Page 27 of On Thin Ice (Calgary Mounties #1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

DON'T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT

Adele

Once we drop the tour group off at their hotel - with a lot of hugs and tips slipped into my pockets, despite my protests - Simon and I head back to my parents’ house, where he drops me at the door with a smile and a wave.

I wheel my suitcase around to the office, stifling a yawn as I push the door open.

“There she is. How was drop off?” Dad asks, looking up from his computer.

“Fine. Was a pretty uneventful trip, thank goodness.” I flop down on the couch, the fatigue setting in after three days of being ‘on’ with the seniors.

“Ah, well, the eventful trips are always my favourite.” He returns his attention to the computer, taking a sip of his tea.

I rest my head against the armrest, stretching out as another yawn slips out. “Not me. I much prefer it when everything goes smoothly. I’m not responsible enough for the crazy stuff you’ve had to deal with.”

Dad looks back up at me, one eyebrow raised. “What do you mean, you’re not responsible enough? You’re plenty responsible. ”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I guess I just still feel like the kid most of the time. Jordan does all the grown-up stuff. I just shuffle people from one place to another.”

This gets his full attention, and he swings around in his chair to face me, resting his elbows on his knees. “Is that really what you think?”

“Well, yeah. And it’s okay. Jordan is so much better at all of that other stuff than I am. I mean, I wanted to do more of the planning, but after the stress of Kylie and Seth’s wedding, I don’t think I’m cut out for organizing anything.”

While I do my best to sound nonchalant, something must give away my insecurities, as Dad gets up and walks around his desk, lifting my legs to sit on the end of the couch and resting them back in his lap.

“Where is this coming from?” He pats my knee while running his eyes over my face.

I shrug. “I don’t know. It’s not that big of a deal.”

He fixes me with a knowing look. “I wouldn’t be doing my job as your parent if I let you believe that your feelings aren’t a big deal. Do you feel like we give more opportunities to Jordan? Is that it?”

When I shrug again, he scowls, and I’m right back to being a sixteen-year-old, unable to put into words the feelings that have slowly crept up on me over the past few months.

Sighing, I sit up and swing my legs around.

“I just… I don’t know if it was because of stuff with Ben, mixed with the stress of organizing the wedding while I was finishing my degree, but…

I just feel a little lost, I guess. I’m twenty-nine years old and don’t know what I want to do with myself.

I love the tours, but when you and Mom said you were stepping back and giving more responsibility to me and Jordan…

I felt like a weight had been dropped on top of me. And I don’t know why.”

Dad slings an arm around my shoulders and tucks me into his side. “You’ve had a lot going on the last few months. I know you struggled with the end of the relationship with Ben -”

I shake my head, cutting him off. “Honestly Dad, I was just relieved when that ended. He and I… we wanted very different things. When we first got together, we’d discussed him moving here.

But then he got that job, and it all changed.

He wanted me to move to Vancouver, then he asked me to marry him and was talking about kids…

And none of that appealed to me at all. I felt bad at the way I dragged it out, but…

I don’t regret breaking up with him. I will admit though, it stung when I found out he may have been cheating on me. ”

“Is that why you’ve jumped into this relationship with Lincoln? Or fake relationship?”

My father has always been good at reading situations. It’s why he makes such a good tour guide. But at times like this, I really wish he was a bit less attentive. He’s already worked out that things with Lincoln and me were just for show… Right when they no longer weren’t.

“So, at first… Pretending to date Lincoln was definitely about giving Ben the middle finger. But the more time I spent with Lincoln… We just make sense. We’d always hung out because of Seth and Kylie, but when I started spending time with him one on one, I realized that there was more to us than just pretending to be a couple for the sake of his career or to make my ex jealous.

I don’t know what’s going on between us, but…

It kind of feels more real than anything between Ben and I ever was…

Which sounds so crazy when I say all of that out loud, but it’s the truth. ”

Dad shakes his head, chuckling. “Ah, you kids. You all do things so differently these days. I suppose Lincoln has a lot of pressure on him to portray a certain look in the media. I just hope you’re both on the same page with this. I don’t want to see you get hurt. ”

“Have you met Lincoln O’Malley? I don’t think he’s capable of hurting anyone. He’s almost too nice.”

Dad gives me a squeeze. “Well, you have mine and your mother’s support. But I do want to circle back to how you’ve been feeling about work. Do you think you want to try something else? Are you unhappy here?”

I shake my head. “No. I love my job. I just don’t know if I’m ready for that to change. I love doing the tours. I’m not sure I’m cut out for the running the business part. Jordan is so good at that stuff.”

“Jordan does enjoy the background part a lot more, but I think you’re selling yourself short, my little hurricane.

You’re just as capable as your brother. How about this - why don’t you put together a few new tour ideas for next season?

Something completely different. I know you’ve had ideas over the years that we’ve not been able to run with because of timing and lack of resources.

But I think it will be good for you to have something that is just yours.

Something you can be proud of and make you see that you have the skills for all of this. ”

I consider his words for a moment, a flutter of excitement brewing in my belly. Something that’s mine. Something I could be proud of.

“That could be fun,” I say, nodding.

“Good. Don’t let it pressure you, though. I know you’ve got a lot going on and I don’t want to add to how you’ve been feeling, so just talk to us if you are unhappy, okay?”

I nod again. “I will. Thanks Dad.” I turn to hug him properly, just as my phone vibrates in my pocket.

Pulling away, I take it out and look at the screen, expecting to see a message from Lincoln. Instead, Ben’s name appears, alerting me to an incoming message.

Ben

Hey. I know you’re probably avoiding me. But I’d really like to catch up while I’m in town this week. Please?

“Ugh,” I say, my annoyance making it impossible to keep my thoughts inside.

Dad looks at the screen and pats my leg.

“Maybe it will be good for you to see him? Clear the air and find out what was really happening with him and that woman while you were still together? You should settle any grievances you have with him before starting a new relationship. Especially with one of his friends.”

I roll my eyes. “Great. Of course, you have a wise way for me to deal with this. But Lincoln and I aren’t in a real relationship.”

Dad laughs, rising to his feet with a groan as his knees crack. “My body might be falling apart in my old age, but maturity does come with some positives. And that includes being able to see the big picture sometimes.”

He heads back to his desk while I glare down at my phone, biting my lip.

I know he’s right. The idea of spending time with Ben just feels like a chore. But I know I owe it to myself, and to him, to find a way to exist in the same circle of friends without there being any animosity between us.

Adele

Hey. Yeah, I’m around this week. Just let me know when you’re in town and we can get a drink.

Ben

Great. We can talk about whatever the hell is going on with you and Lincoln.

Great. Can’t wait .

When I get home, I consider collapsing on the couch, but know that if I do that, there’s no way I’ll be getting up again. So instead, I unpack my suitcase and have a shower.

As I step out of my small shower, my phone lights up on the bench, the glow catching my attention out of the corner of my eye.

Fumbling to pick it up, a grin spreads across my face when I see Lincoln’s name this time.

Lincoln

Hey, I’m just finishing up at the arena. Will be at your place in twenty minutes. Pack some stuff for a few days, cause I’m kidnapping you. And don’t forget your passport.

I knew he had a few days off between games this week, but I hadn’t thought too much about it, figuring he’d have to be around for practice and dry land workouts.

Firing back a heart emoji, I finish drying myself off and head back into my room to repack my suitcase, suddenly full of energy as excitement swirls inside of me while I wonder what he has planned.