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Aiden snorts, “Mom, are you suggesting that I take the focus off Penny, who is my reason for retiring, and have it directed toward Anna?”
I hook my arm with Aiden’s, “I’d rather focus the negative attention on me instead of your daughter. I can handle myself in sticky situations, and if it keeps her safe, I’m all for it. I would have preferred to have had this discussion before you announced it to Patricia and the train went off the rails, but we’re here now, and I’m fully on board. The choice is yours, Aiden.”
He looks at me tenderly, “You would really do this just to protect my daughter?”
“I’d be willing to do it to protect you both.”
The last six hours have been an emotional rollercoaster. First, I decided that Jesus and I would have a moment later tonight and that I wanted a relationship with Him. Then I found out that my mother attends the same church as the Shaws and is considered a family friend. Lastly, there was Patricia, a fake engagement and a stalker added into the mix. At this point, I’m mentally drained, overwhelmed, and in need of a good release.
When we returned to the party, it was in full swing. The kids had their baskets full of chocolate crosses, coloring books, art supplies, and fun little toys. They were running around having a grand time. The adults helped the kids under ten with the scavenger hunt, and Penny asked me to be her wingman. I was honored, and we did our best. We would have won, too, but Penny stopped me when we got to the last clue.
“I never win these, Anna,” she said bluntly.
“There’s a first time for everything,” I tell her, encouraging her to succeed.
“No. You don’t understand. I don’t win on purpose.”
“Oh. Why not?” I’ve lost a few pageants on purpose, but my motives were never altruistic. I sit on my knees while Penny explains why she loses.
“I enjoy the challenge, but winning comes easy for me. See that boy over there?” She points to a boy about eight years old who’s holding his father’s hand. I recognize the dad. It’s James Berkowitz, a center for the Rockets and the one most likely to take up Aiden’s stead when Aiden retires.
“I do.”
“His name is Doogie. Well, it’s actually Douglas, but we all call him Doogie. He’s autistic. What would it feel like for him to win this year? For me, I’d be happy for a few minutes at most. For him, it would last a lifetime.”
I pull Penny into my arms, amazed by this little girl who thinks of others before herself. When the scavenger hunt ends, it is indeed Doogie who wins. Some of the smaller children are disappointed, but all the other kids congratulate him. Doogie beams with pride, and his smile doesn’t fade for the rest of the party. Penny hugs her friend, and the joy on Penny’s face is brighter than if she had won. I couldn’t be prouder.
I turn to Aiden, “You have a very special daughter. She’s going to grow up and do amazing things.”
His response is drowned out by the loud crack of a shotgun that sounds deafening as it echoes across the expansive lawn. Without thinking, I tackle Aiden to the ground and cover his body with my own.
“Boom!…Boom! Boom!...Boom!”
All I can do is pray that my team kept everyone else safe.
Chapter twenty-one
Aiden
Imust admit, I’m enjoying the sensation of Anna wrapped in my arms, even though I shouldn’t under the circumstances. I know what’s going on and start laughing, but because Anna is on top of me, the sound doesn’t escape. When she feels my body spasming, she lifts herself off of me and immediately checks for any injuries. I should stop her, but I’m too enamored with the care and compassion in her eyes.
“Are you hurt, Aiden, or are you laughing?” she asks. “If it’s the latter, I’m about to make it the former Shaw.”
“I’m sorry. I should have warned you that the guys like to challenge Swank or me in skeet once the scavenger hunt is finished. But it was really sweet that you prayed for me. That meant more to me than you tackling me to the ground. It hurt a lot less, too.”
She helps me up and begins looking around the area to verify that everyone is safe. I observe as Jerry helps my mom get to her feet while Roger does the same for my dad. I have to assume that my family explained to them what the shots actually were. Penny is trying her best to tackle Jessie back, thinking whatever happened was a game. I stand at the edge of the patio and announce, “I apologize for not warning you about the skeet shooting that occurs after the scavenger hunt is over.”
Roger shakes a few blades of grass from his khaki shorts and pale white legs. “Mr. Shaw, are there any other surprises we should be aware of? I’d really like to avoid getting grass stains on my knees unless it’s absolutely necessary. I know they need a little color, but green is not the look I’m going for.”
“No. Since we have a game tomorrow in Maine, the party will end after the skeet shooting is done.”
“That’s dandy, and my knees thank you,” he says.
Anna sidles up next to me, “Want to help Swank lose some money and have a little fun at the same time?”
Curious, I ask what she has in mind. Once she tells me her plan, I wave over my mom, dad, and Penny to make the trek across the lawn toward the water where the skeet is set up. Anna whispers into her com, requesting that Scott, Jeremy, and Jack stay back and maintain vigilance while her team joins us.
Jessie rubs her hands together, “Ooh, this is going to be good!”
