“Do I know you?”
She shakes her head. “I was just asked to give it to you.”
“Thank you,” I say, looking down at the package. This isn’t going to be a mini bomb that blows up, right? Or some powder substance that causes death?
I laugh. It’s been a while since my brain has gone to thoughts like that. Ever since I met Burton.
My enemy list is fairly low, so I take the risk and open it.
Inside is a package of Skittles. Why does it remindme of Burton? As much as I don’t want it to, my chest aches at the thought of what could’ve been.
Blowing out a breath, I pull back a little more of the wrapping paper. There’s a small stack of papers in it too. I pull them out and see that it’s not as clean as the one I put together, but I grin anyway.
A coupon book.
Tears spring to my eyes, and I try to push them back.
Sounds filter through my earpiece, and I look out at the field. I put the package down by the water bottle and turn my attention to the camera.
“Yes, Rasmussen will start, but they’ve got Youngberg out in the bullpen getting loose right now,” I say.
“What did the coach say about his pitching choice this game?” Curtis, one of our announcers asks.
My brain is only half-focused on the question as I start to put together the pieces from the package.
I’ve got to snap in for just a few more seconds until this is over.
“Coach said he knows things have been bumpy for Rasmussen in his starts the last few times, but he knows he’s a fighter and will give it everything he has.”
“Thank you, Laney.”
The earpiece goes silent, and I pick up the coupon book again.
Redeem when your plane gets in late. I’ll wake up just to talk to you.
Redeem for one farm chore you hate. I promise not to complain.
One post-game vent session
One goat-wrangling assist. If Pearl headbutts me, I make no promises.
Redeem for one mystery investigation—no carcasses allowed
I flip through, smiling at each of the thoughtful coupons included in this bunch. I pick up the paper it was wrapped in, but there’s no return address. Is Burton here?
Scanning the crowd, I see a sea of faces, all blurring together.
I go back to the book and see the last coupon.
Redeem for a future conversation I was too scared to start before. No interruptions. No disappearing.
I let out a laugh as tears cascadedown my face.
“Are you all right?” Dean, my cameraman asks. I sniff and nod, wiping at the tears with my fingertips. “Yeah, these are tears of joy.”
CHAPTER 39
BURTON
