Page 34 of At the Edge with You

She shakes her head. “I play hockey, but I want to do what you do.”

“Why don’t you?”

She fiddles with the edge of her tee. It’s a Belles tee, so her dad or mom must play. “Um, that’s another reason why I came in,” she admits softly. “I’ve played hockey my whole life, but I just don’t like it. And when you took over the program, my dad suggested I come talk to you.”

I beam at her, and I notice she’s on skates. “Awesome. I’d love to work with you. Why don’t you come skate with me?”

Her eyes fill with excitement. “Really?”

“Really,” I agree, beckoning her out onto the ice. “But first, you gotta tell me your name.”

Her face flushes. “Skyye Moore.”

I bring in my brows as her features register. “Dean Moore’s your dad?”

She’s his twin, and she obviously adores him. Such pride fills her gaze. “Yup.”

I envy that look. I wish I were proud of who my dad is. Now, if you mention Kitty or my grandpa, I’m sure I have the same look. “I grew up with him.”

“Yeah, he told me, and it’s why he’s encouraging me to take up figure skating. Because of you.”

My heart warms as she comes out onto the ice. She’s a sweet girl, very shy, which is surprising with how rambunctious Dean was when we were kids. I remember him and Jett running amok through town and causing pure mayhem on the ice. They were like the Bash Brothers from theMighty Ducks. Two meatheads running into everyone but then scoring like they didn’t just rock your world three seconds ago. It was a blast to watch.

It doesn’t take long for me to realize that, like Dean, she is very talented and easily coached. Every correction I have, shemakes with ease. She listens, and after only an hour, I know I want to work with her. “What are your goals?”

She swallows hard. “I know I’ll never make the Olympics. I’m too old.”

I bring in my brows. “That’s not true. How old are you?”

“Fourteen.”

I wave her off. “I went at eighteen, and I’m sure you know Jett. He only had four years before he went.”

She chews on her lip. “But that’s because of you. You were so talented, it made him look good.”

I snort at that, and even though I am two seconds from hiding his body in the woods my mother loves so much, I admit, “While I appreciate the praise, Jett was actually extremely talented and worked really hard to complement me on the ice. If anything, I skated so well because of him.”

My parents would argue that till they’re blue in the face, but I know the truth.

We wouldn’t have won without each other.

Her eyes widen at that. “Really? Dad always says it’s because of you.”

I smile. “Really. Just like Jett, you’re a natural.”

Skyye’s eyes fill with hope. “So, you think…”

Her voice trails off, and I shrug.

“I think if you work for it, you could make it.”

“But if not, think I can skate for Disney on Ice?”

I grin widely. “Oh, that’s a given.”

Skyye’s whole body lights up, and when she gives a little wiggle of excitement, my heart sings. It’s moments like these that fill my cup. I never thought I wanted to coach when I was younger, but it truly is my calling.

When her gaze moves past me, I turn to see Dean Moore standing at the entrance by the glass. Dean has always been a handsome guy; he was a heartthrob when we were younger, andno one could ever lock him down. He has shaggy reddish-brown hair with the lightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. He’s massive, but then, everyone is bigger than me. Even twenty years later, he’s as handsome as he was when we were kids, all sharp angles to his face and a proud nose. Beside me, Skyye waves, and he smiles, waving back, admiration in his eyes for his girl.

---