Read Online Starks' Reality by Sarah Storme - Free Book Online Page A

Sammy. I figure he’s unconscious, that’s why he isn’t shooting. I pull on his foot so I can work my way up his body to wake him up. There’s almost no resistance. His boot slides along the ground. I know why, but my mind just won’t take it in, so I run my hand up the outside of his pants to his knee, and there’s nothing else there—it’s just part of his leg. God, I wish I hadn’t found that boot.”
    Tears started down her face as she held him tighter. His shoulders shook as if he were sitting in a freezer.
    “Coop, it’s okay now. You’re with me.”
    He nodded and took a long drag on the cigarette before flicking it away. “I loved your mother, Deuce. It wasn’t her fault she left. I should never have asked her to live in my hell. I didn’t want to hurt her.”
    “I know,” she said. “You didn’t choose to go to war.”
    Tears filled his eyes, but he smiled at her. “I thank my lucky stars every day that I have you,” he said. “I wouldn’t have made it this far without you.”
    Heather kissed her father’s wh iskered cheek and rested her head on his shoulder, swallowing hard to hide her emotion. She hadn’t felt as close to her father in years as she did at that moment.
    “I’m sorry I snapped at you,” she said. “I’m just afraid I won’t have enough money to finish school.”
    “I’m worried about that, too,” he said. “I’ll sell the bar if I need to.”
    She didn’t mention that selling the bar would barely pay off the bills.
    “You know,” she said, “we probably won’t have enough business today to justify staying open.”
    “No?”
    She shook her head against his shoulder.
    “Then, why don’t we do something together?”
    “Okay.” She raised her head. “Let’s go fishing.”
    He looked at her, eyes wide. “Really?”
    Heather nodded.
    Coop smiled and kissed her forehead.
    ~~**~~**~~
    By the time they worked their way back to Boyer Bay, they were running on the reserve tank. Several small boats and two wind surfers had replaced Parks and Wildlife.
    Tucker slowed the engine and the boat settled back down, rolling forward on the wake. Jake picked up the binoculars and checked the other vessels, curious to see who spent time on the water.
    Two older men fished from an ancient ski boat. Another boat held four teenagers who appeared to be sunbathing in little to nothing. The third, a small bass boat with an outboard, carried a man and a woman. Jake sharpened the focus on the glasses.
    “Why don’t you ease over to that one,” he said, pointing to the third boat.
    Coop raised a beer can as they ap proached. “Hey, Chief!”
    “Having any luck?” Jake asked.
    Coop shrugged. “Caught a few fish and killed a few beers. I guess that’s about as good as it gets. You want one?” He reached into the ice chest.
    “Sure,” Tucker said.
    Coop tossed the can into the air and Tucker caught it with one hand.
    Jake waved off the offer. “You know my neighbors?” he asked Tucker. “ Bill Cooper, and his daughter, Heather?”
    Tucker nodded. “Coop and I run into each other now and then. But, I haven’t officially met Miss Cooper.”
    “Heather, this is Dave Tucker, a friend.”
    Tucker tipped his ball cap and Heather nodded.
    She was almost smiling when she looked up at Jake. Sunglasses hid her eyes, but he knew how beautiful they were. Her bare arms glistened, and the low neckline of her sleeveless T-shirt fired his imagination.
    “I didn’t know you liked to fish,” he said.
    “Someone has to keep an eye on him.” She shoved her father’s shoulder playfully.
    Coop nodded. “That’s true.”
    “Coop,” Tucker said, “why don’t you and your daughter come up to my place tomorrow evening? I’m having a party. Nothing fancy, just beer and music.”
    “I never turn down free beer,” Coop said. “We’ll be there.”
    A frown flashed across Heather’s face, but she didn’t say anything.
    “Good. Fun starts at seven. See you then.” Tucker eased the