Unbreakable by Rachel Hanna Page B

bit of practice helps.”
    “No, I think I’d learn just as much watching you both play. You guys get started, I’ll be right back.” Leaving the pair to set up the board again, Sophie hurried upstairs and retrieved her Christmas blanket before returning and settling herself on the couch, cozy and content to watch as they began to play. After a few minutes, it was evident how much her uncle had been holding back while playing against her. The game had a much quicker pace than her one had, far too quick for her to stay ahead of all the potential moves and see them coming. In less than half an hour her uncle had won but it had been close on more than one occasion.
    As her uncle moved to join Kay, Stacy and Joe in conversation, Miller turned to Sophie enquiringly. “Would you like to play with me?”
    Yes, just not the kind of game you have in mind… Sophie pinched herself under the blanket. Seriously? Do not even go there . “I can’t play anywhere near the speed you and my uncle can. I wouldn’t be much of a challenge.”
    “I disagree. You can be quite a challenge when you set your mind to it.” Miller smiled teasingly at her.
    “Hold on, I don’t believe it. Did you, Mr. Serious, just make a joke?” Sophie scoffed in reply.
    “Who said I’m joking?” He stared at her neutrally for a few seconds before grinning.
    “You know what? You’re on. I’ll beat you through boredom as you have to sit and wait while I make up my mind what to do each turn.” Sophie gathered the blanket up, stood and made her way to the chair her uncle had vacated.
    “Nice blanket,” Miller commented as he set up the board. “Christmas present?”
    “Aunt Kay made it for me.”
    “She’s multitalented. She made me this sweater for Christmas last year.”
    “It suits you.”
    “You think so?” He seemed pleased by her comment as he placed the final piece on its square and angled the board towards her. They played for twenty minutes before Kay announced that lunch was ready and they made their way to the dining table.
    “So, how am I doing?” Sophie asked as she sat down next to Miller.
    “You’re doing fine.”
    “I’ve taken more pieces than you have.” She looked pleased with herself.
    “Yes, you have a lovely collection of pawns. The knight, bishop and rook I captured from you pale in comparison.”
    “Well maybe it’s just my clever plan to let you think you’re winning. Maybe you’re just a pawn and you don’t know it.”
    “Hmm, possibly…in which case I must congratulate you on doing an excellent job of convincing me so well that I’m winning.” Miller looked at her sideways before smiling at Sophie’s slight scowl.
    “Yeah, yeah. Just keep smiling. When I win – and I’m not saying it’ll be today but I’ll do it sometime – you won’t think it’s so funny.”
    “That’s fine by me, Sophie. If you win then you’ve done it on your own merit. I won’t just let you win. There’d be no fun in that, no challenge.”
    “So is that what you consider fun?”
    “I don’t understand…” Miller looked at her questioningly as she eyed him thoughtfully.
    “Challenges, is that your idea of fun? If something is a challenge?”
    “Depends what the challenge is, but yes, it does hold a certain appeal for me. So what’s your idea of fun, Sophie?”
    She considered the question before responding “I suppose challenges as well, depending on what they are. I have a problem of not backing down from dares.”
    Miller laughed. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Before he could ask her to elaborate on what dares she had done, Kay announced that the food was ready to be served and everyone should help themselves – and help themselves they did. Kay and Stacy had produced a magnificent feast with more than enough food to feed everyone present until they were completely satiated while still having leftovers. Sophie had accepted a glass of red wine and was feeling very satisfied and mellow as she looked