Page 53 of Faking the Shot

“Thanks Mack.” She was so glad to have answered his call.

Five minutes later, she was speaking to Stirling Ames, her lawyer, and finally enacting the plan she’d had since she started earning enough to make this happen. Finally, a chance to put things right. To let God redeem the darkest chapter of her family’s life.

“Now you’re sure about this, Ainsley?”

“Positive.”

“And if the price point moves higher?”

“We’ve discussed this before. You know what I can afford, so do what you can to keep it low, but remember I want it.” More than anything.Please God.

“Consider it done. I’ll be in touch when we know.”

“Thanks, Stirling.”

The call ended, and she snatched up Louie again, wishing she had somebody to share this with. Her mom and Aunty Win couldn’t know until it was all settled, so she couldn’t speak to them, even if it wasn’t already so late at night. Mack had Emmett, while she had… a cat. When what she’d really like was a hug from someone like—

No.She wasn’t going to think about him. She’d made the rules. She’d made it clear. She couldn’t go changing things now. Even if he was only a couple of blocks away, and could probably come around, seeing he’d just finished his game, so he’d likely still be awake. He might’ve acted like her friend yesterday, but she didn’t want to make demands on him, didn’t want to deepen this connection to where it made things harder at the end. This relationship was fake, remember?

She just needed to get her heart and mind under control. And focus on things that were real. Like this miracle that she’d been praying about for years.

“Lord, thank You that it’s finally come on to the market. Open the doors. Use this for Your purposes, have Your way. Amen.”

She leaned her forehead on the window. Stilled her heart. Prayed for peace. Then, when her heart still felt edged with anxiety, prayed for others. Praying for others instead of worrying about herself had long been a useful remedy to dealing with her fears.

So she prayed for Mack. Prayed for her mom and Aunty Win that they would have the grace to understand. Prayed for her friends: Lincoln and Jackie, Cassie and Harrison, for Brenda, and others that she knew. That God would bless them, keep them safe, keep them healthy, grant them the desire of their hearts.

She smiled. God seemed to be granting her one of her deepest desires with that phone call tonight.Thank You Lord, thank You Lord, thank You Lord.

Her phone buzzed. Oops, had Mack wanted her to reply? She glanced at it. Her heart skipped at the name.

Hey Ainsley, just checking in that you’re still doing okay. Hope you have a good sleep tonight.

Zac. Oh Zac.Lord, bless him too.And help me keep this from getting too real.

* * *

There wasnothing quite like a road trip to get a man refocused on what was real. What was real: winning against Winnipeg. Luc Blanchard might have tried, but he’d failed, and even his chirps about Zac being distracted by Ainsley hadn’t rocked his focus.

What was real? Spending time with Chris, focusing more on the Bible verses that had been shared this week in the online Bible study group. Others might like to play poker on the plane, but he listened to the Bible on his headphones, pausing every so often to think through what was said. He had to fill his mind with what was good and true and right. That way he wouldn’t think on the woman who was also those things, who had only replied to his message with a thumbs-up sign.

He hadn’t known how to deal with that. She hardly seemed the sort to let an emoji do the communication for her.

He joined the others walking from Winnipeg’s visiting team’s dressing room, unsurprised to see Chris talking with Luc.

Luc spotted him, grinned despite the loss. “Well, look what the heart has drawn.”

Zac eyed him. “Sorry, but I’m not sorry for your loss.”

Chris laughed as Luc scowled. “Neither am I.”

Luc pointed at Zac. “You better treat her right. I’ve been told that Ainsley Beckett is a national treasure.”

“For sure,” Chris agreed.

“Who told you that?” Zac asked.

“My mom. Bailey.” Luc’s dancer girlfriend. “And Poppy, Bailey’s friend. Who is Franklin’s sister, by the way, so you better watch yourself the next time you’re playing against Calgary.”

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