Girls Only! by Beverly Lewis Page B

told me all about you.”
    “Well, well. You’ve discovered my secret.”
    “So you have to charge me,” she insisted. “As well-known as Coach Odell Sterling is—”
    “Was,” he said with a wink. “I’m hiding out in Podunk, remember?”
    “Alpine Lake is the place to be.”
    “Thanks to you, Her Grace. Now . . . don’t breathe a word, or I won’t have much of a retirement, will I?”
    “I have to tell my father. And my best friend and . . .”
    He shook his head, chuckling. “Really, Livvy. I’m doing this for you. Only you.”
    “You’re too good to be true, Mr. Sterling.”
    His eyes narrowed, and he put his hand on her shoulder. Just like Elena used to. “I believe in you, Olivia.”
    “My mother used to say that.”
    He was nodding. “She had every reason to.”
    Livvy’s heart was full of joy.
    ----
    Jenna stopped by later, and Livvy introduced her to Odell Sterling. “He’s a famous skating coach,” she said. “But we can’t tell anyone.”
    “Coming out of retirement on behalf of a talented young lady,” he added, flashing an endearing smile Livvy’s way.
    “Can you believe it?” She was jumping up and down. “I’ve finally got myself a coach.”
    “What’ll your dad say?” Jenna asked.
    “What can he say?” Livvy said, settling down. “He’ll be surprised, but I think I can talk him into it. After all, my grandma’s running the show now. She’ll help convince him.”
    “She’s staying?” Jenna asked.
    “Hey, she makes a mean pasta casserole, so I’m not complaining.”
    There was laughter all around.
    Livvy said good-bye to Coach Sterling and promised to be prompt for their first real practice.
    Tomorrow!
    The girls walked down Main Street together. “This is so cool, Livvy,” her friend said. “I’m so happy for you!”
    “Yes, and I have a funny feeling you’re partly responsible.”
    Jenna’s lips pinched into a weird, almost mysterious expression. “My secret is sealed!”
    “Wait a minute . . . that’s what Mrs. Newton said aboutthe cheerleading outfits.” She stopped Jenna right there on the sidewalk. “She was in on this, wasn’t she? She put a bug in Mr. Sterling’s ear about me, didn’t she?”
    “What bug? And who are you talking about?” Jenna said ever so innocently.
    “You talked to Mrs. Newton, and she told Mr. Sterling about my skating dreams. She must’ve known he was a retired skating coach—one of the best!”
    “My lips are still sealed!” Jenna burst out laughing.
    “See . . . I was right!”
    But Jenna wouldn’t admit it. “Mrs. Newton has some jazzy-looking patterns for skate costumes.”
    “You’re changing the subject.”
    “Well, she does . And you’d better check them out.” Livvy flipped her hair. “I will when my grandma and I finish sewing Diane’s cheerleading outfit.”
    “You must be kidding! You’re sewing it?” Jenna slapped her forehead. “Does Diane know?”
    “It’s my secret . . . mine and Mrs. Newton’s.”
    “I know another secret,” Jenna piped up, halfway to her house. “It’s about Diane Larson. How do you think she knows so much about everyone?”
    Livvy was laughing now. “Must be the school secretary—something about her reminds me of Diane.”
    “She’s Diane’s nosy aunt, who gets the scoop on everyone at the beginning of the year, then yaks it to Diane.”
    “So . . . that’s how Diane knew I was a skater,” said Livvy.
    “Among other things.” Jenna smiled her sweet, forgiving smile. “I don’t know about you, but it’s really no big deal to me . . . the gossip and stuff.”
    “I’m not surprised. You overlook everything.”
    “I try.”
    “Tell me about it.” Livvy linked arms with her best friend.

Dreams on Ice
    Chapter Nineteen
    Livvy’s world was beginning to spin on its axis once again. She wouldn’t be sitting alone at lunch anymore. Wouldn’t be writing long, letter-type essays for Mrs. Smith. And she wouldn’t be so grumpy to her parrot,