“Really?” Rowdy laughed for a second. “That’s Tavin Conner’s sister-in-law. I know them.”
“Would she sue me to get it back?”
“I don’t think so, but money makes regular folk stupid, so I couldn’t guarantee it. We need to figure out the legal stuff before we try and figure out the what ifs.”
“You said ‘we’.” I studied his face for a second and then asked, “You’re going to help me?”
“Well, yeah. It’s not often I get to play the white knight and carry the beautiful woman to safety like I did this afternoon. I kind of liked it. I’ll stay close to you - maybe you’ll faint again and I can swoop you up before you hit your head this time.”
I laughed at him and he actually blushed a little while he joined me. I didn’t know what it was about Rowdy, but I felt like I could relax around him and even share my secrets. I hadn’t found anyone I was this comfortable with in my life; I’d been on my guard around everyone since I could remember. When Lexi was born, that wall I’d built around myself got even higher because I knew she needed me to protect her like no one had done for me.
“I’m not sure what it is about you, but you make me feel safe.”
“Because you are. You and Lexi both.” Rowdy’s expression got very intense and he leaned toward me and said, “I would never hurt a woman or a kid. Ever. And I won’t let anyone else do it either. That’s just not the man I am.”
“Maybe the ticket already brought me luck like the lady wanted.”
“We’re going to find a way to get you that money, Sierra. We’ll figure it out. That’s what I want to talk to Marcus about when we take Holly home. He’s a lawyer and can give us some good information, maybe help figure out how to protect you and Lexi.”
“Okay. You trust him?”
“I do. He’s a good man.” Rowdy smiled and shook his head for a second before he added, “Sometimes good men do bad things to protect others. I think he might be that kind of guy.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I know his family. Let’s just leave it at that, okay?”
“Okay.” I let it go. I had had enough experiences in my life that taught me that sometimes you just didn’t need to know every detail of things. Sometimes it was safer that way.
“Let’s push all the serious shit to the side for a little bit, what do you say?”
“Are you that anxious to get your ass handed to you in skee ball?”
“Little woman, you talk a big game. Hope you can back it up.”
“Come on, buddy. Teacher’s here and class is in session.”
I saw an odd look come over Rowdy’s face, but it disappeared as quick as it came and he was smiling again.
“Lead the way, honey. I’ll let you go first so you get a chance to play without tears of shame on your face.”
“Shit.” I laughed and pushed his shoulder. He staggered for a second and then leaned back toward me, his arm going over my shoulders for a quick hug and then staying there naturally. It was comfortable and I liked it, so I didn’t shrug and get away like I normally would.
I wanted his arm around me, even if it was just a friendly gesture. I felt a kernel of hope start in my chest. Hope that maybe someday he’d put his arm around me as more than a friend. And maybe he’d put those lips of his on me, too.
I hadn’t wished for that in years and it made me wonder what kind of mojo that woman put on the lottery ticket before she gave it to me.
◆◆◆
ROWDY
“This is it! The final throw, ladies and gentlemen. Here he is, Rowdy Lincoln, trying to win best out of … um … how many games is this?” Leia asked the other girls.
“Nine!” A woman who I had never met before was watching along with her husband and standing next to them was another couple. A few minutes ago, I watched money change hands between the men and had to laugh when I realized they were betting on our little competition.
“Nine! This is it, folks. They’re tied four and four right now and this is the clincher. Will he take home the title or will the lady in red snatch his dreams away?”
“Okay, go!” Holly waved her arms like she was starting a drag race rather than a skee ball competition and I watched as Lexi and Leia jumped up and down cheering for Sierra.
Sierra took her time, drawing out the suspense. She held the wooden ball in the fingertips of both hands right in front of her face and then leaned her head back and took a deep breath. Finally, she dropped the ball down to her side and shot it up the felt toward the glass. I saw the ball spin at the last second and then it seemed to hang in the air right before it dropped into the 500 point slot.
Sierra grabbed another ball and threw it the exact same way, finally having found the perfect groove to hit 500 each time. After the third one went in, she missed and got two 300 point balls and then another 500.
Without even finishing the rest of the balls, she turned around and smiled at me and then dropped a curtsy as if she were a member of the royal family.
“I do believe that makes you the Skee Ball Queen, milady,” I bowed toward her and offered up the tickets I had acquired during our game. Sierra took the bundle and shook it above her head as both of our daughters and their friend applauded dramatically. The small crowd we had drawn cheered. I glanced toward the two men I had noticed
