Chapter 11
H ENRY
“So, you and Ellie Petersheim, huh?” As we lace up our hockey skates, Jude’s knowing smile collides with mine. The one I haven’t been able to erase since I walked into my bedroom and saw Ellie wearing my verboten cowboy hat. Something about that image drives me wild.
“ Jah . Finally.” At least, I hope that’s what that spectacular kiss meant. If not, I’m really confused. But it wouldn’t be the first time Ellie has left me confused. The woman can be a walking contradiction.
“I guess the whoopie pies must’ve done it then. I might need to get that recipe from you for the next time I want to impress a woman.”
“Sure. No problem.”
Jude looks toward the house, where Eli has just stepped outside. “Eli didn’t look too happy about you and Ellie.”
“I probably wouldn’t be either if I saw Ivy making out with some guy in his bedroom. I, uh, wasn’t expecting that. And I couldn’t have planned it if I tried.” I shake my head. “I still think I might have dreamed it all up.”
“Oh, believe me, you weren’t dreaming. You’ve got witnesses to prove it.” Jude shakes his head in amusement.
Eli comes near, a scowl on his face. “What are you two yakking about?”
My gaze shoots to Jude, pleading.
“Dreams.” Jude says, then drops the puck. He holds up his hockey stick. “Let’s play!” He glides out onto the ice.
I follow our Englisch friend as Eli is donning his ice skates near the edge of the pond. “Thanks for the save, Jude.”
“Any time.” Jude passes the puck my way. “But the way Eli looks, I wouldn’t be surprised if he has it out with you tonight.”
“I’ve never seen him like this. He’s livid.” I skate around Jude, but he swipes the puck from my path and skates toward the opposite goal. “Besides, we don’t believe in violence.”
“Ah, just give him time. He’ll get over it.” Jude flicks his hockey stick and the puck goes sailing into the unmanned goal.
“I hope so.” Jude slides the puck my way and I skate and shoot, making a goal. Not exactly a difficult thing to do when no one is defending it.
I fetch the puck out of the net, then hit it to Jude as I skate out into the middle of the pond. Eli intercepts and heads my way, the puck tucked safely next to his stick. He’s still aways off from the goal but deftly swings his hockey stick. Then I realize Eli isn’t aiming for the goal.
He’s aiming for me .
The puck pings me squarely in the chest. Hard.
I tilt my head and frown at Eli. “What was that about?”
He ignores my question and skates around me in a circle, bumping my shoulder in the process.
I come to a complete stop and stare at my friend. “What the heck, Eli?”
Jude skates up to us, then comes to an abrupt halt, spraying ice everywhere in the process. “Everything okay here?” He cups Elijah’s shoulder.
Eli gives me the evil eye, and I honestly don’t know what’s gotten into him. I’m guessing it has to do with Ellie, but he was the one who suggested the whole buggy ride scheme. And I can’t exactly apologize for kissing Ellie, because I would be lying. I’m not sorry at all. And to be frank, I hope I can get her alone again before the night ends.
“I think Eli’s upset with me.” I state the obvious.
“You think ?” Eli’s fists clench.
“Honestly, Eli, I don’t know what you want from me. I thought you were all for me and Ellie being together. Now, I’m not so sure.”
“ Jah , well, I’m not so sure either.”
He’s not so sure? Great .
Eli glances toward the house where Ellie and some of the other youngies , who’ve arrived while we’ve been out on the ice, walk toward our direction with skates in hand.
My heart swells at the sight of Ellie. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. And now that we’ve kissed— really kissed, well, let’s just say I can’t get her off my mind. Nor do I have any desire to. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t mind tossing my hockey stick and ice skates to the side and spending the rest of the evening with her. But, somehow, I don’t think Elijah would go for that.
Jude looks back and forth between us. “Do you two want to talk about this or do you want to play? It looks like some of the other guys have arrived.” His chin juts toward the house.
“Let’s just play.” Eli says, then skates off in the opposite direction.
I sigh.
Jude looks at me and shrugs. “Can’t blame a guy for wanting to protect his sister.”
“ Jah , but she doesn’t need protection from me.” I insist. Because I’d never do anything to hurt Ellie.
“You sure about that?” Jude’s eyebrow arches.
“Yes.”
Jude glances toward where Eli skates. A few of the other guys are also lacing up their ice skates. “He’ll get over it.”
“I hope so.”
“You might want to chill for a while, though. You know, stay away from Ellie until Eli calms down.”
That’s the last thing I want. Especially after Ellie and I have finally made a connection. I feel like a wall has been broken down between us. I need to talk to her tonight before she leaves, because I’m hoping we can come to some kind of understanding. I’m hoping she’ll let me court her now that things have happened between us.