Page 58 of Faking the Shot

“I’m away next week, so you might need to email some of them.”

“I’m afraid some will need to be signed in person, but we’ll work as fast as we can.”

“Do you think we can close and get the keys by Christmas?”

“That’s pushing it, but that’s what we’ll aim for.”

“You’re a gem, Stirling.”

“You’re a star, Ainsley.” Their little joke.

“I mean it, though. You don’t know how long my brother and I have been wanting this to happen, so to think it’s so close feels like a dream.”

“I think it’s a great cause, and will be a real blessing to many women.”

“I’m praying so.”

“Okay, I gotta go, the wife is calling.”

“Give Bernice a hug from me. We’ll do dinner soon.”

“Let’s celebrate once it’s done.”

Which just may be by Christmas! She ended that call, phoned her brother, left a message, then returned to see the message of a missed call lighting her screen.

Zac. Again. Playing phone tag with him was getting ridiculous. Still, she was excited and wanted someone to share her good news with, so she called him back.

“Ainsley. I hated that I missed you again.”

She closed her eyes at the warmth in his voice. He’d missed her? Oh. He probably only meant he hated missing her phone call. That was all. “Um, I’m sorry it has taken me awhile to get back to you.”

“Hey, it’s okay. We’re talking now.”

She smiled. “So, how are you?”

“I’m fine, thank you. How are you?”

She laughed. “You don’t need to make fun of me. I’m genuinely asking because you hurt yourself, didn’t you?”

“You mean the back check in Saint Paul last night?”

“When that big dude whacked you, yes.”

“I’m okay,” he assured.

“Good.” She didn’t want to sound like she worried but was curious. “Does that kind of thing happen often?”

“Getting injured?”

“Are you injured?” she asked quickly.

“No. I had a slight twinge, but it’s gone now. The medics have cleared me to play tomorrow night.”

She sighed. “I don’t think I realized just what a dangerous game hockey can be.”

“I think the word you’re looking for is exciting.”

Her lips lifted. “Hey, where are you?”

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