Page 26 of Offside and Off-Limits
“I’ll help in whatever way I can. Just say the word,” I say without a second thought. I might not have been here all that long, but I’ve made this town my new home for the season. The last thing I want is for it to lose its small-town charm and turn into one of those bland places with zero appeal. And if the Ice Breakers have to move to another town, not only will that affect me, but it’ll mean Clara would have to move, too. Either that or lose her job.
“Really?”
“Of course. This town matters to me.”
Her features relax a notch. “Thank you,” she breathes. “I’ve got some ideas.”
“I bet you have, Triple.” I give her a smile and enjoy the way the pink of her cheeks deepens.
“Lennox? Who is it?” Jamie’s voice says behind me.
“It's Triple Threat,” I call out, not pulling my eyes from hers, because I think Clara Johnson might have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. Big and blue and judging me. Really, it would be a crime not to look at them as much as humanly possible.
She rolls those beautiful eyes at the mention of her nickname.
“Who?” Jamie appears beside me “Oh, hey, Clara. Good to see you again,” he says.
“It's good to see you again, too, Mr. Hayes,” she replies.
“It’s Jamie. Or Captain, if you’re so inclined.”
She scrunches up her nose. “I think I’ll go with Jamie.”
“Clara was just telling me about how Maple Falls is under threat from some heir to the town who wants to develop it,” I explain.
“I heard that, too,” Jamie says, which surprises me, but then he is the captain so maybe someone from Management thought he ought to know. “Is that what’s in the envelope?” He gestures at what Clara’s holding in her hands, which I hadn’t even noticed, I was so busy being entranced by her gorgeousness.
“Actually, this is some information for the upcoming social media campaigns,” she says, holding out a brown envelope for me.
“This is all the stuff you and I are going to do together?” I reply as I take it from her.
She pulls her lips into a line. “There are some general ones for volunteers, as well as the ones Veronica and I worked on this week for just you and me.”
“Well, it's super nice of you to deliver it personally,” I say.
“Oh, I live nearby. It's no bother.”
“You live on my street?”
She gives a reluctant nod, and I bet she hadn't planned on sharing that particular piece of information with me.
“Which direction? East or west?”
“I live at the old end,” she says, and I know it’s a comment about the difference in our financial status more than anything geographical. According to the realtor, the house I’m renting is one of a few new, larger places that have sprung up since the town’s fortunes changed following the first Ice Breaker team.
“I’ll be sure to swing by for coffee sometime,” I say, and she shifts her weight, looking embarrassed.
Oh, yeah. She’s definitely feeling this thing between us.
I couldn’t stop my smile from busting out if I wanted to. And I don’t want to. Clara Johnson is one hundred percent my kindof woman. She’s smart and ambitious and sexy as all get out. Who am I to fight destiny?
She ignores my suggestion. “Have a look over the ideas and let me know which activities you would like to be a part of. The same goes for you, Jamie. There’s an envelope being delivered to your place, with info on a bunch of initiatives, too.”
“Thanks,” Jamie replies.
“All of them,” I say without even opening the envelope.
She pulls her brows together. “Excuse me?”
