Page 47 of Love in Overtime

She eyes me curiously. “I was beginning to think you’d made a run for it when I wasn’t looking.”

I shake my head. “I was talking to Estelle.”

A concerned look flashes across her face. “Oh. Did you give her the good news?”

“Yep.”

I don’t tell her which news I shared with Estelle. I’m sure Blair thinks we talked about the game—and we did for half a second.

“I think she’s relieved I made it the full six weeks,” I add. “Everyone else seems to think I wasn’t going to stay.”

She shrugs. “I knew you would stay for Happy Horizons Ranch.”

“Yes, the kids were a major factor. And then other things happened to make the benefits even greater. I’d like to talk more about it later if we can.”

Blair forces a smile. “Okay.”

We’re interrupted by two boys who ask me to sign their shirts and programs. Moments like this are the best part of my job, and I need to remember that.

CHAPTER 14

BLAIR

The people of Maple Falls know how to party.

I caught glimpses of it at the Harrisons’ Fall Celebration and Maple Fest, but tonight it’s only magnified. Even the gossipy ladies from the book shop are having fun. Of course the residents have a lot of reasons to celebrate. The Ice Breakers win has insured Happy Horizons Ranch will get a massive donation, thanks to the team and Zach Hart’s generosity. It brings tears to my eyes when I think about how those children’s lives will change.

The Rustic Slice is super cute and the perfect place for the team wrap party. It’s like an old-fashioned restaurant you’d find in Manhattan where everyone treats you like family. Even Cooper is having fun, though he’d never admit it. That is until some people begin singing “Ice Ice Baby.”

“Why?” he groans. “Of all the songs in history, why did they choose this one?”

“Hockey, ice—it’s pretty obvious,” I tease.

He scowls. “I get it, but it’s one of the worst songs in history.”

I giggle. “Well, I’m glad you suffered through it. At leastit wasn’t a full season. Could you imagine hearing that song for months on end? Game, after game. You’d never be able to get it out of your head.”

He cringes. “No. I can’t imagine.”

I shrug. “I guess that’s one good thing about our time in Maple Falls drawing to a close.”

He silently nods. “I guess so… Anyway, how long do we have to stay at this thing?”

I make a face. “Oh we can leave anytime— I just figured you were having fun, so I didn’t say anything.

His mouth drops open. “I’ve had enough fun. Let’s make a run for it before anyone else starts singing the Vanilla Ice song.”

“Okay.”

Cooper practically races for the door, and I’m right behind him.

When we walk into the lobby at Hawk River Lodge, we’re met with another group of Ice Breakers fans. I guess the celebrating is happening all over town. They all immediately start chanting Cooper’s name when they see him. He looks surprised by the cheering for him.

“Sit and join us for a drink,” a man in a Roberts jersey shouts.

Cooper glances at me, and I nod my head. The publicist in me knows he can spare a few minutes for some fans, even though I really want to spend some alone time with him.

Cooper reluctantly sits down and chats with them about the game and his plans moving forward.

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