The Barker Triplets 1 - Offside - Juliana Stone,
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
//-->OFFSIDEByJuliana StoneSmashwords EditionCopyright © 2012 Juliana StoneAll rights reserved.ISBN-13: 978-0-9881385-2-0Cover art and design by Patricia Schmitt/PickymeCopy editing by Rachel D’AmarioThis book is a work of fiction. References to real people, events, establishments, organizations, orlocations are intended only to provide a sense of authenticity, and are used fictitiously. All othercharacters, and all incidents and dialogue, are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to beconstrued as real.No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic formwithout permission. Please do not participate in encouraging piracy of copyrighted materials inviolation with the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.Authors Note:I couldn’t have written this book without a few key things happening. First off, abig thanks to the two ladies from my hometown who decided, that yes, they would play with the boyswhether they liked it or not. The idea was planted and I kind of ran with it! I need to thank an oldschool friend, Gil Paelinck, who played professional hockey in Europe and answered questions andprovided information to me. Much appreciated. Lastly, I want to give a shout out to my wonderfulAunt Wendy. She gave birth to 3 girls and their namesakes are now going to live forever in my books!Lastly, much thanks to the hockey players who provide us fans with so much excitement, especiallymy favorite team, The Philadelphia Flyers!Chapter OneFrank Talbot was minding his own business, tending the store that had been in his family for threegenerations when he realized, that in fact, the world as he knew it was about to end.The moment had started innocently enough, with the tinkling of the bell above the door. He’dpushed back his small round glasses, set his morning newspaper aside, and smoothed the salt-and-pepper hair that curled crazily around his ears. A quick glance at the clock beside his till told him itwas five minutes past nine.A man steeped in tradition, Frank narrowed his eyes upon his first customer of the day and smiled.It was the first Saturday in October, hockey season was getting underway and it was going to be agood day for Talbot Sports. He could feel it. The wife would be happy. His till would ring. Andevery man knew that a happy wife was a good thing.Of course, that was before Billie-Jo Barker waltzed into his store and stirred up one heck of ahornets’ nest.Billie walked into Talbot Sports with no agenda other than looking after the blown inside edge onher favorite pair of skates. What she hadn’t expected was to turn New Waterford on its head. But,being one third of the Barker triplets counted for something, and Lord knows one of them was alwaysin the thick of it. With her sister Betty-Jo off in the Islands doing God knows what with God knowswho, and her other sister Bobbi-Jo knee-deep in respectability these days, she supposed it was fittingthat the mantle of troublemaker should fall to her shoulders.Billie nodded to Mr. Talbot and placed the skates in front of him. The old man was a legend intown and had pretty much outfitted every single kid who’d ever played hockey, soccer, or baseball. Ahockey player himself back in the day, he’d nearly made it to the pros until a bad car accident hadtaken not only his dream, but his right leg.“Billie! I heard you were back from Europe.” His blue eyes crinkled in the corners and his mouthsettled into a gentle curve. The man never aged and had looked to be in his late fifties for as long asBillie could remember.She saw the kindness there, the warmth…and something else that softened his features even more—a certain kinship for another soul whose dream was shattered way too soon.“I got back a few days ago.” Billie tucked a strand of inky black hair behind her ear and shovedher hands into the back pockets of her jeans. She didn’t like to talk about Europe, Sweden inparticular, or the concussion that had ended everything.The old man stared at her as if expecting something more.“I, ah…I’ve been lying low.”“Oh,” Mr. Talbot looked startled. “Of course.” He grabbed the skates and cleared his throat.“How’s your Dad doing?”“He seems fine.” Which was a total lie.Mr. Talbot glanced at her sharply, over the rims of his glasses. “Uh huh…and your grandfather?I’ve not seen Herschel in a few weeks.”Billie smiled. “He’s good. Busy with his beehives and well,” she shrugged. [i]Babysitting[i].“I see.” His gaze lingered and Billie thought that maybe Frank Talbot saw all too well.She glanced around. “Wow, the place hasn’t changed at all.” Rows of hockey gear hung down thecenter of the store, while the wall on her left was filled with sticks in various lengths and colors.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]