Page 36 of Hot for the Hockey Player
The kids snorted in amusement around the table.
“If only such a thing existed …” I sipped my wine.“I’m sure it’s fine.Just … don’t tell that woman anything.Any of those women.But especially Jolene.”
“I know that now.On the bright side, I made a cool mug for my mom with Hugh.I’m going to go back next week to paint it and make a matching bowl.”
I smiled to myself at his genuine delight.It was comparable to when the kids would come home from school when they were younger with a craft they made for Mother’s Day.The sincere pride in their little eyes melted my heart as they presented me with their creations.
“And I’m making cheese with Fred at Fred’s Ched Shed on Saturday,” he went on.“And then I’m going to try glassblowing with Harold Erikson on Monday, and I got the last spot at the next block of watercolor classes offered on Friday evenings.Starts tomorrow.”
“We’re in that too,” Honor piped up, glancing over at Laurel.
Maverick grinned at them.“Should we go together?I can pick you ladies up, save your moms from having to drive you.”
The girls pivoted their gazes to Naomi and me.“Can he, Mom?”Laurel asked.
I shrugged and shook my head.“I mean … that would be very kind and helpful.Sure.”
Naomi nodded.“Thanks, Maverick.”
Honor and Laurel both lit up and giggled.“It’ll be so cool,” Honor whispered to her cousin.“We can show him around.”
I met Maverick’s gaze over the table and all he did was smile wider at me, which inconveniently caused my face to catch fire.
Was I having my first hot flash?I was too young for perimenopause, wasn’t I?
“Apparently, there’s a metalwork workshop, as well as a woodworking workshop available on the island too.Normally, not open during the winter, but like Hugh, I visited the stores in person and the owners are willing to offer me one-on-one classes,” Maverick went on.“However, I’m more than happy to ask if they’d be willing to open up to more spaces if anybody here is interested?My treat.”It warmed my heart to see him focus equally on the girls as he did the boys.Just because Laurel and Honor did watercolor, didn’t mean they might not also be interested in metalwork or woodwork.
“What would you do in metalwork?”Marco asked.
“All kinds of cool things.”Maverick pulled out his phone and brought up Jackson Clemmons’ website.“They have a laser cutter which will cut pretty much anything you can think of.I think they also teach you how to solder, and maybe even some beginner welding.”Maverick turned the phone so we could all see a video playing on the website.“See?”
Marco’s eyes widened, and Austin leaned over to see the video too.“That’s cool,” Austin remarked.“I’d be into that.”
“Me too,” Marco piped up.
Maverick glanced at Damon.“What about you, bud?”
Damon shrugged.“Yeah, I guess.”
“What about the woodworking?”Laurel asked.
Maverick took a second and found Carol Robbins’ website.“Now this lady is talented.Look at the stuff she makes.That octopus carving is made with one piece of driftwood.Can you believe it?”He showed the whole table, and the kids seemed really impressed.
Laurel turned to me.“Could I do that, Mom?”
“I don’t see why not.I’ve always said I wished you kids had more hobbies.I never thought to inquire whether the artisans on the island would be interested in running after-school classes for kids.But it’s a good idea.”
“I want to do it too,” Honor added.
“Then we could swap,” Marco said with excitement.“You guys can then do the metalwork after we do a few classes, and we can make stuff with wood.”
I was about to tell my nephew not to get too ahead of himself, but Maverick nodded enthusiastically.“I love that idea.I’ll pop by to both places tomorrow and see what we can do.”He met my gaze again.“Would the missing niece, Sam, like to join too, do you think?”
I glanced over at Naomi and Raina.Their eyes turned sad.
“We can ask,” Naomi finally said.“But she’ll probably say no.”
Undeterred, Maverick took a bite of his garlic bread.“Maybe in time.This is great though.I’m excited to fill my days with learning new cool stuff.”Once again, his eyes were on me.“I’ve booked a few of the cheese making classes.A couple of them had two spots open, so I grabbed both.Maybe … you’d like to come with me to one sometime?”
