CHAPTER TWO

RYAN STANLEY

“I feel a connection to her.”

"Good job, Hornby! Attack the net!" I watch as Gage dribbles the puck down the ice. He's a talented player, better than I expected to find in small-town Montana, but I guess it doesn't matter where you're from, a naturally gifted person can come from anywhere. And Gage Hornby is as good as anyone I played on my way to the professional hockey league.

My gaze wanders to the stands where his sister Paige stands cheering. Honey-blonde waves rest on her shoulders as her brown eyes follow her brother’s movements.

Despite barely knowing the woman, I feel a connection to her, and it's not just a physical attraction. Paige is taking care of her younger siblings like I took care of Brooke after our parents died.

I don’t know the full story about their parents—whether they’ve passed or are just absent—but becoming the caretaker for a sibling is tough. Choosing to bear that responsibility tests a person and reveals their true character.

With Gage being such a good kid, I can only believe it’s Paige’s influence, emphasizing the fact that she’s not only beautiful but kind and trustworthy, too. Which has been rare to find in the circles of women who used to surround me after games and at athletic events.

Gage shoots the puck into the top left corner of the net as the goalie stretches to block it and fails. The crowd’s cheers become an uproar when the loud buzzer declares a goal, and my eyes immediately find Paige clapping happily, her little brother standing beside her.

Getting involved with a player’s family member is a bad idea. It’s not officially off-limits according to the athletic rules, but it probably should be. Not that I plan on giving Gage special treatment if anything were to happen between me and his sister.

What the fuck are you talking about?

I’m acting like she’s even interested in dating a retired hockey player who doesn’t have one long-term relationship to his name. For all I know, she could already have a boyfriend.

Wouldn’t he be here supporting her family, though?

There are plenty of men stationed around Paige, but none of them appear to be with her and Levi.

Maybe I’ll ask Samantha if she knows anything about Paige's love life.

Samantha Manning grew up here and is an honorary member of the Heirs of Guardian Valley Club since falling for an actual heir to the deceased Dell Foster’s billions. It’s his company’s fault that Brooke and I’s parents are gone—a crash of Foster’s private company jet two decades ago.

He’s the reason I’m even in Guardian Valley after retiring. Because a stipulation of his will is living in Guardian Valley for one year. I could’ve stayed in a cabin on Serenity Ranch like some of the other heirs, but I prefer living in town, closer to the high school and ice rink.

If you ask Samantha about Paige, then all of the heirs will learn of your interest, including Brooke.

My sister will end up pestering me with questions, but it’ll be worth it to know if Paige is single—to see if I’ve got a shot with the curvy beauty.

***

I glide across the empty ice after practice, determined to keep my skills sharp rather than slacking off now that I’m not playing professionally. Samantha’s confirmation that Paige isn’t seeing anyone has been burning a hole in my mind for the past three days, so the chance to let off some steam by racing across the ice and slamming pucks into the net is a necessary outlet.

A door opening and closing echoes in the arena. No one should be here. The custodian already said goodbye and asked me to remember to shut off the lights when I was done.

As I skate to center ice, the intruder slowly comes into view—the object of my thoughts, Paige Hornby. She’s dressed for the wintry weather outside in a thick coat, knit beanie, and calve-conforming boots that lead to thick, jean-clad thighs.

“Can I help you?” I ask, glancing behind her to see if her brothers are in tow, but it looks like she’s alone.

Paige yelps and jumps backward before her gaze finds mine and squints. “Coach Stanley? What are you still doing here?”

“Call me Ryan, and I could ask you the same thing. I thought you’d be home by now with the boys.”

“Gage forgot his algebra book.” The book in question rests on the bleacher her brother occupied while waiting to be picked up after practice.

“So, you jimmied the locks to break in for it? Should I notify law enforcement?”

She laughs, and a ray of light sparks down my spine at the bright sound. The momentary amusement relieves the lines of stress I've noticed outline her face. They don’t detract from her attractiveness, but they definitely concern me.

I don’t like the idea of her burdened with worry.

I don’t like it at all.

Maybe you should do something about it.

After all, she’s Gage and Levi’s guardian, but maybe I could be hers …