Chapter Ten
Sam would arrive any minute, and she didn’t want to keep him waiting. He had a team of children to coach, after all. Haley hurried to change her clothes, doing up the zipper of her flannel-lined jeans on the way to the bathroom to freshen her mascara and lip gloss.
She headed to her living room, the heavy leather boots she’d put on making a clomping sound on her maple floors. She tugged at the waistband of her slightly large flannel-lined jeans. The bulkiness would take some getting used to. Surveying the interior of her front closet, she chose a down parka, scarf, hat and gloves.
The second she closed the closet, Sam knocked. Haley’s heart danced around her ribcage as she let him in. He wore a newer—as in not at all his usual scruffy and torn—pair of jeans. And wow, did they fit him well. He also had on a navy sweater under his jacket that made his eyes a darker shade of blue. “Hi,” she said a little too breathlessly.
“Hi.” The corners of his eyes creased, and his smile was every bit as wide as hers. “Here, let me help you with your coat,” he said, taking the parka from her hands.
“Thanks.” She slid her arms into the sleeves. Sam lifted her hair out of the collar, and the graze of his knuckles against her skin sent a current of heat curling to her toes. Flustered, she busied herself with stuffing her gloves into her pockets.
“Ready?” he asked, leaning close to her ear.
“Yep.” Haley grabbed her scarf and purse and reminded herself to breathe. She followed him outside and locked the front door. “It’s going to snow again tonight.” Small talk. That’s all she could manage until the internal flurry settled.
“I heard,” Sam said, taking her elbow as they crossed an icy spot on her sidewalk, kicking up the butterfly riot inside her again, just as she’d begun to settle down.
“Not more than an inch or so, though. My SUV has four-wheel drive, Haley. We’ll be fine.”
“I wasn’t worried.” She glanced at his car, noting his cousin sitting in the back.
He led her to the passenger side and opened the door. “Haley, this is my cousin Jerry. Jerry, this is Haley.”
“N-nice to meet you,” Jerry said, leaning forward.
“Nice to meet you, too, Jerry.” Sam hadn’t mentioned his cousin had Down’s. Haley climbed in, and Sam crossed around the hood to the driver’s side. Was he testing her reaction, or was it because it was no big deal to him? It wasn’t a big deal to her, either. Her nervousness must be why she was overthinking everything.
“Are you g-gonna coach hockey with us too?” Jerry asked.
“No.” Haley twisted around to face him. “I wouldn’t know the first thing about coaching hockey. I’ll just watch, but if you need me to do something, let me know.”
“OK.” Looking relieved, Jerry settled back.
“How long have you two been coaching?” She fastened her seat belt.
“This is our third year, right Jer?” Sam turned around in his seat to back out of her driveway.
“R-right.”
“The twins are in the Pee Wee League now. The past two years it’s been mostly about skill development and learning the game. This is our first year playing actual games and participating in the tournament.”
“Oh. How’s your team doing?” she asked.
Sam and Jerry shared a comical look, and Sam chuckled. “As well as can be expected for our first year in the association.”
“That m-means we s-suck,” Jerry blurted. “B-but Jacob and Angie are really g-good. They’re my n-niece and n-nephew.”
Sam glanced at her. “Other than my cousins, it’s an entirely new group of kids, and an entirely new system. We’re coming along.”
“Y-yeah. We’re c-coming along,” Jerry echoed.
It only took twenty minutes to arrive at the arena, a squat, concrete building in Highland Park. Sam parked, and turned to her. “We have a bunch of stuff in the back to unload. It’ll just take a minute. You can stay in the SUV if you want. It’s warm.”
“No, I’ll help.” Haley climbed out and followed them to the back of Sam’s SUV. He opened the tailgate and began handing things to Jerry. A big canvas bag full of hockey sticks, a plastic crate holding pucks, and another canvas sack of equipment. “Most of what’s in this bag are things our kids left behind.” He grinned. “Do you own ice skates, Haley?”
“Of course,” she said, hefting the crate of pucks. “And cross-country skis, though it’s been a couple of years since I’ve used either.”
“We’ll have to skate at Rice Park sometime during the Saint Paul Winter Carnival,” he said, closing up the SUV. “I get a kick out of seeing all the ice sculptures and the ice castle.”
The winter carnival didn’t start until the end of January. He was thinking that far ahead? How long did he think it would take to prove she’d been wrong about him? “Sounds like fun,” she said, not exactly committing, but not exactly turning him down either.
“Do you search for the medallion?” she asked. Every year, the carnival organizers hid a medallion somewhere in the city, usually at a park. Throughout the carnival, clues were announced about its whereabouts. Whoever found the medallion won a bunch of money or a huge prize, like a house.
“No. I don’t have the time or the patience for that kind of scavenger hunt.” Sam threw one of the sacks over his shoulder and placed his hand at the small of her back. “Lead the way, Jerry.”
“OK, S-Sam.”
By the time they got all the equipment situated by the rink, kids on both teams began to trickle in.
“Hi, D-Dad,” Jerry called, waving enthusiastically.
Haley glanced over her shoulder to find Sam’s Uncle Dan coming toward them. He had two children with him, and both wore hockey gear and carried skates. “Are they your niece and nephew, Jerry?”
“Yep. The t-twins.”
“Hello, Haley. Nice to see you again.” Dan’s eyes were fixed on her, and his brow rose slightly in question as his gaze shifted to Sam. “How’s the remodeling coming along?”
“The bathroom is completely finished, and we’re starting the kitchen install tomorrow,” Sam told him. “I’m taking half the day to do the work, and so is Jo.”
“Good.” Dan handed his grandchildren their helmets. “All right, you two. Mind your Uncle Jerry and Sam, and do your best. I’ll be right here in the bleachers.” He turned to Haley. “I’m taking Jerry and my grandkids out for pizza after the scrimmage. Would you and Sam like to join us?”
“Thanks, Uncle Dan, but we already have dinner plans.” Sam sat the twins down beside the growing number of children on the bench and supervised as they put on their skates. Then he checked the rest of their protective gear.
“I see.” Dan glanced from her to Sam. “Well, another time perhaps.” He gestured toward the bleachers. “I’m going to go sit down. Play hard. Have fun,” he said before leaving.
“Should I go sit in the bleachers too?” Haley asked. “Am I allowed to stay here?”
“You can stay with us, so long as you’re behind the plastic.” He straightened and surveyed his team. The boys and girls fidgeted and chatted with each other. “Ready to warm up?” Sam asked, his tone going all authoritative. A chorus of assent filled the air. “Helmets and mouth gear on, and let’s hit the ice.” With a flurry of activity, all the kids left the bench and headed for the ice, taking hockey sticks and pucks as they passed. “Jerry, see that the stragglers are checked in, and then send them out on the ice. Scrimmage starts in fifteen.”
“OK, S-Sam.” Jerry, clipboard in hand, stood at attention and searched the arena for stray hockey players.
Haley settled herself on the bench and watched Sam put the kids through a number of drills at one end of the ice, while the opposing team’s coach did the same at the other end. After the warm-up, the scrimmage began, and Sam turned into Coach Haney on the sidelines.
He used the same instructor tone with his team that he used with her when teaching carpentry. He was patient, even-tempered and incredibly focused, encouraging when one of his kids made an error, and redirecting when a few of his team members distracted each other by playing around on the ice. She couldn’t take her eyes off him or keep her grin in check.
Haley leapt to her feet and cheered when either team scored a goal. She groaned along with everyone else when either team missed making a goal, or when one of the players fell down on the ice. She knew how time-intensive hockey was, because Frank Junior had played for a couple of years. Coaching took a lot of time, and she found it endearing that Sam was willing to volunteer his free time to coach his cousins’ team. He’d make a great dad. Where had that come from?
He’d made it clear he had no interest in ever getting serious, which probably meant he had no interest in becoming a parent. Coaching his cousins might be as close as he ever intended to get to fatherhood, and she’d best keep that in mind.
Her heart wrenched. She should say no to skating at Rice Park or any other outings, or she’d have one heartbreak on top of another to deal with. It would be so easy to fall for Sam. So easy and such a huge mistake. She continued to watch, swallowing against the tightness in her throat. Sam Haney was a great guy. He was considerate, intelligent, fun to be with and good looking. More than good looking, actually.
Too bad, too, because they didn’t want the same things at all. A family of her own, sharing her life with one man worthy of her complete trust . . . she wanted the whole package. A fierce yearning rose up to engulf her, followed by a pang of regret.
Maybe it was time she took steps toward finding that elusive happily-ever-after for herself. She could sign up for an online dating service, or at least go out more. Sitting home alone wasn’t going to get her where she wanted to be. Unfortunately, where she wanted to be was not part of Sam’s life plan, and didn’t it just figure he was the one she wanted?
Sam placed the canvas bag of hockey sticks into the back of his SUV. “So, what’d you think?” He cast a sideways glance at Haley. He’d been aware of her eyes on him during the entire hockey scrimmage, and he couldn’t deny the pride buzzing through him.
“I think watching eight- and nine-year-olds playing hockey is way more fun than watching the Minnesota Wild play professionally.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been to a Wild’s game?”
“Several.” She shrugged. “I’ve also been to baseball games—minor league and major league—and football. Although it’s been a while since I’ve gone to any sporting events, I like team sports.”
“What about the Timberwolves and the Lynx?” A brand-new item went on his list of things to like about Ms. Cooper. He’d have to lay his hands on some hockey tickets. If the way she’d cheered for the Pee Wees was anything to go by, they’d have a blast.
“Basketball isn’t my favorite. What about you? What’s your favorite sport to watch?”
“I’d have to say hockey. I played as a kid and all through high school. I was offered a college scholarship to play for the University of Minnesota.”
She flashed him a look of surprise. “Did you take it?”
“Nope.” He opened the passenger side door for her, and helped her climb in. Not that she needed help, but it was another excuse to touch her. He crossed around the hood and climbed in.
“Why not?”
He buckled his seatbelt and started the SUV, then maneuvered the truck into the line of vehicles leaving the arena. How would she react to the choice he’d made? Why do I care? Ah, but he did.
“Sam, are you going to answer my question? Why didn’t you accept the scholarship and play for the Gophers?”
“A couple of reasons,” he said, edging his Chevy toward the exit. “One, hockey is a game I love to play. It’s strictly a recreational sport for me. Playing college hockey, and perhaps professionally, would’ve made it something altogether different. It would’ve become my job. And two, playing professional hockey would’ve involved lots of pressure to win. Contracts, always on the road, never knowing when I’d be traded off to some other team.” He shook his head. “I didn’t have any interest in turning something I love into that kind of grind.”
“I get that, but what about the college part? You could’ve gotten an education for free, and you wouldn’t have had to go on to play professionally.”
“I went to school to become a carpenter.” Had he given her another reason to look down her nose at him? He was strictly blue-collar, and always would be. “I didn’t have any interest in a four-year degree.”
“But—”
“Look, I love what I do and who I do it with. I’m part owner of a thriving business, and I don’t ever have to worry about being out of work. I have skills.” His grip on the steering wheel tightened, and he kept his eyes on the road. “Maybe what I am doesn’t seem like much to you, but I’m happy. I earn a good living, and I get to work with my family.” He shot her a challenging look. “As far as I’m concerned, that makes me one hell of a lucky man.”
“It’s enough, Sam.” Haley placed her hand on his forearm, her grip firm. “What you do, who you are . . . it’s . . . you are definitely more than enough. I’m just trying to figure out what makes you tick. I didn’t mean to upset you. You challenged me to spend time with you, so you could prove to me that I was all wrong about you.”
Haley bit her lip, and her face blotched up with red patches. “I knew I’d misjudged you weeks ago.” She peeked at him through her lashes. “Those things I said when we first met . . . I was embarrassed and feeling defensive. You get that, right?”
His brain was still stuck on you are definitely more than enough. Did she mean he was enough for her, or . . . He managed to nod. It took a while for the rest of what she’d said to get through the fog. “Wait.” His brow rose. “Did you just say you knew weeks ago that you’d misjudged me?”
“Did I say that?” One side of her sexy mouth turned up.
“I’m pretty sure you did, which means I don’t really have anything to prove after all,” he teased.
“Ha. That’s what you think.” She huffed. “I was referring to carpentry, Sam, not your personal life. Remember? I accused you of being incompetent. After working with you a few times, I could see you are very skilled.”
Once again she managed to look down her pert nose at him, but the sparkle in her eyes clued him in. “Good save, Ms. Cooper.” He chuckled.
He found a parking spot about a block away from The Bulldog. “Wyatt and my sister are meeting us. The three of us hang out here a lot after work, and since I’m giving you a glimpse into my life, I figured this is typical for a Wednesday evening.” He unfastened his seatbelt. “I hope that’s OK.”
“I’m always happy to see Wyatt, and I’m looking forward to meeting your sister.” Haley opened her door and climbed out. She joined him on the sidewalk as he entered his information into the parking meter. “I’ve never been to The Bulldog,” she said.
“They have excellent tater tots.” He took her elbow to move her away from the curb, placing himself between her and the street as they walked.
She laughed. “Tater tots?”
“Dipped in buffalo sauce.” A surge of happiness shot through him at the sound of her laughter, and for some reason, having her beside him made him want to stand taller.
“You’re kind of a throwback, Sam.” Haley took his arm and nudged him.
“Hmm? A throwback as in catch-and-release?” he teased. “Like a walleye?”
“No, silly.” She gave his arm a squeeze. “As in you’re a gentleman. You open doors for me, help me with my coat, put yourself between me and the curb. It’s really sweet. I want you to know how much I appreciate the effort.”
His chest swelled at her praise. “My grandparents’ influence. Speaking of opening doors, here we are.” He reached ahead of her to open the door to the bar and grill.
Haley scanned the interior. “It’s so spacious inside, and I love all those windows. I’ll bet there’s a great view of Mears Park when it’s light out.”
“Wyatt’s here. I don’t see my sister, but I’m sure she’ll show up in a few minutes.” Sam led her to the high-top table where Wyatt waited.
“Hi, Wyatt,” Haley said as she slipped out of her parka and draped it over one of the chairs. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Good to see you too, Haley. How was hockey?”
“Hockey was great.” She took a seat. “The kids were cute, and it was fun to watch Sam in coach mode.”
“Where’s Jo?” Sam asked as he settled into the chair next to Haley’s.
“She should be here any minute. I just got a text from her.”
The same waitress who’d given him the I’m-interested-in-you vibe several times in the past few months approached their table, making eye contact with him. Sam tensed. What if she gave him the same vibe in front of Haley? Before the waitress got to them, he leaned close to Haley and put his arm around her shoulders. “What do you feel like tonight? The burgers are good.”
Haley shot him a what-just-happened look. “I don’t know. I haven’t even picked up the menu yet.”
“Can I get you something from the bar?” The waitress asked, her expression nothing more than friendly.
Just in case, Sam ran his hand up and down Haley’s arm. “I’ll have a Michelob in a bottle, and start a tab for the two of us,” he told her, nodding toward Haley. “What would you like, Haley?”
“Do you have hard cider?” she asked, glancing at their waitress.
The blonde launched into a list of the hard ciders they carried, and Sam heaved a quiet sigh of relief. Wyatt studied him for a second before ordering a beer for Josey and another for himself.
“Jo’s here.” Wyatt jutted his chin toward the door.
Josey wended her way through the bar and grill toward them. Her face was flushed from the cold, and her eyes were bright with curiosity. “You must be Haley. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“And you must be Josey.” Haley smiled. “I’ve heard a lot about you, too. You’re installing my dishwasher, disposal and kitchen sink tomorrow.”
“I am.” Jo shrugged out of her jacket and sat at the empty spot at their table. “And I’m connecting the gas to your new stove.”
“I ordered your beer, Jo,” Wyatt told her.
“Thanks.” She picked up one of the menus. “I am starving, and it’s been a long day. I’m ready for a beer and food.”
“I told Haley about the tater tots. Do you want to share a couple of orders? Maybe one with the buffalo sauce and another with ranch?”
“Sure.” Josey peered at Haley over her menu. “Have you been here before?”
“No, but I’ve heard about The Bulldog. Didn’t somebody drive through the front windows last year?”
“Yeah.” Wyatt chuckled. “Just so you know, none of us had anything to do with that.”
Sam checked the menu, which he pretty much knew by heart. “We should play darts after we eat. Me and Haley against you two.”
“Are you sure you want me on your team, Sam?” Haley asked. “You don’t know if I’m any good at darts or not.”
“I noticed the dartboard hanging on your wall in the basement when I was bringing up some of your building supplies.” He returned her look. “I have confidence in you.”
“Hmm.” Haley studied her menu, but not before he caught the pleased expression his words elicited.
The waitress came back with their drinks, and they placed their orders. Conversation flowed easily between Haley, his sister and Wyatt, who had gotten over his shyness around her. Sam settled back in his chair, content to observe the interaction between her and his siblings. Haley fit in. She was easy to be with, pretty, smart, funny. Plus, he wanted her in the worst way. Maybe Wyatt was right. Maybe it was time he gave commitment a try.
Gulp. Did he really want commitment? When his parents died, he’d lost the two people most important to him in the entire world. Did he really want to set himself up for the possibility of another painful loss?
Haley laughed at something Wyatt said, and Sam’s heart tumbled. The air left his lungs in a whoosh and he couldn’t tear his eyes from her. Dammit. His heart had stopped buying what his head had been selling weeks ago—the minute he’d laid eyes on Haley Helen Cooper.
It was nearly eleven when he, Haley and his siblings finally left The bulldog. They stopped on the sidewalk. A light snow had begun to fall, dusting everything in sparkling white.
“This was so much fun,” Haley said, a happy grin lighting her features. “I guess I’ll be seeing all of you again tomorrow.”
“Right,” Wyatt said. “Tomorrow is the kitchen install. I’ll bet you’re eager to have a kitchen again.”
“You have no idea.” Haley laughed. “I feel like a seven-year-old on Christmas morning.”
“Well, I should get you home so you get a good night’s sleep,” Sam said before turning to his sister. “Where are you parked, Jo?”
“In the same ramp as Wyatt. He’ll walk me to my truck.”
“OK. Good night. See you tomorrow.” Sam steered Haley toward his SUV.
“Night,” Wyatt called, moving off in the opposite direction, with Josey beside him.
Sam’s mind jumped ahead to good-night kisses with Haley. Would she invite him inside? His blood rushed at the possibility. He drew her close to his side. “So, you had a good time tonight?”
“I did.” She peered up at him. “Thank you, Sam. Dinner and darts, a Pee Wee hockey scrimmage . . . tater tots. Who could ask for more?”
“Good.” A snowflake landed on her cheek, and he brushed it away. He wanted to kiss her so badly. He couldn’t remember ever wanting a woman the way he wanted Haley. When they reached his SUV, he drew out his debit card and paid for the parking before helping her into the passenger seat. “Brrr. Cold tonight,” he murmured once he was behind the wheel. “It’s supposed to be a nice weekend though.”
“Hmm-mm.” She rested her head back against the seat.
He started his SUV and pulled onto the city street. “Do you have any plans for Sunday morning?”
She turned his way, a dreamy half smile drawing his attention to her kissable mouth. “No, why?”
“Would you like to go snowmobiling with me?” he asked. “We can take the Lake Elmo Park Trail. It’s close.”
“Oh.” She sat up. “I’ve never been snowmobiling. Don’t I need a helmet?”
“I have an extra. Do you have snow pants?”
“Of course I have snow pants. I’m Minnesotan, born and bred.”
“What do you say? I’ll pick you up early, and we can go out for breakfast first.”
“Sounds like a lot of fun, but . . . Do you think this is a good idea, Sam?”
“I think it’s a great idea. You agreed to spend time in my world. Snowmobiling, hockey, hanging out with Wyatt and Jo, this is what I do.”
“I know, but . . .” A crease formed between her eyebrows.
“But what?”
“You don’t get involved.” She shrugged and peered out her window. “If we spend a lot of time together, won’t things get complicated? Aren’t you worried that I’ll want more. I mean—”
“More?” He snorted. “With me? The handsiest handyman in the Twin Cities?”
“No. Not that guy.” She shifted in her seat. “More with the man who opens doors for me. The man who removes my slivers and kisses away the hurt.” She glanced at him for a second. “More with the hockey coach, affectionate brother and excellent carpenter. The you I’ve gotten to know is completely at odds with what I believed about you after that stupid radio show.”
He had to swallow a few times before he could respond. “I see what you mean, and I did say I don’t do involved.” Seeing himself through her eyes did a number on his head. And his heart. Taking a risk suddenly seemed . . . worth it where she was concerned. “How about we take things one day at a time? I enjoy snowmobiling, and I’d love to share that experience with you. We’re friends, aren’t we?”
“Friends whose kisses are downright combustible. I don’t know, Sam.”
So she did feel what he felt. His groin tightened and his blood rushed. “We’re adults, Haley. We can—”
“Have strings-free casual sex?” She shook her head. “See, that’s what I’m trying to tell you. You don’t do involved and I don’t do casual. Things are bound to—”
“I wasn’t going to suggest strings-free casual sex, Ms. Cooper. What I was going to say is that we are both mature, responsible adults well able to control ourselves.” He tossed her a wry look. “Right?”
“Oh. Sorry.”
“See? This is exactly why I challenged you to spend time with me, and obviously I have not yet proven to you that I am not the total horndog you believe me to be. Hence, snowmobiling on Sunday.”
“You win.” She chuckled. “I’d love to try snowmobiling.”
Sam pulled into her driveway. Now that he’d convinced her they could control themselves in a mature, adult manner, how receptive would she be to making out with him on her living room couch? Not very, he guessed. Talk about painting himself into a corner. He shut off the engine. “I’ll walk you to your door.”
“You don’t have to.” She fished her keys out of her pocket.
“Yes, I do.” He got out of his SUV and hurried around to her side. Opening her door, he held out his hand for her. “Grandma Maggie would give me an ear-beating if I didn’t, and somehow she’d know. She’s witchy about stuff like this.”
“I think I’d like Grandma Maggie.” She took his hand and climbed out.
He led her toward her front door. “I know she’d like you, Haley.” He spoke the truth. His entire family would like her. She was a genuinely nice person. Now that he’d ruined any chance of making out with her, he wasn’t sure how to end the evening. He stood behind her while she fit her key in the lock.
“I had an amazing time tonight, Sam. Thanks for including me.” She turned to smile up at him.
“Thanks for joining me.” Sam placed his hands on her shoulders and pressed a chaste kiss on her forehead. “Good night, Ms. Cooper.”
“Good night, Mr. Haney.” She opened her door and disappeared inside.
Sam strode back to his SUV, adjusting the tightness in the inseam of his jeans. Once again he wondered what it was about Haley that had him jumping through hoops and trying so hard to prove he was . . . what? Dateable? What did that even mean, and why did he want to be dateable? “Control is highly overrated,” he muttered.