Page 80 of Sugar & Shadows

“Sort of,” I answered, assessing the weight of the tool in my hand.

Standing at the line, I eyed the target. It felt impossibly far away, but I wouldn’t know if I could do it unless I tried. With two hands, I raised the axe above my head like Stella had. Then I stepped forward and threw.

The long handle spun and thunked against the wooden wall, then the tool clattered to the floor.

“Not bad,” she said. “You’re releasing too late, but your throwing mechanics are decent. I can work with this.”

My next one fell off to the side of the target, but the blade hit the wood that time.

Despite my best efforts to focus on the task at hand, my thoughts kept circling back to Gabe. What had prompted him to shut her down? Why had he broken this poor girl’s heart? And furthermore, why did I care?

“My sister told me about you,” Frankie said, interrupting my spiraling. “How you’re looking into Caleb’s arrest.”

I nodded, half my mind focused on trying to figure out how to throw both harder and more accurately.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “We need all the help we can get. And I appreciate people who distrust the leadership of this town.”

“I distrust all leadership,” I corrected. “Especially the men.”

She chuckled darkly. “I knew I liked you. Let me show you a few tricks.” She nodded at the target.

Standing back, I watched her throw several times. When it was my turn again, I changed my grip and took a bigger step forward. This time I released a second before my instinct told me to.

And it hit. Dead center.

“That was gorgeous,” Frankie whispered, like she was awestruck. “And aggressive.”

“I find clarity in precision,” I said, admiring my bull’s-eye. “And while I can’t make any promises, if I can help your brother, I will.”

Frankie jogged over to retrieve our axes from the target. “And if I can help you do whatever it is you’re plotting, I will.”

I threw again, reveling in the satisfaction of the blade hitting the wood. This was fun. “Marigold would love this,” I said.

“I invited her,” Nina said from her spot. “She’s in New York again. Goes every month or so to visit her granddaughter.”

We took a break then, and Frankie offered us bottles of water from a small cooler.

“Can’t we just get drunk?” Stella asked as she took one.

Frankie glared at her. “No.”

The blonde tipped her head back and stomped. “Why?”

“Because drinking is terrible for you,” Nina told her. “And this will actually make you feel better.”

“Sorry, sweetie,” Frankie said, throwing an arm around Stella.

“This is strangely cathartic. And a great workout.” I chugged my water, then scanned the barn, taking it all in.

“Next time we’ll shoot the shit,” Frankie said with a feral grin. “Nothing better than watching stuff explode. Or firearms.”

I only had vague memories of Frankie as a kid, but I knew enough about her to know she wasn’t kidding.

“Is it bad that I think I like him more now?” Stella sighed.

“Yes,” the three of us said in unison.

“I will key his car for you,” Frankie offered.