Page 131 of Ice Princess

As usual, mom is being dramatic.

“Don’t give me that look, Gunner Kinsey. Marjorie and the girls wentbehindmy back and gave the Hart girl access to one of our biggest donors. Rodney Howard won’t even pick up my callsanymore. He had his secretary send me an email saying he’ll only work with Rebel now.”

I frown. Rodney Howard isn’t high on my list of favorite people at the moment.

“Maybe you shouldn’t accept his money then.”

“I can’t do that!” Mom shrieks.

“Why not?”

“Do you know how many teachers from the school stopped by to thank me? Whether I like that girl or not, it’s true that we haven’t been as… dedicated to her side of town as we could have been. I don’t want the Society’s power struggle to affect the people who need help the most.”

I study her, pleased to hear that her heart is still to help the town.

Mom rolls her eyes. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. Even if I’ve changed my mind a little bit, I still don’t approve of that girl.”

Sure, but she respects Rebel’s cause now and that’s a step in the right direction.

I lean down and give mom a hug.

She grouchily smacks my shoulder. “Harumph. You haven’t been back for a proper hour yet and you’ve already ticked me off. And where are your bags?” Mom nudges me away to look around.

“In Chance’s convertible. I’ll get them from him later.”

She motions me inside. “I made your favorite, mashed potatoes and steak. And there’s pie in the fridge.”

My stomach grumbles. I skipped breakfast so I could be early for the meeting with the lawyers—a meeting that went as well as a defenseman wearing two left skates on the ice. It looks like the only way to get the information I seek is by digging around myself.

Mom hums as she fixes a plate and sets it in front of me. When she sees me looking at her, she stops. “Is something on my face?”

I shake my head.

“I’m almost done here. Go wash up and I’ll have the table set.”

“Mom?”

“Mm?” She continues stirring the gravy.

I’m not sure how to ask what I need to and the silence lengthens.

Mom lets out a nervous laugh. “What’s the big announcement, Gunner?”

I look down, trying to find a way to interrogate my own mother.

Mom goes pale. “You didn’t… you didn’t propose to that girl, did you?”

I shake my head.

She folds forward, her shoulders sagging in relief.

“But someday…”

Mom’s eyes zing to me. “Someday what?”

“Someday I’d like to.”

“Gunner.”

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