Page 71 of Her Rugged Guardian

“Whoa,” two of the players said at the same time.

Bruno was pitched backward, immediately cupping his face.

“Hey. Don’t,” Riley huffed. “What was that for?”

“Now, we’re even,” I told the entire crowd. Sweat had beaded over my forehead and it felt good.

“You’re a bastard, but one damn good player,” Bruno told me, giving me a nod. “We could use talent like yours.”

I laughed and handed him his stick, shaking my head. “I think I’ll stick to contracting.” The other guys waved me off, headed to change. My brother remained on the ice.

Riley skated around me in a full circle, eyeing me carefully. “You did good with Bruno.”

“You mean not beating him senseless?”

Chuckling, he shook his head. “Something like that. It’s good because I’m sure the gossip mill will be active soon.”

“Why?”

He blew out as if whatever he was preparing to tell me was the last thing he’d wanted to do. “I hate being the bearer of bad news, but Bruno and Tammy are getting married. Don’t shoot the messenger.” Wincing, he skated backwards, making a sign of the cross.

“You know what? Four days ago, I would have spent the night downing shots. Not anymore. Time to let bygones be bygones.”

“What alien crawled into my brother’s body?” He grinned and skated closer. “Whoa, you’re serious.”

“Yep.”

“What happened?” He studied me as if dissecting a frog. “You met someone.”

“Maybe.”

“Hot damn. Who is she?”

I shrugged and he punched me in the arm. “Fine. Don’t you say a goddamn word. She’s Margaret Dayne’s daughter.”

“Really? I heard Margaret had left the place to somebody. Who would have guessed? How much do you like her?”

“Enough that I should leave her alone, do everything I can not to see her again.”

“That’s going to be tough since you live down the road. I can tell she’s good for you.”

“How so?”

“You’re here, aren’t ya?”

Smirking, I rubbed my jaw, the aches and pains already starting. The moment of awkward silence was like a heavy weight. I’d wanted him to volunteer about heading to Vancouver, but I could see that wasn’t going to happen.

“Okay, so what are you really doing here, brother?”

“Practicing like you suggested.” And yeah, Cassandra encouraged me as well.

“Right. You don’t do anything without an ulterior motive, and you know it.”

“Fine. When were you going to tell me about Vancouver?”

His expression didn’t change but he looked away as if embarrassed. “Shit. I meant to tell you the other night.”

“But you didn’t.”

---