“They look great.” He would say the food was delicious even if it was terrible.
Thankfully, it really was good.
As everyone tucked into their breakfast, the conversation turned to hockey.
“Thanks for the tickets to opening night,” Tracy said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
He glanced anxiously at Maggie, who nodded and smiled. “You’re welcome. It’s a good matchup. It should be fun.”
Emily did a happy little wiggle in her seat. “I can’t wait.”
“You must be happy about hitting the ice for real tomorrow,” Tracy said.
“Yeah, I can’t wait to get out there. Even though it’s still preseason, the first few shifts won’t be easy.”
Maggie frowned. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
“Playing’s the only way to know for sure.”
“I hope the other team gives you some leeway.”
“They won’t.” He winked. “I won’t give them any, either.”
She rolled her eyes. “I might have known.”
By the time they’d finished eating, the warm atmosphere and jovial company had begun to relax him.
When Tracy excused herself to make a phone call, he rose and gathered the plates to take them to the sink. “Can I help clean up?”
“Thanks for offering, but I have it covered. You could do me a favor, though, and look at the brochures I got on youth hockey programs for Emily. I’d appreciate your thoughts on the best one.”
Maggie’s request lit a spark of pleasure in his chest. Getting her to the game had worked. She was starting to come around. “Be glad to. What changed your mind?”
“I did some research. With the right program, hockey is no worse than soccer camp.”
Nice. At least hockey advice was one area he couldn’t screw up.
“Here you go.” Emily skipped over with the brochures.
He flipped through the leaflets and set two aside. “They all have good skating development programs and under-eight Mites teams, but I think the best two are the Junior Ice Cats and the team I started with, the Ice Blades.”
Maggie turned from the sink, her hands still in the soapy water. “Do you know any of the coaches in those programs?”
“Sure. The Mites coach for the Ice Blades was an all-star defenseman back in the day. Got inducted into the Hall of Fame a couple of years ago.”
“Yes, but is he a good coach for young children?”
Her sharp tone made him a tad uneasy. Like he’d said the wrong thing. He told himself he was overreacting. “I guess. He’ll have a coaching certificate from USA Hockey.”
Maggie pursed her lips. “I need to know how good he is before I sign Emily up.”
There was that tone again. What was he doing wrong? His unease grew but he kept his voice upbeat. “I’ll ask the guys in our locker room which programs their kids are in. Who they recommend.”
“That would be useful, thanks.”
“Won’t you be my coach, Mr. Jake?” Emily’s face fell.
“I’ll be kind of busy training and playing myself, Princess.”
“Oh.” She thought for a few seconds, then perked up. “I’ll need to get skates and stuff. You can tell me what to get, can’t you?”
“I might know a bit about that ‘stuff.’” He grinned. “But most programs have specific equipment lists and will help kit you out. It’s not worth spending a lot of money on fancy gear that you’ll grow out of.”
“I have enough money. Emily needs the best to keep her from getting injured.” The sharp tone had become defensive.
His grin faded. He was definitely back in that minefield again and not doing so well this time. “It’s important to get the best skates and helmets. A youth-hockey expert will ensure everything fits properly.”
“But I want you, Mr. Jake. Who’s a better expert than you?”
With Emily’s steady gaze fixed on him, the pressure of expectation started to make Jake uncomfortable. “Well...”
“Jenny used to play hockey. I’m sure she’d help you.” Maggie’s intervention was a gratefully received respite.
Jake followed her lead. “Jenny was a great player and, being a girl, she’d be able to help you get things to fit better.”
“O-kay.” Emily stretched out the word to half a dozen syllables. “But you’ll come and watch my games, won’t you?”
“When I’m not practicing I’ll be there to cheer you on.”
“I think Em should start with the development program and see how that goes before committing her to joining a team.”
He opened his mouth to disagree, then snapped it shut. His knowledge of youth hockey came from playing, not from the perspective of an anxious parent. “Whatever you think’s best,” he said carefully.