Slap Shot Read Online Free PDF Page A

you for your past actions for the rest of your life. I raised everyone in this family to show forgiveness and kindness. Morgan has shown the capacity to forgive and let you into her life again. Now you need to forgive yourself and get on with your life.”
    “I’m trying. Some days are harder than most. Being a good person is harder thanpeople think. But I try every day.”
    “I say face it with your head held high. You know the truth, that’s what’s important. Besides, if I were dating that gorgeous hockey player, I’d tell everyone I know.”
    Charisma laughed. “He is handsome, isn’t he?”
    “For the life of me, I don’t know why he’d have a job that would hide that face behind a mask. So, what did happen? If Alice fromthe senior center calls, trying to throw it in my face, I want to shut her up with the truth.”
    “I’ll tell you all about it over dinner. But I warn you I may burst into tears again over my purse. That was one of the last remnants of that other life I swore I wanted.” She cut off the whistling teakettle and poured the hot water into the cups.
    “You could try to get it cleaned.”
    “I suppose.” She sighed. “How was your day? Did you like Jared’s new girlfriend?”
    “Autumn is lovely. She’s pretty and smart. She told me all about the company she runs with her twin sister Summer. Then she showed me a picture of their dog Bingo. It sounds like she’s ambitious, but Jared is just as important to her. She and Sydney get along great. She’s perfect for my Jelly Bean. And muchnicer than that uppity Taylor.”
    “I think she’s great too.” Grandma was right on all accounts, but especially about Derek. Who wouldn’t advertise they were dating the man?
     
    * * *
     
    Derek lay in bed the next morning recapping the events of the previous day in his mind. Nothing had gone like he’d expected, but it had yielded some interesting results. He’d tried to listenattentively as Charisma laid out her vision for his bar, but he was distracted by her wonderful smile and by the blue dress that accentuated the curves of her petite frame. Sure, he’d seen her from across the room the few times she’d come into the bar, but he’d never been close and he made a point of avoiding reading the scandal sheets and their unflattering photos. And this close to her, heliked what he saw. He wondered how on earth someone like that jackass Brayer could land her. She did remind him of Morgan. The pretty almond-shaped eyes and full, half-pouty lips were definitely a family trait.
    Charisma hadn’t held back her opinion either as she nibbled on the salad he’d prepared for her. She’d explained that with a few bold color choices he could transform the place. Eventhough he’d apologized profusely for Phoebe’s poor behavior and offered again to replace the handbag, he could see the disappointment in Charisma’s pretty eyes when she stood firm on not accepting a new one. He wondered why it meant so much to her to deprive herself of something she wanted. He’d been enjoying her company so much he’d stalled a few times when she tried to leave, but finally she’dinsisted she had to get back to the office. She said just because she was Jared’s cousin it didn’t mean she got to do as she pleased.
    The sound of Seth’s NFL theme song blaring on his cell phone jolted him out of his hazy daydream about the beautiful interior designer. He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was ten in the morning. Who on earth was up this early? A married man withfour kids, that’s who. He was sure Seth had gotten all of the kids dressed, jogged ten miles around the ranch, ridden a horse, and milked a cow by now.
    Derek fumbled for the phone and hit the answer button. “Blake, why are you calling at such an unholy hour?”
    Seth laughed. “Most respectable citizens are up and on with their day by now.”
    “There you have it. I haven’t been respectablefor years,” he huffed. “How’s my Mackenzie