by Diana Tobin
At that point, Bruce had come over to the counter asking Dani to whip him up something special, and ending any chance Ethan had of convincing Michaela to change her mind.
The next time he’d seen her had been at the game, and he was working. It was difficult keeping his mind, and his eyes, on what was happening on the ice rather than the woman sitting across the rink surrounded by family and friends and enjoying herself. Had he ever made her smile and laugh that way? Did she have to snuggle up to that big guy that way?
“Dammit!”
“Uh, Coach, we scored,” said one of the players currently sitting on the bench.
Ethan glanced up at the scoreboard, realizing he’d missed the last minute of play while he stared at Michaela. “Yeah. Great.” He needed to get his head in the game and on the ice, not on the woman currently twisting his guts into knots.
Bruce and Michaela were at the game again Saturday night. Ethan hadn’t sought her out that day, deciding it was a lost cause as long as the other man was in town. The guy had a job to return to, didn’t he? The sooner he left town, the better Ethan would feel. But he did pay attention to his mother, hoping to gain some clue as to how Michaela felt about her unexpected guest and how they were spending their time together.
Sunday was a free day, of sorts. No hockey games, and the players wanted to celebrate their double win with a skating party on the lake. Despite the temperature drop and snow that continued to fall since Thursday, Web warned the lake probably wouldn’t be solid enough to skate on. He offered the rink for skating and his backyard for a cozy fire afterward.
Rather than skating, the group decided to go out and cut down Christmas trees. Wil had some land out near Washington, about an hour’s drive, and was willing to allow trees to be cut for his friends. The elder Mr. Owen had hoped his son would grow and sell trees on the property, just as another family had done nearby. Wil always preferred staying near Webster, now willing to admit Nettie was the real draw.
The tree cutting became a party with lunches being packed, sleds, saucers, and snowshoes included, and plenty of thermoses of hot coffee, chocolate, and cider.
Michaela drove her truck with Bruce riding with her. Ed Dawson had his own truck and offered to take his housemates. Ethan had no intention of going until his parents said it was an experience they didn’t want to miss, so he offered to drive them, along with Billy and Dani. Charley rode with Wil and Nettie. Even Gusta, Web, and Noah joined the caravan.
When they reached Wil’s property, all the young people began playing in the deep snow, racing each other down any incline and throwing snowballs at each other. Charley gave Noah rides on a sled while Gusta kept an eye on both. Wil strapped snowshoes on himself and Nettie, grabbed a saw, and headed through the trees. Soon, Bruce, Michaela, Web, and Robert followed.
“You don’t want to go with them to cut a tree?” asked Eileen.
“Nah. I told Dad to grab one for my house.” What kind of idiot stands out in the snow, freezing his ass off, while his girl walks off into the woods with another man? He was the idiot, and even though he considered Michaela his girl, it was evident she didn’t see it that way. “I don’t like walking in snow this deep,” he said quietly to his mother.
“I’m sorry, I hadn’t thought about that,” Eileen said on a shiver.
Ethan got a quilt out of his car and wrapped it around her, keeping his arms around her. “There’s no need for you to be sorry. I know my limitations.”
She turned in his arms to reach up and cup the side of his face with her hand. “You seem so much better. I hate you’re so far from home, but this place agrees with you. Or,” she gave him a sly smile, “perhaps it’s the people here who agree with you.”
He kissed her forehead beneath a knit cap. “Yeah, the folk in this town are nice. Don’t know yet how long I’ll stay.”
“You’re thinking of coming home?” She couldn’t keep the lilt of hope from her voice.
He gave a careless shrug. “Depends on the season. No one keeps a losing coach.”
“Hmm. From what I’ve seen, your team is doing well. And, I believe a certain woman has captured your eye—if not yet your heart.” Eileen turned her attention to the children as they raced toward them.
“Ethan! Will you give me ’n’ Noah a ride?” Charley was all but dancing in the packed snow around the vehicles.
He didn’t know what to say. He wanted to play with Charley and Noah, but wasn’t sure he could. Seeing his hesitation, Gusta came up and took the rope on the sled from Charley’s hand. “I’ll do it.”
Ethan frowned down at Gusta and the rounding belly her sweater and coat couldn’t hide. “You shouldn’t be doing that in your condition.”
Gusta laughed. “I’m pregnant, not dying.”
“’Mon,” Noah tugged at Charley. “Wee ride. Whee.”
“Okay, buddy,” said Ethan. “I got this. Let’s go.” He took the rope from Gusta and led the two youngsters up a small hill.
“Honey, be—”
“I know, Mom. I’ll be careful.” He slowly made his way through the snow, Noah helping him pull the sled and Charley holding his other hand.
****
“Ethan would make a wonderful father.” Gusta moved closer to Eileen.
“Yes, he would. I haven’t seen him around children much before this week. That sweet little girl could do with a baby brother or sister.”
“I thought maybe he and Micki would eventually get together.” Gusta shoved her gloved hands into her pockets. “I’ve seen them at the games and he talks about her a lot. Her daughters, too. I thought—well, doesn’t matter what I thought.” Her breath frosted out in a sigh. “Since Bruce came to spend the holiday with the family, I guess I was wrong.”
“Oh, bless your heart.” Eileen patted Gusta’s arm. “Bruce and Michaela are just friends. He’s known those girls since they were born. He and Michaela’s husband were best friends.”
Gusta turned to the older woman in surprise. “You certainly learned a lot.”
“You know men, honey.” She grinned. “They love talkin’ about themselves. Bruce would like to be a daddy to those girls and have Michaela for a wife, but he knows she sees him more as a brother than a lover. Now, Ethan, well, he was singing her praises the minute we stepped off the plane. Bragged about those girls like they were his own.” She narrowed her eyes as she watched him settle Noah and Charley on the sled. “There’s been some tension between him and Micki. Nettie and I discussed it the other day. I expect he did something stupid, bless his heart.”
Gusta burst out laughing then cheered as Charley and Noah sped down the hill. “Hang on, Noah!” Seeing them come to a safe stop, she turned to Eileen. “He doesn’t stand a chance with you and Nettie putting your heads together.”
Eileen’s expression turned sad. “I have to stay out of it.” She looked over to see the children racing back up the hill to Ethan, dragging the sled behind. “You know about his leg, don’t you?”
“My husband, Web, told me.” She reached out for Eileen’s hand. “I don’t believe Ethan’s told anyone else. I don’t know why. I mean, I know it’s a big deal, but he does so well. I think he’d be an inspiration.”
“It’s our fault.” At the look on Gusta’s face, she hurried on. “I don’t mean the accident. I mean the way he feels about himself.” Tears slid down her cold cheeks. “I fussed over him, making him crazy. I couldn’t help it. My baby was hurt badly. And his daddy—he was just so sad to see Ethan’s dreams come to such an end. He’d have gladly traded places with him. We should’ve been encouraging him and pushing him. Instead, we wanted to pamper him.” She swiped at her wet face. “It didn’t help when his fiancée walked out on him, either.”
“Oh, my. You’d never know to look at him.” Gusta placed an arm around Eileen’s shoulders. “Look at him and the kids.”
****
Ethan went part way down the hill, meeting Charley and Noah to help them with the sled. “Looks like you two are ha
ving fun.”
“This is great! We never got to do things like this before.”
“Ride me.” Noah patted his snow-crusted tummy.
“Yeah, Sport, we’re fixing it so you can ride again.”
“Ride me!”
“I think he wants you to ride with us,” Charley explained.
“Yay.” The toddler clapped his mitten covered hands. “All free.”
“You want all three of us to ride?” Ethan was holding the sled at the top of the hill. “Sorry, Sport, we can’t fit.”
“We could if we sit in your lap,” Charley pointed out.
Noah nodded his head in agreement. “I hold tight.” He wrapped his arms around his body and squeezed while making a grunting noise, then threw out his arms and yelled, “Whee!”
He knew he shouldn’t, but it was nice to be wanted, even by a couple of kids. “Okay, we’ll try. Don’t blame me if we get stuck in the snow.” Ethan sat on the sled bracing his left foot on the front while he dug into the snow with his right foot, keeping the sled steady until they were ready to go. Noah immediately climbed on his lap. “No, Sport, you need to sit in Charley’s lap.”
“Chalee, sit.” Noah patted his little legs making Charley giggle.
Ethan lifted the boy up. “You sit in Charley’s lap. Maybe one day, you’ll be lucky enough to have her sit in yours.”
“’Kay,” he agreed, barely containing himself from sliding back under Charley.
After Charley sat, Noah wasted no time climbing into her lap.
“All set?” Ethan asked.
“Set,” repeated Noah.
“Charley, hold the rope and I’ll hold onto both of you.” Ethan picked up his foot, snugged it around Charley’s, used one hand behind him to push them off, then wrapped both arms tightly around the precious bodies.
They didn’t get stuck as Ethan predicted; instead, his added weight sent them flying down the small hill. He and Charley couldn’t coordinate their steering, and he knew they were in trouble. A snow bank loomed in front of them. He tried to turn to the right so they wouldn’t hit head on, all the while keeping a tight hold on the children. The sled stopped on its side with a wrenching jar as flying snow dropped over them.
Ethan sucked in air. His left thigh hurt like a sonvabitch. “A-are you all right?”
“Whee! ’Gin.” Noah laughed and clapped his hands.
“Honey?”
“I’m okay, Ethan, but I don’t think you are.” Charley’s voice shook.
He could hear voices but concentrated on the children he held. “Noah, can you stand up? Like a big boy?”
“Noah, big.” The toddler jumped up, then peered down into Ethan’s face. “Go ’gin? Whee.”
“Not right now,” Charley said before Ethan could answer. “You can let go, Ethan. I’m going to get off, then help you.” She rolled out of his arms before scooting around in the snow to place a hand on his chest. “We’re going to need help. I t-think you broke your leg.”
He dug his elbow into the snow, pulling himself into more of a sitting position before looking down his body. His left boot was stuck in the snow bank a foot above the sled’s runner and the leg of his jeans below his knee was flat as a pancake.
Ethan fell back in the snow and closed his eyes. “Shit!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“Shit, Mama. Shit. Me ride. Whee!”
“Not right now, baby. Ethan’s hurt.” Gusta tried to move her son aside.
Instead, the little boy plopped down next to the sprawled man and patted snow from his mitten on to his face. “Ethan owwiee? Mama kiss.”
“Thanks, Buddy.” He tried to smile at Noah. “If y’all move back I can get up. Not sure I can make it to the car.” He wiggled around to his belly so he could get his right knee under him.
“Let me help you,” Gusta offered.
“No!” He drew in a breath. “I appreciate it, but I can’t chance hurting you.” Ethan bent over on his hands and knees. “Mama, would you grab my leg. Charley, honey, I hate to ask this but I need you to help steady me.”
“’S okay,” she sniffled as she came to his side.
He rose up from his hands, wrapping his left arm around Charley’s waist. “Don’t cry, Sweetheart. I just need to put my leg back on.” He stayed like that, gathering his strength to hop up to his one foot. No problem on a flat dry surface. On a snow covered hill, he wasn’t so sure.
“Ethan, wait,” Gusta ordered. “Billy and Dani are coming. They can help.” She scooped Noah up out of the way and waved the teenagers over.
“Mama.” Noah patted her cheek with a wet mitten. “Kiss Eth’n owwiee.”
“In a minute.” She shifted her son to her hip. “We need your help.”
Billy and Dani dropped the tree they were carrying. “Coach? What happened?”
Dani rushed over to Charley. “Sis, how bad are you hurt?”
“It’s not me,” she swiped at the tears rolling down her cheeks. “It’s Ethan. His leg…he can’t get up.”
“I’m okay,” he tried to assure them as they stared open-mouthed. “I’m sore, and none too steady out here. Billy, if you and Dani would help me up and get me to the car, I can put my leg back on.” He patted Charley’s back as Billy took her place. “Think I’d’ve pulled sweet Charlotte over.” He grimaced as the teens helped him up, but didn’t complain. Using Billy as a crutch and Dani to help steady him, they made their way to his car.
“Ethan, don’t you think you should’ve told us?” Dani asked quietly.
“Told you I understood how you felt about your broken legs.” He was panting as they made their way through the snow.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Billy asked.
“People see me differently once they know.”
“Bullshit!” Billy and Dani said together.
“Shit, Mama. Ride?”
“Great,” grumbled Gusta good-naturedly. “See what you’ve all done? How am I going to explain Noah’s new word to his grandparents?” She stopped to make sure Charley and Eileen were following. “I’m glad the two of you showed up when you did. Coach seems to think I’m a delicate flower and couldn’t help him.”
“I wanted some cocoa, so we brought Micki’s tree back with us,” said Dani.
“Cooco. Cooco,” Noah began in a sing-song voice.
“Yay. New word,” laughed Gusta. “For your house?”
“No, she wants it in her shop.” They’d reached Ethan’s car. “Do you want to lie down?”
“Passenger seat. I need Billy’s help. Um, have to take my pants off to put my leg back on.” Ethan finished with an apologetic note.
“Sure, Coach,” Billy agreed. He helped Ethan sit and rest. “Dani, why don’t you get the cocoa for everyone? Mrs. Reigh? I’ll take, uh, Coach’s leg if you could maybe see if Charley is okay.”
Eileen gave Ethan a small smile as she handed his leg over to Billy. “Come on, Charlotte. Let’s find some cookies to go with that cocoa. You must be freezing.”
****
With Billy’s help, Ethan had his leg re-attached, his pants on, and was resting in his car. “Does anyone have ibuprofen or something?”
“I’ll check, Coach. Looks like the rest are coming.”
Ethan stopped Billy before he could move away. “Could we keep this between us? Please.” Ethan could tell Billy wanted to argue. “I will tell everyone all the gory details. But I need to tell Michaela first. She should hear it from me. Understand?”
Billy nodded. “You want me to tell Dani to keep it quiet, too?”
“Yes. When everyone is ready to leave, would you drive us home? I could do it, but frankly, I’m beat.”
“Sure thing, Coach.”
“Ethan?” Charley stood next to the open door, a cup in one hand, a napkin holding two cookies in the other. “I-I brought you a snack. Your mother said you’d want the pills.”
He could see the pain tablets sitting with the cookies. He placed the cocoa in a cup holder and put the
napkin on the dash, then angled toward her. “What I could really use is a hug from you. Did you get hurt in our crash?” Solemnly, Charley shook her head and reached her arms up. “Step up on the running board,” he instructed. “I need a big hug.”
She did as she was told, wrapped her arms tight around his neck and pressed her face into his neck. He held her close for a few minutes before pushing her back enough to wipe the tears from her face.
“No more crying, honey. I’m fine. Bet I scared you, didn’t I?”
“Yeah.”
“Would you do me a really big favor?” He waited for her to nod her agreement. “Would you keep this to yourself for now? Your mother needs to know, but I want to be the one to tell her. And, I will, real soon. Okay?”
Charley nodded again. “Is that why she’s been sad lately?”
“She has?” That surprised him. “I thought she was having a good time with your…friend, Bruce, visiting.”
“She is having a good time, but she’s been kinda sad since your date last week. I thought maybe you told her about your leg and that’s what made her sad.” She kept playing with the hair at his nape and patting his arm as if she feared he’d disappear if she didn’t keep touching him.
“We had a…misunderstanding. My leg could have been part of the problem.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll make it right. Promise.” He squeezed her again. “We should probably get going. You’re so covered in snow you must be freezing. You go find your mom. Billy’s going to drive me home.” She let go and stepped down. She’d taken one step away when he called her back. “Hey, Sprite. How’s the sled?”
“Wrecked.”
****
Mike and Bruce were following the others back to the cars. Fresh cut trees were being loaded into the back of trucks, but something made her think there was a problem. Spotting Eileen hugging Charley as they shared cookies had Mike heading in their direction.
“Honey, are you okay? Have you been crying?”
