Day 4 ~ Love & the Hockey Heist #MFRWHooks

It’s day 4 of the 10-day Countdown!! It’ll be live on June 12. Woohoo! Here’s a #MRFWHooks from Love and the Hockey Heist, book 2 of the Laugh-out-Loud Hockey Caper Romance series. Dr. Piper Roblin is trying to take back what is rightfully hers – in the wrongfully worst way – and she manages to rope Brent Dean, forward for the local professional hockey team, into a fake engagement to help her out. Following the clues and falling in love…

Here’s a bit about Love and the Hockey Heist ~

Dr. Piper Roblin is peeved. She’s pretty sure her new neighbour stole her travel alarm clock. It may not be worth much, but it has sentimental value. Piper hatches a plan to get it back, but her plan relies on Brent Dean, popular forward of the Brighton Edge hockey team, to finagle a dinner invitation to gain access to her neighbour’s house.

Brent thought the invite from the stunningly beautiful cardiologist was based on a thoughtful gesture to welcome new neighbours to Brighton. He didn’t realize the gig included subterfuge, thievery, and a fake engagement. But he didn’t get to where he is without a lot of hustle and determination, and since he’s always up for some fun, let the games begin.

 

Enjoy an excerpt from Love and the Hockey Heist ~

“I need a fiancé.” Piper Roblin tucked her purse under the stool and sat down heavily. Her shoulder-length hair, the colour of rich dark chocolate flounced around her heart-shaped face. Her three best friends, already seated at the workstations waiting for the cooking class to begin, turned and stared at her with identical expressions: open-mouthed shock.

Bailey Jansen, a dermatologist with an adventurous spirit, and the most outspoken of their group, was the first to recover. “Excuse me?”

Piper pulled back her shoulders, trying to make the most of her one-hundred-fifty-seven-centimeter height, and raised her chin. “I need a man, a hockey player to be exact.”

Bailey grinned at the determination in Piper’s brown eyes and waved a hand. “I’ve been saying the same thing for months.”

They looked expectantly at Abigail Clark, a levelheaded emergency room physician, who sat at the workstation in front of them beside the fourth pea in their pod, Sierra Westlake, a serious-minded general surgeon.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Abigail asked.

“Two words. Del Braebury.” Bailey pointed at the impressive diamond ring on Abigail’s left hand. “You’re engaged to the captain of the Brighton Edge hockey team.”

“You can make it happen,” Piper said.

Sierra raised a hand. “Whoa. Let’s just pump the brakes here. Why do you need a fiancé? Last I heard you were too busy being the chief of cardiology to worry about dating, never mind planning a wedding. And didn’t you say that your parents are big on the whole pre-arranged marriage idea?”

Piper waved that aside. “This is just temporary. I have no intention of settling into a relationship. I accepted an invitation to a dinner party, but the only reason I was invited was because I sort of mentioned that my fiancé played for the Brighton Edge.”

Sierra shook her head. “What? Why would you do that?”

“I was backed into a corner.” Piper gritted her teeth.

Bailey laughed. “I hear you, sister. You don’t know how many times I’ve needed to use that.”

“Really?”

“No, never. How did that even come up?”

Piper sighed. “You know how I belong to a neighbourhood book club?” At their nods, she continued. “Last week I hosted. After everyone left, I realized that my little silver travel alarm clock was missing. I think my neighbour took it.”

“That’s crazy,” Abigail said. “Haven’t you been in that book club for years? Aren’t those people your friends?”

“I know how it sounds, but I’ve looked high and low for that clock, and I cannot find it. Most of the women have been part of the group for years, but a young couple, Jessica and Ryan, moved in beside me recently, and I invited Jessica to join us.”

“Why would she steal your alarm clock? Is it worth something?”

“No. That’s what’s so annoying. I bought it online a few years ago, for like, ten bucks. But I really like it. It’s compact and has a quiet alarm. It’s perfect for travel, and I used it all the time when I had to sleep at the hospital during my residency. I don’t know why she took it, but I’m almost positive she did.”

“Why? What makes you think that?” Abigail asked.

“She went to the washroom and instead of using the powder room, I caught her coming down the stairs. She made some excuse about not knowing about the bathroom on the main floor even though I specifically pointed it out. And I’m pretty sure her house is the exact same layout as mine.”

“That is odd,” Bailey said.

Piper nodded emphatically. “I know. I didn’t think much of it until I noticed that my little alarm clock was missing. I’m sure she took it while she was up there.”

“That’s pretty bold,” Abigail said. “Stealing from your neighbour isn’t a great way to settle into the community. Do you know anything about her?”

“Only that they bought the house next door. She said they own a cleaning company and moved here from Toronto to set up a local franchise. No kids, no pets, and huge hockey fans.”

“So you plan to have dinner with them, get to know them, and ask if she stole your alarm clock?” Bailey asked, more than a little skeptically.

“I’m going to steal it back.”

Bailey, Sierra, and Abigail did simultaneous double takes.

Sierra sat up straight. “What?”

Piper’s eyes glinted. “I’m going to go in there with my fake fiancé, snoop around, and take it back when I find it. It’s mine. It’s not like I’m stealing it. I own it.”

“Has it occurred to you that your plan might have a few flaws?” Bailey asked, trying to suppress a grin. “Beyond the fact that you want to snoop around someone else’s house, you might not find it, you might get caught…”

“Not to mention the whole fake fiancé angle. I mean, you’re going to have to tell him what you’re up to,” Abigail said.

Piper frowned. “Not necessarily. I could just say that I want to welcome my new neighbours to Brighton, and they’re big hockey fans. It might not even come up that I said we were engaged.”

“You lied about having a hockey connection. What hockey player is going to go along with that?” Sierra asked.

“Come on,” Bailey said, poking Sierra’s arm. “Of all the hurdles, that’s what you’re most worried about? Surely one of those dudes has a sense of humour. Look at the bet they made to get Abigail and Del together. Which players were behind that, again?”

“Brent Dean and Josh Macklin,” Abigail said. Four months ago, she had been at the gym when Del had approached her and asked her out to a charity event on a bet from two of his teammates. Despite her best efforts to steer clear of a hockey player, she’d fallen in love, and now they were engaged to be married.

Bailey nodded. “One of them would do it.”

“Could you ask, Abigail? Please?” Piper’s eyes were pleading. She put her hands together in prayer.

Abigail made a face. “You know it’s November. Their hockey season is in full swing.”

Piper nodded. “I can work around it.”

“Why don’t you just buy a new alarm clock?” Sierra asked dryly. “Ten bucks versus fake fiancé, perilous subterfuge, and, if you’re wrong and they figure out what you’re up to, potentially alienating your neighbours.”

“I tried. They don’t sell that version of the alarm clock anymore. I can’t replace it.”

Abigail sighed. “Okay, tell you what. I’ll ask Del. If he refuses to pass the message along, it dies there. But if he’s okay with asking Brent or Josh, then I’ll give him your cell phone number. Honestly, I don’t even know if either of them is in a relationship. They brought dates to that charity event not too long ago.”

“I did, too, but that didn’t mean I was committed.” Piper grinned. “Thanks so much, Abigail.”

Abigail raised her hand. “Don’t thank me. I’m doing it against my better judgment.”

“I’m with Abigail,” Sierra said. “The whole thing is a bad idea.”

“Never mind the naysayers,” Bailey said with a wide smile. “I’m all in. If you need a sidekick, let me know. And in the meantime, I’ll do a bit of research and find out about their cleaning business.”

Piper smiled primly. “Thank you, Bailey. I appreciate that.”

“No problem. If the two of you are dating hockey players,”–she wiggled her finger at Abigail and Piper–“it increases the odds of me meeting one.” Bailey winked, making them laugh.

Nona, the Italian grandmother who taught the cooking classes, clapped her hands at the front of the classroom to get their attention. “Welcome back, everyone. Let’s get started.”

 

Love and the Hockey Heist is up for pre-order. The big day is June 12! Can’t wait to share this story with you. Stayed tuned tomorrow for a visit from a guest author who also is celebrating a new release!

E-book buy links:  Amazon.com  |  Amazon.ca

Paperback buy links:  Amazon.com  |  Amazon.ca

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