Quick Trick (Rough Riders Hockey 1)

Faith lifted her gaze to Taylor, grinning. “I’ll talk to your mom about it.”

“Thanks, Aunt Faith.” He turned to his mother. “Can I go look at the fishing poles?”

“From hockey to fishing in a split second.” A little of the excitement leaked from Taylor’s expression. “Sure.”

Caleb hurried in the direction of the outdoors department where Faith carried a limited supply of recreational gear for tourists, and Taylor came toward Faith.

“That’s who you met at the bar the other night,” she said, voice lowered. “The guy you said asked you out, right? Grant Saber?”

“Yeah.” Her stomach tightened. “Why? Who is he?”

“He’s a center for the Rough Riders.” Her voice and expression held as much excitement as her son’s.

But Faith was having a hard time placing the Rough Riders. “I’m guessing that’s a hockey team?”

That accounted for his great build. This celebrity Faith couldn’t appreciate was obviously why he’d thought she should have known him. It also seemed to be what he was looking for every time he came into the store.

“It’s an NHL team, Faith.”

“Don’t say that like I’m suppos

ed to know. You know I don’t have time to watch television. And I only pretended to watch sports to keep Dad company.”

“Why has he been coming in? Did he ask you out again? Because you should go. He’s hot. And he’s loaded.”

“And he’s just looking to get laid like his brothers.” She gave Taylor a look. “You hate his brothers. You turn them down every time they’re in town. Why would you suggest I go out with Grant?” Suddenly, she was mad. “Do you really think I’m so bad off that I need to go out and fuck some slutty player? Because I’ve got more important things—”

“No.” Taylor’s hand closed over Faith’s forearm, her voice level again, her eyes serious. “That’s not what I meant.”

Faith shut her mouth and lifted both hands to her face to rub at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m tired.” She’d lost sleep over Grant. Grant and all the little fantasies he’d stirred in her head. She swept a gesture over the lighting extravaganza equipment. “And Dwayne just dumped this project on me.”

She crouched and started winding light strands from palm to elbow, palm to elbow.

“What I meant,” Taylor said, “is that he’s not his brothers. He’s never been in town. This is the first time he’s been back since he went pro.”

Now she was sort of impressed that he hadn’t told her that he was a pro hockey player, or that he was here to help coach the local teams when he’d come into the store. And she didn’t want to be impressed. Because she didn’t have time or patience for this shit. “That doesn’t matter. He’s still looking to get laid. What is it about these guys? Do they think we’re all hard up because we’re out here in the boonies? It may be true, but it’s still insulting.”

Taylor laughed. Hard. Which brought a reluctant smile to Faith’s lips.

“It is really cool to see Caleb excited about something, though,” Faith said. “I haven’t seen his eyes light up like that in a long time.”

“Right?” Taylor said. “So is that why Grant’s been in here so much?”

Faith shrugged as she finished rolling a strand, secured the end and started on another. She’d be here the rest of the day untangling these things. “Hey, Caleb,” she yelled through the store. “If you come untangle these lights for me, I’ll pay you.”

“Stop avoiding the question,” Taylor said.

When Caleb didn’t yell back or appear, Faith muttered, “So much for working here. Guess I’ll be hiring Billy Danielson after all.” Then she told Taylor, “Grant’s staying with his parents. Apparently, they don’t get along all that well, so he picked up some odd jobs around the house to stay busy and away from them. He’s always here picking up supplies and asking for advice.”

“And? Are you helping him?”

“Sure.” She smiled up at Taylor now. “I tell him to search YouTube.”

“Faith…” Taylor dropped her arms and rolled her eyes.

“I don’t have time to babysit him. He’s a grown-ass man. He can figure it out himself.”

Taylor heaved an exasperated sigh.