Quick Trick (Rough Riders Hockey 1)

Despite Taylor’s belief that Faith never even entertained the idea of dating again, she did indeed think about it often. Actually, what she thought about more often than dating was just plain old sex. But even that was impossible with the mess in her life right now. Besides, she hadn’t crossed paths with anyone remotely interesting who also happened to be available.

“Not all guys are trouble,” Taylor insisted. “How about Tom? Tom and Mildred have been together forty-eight years. He can’t be trouble if she’s stayed with him through six kids and fifteen grandkids.”

Faith slipped off her stool, turned from the bar, leaned back against the mahogany, and scanned the direction of Taylor’s gaze. But instead of finding Tom, a retired banker in town, her gaze stumbled on a man near the door. Someone she didn’t recognize. A big man in a ball cap, sliding out of a parka. She couldn’t see his whole face beneath the cap’s brim, but he looked young, about her age, and had a nice jawline. The body he unveiled beneath his jacket was even better, stretching his long-sleeved tee with the kind of muscle Faith hadn’t seen outside television or magazines in years. The kind that made sparks tingle low in her gut. He definitely wasn’t from here. She would have noticed that body in her store.

“And Adam,” Taylor continued while Faith scanned the stranger from his wide chest to his snow-covered boots. “He’s a great guy. So is his brother, Dale. And their cousin, Tim, who lives in the next county—”

“Is a serial cheater.” Faith forced her gaze off the stranger and refocused on Taylor with a smile.

“And how would you know that?”

“Hardware store, remember? Guys forget I’m a girl. They talk to me and around me like I’m one of their buddies. And I know Tim’s been off and on with Kelly for months because he keeps cheating on her. Something both Dale and Adam encourage. And even though Tim has a son by Kelly, Dale and Adam keep telling him he should leave ‘the nagging bitch’”—she put the words in air quotes—“and move on. Don’t try to tell me those men aren’t trouble.”

Taylor faced her and leaned against the bar again. “That’s your problem. You know too much.”

“I don’t consider that a problem. I consider not knowing a problem.”

“You never give anyone a chance, Faith.”

She looked down at her drink with half her mind wondering who Sexy at the door belonged to. And wishing she could give him a chance. A big-old-O-for-Christmas chance.

“I’m not looking for trouble again. Been there, done that.” She really couldn’t face being left again either. But that was something she kept to herself. “What I am looking for and what I really need for Christmas is some relief from these money worries. The best thing you could do for me would be to sit your butt in a chair and tell me what you’ve got going on YouTube and how I can tap into that.”

Taylor heaved an exhausted sigh.

When she didn’t start talking, Faith said, “If you don’t tell me, I’m going to ask Caleb. Do you want your eleven-year-old teaching me how to make a YouTube video? ’Cause I know he knows how.”

“Don’t you dare. He’s already too obsessed with the computer as it is.” She put her hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. I’ll talk shop on one condition.”

“Oh God. What?”

“You flirt with the next guy who comes up to you.”

“Flirt? No, uh-uh. I don’t flirt. I’ve never flirted.” She waved the topic away and turned the conversation back around. Taylor had developed her hobby of blogging and creating YouTube videos into a full-fledged, lucrative career. It wasn’t something Faith ever believed she’d consider doing, but right now, she was looking at all possibilities.

“I’ve been seriously thinking about doing a little of what you’re doing with the blogging and videos, but with segments on things I know about, like hardware and fix-it projects. You know, repairing a hole in drywall, fixing a leaky faucet, that sort of thing. I’ve researched it online and I see them out there, but they’re horrible. I could do it way better, but figuring out where to start is overwhelming. I’ve never talked on camera, I don’t know how to target an audience, I barely even use Facebook. And I sure can’t afford professional equipment.”

She took a breath, set down her drink, and rubbed her temples. “Even with the increase in holiday sales, the store isn’t going to keep me afloat. And if it’s not keeping me afloat, it won’t keep anyone afloat, which means I wouldn’t be able to sell it. I need to do something before I lose everything.” She lifted her gaze to Taylor and rested her chin in her hands. “So, what do you think? Are the videos worth my time?”

Taylor exhaled, but the softened look in her eyes gave Faith a little hope. “You are exasperating.”

She smiled. “I’m aware.”

“Yes, I think it’s worth the time. There are a lot of DIY videos out there, but like you said, most of them suck. If you do it right, handle your links and sponsorships right, build a following, you could eventually make a significant income.”

Relief loosened Faith’s shoulders, and she turned her brightest smile on Taylor. “I don’t know anything about links or sponsorships, but I really like the sound of ‘significant income.’ So you’ll show me the ropes?”

“I’ll make you a deal. You give one guy a chance, and I’ll get you started.”

Faith’s expression fell. “That’s blackmail. Friends don’t blackmail friends.”

“Excuse me, Miss Nicholas.”

The man’s voice rolled over her from behind. Deep, slow, confident. Without even looking, she was sure it belonged to Sexy at the door. Faith narrowed her eyes on Taylor. “Did you set this up?”

“You wish.” She widened her eyes a fraction and tipped her head slightly, a gesture Faith read as take a look.

Frustration burned. She was a grown woman, dammit, and she could handle her own relationships—or lack thereof.