Page 29 of An Alaskan Wedding (Alaskan Grooms 1)

Perhaps that was the reason she seemed to have taken such a liking to Jasper. It was possible that being around him reminded her of the grandfather she’d lost.

“So, I’m more than happy to teach you to skate.” Grace said.

Boone looked over at the lake. “I don’t think that would be a very good idea.”

She put her hands on her hips. “And why not? You asked me out on a date, Boone Prescott, which means you have to see to it that I have a good time.”

“And you can’t have a good time unless I’m stumbling around on the ice?” Boone could picture it vividly in his mind’s eye. At close to six foot two, he’d go down like a mighty spruce tree. It wouldn’t be pretty. And then Grace would never want to go out with him again.

“I’ll have a much better time if we’re together out on the ice,” she said sweetly, flashing him her most endearing smile. Grace’s smile did a number on him. For the first time in his life he wished he could skate as proficiently as a professional hockey player, if only to whirl Grace around the ice and give her the date she’d imagined.

Boone shifted from one foot to the other. “If I had some skates I’d give it a try, but I don’t own a pair.”

Grace’s lips twitched as if she was sitting on a secret. “Declan told me you might say that.” Declan? When had Grace spoken with Declan?

All of a sudden Grace let out a loud whistle and gestured toward the ice. Declan, racing around the ice as if he was born with skates on, glided toward them. In a graceful motion he stopped short and walked off the ice straight toward them.

“Hi, Grace. Boone. I was waiting for you to arrive. My other pair of skates is in the bag over there by the tree.” He nodded in the direction of a pine tree ten feet away. Declan clapped Boone on the shoulder. “We have the same shoe size. Remember?”

“I’ll get them,” Grace said. “This worked out perfectly. Didn’t it, Boone?”

The minute Grace walked away, Boone turned toward Declan. “You know you’re going to pay for this, don’t you?” Boone said through clenched teeth.

“I figured as much,” Declan said. “But watching Grace teach you to skate will be well worth it.”

Grace made her way back to them, lugging Declan’s skating bag. She had a pleased expression on her face. “Here we go, Boone. Let’s put on your skates.”

The excitement etched on Grace’s face, combined with the enthusiasm oozing from her voice, was undeniable. Seeing her like this—joyful, eager and full of anticipation—was worth a little discomfort on his part. The thought of getting out on the ice for the first time felt a little intimidating, but he was going to embrace it for all it was worth. Because it made her radiant with happiness. Because it mattered to Grace. And the knowledge swept over him like the cold blast of an artic wind. Suddenly, what meant the world to Grace, deeply mattered to him, as well.

As Grace led him onto the ice in front of half the town, Boone uttered a fervent prayer. Please don’t let me make a fool of myself in front of Grace.

* * *

After an hour on the ice, Grace knew it was time to give Boone a reprieve. For a novice, he’d done a great job, even though he’d taken a few hard falls. His cords were covered in frosty ice. In the end, he managed to skate around the ice with her in a somewhat wobbly fashion. She gave him high points for effort and his can-do attitude.

“You were great,” she said as they made their way off the ice.

Boone shot her a look of disbelief. “Seriously? If I fell any more I’d have been mopping up the ice.”

Grace tried to hide her laughter behind her mittened hand. “Your attitude was great. Every time you fell, you got right back up.”

“Of course I did. Can’t have my date thinking I’m soft,” Boone said with a little bit of swagger in his voice.

Boone practically collapsed onto a wooden bench. He flung his arms out to the side and threw his head back, sticking his tongue out. “I think I’ll just stay here for the rest of the night,” Boone said.

“Hey! Look alive, Boone. If we hurry up and take our skates off we can beat the rush for the hot apple cider,” Grace said, darting a glance toward the concessions line. The line wasn’t too crazy at the moment, and the cider would be the perfect way to take the chill out of their bones. Although she thought he looked mighty cute, Boone’s nose was as red as a strawberry.

After hearing her suggestion, Boone bent down and quickly took off Declan’s skates. He heaved a huge sigh as soon as he put on his own boots. As they walked toward the concession stand, they met up with Gunther and Wanda, who were standing in line.

Gunther beamed as Wanda stood next to him, her arm looped through his. They looked like an old married couple.

Gunther called out to them in greeting. “Hey, Boone. Grace. Looking good out there.”

“Hey, Gunther. Wanda. You’re too kind,” Boone drawled. “Gracie was doing all the heavy lifting, keeping me on my feet.”

“Stop being so humble. You were incredible,” Grace raved. “I still can’t believe it was your first time out on the ice. You’re a natural.”

“You two were both great,” said Wanda. “Let’s hope we glide out there as well as these two,” Wanda said with a laugh. Gunther leaned in and tightly clutched Wanda’s hand. They gazed into each other’s eyes as if they were the only two people in the universe. Grace watched the couple as they walked off with cups of cider in their hands.

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