Page 89 of Ice Princess

“Can you clarify what your position is in the Ladies and whether they had anything to do with today’s community transformation?”

I inhale deeply and my eyes stray to Gunner again. He’s sitting up and leaning forward like he’s ready to bolt over to me if I say the word. What does he intend to do when he gets here? Push Kierra and the camera away? Scream ‘no paparazzi’?

The thought makes me smile. Mostly because I can’t imagine Gunner ever raising his voice or making a scene. He’s so contained, so frustratingly aloof, that it’s more likely he’d just take my hand and run.

“Rebel?” Kierra insists.

It’s at the tip of my tongue to admit that I’m not a part of the Society.

On the one hand, it might be better for me to see myself out than to have Carol Kinsey kick me to the curb.

However, some part of me hesitates to blurt the truth.

I glance at Gunner again.

He half-rises from his seat, his eyes intent on me.

I clear my throat. “Kierra…”

“Yes?”

I take the microphone from her, square my shoulders and look the camera dead-on. “The biggest supporter of today’s event was the Lady Luck Society.”

Kierra raises both eyebrows.

“For years,” I say sternly, “Lucky Falls residents have felt abandoned, left out and unheard. But I came today with the Lady Luck Society’s full supportandwith a message.”

Kierra grins from ear to ear while ripping the mike out of my hands. “What message is that?”

“The Society is foreveryone.No matter where you live, no matter what you do, no matter who your parents are and what they do and do not have, if you’re a part of Lucky Falls, then the Ladies are a part of you. You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned. We see you and we will build with and for you.”

Kierra sniffs as her eyes turn glassy. “How moving.”

I lower my eyes to the ground.

“You heard it here, folks. The Lady Luck Society is at it again, being the heartbeat of our beautiful town. I’m Kierra Griffin with Lucky Falls News.”

“And cut!” the cameraman yells.

Kierra shakes my hand. “Congratulations, Rebel. I’m so glad you’re a part of the Ladies.”

“Really?”

“I once thought the club was just a way for rich families to show off. But ifyouhave a seat around the table, I know real change is going to happen.”

My heart swells. Technically, I don’t have a seat around the table. What I have is my pink-polished toes in the door. And barely. Each of my little piggies are probably black and blue from trying to stay there when Carol keeps closing the door on me.

But I’m hoping, after this interview airs, it’ll be difficult for the matriarch of the Kinsey family to keep me out.

While Kierra and her team pack up, I return to the volunteers who have been working tirelessly all day.

I clap to get everyone’s attention. “Thank you so much for coming out today. We’ve accomplished so much in such a short time because we’ve been working together. Now that the end is in sight, let’s keep pushing!”

Cheers and hoots go up from the volunteers. The crowd is much smaller now than it was before. Many of our neighbors went back home. Renthrow left with Gordie about an hour ago since she was getting tired.

However, the other members of the hockey team are still around. There’s enough people that I’m confident we can hit our schedule.

“I’m here! I’m here!” a familiar voice yells breathlessly. I hear the thud of feet pounding the sand and turn to find April galloping toward me.

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