Marty Smith was born in Accident, Maryland, and his whole life reflected it: he missed the game-winning free-throw junior year, got chicken pox twice in grade school, even lost his mother to cancer. To break this supposed curse, he fled Accident as soon as he graduated high school.<br><br>Now, ten years later, Marty must face his past when he's forced to care for his suddenly-immobile father. Marty knows his close-minded hometown hasn't changed, but seeing an old classmate named Colten Williams makes him wish things were different. The more time he spends with Colten, the more he wants to stay. Accident isn’t so bad when viewed through Colten’s eyes.<br><br>Or is it just the curse lulling him into a false sense of security before it pounces again?

The Accident Curse

Was he mad at me? Had he figured out I’d been the one to curse his cow?


“Colten, I’m sorry,” I said, still not stepping any closer. “It’s all my fault she lost.”


Finally, Colten looked at me again. “Your fault she lost?” He held up his blue ribbon. “Marty, she won.”


I shook my head. “She deserved purple. She’s good enough to be champion.”


“Maybe next show. We’ll have to try harder, won’t we girl?” He patted the animal’s big rump. “There’s still the expo in November.”


“Marty, stop. There was nothing you did to contribute to a loss.”


Did I explain? Or would he dismiss it like Dad?


“Come here, you,” I said, reaching my arms out. “Congratulations on your victory. You did amazing!”


He grinned sheepishly and left Lola Belle’s pen. He came to my open arms and accepted my hug


When he pulled back, he gestured to his ruined outfit. “Sorry I’m such a mess.”


“I like you best when you’re covered in mud. Now let me buy you a corndog.” 20


Chapter 41