Page 104 of Risky Game

Amelia’s pounding little feet reverberated against the kitchen floor before her tiny body slammed into mine. She was dressed in a swimsuit, lime-green Crocs in sport mode on her feet.

“Daddy! Daddy! Grampa’s taking me fishing!”

“He is? That’s great. Are you going to catch us dinner?”

So far, we’d caught a handful of crappies no larger than the size of my fist. I’d convinced Amelia to continue returning them to the lake so they could grow big and strong.

“Do you think they’re ready?” She sighed, eyes wide with excitement.

“Probably not, kiddo. You ready?”

My dad was at the kitchen counter, two towels thrown over his shoulder. I wasn’t at all surprised they were heading out fishing again. They’d spent almost the entire weekend together on the water.

“You good to go out with her again?”

My dad scowled at me. “What? You saying I’m too old?”

He turned sixty in January. The man wasn’t close to being old, but it had been a long day and he’d been up with the sun to fish. “I would never. Where’s Mom?”

If they were going to be gone, I could go hunt down Ruby. I should probably figure out what to say to her first, but I needed to see her. Make sure she was okay.

“She’s already outside, waiting for us. Said she’d float on the paddleboard or watch from the dock.”

“Have you guys talked about what to do for dinner?”

The bonus to having my parents in town was I didn’t have to cook. Mom swept in and took over my kitchen like it was hers. I’d long since given up fighting it. What idiot would do that?

He pointed to a Crock-Pot sitting on my counter. I’d never seen it in my life. “Went out this morning after you left and bought that and a roast. Surprised you couldn’t smell it from the garage. Said it’ll be ready in less than two hours now.”

My favorite meal. He was right. Mom made a killer roast with carrots and potatoes. I had yet to make the gravy as good as she did. I usually scented it out.

We’d be eating late. I didn’t care. I would wait until midnight for Mom’s roast.

It also gave me time to find Ruby and smooth things over.

“Right. I’m going to grab a shower and relax then while you adventurers go explore the lake.”

“It’s just fishing, Daddy.” Amelia rolled her eyes and turned to my dad. “Race you, Grampa!”

She took off.

He shook his head. “Now that is something I am too old to still do.”

He followed Amelia out the sliding back door and as soon as it clicked, I headed up the stairs.

My shower could wait.

Ruby could not.

I knocked on her door softly, my hands balled into fists and all the words I wanted to say to her sticking to my throat.

It took a moment. Two. It took long enough she’d either been in the bathroom or had debated whether or not to open it. As she opened the door, blocking it at her shoulder, it was definitely the latter option.

“Can we talk?”

Her eyes were red, as if she’d been crying, and the pain of hurting her earlier returned tenfold. She rested the side of her head against the doorframe.

“Can I come in?”

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