All of You by Jenni Wilder Read Free Book Online

around the block, maybe?” I offered as I got into his
vehicle. It had seemed like he was reluctant to go to the park, and
I wanted to offer an alternative.
    “I’m fine with the park. That’s one of my
favorite parks, honestly. I just don’t want you to get too cold.”
Lincoln closed my door, and I buckled myself in. I stared at him as
he walked around the vehicle and got in his side. His consideration
and kindness confused me. I looked back at the house and saw
Rebecca watching us out the window. She noticed my attention and
gave me a smile and thumbs-up. And with that simple motion, all my
confidence evaporated. It was too much to wish that a man as
handsome as Lincoln would notice me, much less want to spend time
with me. Lincoln seemed not to realize it or care, but I knew we
were not in the same league. We would go coat shopping, and that
would be it. I had to put my foot down before I got hurt again.
    Lincoln climbed in his side of the vehicle
and smiled at me as he put his seat belt on. “Ready?” he asked, and
all I could do was nod in reply. I watched Rebecca in the window as
Lincoln pulled away from the curb, and I took a deep breath and
sighed. To say I was nervous to be alone with him was an
understatement.
    We rode the short distance to the park in
silence. I played nervously with my seat belt and could not look
over at Lincoln although I felt his eyes occasionally watching me.
Lincoln pulled into the parking lot next to the walking trail. The
trail was only a mile or so long and made a loop around a small
pond where kids liked to play pond hockey during the winter. I
smiled as I saw today was particularly busy on the pond. I watched
boys and girls of various ages chase a puck around a makeshift
rink, hollering and cheering one another on.
    My door opened, surprising me. Lincoln stood
holding his hand out for me. “Oh, sorry,” I said, scrambling to
take my seat belt off.
    “It’s fine,” Lincoln said with a smile and
helped me out of my seat. He closed the car door behind me, and we
stood next to the vehicle and watched the kids.
    “I bet those kids would go crazy if they knew
you were watching them play.” I smiled warmly at the thought.
    Lincoln chuckled. “Probably. But I rather
walk with you than sign autographs.”
    “Oh. Um. Okay.” I stuttered, and we began
walking. I still didn’t know why he wanted to walk with me.
    We walked for a while in silence. He had said
he wanted to talk to me, but I wasn’t sure if he was composing his
thoughts or simply enjoying the quiet moment like I was. I wondered
if I should break the silence. I thought back to those kids playing
hockey and blurted out, “How long have you played hockey?”
    He smiled. “For as long as I can remember,”
he said easily. “My mom likes to say I was skating before I was
walking. I’m not even sure how they found skates that small.” He
chuckled. “I played the youth leagues when I was those kids’ age. I
actually played on this pond a lot. My parents encouraged my hockey
obsession until I got to high school. Then they told me I either
had to quit or I had to be phenomenal. And there was no way I was
going to quit. So I worked my ass off keeping my grades up while
playing every spare minute I could.” He paused.
    “Then you went pro?” I asked, prompting him
to keep talking.
    “No, I played in college. I didn’t sign with
the Blackhawks until I graduated,” Lincoln replied.
    “And you’ve always played for them?” The
second the question was out of my mouth, I felt stupid. I should
probably know that. I was sure there were fans out there that knew
every last detail of his career, but I never really followed any
sport that close. I enjoyed watching the occasional game no matter
what sport it was, but I never got that into it.
    “Yeah. I wanted to stay in Chicago and was
fortunate enough to be given that opportunity. Not all guys get
that choice,” Lincoln answered. Then he turned to me and asked,
“Have