Free Taking Charge by Mandy Baggot Page A

skates?” Robyn asked him.
    “Yep and a full set of armor and pads,” Cole
answered, lifting up the duffle bag he was carrying.
    “Good. Well, locker rooms are to the right, go and
get changed,” Robyn urged.
    “Yes, ma’am,” Cole replied with a smile.
     
     
    When Robyn and Bob got ice side, Grant was already
putting the team through their paces in a warm up.
    “Wes! Put more effort into the skating and stop
talking,” Grant called to him, turning when he noticed Robyn and
Bob approach.
    “Yeah, yeah…why don’t you get out here?” Wes yelled
back.
    “Hey, Bob, hey, Robyn, good to see you,” Grant
greeted, holding out his hand.
    Robyn swallowed as she met his gaze. She was shocked
by how much he and Jason looked alike. She hadn’t realized the
similarities before, but they were there by the bucket load. It was
the smile and the pale, blue eyes, the freckled features, and even
the stature.
    Bob quickly took hold of Grant’s hand and shook it,
smiling at him, while Robyn took a moment to compose herself. Grant
wasn’t responsible for what his son had done all those years ago.
He was a good man, her dad’s friend, she needed to remember
that.
    “Is this really it?” Robyn asked, looking out at the
ten men.
    They were all kitted up in full gear, passing pucks
to each other on the ice.
    “Ten isn’t good, I know, but…”
    “Eleven. I’ve got someone getting changed. We need to
get some more team members, hold try outs,” Robyn told him.
    “We did try that at the start of the season but…”
Grant began.
    “Well? What happened? I mean, even the worst of the
bunch would be better than no one at all,” Robyn said.
    “No one turned up,” Grant responded despondently.
    “Oh my God! What has happened to this place? The
hockey team should be the life blood of the community! Jeez! Right,
okay, I want a match now, no holding back. Do we really only have
one goaltender?” Robyn asked, fueled by the humiliation.
    “Yeah, well, Adam left us last year for…” Grant
started.
    “I’m not interested in who isn’t here. I’m interested
in who is here. You! What’s your name?” Robyn asked, pointing at a
tall player with brown hair.
    “Wade,” he drawled.
    “Well, Wade, go and get a full face mask on and some
keeper’s pads…” Robyn glanced to the side when she saw movement.
“Oh good, you’re ready. Everyone, Brad, Mickey, Wade, Wes, the
others I don’t know…this is Cole Ryan. He’s going to be your new
center,” Robyn informed them.
    “Robyn, maybe we ought to discuss this before we make
any decisions,” Grant suggested quickly.
    The team looked less than excited by the new arrival
and started to mutter amongst themselves.
    “We aren’t making any decisions, I am. Get into two
teams.”
    “Come on, Grant, man, you can’t let…” one of the
players began.
    “I’m sorry? I thought I just asked you to get into
teams. Why are you looking at him? I’m the manager now. Is anyone
unclear about that?” Robyn questioned, narrowing her eyes at them
all.
    No one answered.
    “Good. Grant, can you get some skates on and
referee,” Robyn said as more of an order than a request.
    The team stood like statues on the ice, all looking
to Grant and wondering what was going on.
    “Come on! Move! Jeez! If it takes you this long to
get going, no wonder you’re not doing well in the league,” Robyn
exclaimed.
    “Come on guys, let’s go,” Brad told his team before
slipping in his mouth guard.
    “Why was that so difficult?” Robyn asked Bob as they
went to sit down.
    “Grant’s approach is different, that’s all. They
weren’t ready for a full-on replica of Eddie,” Bob said with a
grin.
    “God, don’t say that! Next you’ll be telling me I’m
growing a beard,” Robyn said, touching her chin.
    “No, just starting to inherit the bad ass
attitude.”
    “You can’t say that, you’re my uncle!”
    “And you’ve never had anything but the truth from
me,” Bob replied.
    “Come