John grumbled but finally did stretch out on the ground.
With those three out, she estimated there were only eight more players left, including her and Ethel. Game on. Where was the eighty-year-old champion hiding?
She glanced up and down East Street. No sign of anyon
e. Deciding it was best to remain in the park with all the trees to give her cover, she made her way to the Red Dragon statue on the northeast corner of the park. Remaining low, she moved behind one of the many park benches. Two guys were slinking off to her left. Before she could get off a shot, Ethel jumped out from behind a bush just twenty feet in front of her and shot them both. But the woman hadn’t spotted her. The sun was behind her, shielding her from Ethel’s view.
Carrie raised her weapon. She had a perfect shot. She tightened her finger on the trigger, but then she saw Ethel smile. How could she shoot her? She couldn’t. She lowered her gun and crawled back the way she’d come.
Second place will be just fine for this newbie.
And then she felt the sting in her back. Damn. She shot me. She grinned.
Ethel came over to her. “Carrie, a word of advice. This isn’t a sentimental game. All is fair in love and war. You should’ve taken me out when you had the chance.”
She laughed. “I’m coming for you next round, Ethel O’Leary. You’ll see.”
“I have no doubt about that. You’re an incredible player, young lady. I still want to win my trophy, so I will be keeping an eye on you.” Ethel grinned and then was gone.
On her back staring up into Destiny’s clear sky, Carrie thought about how much her life had changed since Jena had found her in that Dallas diner. The last report she’d heard from Shannon’s Elite was nearly half the money had already been returned to its rightful owners. Easton Black believed it wouldn’t be more than a couple of weeks for the rest.
She was surrounded by a family who loved her, friends who made her laugh, and two wonderful men who she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. After all the years of being on the run, she’d finally found home.
The buzzer sounded, letting all the players know the round had ended.
She stood and dusted herself off, adjusting her helmet.
Over the loud speaker, a voice announced, “The last person standing is Ethel O’Leary. She’s awarded five points for winning this round. In second place, Emmett Stone. He’s awarded four points. In third, Erica Strange. Three points. In fourth, Carrie Dixon. Two points. In fifth—”
Matt and Sean ran up to here and gave her a hug.
“Did I hear right? Was I in fourth place?”
“You heard right,” Matt said, smiling. He and Sean both wore bright yellow vests, indicating they were security and officials of the game. “We saw what you did.”
“Or better said, what you didn’t do,” Sean said. “You had her, Carrie. Why didn’t you take the shot?”
“Believe me, I will next time,” she said with a grin. “Call it my newbie mistake.”
“I wish I could work the park this next round to see you in action,” Matt said. “But Sean and I have to go help run the children’s games at Lover’s Beach.”
“How long before the next round?” she asked.
“Ten minutes,” Sean said. “After that one, we’ll break for lunch. This afternoon the team challenges begin.”
“Do either of you know where Josh or Jacob are?” She wanted to tell them how well she’d done in the last round, although they likely already knew since it had gone out over the loud speaker. But a good-luck kiss from each of them might help in the next round. She might even end up winning. Kisses from them definitely couldn’t hurt.
“They worked the overnight shift, filling in for Jaris and Chance. Jaris’s dog Sugar delivered eight beautiful puppies, I’m told,” Matt said. “I bet Josh and Jacob are asleep.”
Sean shook his head. “I just talked to the sheriff. He said they are pulling a double. They’re over at Lover’s Beach supervising the kid’s games right now. Since no cars are allowed on the streets in town, most are parked there and by Silver Spoon Bridge. The ones by the bridge are fine, but a few by the beach have been splattered in paint by some of the kids. Happens every year because some people park too close to the playing field for the kids.”
“I’m not surprised Josh and Jacob are still up even though they worked all night. No one gets much sleep during paintball.” Matt turned to her. “Carrie, you won’t have time to get to Lover’s Beach and back before the next round, but I’ll let your guys know you want to see them.”
“Ask them if they would meet me for lunch.” The local restaurants, including Phong’s Wok, were catering all the meals, which were served under the big tent behind the Dream Hotel.
“We’ll do.”
“Jena was asking about you,” Sean said. “You’ve got time to get to the information desk before the next round.”