Page 52 of The Parent Playbook
“Um, sorry?”
She lets out a quick exhale and strikes a pose that’s halfway between a librarian and a caped crusader, armed with a calculator and a red pen, her glasses slipping down her nose.
“Fear not, citizen,” she declares with a dramatic flourish, looking entirely too cheerful about the mess. “I am here to save you—and Happy Horizons—from the clutches of tax oblivion!”
Marcy—our very own financial superhero with the patience of a saint.
“You’re either very brave or very misguided. Either way, I’m glad you’re here.”
Just as Marcy begins to explain her battle plan for our financial records, Andy bursts through the door, words tumbling out faster than I can catch them. “Mom! Mom, you have to come tonight. There’s this movie about Planet Earth and I’ve got to see it with Lily! She gets free on-demand movies at the lodge where they’re staying, and she said we could come over tonight, pretty-pretty please?”
I raise an eyebrow, trying to keep up. “Slow down, turbo. And this was whose idea?”
Andy grins, barely pausing for breath. “Scotty’s! He said you should come too. Said it’d be good for the kids—and the parents—to hang out. He made some dorky dad joke about it being a ‘parental guidance’ movie night.”
It does sound exactly like something Scotty would say. “All right, but only if there’s popcorn.”
Andy’s already halfway out the door, pumping his fist. “Yes! Thanks, Mom! You’re the best! I know that watching this movie will inspire Lily and me to find—ahem—less socially disruptive ways to reverse climate change.”
That’s my boy.
I turn back to Marcy, who’s watching the whole exchange with a bemused smile. “Looks like you’re not the only hero around here today,” I say, grabbing my jacket. “Now, if you can keep the IRS at bay, that’d be great.”
With a heroic nod, Marcy salutes with her calculator. “To environmental victory and tax deductions!”
Something about this impromptu movie night feels a bit … funny. I can’t put my finger on it, and I could be well off base, but why wouldn’t Scotty call me himself?
Then again, he’s probably knee-deep in whatever hockey coaches do between games. And I don’t really want to question it.
I want to see him.
It’s been ages since I’ve been at Hawk River Lodge. The last time I was here, I was invisible in a maid’s uniform, not walking in as a guest. The expansive entry boasts a high ceiling crisscrossed with dark wooden beams, and a stone fireplace dominates one wall, casting a warm, flickering glow across the plush sofas and vintage hunting trophies and I feel like a cat at a dog show.
Surrounding me are members of the Ice Breakers, their towering figures and broad shoulders filling up the space. They seem at ease, laughing and talking among themselves. I’d forgotten that most of them were staying here.
As I awkwardly adjust my purse, a player breaks away from the group and heads straight for me. “Hey, you’re Angel from Happy Horizons, right?” he asks, his tone friendly yet earnest. His face is familiar …
“That’s me, local charity overlord and occasional preteen wrangler,” I reply, trying to match his ease and failing spectacularly.
He laughs and extends his hand. “Cooper Montgomery. We met at the Regent’s Hotel when the team first got to town, but you had been—um—distractedthat night.” I sense something in his tone of voice that’s almost teasing. “I’ve got to say, I thought I’d hate coming to Maple Falls—no offense—but it’s actually pretty great here. What you’re doing for the kids, that’s … it’s really something. Thanks for letting us be a part of it.”
“Oh, um, you’re welcome!” I stammer, feeling every bit the awkward hostess. “We’re all about dragging unsuspecting athletes into our chaotic little world. It’s our specialty.” I flash a grin that I hope looks more grateful than nervous.
“I also want you to know that Scotty and I go way back. There’s no better guy around than Scotty MacFarland. You should know that. Have a good night.”
I intend to say something, though who knows what’s the right kind of response to an unprompted wingman when I thought what was happening between Scotty and me was asecret. Or at least private. Or at least unbeknownst to a professional hockey team.
He’s talking about me to the other guys? He’d only do that if he were serious about me. Scotty isn’t the type to go off telling tall tales of the women he’s won over.
And he’s totally won me.
Cooper offers me a salute and walks away just as Andy runs up.
“Mom, Lily’s over there!” He points excitedly toward the back of the lodge where I make out Lily’s bright head of hair.
“Hi, Angel!” She gives me a massive and unexpected hug, but leave it to kids to make what might otherwise be awkward feel as natural as breathing. I hug her back.
She leads us down a long hall. “We’re separate from the rest of the team because, you know, family friendly and all. Dad likes to go to bed early. But I love our suite.” She swings the suite door open. With the enthusiasm of a seasoned show host, she announces, “Ta-da! Welcome to our humble abode!”
