Page 70 of Muskoka Blue

Sarah’s heart cramped. A week ago she could’ve believed she was that girl. Now she knew better.

“Such a shame.” The blonde shook her head. “Guys like him never go for girls like us.”

Us? Sarah bit her lip. Imagine if Rochelle knew Sarah had kissed him.

Rochelle sighed. “I bet he has women throwing themselves at him all the time.”

Sarah’s skin crawled. Was that how Dan had seen things? She was just another girl who’d thrown herself at him?

Rochelle shook her head, then slowly started scanning the items. “Those guys are all the same. Won’t even say hello to you unless you’re a supermodel.” She glanced over Sarah’s shoulder, her face darkening as she scowled. “See what I mean? Look at her. Typical hockey-player fare.”

Don’t look back, don’t look back—

Sarah glanced over her shoulder. Her mouth dropped. So it really was true. She watched as brunette Barbie from next door drew close to Dan, flicking her long hair over one bare, tanned shoulder as she touched him on the arm, whispering something to him before laughing. He smiled down at her.

Sarah swallowed. “Would you mind hurrying, please? I really need to go.”

Before Dan could see her. Before she could be humiliated even more.

* * *

Dan glanced at Ella.The brunette hadn’t stopped talking since he’d met her down the street an hour ago. She’d been gushing about his house, the location, the cute town.

“And Simone and Jace?”

“They’re feeling so much better about things now. Thanks to you.” She squeezed his arm. “I’m so glad you could come.”

He shrugged. “I’m doing a hockey clinic with Brendan and Marc.” In two days. In Peterborough. Visiting Muskoka was just a roundabout way of getting there. He smiled to himself. Real roundabout.

“The people around here are so sweet.” She laughed. “I met someone the other day who obviously has a huge crush on you.”

He studied the health information panels on the boxes of cereal. How much sugar?

“Dan?” Ella nudged him. “Don’t you want to know who I’m talking about?”

He shrugged. Who cared? As soon as they finished restocking supplies he had an important date he’d been looking forward to all week. Anticipation rippled through his stomach.

“She was so funny—like a little guard dog but dressed like a bag lady.” Ella plunked a can of tomatoes into the basket. “Her name is Lou, Sue, something like that.”

Dan frowned. “I don’t know anyone of that name.”

“Ha! I knew she didn’t know you.”

Why was Ella keeping on with this? “What’d she look like?”

“She’s fair.” Ella shrugged. “Fair to middling, anyway.” She giggled, then turned blue eyes on him. “Oh, and she’s British.”

“Nope. Don’t know her.”

Thirty minutes later they were back on the road to his house. Trees flashed by. His heart caught as they passed the section where he’d spun out all those weeks ago. He shook his head. What a fool he’d been…

They rounded another corner. “Look! There she is.” Ella pointed ahead. “That’s Lou.”

Dan squinted and saw a familiar bike, halted in the middle of the road, its familiar-looking rider standing frozen. Dan frowned. Lou?

“What on earth is she doing?” The Jeep drew closer. Ella gasped. “Oh my goodness!”

Dan’s heart stopped. Sarah stood in front of a black bear.

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