Page 73 of Lucky Shot
“I rarely sleep,” I admit.
Her gaze shifts to me and I can see the question there, but she doesn’t ask.
“Why are you up?” I ask, then offer the first answer that comes to mind. “Are you still stuck on the book?”
It’s been fun teaching her to skate and play hockey, but it hits me that maybe it’s not really helping her like I thought it would.
“I…” Her lips twist like she’s working out what to tell me. I find it intriguing that she’s being so secretive. Ruby always seems like she says whatever is on her mind. I like that about her. “It’s just publishing drama.”
I feel one brow arch. “There’s drama in book publishing?”
“Always.” A hint of a smile appears but just as quickly disappears. “Why don’t you sleep?”
I shrug.
She tosses another rock into the lake, this time with less oomph.
Without thinking, I move behind her to show her how to do it correctly. She’s using only her arm to throw instead of stepping and getting her body into it.
“Angle your body and step back with one foot,” I say as the wind whips her hair into my face. It smells nice, like coconut and strawberries.
She does as I say, and I lift her right arm over her head and back. My fingers wrap completely around her delicate wrist.
“Now, step forward and when your arm comes back up to this position...” I move her arm to show her, pausing by her ear. “Let go but throwthroughthe movement.”
I step back and she does it again, this time sending the rock farther into the water. That ghost of a smile returns and falls.
“Better,” I say.
“Thanks.” She smooths her hair out of her face, holding the long strands to one side. She doesn’t make any move to throw another.
“Still not satisfying?”
“I think the lake is too peaceful or something. Not enough noise or destruction.”
I quirk a brow. Sunshine Ruby wanting to destroy something is maybe more surprising than anything else.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask. “I don’t know publishing but I’m a good listener and I have tea up on the porch.”
Her mouth pulls up on one side as she glances in that direction. She shakes her head. “No. I should get to bed.”
She lets her hair free and brushes off her hands. “Thanks for the lesson.”
I nod, then watch her head to the cabin. I stay down by the lake until she’s inside and the lights go out, then I pick up a rock and fire it as hard as I can across the lake.
She’s right. Not nearly as satisfying as you’d think.
I don’t hear from Ruby for a few days, except to say that she’s writing and doesn’t have any more questions for me yet. Then Friday I get a text from her.
Ruby
Good morning. Do you have time today to answer a few more questions for me? I can be available any time that’s convenient for you. Thanks.
It’s such a damn polite message that I stare at it for a good five minutes before replying.
Fifteen minutes later, she’s outside waiting for me in front of my truck. She’s dressed in another dress, this one a light yellow. It’s the only thing sunshine-y about her though.
I wondered if she’d recovered from whatever was bothering her earlier in the week. Now I know.
