Page 43 of Hot Puck
“Oh. Did you want to come in?” I look past her to see if Melody is with her.
“If I can. I’d like to speak with Chase about something.”
“We’re waiting for dinner, and the girls had a rough day?—”
“I know. That’s why I want to talk to Chase.”
She eyes me as she enters the house and I realize I failed to introduce myself. “I’m Nat. Friend of Chase’s.”
“Nice to meet you.” She offers her hand. “But I have to admit to knowing who you are. I’m a hockey fan. I’m looking forward to watching the Rogues play this upcoming season.”
“Ah, right. Well, I’m not here to?—”
“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone I saw you here. But I have to say, if you’re courting Chase for the team, you can’t find a better goalie. The boy is a genius in the net.”
I smile. “I agree.”
Deanne sobers. “So, the reason I’m here.”
“Right, yes, let me get Chase.”
“I’d like to talk to him without Cassidy or Crystal hearing what I say.”
“Is it that bad?”
“I’ve been hearing some things from Melody all summer, didn’t think much of it until she came home today and told me the twins had been suspended. I’m a teacher at the girls’ middle school. I have a lot of contacts within the teaching community, so I made some calls. Most of what I came to say they know, they’ve been dealing with it. But what Mrs. Bertram told the summer camp staff should not be shared with them.”
“Nat? Oh, sorry. Hi, Mrs. Harper, I didn’t realize you were here.”
“Please, Chase, it’s Deanne. I think you’re old enough to drop the Mrs.”
“Probably, but you’ve always been Mrs. Harper.” He shrugs.
“Are the girls still in the kitchen?” I ask him.
“Yes.” He must see something in my gaze because his head tips to the side and his brow scrunches in concern. “Why? What’s going on?”
“Deanne has something to tell you about the camp coordinator. It’s best if the girls don’t hear what she has to say.”
“Okay.” He drags the word out and I can tell he’s trying to decide if this revelation is going to be good or bad.
“Can we step outside?” Deanne suggests.
“Sure.” Chase moves to open the door. “Do you mind if Natalie joins us?”
If Deanne is surprised by his request she doesn’t show it. “Of course not. After what I tell you sinks in, it might take the two of us to stop you from tearing off in a rage.”
“When have I ever gone off in a rage?” He holds the door for both of us to walk through.
“Never before this afternoon.”
“You heard about that?” he asks as he follows us onto the porch, closing the door behind him. “Let’s sit.”
I lead the way to the end of the porch with the rocking chairs and small table between them. Chase leans against the railing opposite, his arms folded over his chest, his posture braced for whatever it is Deanne is about to reveal.
“I won’t beat around the bush. Mrs. Bertram didn’t want the girls to attend camp at all when she found out you were keeping them. She made no bones about her thoughts on achildraising three children,” Deanne says.
“Yeah, I got that impression this afternoon when she told me the children in my care were suffering.”
