Page 59 of Tempting the Goalie
I head outside. It’s a partly cloudy day but the sun is peeking through. At least it’s warm out and perfect weather for the short walk to the Thornes’.
Elyna meets me outside with a large bag on her shoulder. Braden is wearing a baseball cap on his head, and she places him in the stroller and throws a light blanket on him.
We walk the short distance to the Thornes’ property. There’s a sign that says Maple Valley Orchards out front. Elyna continues down one of the paths toward the orchard, and I go to look for Izzy in the shed next to the main house.
The door to the shed is open and I see Izzy working on the potter’s wheel. She is shaping a vase. Her hair is in a bun withwisps hanging on the side of her face. She’s wearing a pair of short jean overalls. She looks content. Relaxed.
I walk up to the door slowly. “Hey,” I greet quietly, not wanting to startle her. “This place hasn’t changed much.”
“Hi, Luc,” she says. I can tell she’s a bit startled but she smiles warmly when she sees me. “I hope everything went okay last night.”
“As much as it could. Elyna’s been keeping things from me, but all that is going to change.” I want to reach down and kiss her but that isn’t the call until her father and I have the talk.
“Come in,” she invites.
I walk into the small shed. She has a fan going.
“What are you making?” I ask her.
“Another vase,” she laughs.
“It’s a piece of art,” I say to her.
“Let me just finish up and I’ll walk you to the main house,” she offers. I remain quiet, knowing she likes to focus. When she gets the form she wants, she places the vase on a shelf to dry, and walks over to the large sink to wash her hands.
“All ready,” she says. We start walking toward the main house. “Are Elyna and Braden okay?”
“They will be once I make a plan to get them out of the house.” I’ve always tried to cover up my dad’s behavior because I felt embarrassed or ashamed. Last night he showed Izzy his crazy at full blast.
“Yeah, they definitely can’t live there anymore,” she agrees. “Daddy said he’d make a pit stop home from work. Are you nervous to speak to him?”
“Yes, I care what your father thinks.”
Her eyes crease at the corners and her lips tip up. “He loves you like a son, Luc. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“Thanks, Izzy.” I squeeze her arm, wanting to play it safe.
We reach the door to the main house and head inside the foyer as her father comes to the door from the kitchen. He’s in uniform.
“Hi, son, we didn’t have time to catch up last night,” he says to me and he extends his hand to shake mine.
“Hi, Mr. Thorne, no we didn’t,” I reply, shaking his hand.
“Do you have time for a cup of coffee with an old guy?” Mr. Thorne asks, a slight kind smile tipping his lips.
“Always,” I reply. “Lead the way.”
“I’ll catch you two soon. There’s something I need to do,” Izzy says. Knowing Izzy, she doesn’t want to be around when I ask permission to date her. Although, she does seem to be a little antsy this morning. I hope my dad’s behavior didn’t scare her that much last night.
I follow Mr. Thorne into the kitchen. He walks up to his espresso maker. “Nothing like a good cup of coffee during the day. What can I make you, Luc?”
“I’ll have what you’re having,” I say to him.
He raises both brows. “You want a double espresso shot, no sugar, black?”
I wince and chuckle. “On second thought, I’ll take a cappuccino. One shot is fine for me. I’m careful with caffeine intake.”
“I watched you play in the finals against Denver. I was proud of you, son,” he says to me. Talking to Mr. Thorne always made me feel good. He has a way of lifting your spirits.
