Page 140 of Here and Now
“I hope so!” Ainsley says and then gives me a look saying there’s not a chance they do.
We ride the thirty minutes, laughing and talking about Ainsley’s job. She’s heading to Washington, DC, to cover a story she thinks is going to blow up. She spends about one week a month up there as she works for a newspaper in New York.
“I really think there’s something off about this senator,” she says as she makes a left into the parking lot.
“Is that what you’re investigating?” I ask.
She nods. “There’s just a hunch I’ve had, and my boss has shot the story down like ten times, which is weird, because we’d want to be on the breaking side of it. I have a source who is adamant I need to dig in. All the places I’ve looked so far have come up empty, though. I guess I get why my editor isn’t all in. I need something concrete before I can spend weeks on it.”
I know nothing about journalism, so I’ll take her word on it. “Can you tell me who?”
“I wish I could, but I really can’t. Not that I think you’re not trustworthy, I do. I just have to protect the story always.”
I can’t help wondering whether it’s a certain senator I know. I wonder whether Ainsley knows and could ... I don’t know, help.
No. I’m not dragging her into it.
“Don’t apologize, your discretion is actually admirable,” I say softly.
“If I’m wrong, which I could be, that could destroy his or her life, you know? I don’t ever want to be that person. Accusations can do just as much damage as facts sometimes. We see that constantly in politics.”
“In life too,” I say.
“True. People often overlook things based on their own opinions. It’s just the way it seems lately. It’s why I’m very cautious with any story I put out. I protect my source as well as making sure all the information is verified.”
I respect that completely. “I think that’s what makes you a good journalist.”
Ainsley smiles brightly. “You think?”
“I do.”
“Well, who knew that me writing about the love of my life and Ultimate Frisbee would’ve been the break in my career I needed.”
“The last part especially,” I say with a laugh.
She sighs deeply, glancing at Rose in the back. “It was the break in my life too. It brought me to Ember Falls and to Lachlan.”
We pull into the parking lot, and there are hundreds of cars. Frisbees are flying around, people sitting at the backs of their cars with grills, tents, and chairs everywhere. I had no idea this was such a big thing.
“Yeah, they do Frisbee big in these leagues,” Ainsley says when she sees my face.
“This is . . .”
“Yup. Just wait, the guys have a great setup, and hopefully they brought a physical therapist this time, because one of them is bound to pull something.”
I laugh. We park and then I turn to Ainsley, wanting to ask her something, but I’m not sure I should.
“Penny?” she asks as I stare at her. “Are you okay?”
Here goes nothing. Ainsley has been a friend, and she probably understands the fear I have about all of this.
“Were you scared?” I ask her. “When it came to Lachlan?”
Ainsley’s eyes flash to mine, and there’s a mix of understanding and sisterhood in her gaze. “Very. Love is terrifying. At least I think so. Moving to Ember Falls after fighting so damn hard to be a reporter in New York was also a big risk. I think that without taking any chances, you never know what rewards might be awaiting you. Look at you and Miles. If you hadn’t come here, you’d never have met him.”
“That would’ve been a really sad thing,” I say with all the honesty in the world. “He’s a great man.”
“He’d do anything for you, Penny.”
