Thom abandoned Thordin an hour later and headed up to the forge, his sketchbook tucked under one arm, whistling a tune that had been popular on the radio that summer.\u00a0 He figured that J.T. and Matt would have worn each other out at least a little.<\/p>\n
Ribs can probably take a tap or two from Jay at this point.\u00a0 They\u2019ve been feeling pretty good lately, and if he\u2019s tired he\u2019s likely not to hit as hard.\u00a0 Marin won\u2019t start a shouting match because I\u2019m bruised to hell.<\/i><\/p>\n
He smiled wryly.\u00a0 At least I hope not.<\/i><\/p>\n
There were half a dozen up on the hill now, watching J.T. and Matt square off.\u00a0 Thom tucked his sketchbook safely into the warm darkness of the forge before he circled around the pair, who\u2019d stopped after the last hit.\u00a0 Tala, standing in as the referee, grinned at him as he approached.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing to relieve Matt so he can nurse his bruises?\u201d she asked cheerfully.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been holding his own,\u201d J.T. said, grinning.\u00a0 Thom spotted Carolyn and Pippa in the group of spectators and killed his own grin.<\/p>\n
\u201cI imagine he would.\u00a0 Good instincts.\u201d\u00a0 Thom stretched little as he made his way over the patch of trampled snow where J.T. and Matt had clearly been sparring for a while now.\u00a0 \u201cReally need a break, Matt?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI could probably use one,\u201d the younger man admitted, offering his kendo stick to his brother-in-law.\u00a0 \u201cGoing to put on a show for us?\u201d<\/p>\n
Thom snorted.\u00a0 \u201cA show, huh?\u00a0 Probably not, but maybe.\u201d\u00a0 One corner of his mouth twitched upward toward a smile as he swung the bamboo weapon a little to get a feel for its weight and balance.\u00a0 J.T. had a tendency to add extra weight to his sticks and this one wasn\u2019t any different.<\/p>\n
He fell into a fighting stance and gave J.T. a wicked grin.\u00a0 \u201cWell, then.\u00a0 Let\u2019s get this party started.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Thom abandoned Thordin an hour later and headed up to the forge, his sketchbook tucked under one arm, whistling a tune that had been popular on the radio that summer.\u00a0 He figured that J.T. and Matt would have worn each … Continue reading