Page 56 of Clara Knows Best

She realized instantly that he was pulling her leg, but for the sake of her younger brothers, she played along.

Playing.She couldn’t believe the man was being playful! Talk about progress.

“I’m winning!” she cried jubilantly, and noticed in her periphery that her brothers looked a little alarmed. “I’m winning!”

Jesse was visibly struggling now, and as a last-ditch effort he used his other hand as well.

“Cheating!” she cried.

He let go, and she slammed his fist onto the table. He blew out a breath. “Holy—have you been working out?”

“Yes,” she said proudly. “I can bench press a hundred and fifty pounds.”

She hoped that was an impressive number.

“What,” Beck hissed.

“That’s great, Clara!” Nash praised her.

“Crazy,” Jesse said, lounging back in his chair.

She smiled at him, feeling incredibly pleased.

“Arm-wrestle me next,” Beck ordered.

“No, I need to rest,” she said airily.

“After breakfast,” he amended quickly.

“Oh, I don’t think so. I don’t want to wear out my shoulder.”

“Hart!” Nash said, catching sight of his oldest brother. “Clara just beat Jesse arm wrestling. She said she can bench one fifty.”

Hart looked indulgently at the baby of the family. “Unbelievable.”

“I just saw it, man.”

Hart looked at Clara. “Arm-wrestle me.”

“Fine,” she sighed. “But then I’m stopping.”

“Move,” he ordered, and she scooted to the next chair so that he could sit down in hers. “First, Jesse.”

Jesse and Hart grappled and Clara was pretty sure they were both trying their best, but at long last, Hart prevailed.

“Okay, makes sense,” Beck allowed. “He’s younger and everything.”

“Now against Clara!” Nash cried. “You can do it, Clara!”

“No, dude, she can’t,” Beck corrected, looking at Nash like he’d lost his mind.

But, amazingly, Claradiddo it. The stunned, almost mournful silence in the room when she beat Hart made her want to laugh.

“Wow,” Hart said mildly. “Guess you weren’t kidding.”

“That’s not possible!” Beck exploded. “Arm-wrestle me! Right now!”

“No, I’m sorry,” Clara declined. “My breakfast is ready, and now my arm is super tired. Maybe tomorrow. Thanks for the toast, Nashy.”

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