Free Just In Time: An Alaskan Nights Novel by Addison Fox

learned how to be more cautious as age, wisdom and a lifetime spent in the spotlight took their toll?
    “So the rink’s in pretty bad shape? I got the sense from Mort at the wedding it hasn’t been taken care of very well.”
    His question brought her out of her musings to focus on the large dwelling that sat just past the WELCOME TO INDIGO, ALASKA sign. Where the Love Monument—his grandmother’s ode to her late husband—stood at the far end of town, the hockey rink stood proudly at its entrance.
    Avery had always thought the two were an odd juxtaposition. The hockey rink announced they were a good, old-fashioned Alaskan town that loved the winter sport with a passion, and the Love Monument was hidden away, a treasure the locals kept close to the vest.
    Outward expressions and inward feelings.
    Like Indigo had its own poker face and it just dared anyone to discover who it really was, deep in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness.
    “Yeah, it’s not good. I don’t think there’s been a single update made since you skated there.”
    “That was years ago. And it was pretty bad then.”
    “Exactly.”
    The front doors were unlocked when they got there, the large, cavernous space echoing as the heavy door slammed behind them.
    “John Wilcox still manage the place?”
    “His son does now. John retired to Texas and fishes all day.”
    Roman smiled as his gaze roved around the lobby. “Good for him.”
    “He started an e-mail loop and sends notes all winter long, taunting us with how warm it is. He also has quite a following on Twitter.”
    “No shit?”
    “Yep. Retirement agrees with him.”
    “Who knew? I thought he was the meanest man in town. Clearly he just needed an infusion of Vitamin D.”
    “Sunlight and heat do seem to agree with him.”
    Roman pointed toward the large double doors that closed off the rink from the lobby, anticipation hovering around him like a cloak. “Come on. Let’s go look.” He grabbed her hand—whether intentional or unconscious, she didn’t know—but the small outreach felt so right she shrugged off her questions and went with it.
    And if a small wave of heat ran from the tips of her fingers to her shoulder, well, she’d worry about that later.
    “There’s not much to look at—”
    The words weren’t even out when Roman stopped up short and she nearly tripped over herself to avoid barreling into him. Cool, moist air coated her skin and a heavy, dank smell assaulted the senses through the open door. Although the distinct notes of cold sweat were always in evidence at an ice rink, Avery knew there was something else layered underneath.
    Years and years of disrepair and neglect.
    “The kids actually play here?”
    “They make do.”
    “How? It’s disgusting.” Roman dropped her hand as his attention caught on something near the penalty box. He moved down the first row of bleachers, his heavy footfalls echoing off the metal. Kneeling gingerly on the knee that wasn’t injured, he ran his hands over the battered, splintered wood that made up the back side of the boards.
    “This is rotten almost all the way through. Someone’s going to get hurt in here.”
    “The kids don’t hit that hard.”
    “This would splinter under the weight of a kindergartener.”
    “It’s not that bad, Roman.” Why she felt the need to defend the mess, she wasn’t sure, but there was something in his face that had her defenses rising.
    He looked so sad.
    And very disappointed.
    “It’s a disgrace.”
    “People do the best they can. Other things have taken priority over the years.”
    “So much so that no one can even spend a Saturday hammering up some new wood?” Where she’d seen anticipation when they walked in the door, anger now set his shoulders in a hard, stiff line.
    “It’s not that easy.”
    “It’s not that hard, either.”
    A response waited on the tip of her tongue, but she held it back, refusing to give words to the anger that swelled in her breast.
    He regained his