JACK KILBORN ~ ENDURANCE Read Online Free PDF Page B

tonight over dinner, but I won’t have time. It seems I just lost three hours.”
    “ You still have to eat, don’t you?”
    “ Hopefully I can pick something up on the way to the inn. I didn’t figure on an extra ninety minute drive tonight.”
    The fat photographer, Rudy, had come over and was snapping Deb’s picture. This annoyed her. She hadn’t checked her hair, or her make-up.
    Not that they want pictures of my face. My face isn’t the reason for the interview.
    “ Ms. Novachek, this is Rudy.”
    “ Ma’am.” Rudy held out a chubby hand. It was moist when Deb shook it.
    “ Nice to meet you, Rudy, but it looks like you guys will have to find some other subject for your story.”
    “ We’ve got other subjects,” Rudy said. “But you’re the big one. You came first in your age group in the Denver Triathlon, and third overall. You’re a tremendous athlete, Ms. Novachek. Especially considering the loss of your legs. I’ve heard you have different prosthetic legs for each part of the event. Do you have some with fins for the swimming portion?”
    Rudy was talking loud enough to attract the attention of others in the room. Deb felt every eye on her, but managed to keep her voice steady.
    “ I don’t wear my legs for the swimming portion. I wouldn’t want anyone to think I had an unfair advantage. And now if you’ll excuse me.”
    Deb shoved the map into her fanny pack and began to walk away from the counter.
    “ But we want you for the cover...” Rudy said.
    She willed herself not to run. These weren’t her running legs, and it was easy to catch her toes on things. The thought of the fat guy snapping her photo when she was flat on her face was too much to bear.
    “ Ms. Novachek... please...”
    The reporter was next to her, his expression concerned.
    “ I’m sorry, Mr. Deiter—”
    “ Mal.”
    “— I’m simply not going to have time.”
    “ I could ride with you to the inn. He said the Rushmore, right? I was actually going to take a cab there, anyway. That’s where the Pillsburys are staying. They’re my other interview.”
    “ I only have a two seater.”
    “ It would just be me. Rudy will stay here. He’s actually a nice guy. A bit blunt, but not a mean bone in his body. I hope he didn’t offend you.”
    “ Not at all.”
    That was the truth. Nothing offended Deb these days. And she prided herself that she was also beyond embarrassment. Since she lost her legs, Deb had gotten so accustomed to her condition that she was mostly oblivious to other people’s reaction to her. Hell, when she jogged around town, she often stopped to let kids touch her running prosthetics.
    So why am I so anxious to get away right now?
    She knew the reason.
    It’s because he’s attractive. Talking to handsome guys makes me feel inferior, inadequate.
    Incomplete.
    But am I strong enough to deal with it?
    Deb took a calming breath, let it out slow.
    Yes. Yes I am.
    “ Please, Ms. Novachek. I feel like we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot...”
    Deb stopped and shot him a look. He seemed confused for a moment, and then he turned such a bright shade of red she thought he might pop.
    “ Oh... jeez... look, I really didn’t mean to say foot ...”
    She let him squirm for a moment, because he was cute doing so. Then she let him off the hook.
    “ It’s okay. I put my foot in my mouth all the time. Want to see me take it off and do it right now?”
    He looked mortified, then noticed her grin and burst out laughing.
    Deb allowed herself a small smile. It felt pretty good.
    “ Ms. Novachek, I have a feeling this is going to be a great interview.”
    Deb had that feeling too. “Call me Deb.”
    “ Thank you, Deb.” He offered his hand again.
    This time, when she took it, she didn’t squeeze as hard. Or pull away as fast.
    “ Look, Deb, I don’t want to impose, but the desk clerk said they had several rooms, and since all of my interviews are at the same inn, it makes sense for me to stay there as well. Do