LITMIR.BIZ

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her shoulder would permit her to jog, she headed toward the school. There were a few early birds there but the bleachers were still largely unoccupied. She saw Charlie Gregor, and waved.

      “Hey, Charlie. What brings you out for a high-school game?”

      Charlie’s glasses shone in the overhead lighting. He looked cool in his silk shirt, in spite of the warmth. “Thought I’d check out the local talent. Someday my sister’s kids will need to pick a high school.”

      “You really plan ahead, don’t you?”

      He laughed. “Nah, it’s just an excuse. I will go anywhere to watch a little basketball, pro or otherwise. Want to sit?”

      “Sure.” She didn’t feel like engaging in the usual cheerful banter; her mind was whirling with Doug Chee’s revelation. Fortunately, Charlie was uncharacteristically silent.

      She didn’t recognize Tim at first as she scanned the court. He was barking out commands to the kids working on basketball drills. He joked with them in between, face alight with excitement.

      She waited until Tim was alone for a minute.

      “Hi, Tim.”

      His head whipped up from his notes, face breaking into a wide grin. “Hi, Ivy. I didn’t think you were going to make it. I’m glad you decided to come watch.”

      “Oh, well, actually I…” Her words were cut off with the noisy arrival of the opposing team.

      He nodded to her. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll talk to you after the game, okay?”

      She didn’t want to stay in that sweltering gym. She wanted to find Moe and ask him about Cyril, but Tim was already talking with the other coach. With a sigh she returned to the rapidly filling bleachers. A big man wearing a hat and jacket eased his bulk onto the space beside her. Tinted glasses obscured his eyes.

      His voice was gravelly. “Going to be a good game, I hear.”

      “I guess,” Ivy said. Her mind returned to the arson fire. She made a note to track down her crew, too, and find out if they knew anything. Saturday night was party night, and a group of firefighters would gather later at a local restaurant for eating and loud music. She’d attended some of the social nights herself, enjoying the camaraderie and the stories, especially if Antonio was there. Now the thought of meeting up with him made her stomach clench. She was glad that he’d transferred departments.

      The referee’s whistle blew and the court broke into spirited competition. Ivy was sucked into the game in spite of herself. Tim’s team played with practiced skill. At the half, they were behind fifteen points, but they rallied to win the game by a scant two baskets.

      Tim beamed as he shook the other coach’s hand. Bleachers emptied until the court was a mass of happy parents and sweating teenagers. Ivy was surprised when Tim found her in the melee.

      “Was that a great game or what?” His face was boyish, flushed with enthusiasm.

      Ivy couldn’t help but smile. “It certainly was. Congratulations, coach.”

      He caught up her hand. “Thanks. Hey, we’re going out to pizza to celebrate. Come with us.”

      She squeezed his long fingers for a moment before she let go. “Ah, no, thanks, Tim. I’ve got something I need to do.”

      His smile dimmed. “Oh, I forgot. It’s party night, huh?”

      She nodded. “Do you want to come by after your pizza party? You know the guys all like you.” They were polite, certainly, but there was always a feeling that anyone who wasn’t in suppression was an outsider. She felt it, maybe even projected it, and she knew that Tim had certainly felt it, too. He doesn’t deserve to play second fiddle to anyone. The thought startled her.

      “No, thanks. I’m going to take Mark to the hospital to see his mom after we eat. She’s struggling with breast cancer. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.”

      She watched him go, his broad shoulders cutting a path through the happy throngs, wondering for a moment if she should have chosen the basketball party.

      Ivy stopped to get a drink of water at the fountain before she exited the gym. The parking lot was nearly empty as she made her way along, purse slung over her good shoulder. She let her mind drift as she walked past the lot and onto the grass.

      Out of nowhere came the sound of running feet. As she tensed and turned to look behind her, a heavy body plowed into her, knocking her to the ground. Her purse fell underneath her, and she felt hands prodding, scrambling to get a handhold on her bag. She tried to scream, but the man’s weight pinned her face to the ground.

      Pulse pounding, she tried with all her strength to push him away, but she couldn’t budge him. The best she could do was keep curled around her purse as tightly as she could.

      No way, creep. You’re not going to make a victim of me.

      With his fingers wrapped around her hair, her attacker yanked so hard her eyes teared.

      It was all she could do to keep fighting.

      Just when she thought she would have to give in, she heard a shout.

      The weight was lifted off her and she could breathe again. Vaguely she saw a man’s figure running away.

      Another face peered into hers. “Ivy? Are you okay? It’s me.”

      Through her tears she looked into Antonio’s handsome face.

      FIVE

      Antonio sat with Ivy while she caught her breath. “I came to see the game, but I was too late so I stopped to talk to some friends in the parking lot. Then I saw that guy on top of you. Are you sure you’re okay?”

      She nodded, wiping the moisture from her face. “Just winded, and my shoulder is throbbing. I thought we were safe from purse snatchings in this small town.”

      “Guess there’s nowhere safe from crime anymore.” He hauled her up in his muscular arms and kept her there for a moment. His low whisper tickled her ear. “I was worried when I saw you lying there.”

      She pulled away. “I thought worry was a feeling you didn’t indulge in. Too angsty, or something.” Immediately she wished she hadn’t said it.

      He laughed, his teeth white in the darkness. “Oh, I give worry a few minutes out of my life sometimes. Come on, I’ll drive you home. Do you want to call the police first?”

      “No. I just want to get out of here. Now.”

      He led her to his SUV.

      She tried to steady her body and emotions as they drove. She could feel a scrape on her knee and various bruises beginning to form.

      Antonio eyed her. “Actually, I didn’t come just to see the game. I came to check on you.”

      “Really?” She tried to hide the satisfaction in her voice. “That was nice of you.”

      “Sure. I’m planning a hiking trip with some of the crew next week. Thought I’d invite you along.”

      She didn’t dare look at him. “How does Denise feel about that?”

      He waved a dismissive hand. “We aren’t exclusive. She knows that.”

      She wondered if that’s what he told people when they were dating. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m taking it easy on the shoulder for a while.”

      “Okay.”

      He chatted away as they drove. Ivy could see why women found him irresistible. She’d thought he was everything she’d wanted in a man, a partner. Was he looking for reconciliation? Was she?

      Ivy felt a surge of relief when they pulled into her parking lot and Antonio walked her to the door. Happy as she was to know he missed her, wanted her, she couldn’t forget how things had changed.

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