Page 80 of Ice Princess

My heart warms when I see Rebel sharing one of her brilliant, sincere smiles with Gordie. Her entire demeanor seems softer and more approachable when she’s with the little girl. I bet she’d make an amazing mom.

Even better if she was the mother ofmyfuture children.

Whoa. Did I really just think that?

“I guess it’s serious between you two,” Renthrow says, watching me and then Rebel.

Uncomfortable with where my thoughts are leading, I don’t answer that and slap him on the back instead. “Fuel up. We’ve got a lot to do today.”

I pretend not to notice his thoughtful look and walk toward Max. The team manager is finished with his phone call now and is standing with his back to the rest of the team, his shoulders slumped.

“Something wrong?” I ask Max quietly.

He flashes me a quick glance and then shakes his head. “I reached out to some of my old college buddies, hoping I could get us some more sponsors. None of them bit.”

“I was thinking about our sponsorship issue. Have you ever thought of finding a sponsor in the city?”

“Of course I did. I’m not an idiot.” Max’s voice bristles with frustration. “I was schmoozing and dining all the usual potential sponsors before I’d taken office. No one was interested.”

“Try again.”

“Why?”

“Things have changed.” I recall Ann’s excitement while waiting on us and the way everyone had yelled out to me as I passed table after table. “Being the biggest fish in the smallest pond has its advantages. I’d reach out to the sponsors again.”

“Alright. I’ll give it a shot.” He checks his watch. “Should we get started?”

I nod.

Max approaches the team that’s gathered around the food truck, chatting, eating and drinking. He claps his hands to get their attention. Max is about the size of a bear and his paws are twice the size of my own. The clap getseveryone’sattention.

“Pack it up, team. I didn’t cancel morning practice so we could prance around eating sandwiches. We’re here to sweat, burn calories and help our community.” Max glances at me, indicating I should take over.

I meet Rebel’s crystal blue gaze. “Rebel, what would you like us to do first?”

“Um…” Her eyes wander to the ground and I see her take a deep breath. When she lifts her head again, her stare is firm and direct.

The bold and confident Rebel is back.

“I’ll need twelve guys on the school building. Two on the basketball court.” She takes big strides forward, explaining what she wants to happen in each area for today’s community service.

As she moves, I get the sense that this is no longer a Lucky Strikers event.

We’re in Rebel Hart’s garage now.

“Did you all get that?” Rebel asks, her voice strong and sure despite it originating from her delicate, beautiful frame.

“Yes, ma’am!” Theilan yells.

Watson points at me and then gestures to Rebel. “Gunner, you sure you can handle all of this!”

Rebel’s lips curl up in my direction. Her eyes crinkle at the corners. It’s the closest she’s ever come toreallysmiling at me and my heart thuds in that strangely familiar way.

“Let’s get to work!” Rebel orders.

While everyone jogs off to get to their tasks, a fancy black car drives up to the food truck. It looks completely out of place amidst all the rugged pickups and four-wheelers nearby, so I stop and take notice.

The door pops open and a frazzled voice says, “Am I late?”

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