Page 22 of Wilder

That brought a smile to Layla’s face as she laughed. “I can make those for you.”

Wilder held out his hand for her to shake. “Consider it a deal.”

Alexandra stayed on the ice while the girls headed to the bench with Blake and Charli.

“You’re a very beautiful skater,” Rori said to Alexandra with a friendly smile. “How long have you been skating?”

“Thank you. My folks put me on skates when I was two or three. I ended up having a natural talent for it, so they got me official lessons with a coach.”

“That’s amazing. I’d love to see you skate a program.”

Wilder held his breath, hoping Alexandra wouldn’t lash out at her for bringing up something that was probably pretty painful.

“I don’t really perform anymore,” Alexandra said, her expression unreadable. “But I’m sure you could find videos online of me skating.”

“I can send you the links to a few,” Wilder volunteered.

Alexandra turned her icy blue gaze on him, and her eyes narrowed slightly as she regarded him. “You’ve looked up videos of me skating?”

Wilder shrugged. “You’re working with my nieces. I don’t think me being a little curious is unexpected.”

She stared at him for a moment before she nodded. “Look up the long program from the World Figure Skating Championships two years ago. It was my favorite program, and we skated it flawlessly that day.”

“I think I watched that one,” Wilder said. “It definitely deserved the gold.”

“It did.” A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, but it was fleeting. “Which was why we won.”

The statement could come across as prideful, except that he’d watched the program, and it had been stellar. She and her partner had obviously worked hard at it. She was merely stating a fact.

After watching those videos, Wilder had a bit more understanding and sympathy for the magnitude of the loss she must be dealing with now that she was no longer skating competitively. Especially since stopping hadn’t been her choice.

“We’re heading out,” Charli said, then turned to Alexandra. “Thank you again for your time.”

The girls chimed in with their thanks, then the family headed for the door.

“We’re going to the church for worship practice,” Lee said. “See you at home later.”

“Are you skating today?” Alexandra asked once it was just the two of them.

“I don’t know. I feel like I don’t rate sharing the same ice as you.”

Alexandra let out a huff. “Flattery won’t get you anywhere, I’m afraid.”

Wilder was sure that was true. How could you flatter someone who had already been showered with gold? There was nothing he could say that she hadn’t heard before.

“Unfortunately, I’m not really up for learning how to jump or spin,” Wilder said. “And I doubt you’re interested in hockey tips.”

Her nose wrinkled as Alexandra shook her head. “Not really, no.”

“Do you still watch the competitions?” Wilder asked.

Alexandra rested her arm along the top of the boards. “I shouldn’t because it probably isn’t healthy, but to be honest, I just can’t help myself.”

“I suppose when it’s been your world for so long, cutting yourself off from it is nearly impossible.”

“It’s what I should have done.” Alexandra plucked at the cuff of the fitted workout jacket she wore. “But it’s the second season since I… quit, and I still haven’t managed to not watch at least some of the programs.”

“Does being here doing this make it worse?” Wilder asked, gesturing to the rink.

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