Taking Charge (10 page)

“You need to find that Portage pace of life. Quit
rushing around like you do in England,” Bob insisted, taking a slow
sip of his beer.

“No rush, I just want to get back and tell Auntie Pam
all about it,” Robyn said, looking down the corridor, concerned
Brad was going to try and catch her up.

“Like she’s ever had an interest in hockey,” Bob
replied.

“She has, she offered to make shirts once.”

“Yeah, with rosettes on them,” Bob reminded her.

“Gimme the car keys, then. I’ll drive home and Grant
can give you a lift,” Robyn said, anxious to get going.

“What’s got into you?” Bob wanted to know.

“Nothing. Oh, here comes Cole. Cole, can you give me
a lift home? Uncle Bob seems to want to stay here drinking all
night, reminiscing about the good old days,” Robyn said as Cole
came along the corridor.

“No one said anything about staying here all night,”
Bob retorted.

“Yeah, but I know how you talk. A good story takes
like half a day to tell. Can you give me a ride?” Robyn asked Cole
bluntly.

“I can do a bit better than that. I’ve got something
for you,” Cole replied.

“What?” Robyn asked.

“Come on, it’s outside,” he informed her with a
smile.

“This better be good,” Robyn said as they arrived in
the parking lot.

“I think it’s good. Here,” Cole announced, gesturing
to an old car in front of them.

“Oh my God! This is a Mustang, circa 1984,” Robyn
said, approaching it with excitement in every step.

“1985, actually,” Cole answered.

He watched as Robyn went around the red car, fondly
rubbing the rusty fender and looking inside the windows.

“This is a classic. I mean, some people hate the look
of this compared to the first editions, but to me, it totally sums
up the eighties,” Robyn told him.

“I’m glad you think like that because…it’s yours,”
Cole informed her. He’d said the last two words in a whisper she
had barely heard.

“What?” Robyn questioned, turning around to look at
him.

“I saw it in the Gen-All car park, for sale notice
stuck on it. I knew you were looking for a car so…” Cole trailed
off.

“You bought me a car,” Robyn remarked, eyeing him
with suspicion.

“Yeah, I know how that sounds. But it was a great
price and it isn’t a prologue to anything. If you don’t want it,
I’ll…”

“I didn’t say I didn’t want it,” Robyn said
quickly.

“Try her out,” Cole suggested and he threw Robyn the
keys.

“Her?” Robyn asked, holding the keys and still
admiring the car.

“I’m afraid so. One previous owner, a guy named Gerry
who works in maintenance. She’s called Leonora. First love, first
wife—she died,” Cole explained.

“God, you’re kidding me, that’s tragic. I don’t know
if I want a tragic car.”

“Think of the history. I bet Gerry and Leonora had a
whole pile of fun in her.”

“I’m not sure I want to think about that, either,”
Robyn admitted.

“Are you going to get in?”

Robyn eagerly wrenched open the door and jumped into
the driver’s seat. She put the keys into the ignition and the
engine roared to life.

“Will you listen to that!” she screamed
excitedly.

The hum and rattle of the engine was like music to
her ears. She revved it up, enjoying the sounds of 1980s
manufacturing.

“She might need some TLC, especially on those rust
patches, but…” Cole shouted over the engine.

“It’ll be fun, and it will give me a chance to get
Uncle Bob’s welder out. I’m always looking for an excuse to get the
welder out!” Robyn yelled back.

“So you think you might keep her?” Cole asked.

“We’re going to be inseparable, me and you, aren’t
we?” Robyn said, patting the steering wheel affectionately.

Cole smiled as Robyn put her foot to the floor again.
The other players arrived, appearing eager to find out what all the
noise was about.

“Hey, a Mustang!” Mickey exclaimed, touching the
curves and looking at it in appreciation.

“Actually, she’s my Mustang,” Robyn answered, taking
her foot off the accelerator.

“What is Mustang?” Henrik asked, looking puzzled.

“Henrik, you have to be kidding me! It’s an American
classic. They must have American classics in your town in Austria,”
Brad replied, opening the door and jumping into the passenger
seat.

“It’s actually my American classic,” Robyn said,
wearing a smile from ear to ear.

“Where d’you get it?” Wes asked.

“Cole got it,” Robyn announced.

“Yeah? What you trying to do? Buy your way into the
team?” Brad questioned accusingly.

“Brad!” Robyn exclaimed.

“No, of course not. It was a steal of a price and I…”
Cole began.

“You barely know her and you’re buying her a car,
that’s weird man,” Brad said, getting out of the car and squaring
up to Cole.

“It was a good deal, Robyn needed a car…” Cole
responded.

“You’ve known her what? A day?” Brad exploded.

“What has that got to do with anything?” Cole
asked.

“What has it got to do with anything? I’ll tell you,
shall I? You don’t know Robyn yet and we don’t know jack shit about
you. Who are you anyway?” Brad yelled. He was pointing at Cole, his
finger shaking, his face contorted with anger.

“Brad! Have you gone crazy? Leave him alone,” Robyn
screamed, jumping out of the car and attempting to diffuse the
situation.

“Hey, listen, this is just about finding a ride for
someone. If that’s out of line in this town, then I apologize,”
Cole replied, standing his ground.

“I don’t trust him,” Brad announced to everyone.

“What did you say?” Robyn asked, narrowing her eyes
at Brad.

“I said I don’t trust him. What do you know about
him, Robyn? Nothing. And he’s buying you a car!” Brad exclaimed,
his eyes fixed on Cole.

“I know enough to know that I trust him,” Robyn
responded angrily.

Brad just continued to stare at Cole, his blue eyes
cold and full of anger.

“And, just so we’re clear, not that it’s anybody’s
business, but I will be paying him back for the car. Just like I’ll
pay you back for the alarm system,” Robyn retorted.

“Hey, everyone, come on, she is beautiful, isn’t
she?” Mickey interjected, trying to change the mood.

“Want to help me weld her up?” Robyn asked him.

“Sure, if Sarah lets me out. She’s taken to dragging
me past bridal boutiques on weekends lately,” Mickey informed her
with a sigh.

“Oh man, have you not given in yet? Give the poor
girl a ring,” Wade said with a laugh.

“She want to get married?” Henrik queried.

“I think so, Henrik. She talks about nothing else.
Like, did I know that American Woman magazine states that any woman
not married before thirty is considered one of life’s rejects? Or
did I know that all wedding gowns at Pollards are sixty percent off
and, if she bought one now, did I think it would go out of fashion
before we set a date.”

“I am not listening,” Robyn announced, clamping her
hands down over her ears.

“Women aren’t worth the bother man; no woman is worth
the bother,” Brad said, staring at Robyn and throwing his bag over
his shoulder.

“Maybe that’s why Michelle left you for the ugliest
kid in school,” Robyn blurted out before she could stop
herself.

She bit down hard on her lips, instantly regretting
the statement, but it was too late. She stood on the outside edge
of her tennis shoes and tried not to meet his eyes.

She didn’t need to look up to imagine his expression.
He would look wounded and she had caused that by not keeping her
mouth in check. Pam had told her he was still working through his
troubles, and she’d said something stupid to hurt him just because
she didn’t want to go on a date with him.

She raised her head and met his eyes. It was like a
light had gone out somewhere inside him.

“I’m out of here,” he said, turning his back on the
group and heading off across the parking lot.

“Listen, I’m sorry if the car thing has caused a
problem. I didn’t mean anything by it. I just saw it, and I thought
of your whole no car issue and…” Cole began.

Robyn was at the wheel of Leonora, driving Cole back
to his house. She was enjoying every moment of the classic car’s
ride but was trying not to show too much delight in case he thought
she was weird. She loved cars—all cars. Small, large, monster
trucks, anything with four wheels and an engine she could tinker
with. She had been helping her dad with cars since she was old
enough to balance on the toolbox and get a wrench in the
engine.

“There’s nothing wrong with the car. I love her and
I’m going to pay you back for her, every cent, no matter how much
she cost. How much did she cost?” Robyn asked, glancing over at
him.

“Five hundred dollars,” Cole informed her.

“Wow! You officially got the deal of the century,”
Robyn squeaked.

“I know,” Cole replied.

“It wasn’t you buying the car that made Brad flip
out, not really. He asked me out to dinner and I said no. Well, I
said something stupid like I don’t really do dinners and then ran
away from him. I think that pissed him off, seeing as he bought me
an expensive alarm system. What is it with guy’s buying me stuff
today? Not that I’m complaining,” Robyn informed him quickly.

“I can understand it in a way. I mean, I’ve only just
come onto the team, it could have looked like I was trying to buy
my place,” Cole admitted.

“Or trying to hit on me,” Robyn spoke without
thinking.

He glanced over at her and she met his eyes. She had
to turn away because her chest was tightening.

“I wasn’t trying to hit on you,” he said.

“I know. You’re so not over the whole brother
stealing your girlfriend thing,” Robyn replied.

“Believe me, I am.”

“I don’t believe you. If you were, you’d be trying to
hit on me,” Robyn said, stealing another look at him.

“So, why no dinner with Brad? I mean, he seemed cool,
before the whole going all redneck on me,” Cole said, changing the
subject.

“I’ve only just got here, I’ve barely had time to
indulge myself in dill pickles and monster trucks, let alone think
about dating. It didn’t seem right. So, do I take a right here?”
Robyn asked.

“No, keep going. What didn’t seem right? Going on a
date? Or going on a date with Brad?” Cole inquired.

“You never asked this many questions on the
plane.”

“I couldn’t get a word in. And you haven’t answered
me.”

Robyn let out a sigh. He was making her feel
vulnerable. She needed to speak, but she didn’t know what to say.
If she actually thought long enough, she would do her usual nervous
trick of reciting notable events from the Portage Panthers’ history
books. She didn’t want to do that.

“There’s something in my life I’m not quite over yet.
I don’t do dating in the normal sense right now,” Robyn said
quickly as if forcing the words out as fast as she could would make
it sound better.

She closed her eyes and took a breath.

“In the normal sense?” Cole asked.

“Yeah, you know, hand-holding, going to the movies,
sharing a sofa in front of re-runs of The Gilmore Girls,” Robyn
told him stiffly.

“Okay, got it,” Cole answered with a nod.

Robyn swallowed and chanced a glance at him. His hair
was still wet from the shower and he smelt of something fresh and
oriental. He glanced over at her and she jerked her head back.

“So, how did you find the team? I mean, I know
they’re not exactly the Wolves but…”

“I enjoyed tonight and Henrik’s awesome. He could
play at a much higher level.”

“Please don’t tell him that. I don’t want you both
getting poached before I’ve even had one game in charge,” Robyn
said.

“I wouldn’t do that—here it is, just on the left,”
Cole said, indicating to a house.

“This house? You live on this street?” Robyn said,
sounding shocked as she pulled over to the side of the road.

“You can pull into the drive, if you like,” Cole
offered.

“You mean the drive that’s almost as big as the
road,” Robyn commented.

“That’s the one.”

“I can’t believe you live here. This house is huge,
and you must back right up to the lake,” Robyn exclaimed, staring
up at the beautiful white wood house in front of them.

“I’ve also got a Jacuzzi, a boat, and a refrigerator
that talks to me,” Cole informed her.

“The rent on this must be extortionate. I know how
much these places cost to buy, Sarah sold one for a million once.
She rang me up twice to tell me.”

“Do you want to come in? Have a conversation with my
kitchen appliances?” Cole offered.

“No, thanks. I’d better get back; I’ve got an eight
a.m. delivery at the roadhouse. How many bedrooms?” Robyn asked,
still looking at the property in awe.

“Four.”

“Wow! They must think highly of you at Gen-All.”

“I guess they must,” Cole agreed.

“Right, well, I’d better go. Thank you so much for
Leonora. I’ll pay you back and I’m gonna take the best care of
her,” Robyn said as Cole got out of the car.

“I know you are.”

“So, shall I see you for lunch tomorrow? About one?
Theo & Stacey’s?” Robyn suggested.

“Yeah, sure, why not,” he agreed with a smile.

“Not that it’s a date or anything, because you know,
I don’t do dates,” Robyn clarified.

“Sure.”

“Okay then, I’ll see you…go talk to your fridge,”
Robyn called.

“Goodnight,” Cole said, waving a hand.

“Hello!” Robyn called as she entered the house,
jingling the car keys in the air.

She was excited to tell Pam about Leonora. The car
was her own piece of American automobile history, and she loved it.
She couldn’t wait to buy a motor manual on her and read it cover to
cover.