Page 51 of Breaking the Ice
My phone pings, and I look down and read the incoming text.
Mr. Wonderful
Good morning, beautiful. I can’t stop thinking about last night.
I look at the message with distaste. What a cheesy line, and one Zach probably uses a lot. Looking across the table at Yolanda, I ask, “What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to find out whatever you can about Zach from his brother, his brother’s wife, or him directly if you have any contact with him.” She eyes me closely. “You said at the rink that you’d only just met him, but there was something that made me think there might be more to it than that.”
This is my big moment to pick a side. Do I think that Zach could be Yolanda’s baby daddy? Yes. Do I believe he’s using me for some nefarious purpose of his own design? If he’s the father, then I have to. Why else would he make a play for a nobody small town girl he had nothing in common with?
“Yolanda,” I tell her. “Would it help if I told you where Zach is staying while he’s here in Maple Falls?”
“Isn’t he at his brother’s?” she asks. “I just assumed that was the case when I found out he wasn’t here or at the other hotel in town.”
Without hesitation, I announce, “He’s staying in a guest cottage at the back of my mom’s property.”
Yolanda’s gaze narrows perceptibly. “Are you sure there’s nothing going on between the two of you?”
I shake my head, pushing all thoughts of Zachary Hart’s knee-buckling kisses out of my mind. I force myself not to think about those sexy green eyes of his and I certainly ignore the memory of that soaking wet T-shirt he wore while washing windows.
“He’s nothing more to me than a short-term tenant,” I tell her. And even though that’s the truth, it still hurts a heck of a lot more than it should.
“Good,” Yolanda says. “Because I have a plan.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Zach
I’m surprised Ellie hasn’t texted me back, but then I remember she’s at the lodge having breakfast with my nemesis. I know Yolanda will do her best to get Ellie to turn against me, but after the wonderful time we had last night, I hope she stays firm in her belief that I’m telling the truth.
After pouring myself a cup of coffee from the breakfast station, I peruse the buffet of offerings. I grab a blueberry muffin before sitting down in the stands and watching the team warm up.
Ever since my skating career ended, I’ve done my best to stay far away from all things hockey. Not because I’ve lost my love for the game, but to protect myself from my past dream resurrecting against my will.
The guys are a hoot to watch. Some players like Dan and Dawson already know each other from playing on the same team, while others have a natural competitive vibe due to playing on opposing NHL teams. The newer guys particularly seem to be out for blood until Coach Strickland hollers, “No cheap shots! You knuckleheads are on the same team now.”
I feel a pull toward the ice in the worst way. After Ellie made me put on skates the other night, I thought I could handle being so close to the game, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. While ice skating with a two-year-old is technically still skating, it’s about as similar to hockey as dancing on the moon.
Troy glides over toward me. “You want to be out here, don’t you?”
“Obviously,” I tell him. “But unlike you, I can’t just play around without breaking teeth.”
Ignoring my cranky jab, my brother says, “You were a great player, Zach. It sucks that you got benched.”
“Don’t placate me,” I hiss.
He laughs. “Quit being such a baby and get out here so we can get some pictures for the press.”
Standing up slowly, I tell him, “I’ll walk around and stand behind the team. I’m not going onto the ice.”
“You came out the other night.”
“I’m not in the mood to argue with you, Troy. You either want me in the pictures or you don’t.” I don’t have to remind him that the only reason I’m here is to make sure there’s a lot of press coverage for his event.
My brother rolls his eyes. “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” Then he points toward the goal. “Meet us over there.”
My phone rings as he skates away. Hoping it’s Ellie, I don’t bother checking caller ID before answering. “Good morning.”