Page 4 of A Tinsel Tale

“No biggie. You’d do the same.”

“What do I owe ya for the wood?”

“A smoked brisket sometime after your surgery. Nobody can touch your smoking skills.”

He chuckles. “Consider it done.”

I lift my University of Michigan ball cap and rake my hair back then put it on backwards.

He nods at my hat. “Big game coming up.”

“Yep. Playing Ohio State Saturday. We’re having a gathering at my place to watch it on the big screen. A kegger… tons of food. Open invite, but with your daughter here and all I’m sure you want your quality time.”

“We’ll see. Maybe I can convince Evie to come.”

I contain my eyeroll… just barely. “I’m sure she’d rather have a limb amputated than spend time with me. Can’t say I blame her.”

Coache’s eyes turn serious, and he gives my shoulder a sympathetic squeeze. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. You were both young.”

I shrug. “What can I say? I screwed up, didn’t handle things well. I will say this. I know she’s your daughter and all, but she’s changed. The Evie I used to know wouldn’t have abandoned you after Ginny died.”

“Everyone handles grief differently.”

I mumble under my breath, “And some people only think of themselves.”

“Evie has her reasons. It wasn’t easy for her. She and Ginny were about as close as you can get. She took it hard.”

“I’m sorry Coach, I mean no disrespect. I should have kept my big trap shut. She’s your daughter.”

“And you’re like a son to me. I don’t mind you speakin’ your mind. I just don’t agree with your assessment.”

“We’ll agree to disagree.” I hold up my hands in surrender. “What do I know, anyway?”

Bill opens the bed of my truck. “I can help,” he says.

“Oh, no you don’t! I’ve got this.”

“Um… that would be a hell no,” a husky female voice says, startling us both. I would know that voice anywhere. And there she is coming around the corner. I take in her cowboy boots… the faded jeans that hug her long thighs and brown sherpa-lined jacket that accents her startling green eyes. Her tousled auburn hair cascades around her shoulders in thick wild waves and I expel the breath I was holding.Fuck me. She’s evenmoresmoking hot if that’s possible. I notice that there is some hay tangled in her hair and I stuff my hands in my pockets to keep from brushing it away. I gave up that right a long time ago.

She looks at me through narrowed eyes and says, “The local hero delivering wood to a family in need? How thoughtful.”

I grit my teeth.Wrong thing to say, Chicago. “Hardly a hero. We look out for each other around here. Maybe you’ve forgotten what small-town life is like.”

“The tedium you mean?” she says sweetly.

“Oh, I’m sure life is pretty dull around here compared to your exciting life. I’m surprised you can carve out the time to get back here being as you’re famous and all. Congratulations.”

“Hardly famous, or was that sarcasm?”

“No need to be modest. You were the talk of the town after thatDatelineepisode. Pretty big deal to us bumpkins. A case featured onDateline?I’d say that’s pretty epic. Come on, Chicago, lightning doesn’t hit this town often.” I know I sound like a dick, but I can’t help myself. It kinda’ feels good.

Coach puts his arm around Evie and gives her a squeeze. “We’re proud of our girl,” he says.

She shoots daggers at me before turning her shamrock green eyes on her father with a sweet, butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-her-mouth smile.

“Well, I best get this firewood unloaded,” I say.

“I’ll help,” Evie offers.

---