“Been there.”
“But the other was so nice I didn’t…” She shook her head. “He deserved better. But not you.”
“Not me what?”
“I’m not worried about you having kids. You’d be a great mom. You know kids deserve to be loved. You knewyoudeserved to be loved, and you tried to tell us all that, and we just didn’t listen.”
Lucy wanted to say something. She wasn’t sure what, but maybe something like,Thank you for telling me all this.
But then Jack rapped his knuckles gently on the library door and peeked his head in. “Sorry to interrupt, but the ferry’s coming, Miss Angie. If you’re ready.”
Angie smiled at him, then at Lucy. “Don’t want to overstay my welcome.”
She stood and walked to the door. Lucy said, “I can walk you to the dock.”
Her sister smiled. “Thanks. I’d like that.”
On the way down the path to the dock, Angie looked around. “This place is incredible. You’re so lucky.”
At the dock, they waited as the skipper moored the ferry. The water was calm. Seagulls circled overhead, looking for lunch among the broken branches and other storm debris.
“Anyway,” Angie said, the moment growing awkward between them again, “I hope I see—”
“Why now?” Lucy asked suddenly.
“What?”
“Why are you talking to me now? Why not a year ago, three years ago? It’s not just a contest. Why did Jack have to talk you into—”
“I didn’t want to waste any more time,” Angie said. “That’s all.”
The skipper helped Angie onto the ferry.
“Talk to you soon?” Angie asked. “I’d love to hear from you when the game’s over. Tell me if you win?”
Lucy hesitated before replying. “Maybe.”
The boat engine revved, and they moved away from the dock. Jack came and stood by Lucy as the ferry churned its slow way through the shallows and into the deep waters.
“She thinks I’m lucky.”
“Ah, well, you do have your health.”
“Why did I always assume her life turned out perfect?” Lucy said.
“Because she had your parents’ love. You thought she’d won the lottery. But you’ve heard about the lottery winner’s curse, yes?”
She had. And it seemed Angie had been cursed. She’d won their love but lost it just as easily.
“I can’t forgive her just yet,” Lucy said as the boat disappeared from view.
“Of course not.”
“But I don’t hate her.”
“Hate is a knife without a handle. You can’t cut something with it without cutting yourself.”
“Jack—”
