Page 15 of Ice King

“You didn’t need to go to all that trouble.”

“No trouble. The house was vacant and we haven’t had a renter in a little while. We were thinking about selling the place anyway.” He pulled open his desk drawer, sliding keys across his desk. “You’ll find North Bend full of friendly people. They’re all hardworking, tightly knit. Like any small town, people gossip, but I’m sure you can handle it. Lots of outdoor activities and if you get bored, Seattle has everything you might need or desire. If you like coffee joints, the Velvet Roast is topnotch. Plus, you can glean everything you need to learn about the town while sitting at one of the tables.”

Seattle was only on my radar when working with the team. A small town would be much easier to tolerate and hopefully blend in.

The coach was warm and welcoming, everything I could ask for. At least I wasn’t going into a completely new environment all by myself. “That’s good to know. I really appreciate everything.”

“You being here is thanks enough.”

“So the playoffs, huh?”

He laughed, groaning as he did. “Yep. I have a few players determined to make the NHL, which means I’ll have to start all over again. We’re a cohesive group. The guys all get along. We were very much on track to win the Calder Cup this year. Then this damn injury.”

“The Calder Cup?”

“The AHL playoff trophy. I’ll give you a book on hockey if you’re interested. Might help in knowing how best to deal with Ford. In the meantime, rest up. The guys will give you some crap.”

“Then I guess I’ll need to give it back.” I grabbed the keys, more than eager to get a few groceries and cocoon for the night. I’d been on the road for days, taking the scenic route while ensuring I hadn’t been followed.

“I emailed you directions.”

“I received them, Coach Stryker. I’ll be here tomorrow.” I headed for the door, fighting the butterflies that had decided to take up homestead in my stomach.

“It’s Joe. You can call me by my first name. We’re practically family.”

“Then it’s Coach Stryker when I’m here. I don’t want the team thinking there’s any nepotism. Even if they don’t know my story.”

He chuckled, but I could still see tremendous concern in his eyes. “Georgia, there’s something you should know about North Bend.”

“What’s that?”

A sudden knock was followed by the door being thrown open, a girl walking in without noticing me.

“Dad, I have a couple ideas for a campaign I want to run if you have a few seconds.”

He cleared his throat, nodding toward me.

She backed away, her eyes opening wide. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know anyone was in here. I can come back.”

“Roxy. Just stay. It’s a good time for you to meet our new massage therapist, Georgia Wallace. Georgia, this is my highly intelligent, extremely social daughter, Roxanne. She handles our social media because if left up to the guys, God knows we’d have a few lawsuits on our hands.”

“Oops. About that nepotism comment,” I said, gritting my teeth.

“You’d be right except Roxanne is the best at what she does. She’s put our team on the map with her eye for selecting pictures aligned with excellent captions.”

“Now that is an introduction. Good to meet you,” I told her, shaking her hand.

She laughed. “Oh, the guys are going to love you. You did warn her about them, Dad. Didn’t you?”

“I thought I’d wait a couple days, but she met the prima donna.”

Roxanne’s eyes opened wide. “He is something. I’ll let you make your own judgment, but we call him Mr. Grumpy around here.”

“I think I have a couple other suggestions for his name,” I said, laughing. “I was just leaving.”

“Roxy will be perfect for telling you the ins and outs, including with the guys. She doesn’t take any shit.”

“Dad!” Roxanne warned.