Between a Jock and a Hard Place by Mona Ingram Read Free Book Online

fresh air, too. Or at least that’s what she told herself.
    “Hi, I’m here.”
    “Hey. Just wanted to touch base with you again. The hits and comments are piling up on the blog and Randy tells me they definitely have someone who’s going to blog on the opposing side.”
    “Who is it, do you know?”
    “I tried to get it out of him, but he wouldn’t budge.” She was uncharacteristically silent for a moment. “But something tells me it’s a person close to the game. Maybe even someone in the Canucks organization.”
    “That should make it interesting.” Claire fingered one of the soft freesia petals. “Guess what I got this morning?”
    “I can’t even guess.”
    “A bouquet of flowers from John.”
    “I’m impressed. Are they nice? What does the card say?”
    “Or course they’re nice. The card just says ‘Thinking of you’.
    “And you’ve been out walking along the seawall hoping to bump into him again, haven’t you?”
    “Are you making fun of me?”
    “That would be a yes. And no, I’m not making fun of you. I just don’t want you to hibernate at home waiting for him to call, the way you did with Harrison.”
    “Who?”
    “That’s the spirit. Now go and read the comments on the blog and call me back when you’re finished.”
    * * *
    “It’s not so bad” she said, some time later. “As a matter of fact it’s quite mild.”
    “That’s what I thought, but I think he’s testing the waters, as it were.”
    Claire nodded to herself. “You know what’s funny? This blog sounds like John. Those were some of the things he said to me the other day.”
    “Did I hear you correctly? You were talking to someone about hockey?”
    She could imagine the look on her friend’s face. “It’s been known to happen, you know. Actually, we were talking about our family and I mentioned that Cam plays hockey and we went on from there.”
    “Did you tell him about Cam’s concussion?”
    Claire thought back. “No. I wanted to, but I didn’t want him to connect it to the blog.”
    “Whew! So what happens next with the blog?”
    Claire glanced at the screen. “As Emeril would say, I think it’s time to kick it up a notch. It’s not due until next week, right?”
    “Right.”
    “It’ll be ready.”
    She disconnected and stood up to stretch, but the phone rang again almost immediately. She was laughing when she picked it up.
    “Who do I hear from more than you?”
    “I don’t know.” His voice sent shivers of delight down her spine. “How are you, Claire?”
    “John?” She sat down again. “Hi.” She couldn’t think straight.
    “Did you get the flowers?”
    “Oh. Yes. Thanks, they’re lovely.” What was the matter with her? She gave herself a mental slap. “Where are you?”
    “I’m in California.”
    “Oh.” She tried unsuccessfully to keep the disappointment out of her voice. “How’s the weather down there?”
    “It’s hot. I wish I was back in Vancouver right now.”
    Me too.
    “I was wondering if you’d like to meet again when I come back. I thought perhaps we could start over again and make it a real date this time.”
    Her pulse went into overdrive. “I’d like that.”
    “Terrific. Let’s meet on Monday at noon in the same spot we met the first time.”
    “On the seawall?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Okay...” she said slowly. “Will there be jogging involved?”
    He laughed. “No, but dress casually. Oh, and pray for good weather.”
    She was beginning to enjoy this. “You’re not going to tell me where we’re going, are you?”
    “Not a chance. Is it a date?”
    “It’s a date. See you then.”
    * * *
    “You’re coming to Sunday dinner, of course.”
    Claire gritted her teeth. If only her mother would ask her once in a while instead of ordering her. But Cam was still there, and she wanted to see him.
    “Thanks, Mom. I’d like that.”
    Cam greeted her with a brotherly hug. “I’ve got to get out of here,” he murmured in her ear. “Talk to you