Summer hurries along beside me, her long legs working to keep up with me. “If I can work with you, it will mean everything for my business.”

I stop abruptly, facing her with a scowl. “You want to fix me? I’m not a broken toy you can piece back together.”

Summer nods. “That’s exactly what you are. You’re a very valuable asset to the Titans organization, and they need you pieced back together. If you’re serious about your career and want to get back on the ice, this is your chance, so why not let me help you?”

I inhale sharply but don’t say anything else. My struggles are no one’s business but mine, and I want to keep it that way.

We reach the cabin in silence, and I pull open its door and test the lights. Everything looks normal. She might have roomed with a raccoon before, but I doubt she’d want to tonight.

I set her bag on the porch and give her a nod. “See you at dinner. Don’t be late.”

Then I turn and head back toward the house, developing a new plan with each step I take.

I’ll just have to set my attraction to her aside. She can’t stay here. And I’m going to see to that.

4

SUMMER

After spending a chilly night alone in the cabin, I dig through my duffel bag, looking for something warm to wear. A dusting of snow has fallen overnight and I’m sure the temperature has dropped. I settle on a warm fleece sweater and jeans, and then pull my hair into a low ponytail.

Last evening, I went up to the house at six and had dinner with Jillian, Grandpa Al, and Logan’s oldest brother, Graham. Logan wasn’t there, and no one said a word about him.

Jillian tried to be accommodating by bringing me into the conversation and making me feel welcome, but I still felt awkward about the entire thing. After dinner, I helped by loading the dishwasher, not wanting to eat and run, but then I got the heck out of there and disappeared into the cabin.

Les called, but I let it go to voice mail, too chicken to answer. I didn’t want him to know that I was hiding out in some remote cabin alone all night long because Logan refused to speak to me. I don’t do well with failure, but there was little I could do if Logan flat-out refused and disappeared into thin air.

I spent the rest of the evening bundled up in the cabin’s double bed, reading over the files Les had sent me. Unfortunately, they weren’t much help.