Free Edge of the Past by Jennifer Comeaux Page A

secrets.
    Elena returned with Liza, and Olga ambled toward the hallway. “I finish dinner.”
    Elena touched Liza’s long braid while she spoke to her. “Sergei and I have talk, and he invite us to visit with him few weeks before Worlds, if you like to do that.”
    Liza’s teary eyes brightened, and she almost smiled. “We’re going to America now?”
    “Yes. We leave very soon.”
    The smile fully appeared on Liza’s face, and she turned to Sergei. “Thank you so much.”
    He beamed and tipped his head. I couldn’t imagine what was showing on my face. Probably some combination of fascination and disbelief.
    “Sergei, it is late. I think it best if you and Emily leave,” Elena said. “You call me with detail of trip?”
    “Definitely. I’ll get you our flight information. Hopefully, there are some open seats.” Sergei approached Liza and took a moment before speaking. “It’s been so great to meet you, Liza. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to your visit.”
    She smiled shyly. Elena walked Sergei and me to the door, and as he opened it Sergei said, “Thank you again for doing this. I really think it will be good for Liza.”
    Elena had more strength in her posture than when we’d arrived, but worry still darkened her face. “We see.”
    Sergei and I were both quiet as we waited for the elevator. The doors opened and shut us inside, and Sergei leaned against the back wall with a look of wonder.
    “I can’t believe I just talked to my daughter.”
    The magnitude of what had just occurred started to sink in, forming a lump in my throat. “She’s a beautiful little girl,” I said, my voice cracking.
    We walked outside, and I tilted my head up to watch the snowflakes swirling around the streetlight. My nerves were dancing a similar pattern. Sergei stopped on the edge of the sidewalk and faced me.
    “Do you think I’m crazy, doing all this?” he asked. “I don’t know how to explain it, but the first time I saw Liza, I felt this instinct to protect her. I couldn’t walk away.”
    That fatherly instinct he’d suddenly acquired added to my confusion about the situation. It was somewhat unnerving but at the same time incredibly appealing. Watching Sergei with Liza had made my heart flip-flop in a whole new way.
    “You’re not crazy,” I said, putting my hands on his waist.
    He tucked a few strands of hair behind my ear and caressed my cheek. “I told you this before, and I have to say it again. You are truly amazing.”
    He kissed me softly, and I pressed my lips harder against his, trying to block out my thoughts.
    Was I amazing or a total fool?

Chapter Eight
     
    With a deep sigh, I threw back the comforter on the bed and sank into the stack of pillows. I was more worn out than I’d be if I’d skated back-to-back long programs. Since Sergei and I had just rehashed the scene at Elena’s to my parents, I didn’t feel like reliving the day’s events again, but I had to call Aubrey to tell her about our impending guests.
    I slid my phone off the nightstand and scrolled to Aubrey’s cell number. Glancing at the clock, I calculated the time difference and hoped I’d catch her leaving the rink. She should be on her way to ballroom class, an extra off-ice requirement for ice dancers.
    “Hey, Em,” she answered.
    “Hey, do you have a few minutes?”
    “Yep, class was cancelled so Marley and I are going out to Mashpee to shop in a bit.”
    I pushed my damp hair away from my face and laid my head back against the starchy pillowcase. Oh, to be at home with my friends, doing trivial things.
    “Some crazy stuff has been going on here,” I said. “You’re never going to believe it.”
    “Uh-oh. Did Sergei’s dad do something?”
    “No, he’s the least of my problems. It’s a pretty convoluted story, but I’ll try to make it short.”
    I gave her a rundown of the situation, and nothing but silence came over the line. Finally, Aubrey said, “Back it all the way up. You met