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see her there. She especially didn’t want to see Ben Rowe come out with his wet clothes.
    When she was sure that the room was empty she went back in. Rudy was putting away the props from his show. Annie sheepishly walked over to him.
    â€œI am so sorry,” she said. “I know I ruined everything.”
    Rudy laughed. “Don’t worry about it,” he said. “Do you know how many times one of these props has frozen up on me? I swear sometimes they have minds of their own.”
    â€œIt wasn’t the pitcher,” Annie said. “It was me. I just forgot because I was nervous. That man you picked from the audience and I have kind of a history.”
    Rudy cocked his head. “He seems a little old for you,” he said, feigning seriousness.
    Annie laughed in spite of her unhappiness. “Not that kind of history,” she said. “I sort of broke something that belonged to him a few days ago. I don’t think I’m his favorite person around here. After today I’m sure I’m not.”
    â€œHe’ll forget about it,” Rudy said. “Give him a few days.”
    Annie shook her head. “I don’t think this guy forgets anything,” she said. “I think he’s just mean.”
    Rudy chuckled. “Or lonely,” he said as he took the now-infamous pitcher and put it back in the box.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” asked Annie.
    â€œI run into a lot of people who seem unfriendly,” Rudy said. “Five-year-old kids who refuse to enjoy their own birthday parties. Parents who try to push me around. Old men who act like they don’t need anyone. It’s easy to write them off. But what I’ve found is that often what they really want is for someone to keep trying to get in.”
    â€œI don’t know,” Annie said. “I don’t think old Ben wants anyone to come in.”
    â€œMaybe,” Rudy agreed as he sealed up the box. “But you won’t know unless you try knocking again.”
    Annie helped Rudy carry his things to his car. After saying good-bye, she stood in the parking lot thinking about what he’d said. The idea of trying to make friends with Ben Rowe made her cringe. Even if Rudy was right and Ben did want someone to try to befriend him, it sure wasn’t going to be her. She already had two strikes against her. One more and she was out of the game.
    She looked back at the doors to Shady Hills. Somewhere inside the nursing home, Ben Rowe was probably changing his pants and thinking about what a jerk Annie was. Could she really risk another encounter with him? Did she even want to? The answer to that question was a resounding no. But maybe Sophia had been right. Maybe Ben Rowe was a challenge she had to face.
    Annie sighed. Maybe you will strike out, she thought. But maybe you’ll hit a home run instead.

CHAPTER  6
    Cooper checked her hair one final time in the side mirror of the blue Ford Explorer parked outside the restaurant. I guess SUVs do come in handy sometimes, she thought as she played with the carefully arranged spikes sticking up from her head. She’d gotten rid of the green color she’d put in as part of her Midsummer ritual costume, and now her hair was almost jet-black. It was the only color that would cover the green completely, and while it wasn’t her favorite it would have to do either until her natural color grew back in or she could figure out what she wanted to do next. She was grateful that her hair was short and grew out quickly, so she wouldn’t have long to wait.
    She took another look at her outfit and then pushed open the door to the pizza place and walked in as if she hadn’t just spent five minutes preparing her entrance. She scanned the booths, saw T.J. sitting at a table in the back, and made her way toward him.
    â€œHey,” she said casually as she slid into the seat opposite him.
    â€œYou’re a brunette now,” T.J.