“From hockey to fishing in a split second.” A little of the excitement leaked from Emma’s expression. “Sure.”
Ty hurried in the direction of the outdoors department where Faith carried a limited supply of recreational gear for tourists, and Emma 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 notoriety 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 supposed 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 Emma 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.” Emma’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,” Emma 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.”
Emma 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?” Emma said. “So? Is that why he’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,” Emma said.
When Caleb didn’t yell back or appear, Faith muttered, “So much for working here.” Then she told Emma, “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 Emma now. “I tell him to search YouTube.”
“Faith...” Emma 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.”
Emma heaved an exasperated sigh.
“And speaking of YouTube, when can we get together to figure something out for me? I’m serious, Emma. I’m bleeding money faster than it’s getting pumped back in. It’s only a matter of time. Do you want me to sell this place and move away from you and Caleb? Because that’s about where my life is headed at the moment.”
A pained look came over Emma’s face. Faith hated to paint such a bleak picture, but she was very serious. And that was what Faith saw in her future.