Page 94 of Enemies in Paradise

“We’re ready for your presentation, Ms. Lee,” Mayor Voglmeyer says, and I stand to let Cassie squeeze by me.

She goes to the podium and taps her notecards on it before clearing her throat into the microphone. Then, for the next five minutes, she gives a fantastic presentation. She gives the history of the shop—some I don’t even know—to argue why it shouldn’t be torn down. Then she outlines all the benefits of bookstores in small towns.

Finally, she has a slide show she presents from her phone with mock-ups of what the bookstore will look like if she gets historical status—she’ll keep the front as it is but install an automatic door so it can open to a patio. She points out where the plaque will be located that verifies its status and points out that the trim—badly in need of fresh paint—will be painted the original blue that the building had when it was built.

By the time she’s done, I’m convinced by her argument. And she’s done it all in exactly the time allotted to her.

Georgia and Evie break into applause that is quickly silenced with some throat clearing from their husbands, who shoot me worried glances.

But their worries are unnecessary.

There’s no way I can do better than Cassie did. I don’t have her public speaking skills. My hands are already shaking, and I’m dripping sweat. If everything comes down to our presentations, I’ll lose.

But I have one thing Cassie doesn’t: a dozen ten-year-old girls who know how to fight on and off the ice.

Chapter 31

Cassie

I end my presentationknowing I’ve knocked it out of the park. The mayor is smiling at me—at least, I think her mouth is trying to smile. The other councilmen nodded their approval through my entire slide show. I’m pretty sure the oldest of the four—who has to be at least one hundred and ten—wiped away tears when I talked about the history of the shop. He probably remembers when it was a blacksmith shop. He’s that old.

As I gather my notecards and clear the podium for Bear, I feel better than I have since getting promoted to detective. I’ve got that same feeling of accomplishment and the energy to take on the world. I might decide to fight Captain Markham after all.

Then I turn around.

I’m met by the glares of a dozen little girls and their parents. I glance at Bear, who flashes me a quick smile that makes me feelsafe enough to leave the podium and make my way past the not-so-adoring crowd to my seat.

That’s when I see the posters at the feet of the girls in the front row.

Girls Can Play Hockey Too. Don’t Take Our Rink.And, most tellingly,We Love Coach Bear!I nearly trip over my own feet when I read that one.

Oh. My. Gosh. Suddenly, everything slides into place. The pink helmet I saw on a player. Their high voices when they chantedCoach Bear.Bear’s determination to make sure they had a place to play.

I slide back into the seat next to him and nod toward a few of the girls in front of us. “This is your team?”

Bear grins with pride. “Yep.”

“You didn’t tell me they’re girls.” I keep my eyes pointed ahead. I don’t want this to change anything, but it’s already threatening to slow my charge forward. If I look at him, I’ll stumble.

“I didn’t?” Bear stands as the mayor calls him forward. I move my knees to the side to let him by, but he stops in front of me. “I assumed you knew. Does it matter?”

His gaze pulls my eyes to his. A beat of silence passes before I’m able to let out my breath and shake my head. “Nope. I’m still going to fight you.”

Bear cocks his head to the side with a confused look. “I never thought you weren’t going to.”

“Good… Because I am.” My eyes dart to the side. Everyone is looking at us, waiting for Bear.

I don’t let his eyes snag mine again, but before Bear steps into the aisle I can’t stop myself from saying, “Good luck, Coach.”

His mouth curves into a shy smile, and he stands a little taller as he walks to the podium.

Knowing his team is girls, I can’t help but care more about them having a place to play. Does this make me sexist? Reverse sexist? Hockey is even more of a man’s world than police work. I imagine they’re up against similar obstacles to the ones I faced coming up through the academy and the LAPD.

But I also know they’ve got a chance at an indoor rink if they lose the pond. I’m not taking hockey away from them.

Which makes me feel slightly better, because cheering him on at the last minute when he’s on his way to the executioner isn’t really helpful. Mayor Voglmeyer’s face is stone, and I don’t anticipate her giving Bear’s presentation any room to change her mind.

My instinct is confirmed when she passes the gavel to the councilmen next to her and says, “I’d like to weigh in on this issue. I’m passing administrative duties to you, Lester.”

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