Holiday Hockey Tale The Icebreaker's Impasse (By Ivory Row) novel Chapter 27

Luci

“Sorry Luci, dinner is running behind. Maybe Cole can get his bath first? Baker says with an apologetic smile from the doorway to Cole’s bedroom.

“Sure, I’m almost done with the head part of his costume and he can try it on before his bath.” I stitch up the last of the wattle and the two crazy yellow feathers that will stick out on top. Baker never runs behind. Maybe he has Mondays like the rest of us. He did say he struggled with the eggs in his basket too. Though all my eggs are scrambled lately. I run his bath first.

“Coco, come try this on.” I tell him and he races over. He’s been repeating his two lines nonstop this afternoon. This turkey thing is a big deal to him. I slip it over his head and laugh. “Go check the mirror.”

He does and lets out a big laugh. “I look like half a turkey.”

“You are half a turkey. Take it off for your bath. We’ll work on the body and tail starting tomorrow.” I slip it into my bag and pack my portable sewing machine away. As I do, there’s a knock on the door. Thinking it’s Baker, I call out for them to come in. Instead Easton steps in and Cole runs for him. I look away and finish picking up the fabric pieces I missed tossing in the trash. “Time for your bath, huh, buddy? Baker says dinner will be ready in ten minutes. Think you can get bathed that fast? It’s one of your favorites, chicken fettucini.”

“Yum Daddy. I’ll hurry.” He races into the bathroom and within seconds I hear the water splash. “Sorry Luci.”

“It’s fine. I’ll wipe it up.” I call out, turning only to ram right into Easton. “Sorry.” I mumble.

“No, my fault. Got distracted and let you run right into me. Like chicken fettucini?” I peek up to find him staring at me with a small, amused smile on his face.

“Umm yes I do.” I turn to head for the bathroom and I hear him following.

“What is your favorite food, Luci?” He asks quietly as Cole watches us. I glance back at him, which was a mistake. He’s leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, showing off every muscle in his chest and arms in a tight blue athletic shirt with sweatpants. I grab the towel I was reaching for and sit on the floor to wipe up the water.

“I have more than one. I like to eat too much for that.” I mumble helping Cole wash his hair.

“But what are they, Luci?” Cole asks now.

“Mmm chocolate, pasta, Chinese is probably my most favorite, or that chicken and rice casserole that Baker made the other night. Steaks and mashed potatoes, anything with cheese, creme brulee…see I like to eat too much.” I make a face at Cole and he laughs. After helping him out, I mention grabbing his pajamas. As I’m pulling them from the drawer, Easton asks him if he’d like to wear his shark robe. Cole exclaims his agreement happily and I look blankly in the drawer for it. “Closet behind you. Top shelf.” He answers as he rubs the towel over Cole’s hair. I nod and open the closet, staring up at the bit of shark I can see hanging off the edge. I jump but still can’t reach it. Suddenly, all the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and without looking, I know he’s right behind me. He radiates heat. He’s close but doesn’t touch me in any way. “Here I’ll grab it, short stuff.” His hand reaches up and snags it easily. He turns instead of backing up as he unrolls it over my head. I slip past him, letting out my breath slowly. Apparently, I was holding it.

You guys were a big hit at the game Your new friend has connections with the camera quy

I wince and look down. Sorry, I know I’m supposed to be hidden. But the boys were excited and she she doesn’t know that about me yet. I didn’t want it won’t happen again. I’m sure your coach lost it

A finger pushes my chin up and he’s looking right into my eyes. “You shouldn’t be hidden. We don’t give a **** what Humphries says, sweetness. It WILL happen the next game. Cole loved that and so did the team.” He smirks slowly before releasing my chin and then pushing my hair behind my ear. “You have bubbles on your ear

“Oh. Too much bubble bath.” Wow Luci, great talking skills today.

“Dinner’s ready.” Baker calls down the hall and Cole grabs my hand.

“I’m a hungry shark. Are you hungry Luci?” Easton grabs his other hand keeping him between us.

“I should probably go home and let you eat dinner with your daddy.” I protest and Cole starts shaking his head.

“No, you have to put me to bed. You promised.”

“I did. Alright, I’ll stay.”

The other three are there with Baker making plates and setting the table. “Cole the shark, what would you like to drink? We have the finest water or apple juice for you to choose from.” Becker says grinning.

“Apple juice.” He proclaims before jumping into his chair at the table. I push his chair in.

“And for Luci Lou?” Becker asks.

Before I can answer, I hear Easton. “She wants sweet tea. It’s what she gets anytime it’s in the fridge. Baker, did you make a new pitcher today?” I turn, doing a double take as I watch him removing the pitcher. Cole calls my name luckily and I close my gaping mouth. How did he know that?

“I did. Luci likes her tea.” Baker gives me a smile and I return it. He spoils me.

I am about to turn for the stove to make my plate when a glass of tea appears on the table and I hear the chair slide back. Easton stands there setting the plate down pointing to the chair. Cole chatters nonstop about his Thanksgiving program coming up, carefully leaving out his role in it. He doesn’t mention our run in with Maxton. I might need to tell Easton about it since Cole was there but I’m guessing he knows him since he’s on the team.

“I made chocolate cake.” Baker announces as we finish eating.

“Baker is the best!” Cole proclaims and I laugh.

“High praise Mr. Cole.” Baker chuckles.

“Baker is the best.” I add with a warm smile, trying to ignore the fact Easton has been staring at me intently all night.

Easton

“I’ll walk you out to your car. Did you only wear that thin sweater? It’s freezing outside Luci.” She was mostly silent during dinner, but Cole always talks much more than the rest of us.

“Well, I’m inside the whole time and I left my coat at home when Cole and I stopped by there to pick something up. It seemed silly to turn around for it since we weren’t playing outside.” She’s spent all night completely off balance and flustered. Which was the goal to make sure she realizes she has my attention.

I grab my extra hoodie I left with my bag by the front door and tell her to stop. “Here.” I tug it over her head and she stares up at me wide–eyed. “It’s very thick. Should keep you warm.” She gapes at me and I can’t hold back the chuckle. “Arms in sweetness. Gotta dress you like Cole, huh?”

She comes out of her silent stupor, slipping her arms inside. “You don’t have to but thank you. It is warm.”

“Have to take care of our Luci.” I watch her face scrunch up confused and hold back the laugh. Oh sweetness, you decided that I didn’t want you, so now I get to prove it.

She’s silent the rest of the walk to her car. “Goodnight Luci.”

“Nite” is all she says before leaving. I take out my phone and text Sydney. I cornered her later in the day, explaining what Luci did. She agreed to help only after threatening to cut my balls off and feed them to wildlife if I hurt her. “What’s her favorite flower?”

“Sunflowers, those big colorful daisies and that’s probably it. Luci’s never gotten flowers from a guy except my brother at graduation.”

That irritates the f*****g hell out of me. “What did he get her?”

“Half a dozen tulips.”

I can definitely do better than that. Maybe two dozen flowers. I hurry inside to find my brothers sitting with Baker eating more cake. “You definitely got to her.” Jackson lifts his fork in salute.

“I did. Thanks, Baker, for delaying dinner.”

He flashes a knowing smile. “I suppose I should make sure dinner is a group event every night going forward.” “If you can.” I don’t want him messing with Cole’s schedule too much and told him I’ll communicate when we’ll be done with practice. I’ll put laxatives in Humphries water bottle if necessary.

“Easy enough to do. Someone needs to treat our Luci to something special.”

“If she’ll let me. Be right back.” I hurry down to Cole’s room hoping he’s still awake. He is and I cross to his bed quickly.

“Luci left Daddy?”

“Yes. I need you to help Daddy and ask Luci if she’ll put you to bed every night this week. And we have to keep learning all her favorite things. So we can surprise her.” Might be underhanded to use a cute little boy, but I believe in fighting dirty if you must. I got Baker to explain that to him before I got home.

“Daddy, you like Luci?”

“I do. Who doesn’t?” I don’t want to give him ideas yet.

“The guy on your team who’s mean. The one who pushed the lady outside the hockey rink.” My mind races fast.

“Maxton?”

“Don’t know his name. He called Luci little mouse.” Definitely him. Proof of prick identity there.

“What did he do, Cole?”

“We were at the craft store and he asked Luci on a date. He got mad when she said no and grabbed her arm.

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