Hockey Holidays Read online

  I searched out Walker, identifiable by his name written in white on the back of his red jersey. He appeared to be the center of the congratulations, not surprisingly as he’d scored the most points.

  He seemed okay, no harm done from his collision course with the rink perimeter.

  As I studied him, he tugged off his helmet and looked my way.

  For the second time in minutes, his stunning blue gaze settled on me.

  Momentarily, I felt embarrassed to be studying him so closely, then reminded myself it was from a medical perspective, a professional surveillance, nothing to do with the fact he had features which were so sharp he could have been crafted from a block of the ice he skated on, or hair that although flattened to his head was thick, over-long, perfect for running fingers through…

  He turned, slapped Phoenix on the back, then slid to the opposite side of the rink, holding his stick up in triumph as the crowd’s enthusiasm grew ever louder.

  Tugging my scarf a little tighter, I decided to find somewhere warmer to wait for Nathan Walker and the coach.

  “Doctor Delaney.” The team’s owner, Fergal Gunner, held out his hand. “I really appreciate you standing in for your brother.”

  “My pleasure.” I smiled and shook his hand. “And congratulations on your win.”

  “The Vipers are the best.” He nodded at the rink. “But they don’t come cheap, which is why I’m glad you’re here, for emergencies.”

  “I should check out Nathan Walker, he had a nasty collision.”

  He chuckled. “That was nothing more than breeze against the Plexi. I’ve seen him take a hit a rhino could deliver and barely notice.”

  I frowned. “He might be tough, but he’s still made of flesh and bone. We all break the same.”

  “The guy is super human.” He held his hand up to a few of the players who were calling him.

  “That might be the general opinion, but I still need to examine him before he leaves the stadium. If you could tell him that.” If I didn’t, I wouldn’t sleep. Not crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s wasn’t my style. That was how mistakes happened, and in my game, mistakes could be fatal.

  Fergal headed off, clearly elated and looking forward to celebrating. I was left alone so reached for my bag, which held some basic medical gear, and I headed away from the noise.

  Once in the corridors at the back of the tunnel, I paused. I’d been given Ben’s office to use. Where was it?

  I recalled the direction and made my way there. As I did so my cell rang. Scooping it from my pocket, I checked the screen.

  It flashed the words Benny-Boy, and an image of Ben from last Christmas, a little tipsy and wearing an elf hat, appeared.

  My heart skipped. I’d been hoping to hear from my brother. We spoke every day, and him being out of communication while he was on safari in South Africa with his new wife had been strange and a little disconcerting.

  “Hey, you,” I answered, stepping into the office.

  “Soph, can you hear me?” The line was crackling and his voice faint.

  “Just.”

  “How’s it going at the rink?”

  “Fine, but what about you? What’s it like out there in the savannah? Have you seen lion, elephant—?” The line went dead. “Damn it.” I frowned and stared at the screen.

  For two minutes I willed the cell to flash to life again, but it didn’t. So I tried calling Ben’s number. It went straight to voicemail. Cleary the signal he’d found wasn’t quite enough to reach Florida.

  There was activity outside, the players clattering toward the locker room. Their voices were loud and booming and echoed around the walls. I hoped the coach I’d been sitting with would remind Nathan Walker he needed a check-up before he headed out of the stadium.

  I spotted a full coffee pot and helped myself as I waited. I had no intention of walking into a locker room full of sweaty, naked, testosterone-fuelled hockey players.

  Or maybe I should?

  I hadn’t appreciated hockey players were actually quite hot before. If I had maybe I would have taken Ben up on his many offers to accompany him to games in the past. I might have enjoyed it. I smiled and sipped my drink, appreciative of the warm, dark flavor and the caffeine hit I knew was coming. Nathan Walker was particularly handsome, and his eyes were…

  Stop it, Sophie. You haven’t got room in your life for distractions.

  Chapter Two

  I passed the time by flicking through some of Ben’s Sports Medicine journals. Outside, the activity continued; all manner of people coming and going, but mainly men judging by their deep tones. After half an hour and another coffee, I wandered outside with my bag.

  “Hey, Doc.”

  I turned at the sound of the coach’s voice.

  “You coming upstairs for a celebratory drink?” He nodded at a set of stairs with the handrail wrapped in red tinsel. “It’s the last game, and it’ll be a great party with a win this close to Christmas.”

  “Thank you, but no. I’ve got an early start in surgery.”

  “On a Saturday?”

  “Broken hearts wait for no one.”

  “Oh, okay. Well, thanks for all you’ve done.”

  “I haven’t finished yet. I need to give Nathan Walker a check over after his head trauma.”

  He laughed. “Ah, he’s okay, nothing damaged that wasn’t already.”

  I frowned. “I was very clear about his need for an exam.”

  His grin dropped. “Er yeah, sure. You were.” He glanced around.

  Two players ambled past, each tall and broad and dressed in jeans and t-shirts with the Viper logo on them. One I recognized as Rick Lewis, the captain. The other was olive-skinned and with glossy dark hair still damp from the shower. I had a vague memory that his usual position was in goal and his name was Raven.

  “You seen Flash?” the coach asked.

  “Yeah.” Rick smiled my way. “Are you looking for him?”

  “Yes.”

  “He’s in there,” Raven said gruffly and jerking his head at the locker room door.

  “Okay. I’ll wait.” I folded my arms.

  “You want me to go and get him?” Rick asked.

  “I’m sure he’ll appear soon.” I glanced at my watch. “Hopefully.” If I could leave in the next thirty minutes, I’d be tucked up in bed by eleven. That would give me seven hours sleep before I had to start again.

  “You sure you don’t want to join us upstairs in the bar?” the coach asked.

  “I’m sure. Thanks, though.”

  He shrugged. “Hopefully we’ll see you again.”

  “Yes, and thank you for your help.” I couldn’t imagine I’d be standing in for Ben anytime soon. This was a big favor, but I knew he’d do the same for me.

  As the coach and the two players headed up the stairs, my cell rang again.

  “Ben?”

  “Can you hear me this time?”

  “Yes, much better. What did you do?” I asked.

  He chuckled. “I’m standing at the top of a hill somewhere in Kruger National Park.”

  “Well don’t get eaten by lions or anything stupid like that. I’m not taking over this hockey team for you, they don’t take their health very seriously.” There was a crackle on the line, so I stepped into Ben’s office once more. The crackle faded.

  “Ah, they’re okay. They’re just tough.”

  “That’s what they keep telling me.”

  “What was the score?”

  “I’m not sure, but The Vipers won.”

  “Yes!”

  “Must be nice having a job that’s also a hobby.”

  “Yep, it’s sweet.” He paused. “So what are you doing now?”

  “Waiting to check over Nathan Walker.”

  “Why, what happened?”

  “He got a bump to the head. I shouldn’t think it’s anything serious.”

  “But you won’t sleep unless you check for retinal detachment, CSF leakage, and have given him a post he