Page 7 of Not the Puck Bunny

“Ms. Welling! Head Coach Lampton and the rest of the team are waiting for you. I'm Ursula.” She stuck out her hand. Manicured, bright pink nails matched her hair.

I leaned forward to shake her hand. “It's nice to meet you, Ursula.”

I always made a point of remembering the names of people I worked with, especially those who worked in reception, or as assistants. They seemed to appreciate the effort, and in return, they were more accommodating when I needed anything done. Besides, I didn't want to be one of those faceless CEOs no one could approach without wanting to pee their pants.

“If you don't mind me asking, Ms. Welling…" Her blue eyes were tentative behind long lashes that looked real.

“Please, call me Andi,” I said. “I don't foresee any big changes. At least, not right away. Your job is safe. As long as you keep doing it to the best of your abilities.” Ugh, now I sounded like my mother. I smiled, hoping it didn't look like I was the one who suddenly needed to pee.

She smiled and visibly relaxed. “I always do, Ms.… Andi. If you need anything, just give me a shout.”

“If you could point me to where the team is waiting?” I hadn't stepped foot in the arena before. I hadn't expected to. Not before my father dropped this in my lap five days ago.

I knew what this was. A test in the form of a gift. If I could run an ice hockey team, I could add it to my resume. When it came to choosing his replacement as CEO, it'd set me apart from other prospective candidates.

Why an ice hockey team? I had no idea. Probably because he was well aware I knew absolutely nothing about the sport. He was generous at throwing me in at the deep end.

I was determined not to drown. I also needed tostop thinking about water, or I'd need a pit stop at the toilet.

“Of course,” Ursula said, her tone perky. She stood and led me over to a bank of elevators. “Third floor. When you get out, turn left, then turn right. Go all the way to the end of the corridor and you'll see the meeting room. They'll be in there.”

“Not out on the ice?” According to a sign beside one of the elevators, the rink was downstairs from the reception desk, to the rear of the building. Beside the massive public car park.

“Shouldn't they be training or something?” I didn't want to disrupt their routine. Assuming they had one. Was that a thing with sporting teams? I presumed it was, otherwise their days would be in disarray. If there was anything I hated, it was disarray.

“Not for this meeting,” Ursula said. “This is a big deal. We've been speculating ever since your father bought the Sea Dragons. After the last owner, the guys were nervous. I mean, who bets against their own team?” She made a face.

Probably someone who saw the Sea Dragons’ loss record last season. That was a thought I'd keep to myself. I got it, morale wasn't great around here.That was one of many items on my list to rectify, if I could.

“Someone who's in the team's past,” I said. And good riddance. “As evidenced by the Sea Dragons' win the other night.”

Ursula beamed. “They did so well,” she enthused. “Especially Cam and Flynn.”

“Cameron North and Flynn Weston,” I said, picturing the team roster I'd spent yesterday memorizing.

Ursula's smile broadened. “Yes, them. They've both been superstars in the pre-season. Along with Nate Southwell and Blake Eastwood. They're tight off the ice too, the four of them. Like brothers, even if the family is slightly dysfunctional.”

I committed all of that to memory. “What family isn't a little dysfunctional?” I said with a slight laugh.

Her smile didn't falter. “Mine certainly is. But I've kept you for long enough. I'm so sorry!”

“Don't be,” I said easily. “It's nice to know the inner workings of the team.”

“The gossip, you mean,” she admitted.

I smiled. “Gossip has its place. I expect you'll keep me up-to-date with all the gossip I need to know.”

“If you need gossip, I'm your girl.” She noddedand hurried back to her desk as another person approached.

I pressed the up button and waited for the elevator. The bank contained three of them, apparently all of which were currently at level four.

I tapped my toes on the floor and waited while they remained at level four. I pressed the up button again, for extra oomph, as if that would get me there sooner, and kept waiting.

Finally, the elevator on the right started to move. Up to level five.

“Of course,” I said under my breath.

The elevator on the left moved down to level three, before returning to level four.

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