Lukash and Vandameer went next. Their timing wasn’t as good as their teammate Kate’s, but timing didn’t count. Then it was Sam’s turn. She struggled with every hand-and toehold, but she made it to the top and back down. She grinned when Hawkins and her teammates pounded her on the back and congratulated her. A deep sigh escaped her lips as she dried her hands on her pant legs before she reached for the rope. Again, it was a struggle but she inched her way up to the top. Her fist shot in the air as her teammates went wild.

Vandameer blew her a kiss. She laughed so loud when she dropped to the ground she needed help getting up. It was Vandameer who pulled her to her feet. Sam continued to laugh. She would not look at Pappy. Nothing in the world could make her look at him.

She’d done it. She’d persevered, and she’d prevailed. Hot damn.

Sam stood next to Hawkins, whispering to him, offering encouragement. “You can do it, Hawkins. Just be glad timing doesn’t count. Hey, you’re up,” she said, twenty minutes later.

Hawkins stepped forward and started the climb. He’d done it hundreds of times with Sam. She’d offered encouragement while she jeered at the same time. Now, though, when it counted, she was silent, and he wished she’d shout something to him. He was three-quarters of the way up when his foot slipped, and he went down two toeholds.

“C’mon, c’mon, you can do it.” He couldn’t believe his ears when he heard Sam shout her favorite phrase, “Pretend I have a blowtorch aimed at your butt. Go! Go!” He did, and he was up and over, laughing all the way down. Team Three burst into applause when he marched around to the dangling rope. He offered up a lopsided grin as he reached for the rope.

Sam sucked in her breath. This time it was Slick who bellowed at him, promising him all kinds of things if he made it. Hawkins took her at her word and made it to the top of the rope. He swung one leg over until he was standing on top of the wall. He flapped his arms before he tucked in his legs and dropped to the ground. Even Team Five applauded him this time.

Pappy made notes on his chart.