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her husband was now hustling a puck toward the net. “He’s Kevin’s best friend. They started out together as rookies in St. Louis.”
    â€œHow long ago was that?”
    â€œOh, about a hundred years ago.” She laughed. “They’ve both been in the NHL since they were eighteen.”
    Janna did some quick math in her head. Fifteen years. Ty Gallagher had been a professional hockey player for fifteen years. He had three Stanley Cups under his belt, and he wasn’t even thirty-five yet. Impressive, for an athlete.
    â€œAbby, look, I was wondering—”
    â€œAbout Ty?” Abby finished for her. “The answer is yes, he’s single.”
    â€œWhat? No, no,” Janna replied quickly, embarrassed. Why did this woman think she wanted to know Ty’s bachelor status? That was something Theresa would ask, not her! “What I was wondering is if you and Kevin would be willing to be interviewed for a magazine about the longevity of your marriage, what it’s like to try to raise a family with an athlete’s crazy schedule, that kind of stuff.”
    Abby looked uncomfortable. “Would it involve people wanting to come to the house to take pictures?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI don’t know. Kevin and I are pretty private people. We really work hard to stay out of the public eye unless it’s absolutely necessary. Have you tried asking any of the other married players?”
    â€œNot yet,” Janna admitted. “I came to you first because Kevin is both well-known and well respected. And since he agreed to help me out with some charity stuff, I thought you might be willing to help me out with this.”
    Abby’s eyes shone with pride. “He’s got a big heart, my husband. But a family profile . . . I don’t know, I have to think about it.” Her gaze flickered back to the players on the ice. “Is this part of Kidco’s big push to reform the Blades’ image?”
    â€œYou got it.” Janna saw little point in candy-coating things, and was pleasantly surprised by Abby’s response.
    â€œPersonally, I think it’s a good thing. So many of these guys, especially the younger ones, are totally out of control.”
    â€œI hear some of the older guys are, too,” Janna murmured.
    A wry smile creased Abby’s mouth. “Are you referring to Ty?”
    â€œYup.”
    â€œAw, Ty’s not out of control,” Abby replied affectionately. “He’s just enjoying himself.”
    â€œA lot.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œWith a new woman every month.”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œCorporate hates it.”
    Abby hooted with laughter. “I can just imagine what Ty has to say about that!”
    â€œIf he’d just sign on to do a few appearances for charity, maybe tone down the high-profile dating during the season, they’d be happy. Any advice?”
    â€œAbout handling Ty?” Janna nodded as sympathy rose up in Abby’s tired eyes. “Do you know how many women have asked me that question over the years?”
    â€œHundreds, I’m sure,” Janna replied. “What do you tell them?”
    â€œTo forget it. No one ‘handles’ Ty Gallagher; if anything, he handles them.”
    â€œI can’t forget it, Abby. It’s a huge part of my job.”
    Abby sighed. “Then all I can say is, try wearing him down. That’s the only thing that might work.”
    â€œI thought so,” said Janna glumly. She rose, smoothing the front of her suede skirt. “Well, thanks for your time. And please think about doing the interview. It would really help improve the team’s profile.”
    â€œI’ll be in touch,” Abby promised.
    Janna smiled and returned to where Lou was sitting. Practice was coming to an end. One by one, the players began filing off the ice, though the press corps lingered. She’d barely had time to get resettled in her