Page 44 of At the Edge with You

Fable shrugs. “I’m basically an outsider.”

“No, you were born here, and the Ice Thistle is a pillar in this community,” Maggie protests, her eyes wild with annoyance. “There is no reason for you to feel that way.”

Fable chews on her lip, almost to keep from answering. Before she can, though, Noelle Matthews comes to the table with a bright smile and a handful of candy canes. Everyone adores Noelle; she’s a doll baby. And while her hockey team sucks ass, Bea still lets her sit with them. Tonight, the Belles are playing the Pastry Puckers, and it should be a blowout. Nevertheless, Noelle would never not be here for her team. “Hey, Belles! Can I sit with y’all?”

Everyone agrees, smiling brightly because there is no other way when it comes to Noelle. She just radiates sunshine. She places the candy canes in the middle of the table, flashing an even bigger grin. Bea leans in, setting Noelle with a look. “Did you hear?”

Noelle’s brows pull together as she blows a stray strand of hair out of her eye. She always has her hair up in a messy, wild bun. “About what?”

Bea nods. “That we’re going to embarrass your team tonight.”

Everyone chuckles as Noelle beams. “It’s not all about winning,” Noelle sings in her lyrical voice. “It’s about fun.”

Bea’s laughter falls off. “Winning is everything, Noelle. You’d do best to learn that.”

Noelle waves off the older lady, that smile locked in place. Hazel leans in, her eyes capturing Noelle’s. “But for real, did you hear about Big Seb’s son?”

Big Seb owns Reindeer Rumpus Ranch, which is a tree farm outside of town. The ranch was here before the town was. Everyone gets their Christmas trees there, and everyone loves Big Seb. His son, Sebastian, left when he graduated from high school and hasn’t been back, but every once in a while, some gossip will filter in about him.

Noelle tries to hide her interest, but her voice gives her away. Almost squawking the words, she asks, “What about him?”

Hazel hides her smile as she says, “Heard his wife left him and his two girls for good. She apparently got herself a sugar daddy. Since she is the reason he left town, maybe he’ll come on home.”

Noelle bites down on her lip as she nods slowly. And while there is concern in her features, no one can miss the excitement. She has always had a crush on Sebastian—not that he ever noticed her. “I hope he does what’s best for himself and his girls.” Noelle pauses for a moment, her lips turning down, obviously deep in thought. But then she quickly smiles. She turns to Fable, gripping her wrist. “How were the meetings with the Second Street businesses?”

Fable grimaces, and Kitty’s heart aches. “Not too good. They really didn’t give me much of their time.”

Noelle rolls her eyes. “You can’t give up. They don’t know if they should work with you, because everyone knows you only have to be here for a year.” Fable swallows, squirming in her seat. “Is there a possibility you’ll stay?”

At that question, all eyes fall on Fable. She looks down at her hands and then up at the ice. Kitty follows her gaze to where Jett is standing by the goal with his stick hanging loosely in his hands. Kitty glances back at Fable just as she shrugs. “I doubt it.”

Kitty’s stomach sinks, and Bea tsks in annoyance. Hazel and Maggie just look stricken. Hazel places her cross-stitching ring down and pats Fable’s folded hands. “No need to rush into that decision right now,” she stresses, her eyes hopeful. “Give it time. You may settle here.”

Fable shrugs, leaving Kitty to feel like the girl has one foot out the door already. According to Phillip’s letter to her, he was convinced he could get Fable to stay for good if he made her stay for a year. Kitty has been so hopeful, but the look on Fable’s face doesn’t seem to align with Kitty’s wants.

“I think you should take Jett with you, provide a united front,” Noelle suggests, and everyone nods, agreeing that it could help.

At his name, Fable looks out on the ice, exhaling heavily. “Yeah. We don’t seem to be on the same page lately, but maybe I can convince him.”

“That’s not what I see,” Noelle says, looking out on the ice as well. “To me, it seems like he is on your page and is just waiting for you to hand him the pen.” Everyone but Bea tries to hide their grins, knowing it’s true. Fable’s cheeks brighten with color as Noelle chuckles lightly. “It’s so unfair because—” She pauses, her cheeks warming as her eyes settle on Kitty. “Sorry, Kitty, butRichie and Elena really aren’t that likable, and in turn, people hold it against Fable.”

Kitty nods, feeling even guiltier. “I know it’s frustrating, but my darling, all you can do is keep showing up. You are just what the Ice Thistle needs.”

Everyone murmurs in agreement, but it doesn’t look as if Fable is convinced. She has always felt just too much, and she wears all her feelings on her sleeve. Kitty wishes she could take the constant thoughts from Fable and let her brain have a break.

Skating has always been the one thing to calm her mind.

When Noelle stands, she takes Fable’s hand. “Come on. Let’s get a beer or three.”

Fable forces a smile as she gets up to follow her friend. Once she’s gone, Bea leans in. “Things are not good between the kids.”

Hazel and Maggie nod, and Kitty exhales. “Elena has been a witch all week. I don’t know how much more Fable can take.”

“Have her move in to the apartments upstairs,” Maggie suggests, and Hazel points to her daughter.

“Two birds, one stone,” she exclaims, her eyes bright. “This way, she’ll be away from Elena and very close to Jett. This can work out for both of them.”

Bea nods. “Our boy is in his head. Apparently Elena made him feel like shit again.”

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