my own out there, but I can’t do it without help.”
She was way too modest. She was a damn good goalie. “I’m here to do my best.”
“So you won’t be too distracted tonight?”
Caleb frowned. “Why would I be?”
“I saw Rhys stopping by Cloud Nine after hours yesterday.”
Caleb didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t pretend Rhys hadn’t been there.
“Don’t worry. I won’t mention it.”
“He was just there to—”
Marianne raised her gloved hands. “Like I said, I won’t mention it. Focus on hockey tonight.”
“You shouldn’t have told me that if you didn’t want me distracted.”
“I saw you let him inside. That’s all. For all I know, he was stopping by to tell you how much he hates pumpkin lattes.”
Caleb rolled his eyes. “Yeah, definitely something like that.”
“Right.”
Their captain called the team for a last talk, and they both skated to the bench.
Caleb did his best to focus and not worry about the fact that Marianne had clocked them easily. He even managed to score a goal in the final minutes of the third period, helping them win by a single point.
They all headed out to get drinks to celebrate their win. As everyone began to wind down for the night, needing to get to bed before work the next day, Marianne came and sat next to Caleb.
“So how are things really?” she asked.
He frowned. “Are you asking for details?”
“About something that’s not happening at all? Of course not.”
“Right.” Caleb knew better than to believe that.
She widened her eyes, attempting to make herself look innocent. “I was just asking how things are going at the shop. It looks like you still have a good crowd there every day.”
“I do. Business has been better than I ever expected.”
“You fit well here, Cloud Nine and you personally. I’m really glad you joined our team, not just because you scored tonight.” She bumped his shoulder, and he bumped hers back.
“Thanks. And I’m damn proud of my goal, whether it affects your opinion or not.”
“Oh, it affects it, but I was already happy to have you on the team.”
It had been years since he played hockey, but it felt good to be back on the ice and to be making new friends. It worked out great that Marianne was friends with the downtown business owners he’d met. She might not technically be one of them, since she didn’t own the library, but she was the dominating force pushing for new library programs, so she was active in town business.
“So how serious is the stuff that’s not going on?” she asked.
He scowled at her. “I knew you wanted details.”
She shrugged. “I’m just offering to be a supportive listener. I’m guessing you don’t have anyone else to talk to. I haven’t heard anything about you and Rhys other than easily dismissible rumors.”
“What rumors?”
“Nothing serious, just that Agnes thinks the two of you should get together, and Tessa is convinced Rhys is head over heels for you.”
Caleb sucked in his breath. “She’s what?”
“Oh yes, she’s determined to get you two together, but it seems like you wouldn’t mind that.”
“Anything that is going on—and I’m not saying anything is—is secret for now, even if I wish it wasn’t.”
Marianne nodded. “Be patient with him. He’s worth it.”
“Yes, I kind of guessed that.”
“For the record, not that I think you’re planning to, but if you hurt him, I will make sure you pay.”
He shouldn’t have been surprised by her threat. He’d hurt anyone who came for Rhys too. “Wow. That’s so comforting to hear.”
“But you’re not going to do that. That’s why I’m happy to have you here.” She pushed back her chair and stood. “I have to be at the library way too early tomorrow, so I’d better get going.”
“Me too,” Caleb said.
As he drove back to the shop, he replayed his conversation with Marianne. It had been interesting, part warning, part encouragement, part small-town nosiness. But he liked that she said what was on her mind, unlike some people in this town who would rather talk about you behind your back.
His talks with Marianne made it clear that Rhys was justified in his fear. If their relationship became public, everyone would be talking about them, and that was going to suck. If Rhys realized Marianne had them figured out, how badly would he panic? Who else also knew? Jonah? Tessa? Finn? All of them?