One Wish (Thunder Point #7)(55)

Troy put an arm around Grace’s shoulders. “Gracie doesn’t skate anymore,” he said.

“Actually, I do,” Grace said. “There’s a rink in North Bend where the owner lets me skate before they open in the morning. It’s early, though.”

“Oh, my God, that would be so awesome,” Becca said excitedly.

Troy put a thumb and finger on Grace’s chin, turning her face toward him. “You’re skating again?”

“Now and then. Secretly. Just because, you know...”

“I don’t know.”

“Because I’ve been skating my whole life, but for the past five years not for an audience. Except the owner of the rink.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he whispered.

“Because I don’t want to coach or compete and I wanted you to believe that.”

“Gracie, I believe everything you tell me. So, you’ll skate for me now?”

“Would you like that?”

“Only if it feels right to you.”

“I think I’d like to. If you promise you can love a flower girl.”

He just smiled at her.

* * *

That Friday night was more fun than Grace had had in years. Seth and Iris were at Cliff’s, sitting up at the bar eating crab cakes, so they picked up their plates and joined them. Cliff teasingly asked Grace if she was packing tonight and the story of the Taser came out to the hysterical laughter of everyone but Grace. After Denny and Becca were dropped back at Troy’s apartment, Grace and Troy went to her loft, to bed. But there was no sleeping. They cuddled close and talked late into the night.

Grace was enchanted by Troy’s friends; she loved what they seemed to have together. “Do we have anything close to that?” she asked him.

“Close,” he said. “If I’m not kidding myself, I think we’re building something that could be solid.”

“You don’t talk about the future with me,” she said. “Do you want something like what your friends have? A marriage? Children?”

“Of course I do. But, Gracie, we’ve been together three months and change. That’s not long enough. There are a few things we still have to sort out.”

“Like what?”

“Well, let’s start with how many more secrets you’re keeping.”

“Troy, I’m not keeping secrets!”

“I didn’t know you were skating. Couldn’t you trust me with that?”

“Oh, Troy, that’s not a secret. I’ve only been on the ice a few times since right after Christmas. There hasn’t been time! You’ve kept me too busy. And besides, I only do a little skating now and then to keep in shape.”

“But why didn’t you mention it? That’s something I would have told you.”

“I don’t know. I guess because I don’t want anyone to say I shouldn’t give it up. I know it’s something I’m good at, but everything that goes with it...”

“Grace, you could have told me that.”

“I’m sure there are plenty of things you haven’t told me,” she said hopefully.

He shook his head. “I can’t think of anything. Nothing that has an impact on us. I’m just glad Becca brought it out of you because I can’t wait to see you perform. And I think if we’re just patient, as we get closer, you’ll realize you don’t have to be afraid of how I’ll react.”

She wasn’t so sure about that.

* * *

Spending time with pregnant Becca brought Grace back to reality. She was sidetracked, busy, and she realized she still hadn’t gotten her period and couldn’t start the pills yet. She suddenly realized it must be late. She hadn’t thought about it—life had been too crazy. First the note came, then she almost killed Troy with the Taser and then his friends came for a weekend visit...

And now she lay in his arms listening to him whisper his love, as well as his concern that she kept things from him.

* * *

Grace dug out her tights and skates before first light. She had a flouncy little blue skirt and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. There was a time she had as many pairs of skates as other girls had shoes, with one pair she loved best. One that brought her luck. That was the only pair she had kept.

Troy, Becca and Denny drove to the rink in North Bend at seven on Saturday morning. Grace took the flower van so she could work for a while after the skating. The rink would officially open at ten. Becca was wriggling with excitement. Grace explained that she had to stretch and warm up before she could do any real skating. “And please remember, I haven’t trained in years. I’m not on top of my game. Just a few tricks, that’s all I have.”

Jake Galbraith met them at the door. “Well, an audience? That holds promise.”

“It’s just a favor for a friend,” she said. “It’s still private.”

“And I still hope you’ll train the younger girls one day. It would be a dream come true for them.”

“I wouldn’t make a good coach,” she said.

“You’d make a phenomenal coach,” he said. “You want some music?”

“If it’s not too much trouble.”

Grace took her time warming up. She stretched out on a mat in the girl’s locker room, then laced up her skates and raced around the rink a few times, doing front and back crossovers, a few jumps. The music came on, her Gershwin training music, and she started with a few easy moves, working up to the more difficult jumps and spins. She took a spill but got herself up and carried on. She didn’t look at her audience but sprayed the ice in their direction a couple of times. She was lost in back crosses, front crosses, figure eights, spins and axels.