Page 1 of Icing on Top

Chapter 1

Jeremiah

“Daddy, can you lace me up?”

Charlie had learned to tie her shoes years ago, but she always insisted that I was the best at lacing up her hockey skates, and who was I to deny such an adorable face? She always suckered me in with those big brown eyes of hers. It wasn’t a surprise; they looked just like her mother’s, and Sadie had gotten whatever she wanted the second she batted those gorgeous eyes at me.

The familiar pang of loss hit me, and I shifted uncomfortably in my hoodie, rolling my shoulders back before focusing on the task at hand. Sadie had been gone four years now, and the grief still made itself known at the most random—and often inconvenient—times.

I finished the last skate off with a secure knot before patting the sides. “How’s that, Tot? Not too tight?”

Charlie’s beaming smile made any lingering sadness disappear instantly, a bright light banning the shadows back to their corners.

“It’s perfect. Thank you, Daddy.”

I glanced at my watch and then looked around for the new coach. Practice was supposed to start any minute, and most of the kids were all geared up and ready to go. Our previous coach, Calvin, had retired after having hip surgery, and while everyone had been disappointed when he announced it at the end of last season, we all trusted him to find a quality replacement.

“Hello, everyone. If I could have your attention.”

The murmur of conversations died out as a woman who looked to be about my age stepped forward into the group. She had her blonde hair tied back into a low knot underneath a navy baseball cap, and I could just make out her hazel eyes in the shadow of the brim. I wondered if they were more green or brown. A glint of silver drew my attention to her nose ring that fit right in with the multiple piercings in her ears. I’d been known to rock a couple piercings in my college years and had always found girls with nose rings attractive. She was no exception.

“I’m Zoe Daniels. I’ll be your new coach this season,” she announced. “Coach Calvin has told me lots of great things about this team, and I’m excited for the season ahead of us.”

Charlie latched onto my sleeve and gave several sharp tugs. Any thoughts of Zoe’s attractiveness were quickly batted away. She was my daughter’s new coach, and I didn’t have time for those sorts of things.

“Our coach is a girl?”

Charlie looked as if she’d just seen a unicorn, and in a way, she had. Female coaches weren’t common, especially in more male dominated sports like hockey. Even Charlie herself was a rarity. There was just one other girl on the Puffins team and very few girls that they played against.

Personally, I was excited for my daughter to have a coach she could look up to and see herself reflected in. While we closely followed the Professional Women’s Hockey League, seeing a female hockey player on TV and seeing one in person were two completely different things.

It didn’t seem like the other parents shared my enthusiasm, though, exchanging skeptical glances. There were even some mutterings as they sized her up. Zoe, however, was unfazed, her attention completely on the kids now.

“Hockey is fun, but it’s hard work, and I promise to work just as hard as you guys. So, I’ve got one question for you. Are you all ready to shred some ice?”

The kids cheered as they eagerly followed her into the rink, oblivious to the tension from the adults. Right away, Charlie skated up to her new coach, staring up at Zoe as if the woman had hung the moon herself.

“Hi, I’m Charlotte. But you can call me Charlie. I play goalie like my dad.”

Zoe smiled, clearly amused by Charlie’s forwardness, and then squatted so they were at eye level. “Goal tender is an extremely important position. You definitely look like someone the team can count on.”

Charlie’s chest puffed up with pride, and she looked as if she might levitate off the ice. Her smile was so radiant, I could see it through her face mask all the way across the rink.

“Yes, ma’am. I am.”

Zoe laughed gently. “Call me Coach Zo or just Coach.”

“Yes, Coach.”

She turned to join the others at center ice, her expression now serious and focused. My girl knew when it was time to lock in.

Since it was only the first practice, Zoe kept the drills simple, most likely trying to suss out the children’s skill levels. Overall, the Puffins were a solid little team. A good chunk of the kids had been playing together since they were toddlers scrambling across the ice after the puck. Albeit, that had only been two years ago. But now they were at the age where they were starting to really understand the game.

While I watched Charlie, I kept finding my gaze wandering to Zoe. She moved around the rink effortlessly, clearly an experienced skater. Her tone was kind but still firm as she gave redirections she quickly followed with genuine praise. The kids seemed to be responding well to her coaching style so far.

“Let’s take a water break, and then we’ll finish up with a scrimmage,” she announced, skating over to the bench herself. “Charlie and Zack, switch into your goalie gear for me.”

Charlie barreled over to the door. By the time she made it to me on the bleachers, awkwardly toddling along on the rubber mats, I already had her pads and new goalie mask dug out of her bag.