did not want to work with her did not, unfortunately, come as a surprise. She knew what they would be dealing with only too well. She sighed in resignation. There was no other choice, not if she wanted to make it back. She would work with Jake Takeda if she wanted to return to the sport. Going back to her conversation with her old coach, Kerri asked, "How big is his house, anyway?"
"I'm not sure, but I imagine it is large." Kerri could hear the relief in her voice come through the phone. "The man comes from old money and did his part to add millions. You'll go, Dytyna, if you want the Olympics next year. When will you be ready to leave?"
"A month, maybe two, I suppose." Kerri's heart sank. She wanted to go back to Connecticut to train. A year in Japan working with Jake Takeda was not what she wanted, not at all. Although, she had liked Japan very much the several times that she was there, she could not get over her worry at how it would work out between her and Jake. "Did he send a contract?"
"Yes. I'll send it to you tomorrow. Do you want to call him and confirm or should I?"
"I'll call. Give me his number if you have it." Coach Baranski read the telephone number to her from the contract.
"Don't worry, Dytyna. If you really want to come back for next season, this is the only way. Too many coaches are worried that you won't be able to with your injury. But I know you, Kerri. You are stubborn and strong. You need someone stronger and more stubborn than you to make a comeback. Jake will get you to the Olympics. You will see. He and I had a long talk about you before he made the offer. He's the coach you want. I wish I was, Kerri, but I am too close to you now, and I'm afraid I won't get you what you want. Let me know how it goes when you get to Japan. I must go now. Do podachennia, Kerri."
"Do podachennia, Coach." Kerri said goodbye in Ukrainian just as she had done with Coach Baranski since she was taught the words as a child and disconnected the call. Checking the clock app on her phone, she saw that it was still too early to call Japan and decided to wait a few more hours. The number that Coach Baranski gave her was Jake Takeda's business phone number.
After eating dinner and watching a few hours of mindless television, Kerri decided to make the call to Japan knowing that it would be early afternoon there. The phone was picked up by a woman who answered in Japanese then switched to English laced with a Japanese accent when Kerri addressed her in English. When Kerri explained who she was and why she was calling, the woman transferred the call to another number.
"Kerri, how are you? How is the knee?" Another woman answered warmly. This woman spoke in a British accent. "I'm sorry, my dear. You must be confused. Jake is in Canada right now for the London competition this week, but he told me that you would be calling. I'm Evelyn Takeda."
"You're Jake's mother?"
"That's right, dear. I'm sure that you have questions. Jake can be a little short on details as I'm sure he was when he talked to Petra."
"Actually, Mrs. Takeda, I do have some questions."
"Call me Evelyn. Now what can I help you with?"
What followed was a half hour long conversation where the missing details were filled in. The training facility, located on the large family estate, was owned and operated by Jake, his mother, and one of his sisters. The facility trained beginning skaters up to world class amateurs, and most of the athletes lived locally either with their own families or with foster families. But because of Kerri's age, nationality, and lack of family in Japan, it was decided that she would stay at their home. Kerri would be using one of the guest rooms during her stay. An orthopedist and physical therapist would be working with her in between her time with Jake and his mother to get herself back into world class shape. Then Jake would take over the majority of her coaching preparing her for her return to competition.
Kerri found talking to Evelyn Takeda very easy to do, almost as if they had known each other for years even though they had never met. The difference between her and Jake was night and day. When she finally disconnected the call, she smiled her first real smile in months. She would go to Japan, and she would win the gold at next year's Olympics.
* * * * *
Jake Takeda ended the phone call from Japan and walked over to the hotel window to look out onto the London, Ontario skyline. Kerri Sullivan had accepted the contract and would be coming to Japan after the world championships in March. His heart gave a little jump and his nostrils flared in remembrance of her. He took a deep breath and lifted his cup of tea to his suddenly dry throat. He had a little over two months to get ready before she was in his life, before he would begin helping her heal and get ready for competition. A lot would be determined about their future once his orthopedist cleared her for jumping and that could be months away yet. Without that ability, she would never make it back into any competition let alone the world tour and the Olympics.
The Olympics! He knew well the allure of the Games having been there three times. Wanting that gold medal was like a drug to an athlete. He knew. He had three Olympic gold medals to show for it. It was equally addictive for a coach. To take one of his skaters to the Games and watch her or him win a medal would be a crowning achievement. Kerri would be with him when he returned next winter.
For years he had watched her skate, growing into her potential. She won several world and national championships in her career and had a silver medal from the last Olympics. For most skaters, that would be enough, but not her. Her coach, Petra Baranski, told him what Kerri was going through and what she wanted when he saw Petra at the Oslo competition two weeks ago. Jake knew that this was his chance. He did not know if another one with Kerri would come, and he wasn't going to let this one go by. He was the kind of man who reached for what he wanted and was not the kind who let things just happen hoping it would work out in his favor. He wanted Kerri. Plain and simple, he wanted her.
Stepping away from his window, he crossed the hotel suite and sat down on the white leather contemporary sectional sofa located in the sitting room area of his suite. He leaned back and pulled his legs up onto the chaise sectional and set his cup of tea on the side table. Picking up his cell phone again from the table he pressed the button that would connect him to the person he most wanted to talk to now. The phone rang and was answered by one of the servants in his home. He spoke in rapid Japanese to the woman and waited. It did not take long before the female voice he most wanted to hear came on the line. Grinning broadly as she spoke, Jake leaned back on the chaise and listened, his heart lifting with each of her words. All too soon the conversation ended and he switched his phone off. Then he went to prepare for bed with a big smile on his face.
About the Author
Author Eleanor Webb has always loved reading contemporary and historical romances and writing stories that are filled with passion, adventure, and suspense. From an early age she created characters and stories that have engaged her readers and taken them on an adventure into the lives of her characters. After years of working in the corporate world and earning two master's degrees, Eleanor decided to return to her roots and pursue her passion for writing and storytelling to reach a new crop of readers. Her first digitally published book is The Job Offer. She resides in St. Cloud, MN with her husband and best friend, her two sons, and family dog. Eleanor would love to hear from her readers and can be reached at https://www.facebook.com/eleanor.webb.982?fref=ts, or email her directly at mailto:emailto:[email protected].
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Coming Soon
About the Author
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Coming Soon
About the Author