FIREWORKSONTHEFOURTH

MalindaMartin

Copyright©2018.FireworksonTheFourthbyMalindaMartin.Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybeusedorreproducedinanymannerwithoutwrittenpermissionoftheauthorexceptinthecaseofbriefquotationsincriticalarticlesorreviews.Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,places,characters,andincidentsaretheproductoftheauthor’simaginationandanyresemblancetoactualpersonslivingordeadispurelycoincidental.

CHAPTERONE

BrandonCranewasinagoodmood.Ashewalkedthroughthelittletownof

Charity,Florida,heknewthesurroundingswerejustwhatthedoctorordered.

TheheatofanearlyJunesunwassomethinghewasfamiliarwith,coming

fromNewYorkCity.Theretheconcretejunglemagnifiedthesun’srays,andalong

withthesweatingmassofmillionsofpeoplethetemperaturesoared.Herein

Floridahewasgratifiedthatthetownboastedplentyofgreenspace,vibranttrails,

andcommunitypools.Hecouldn’twaittotrythemout.

HesawHal’sPlaceattheendofMainStreetandknewfromhisbrotherand

sister-in-lawitwasthehangoutforanylocal.Grinning,hereveledinthefactthatas

ofyesterday,hewasalocalofCharity,Florida.

Itmighthavebeenahugechangefromthefast-pacedworldofNewYork,but

hewasreadyforit.WhenthepositioncameavailableatCharitySchool,hejumped

attheopportunity.Overathousandmileswasn’tfarenough,inhisopinion,tobe

awayfromthehurtandguilthe’dleftbehind.

Crowscalledoutdownbythelake’sedge.Theinteractivefountainwas

flowingwithlaughingchildrenrunningunderthespraysofwater.Easylistening

musichummedsoftlyfromspeakersalongtheroad.Hebreathedinthesweet,clean

air,grinningatthescentofcinnamonrollscomingfromthebakeryandcoffeefrom

thebookstore.Yes,thiswasjustwherehewantedtobe.

Hishandsinhispockets,hiseyeshalfclosed,heslowlystrolleddownthe

street,baskinginhisnewlife.

Hedidn’tseethewomanhurryingoutofarepairshopuntiltheycollided.His

handswenttohershoulderstosteadyher,aflushcomingtohisface.“Iamsosorry.

Didn’tseeyouthere.”

Sheheldapackagetightlyintoherchestandslowlyliftedherhead.Andhe

wasfacedwiththebiggest,prettiestblueeyeshe’deverseen.“Youwanttotake

yourhandsoffmenow?”

Embarrassedthathishandswereindeedstillonhershoulders,hedropped

them.“Sorry.I...I’msorry.”

“Yeah,wellyoushouldbe.Youcouldhavehurtsomebody.Orsomething.”

Sheglancedbackatherpackageandhecouldn’thelpbeingcuriousastowhatthe

packageheld.

Shewastall,closetohisownheightoffiveten,andwillowy.Asifastrong

windwouldcarryheraway.Herhairwasawavy,auburnred,thickandpulledback

withcombs.Hewouldhavesaidshewasalookerifshehadn’tbeenscowlingathim.

“Ifyoutouristsaregoingtotakeoverourcity,youshouldlearnhowto

behaveproperly.”Hedidn’thavethehearttoletthiswomanknowhewasnowa

local.

Shovinghishandsintohispockets,herockedbackonhisheels,readytospar

withher.“Behaveproperly.Explain,please.”

Sheseemedsurprisedthathe’dconfrontherinsteadofsimplymovingon.

“Well.Bumpingintoinnocentwomenonthestreet.Almostdamagingherproperty.”

Sheadjustedherarmsothatitwasprotectingthepackageinherhands.

Noddingtothepackage,hesaid,“Justwhat’ssoimportantaboutthe

package?Imean,isitafamilyheirloom?Nationalsecuritysecrets?Keytothe

NationalBankvault?”

“Funny.”Shelookedlikeshethoughtitwasanythingbut.“Actually,it’snone

ofyourbusinessandifyoudon’tjustmoveondowntheroad,I’llbeforcedtocall

outforacop.Onethingyoudon’tknowaboutourlittletown,we’reveryprotective

ofourown.”

Hewarmedatthethoughtofbeingpartofthetown,butsaid,“Youdon’tsay?

Well,maybeI’dbetterstayawhile,seeifIlikeit.”

Herfacewascomicalashereyeswidenedandshebitherlowerlip.“Maybe

you’dbetternot.”Shesurveyedhisoutfitofpressedpants,whiteoxfordshirt,and

Docksidershoes.“We’revery...casualaroundhere.You’dprobablyhateit.”

Theteeshirtsheworethatinvitedpeopletotourthelocalamusementpark

andthecutoffjeansshortsandflip-flopsechoedherstatement.He’dhavetotone

downhiswardrobeifhewantedtofitin,andhedid.

“Somethingtothinkabout.Okay,sonicetomeetyou,sorryaboutbumping

intoyou,haveaniceday.”Henoddedtoherandwalkedaway,happytohavegotten

inthelastword.

Heshouldhaveknownbetter.“Heywhiteshirt.”Heturned.“Lookwhere

you’regoingnexttime.”

“Takecareofthatimportantpackage.”Hequicklywalkedaway,determined

toignoreanythingelsetheannoyingwomansaid.He’djustlettheencounterslide

offhisback.ShewasonlyoneoftwothousandpeopleinCharity.Whatwerethe

oddsthathe’dhaveanymoreinteractionwithher?

Jerk!

SallyForestermovedquicklydownthestreettowardherapartmentoverthe

toystore.Hermindwaswhirlingfromthemeetingwiththeinsanelyhandsome

stranger.

Hermindwouldn’tgothere—tothedeepgrayeyesthatlookedatherwith

amusementorthestrongchinthatheldfirmwithaconfidencethatshewishedshe

possessed.Hissandyhairwaswindblownandhertraitorousfingersitchedtorun

herfingersthroughit.

Badfingers!Shewasoffmen.Forgood.Well,atleastthenextmillennium.

Besides,shejustdidn’thavetimeformenanymore,withallshehadtodo—herjob,

hervolunteeractivities,healingherbrokenheart.Shewasnotgoingtoleta

gorgeoustouristgetherjuicesstarted.She’dlearnedherlesson.Themostattractive

menneverseemedtostickforthelonghaul.Andifshewasgoingtohaveanything,

itwouldbeforthelonghaul.Notthatshewantedanythinganymore.

Reachinghersecondfloorapartment,sheopenedthedoortothehavenshe’d

created.WhenPaulhadleft,she’dthrownouteverythingthatremindedherofhim,

fillingherapartmentwiththingsthatmadeherfeelbetter—comfyquilts,dainty

figurines,lotsofchillingmurdermysteries.Shewasinnomoodforromancenovels.

Atthesmalldinettetableshesetdownherpackageandpurse.Theshophad

saiditwasrunningperfectly.Ifthatstrangerhadsomehowdamageditwhenhe

bumpedintoher,she’dpullapartthetownuntilshefoundhimandmadehimwish

he’dneverlaideyesonher.

Sheunwrappedtheparcelandsighedwithdelight.Itwasabigredapple

withaclockinthemiddleofit,somethingthatmighthavebeensilly,probablytothe

whiteshirtstranger.Butitheldahostofmeaningtoherandshehuggedittightlyto

herchest.

Carefully,shesetitonthebookcasethattookupmostofthelivingroomwall

andlistenedtothesoftticktock,themovingsecondhand.Andsmiled.

Shewasgoingtobeallright.

Hewasdelightedwithhisnewapartment.Itwasoverthebakerywithaview

ofMainStreet,showinghimallthehappeningsofthedowntownarea.Trevorand

Maryhadtoldhimabouttheyearlyevents.Hewasstillshakinghisheadoverthe

ideaofFloridasnowfallingonthestreetduringtheChristmasseason.

Asoftknocksoundedonthedoorfollowedbyablondeheadpoppingin.

“Okayifwecomein?”

Hesmiledathissister-in-law,givingherahugandhisbrotheracombo

handshake,shoulderbump.“Goodtoseeyou,guys.EspeciallysinceI’vegotallthese

boxestounload.”

“Noproblem.It’stheleastwecandotohelpyougetsettled.”

“Speakforyourself,”Trevorsaid,puttinghisarmaroundMary.“Iwantedto

goovertoCocoaBeachforthedaybutIwanttopleasemywifemore.”

“Aww.”MarykissedhimandBrandonrolledhiseyes.

“Idon’thavethatmuchstuff.Ifyouhelp,weshouldbefinishedbeforelong

andyoucanstillmakethebeach.”

“Soundslikeaplan.”

Eachtookaboxandbeganunpacking.Marytookthetwoboxesmarked

kitchen,complainingthatheneededmore.“I’llgoovertoWilliams-Sonomaandpick

youupafewessentials.”

“Microwave,fridge,canopener.WhatmoredoIneed?”Brandonsaid,to

whichTrevorchuckled.

“Wecan’thavethat.I’vegottogetyouoveratMomandDad’shousefor

dinner.You’vegottotryElena’scooking.MombroughtherdownfromNewYork

andhercuisineisawesome.”

“Youreallydon’tneedtodothat.IhaveeverythingIneedhereintown.Ican

godowntothebakery,getasliceofpizzaacrossthestreet,gettakeoutfromthe

Italianrestaurant,ordidn’tyoutellmeHal’sfoodwasprettygood?”

“Take-outgetsold.”

“That’swhyIbuyfrozendinners.”ToMary’ssmirk,hesaid,“Don’tworry

aboutme.I’llbefine,littlesister.”

“Hey,Brand.CouldIborrowthisbook?Ihaven’treadityet.”Trevorshowed

thecoverofagruesomemurdermystery.

“Euww!Thatlookshorrible,howcouldyoureadsomethinglikethat?”

Brandonshrugged.“Ithelpsmegettosleepatnight.”Maryshookherhead

andTrevorchuckled.Forhimself,hethoughthorrificmurderswerenothing

comparedtohisdivorce.He’dmuchrathergotosleepthinkingofastoryfroma

bookthanwhathe’dhadtodealwithinreallife.

“Youbeenbytheschoolsinceyougotin?”Trevorasked.

“Notyet,althoughIdohavethekeytomyclassroom.AfterIgetsettledhere,

IthinkI’llgoby.MakealistofeverythingI’llneedtogetreadyforthefall.”

“Ican’tunderstandhowyouteachjuniorhighkids.Ithinkthey’ddrivemeup

awall.”

“That’sbecauseyougottoomuchofyouryoungerbrothersandsisterswhen

youwerehome.”TheCrane’sboastedafamilyofsevenchildren,ofwhichTrevor

wastheoldestandBrandonwasthird.

“Couldbe,”Trevorsaid,considering.

“They’rereallynotsobad,justbetweenchildhoodandyoungadulthood.I

liketeachingmath,sharingwiththemskillsthatwillhelptheminlife.”

“That’sawonderfulwaytolookatit,”Marysaid.“Youaresuchaniceman,

Brandon.”

Hismindwentbacktotheredheadfromthestreetandheheldbackagrin.“I

don’tknowthateveryonehereintownwouldagreewithyou.”

“Whydoyousaythat?Alreadymadeafriend,didyou?”

Heturnedtohisbrotherandsaid,“Ranintoawoman.Literally.Shewasn’t

amused.”

Maryhurriedintotheroomandsatonthearmofhissofa.“Really?Tellme

more.Imightknowher.”

“Nothingtotell.”Hemovedtoanotherbox,pullingouthistomesofmath

instructionbooks.“Weannoyedeachotherforafewminutes,thenparted.The

perfectrelationship.Bestforme,anyway.”

ItwassilentforamomentuntilMarysaid,“Brandon,that’snottrue.Why,

youcould—”

Herabruptsilencemeantshe’dgottenalookfromhisbrother.Marywas

probablygoingtogoonaboutwhatagoodcatchhewas,heneededtojumpbackin

thedatingpool,yadda,yadda,yadda.

Hecouldn’thelpsaying,“Thanks,bro.”

“Noproblem.Igotyourback.Justrememberthatthenexttimeyouhavea

crisislike,oh,sayadivorce,couldyoujustbehonestwiththefamilyandtellus

insteadofworryingustodeath?”

Itwasanoldargument.Whenheandhiswifehadsplit,hecouldn’tbring

himselftotellhisfamily.He’dbeensohurt,soashamedthathewasthefirstinthe

familytogothroughsomethingashorribleasadivorce.So,he’dmadeupexcuses,

lies,whilehelivedwiththepainaloneuntilthetruthcameout.Itstillgrievedhimto

thinkofthattimeinhislife.

“Yeah,sure.ThenexttimeI’mgoingthroughadivorceyou’llbethefirstto

know.”

“Allright,youtwo.Let’schangethesubject,”Marysaiddiplomatically,

standingtoreturntowork.“Trevor,howabouthelpingmesetupthekitchen.

Although,there’snotthatmuchtodo.ReallyBrandon,youhavenothingforyour

kitchen.”

“I’lltaketheadviceintoconsideration.”

Gladtheconversationhadchanged,hecontinuedtoopenboxesandput

thingsup,listeningtothecasualchitchatofhisbrotherandhiswife.Hecouldn’t

helpthesadnessthatgrippedhisheart.He’dneverhadthateasycommunication

withLorraine.Maybethatwaswhytheirmarriagehadn’tworked.

No,theirmarriagehadn’tworkbecauseshebetrayedhimandlefthimhigh

anddry.

Hepulledoutacasethatcontainedhisclarinet.Lovingly,hepulledoutthe

instrumentandsetituponthestandhe’dalreadysetuponhiscoffeetable,looking

forwardtoplayingitsoon.Afterhisworkwasdone.Theinstrumenthadgottenhim

throughalotofheartache.

Hopefully,inCharityhewouldn’tneeditsomuch.

Laterattheschool,hewalkedaroundthehalls,enjoyingthequietthatwould

ceasetoexistwhenschoolresumed.Thatwasokay.Helovedtheenergyofthekids,

theiroutlookonlife,eventheiroutrageousquestions.

Hisroomwasbiggerthanwhathe’dhadinNewYork.Itwasinthejunior

highwing,facingalargegrassyareathathewassuretheschoolusedforpicnicsand

games.Hehadafewideasabouttakinghisclassoutforlessonsoccasionally.No

reasonmathcouldn’tbetaughtoutintherealworld.

“Hello?Mr.Crane,goodtoseeyou.”PatriciaAntonelli,theenergeticprincipal

oftheCharityschool,walkedinallsmiles.“Iwasn’texpectingtoseeyousosoon.”

“Justwantedtogetafeelformyroom,seewhatI’llneed.”

“Goodforyou.Nicetohaveateachersoexcitedaboutteaching.”

“I’meagertogetstarted.It’salmostashamethatIhavetowaitoutthe

summerbeforeIcangetgoing.”

Thewomanseemedtothinkforamomentabouthiscomment,thensaid,

“Youmaynothaveto,Mr.Crane.”

“It’sBrandon,please.”

“Brandon.”Sheflashedhimabigsmile.“Wehaveasummercamp.Notschool

byanymeans,butaprogramforboredchildrenhereinCharity.”

Hesatontheedgeofhisdesk.“Soundsinteresting.Tellmemore.”

“Thecommunityputstogetherfunactivitiesforthekidswithalittlelearning

thrownin.Mostofourworkersarevolunteerssoit’snicewheneverwecangetan

actualteachertohelpout.”

“Iliketheideaofgettingtoknowsomeofmystudentsbeforethefall.When

doesitstart?”

“Wewaitthreeweeksafterschool,justenoughtimeforthechildrento

becomebored.We’llbestartinginacoupleofweeks.”

“Hmm.I’dlovetoseewhatyou’replanning.SeehowIcanfitin.”

“Wonderful.I’llgogetyouthebrochuresnow.Wehaveourlastmeeting

Thursdaynightatseveninthelibrary.Pleasejoinuswhetheryoudecidetohelpus

ornot.Itwillbegoodtomeetsomeofourvolunteersinthecommunity.”

“Thankyou.Iwill.”

Whensheleft,hesettledintohischairandleanedback,hisarmsbehindhis

head.Yes,thiswasjustwhatheneeded,whathewanted.Itwastherightmove

comingtoCharityandnothingwasgoingtokeephimfrombecomingpartofthe

littletown.

CHAPTERTWO

UsuallyTuesdayafternoonsinearlyJunewerealittleslowwhichdidn’t

botherGraceMcCrae,theco-ownerofthedinerwithherhusband,worldfamous

photographerStuart“Mac”McCrae.ThedinerhadbeennamedforGrace’sfather,

whohadpassedawayyearsagoandalthoughtherehadbeenupsanddowns,she

lovedthelittledinerthatservedtheneedsofCharity.

Evennow,shewasbehindthesodafountaincounter,smiling,listeningto

eleven-yearoldHollyJacksontellheraboutherfamily’supcomingvacationtoKey

Largo.

“AndthenDaddyisgoingtotakemeandNoelsnorkeling.I’veneverbeen

beforebutDaddysaystherearebeautifulfishtosee,likefromFindingNemo.”

“Whatarethetwinsgoingtobedoingwhileyou’resnorkeling?”Graceasked,

referringtohereight-montholdtwinbrothers.

“Belle-Mereisgoingtoplaywiththeminourhotelroom,”shesaidreferring

toherFrenchstepmother.“Thenwe’lltakethemtotheswimmingpoolandletthem

splasharound.Andthenwe’lltakethemtothebeach.They’veneverseentheocean

before.”

“Thatsoundslikealotoffun,Holly.ButI’mgoingtomissyouwhileyou’re

gone.”

Withaseriousexpression,shesaid,“It’sonlyaweek.We’llbebacksoon.”

Gracereachedoverandmussedthegirl’sblondehead.“Good,becauseI’m

notsurehowwe’dgetalonginCharitywithoutyouandyourfamily.”

Hersmilewaswide.“We’vegottogetback.Thesummercampatschoolis

goingtobeawesome.Ihavetobebackforthat.AndNoelhasvolunteeredtohelp

thisyear.”

“Ithinkthat’sveryniceofhim.”Holly’snineteen-yearoldbrotherworked

part-timeatHal’sandwasaspecialfriendofGraceandMac.GracewasgladNoel

washelpingoutinthecommunity.

“CanIrefreshyourwater?”

Hollygiggled.She’dalreadyfinishedherchocolatechipdoublethick

milkshakeandagiantsugarcookie.Thegirldidhaveasweettooth.Sheheldupher

waterglassforGracetotake.

Asshewasfillingit,thedooropenedandamanwiththreechildrenwalked

in.She’dneverseenthembeforesoperhapstheywereonvacation.ShesetHolly’s

waterdownandheadedforthefrontofthestore.“Goodafternoon.Four?”

Themanwithblackhairsmiledwarmlyandsaid,“Yes,that’dbegood.”

Sheledthewaytoaboothwatchingastheyoungest,alittlegirlaboutfive,

satwithherfatherandtheothers,anoldergirlandboy,satontheotherside.Grace

handedoutthemenusandsaid,“Wehaveadinnerspecialcomingupinabout...”

Sheglancedbackatthewallclock.“Aboutthirtyminutes.”

“Ithinkwe’lljustbehavingicecream.Whatdoyousay,kids?”

Thethreecheered,“Icecream,”andthemanlaughed.Gracelikedseeinga

fatherenjoyinghischildren.ShehopedthatonedaysheandMacwouldhave

childrentoenjoy.

“Okay.YoulookovertheicecreamdishesandI’llgogetyousomewaters.”

Asshewasfillingtheglasses,apretty,olderwomancameintothediner,

followedbyafifty-somethingmanwithdarkhair.Thetwowerechucklingover

something.“What’ssofunny,youtwo,”Gracesaidastheywalkedtothecounterin

frontofher.

Thewoman,Grace’smotherPauline,giggledasshewalkedtoaworksink

andscrubbedherhands,readytogotowork.“IwastellingJedaboutthetimeyour

fatherwasdeterminedtoteachushowtofishandwhenyouthrewyourlinein,you

threwyourpolein,too.”

ThetwochuckledandGracefrowned.“Iwaseightyearsold.Couldhave

happenedtoanybody.”Whentheylaughedoutloud,shegaveinandjoinedthem.

“So,what’sgotyoutalkingaboutfishing?”

“Jedofferedtotakemefishinginthelake.WithhimandBigJed,ofcourse,on

Saturdaymorning.”

ThemansmiledandGracefeltherheartgosquishy.LittleJedandhisfather

BigJedwerelocallegendsandverygoodfriendstoher.Theirreachingouttoher

mothermadeherfeelgoodsinceGracefearedPaulinesometimesfeltlonely.

“Ithinkthat’swonderful,Mom.Ican’tthinkofanyonebettertogofishing

withthantheJeds.”

“Iagreewithyou.So,you’llbebackalittlelaterfordinner?”Paulineasked

LittleJed.

“Shorewill.Keepmeaseathereatthecounter,”hesaidbeforeleaving.

Gracefrowned.“BigJed’snotcomingintonight?”

“He’dgotadatewithElena.”

“Gotit.Listen,I’mgoingtodropoffthesewaterstothecutefamilyinthe

backboothandthenclockout.Theyjustwanticecream.”

“Okay,honey.Yougoonandheadout.TellStuarthelloforme.Idon’tthink

I’veseenhiminafewdays.”

“I’vebeenkeepinghimbusy,”Gracesaidwithawink.

Anhourlater,thedinnerrushhadstarted.Obviously,everyonehadheard

thatthecook,Tom,wasmakinghisfamous“HamCaribbean.”

Paulinesighedwithblessedcontentment.She’dneverbeenhappier.She

glancedatthedinernameabovethesodafountainandsaidaprayerofthanksfor

herhusbandHal.He’dgivenhersomuch—theirdaughterGrace,thediner,andthe

Charitycommunitythathadenfoldedherintotheirarmswithmorelovethanshe

believeshedeserved.

Andshehadsomethingelsetobehappyaboutbutshewasgoingtoletthat

beherspecialsecretforawhilelonger.

Thefamilyinthebackwasstillthereafterconsumingfourbananasplits,four

milkshakes,andfivegiantsugarcookies.Theyseemedtobehavingagreattime,

laughingwitheachother,studyingwhatlookedlikeamapofthetown.She’dmake

anotherrunovertoseeiftheyneededanythingelse.

Moreguestsenteredthedinerandshesmiledatthetwosherecognized.

“Well,MaryandTrevorCrane.Sogoodtoseeyou.Ya’lljustgetintotown?”

“Afewdaysago,”Marysaid,huggingPauline.“Weactuallyhadareasonto

leaveNewYork,otherthanIwashomesickforCharity.”

“Webothwere.”TrevorgavePaulineahug.“Mybrotherjustgotthejobof

newjuniorhighmathteacher.Wehelpedhimmovedown.”

ShelookedbehindthepairandsawthemanthatwasobviouslyTrevor

Crane’sbrother—bothhadsandyhair,althoughTrevor’swasashadelighter.Their

eyeswerebothgreen,bothcompelling.Thebrothersweretall,fit,andhandsome.

Shestretchedoutherhandtohim.“Hello,Trevor’sbrother.I’mPaulineHudson.

WelcometoCharity.”

“Thankyou.I’mBrandon.ThesetwotoldmeI’vegottomakeHal’saregular

hangoutifI’mgoingtobealocalhere.”

“Theyarecorrect.Youallwantabooth,table,orcounter?”

“Howaboutabooth.”

“Gotonerightthisway.”Sheledthemtotheboothnexttothefamily.Pauline

handedoutmenusandturnedtotheboothnexttothem.

“Ya’llneedanythingelse?”

Thehappyfacedfathersaid,“No,thankyou.Ihopeithasn’tbeenan

inconveniencetotakeupspaceforsolong.We’renewintownandwantedtosoak

upsomeofoursurroundings.”

“Well,thisisjustmydaytobemeetingnewresidents.WelcometoCharity.

I’mPaulineHudson.MydaughterandherhusbandownHal’sandwe’dbedelighted

foryoutocomebackanytime.”

“Thankyou.I’mMarcusCarrington.Mychildren—Kelsey,Justin,andBella.”

“Hello,children.”Theyreturnedthegreeting.“Ifthere’sanythingyou’dliketo

knowaboutCharity,youcanaskme.OranyoftheregularshereatHal’s.Wepretty

muchknowwhat’sgoingon.”

“Idohaveaquestion.I’msettingupalawpracticeintownandamlooking

foractivitiesformykids.Anysuggestions?”

Paulineletthequestionsimmer.“Asamatteroffact,Ido.TheCharitySchool

hasasummercampstartinginacoupleofweeks.It’snotschool,shequicklyadded

tocomfortthekids.Mysourcestellmeit’salotoffun.Andit’dhelpyouthreeto

makeafewfriendsbeforeschoolstartsinthefall.”

“Wow.Soundsawesome.”Marcusturnedtohiskids.“Thinkthey’dletmego

tocampwithyou?”Thetwoyoungestchuckledandtheoldergirlrolledhereyes.

Paulinealsochuckled.“You’llhavetotakethatupwiththeschool.Whydon’t

yougobytomorrowandaskthemaboutit.I’msuretheyhavepamphletsaboutit.”

“Willdo,thanks.Well,troops.Thinkwe’vedoneenoughdamageforone

evening.”HepulledouthiswalletandhandedabilltoPauline.“Thankssomuch,”he

saidunderhisbreath.“Newmovescanbetrickywithkids.”

“Iunderstand.PleasefeelfreetocomebyHal’sanytime.It’sreallyahappy

place.”

“Isensedthat.”

Afterasatisfyingdinner,BrandonsaidgoodbyetoMaryandTrevorand

startedbacktohisapartment.Notreadytobealone,hedecidedinsteadtowalk

throughthetown,enjoytheambiance,soakupthescenery.

Afterwalkinglongerthanhe’dplanned,hewasthirsty.Acrossthestreetand

aroundthecornerfromhisapartmentwastheTownTavern,soheheadedthere.He

couldn’tholdbackagrinwhenheglancedaroundatCharity,theeveningnowlate.It

wasvastlydifferentfromNewYorkCity.Heknewitwouldbedifferentduring

specialeventstheyhaddowntownbutforthemomentitlookedliketheywere

actuallyrollingupthesidewalks.Mostofthestoreswereclosingfortheeveningand

allthatlookedopenedweretheItalianrestaurant,Hal’sPlace,andtheTavern.

Thebarwasbiggerandnicerthanhe’dexpected.Mahoganypaneling

coveredthewalls.Ahugebartookupthemiddleofthespacewithagleaming

mirrorwrappingaroundthebackofit.Theboothswerequiet,upholsteredinbrown

leather.Aniceplace.

Hetoyedwiththeideaofsittingatthecounterandseeingwhohecouldmeet

tonightbuttobehonest,hewastiredoftalkingtopeople.Allhewantedwasadrink

andthensleepinhisownbed.

Therewerenohostessestoseathim,sohefoundaboothandsat,leaning

backwithadeepsigh.Hiseyescontinuedtoscantheplace,approvingofthetasteful

décor.

Hesawabig,blondemanbehindthebarandwonderedifhewassupposed

togotothebarandgethisdrinkorwaitforawaitress.Hisquestionwasanswereda

fewsecondslaterwhenheheard,“Goodevening.WhatcanIgetforyou?”

Helookedupandsaw...her.Hismouthgapedatthesightoftheredhead

he’dmetjusttoday.Itseemedlikeaneternityago.Shewasabarmaid?Well,he’d

admitshemadeaprettyone,withherthickhairpulledontopofherhead,herblue

eyessmoky,alluring.“Goodevening.”

“You?Whatareyoudoinghere?Thoughtyou’dbelonggonebynow.”

“No,thoughtI’dhangaroundforafewdays.Thelocalsareso...welcoming.”

“Listen,pal,I’vegotfriendsalloverthistownandifIevengetahintthat

you’refollowingme,you’llfindyourselfrunoutoftownbeforeyouknowit.”

“Really?Willtheyusepitchforksandtorches?I’vealwayswantedtoactually

seethatdone.”

“You’reareallaughriot,butI’mnotlaughing.Nowreally,whydon’tyoujust

beatit?”

“Icameinforadrink.”Hescannedher.“Iassumefromyour...costume—”

“Uniform.”

“—thatyouareawaitresshere,soIassumeyourjobistotakeaperson’s

order.I’llhavewhateverbeeryou’vegotontap.Thanks.”Heenjoyedgivinghera

smileandinreturngettingasneer.Asshewalkedaway,hechuckledquietly.Itwas

themostfunhe’dhadinalongtime.

“Ican’tbelieveit!Ofallthe...‘Whatever’sontap.’Boy,I’dliketotaphim

acrossthestreetandintothelake.”Herirehigh,Sallymutteredunderherbreathas

shewentbehindthebartofillthejerk’sorder.

“Says‘youareawaitresshere’likeI’msomelowlywench.I’llshowhimwho’s

lowly,I’ll—”

“Yousaysomething,Sally?”

Sven,ortheNordicgod,asSallylikedtothinkofhim,turnedhisbrightsmile

onher.Themanalwaysseemedtobehappy,aboutwhatshedidn’tknow.Hewas

thebestbartendershe’deverseen,kind,caring,agoodperson.

UnlikeMr.Get-Me-A-Beer-Wenchsittinginthecorner.

Shesighedandsaid,“Nothing.Justnottoocrazyaboutoneofmytables.”

Likeaguarddogcometoattention,hesaid,“Someonegivingyoutrouble,

honey?”

Itmadehersmile.She’dsoliketosay,“Whyyes,thatpreppylookingguyin

thecorner.Sic,Sven.”Butshedidn’twanttogetherfriendintrouble.“No,notreally.

Hejust...bugsme.”

“Youcan’tletpeoplegettoyou.It’snotworthit.”

“Iknow.”Shepulledthetapbackwhenthemugwasfull.Shelookedatthe

amberliquidandanevilsmileonherface,sheworkedupagoodballofspitinher

mouth.Sheleanedclosertothemug.

“Sally.Don’teventhinkaboutit.”

HereyesliftedtoseeSvenstaringather,hishandsonhiships.Caught.She

swallowedherspitandgavehimherbrightestsmile.“Thinkaboutwhat?I’mjuston

mywaytogivemycustomerhisdeliciousdrink.”

Asshewalkedaway,shefeltSven’seyesonherandknewshewouldn’tbe

abletodoanythingtothedrink.Darn.

Theman’seyessmiledatherassheapproachedhistable.Maybeshecould

accidentallyspillhisdrinkoverhim.SheglancedbackandsawSvenstillwatching

her.Allright,she’dbeagoodgirl.

Sheputdownacocktailnapkinandsetthefrostymugonit.“Willtherebe

anythingelse?”

Glancingaround,hesaid,“CouldIhaveabowlofthosebarnuts?”

Herjawclenched.“Ofcourse.”Shewalkedtothebarandpouredsomenuts

intoabowlandtookitbacktohim.“Anythingelse?”

Hehandedherabilltopay.“No.Youcangonow.ButstaynearincaseIneed

something,okay?”

Absolutelyajerk.Althoughshegavehimasmile,somewhatbrittle,hereyes

shotarrowsathim.“Ofcourse.”Shetookthebillandturned,cursingSvenfor

stoppingherfromspittinginhisdrink.

Itwasalargergroupthanhe’danticipatedattheCharitySchoollibrary

Thursdaynight.Brandonwaseagertoheartheschool’splansfortheircampandfor

thekids.Itsoundedlikealotoffun.

He’dalreadymetseveralpeopleinthegroup—townhandymanColinByrnes,

boutiqueownerHopeAnderson,andMerrilynSwenson,whohappenedtobehis

sister-in-lawMary’smother.

Hetookaseat,waitingforPatriciatogetthemeetingstarted.Fingeringa

brochure,hefeltsomeonemoveinhisrowandtakeaseatafewspacesdown.When

heglancedup,readytointroducehimself,hisfacefroze,thenslowlytheendsofhis

lipscurved.Itwasher.Again.Thewomankeptpracticallyfallinginfrontofhim.

Herredhairwasbackinaponytailandsheseemedtobestudyinga

brochureliketheonehe’dbeenlookingat.Hewaited,hopingshe’dsensehis

presence.

Whenshefinallydidandhereyesmethis,therewasaninstantofconfusion,

thenrecognition,thenirritation.Heheldbackachuckle.Whywasirritatingthis

womansomuchfun?

Hermouthopenedandclosed,likeafishgaspingforairandhecouldn’thold

backthechuckle.Standing,hewenttothechairnexttoherandsaid,“Good

evening.”

“You.Again.Really,ifyoucan’tfindthewayoutoftownI’dbehappytohelp

youwiththat.”

“Noneed.Infact,I’vealreadyshowedthemoversoutoftown.Aftertheyleft

allmythingsinmyapartment.Hereintown.”Heenjoyedthedisheartened

expressiononherface.“Andyes,beforeyouask,I’mnowapermanentresident.I

supposeitwasthefriendlinessofthelocals.IguessIjustcouldn’tresisttheir

charm.”Hegaveherasweetsmile.

Sheturnedaway,lookingeverywherebuthim.“Whyareyouhere?”

“Ihearditwouldbeagoodwaytomeetpeople.Somethingtofillmysummer.

Whataboutyou?”

Shestartedtosaysomethingthenseemedtochangehermind.“It’snoneof

yourconcern.”

“Ifwe’regoingtokeepmeeting,perhapsIshouldknowyourname.”

“Ihardlythinkthat’snecessary.”

HewasjustabouttodisagreewithherwhenPatriciacalledthemeetingto

order.“Thankyousomuchforbeingheretonight.Ijustknowthissummer’scampis

goingtobethebestinCharity’shistory.”

Shewentoverafewbasics,suchasdatesandregistrationinformation.“Now

beforeIhandoutassignmentsI’dliketointroduceyoutoournewestfaculty

memberwho’sgraciouslydecidedtohelpwithourcampthisyear.Teachingjunior

highmathematics,pleasewelcome,BrandonCrane.”

ApoliteapplausesoundedandBrandonstoodandnoddedtothecrowd.

“You’reateacher?”thewomannexttohimsaid.

“Guilty.NowyouknowmynamebutIstilldon’tknowyours.”

“Shh.IwanttohearwhatPatriciahastosay.”Theybothtunedinasthe

principalstartedgoingoverthedifferentareasofcamp.

“Eachdaywe’llhaveacrafttime,librarytime,snacktime,playtime,and

whatwe’recallingdiscoverytime.I’mespeciallyexcitedaboutthis.We’llhavea

differentresidentofourtowncomeandspeaktothechildren,includingahands-on

periodcoordinatingwiththeirtalk.Itcouldbeaboutwhattheydoforalivingora

hobbytheyhave,wherethey’refrom.It’sgoingtobeawidearrayofspeakersthatI

hopewillsparkthestudents’interest.MerrySwensonwillbeheadingthatup.”

Patriciaglancedatherclipboard.“Now,forassignments.FaithandGloriawill

beheadingupthecrafts.GenevieveandBarbaraareinchargeoflibrary.LittleJed

andPaulinewillbeinchargeofsnacktime.Sallywillbeinchargeofgames.”She

glancedupfromherclipboardtofindher.“Oh,Sally,IthoughtBrandoncouldhelp

yououtwiththat.”Shesetherboarddownandsaid,“I’vegotstationssetupwith

informationoneachassignmentsolet’sheadthatway.I’llwalkaroundandbe

availabletoansweranyquestionsyoumighthave.”

HadPatriciabeenlookingatthewomannexttohimwhenshereferredto

Sally?Thewomanhe’dbeworkingwith?Annoyingherwasonethingbutspending

morningsallsummerwithherwassomethingelse.Andhowwouldheconcentrate

onthekidsifshewastheretodistracthim?Maybehecouldspeakprivatelywith

Patriciaandgetanewassignment.

Theglareinthewoman’seyesasheturnedtoher,confirmedhissuspicions.

Andforthemomenthecouldn’thelplaughingoutloudatthesituation.

CHAPTERTHREE

Withwhatshethoughtofasasmarmylaugh,themanstretchedouthishand

andsaid,“Iguessyou’reSally.I’mBrandonCrane.”

Shetookthehand.Notbecauseshereallywantedtobutwasafraidothers

werelookingandshedidn’twanttostirupanytrouble.Still,shesaidnothingbut

continuedglaring.

“Okay.So,whydon’twetakealookattheinformation?Soundslikefun,

right?Whatkiddoesn’tlikegames?Maybewecansneakalittlemathintothem.

Don’twanttheirmindstoatrophyoverthesummer.”

Sheturnedandheadedfortheirstation,pickingupthelargecampmanual

andthumbingitthrough,notseeinganything.Why?Whydidshehavetoworkwith

thisman?Therewentherentiresummer,thechanceshehadtoactuallyworkwith

thechildren,whatshedreamedofdoing.Andhe’druinedit.

Hestoodnexttoher,lookingovertheresources.“Iseeherewe’vegotafew

helpers.Doyouknowthem?”

Glancingatthesheetheheld,shenodded.“Yes.”

Silence.Finally,heputthesheetdownandsaid,“Listen,Iknowyoudon’tlike

me.IsupposeIhavebeenalittle...rude.Maybewecanstartagain.Whatdoyou

say?”

Ifshewasakindperson,afriendlyandagreeablepersonmaybeshecould.

Butinherlifeshe’dbeenhurttoomanytimes,beenbetrayedenoughtorefuseto

acceptanewbeginningwiththeman.Thehandsomeman,whichmadeitworse.

“IthinkHal’sisstillopen.Wouldyouliketogogetasodaanddiscussour

areaofthecamp?”

Washeserious?Hiseyestoldherhewas.Incredible.Notwantingtostayfor

aminutemore,shegrabbedallthematerialsinfrontofherintoherarms.“Icando

thisonmyown.You’remyassistantsojustmakesureyoushowupMonday

morningnineo’clockreadyto...assist.”

Sherushedoutofthelibrary,decidingtogohomeandgettoworkonlesson

plans.Possiblytheonlylessonplansshe’devergettomake.

Thepleasureofplanningfunactivitiesforthekidsfilledhernexttwohours.

Thefloorofherapartmentwascoveredwithagendas,books,games,everything

she’dneedtogivethekidsofCharityamemorablesummer.

Shestretchedakinkoutofherneck,decidingasodamighthitthespot.The

thoughtbroughtBrandonCranetomind.No,hewasn’tgoingtoruinheralonetime.

Aftergettingasodafromherfridge,shewenttothetinybalconythatopened

ontoMainStreet.Shelovedtositinherwickerrockerthattookupthewholespace

andwatchthehappeningsofCharity.Shealwaysfeltlikeanoutsider,anobserver

lookingin.Herownfault.Thepeopleofthelittletownwereveryinviting.Butshe

feltshehadnothingtogiveback.

Shesettledbacksighingcontentedlyasshetookafirstsipofherdrink.The

ThursdayeveninginJunewaspleasantandthepeoplepassingbelowhappy,seeking

outarestaurantorashoptobrowse.Itwaspeacefulassheleanedbackandrocked.

Hereyesdriftedacrossthewayattheapartmentsacrossthestreet.They

werealittlebiggerthanhers,alittlenicer.Didn’tmatter.Hercozyapartmentwas

home.

Theclockabovetheapartmentsshoweditalmosttenthirty.Itwasniceto

haveaneveningofffromthetavern.Herfeetcertainlyappreciatedit.Lookingback

downattheapartments,shenoticedamancomeontooneofthebalconies.Hewas

tall,muscular,sandy-coloredhair.Notthatshewasnoticing.

Heheldawineglassinhishandashepulledaplasticchairoutontohis

balconyandsat.Hisheadliftedastheglasswenttohislipsand...

No!Couldn’tbe.Sheleanedforwardinherchairstudyingtheman.Itcouldn’t

behim.Again?Really?Hereyesblinkedtwice,somehowhopingitwasanoptical

illusionbutno.Itwashim.Sheswallowedhard.

Thenhiseyesfoundhersacrossthewayandheseemedtohavethesame

initialreactionof“couldn’tbe.”Buthiseyesseemedtolaughather.Heliftedhis

glassinsaluteandtookanothersip.

Howdareheruinanotherbrightspotinherlife?Wouldthemanneverstop?

Shestood,gavehimaglare,andwentbackinside,decidingtogotobedearly.

Andnotthinkofsmilingeyesglancingherway.

BrandonwashappilysettlingintoCharity.Helovedtheeasypaceofthe

town,lovedgettingtoknowtheregularsatHal’sPlace,andlovedthequietnessthat

theareabroughttohisdamagedsoul.

ButhewasstillbotheredbySally.Iftheyweregoingtoembarkonasummer

together,partneringtobringkidsawonderfulcampexperience,theyreallyshould

attheveryleastgetalong,shouldn’tthey?

Hehadn’tseenhersincefindingherstaringathimfromabalconyacrossthe

street.So,sheliveddirectlyacrossfromhim.Interesting.Hethoughtaboutpicking

upadessert,somethingchocolatysinceallwomenlovedchocolate,andwalkingto

herapartmenttosuggestatrucebuthedidn’t.Maybeitwashismalepride,buthe

didn’twanttoapproachheronherturf.Beenthere,donethat.Stillrecoveringfrom

that.

Theweekendbeforethecampstarted,hefiguredhehadtodosomething.He

didn’twanttoshowupMondaymorningandstandaroundlikeadopewhileSally

dideverything,withhimbeingauselessassistant.

MainStreetwasstartingtogetbusyandhehopedhecouldgettotheTown

TavernbeforeSallywasswampedandcouldn’tspeakwithhim.Ifshewasworking.

Ifnot,he’dbreakdownandgotoherapartmenttomorrow.

Around-facedwomanwithasweetsmilemethimattheentranceofthe

tavern.“Goodevening.Howmany?”

“One.”Distracted,heglancedaroundhopingtofindacertainwaitress.“Hey,

isSallyworkingtonight?”

“Yes,sheis.Wouldyoulikeoneofhertables?”

Hiseyeswentbacktothewoman.“Thatwouldbegreat.Thankyou.”Asthe

womandirectedhimtoabooth,hismindwaswhirlingwithwhattosay.Howcould

heamendthings?

Hewasstillformulatingwhathewasgoingtosaywhensheapproached.

“Hello,whatcanI...”Thewordsdiedonherlipswhenshesawhimandshesighed

deeply.

Brandonheldupahand.“IknowI’mnotafriend,butI’mhopingyoucanput

asideyourdislikeformeforthekidsatcamp.”

Sheheldhertrayinfrontofher,consideringhiswords.

“Listen,Igetthatyoudon’tlikeme.That’sokay.Butwhydon’twework

togethertomakecampagreatexperienceforthem.Huh?”

Hereyesnarrowedandwenttohis.“Whatdidyouhaveinmind?”

“Iknowyou’rebusytonightbuthowaboutmeetingmetomorrow.Wecango

overwhatyou’vegotplanned.Youcantalkmethroughwhatyouneedfromme.

ThenwecangointoMondayaunifiedfront.Crucialwhenyou’redealingwithkids.”

Theedgesofherlipslifted.Slightly.“Isupposeyou’reright.Okay.Two

o’clock,attherockingchairsbythelake.”

“Great.”Hewasn’tsurewhy,buthefeltasifhe’dwonamajorvictory.“Oh,

couldIhaveabeer.”Whenshesighedagain,hewonderedifhe’dlosttheground

he’dgained.

“Sure,comingrightup.”

Aglimmerlithereyesandhewasn’tsurehelikeditatall.Whenshecame

backandsethisbeerbeforehim,alongwithabowlofnutsandpretzels,shestayed,

herhandsfoldedoverhertray.“Whydon’tyoutryyourbeer,it’sanewblend,seeif

youlikeit.”

Hetookahealthysip,savored,andthenswallowed.“Nice.Hasabitetoit.”He

feltuneasywithshegavehimanevilgrin.

Shesmiledwidelyandwalkedaway.

Okay,soshe’dprobablydonesomethingtohisbeer.Maybeheshouldhave

beenconcernedbutdecidedithadbeenworthittoseethesmilethattransformed

herfacefromangrytobeautiful.

Hedidhaveapoint.Orsoshekepttellingherselfasshewalkedtowardthe

lake.Itwasforthekids,shekepttellingherself.Workingwithanirritating,

obnoxious,yetcompletelygorgeousmanwasn’therchoice,butshe’dendureforthe

kids.

Noweddingringonhisfinger.Shewonderedwhy.Amanlikethatcouldn’t

remainsingle.Butnoneofherbusiness.Andhetaughtjuniorhighkids.Wow.Brave.

Herageofchoicewastheyoungerelementaryage.Theywerestillcuddlyandshe

coulduseallthecuddlyshecouldgetinherlife.

Asheadofthegamesdivisionofcamp,she’dhavekidsofallages.Shedidn’t

mindthat,sinceshejustwantedtoworkwithchildren.Ithadbeenawishherentire

lifeandthoughitdidn’tlookpossibleatthemoment,she’dtakeworkingwiththem

howevershecould.

Carryinghertotebagfilledwithfiles,shehopedshegottherebeforehimso

shecouldsettle,getorganized.Whenshesawarockingchairinmotion,asandy

coloredheadoverthetop,sherealizedhe’dbeatenherthere.

Asifhesensedher,heturnedandsmiled.“Hi.Savedyouaseat.”Hepatted

thechairnexttohimandshewenttosit.

“Ahhh.Ihadn’ttriedtherockingchairsherebefore.It’speaceful.Nice.

Thanksforsuggestingit.”

Whywashebeingsonice?Wasthisatrick?“You’rewelcome.I’vebrought—”

“Shh.”Hishandwenttoherstostopher.“Justlistenforamoment.”Heclosed

hiseyes.“IthinkthisiswhyIloveCharity.Doyouhearit?It’sjustsimplelife,the

wayit’ssupposedtobelived.”

Sheignoredthehandonhersandclosedhereyes,tryingtohearwhathedid.

Birdsweresinging.Childrenplayinginthefountainweregiggling.Laughterwas

heardfrompeoplestrollingpast.Therewasanoccasionalplopinthelakeoffishes

jumping.Alightbreezeblewoverher.Hewasright.Herewaslife,thegoodlife,and

shenevertookthetimetositstillandenjoyit.

Herweightrelaxedbackintothechairandshegentlyrockedbackandforth,

feelingapeaceshehadn’tinfartoolong.Whenshefinallyopenedhereyes,itwasto

seegrayonesstaringather.Thegrinthatannoyedherwasback.

Clearingherthroat,shestoppedrockingandopenedhertote.“Okay,suppose

wegotowork.I’vemappedoutabasicagenda,mixingphysicalgames,freetime,

andorganizedsports.Ithinkthey’lllikethemix,IknowIdidasakid.”

“YoulikedPE?”

Hereyesstillontheplans,shesaid,“Sure.IwasalwaystallandfastsoIwas

alwayswantedonateam.”Whydidsherevealthatmuchaboutherself?Shecould

feelherfaceheating.

“Hmm.Iwasn’tsotallasakidbutIwasfast.Youhadtobewhenyouwere

oneofsevenchildren.”

Herheadsnappedup.“Oneof...seven?”

“Yep.Thirdinline.Ihavetwobrothersandfoursisters.Youmightknowthe

oldest.Trevor.HecametoCharityoneChristmasandfellinlovewithMary

Swenson.Smartestthingheeverdid.”

Dawningbroke.“You’reTrevor’sbrother?Ofcourse,Icanseethe

resemblancenow.”

“Really?AlwaysthoughtIwasmorehandsome.”Hegavealopsidedgrinto

indicatehewasteasing.

Sheignoredthecomment.“WeallloveMaryandwerealittleconcerned

whenshestartedtofallforsomeonewedidn’tknow.ButIthinkitworkedoutfine.”

Curiositygettingthebetterofher,sheasked,“Isthatwhyyou’reinCharity?Because

ofthem?”

“Theytoldmeaboutthetown.Ravedaboutit.WhenIwantedamove,I

appliedattheschoolandwashiredon,sohereIam.Whataboutyou?”

“Me?”Notwantingtogettoopersonal,sheshrugged.“Igrewuphere.”

“Musthavebeennice.”

Hisvoicehadsoftenedandnotwantingtogettoofriendly,sheglanceddown

atthelessonplans.“Ihaveabasicscheduleforthefirstfourweeksandtherest

sketchedin,incasewewanttochangeorshiftsomething.”

Hestudiedtheplansforalongtime,lookingovereverysheet.Shewas

gettingnervousandreadiedasarcasticretortifheopposedherplans.Whenhe

turnedtoher,theintensityofhiseyesmadeherbreathcatch.“What?”

“Theseareverygood.Ididn’tknowyouwereateacher.”

Asurgeofjoyracedthroughheratthecompliment.“Uh,I’mnot.Justa

volunteerforcamp.”

“Sally,I’veseenprofessional,awardwinningteachers’planswithless

thoughtandorganizationbehindtheirlessonplans.Thesearewellthoughtout,

engaging,andjustlooklikealotoffun.Thekidsaregoingtolovethem.”

Shewasn’tsurehowtorespond.Alumphadsettledinherthroat,preventing

anylonganswer.“Thankyou.”

“Sotellme,whatspecificallydoyouwantmetodo,sinceyou’vegotitalllaid

out?”

Hewasn’tgoingtoargue?Wasn’tgoingtoinsisthehaveahandwiththe

plans,wasn’tgoingtodemandtobeincharge?

Herbrowsfurrowed.“Wow.Iwasn’treadyforthatquestion.Idon’tknow

howtoanswerit.”

Hesatbackandrockedgently,thinking.“Well,Iguesswecanplayitbyear

thefirstweek.HowaboutyouruntheclassesandI’llbeyourright-handman.I’ll

assistwiththeactivitiesbesortacrowdcontrol,makingsurelittleearsandminds

staywheretheyshould.Ithinktogetherwe’llgivethekidsagoodtime.”

Shewasstartingtolikethismanandshedidn’twantto.Surely,hehada

hiddenagenda,anangle.Maybehe’dtakeoveronMonday,squeezingheroutofher

plans.Well,ifhethoughthewasgoingtodothat,he’dbetterthinkagain.

Sittingstraight,sheputherpapersbackinhertote.“Fine.IguessI’llseeyou

Mondaymorning.”

“Great.Hey,doyouthinkyoucouldmakeacopyofthosepapersforme?”

“Why?”

Hefrowned.“IfI’mhelpingout,I’djustliketoknowwhatwe’regoingtobe

doing.”Leaningonthearmofhischair,hisheadcocked,heasked,“Tellme,areyou

thispricklyandsuspiciouswitheveryoneorjustme?”

Sheheldbackthegrin.Darnhimforbeinglikeable.Shestoodandsimply

said,“Justyou.”Hedidn’tseethesmileonherfaceasshewalkedaway.

CHAPTERFOUR

Mondaymorningwasfilledwithexcitement.Parentsdroppedoffeager

children,whogreetedfriends,gladtobebacktogetherafterthreelongweeks.

Brandonchuckledwatchingtheactivity.Hewassohappytobebackworkingwith

kidshealmostrubbedhishandstogether.

He’dbeenpleasedfortheprogressheandSallyhadmadethedaybefore,

untilshe’dputupherhardfaçadeagainbeforesheleft.Hetriedtoclearhismind,

concentratinginsteadonthekids.

Everyonemetintheauditoriumforaformalopening.Patriciawenttothe

podiumandinsteadofspeakingtogettheloudassembly’sattention,sheputher

handsinfrontofthemicrophoneandclappedarhythmofbeats,whichthechildren

thencopied.Theroombecamesilent.Amazing.He’dhavetoaskheraboutthat

strategy.

Aftertheassemblyended,hestoodinthebacktohelpkidsgettotheirfirst

activity,thenquicklymovedtothegymwhereSallywaitedwithconesandhoops

spreadoutinasortofopticalcourse.

Alittleblondehairedgirlrantoherandthrewherarmsaroundher.Sally

returnedthehug,herfaceinabigsmile.“Holly!I’msogladtoseeyou.Howwas

yourvacation?”

“Itwasfun.DaddytookussnorkelingandIsawNemo.”Shegiggled.

“Andwhataboutthetwins.DidtheyliketheKeys?”

Thegirlgiggledagain.“Theylikedthebigpoolatthehotel.Andtheywereso

funnyonthebeach.Theygotsandalloverthemselves,everywhere,andIdomean

everywhere!”

Brandonchuckled,asdidSally.Incontrasttoherattitude,herlaughwasa

light,breathysound.Nice.

Seeinghimthere,shesaid,“Holly,I’dliketointroduceyoutoMr.Crane.He’ll

beteachingjuniorhighmathinthefallandinthemeantimehe’shelpingmeout.”

“Nicetomeetyou,Mr.Crane.I’mHollyJackson.I’mstartingsixthgradeinthe

fall.”

“Nicetomeetyou,Holly.IguessI’llbeseeingyouinclasssoon.”Thegirl’s

eyestwinkled,hersmilewide.Brandonwasenchanted.

Thedaywentwell,althoughexhausting,aseachgroupmadetheirway

throughthegym,participatinginthegamesforthatday.Nobigproblems,onlya

littleshushingwhileSallyspoketothekids.Allinall,notabadmorning.

Whenthelastofthekidshadleft,hehelpedSallycleanup,stackingcones

andputtingawayballs.Itwasquietinthegym,theireverymotionechoingthrough

thelargeroom.

“Ithoughtitwentwelltoday,howaboutyou?”

Shedidn’tturnhiswaybutsaid,“Yes.Itdid.”

So,shedidn’twanttotalk,noproblem.He,however,did.“Iespeciallylikethe

gameyouhad,‘HotLava,’jumpingintothehoopsandstayingawayfromthecones.

Fun.Thekidsreallylikedthatone.Wheredidyoufindthatone?”

“Oh,inabooksomewhere.”

“Well,Ithoughtitwas—”

Sheheldupherhandforsilence,hereyesgoingtothesidedoor.Thenhe

heardit.Someonewasjustoutsideand...itsoundedlikethepersonwas

whimpering.

Sallysoftlywalkedoverandleanedout.“Um,hello?Issomethingwrong?”

HeheardasniffandstartedovertoseeifSallyneededhelp.

Ayounggirl’svoicesounded.“Iwasjust...uh,Ineededalittletimealone

beforeleaving.Ihopethat’sallright.”

Thegirlsoundedmatureforherage,whichBrandonwouldhaveputatabout

eleven,twelvemaybe.Thinkingitmightjustbeagirlthing,hestayedinthegym,but

closebyincaseSallyneededhim.

Hesawherbenddowntogetonthegirl’slevel.“Surethat’sallright.Is

somethingwrong?AnythingIcanhelpwith?”

“It’snot...Imean,Idon’tthink...”Shesighedheavily.“We’renewintown

andit’sjusthard,youknow?”

“Yeah.Iknow.It’snevereasytopackupeverythingandhavetomovetoa

newtown,newpeople,newschool.”

“Iknowit’sagoodthing.IactuallylikeCharity.I’mjust...”

“Lonely?”Sallyasked.

“Yes.”

TherewasamomentofsilenceandSallysaid,“IknowItoldyoukidsthatmy

namewasMs.Forester,butsincewehavesomuchincommon,Iguessoutsideof

theclassyoucancallmeSally.”

“Really?Thanks.MynameisKelseyCarrington.Whatdoyoumeanwehave

somuchincommon?”

“Well,Kelsey,IcametoCharityaboutthesameageofyou,thirteen.”

“I’mtwelve.”

“See?Aboutthesameage.Ihadtocomelivewithmygrandparents,which

wasgreat.Theywerewonderfulpeople,butIstillmissedmyoldfriends.Itwas

hard.”

“Whydidyouhavetolivewithyourgrandparents?”

Heheardapauseandknewnothinggoodwascoming.

“Ineverknewmyfather.Andmymotherneverreallywantedme.Shetried

tohanginthere,givemeahome,butwhenIbecameateenager,Iwasjusttoomuch

forher.ButI’mthankfulmysweetgrandparentsgavemeawonderfulhome.”

“Mymotherdoesn’twantmeeither.”Brandonfeltalumpinhisthroat.

“Oh,honey,”Sallywhispered.

“Sheleftyearsago,whenmysisterwasababy.DadheardaboutCharityand

thoughtitwouldbeagoodplacetolive.Plushewastiredofshovelingsnowinthe

winter.”

“Hewon’thavethatproblemhere.”

Brandonpeekedoutandthesighthesawmadethelumpevenheavier.Sally

wassittingontheconcretefloor,herarmsaroundthegirl,rockingher.Itwas

heartbreakingbutatthesametimeabeautifulpictureofcompassion.

ThegirllookedupatSally.“Isitreallyagoodtown?Willtheyacceptus?Will

Imakefriends?”

“Kelsey,Iguaranteethatbeforeschoolstartsinthefallyou’llhavea

resoundingyestoallthreeofthosequestions.Infact,letmebeyourfirstfriend.

Whatdoyousay?”

Shesmiledandnodded.“Okay.I’dbettergofindmybrother.”Kelseystood

andsaid,“Thanks,Sally.Ireallymeanit.”

Sallystoodaswellandbrushedoffherjeans.“Noproblem,Kelsey.I’llseeyou

tomorrow.”

Kelseywalkedaway,hopefullyherstepslighterthanthey’dbeenbefore.

Brandonwalkedout,touchedbySally’skindness.Heshovedhishandsinhispockets

andsighed.“Thatwas...incredible.Youwerereallygoodforthatgirl.Knewexactly

whattosay.”

Shelookedupathim,hereyeswide,asifshecouldn’tbelieveshe’dreceived

thecompliment.

“Youhaveagiftwithkids.I’mreallygladtoseeyouusingit.I’mvery

impressed.”

Herblueeyeswarmedandanaccompanyingfeelingfloodedhisinsides.Fora

briefmomenttheystaredateachother,somekindofconnectionoccurringover

theirloveofchildren.Beforehewasready,sheturnedawayandmuttered,“Thank

you.”

Likeasplashofcoldwater,heshookhishead,returningtosanity.“Well,if

youdon’tneedme,IguessI’llseeyoutomorrow.”

“Seeyoutomorrow.”

Ashewalkedawayhecouldn’thelpwonderingattheconfusingwomanand

thendeterminingsheshouldn’ttakeupsomuchtimeinhisbrain.

GracelovedHal’sPlace.Thedinerthatherfatherstartedwasherhappy

place,interactingwithtownresidents,servingtourists,andcateringtothechildren

ofCharity.Shestockedamuchlovedcandygalleryatthefrontcounterandenjoyed

watchingthemtaketheirtimeinchoosingtheirpurchases.

Justnow,ReillyandThomas,twothirdgraders,wereagonizingoverthe

choicesofcherrylicoriceorblueberrybubblegumorlemonjellybeans.Cometo

thinkofit,thelemonjellybeanssoundedgoodtoherrightaboutnow.Thatandabig

hamburger.Shewashungry.

“Itisaharddecision.Whydon’tyougetalittleofallthree?”Theboysseemed

tothinkthatwasagoodideaandsheproceededtowrapuptheirpurchases.

Thebelloverthedoorrangandshelookeduptoseeherfavoritepatron,

HollyJackson,walkingin,asalways,abigsmileonherface.“Hey,MissGrace.”

“Hey,MissHolly.”Theybothchuckledovertheirusualgreeting.“WhatcanI

doforyoutoday?”

“IheardMissPaulinemadesomemoregiantchocolatechipcookies.Ihope

there’ssomeleft.”

Gracegrinned.“Goodnewsreallytravelsfast.Isupposewemayhaveone

withyournameonit.Goaheadandtakeaseatatthecounter.I’llberightwithyou.”

OnceshesetalargecookieandaglassofmilkinfrontofHolly,shesaid,“So,

campstartedtoday.Yougoingtotellmeallaboutit?”Graceplacedherelbowson

thecounterandleanedover,readyforHolly’sreport.

“Oh,itwaswonderful!Itwassomuchfun,Ican’twaituntiltomorrow.We’re

makingpicturesusingcoloredgravelincrafts.IthinkI’mgoingtomakemypicture

ofHal’sPlace.”

“That’ssonice.I’llwanttoseeit.”

Shegiggled.“Okay.AndinlibrarytimeIstartedreadingabookaboutapink

hotelonthebeach.It’samystery.Ican’twaittogetbacktoit.Thenatgames,Ms.

ForesterandMr.Cranehadusplayinggameswithhoopsandcones.Itwasfunand

wewerelaughingsohardIgotastitchinmyside.”

“Waitaminute.Mr.Crane?Idon’tthinkIknowhim.”

“He’sgoingtobeteachingmathatschool.He’sreallynice.Ilikehimalot.”

“Highpraise.IhopeIgettomeethimsoon.”Shesawthesweetfamilyshe’d

seenafewweeksearliercomeinandsaidtoHolly,“Letmehelpthesefolks,”and

wenttogreetthem.

“Welcomeback,goodtoseeyou.Abooth?”

“Yes,thankyou.”

Asshesetmenusbeforethemshesaid,“So,doyoufolkslivearoundhere?”

“JustmovedintoCharity.I’mMarcusCarrington.”Heproceededtointroduce

histhreechildren.

“Welcome.I’mGraceMcCrae.Youcouldn’thavepickedabettertown.It’sa

wonderfulplace.Ifthere’sanythingyouneedIhopeyou’llaskushereatHal’s.We

prettymuchkeepupwitheverythinggoingoninCharity.”

“I’veheardthat,andthanks.”Hehesitatedandsaid,“Actually,Idohavea

question.I’mopeningupalegalpracticehereintownwithanofficeonthemain

avenuebutalsodoingalotofworkathomesoIcanbewiththekids.However,I’d

lovetomeetsomeonewhocouldhelpbabysitduringthosetimesIhavetobeaway.”

“Babysit?Really,Dad,I’malmostateenager.Idon’tneedababysitter,”the

oldestgirl,Kelsey,said.

“Ofcourse,honey.Butsomedo.”Hiseyesmovedtohissonandyoungest

daughter,obviouslyplacatingthetwelveandahalfyearoldKelsey.Smartdad.

“OffhandIdon’tknowofanyonebutIwillthinkaboutitandaskaround.I’m

surewecouldfindsomeoneforyou.”

“I’dreallyappreciateit.”

“Allright,Carringtonfamily,I’llberightbackwithwaterswhileyoudecide

onwhatyouwant.”

Whenshewalkedbacktothecounter,shesawoneofherfavoritefamilies

comingin.“Faith!Ihaven’tseenyouinages.Hey,kids.How’severything?”

“Busy.”Thewomanpushedbackherunruly,thickbrownhairandgavea

tiredsmile.“Buttheschool’scampstartedtoday,whichwe’reallthankfulfor.We’re

celebratingthefirstdaywithanearlydinneratHal’s.

“Say,haveyoufinallygottenoverthatfluyouhad?”

“Oh,yeah,Ihave.Finally.”Gracesmiledandglancingaroundsaid,“Idon’t

haveanyboothsbutIseeatableoverthere.Thatokay?”WhenFaithnodded,she

said,“YouallgoonandI’llgetyouwaters.Doyouneedmenus?”

“Areyoukidding?Wecouldrecitethemenubyheart,couldn’twekids?”

Gracechuckled.“Okay.Letmegetthosewaters.”Sheturnedtoseesomeone

enteringthedinerandasmileinstantlybloomedonherface.Theireyesmetandhis

expressionmatchedhers.

MacMcCraewalkedtoher,herheartaccelerating.They’dbeenmarriedfor

overthreeyearsandhissmilecouldstillbringhertoherknees.“Hey,honey.”

Hegaveheraquickkissandwrappedanarmaroundherwaist.“How’reyou

doing?”

“Good.It’safaircrowdtoday.Stillalittleearlyforsummertourists.Oh,hey,

takethesewatersbacktothefatherandthreekidsinthebackboothforme,okay?

They’renewintownsointroduceyourself.I’lltakewatersbackforFaithandher

kids.”

“Soundsgood.”Hegaveheranotherkissandheadedback.

Hetooktheheavytrayandwalkedback,settingthewatersdown.“Hey,I’m

MacMcCrae.Grace’shusband.Shetellsmeyou’renewintown.”

“Weare.MarcusCarrington.”Hestretchedhishandouttoshakeand

introducedhischildren.“Yougotagreatplacehere.It’salreadymykidsfavorite

restaurantinCentralFlorida.”

“Showsyourchildrenhavegreattaste.”Hewinkedatthekids.“Goodtohave

youhere.I’llsendLacybacktogetyourorders.”Backingup,hebumpedintoGrace

andchuckled.“Excuseme.”

“Myfault.”ShesmiledandfacingFaithsaid,“Lacy’llgetyourordersgoing.”

NeitherGracenorMacsawthekidsfrombothtableseyeingeachother.

CHAPTERFIVE

ItwastheendofthefirstweekofcampandSallywasexhausted.Inaddition

toworkingmorningsatschool,shewasputtinginextratimeatthetavern,tryingto

saveupforschool.

Asthekidswerestartingtoleavefortheday,shesawKelseydraggingher

feet,asifshecarriedtheweightoftheworld.Sallywalkeduptoher,asmileonher

face.“Hey,Kelsey.Sotellme,howdidthefirstweekofcampgo?”

Withadramaticsigh,shesaid,“Good.I’veenjoyedthecamp,I’mjust...”

“Stillhaven’tmetanybodynew?”

“No.”

Sallylookedaroundandsawapotentialcandidate.“Well,that’saboutto

changerightnow.Rachel?Yougotaminute?”

AgirlaboutthesameageasKelseyanswered.“Youneedsomething,Ms.

Forester?”

“Yes.Ineedyoutomeetmynewfriend.ThisisKelseyCarrington.Kelsey,I’d

likeforyoutomeetRachelHamilton.Ithinkyoutwomaybeaboutthesameage.”

“Twelve,”Kelseysaid.

“Yeah.Ijustturnedtwelve.”

“Wow.That’sgreat.I’llbetyoutwohavealotincommon.Whydon’tyou

walkwithmetowardtheadministrationbuildingandwecantalk.”Sheglancedover

hershouldertoseeBrandonwatchingher.Hesmiledandnodded,tellingherhe’d

puttheequipmentaway.Shereturnedthenod.

“IsawyouatHal’stheotherday,didn’tI?”Rachelasked.

“Yeah.Iwastherewithmydadandbrotherandsister.”

“Wherewasyourmom?”

Sallycringed.“Hermotherdoesn’tlivewithher,honey.Andyouhavetwo

youngersiblingssoyou’reboththeoldest.Howcoolisthat?”

“Youhavetwoyoungersibs?Mycondolences,”Kelseysaid,towhichRachel

laughed.

“Yeah,itcanbeahassle.SoyouliveinCharity?”

“Wejustmoved.FromIndiana.Dadgottiredofthesnow.”

“Ithinksnowwouldbefun.Atleastforawhile.I’dmissthebeaches.Where

doyoulive?”

“OnEasternWay.”

“Nokidding,metoo.”

Sally’ssmilewidened.“Well,howaboutthat.Thesamestreet.Whatarethe

odds?”

“Ifyoulikeyoucanwalkhomewithus,”Rachelsaid.

“I’dliketobutI’vegottogetmybrotherandsisterandmeetourdadup

front.He’stakingusgroceryshopping.”

“Oh,well,IguessI’llseeyouonMonday.OrmaybeonEasternWay

sometime.Wegotothecommunitypooltherealot.”

“Yeah,maybeI’llseeyou.There’smydad,Igottago.SeeyaMonday.Thank

you,Ms.Forester.”

“Noproblem,Kelsey.”

AsKelseyhurriedoff,Sallysaid,“Thanksforbeingsonice,Rachel.Ithink

Kelseyislonely,beinginanewtownandnotknowinganyone.”

“Youthink?Well,sheseemsnice.AndI’lltrytointroduceheraround.”

“Thatwouldbewonderful,thankyou.”Sallyhuggedher.“Ihaveafeelingshe

won’tbelonelyforlong.”

Intheteacher’slounge,boxesofpizzaweresetupforaspecialluncheonfor

thevolunteersofsummercamp.Thegroupwasn’tbigasmanyofthevolunteers

wereparentsthatneededtotendtochildrenorothersthatneededtogetbackto

work.Still,Brandongotacokeandplate,happytorewardhimselfafterthefirst

hardweek.

“How’sitgoing,Brandon.”Jillian,theyoung,peppyschoolreceptionistgotin

linebehindhim.

“Great.I’malwayshappywhenthefirstweekisoverandeveryonegetsinto

theswingofthings.Plus...”Heplacedameatloverssliceofpizzaonhisplateand

helditup.“Pizza.”

“Yes,itwasreallyniceofPatriciatosetthisup.We’reallsoverygratefulfor

thosethatfreelygivetheirtimeforthekids.It’s...inspiring.”Sheflutteredhereyes

athim.Alwaysnicetobeflirtedwithbyaprettygirlbuthe’dneverlikedoffice

romances.

Heclearedhisthroatandsaid,“Myworkinsummercampisentirelyselfish,

I’mafraid.Iwantedtogetajumpontheschoolyearinthefall,meetsomeofthe

kids,getmybearings.”

“It’sashamethatyouwereputongameduty.Youshouldbedoingdiscovery,

that’samuchmoreimportantposition.”

“Ithinkeverypositionisimportant.”

“Icouldn’tagreewithyoumore.”SallystoodbehindJillian,givingheratight

smile.“Everythingfineinthefrontoffice,Jill?”

“Yes.Oh,Sally,IhopeIdidn’toffendyou.YouknowI’dneverdothat.You’re

doingafinejobplayingwiththekidsandIknowthattheteacher’salwaysloveyour

helpduringtheschoolyear.”

“Yeah,thanks.”Shegotherpizzaandmovedawayfromthetable,leaving

Brandontowonderabouttheinteraction.

HegotanotherpieceandalittlesaladandwenttositnexttoSally.“It’sbeen

agoodweek,Ithink.How’ditgowiththetwogirls?”

Herraisedbrowsshowedhimshewassurprisedhe’dthoughtanymore

aboutit.“Good.Ithinkthere’sapotentialforafriendship,somethingKelseyneeds.

Thanksforputtingtheequipmentaway.”

“Anythingforthecourseoffriendship.”Hetookabiteofsalad,watchingher

nibbleonherpizzaslice.“YouandJilliandon’tgetalong?”

Hereyeswenttothewomanandthenbackatherpizza.“She’sallright,I

guess.Ifyoulikeherkind.Whichapparentlyyoudo.”

Healmostchokedonhissalad.“Excuseme?”

“It’snothing.Onlythatyoutwolookedchummydiscussinghowirrelevant

myjobishereatcamp.”

Hewipedhismouthwithhisnapkin.“Okay,thatiswrongonsomanylevels.

Weweren’t‘chummy.’Iwasonlybeingpoliteandincidentally,sheisn’tmykind,not

atall.Andwhatisthataboutbeingirrelevant?”

Sheshruggedasifitdidn’tmatter.“It’sjustapetpeeveofmine.Ihatefor

someonetothinktheworkIdoisn’timportant.Especiallyhereattheschool.”

Brandontookamomenttothink.“Asateacherwhodealswithchildren

everydayoftheschoolyear,Icanconfidentlytellyouthatanyonethathasaheart

forchildrenandworksataschool,heck,thatvolunteersataschoolmakesanimpact

onkids.Tome,there’snothingmoreimportant.

“AndwhenIseesomeonedowhatyoudidtodaywithKelsey,well...no,Ms.

Forester,irrelevantisthelastwordI’dusewhendescribingyou.”

Afteramoment,shesoftlysaid,“Thanks.”

Theyateinsilence,chatterfillingtheroomaroundthem.Hewasexhausted

andplannedtogobacktohisapartment,takeanap,andspendsometimerelaxing

byplayinghisclarinet.

Anotherthoughtcrossedhismind.“Youdoworkhereduringtheschool

year?”

“Yes.I’mafloater.TheyassignmewhereverI’mneeded.Icouldbehelpingin

kindergartenorthirdgradeorhighschoolhistory.”

“Ah,soImayseeyouinthejuniorhighbuildingduringtheyear.”

“Youmay.”

Thewomankeptgettingmoreinterestingandhewantedtoknowmore

abouther.“Sinceyou’resoathomeintheclassroomshere,maybeyoucouldgiveme

somehelp.I’mgoingtodosomemoreorganizinginmyroomthisafternoon.If

you’renotbusy,whydon’tyoucomehelpme?Paymebackforfinishingupforyou

today.”

Sallysmirked.“Ishouldhaveknownthatwouldcomebackonme.”He

thoughtheglimpsedexcitementinhereyesatbeinginaclassroom.“Sure,whynot.

I’mnotworkingattheTaverntonightsoI’vegotsomefreetime.”

“Good.HowaboutIgetusanothercoupleofslicesandthenafterweeatwe

canwalkover.”Shenodded.

Hisclassroomalwaysthrilledhim.Therewassomethingaboutbeingin

chargeofit,decoratingandorganizingittohowyouwantedtoteach,imagining

youngmindsbeingchallengedhere,growing,developing.Itwashispassion.

Heopenedthedoor,switchedonthelight,andlettheexcitementoftheroom

fillhim.Itwasadoublepleasurewhenheheardhergaspbehindhim.“Wow.Thisis

amazing.”

“Youthinkso?”Hetriedtolookatitthroughhereyes.Humorousmath

postersfilledthewall,interspersedwithbulletinboardsrevealingvariousmath

tricks.Inonecorneroftheroomwasabigrugwithbrightlycoloredbinsfilledwith

games,models,andtoysheusedtodemonstratemathematicalconcepts.Heliked

thisareathebest.

“IwishI’dhadamathclasslikethisinjuniorhigh.It’swonderful.Alive.

Interesting.Thekidsaregoingtoloveit.”

Hersincerepraisewarmedhim.“Thankyou.”

“Ican’tthinkofanythingyouneedtodo.”

“Justgettingworksheetsready.Youupforit?”

Hersmilewaswideacrossherface.“Bringiton.”

Theyworkedforseveralhours,speakingofeverydaythings—Charity,the

Tavern,apartmentliving,theCharitySchool.Astheywerefinishingup,hecouldn’t

helpasking,“Ifyouloveteachingsomuch,whynotworkherefulltime?”

Hecouldseeherexpressiontightening.“Youneedadegreeforthat.Atleast

forwhatIreallywanttodo.”

“Andwhatisthat?”

Shelookedhimintheeye,clearlygauginghisinterest.“Iwanttoteachfirst

orsecondgrade.Somuch.ButIstillhaveclassesIneedtotaketogetmydegree.”

“Howmanyhoursareyoulacking?”

“Aboutfifteen.”

“Well,that’saboutonesemester,isn’tit?”

Shefoldedthelastofthepagesshewasworkingon.“Sure.Ifyoucanspend

thetimeandmoneytofinishitup.Ineedtowork.Toeatandpayrent.Icanonly

takeoneclassatatime,ifI’mlucky.Soit’sstillawhileoff.”

“Isee.Well,I’msurewhenyoudogetaclassroom,you’llbeawonderful

teacher.”Hereyeswentwide.Heshruggedandsaid,“I’maprofessional.Iknow

someonewhohasitinhertobeagreatteacher.Yourstudentswillbeveryluckyto

haveyou.”

“Thankyou.”

“We’reprettymuchdonehere.HowaboutIwalkyoubacktotown,sinceyou

liveacrossthestreetfromme.”

“Andhowfunnyisthat.Ican’ttellyouhowirritatedIwaswhenIsawyou

acrosstheway.”

Hechuckled.“Idon’tthinkIwasirritatedasmuchassurprised.Anyway,it’sa

greatlocation.”

“Agreed.Okay,let’sgo.”

Theywalkedslowlytowardtown.Shekeptupadiscourseonthingshedidn’t

knowaboutthelittletown,thingsthatwouldbehelpful.Heenjoyedlisteningtoher.

“Sowhydidyoumovehere?”

“EversinceTrevorcameherafewChristmasesago,he’stalkedabouthow

greatitis.”Hestuckhishandsinhispockets,lookingstraightahead.“Iwentthrough

atoughdivorceandjustgottiredof...feelingthepity,theguilt.Lettingmylifeslide

intoarut.Ithoughtitwasaperfecttimetomakeamove,trysomethingdifferent.”

“Iguessthat’ssomethingelsewehaveincommon.”Hereyeswouldn’tmeet

his.“I’mdivorced,too.Butinsteadofmovingaway,Iwantedtococoonherein

Charityinsteadofgoingsomeplaceelse.Icravedthecomfortable,thesame.”

“Hmm.”Aslightbreezeblew,lighteningtheheatofasummerFloridaday.

“Howlongago?”

“JustafterChristmas.Itwassudden.”Sheblinkedhardandadded,“Butokay,

really.Itwasamutualthing.Justwasn’tmeanttobebetweenus.I’mfine,really.”

“Well,myhat’sofftoyou.It’sbeentwoyearsformeandI’mstillnotsureI’m

okay.”Heshookhishead.“Ithoughtwe’dbetogetherfortherestofourlives.We

seemedsoperfectforeachother.Sheworkedattheschoolboard,webothcame

fromreligious,solidhomes.BothlovedlivinginNewYork.”

Whenhedidn’tgoon,shesaid,“Whathappened?”

“Shefoundsomebodyelse.Justlikethat.Itwasavisitingprofessorfrom

Munich.BeforeIknewit,shewassayinggoodbye,flyingawaytoGermanywiththe

man.”Hechuckledwithnohumor.“Somuchfortherestofourlives.”

“That’shard.So,youjuststayedthere?Whereyoulivedtogether?”

“Yeah.IthoughtIcouldhandleit.Butastimewentby,Ididn’tgetbetter.

EverythingIsawmademethinkofher.Myparents,asmuchasIlovethem,could

neverunderstandwhathappenedandthatwegotdivorced.Severalofmysisters

werefriendswithherandjustknewithadbeenmyfault.

“Thepeopleatmyschoolstoodupformebutanythingconnectedwiththe

schoolboardandIwastheoutcast.”

“That’sawful.”

“Aftertwoyearsofit,whenTrevorkeptmentioningCharity,Igotalittle

moreinformationandappliedtotheschool.”

“Ithinkyoudidtherightthing.”

“Youdo?Butyouwereabletostayput,goonwithyourlifewhereyouwere.”

“Ifyoucallgoingtoschool,workingpart-timeinataverngoingonwithyour

life.Besides,everyonehereintownwasonmyside.Ihavealotofgoodfriendshere.

Thathelps.”

“Well,ifsomeonehastogetoveradivorce,IthinkCharityisprobablyagood

placetodoit.Lookatthisview.”They’dcontinuedwalkingpastboththeirbuildings,

downthemainstreet,pastHal’sPlace,andaroundthelake.Theygazedacrossthe

wateratthebeautyofdowntownCharity.Brandonsigheddeeply.“Yes,I’mreally

gladImovedhere.”

“Youwon’tregretit,”shesaid,hereyesonthelittletown.

“Isthatmyhandsomebrother-in-lawIsee?”

BrandonandSallylookedovertoseeMaryjoggingdownthetrailtothem.

Sheslowed,wipinghersweatingbrowwithherwristband.“HeyBrandon.AndSally,

Ihaven’tseenyouinsolong.I’dhugyoubutI’mallsweaty.”

“Hi,Mary.Goodtoseeyou.”

“Whattheheckyoudoingjoggingintheheatoftheday?”

“Iwasgoingtothismorningbutaccidentallysleptin.SinceIhadahournowI

thoughtI’dtakeit.”

“Well,becareful.Haveyougotanywateronyou?”

“Inmypackonmyback,Dad.”

“JustlookingoutforyouforTrevor.Whereishe?”

“Hadsomebusinesstotakecareof.Listen,we’regoingtotheItalian

restauranttonightandwouldlovesomecompany.Youguysupforit?”

“Oh,Iwouldn’twanttointrude.It’safamilything.”

“Nonsense,notatall.We’vejustbeenlockedupwithworkforseveraldays

nowandwantsomecompany.AndIwanttohearaboutcamp.Sohowaboutyou

twomeetingustherearoundseven?”

Brandonthoughtitcutehowhissweetsister-in-lawcouldfinagleadinner

dateforhim.Ifsheonlyknewtheimpossibilityofanythinghappeningbetweenthe

twoofthem.Still,hewouldn’tmindspendingacouplemorehourswithSally.

“Whatdoyouthink?Ihaven’tmadeittotheItalianplaceyet.Heardit’s

good.”

“Oh,my,itis.Theyhavethebestcalzonesontheplanetandtheirsaladsare

reallyyummy.”

“Great.Sinceyouseemtoknowwhat’sgoodonthemenu,TrevorandIwill

seeyoutherelater.”BeforeSallycouldprotest,Marytookherhand.“I’dreallyliketo

catchupwithyou.Pleasesayyou’llbethere.”

Withasigh,Sallysaid,“Okay,sure.I’llbethere.”

Mary’sfacebeamed.“Great,seeyoubothatseven.I’dbetterfinishmyrun

now.Goodbye.”

Theywatchedherrunoff,Brandonshakinghishead.“Shecanbearealforce

ofnature,can’tshe?”

“Ialwayslikedher.Shecamefrommoneybutwasneversnobbishaboutit.

Shealwaystreatedmewithkindness.”Theystartedwalkingbacktowardtown.“I

hopeyou’reokaywithtonight.”

“Iamifyouare.Imean,it’sjustadinnerwithfriends.Goodfood,good

people.What’snottolike?”

CHAPTERSIX

Shestoodinfrontofhermirrorstaringatabluedress.Itwasasimple

sheath.Wasitrightfortonight?She’dmeantwhatshesaidaboutMary’skindness.

Thewomanwouldprobablycomplimentheronanythingshewore.

Sowhywasshehavingtrouble?

TheideathathavingdinnerwithBrandonwasthereasonshewashaving

troubledecidingonherclotheswaslaughable.Theyweremerelyco-workersforthe

summer.They’dhadsimilarlifeexperiences.Thatwasall.

Besides,she’drathershootherselfthantoembarkonanotherromance.

Maybetheredwiththeflowers.Thatwassummery,happy.Butitdippedlow

infront.DidshewanttogiveBrandonaviewofherbosom?No.Notthatitwasthat

impressive,butstilltheanswerwasno.

Sheshiftedthroughherclosetandfoundawhitedress.No,notwearinga

whitedresstoaplacethatservesspaghettisauce.Abrowndress?No,she’dbeen

meaningtogivethatoneawaysinceshelookedlikeablobinit.

Apastelcaughthereye.Itwasablouseandmatchingskirtinshadesofthe

summer.Italwaysmadehersmiletowearit.Okay,tonightsheneededalittleextra

cheersothatwastheone.

Andifsheworealittleextramakeup,tookalittlemoretimewithherhair,it

wasonlybecausetheItalianplacewasaniceplace,withcandlelight,cloth

tablecloths,ambiance.Shewantedtolooknice.

TheexpressiononBrandon’sfacewhenhesawherautomaticallymadeher

heartsoar.Notthatshewastrying.Hiseyesheldinterestandshecouldn’tseemto

catchherbreath.“Youlookwonderful.”

“Thankyou,”shesaidalittlemorebreathlesslythanshewanted.“Sodoyou.

Ah,wherearetheothers?”

“Theyjusttexted.Saidforustogetatableandthey’dbealong.”

Heescortedherinsideandtheywereseatedataquiettableintheback.

“You’regoingtohavetotellmewhattogetfordinner,sinceI’veneverbeenhere

before.”

“Practicallyeverythingisgood.Whenhispracticeorperformancewasover,

PaulandIusedto...”Shewantedtopoundherhead.Younevertalkabouttheex

whenoutwithsomeoneelse.

Notthatshewasoutwithsomeoneelse.

Brandonputahandoverhers.“It’sokay.You’reallowedtomentionhis

name.Youdidhavealifewithhim,afterall.”

Hereyesmethisandshesawcompleteunderstanding.“IsitwrongthatIstill

liketocomeheretoeateventhoughweusedtocomeallthetime?”

Hechuckledandsqueezedthehand.“Ithinkyou’reprobablyhealthierthan

youthink.”Hepickedupthemenutoread.

“Whatwashername?”

Withaslightsmileonhisface,hesaid,“Lorraine.”

“Well,feelfreetotalkaboutheraroundme.Iwon’tmind.”Hiseyesfound

hersagainandinthatsecondtheyseemedtocommunicateabond,an

understanding.Itcausedhertoshiverslightly.

“Iguessthisistheplace.”ThemomentwasbrokenwhenTrevorwalkedup.

“Haveyoutwoorderedorareyouwaitingforus?”

“We’rewaitingforyou.Althoughifthey’reoutofwhatwewantbecausewe

hadtowait,you’llhavetocookitforus.”BrandonwinkedatSally.

“I’msorry,it’sallmyfault.”AsMaryspoke,Trevorhelpedherinherseat.“I

gotaphonecalljustbeforeweweretoleave.Aglitchinapartythatourcompanyis

handlingtonightatTheWaldorfAstoria.”

“Nothingwrong,Ihope.”

“No.Justalittlemix-upinscheduling.Quicklysolved.ThankGod.”

“Idon’tknowhowyoudoit,handlingbigpartiesfortheelite.”

Marychuckled.“Idon’tknowhowyoudoit,handlingbiggroupsofchildren.

That’samazingtome.”

Yes,SallylikedMary.Thewomanwasalwaysencouraging.Itwassogoodto

seeherinlovewithaniceguy.Theinteractionthroughoutdinnerbetweenthetwo

wasrespectful,playful,andintimate.Attimes,sheworriedsheandBrandonwerein

theway.

TrevorandBrandonhadthatbrothercommunicationgoingon.Theyjoked

aboutthefamily,madefunofeachother,toldfunnystories.TheyhadherandMary

cryingwithlaughter.Beforesheknewit,shewasrelaxingwithagoodglassofwine

inherhands,thoroughlyenjoyingthecompany.

TheytoldTrevorandMaryaboutcampandshewasdelightedwhenBrandon

braggedonherexpertise.Hehadnoideahowmuchthatmeanttoher.

Whentheyfinisheddinnerandsaidgoodnight,Brandonandshewalkedup

thestreettowardtheirrespectivebuildings.Thingswerewindingdowninthelittle

town,thestreetlightswereonlow,givingthestreetadreamycast.Shewasfeeling

loosefromhertwoglassesofwine.Itwasnicetohaveahandsomemanwalking

nexttoher.

“Didyouhaveagoodtimetonight?”heasked.

“Idid.IloveMary.Andyouhaveawonderfulbrother.”

“Oooh,don’tlethimhearyousaythat.Wedon’twanthimgettingabighead

overaprettygirlsayingthat.HegetsenoughofthatfromMary.”

“YouthinkI’mpretty?”Itslippedoutofhermouthbeforeshecouldstopit.

“Well,yes.Ofcourse.”

“I’veneverlikedmylooks.I’mtootall,tooangular.Myeyesaretoowide

and—”

“Youcan’tpossiblybelieveanyofthat.You’reperfect,justthewayyouare.

AndifPaulwastoostupidtorealizeit,he’sanidiot.It’shislosshewasn’tdining

withyoutonight.I’mgladitwasme.”

Shestoppedandlookedathim.Hiswordswerelikeabalmtohersoul.She’d

toldherselfthesamethingsoverandoverbuthearingthemfromsomeoneelse,

someonewhodidn’thavetosaythemmeanttheworldtoher.

“Thankyou.”

“Noproblem.”Heglancedaroundandsaid,“Iguessthisiswherewepart

ways.I’llseeyouonMonday.Ifnotbefore.”

“Okay.”Hesmiledandturnedtowalkaway.“Oh,Brandon.Lorraineisover

themoonstupid.”

Hiseyeslookedupashethoughtaboutit.“Ilikethat.Overthemoonstupid.

Thanks.I’llrememberthat.”

Shewentintoherapartment,droppingherpurseandshoesbythedoor.The

wholedayranthroughherhead,everythingBrandonhadsaidtoher.Theinsults

andaccusationsfromPaulwarredinherbrain,causingher,asalways,todoubt

herself.Inthekitchenshegotaglassofwater,droppedafewicecubesin,and

drank.Herreflectioninthemicrowaveseemedtocallouttoher.

WasshewhatPaulhadclaimed—tootouchy,tootall,toofriendly?Orwas

Brandonright.Shewasperfectasshewas.Thelinesfanningoutfromhereyesmade

herlookolderthanshewas.Ithadbeenalongsixmonths.Thefall-outfromthe

divorcehadtakenitstollonher.Whenhadshedevelopedthathardedge,theone

thathadbeensorudetoBrandonwhenshe’dfirstbumpedintohim?Itwasn’thow

shewantedtobe.Butinherheartsheknewthehardedgewastoprotectherfrom

everlovingwithherwholeheartagain.Nowayshecouldgothroughthatagain.

Shetookherglassoficewaterandwalkedthroughherlivingroomtoher

tinybalcony.Needingthefreshair,shesteppedout,breathingdeeply.Shesatinher

chairandclosedhereyes,needingthemomenttogroundherself.Thecalmofthe

momentfilledherbodyandsoul.Shelaidherheadbackandenjoyed.Thewordsof

Brandonagaincametomind,drowningoutPaul’suglywords.Asmilecurvedher

lips.

Slowlyopeninghereyes,shesawthatBrandonwasstandingoutonhis

balcony,lookingrightather.Hersmilewidened.Heliftedwhatlookedlikeabeerin

salute,whichshereturnedwithhericewater.

No,shewasn’tgoingtogiveherheartagain,butmaybeshecoulduseagood

friendthatunderstoodher.

Shewasbeautiful.Sittingonherlittlebalcony,relaxed,herheadback,a

secretsmileonherlips,hecouldn’ttakehiseyesoffher.

Itwasscaringhim.

Thedayhadbeenoneofthebestinyearsforhim—workingwiththekids,

celebratingwithco-workersattheluncheon,workingwithSallyinhisclassroom,

walkingandtalkingwithher,dinnerwithherandhisfamily.Itwasclosetoaperfect

day.Becauseshehadbeenapartofit.

Washelosingit?He’dbeendowntheroadoflovebeforeandhaddecided

nevertotakethatrouteagain.Andherehewasmooningoveraprettyredheadafter

knowingherforonlyashorttime.

Whensheopenedhereyesandfoundhis,hisheartsimplystopped.Hecould

onlylifthisbottletoherandsmile.Thereturnsmilehadthatheartthuddinginhis

ears.

Thiswasridiculous.Hetookasipandwentbackintohisapartment,

determinedtothinkofsomethingelsebesideslovelyblueeyes,wavyauburnhair,

softlookinglips.

Heputhisbeerdownandpickeduphisclarinet.Theinstrumenthadbeenhis

salvationformoredaysthanhecouldcount,itwouldhelphimnow.Hesettledata

stoolatthebreakfastbarandsoftlybeganplayingajazzpiecethatalwayshelped

himfeelbetter.Themusicflowedthroughhim,fillingalltheemptypieces,warming

allthecoldplaces.Beforeheknewit,hismindwasclear,hispurposesset.

Itwastheweekendandhehadnoplans.He’ddriveovertoCocoaBeach,stay

thenight,soakinsomerays.AndrestupforMondaywhenhe’dfacethekids.

Andoneverybeautifulvolunteerteacher.

Thenextweekwaslessstressfulsinceeveryonewasgettingintothe

schedule.Therewerefewertearsfromlittleonesandfewerquestionsfromothers.

UntilWednesday.Asifsomethinghadbeendroppedintothewatersupply,thekids

wereoverlyrambunctious.Allthevolunteerswerethankfulforgamestimesothe

kidscouldletoffsomesteam.

SallyandBrandonweregladtocooperate.Theyranthekidsalittleharder

sensingitwaswhattheothervolunteersneeded.Bytheendofcampwhenthey

wereputtingupconesandballs,theybothsighed.

“Remindmenevertowanttohaveabunchofkids,”Brandonsaid,bouncinga

ball.

“Whyisitthatsomedaystheyallseemtowanttobounceoffthewallsand

challengeanyauthority?It’sliketheyallgettogetherforsomesecretmeetingand

say,‘Okayonthisdate,we’regoingtogivetheadultsallkindsoftrouble.’What’sup

withthat?”

“Idon’tknow.Maybeit’stheairpressure.”

“Anyhurricanesintheforecast?”

“NotthatIknowof.Hey,I’veneverbeenthroughaFloridahurricane.What’s

itlike?”

“Thebuildingshakes,treesfall,lotsofrainandwind.”

“Hmm.SoundslikeaconcertinCentralPark.”

Shelaughedandthengotquiet.“Doyouhearthat?”Theybothranoutofthe

gymandontothesoccerfield.Agroupofkidshadcongregated,allyelling.

“Thisdoesn’tlookgood,”hesaidrunningtothescenewithSallyfollowing

him.“What’sgoingon?”heyelledtryingtogettheirattention.Whenthatdidn’thelp,

hepushedthroughkidsgettingtothemiddleoftheconflict.

Sallygaspedatthescene.SweetlittleBenHamiltonwasinthemiddleofa

fightwithaboyshehadn’tseenbefore.Bothboyswerebloodyastheycontinuedto

goaftereachother.

Brandonreachedinandwithhisbighandspushedeachheadbackandaway

fromtheother.Seeinganadult,theothersgrewquietorscattered.Shecouldn’thear

whathesaidtothembuttakinganarmofeach,walkedbacktothegym,hiseyes

seriousastheymethers.

Insidethegym,hehadeachboysitdownwithfivefeetbetweenthem.He

stoodbeforethem,armsfolded,feetseparatedandplanted.Sallythoughtitwasthe

perfectauthoritativestance.

“NowthatI’vegotyourattention,let’sgettothebottomofthis.Idon’tknow

eitherofyoupersonallysoyouknowIwon’tplayfavorites.AtthemomentIam

equallymadwitheachofyou.

“You,onmyright.Name?”

“BenHamilton.”

“Allright,BenHamilton.Iwantyoutotellmethestoryofwhathappened,in

yourownwords.Idon’twantanyexaggerations,anylies.Onlytruth.Begin.”

“Iwaswalkingalong,lookingformysister.We’resupposedtomeetonthe

soccerfieldbutshe’slate.So,thiskidbumpsintomeandIwaitandwaitforhimto

sayhe’ssorry.Whenhedoesn’tIsay,‘Isn’ttheresomethingyouwanttosay?’andhe

says,‘Yeah,youtalklikeagirl.’ItmademesomadandI...”TearsfilledBen’seyes.

“Ipushedhimhard.Itkindagotworsefromthere.”

“Okay.Goodjob,BenHamilton.Concise,tothepoint,andhopefullytruthful.

Nowyou,onmyleft.Name?”

“JustinCarrington.”Sally’seyeswidened.ItmustbeKelsey’sbrother.Hadto

be.Thiswasn’tgood.

“Okay,JustinCarrington.Let’shearyoursideofthestory.”

“Prettymuchwhathesaid.ExceptforthefactthatIdidn’tmeantobumpinto

himandIdidn’tknowhewaswaitingformetosayI’msorry.Guysbumpintoeach

otherallthetime.Itwasnothing.”

“Isee.WhatledyoutobumpintoBen?Wereyoulookingonthegroundfor

something?Alostpenny,aspider,anarcheologicalartifact?”

“No,sir.Iwasjustthinking.Mydadwaspickingusupontheothersideofthe

soccerfieldandIwasjustplanningwhatIwasgoingtodowhenIgothome.”

“Hmm.”Brandonstudiedeachboy.

Sallydecidedtointervene.“Itseemstomethatwehaveasimple

misunderstanding.”Hervoicesoft,shebenttofaceJustin.“Iknowyoudidn’tmean

tobumpBen.I’msureifyoujusttoldhimyouweresorry,he’dbemanenoughto

acceptyourapology.”

“Youthink?”Shecouldseethefearanduncertaintybehindhissadeyesand

herheartwentouttotheyoungboy.

“I’veknownBenhereforalongtime.He’sneverbeenunreasonablebefore,

butalwaysintelligent.”Fromthecornerofhereye,shecouldseeBen’schestpuff

withpride.“Howaboutit?”

“Sure.”Justinrubbedahandunderhisnoseandshylyturned.“I’msorryBen.

Ireallydidn’tmeantobumpyou.”

“Ben?”Sallysaid,herbrowshigh.

“It’sokay,Justin.Iprobablywasn’tlookingwhereIwasgoingeither.”

“Gentlemen,you’verestoredmybeliefinthefutureofourspecies.”Bothboys

snortedatBrandon’scomment.“Now,beforeweletyougo,canIsafelyassumethat

therewillnotbeanymorefightingbetweenthetwoofyou?”

“Youcanassume.”

“Yes.Absolutely.”

“Andbytheway,”Sallysaid.“Idon’tknowifyouknowthisornot,butyou

guysareneighbors.YoubothliveonEasternWay.It’salwayssmarttogetalong

withyourneighbors.”

“YouliveonEasternWay?Cool.We’vegotagoodcommunitypoolattheend

oftheroad.Haveyoubeentoit?”

“Notyet.Dad’stakingusthisweekend.”

“Okay,boys.Ithinkyoucanleaveandfindyour—”

“Justin?Areyouinhere?”Ahandsome,dark-hairedmancamerunninginto

thegym,followedbyalittlegirlandKelsey.“Areyouokay?”HewenttoJustinand

tookhisarmsintohishands.“Whathappened?”

Justin’seyeswenttoBrandonandSally.Shecouldseehisthoughtsashe

wonderedhowmuchtroublehewasgoingtogetinto.

Sallysteppedforward.“Therewasamisunderstanding.”Smilingattheman,

shestuckoutherhand.“I’mSallyForester,headofgamesatcamp.”

“Hello.I’mMarcusCarrington.Justin’sfather.”Henarrowedhiseyes.“Wait,

you’reSally?Kelsey’sfriend?”

“Yeah,Dad.That’sher,”Kelseycalledout.

“Thankyoufor...well,I’msureyouknow.You’vebeenabighelptoKelsey.”

“Noproblem.”

HiseyeswentbacktoJustin.“Now,tellmethetruthaboutmyson.”

BeforeSallycouldsayanything,sheheardafamiliarvoice.“Ben?”

“Inhere,Faith.”

Ben’smotherentered,followedbyayoungboyandRachel.“Ben,we’vebeen

waiting.Oneoftheotherkidssaidyouwereinthegymbecauseyouwerein

trouble.”Faith’seyeswenttoSally.“Whathappened?”

Sheshookherhead.“Justamisunderstanding.LikeIwastellingMr.

Carrington,here.Oh,andletmeintroduceBrandonCrane.Hebrokeup—Imean,he

broughttheboysinheresowecouldgettothebottomofthe...ah,

misunderstanding.”

Clearly,Faithunderstood.MorethanSallywassaying.“Ben?Didyougetinto

afightwiththisboy?”

“Justin?”Marcussaid.“Isthattrue?Youwerefighting?”

“Really,folks,itwasnothing.Andsincewe’vebeentalking,JustinandBen

havediscoveredtheyliveonthesamestreet.Isn’tthatgreat?Iknowit’salways

goodtomeetnewfriends.”

Bothparentsseemedtobesuspicious.Overhershoulder,SallyheardRachel

andKelseychatting.Thiswasagoodthing,shecouldfeelit.

Brandonwalkedoverandsaid,“You’refolksarewaiting,guys.Youcanhead

outnowifyouwant.”Theboys’twinexpressionswerealmostcomical,glancingat

Brandonasiftheyweren’tsureitwassafertoleavewithirritatedparents.

Sallytookcompassionandsaidtotheparents,“Youtwoprobablyhaven’t

met.Faith,thisisMarcusCarrington.Heandhischildrenhavejustmovedhere.In

fact,theyliveonyourstreet.Marcus,FaithHamilton.Sheisourresidentpiano

instructor.Ifyouwantyourkidstolearnmusic,there’snonebetter.”

“Thankyou,Sally.”

“Weren’tyouatHal’soneday,sittingatatablenexttoourbooth?”

“Icouldhavebeen.WegotoHal’salot.”

“Iunderstandwhy.It’salreadybecomemykids’favorite.It’sreallyniceto

meetyou.”Theyshookhandsandtheymotionedtheirkidsovertomeeteachother.

Seeingtheywerenotneededanylonger,shemotionedwithherheadfor

Brandontojoinherinputtingeverythingupfortheday.

“Well,thatturnedoutwell,”hewhisperedastheygotbusy.

“Yes.”Shehesitatedbeforesaying,“Youdidwell.Withtheboys.Letthem

preservesomedignity.I’mimpressed.”

“Thanks.”Heshrugged.“Irememberbeingayoungguy,feelingwhenyouhad

tofightbutdidn’twantto.Ithinkbothkidswerescared.”Hebouncedaballonce

andsaid,“Andforsomeonewhohasn’tgottenherteachingdegree...yet...you

haveaninnatekindnessthatkidscanfeel.It’llmakeyouagoodteacher.”

Shefeltherfaceheatwiththeunexpectedcompliment.“Wejustarefullof

complimentsforeachothertoday.”Shestackedthecones,hereyesnotmeetinghis.

“It’salotbetterthanwhenwefirstmet.Iflookscouldkill,I’dbeaheapof

ashesonMainStreet.”

Chuckling,shesaid,“Iguessyou’reokay.”

“Wow,anothercompliment.You’dbetterstoporI’llgetabighead.”

TheHamiltonsandCarringtonscalledoutgoodbyesastheyleftthegym,

bringingthequietback.

Theycontinuedclearingthespaceandhermindwentbacktohiswords.

“YoureallythinkI’llbeagoodteacher?”

“Nodoubt.”

Shehuffedoutasigh.“IfIcouldonlygetmydegree.”

“Youwill.”

“IwishIhadyourconfidence,”shesaidunderherbreath.

Shefelthiseyesonherassheworked.“Whydoyoudoubtyourselfso

much?”

Herhandsstoppedworkingandshethoughtabouthisquestion.“Itjust

seemsthatIhavetroubleaccomplishinganythingreallyimportantinlife.I...keep

messingthingsup.”

“Sally.Ittakestwopeopletomakeamarriage.”

Sheputtheconesbackintheclosetalittletooenthusiastically,madforagain

blamingherselfforherfailedmarriage.

“Yeah.ButwhileIwastryingtomakethatmarriagework,Ilostalotoftime

workingonmydreamofteaching.Nowitfeelsevenfurtheraway.”

Heleanedagainstthewallnexttoher,crossinghisarms.“I’vefoundinlife

thatifyouwantsomething,reallywantit,youworkhard,fightforit.Withoutthat

focusit’sjustapipedream.Butwithit,it’sasurething.”

“Maybe.”Sheknewhewasrightbutstillhadtroublebelieving.

“Whyisitsoimportantforyoutobeateacher?”

“What?”Hewasstaringather,asifhecouldseethroughtohersoul.“I’mnot

surewhatyoumean?”

“There’sareasonbeingateacherissoimportant.Tellme.SinceI’mateacher,

I’msureI’llunderstand.”

Couldshesharewithhim?Maybeitmighthelptotalkaboutit.Maybehe

couldgivehernewperspective,newencouragement.“Ithinkitwouldbeeasierto

showyou.Let’scleanup,first.”

Shetookhimtoherapartment.Thankfully,she’dcleanedSundaynightand

hadn’tmesseduptoomuchsince.Sheledhimtoashelfagainstherwallinhersmall

livingroomandpulledouttheclockthatstoodinaplaceofhonorinthemiddleof

theunit.“ThisiswhyIwanttobeateacher.”

Thelargeredappleclockgleamedandthesightmadehersniff.Thesofttick-

tockalwaysmadehersmile.

“Idon’tunderstand.”

Ofcoursehewouldn’tifshedidn’texplain.“WhenIcametolivewithmy

grandparents,theywerebothteachers.AtCharitySchool.Theythoughtteaching

wasthebestoccupationtherewas.Everynighttheyhappilyhelpedmewithmy

homework,taughtmethatlearningcouldbefun.Theyenjoyedtheircareers,filled

mewithlove.”

“Andtheclockwastheirs.”Itwasn’taquestion.

“It’stheverybestmemoryIhaveofthem.We’dworkonhomeworktothe

soundofthisclock.Itwasaconstantinmylife,areminderthatevenifmymother

didn’t,mygrandparentslovedme.”

Hishandcametohershoulder.“That’sawonderfulmemory.Theymustbe

greatpeople.”

Herheartfeltlikeananvilwhenshesaidquietly,“Theydied.Yearsago.”

Hesqueezedhershoulder.Afteramoment,hesaid,“Iknowthey’dbevery

proudofyou.”

Howdidheknowthebestthingtosay?Shelookedupathim,pleasedthathe

reallydidseemtounderstand.Hisgrayeyeswerelockedontoher,intenseand

concerned.Hisexpressionwasserious,hislipsfirmand...inviting.

Whenhereyeswentbacktohis,shecouldseehewasfeelingthevibrations

betweenthem.

Beforeanythinghappenedthatshe’dbesorryfor,shetookastepback.“Well,

wearefullofcomplimentstoday.”

“Havedinnerwithme.Fridaynight.”

“IhavetoworkFridaynight.”

“Saturday,then.”

“Brandon,Idon’tknow—”

“Sayyes.”Thesoftnessofhisvoicehypnotizedher.Hermindwentbackto

howcompetentlyhe’ddealtwithJustinandBen.Howhe’dlethertakeoverwhen

theparentsarrived.Howsupportivehe’dbeenandunderstandingofherclock.

Andshecouldn’tsayno.“Allright.”

CHAPTERSEVEN

GracewasecstaticthatPaulinehadmadeatriplelayerchocolatecake.The

objectofherfantasies,itproudlysatunderaglassdomeonthesodafountain

counter.Assoonasshecouldtakeabreakshe’dgetherselfahugeslice.

Aftershefinishedherdoubleorderofcheesefries.

“Youwantanyketchupwiththose?”Tom,frycookextraordinaireaskedher.

“Nothanks.It’lldullthetaste.Hey,how’smyburgercoming?”

Tomleanedagainstthecounterandcockedhishead.“Youfeelingokay,

Grace?Neverknownyoutoeatsomuch.”

“Well,it’syourownfault.You’resuchagoodcook.”

“Mm-hm.”Hewalkedbackintothekitchentofinishherburger,shakinghis

head.“Youmightwanttocheckonthatdaughterofyours,Pauline.Ithinkshe’sbeen

eatingtheentiretimeI’vebeenonshift.Andthelookshewasjustgivingyourcake?

Whoohoo,Ithinkthatlookfrommywifegotmemylastchild.”

“Really?”Sheglancedupfromchoppingonions.“That’sinteresting.Last

monthshewassickwiththeflu.She’sbeentired,goingtobedearlyeverynight.

Nowshe’seatingmorethanusual.”Paulinechoppedsomemore,hereyestearing

up.“Ihaveafeeling...”Shesniffed.“Imightknowwhy.”Sniff,sniff.Tearsstreamed

downhercheeks.Coulditbe?Wasitpossible?

“Pauline?What’swrong?”

“Huh?Oh,it’sthesedarnonions.”Notreally.Shehadthefeelingshewas

goingtobegettingsomeincrediblenewssoonfromherbaby.

Shecouldn’twaittotellLittleJed.

SallywasnervousallSaturday.Brandonhadtoldheritwouldjustbecasual.

Hewasmakingdinnerforherinhisapartment.Andwasn’tthatamazing.Paul

wouldneverhavethoughttocookforher.

Shakingherhead,she’dhavetoremindherselfnottotalkaboutPaul.Sure,

Brandonhadsaidshewasallowedtoventtohimaboutherexbutshedidn’twantto

soundpetty.

Afterdecidingondarkjeans,aroyalbluesilkshirt,andheelsshefiguredshe

wasready.Glancinginthemirror,shewonderedwhatBrandonsaw.Herwavyred

hairwaspiledonherhead.Hermakeupwaslight,herblueeyessmoky.Wasittoo

much?Itwasnomorethanshe’dprobablywearoutonanydatesoshetooka

breath,grabbedherkeysandthesmallplantshe’dboughtforhisapartment,and

walkedacrossthestreettoBrandon’sapartment.

Hercuriositywaspiquedastowhatitwouldlooklike.Itwouldbelarger

thanhers,abetterkitchen,andwiderbalcony.Butmoreimportant,shewas

interestedinseeinghowthemanlived.

Shetookafewcalmingbreathsbeforeknocking.Andthenlostherbreath

againwhenheansweredthedoor.Dressedinawhitebuttoned-downshirt,brown

slacks,Docksiders,hesmiledandshecouldn’thelpherheartfromflippingover.

“Hi,”hervoicesqueaked.

“Hi.You’rerightontime.Comeonin.”Heheldthedoorwiderandshewalked

in.

Itwaswhatshe’dpictured,cleanlines,minimal,neat.Inwhatshethoughtof

asmalecolors—browns,black,andblues—theshadeswenttogethertocreatea

calm,comfortabledwelling.“You’vegotaniceplace.”

“Thanks.Isthatforme?”

Shesawhewasstaringattheplant.“Oh,yes,I’msorry.Hereyougo.”

Hetooktheplantandchuckled.“Thanks.Veryconsiderateofyou.”Hewalked

tothekitchen,herfollowing.

“Mygrandmothersaidwheneveryou’reinvitedtosomeone’shouse,you

alwaystakeasmallgift.”

“Well,thankstoyourgrandmother.Idon’thaveverymanyplants.”Hesetthe

plantonthecounterandwentbacktostirringamixofvegetablesinalargefrying

pan.

“Ithinkitaddslife.Whatareyoumaking?”

“Stirfry.Youdidn’tsayifyouwereallergictoanything.”

“No.Iprettymuchwilleatanything.CanIhelpyouwithsomething?”

Hegavethevegetablesonemorestirandwenttopulloutaglass.“Nope.Got

itallundercontrol.Wouldyoulikeaglassofwine?”

Somuch!“Thatwouldbenice,thanks.”Hepouredtwoglassesandhanded

onetoher.Thefirstsipcooledherthroat,helpedcalmher.

“I’malmostdonehere.Youwanttopullupachairandtalktome?Ordoyou

wanttositinthelivingroomandscopeoutwhatmyapartmentlookslike?”

Shesmirkedathim.“Icantampdownmycuriosity,thankyou.”Shepulledup

thechair.“I’llkeepyoucompanyandkeepawatchoverwhatyou’regoingtofeed

me.”

“IpromiseIwillnotspitintoanythingonourmenu.”

Shequicklylookeddownatherwineandtookasip,decidingnottoanswer.

“InoticedtheHamiltonsandCarringtonswalkingtogetheryesterday.Looks

likesomefriendshipshavebeenforged.”

“I’msoglad.It’snotfunbeingthenewkidintown.IwishedIwouldhavehad

sweetkidsaroundmeliketheHamiltons.”

“IguessIwasalwaysintheHamiltons’position.Myparentsliveinthesame

housetheybroughtallsevenofushomefromthehospital.Wewenttothesame

elementaryschool,samejuniorhigh,andsamehighschool.Mypoorbabysister,by

thetimeshewentthroughschool,therewasn’tasecrettheCranefamilyhadfrom

theteachers.Shecouldn’tgetawaywithathing.”

Sallychuckled.“Areyoustillclose?”

“Prettymuch.Momcomplainswehaven’tgivenherenoughgrandchildren.

I’vegottwosistersmarried,twokidseach.ThenTrevormarriedMary.Therestof

usaresingle.IsupposeIdisappointedeveryonebygoingbackwards—getting

divorcedinsteadofhavingchildren.”

“Butisn’titgoodyoudidn’thavechildren?Howwouldyouhaveshared

custodyinGermany?”

Heshivered.“ThankGodforthat.So,whydidn’tyouandPauleverhave

kids?”

“Nowit’smytimetoshiver.”Sheshookherhead.“Hewastotallyfocusedon

hiscareer.He’samusician,notbigonchildren.”

“Andyet,youwanttobeateacher.”

“Yeah,funny,isn’tit?Whenyoubreakupwithsomeoneyoustarttorealize

howyouwereflawedfromthestart.Atleast,Ido.”

“That’strue.IcanstillhearmymotherquestioningmeaboutLorraine.

HearingherconcernsthatItotallyignored.”Hestirredthevegetablesandgrabbed

hiswine.“Howaboutwedrinktomakingsmarterchoicesfromnowon.”

“Somethingtodrinkto.”Sheclinkedherglasstohisandtookasip.

Hegotoutthemarinatedmeatandaddedittothefryingpan.“Sodoyou

cookmuch?”

Sherelaxedbackinherchair,enjoyingthecasualnessoftheevening.Itwas

nicetositinthekitchen,withaniceman,talkingaboutnothingimportant,drinking

averyfinewine.

“Notmuch,sinceit’sjustforme.GrandmamadesureIknewallthebasics.I

grumbledwhenshewasteachingmebutI’mthankfulnow.Infact,”shesaid,lifting

aneyebrow.“Imakethebestchocolatechipcookiesanywhere.”

“Really?Well,you’llhavetoletmedeterminethevalidityofyourclaimsince

Ihappentobethebestchocolatechipcookietesteranywhere.”

“MaybeIwill.Ihaven’tmadeabatchsinceourtown’sChristmaslighting

party.”

Brandontookanothersipandturnedtoher.“That’soneofthebigreasonsI

movedhere,simplethingslikethetown’sChristmaslightingparty.Ilookforwardto

it.”

“Oh,wehavelotsofreasonstogettogether.Andeat.”Shechuckled.“The

nexttimewillbetheFourthofJulyParade.”

“Nokidding,there’saparade?”

“RightdownMainStreet.Youcouldsitonyourbalconyandwatchthe

awesomenessoftheCharitymarchingbandorthelocaltwirlersorgymnasts.”

“Interesting.I’llmarkmycalendar.”

“Andafterwardwe’llhaveabigpartyattheparkbythelake.Ofcourse,my

chocolatechipcookieswillbethefavorite.Imightmakeseveralbatches.”She

sippedmorewine.

“IfeellikeIshouldbringsomething.Anysuggestions?”

Thewinewasundoubtedlylooseninghertongue.“Youcouldhelpmewith

thecookies.”

“Youmean,you’dletmediscoveryourrecipeforthebestchocolatechip

cookiesanywhere?”

Shelookedattheceiling,asiftocalculateheranswer.“Hmm.Iguessyoucan

betrusted.Thisisgoodwine.”

Frowning,hestudiedhereyes,takingherglasstosetonthecounter.He

reachedintothefridgeforabottleofwaterandhandedittoher.“Youdon’tdrink

much,doyou?”

“No,Ineverhave.IenjoyworkingatthetavernbutI’veneverbeentempted

tooverindulgeoreventotrythehardstuff.”

“Goodforyou.Well,IthinkI’maboutready.Youwanttopulloutthesalad

fromtherefrigerator?”

“Sure.”Shegotupandopenedthefridge,smilingattheopportunitytotakea

peekofwhatBrandonCranehadinhisrefrigerator.Didn’theknoweverywoman

onadateyearnedtogetaglimpse?

Itwasaboutwhatshewouldhaveguessed.Therewereadozeneggs,juice,

soymilk.Huh,maybehewasallergictotherealstuff.Orangejuice,beer,soda,wine,

water.

“Youtakingsurvey,there?”

Embarrassedthatshewascaught,shepulledoutthewoodenbowlfilledwith

aprettysaladandsetitonthetable.

“So?”

“So...what?”

“Whatdidmyrefrigeratortellyou?”

Shetookherwineglassand,knowingshewasabouttoeat,tookanothersip.

“Thatyou’reaguy.”

“Okay.”

“Inyourfreezeryou’veprobablygotfrozendinners,pizza,icecream,and

maybesomethingMarycooked,acasseroleorsomething.”

“Incredible.Oh,youdidforgetthefullycookedroastthatIkeeptoimpress

womenwith.”

“Havealotofthemlookinginyourfreezer,doyou?”

“You’rethefirstinCharity.”

“I’mhonored.”Howmuchshehadmissedjokingwithaninterestingman.For

solongshe’dbeenwithamanthatwassoserious,sototallyfocusedonhiscareer.

Andotherwomen.

Hepulledoutherchairandshefeltaflutterintheheart.Hehelpedherplate

withsalad,stir-fry,andslicedItalianbread.Herbreathcaught.Itwasallnice,

comfortable.Andshecouldn’thelpexpectingtheworsetocome.

No,she’dputhimbackinthecategoryoffriend.Theywerebothteachers,in

asense.BothresidentsofCharity.They’dsharethosethings,withouttheproblems

ofromanticinvolvement.

Shekepttothatmantrauntilthey’dcleanedupafterdinner.

“Wouldyoulikeanothercupofcoffee,sitinthelivingroom?”

“Sure.Ihavetogetyourrecipeforthosecannolis.Theywereexcellent,”she

saidasshesatontheplushsofa.

“It’seasy,really.Youwalkdowntothestreet,turnright,goovertwostores

andenterthebakery.Pickoutwhatyouwantandpay,cashorcredit.Easy.”

Shelaughed.“IthinkIcanrememberthatrecipe.”Hereyessurveyedthe

room,seeingthepiecesofBrandonCrane—afewfamilypicturesframed,anantique

abacas,booksonmathematicsandteaching.Andonasidetablewasaninstrument

onastand,shining,readytobeplayed.

“Hereyouare.Yousaidonecream,right?”

“Youplay?”sheaskedpointingtotheinstrument.

“Yes.Firstclarinetinthehighschoolband.Doyou?”

“No.”Shetookasipofcoffee.“Idon’tplayanything.”

“Well,letmeplaysomethingforyou.”Hesethiscoffeedownandpickedup

theclarinet.“Let’strythis.”Comfortable,hestartedamellowpiece,oneshedidn’t

recognize.Thenotesflickeredoverher,mesmerizingintheirclearness,inthebright

melody.

Sheleanedherheadbackandclosedhereyes,listeningtothemusic,

enjoyingtheresonance.Thetunechangedandmorphedintosomethingshedid

know.Suddenlyshewasbackinadark,smokybarlisteningtoPaulplayhissax.Her

breathingbecameshallowandhereyesfilled,feelingthepainofbetrayalagainas

sherealizedPaulwasn’twatchingher,butplayingtoanotherwoman.Aprettier

womanintheback.Thestabofhurt,theagonyofhersoulreturnedandherstomach

clenchedwithpain.

“Sally?Sally!”

ShelookeduptoseeBrandonsittingnexttoher,concerncloudinghiseyes.

“I’msorry,I...”Shecouldn’tverbalizethegriefshewasexperiencing.

Heputhisarmaroundherrubbinghershoulder,sayingnothing.

Shefeltlikeanidiotbutdidn’trefusethecomfort.Hadshereallyhadanyone

toconfideinsincethedivorce?Itwasn’tfairtosayshedidn’thaveanyfriends.

ThereweremanypeoplethroughoutCharitythatshecouldhavecalledonduring

herdarkesttimesbuthowcouldtheyunderstand?Mostofherfriendswerehappy

intheirownrelationships.

ButBrandonunderstood.She’daccepthiscomfort.

Afterawhile,hesoftlysaid,“Ididn’tthink.DidPaulplaytheclarinet?”

Shesniffed.“Saxophone.He...playedthatsong.”

Brandonsighedandleanedhisheadagainsthers.“I’msorry.”Afteranother

momentheadded,“Iwillforevertakethatsongoffmyrepertoire.”

Shesmiled,gratefulforhissupport.“Youplayverywell.I’msorryI...”

“Noneedtobesorry.”Herubbedhershoulderagain.“Formonthsafter

Lorraineleft,evenwhenIfeltbetter,occasionallysomething—itcouldbeascent,a

picture,evenfood—somethingwouldsurroundme,makingmethinkofher.Itwas

likeaswordstickingintomygut.Sometimesthepainwassoreal,Icheckedtoseeif

Iwasbleeding.”

Sheturnedherfaceintohischestandsighed.Heknewherhurt.

“Ican’tsaythatIneverhurtanymorebutthankGodthatoverwhelming,

debilitatinggriefisgone.”

“Soyou’resayingitgetseasier.”

“Itdoes.Therearesomethingsyoucandotohelptheprocess.”

Shesniffed.“Likewhat?”

“Well,Ithinkyou’vealreadyaccomplishedthefirst.You’regoingonwith

yourlifeplans,beingateacher.Youhavesomethingtofocuson.”

“Okay.Whatelse?”

“Youhaveacommunitybehindyou.That’shuge.Everyonehereintown

adoresyouandisonyourside.”

“EveryonebutJillian,youmean.”

“EvenJillian.Shewasjustannoyedwithyoubecauseshewastryingtoflirt

withme.”

Hesaiditsoeasilyshecouldn’thelpchuckling.“Okay,communitysupport.

Anythingelse?”

Itwasquietforsolongshewasn’tsurehewasgoingtoanswer.

“Onemorething.Youneedtothinkofsomeoneelse.”

Sheliftedherheadtoaskhimtoexplainandhereyesmethis.Andshedidn’t

needanyexplanation.

Slowly,asifinadreamtheymovedtowardeachother.Whentheirlips

touched,shefeltajoltgothroughherbody.Itwasasifshe’dneverbeenkissed,she

thoughtasherlipsmeltedtohis.Herhandonhischestfelttheheavythudofhis

heartandshethrilledthatshewascausingit.Hishandwenttohercheekandheld

hersohecouldanglehishead,takethekissdeeper.Hisotherhandpulledhercloser

andashiverworkeddownherback.

Thekissended,andBrandonlethisforeheaddropagainsther.“Thatwas...

unexpected.”

Shecouldn’thelpgiggling.“Well,that’snotthemostflatteringthingI’ve

heardafterkissingsomeone.”

Heglancedup.“Ididn’tmeantooffend,Sally,I—”

Sheputafingeroverhislips.“I’mnotoffended.I’mjustassurprisedasyou

are.Idon’twantustoexamineordiscussthis,please.Let’sjust...enjoy.”

Hetookherfingerandkissedit.“Agreed.AndFYI,itwasanincrediblekiss.

Justsowe’reclear.”

“Yes.Itwas.NowI’dbettergo.I’mscheduledtohelpinnurseryatchurchin

themorning.”Shestoodandwalkedtothedoor,Brandonfollowingher.

“Oh,yeah?Whichchurch.”

“CharityCommunity.Overbythehospital.”

“Hmm.MaybeI’llcheckitout.”

“Youshould.”Shesmiled.“Anothergoodplacetofindsupport,right?”

Hereturnedthesmile.“Right.Well,Ienjoyedtonight.Verymuch,Sally.”

“Me,too.Thankyoufordinner.Youknow,youmayjustworkoutasalocal

afterall.”

“Thanks.”

Shewalkedbacktoherapartment,herfeetnottouchingtheground.Tobe

honest,apartofherhadwonderedifshecouldeverbeinterestedinamanagain

afterPaul.Andifshehadthepotentialtointerestanyone.

Nowshehadheransweranditwaswonderful.

CHAPTEREIGHT

AsJunecametoaclose,thetownsettledintotheeasyrhythmofsummer.

Touristswerefloodingthearea,visitingtheattractionsandaddingtothecoffersof

theCharitybusinesses,whichMacwasn’tgoingtocomplainabout.

HewascalledintohelpatHal’ssinceGracewassleepinginthismorning.

She’dalsogonetobedbeforehimlastnight.Wasshestilldealingwiththeeffectsof

theterribleflushe’dhadthatlingeredacoupleofmonths?Hecouldstillhearher

retchinginthebathroomearlyinthemornings.He’dfeltsobadforher,tryingto

helpherbyholdingherhairoutofherfaceandbringinghercrackersandtea.

Nowshewasjusttired.Andhungry.Shewasgoingtobesoangrywith

herselfwhenshesteppedonthescale.Macdidn’tcare.He’dlovehernomatterwhat

sizeshewas.Eversinceshe’dthoughthewasatransientandshe’dgivenhimaslice

ofcakeforfree.Hesmiledremembering.She’dbeenbeautiful,withthesaddesteyes

he’deverseen.

Notanymore.HisGracewasahappyperson,contentinthelifetheymade

togetherinCharity—himwithhisphotographybusinessandherprettymuch

runningHal’sPlace.Helovedhislife,wouldn’tchangeathing.

Butifshewasn’tbacktonormalsoon,hewastakinghertothedoctor

himself.

Herecognizedoneofthetwogirlscomingintotherestaurantandsmiling,

wenttothem.“Hey,Rachel,how’sitgoing?”

“Good.IsitokayifmeandKelseygositatthecounter?”

“Sure.Oh,yeah,Imetyouandyourfamilyhere.Goodtoseeyouagain,

Kelsey.”

“Thankyou.”

“Doyougirlsknowwhatyouwantordoyouneedmenus?”

“Couldwegetchocolatechipmilkshakes,please?”Rachelasked.

Heleanedinandwhispered,“Itjustsohappensthatismyspecialty.Extra

whippedcreamonthehouse.”Hewinkedatthemandtheygiggled.

Goodyoungpeople.JustoneofthereasonshelikedCharity.Whichreminded

himofoneofhisfavoritepeople,NoelJackson,Holly’sbrother.Theyoungmanwas

incollegebutoffforthesummer.Hewasscheduledtobeinsoon.Macalways

enjoyedworkingwithhim,eversincethefirsttimehe’dcometoCharity.

Ashegotbusyworkingonthosemilkshakes,amanenteredwholooked

vaguelyfamiliartohim.Hesatnexttothegirls,whoheheardsaying,“Hi,Mr.Crane.”

Crane?HedidlookalotlikeTrevorCrane.

Macfinishedtheshakesandsettheminfrontofthegirls.“Thereyougo,the

bestshakesintheplace.”Heturnedtothemanandwipinghishandsonthetowel

tuckedinhiswaistband,said,“I’mnotsurewe’vemet.YoumustbeTrevor’sbrother

Brandon,I’mMacMcCrae.”

“Sonicetofinallymeetyou,Mac.”Thetwoshookhands.“I’veheardalot

aboutyou.Andhaveoneofyourprintshanginginmylivingroom.”

“That’snicetohear.WelcometoCharity.Ihearyou’reournewjuniorhigh

mathteacher.”

“Iam.Newstravelsfastaroundhere.”

“Thatitdoes.”Mac’seyeswenttothefrontdoor.“Oh,andIdon’tknowif

you’vemettwoofourmostimportantcitizensbutheretheycome.BigJed.LittleJed.

I’dlikeforyoutomeetthenewmathteacherattheschool.”

Aseventy-ishmanwithafewgraystrandsofhairandawidesmilesatnext

toBrandon.“Well,heythere.YoumustbeBrandonCrane,Trevor’sbrother.We

shorethinkalotofhim.MarriedourprettyMary.Showedgoodsensethere.

Welcometothetown.”

“Goodtomeetyou,Brandon,”LittleJedsaidfromtheothersideofhisfather.

“Ihearyou’redoinggoodworkattheschool’scamp.”

“Idon’tknowaboutthat.IthinkI’mjustthereforcrowdcontrol.Sally

Foresterisreallydoingthehardwork.She’sdoneallthelessonplans,executed

thembrilliantly.”

TheJedssharedalookwithMac.BigJedsaid,“Dotell.”

“IneverthoughtSallywasdoingherbestworkasawaitress.Althoughshe

didthatwellenoughwhenshewashereatHal’s,”LittleJedsaid.

“She’llmakeanexcellentteacherwhenshegetsherdegree.”

ClearlysurprisedthatBigJedknewaboutSally’saspirations,Brandon’s

browsrose.TheJedschuckledathim.

Macexplained.“There’snotalotofsecretshereinCharity.Weallknowhow

muchSallywantstoteach.She’sevenhadoffersoffinancialhelpbutshe’srefused.

She’sdeterminedtodoitallonherown.EspeciallydeterminedsincePaultookoff

onher.

LittleJedmoanedandBigJedgrimacedandsaid,“Ineverdidthinkthat

musicianknewwhathehad.Nevertreatedherright.Poorthingwasbendingover

backwardstryingtopleasehim.IfSventhereatthetavernhadn’tworkedwithher

toadjustherschedule,shewouldn’thavehadanyincomeatall.Thatmusician

weren’tnothingbutcrapasfarasI’mconcerned.Seeingthetwogirlswatchingand

listening,BigJedblushedandsaid,“Pardonmylanguage,ladies.”

“What’dImiss?”NoelJackson,eyesbrightandhairshaggy,cameinfromthe

back,standingnexttoMacbehindthecounter.

“Noel,myboy.Gladtoseeyou’vedecidedtograceuswithyourpresence.It’s

beenbusytoday,”Macsaid.

“I’llgetbusythen.”Hesmiledatthemenandwenttothebacktogetanapron

andbinandstartbussingtables.

ThebelloverthefrontdoorrangandMacwasgladtoseeGracewalkingin.

Theexhaustionwasoutofhereyesandshesmiledwidelywhenshesawher

husband.

“Excusemefellows.Berightback.”

HehurriedovertoGraceandkissedher.“Feelingbetter?”

“Iam.”Shehuggedhim.“Thanksforlettingmesleepthismorning.Imust

haveneededit.”

Hesighed,wrappinghisarmsaroundher.Forsomereason,hecouldn’tput

hisfingeronit,herbodyfelt...differenttohim.“Ihatetoseeyoufeelingbad.How

aboutItakeyouintothedoctoronMonday.”

“It’sFourthofJuly.Everything’sclosed.”

“Tuesday,then.Iwanttogettothebottomofwhyyou’vebeensosickfora

while.”Hekissedherhead.“Iwantmysweet,energeticwifeback.”Hisvoice

loweredashislipswentnearherear.“ImissedyoulastnightwhenIcametobed.”

“I’msorry,honey,butI’mfeelingbetter,really.”

Heleanedbackandstudiedherface.“Youseemtobe.Butstill,we’regoingto

thedoctor’sonTuesday.

Brandonlovedthefeelofthediner.Itwasn’tretroasmuchaswhatitreally

was—acommunityrestaurantthatservedgoodfood.Hewasenjoyinghisbacon

cheeseburgerandsalad,listeningtotheJedstellhimeverythingtherewastoknow

aboutCharity.

Themenwerefascinating.Theykneweverythingfromthevariousutility

agenciestimesandrulestothecalendarofeventsforthelittletown.Hebombarded

themwithquestionsabouttheweather,walkingtrails,andstores.

Whilehewastakingalastbiteofhissandwich,BigJedsurprisedhimby

saying,“HowdidSallylikethedinneryoucookedforherlastweek?”Hechoked

downthelastbiteandcarefullytookabigswigofwater.

“Yeah,Sally’lleatmostanything.What’dyoucookforher?”

Brandonstudiedthemforamoment,notsureastowhattosay.“How...how

didyoutwoknowIcookeddinnerforSally?”

Theychuckledlikeitwasafunnyquestion.

“Son,itweren’thard.Sallywentintothehardwarestoretobuyaplant.

Bernardthatworksthereaskedherwhatforandshesaidshewasgoingtoafriend’s

apartmentforsupperandwantedtogiveit.ThenCandaceoverinthetoystorewas

changingthewindowdisplayandsawSallycomeoutofherbuildingandgoacross

thestreetcarryingtheplant.Clydeoveratthenewrentalofficetoldmeafewweeks

agothatTrevor’sbrotherwasrentinganapartmentinthebuildingthatSallywas

walkinginto.”

“Yeah,buthowdidyouknowshewascomingtomyapartment?”

BigJedsmiledlikeaCheshirecat.“Youjusttoldme,son.”LittleJedchuckled.

Brandonshookhishead.“Youguysaretricky.IcanseeI’mgoingtohaveto

watchoutforyou.”

“Nowwedon’tspreadtalesandwedon’tsaynothingtohurtanyone.But

Charityisourhomeandwefeeltheobligationtokeepawatchonit.”BigJed

sharpenedhiseyesandlookeddownhisnoseatBrandon.“Andifwehadan‘idear’

thatourprettySallywasabouttogethurtagain,we’dintervene,youcanbetyour

bottomdollaraboutthat.”

ThatbroughtasmiletoBrandon.“It’sgoodtoknowthatSallyhasfriendslike

youlookingoutforher.I’mglad.”

TheJedslookedateachother.“Thatwasagoodanswer.”BigJedtookasipof

hiscoffee,obviouslypleased.

LittleJedstuckouthishandtoBrandon.“WelcometoCharity.”

JustalittlegesturebutBrandonfeltlikehe’dbeenaccepted.Hecouldn’twait

totellSally.

WhichiswhathedidafterheleftHal’s.Callingheronhiscell,hesaid,“Hey,

youbusy?”

“Notreally.I’vegottogointothetaverninafewhours.”

“Comegoonawalkwithme.I’vegottotellyoutheneatestthingthatjust

happened.”

“Okay.Givemeafewminutes.I’llmeetyoubythefountainatthetopofthe

street.”

“Gotit.”

CHAPTERNINE

Hewalkeduptothestreettothefountaintowait.Agrinformedonhisface

ashethoughtaboutthepartthefountainhadplayedinhisbrother’sromancewith

Mary.Hesatontheedgeandwatchedthewaterflowintothebase.Themorehe

livedhere,themorehecouldseethatmovingtoCharityhadbeentherightdecision.

Thepeoplewerenice,heworkedinagoodcommunity,and—

“Hi.”

Helookeduptoseealovelyredheadsmilingathim,waitingtogoonawalk

withhim.Yes,ithadbeenaverygooddecision.

“Hi.Youlooknice.”

Shechuckled,lookingdownatherjeansand“ImagineDragons”teeshirt.

“Okay,ifyousayso.Nowtellme,what’shappenedtoputthatsmileonyourface?”

Somuch!“Let’swalkandI’lltellyou.”Hetookherarmandwrappeditaround

hisastheystarteddownthestreetintooneofthebeautifulneighborhoodsof

Charity.

Theywalkedandtalked,Brandontellingherallabouthisconversationwith

theJedsatHal’sPlace.Shelaughed,leaningintohim,squeezinghisarm.Itfeltgood.

Brandonhadn’tthoughtmuchaboutthekisslastweek.Well,thatwasn’t

exactlyright.He’striednottothinkmuchaboutthekiss.Ithadbeennice,

wonderful,buthewasn’tlookingforanythingotherthanfriendship.Nothinglikean

ill-advisedromancetoruinthings.

Theytalkedaboutcamp,aboutthekids,sharedstoriesoftheirpastwitheach

other.Niceandcomfortable.Butsheseemed,likehim,nottorevisitthekiss.Thank

God.

“IfyougotthesealofapprovalfromtheJedsyou’regoldenintown.Onething

Iknowaboutthem,theyareloyaltothedeath.Icouldtellyoustories.”

“Ibelieveit.Theymentionedthetownsortashutsdownfortheparadeon

Monday.Why’sthat?”

Sallychuckled.“Everyone’sinvolvedwiththeparade—eitherparticipatingor

watching.It’sabigdealhere.”

“Alltheparticipantsfromhereintown,then?”

“Andthesurroundingarea.Ithinkthetwirlersstudioisfromdownthe

street.AndthelocalChic-fil-aistechnicallyoutsideofCharity.Theyhandout

couponsforfreesandwichessothey’rearealpopularfloat.”

Brandonlaughed.“Soundsgreat.”

“Itreallyisasweetparade.Areyougoingtowatchfromyourbalcony?”

“Hmm.Notsure.Icould,butImightratherroamthestreets,beinthemidst

oftheactivity.Whereareyougoingtobe?Areyouaparticipantorattendee?”

“Iwasaparticipantoneyear,helpingoutthecheerleadersfromtheschool.I

didn’tlikeit.”

“Whynot?”

Serious,shesaid,“Icouldn’tseetheparade.”Helaughedagain.“Idiscovered

I’dmuchratherwatchtheparadethanwalkinit.”

“Soyou’llbewatching?”

“Yes.ThenlaterthatdayI’llgointotheTavernbutI’llfinishworkjustbefore

thefireworksatnine.Idon’twanttomissthose.”

“Wow,fireworks.Wheredotheyshootthem?”

“Overthelake.It’sbeautiful.Butyou’vegottogettothebanksofthelake

earlytograbaseat.Itgetscrowdedreallyfast.”

“Soundsgreat.HowaboutImeetupwithyou?”

Shegavehimalittlegrin.“Yousure?You’renotafraidtheJedswillfindout

andquestionyouaboutourbeingtogether?”

Heknewshewasjokingbutitdidn’tstophisheartfromthudding.Werethey

becomingacouple?Didhewantthat?Washeevenreadyforit?Hetookadeep

breathandremindedhimself,onedayatatime.“Well,liketheysaid,theydon’t

spreadtalesorsayanythingtohurtpeople.”

“Okay.Youwanderaboutduringtheparadeandenjoyyourself.I’llseeyouat

aquarteruntilnine.Iusuallyputablanketdownbythelake,onthesidebythe

movietheatre.”

“Great.I’lllookforwardtoit.”Theystopped,theireyesmeeting.Thedesireto

leaninandkissherwasstrong.Hecouldtellfromhersharpenedeyesshewas

dealingwiththesametrouble.

“Well.I’llletyougetreadyforwork.”

“Okay.Ifyou’renotbusytonight,comein.I’llgiveyoutheemployeediscount.

Andallthebarnutsyouwant.”

“Whatadeal.We’llsee.IpromisedTrevorandMaryI’dseeamoviewith

them.Maybeafterward.”

Theystoodbackatthefountain.Shesmiledathimandkissedhischeek.

Sweet.“Seeyou.”

“Yeah.Seeya.”

Whathadhegottenhimselfinto?

Shelookedforhimallevening.Sheknewitwascrazy,hehadhisownlife,he

wasspendingtimewithhisfamily.Thatwasimportant.

Thefrontdooropenedandhereyessearchedfor...nothim.

“Youokaytonight?”Svenasked.

“Fine.Nicecrowdtonight.”

“Yeah.Thetown’sfilledwithpeopleinfortheholidayweekend.Nicefor

business.”Thefrontdooropenedagainandsheglancedtoseewhowascomingin.

“Yousurenothing’swrong?Youseemtobelookingforsomeone.”

“No.Notatall,it’sjust...Yes.Iam.”

Svengrinnedandsheagainwonderedwhyshecouldn’tfallforthegood-

looking,sweetman.“IsitthatguywhosedrinkyouspitintowhenIwasn’tlooking?”

“I...I...Ineedtotakethisorderout.”

Hechuckled.“Justbecareful,honey.It’safinelinebetweenhateandlove.”

Shethoughtabouthiswordsforthenexthour.Theideaofeverfallinginlove

againwasnotinherplans.Wasshedoingjustthat?

No,theywerefriends.Associates.That’sall.

Thedooropenedandtherehewas.Shereprimandedherflutteryheartand

tookabreath.Hiseyesfoundhersandhesmiled.Moreflutters.Stopit!Shewaved

andatherfirstfreemoment,walkedovertogreethim.

“Hi.WhereareMaryandTrevor?Theydidn’tcomewithyou?”She’dhalf

beenhopingthey’dserveasabufferbetweenthem.

“No.They’regoingbacktoNewYorkinthemorningandwantedtogeta

goodnight’ssleep.”

“Whyaretheygoingbeforethefourth?”

“Theyhaveafewpartiestheyneedtocheckon.”Hefrowned.“AndMary

didn’tseemoverlythrilledtoseetheparade.”Sallysmiled.Hadtobebecause

Mary’dbeeninchargeofamemorableChristmasparadeafewyearsback.

“Well,I’lljustgoandgetyourdrink.Andyourbarnuts.”

WhensheapproachedSven,hewasgrinningfromeartoear.“Hey,look

who’shere.HowaboutIgethisdrinkandyoutakeyourbreak.Youcouldsitwith

himforawhile.”

“Idon’twanttoleaveyouinthelurch.”

“Noproblem,sweetness.Sharicantakeoveryourtables.Besides,youhaven’t

hadabreaksinceyouclockedin.Ididn’tmentionitbecauseyouseemedsofullof

nervousenergy.”HiseyeswenttoBrandon’stable.“NowIseewhy.”

“Willyoustopit?”ShetookabreathandwaitedforBrandon’sdrink.Heslid

itovertoher,thatsamesmuggrinonhisface.“IthinkIwilltakethatbreakafterall.

Myfeetarekillingme.”

“Haveatit.”

Shewaitedabeatandsaid,“Nexttime,I’mgoingtospitinyourdrink.”He

hadthenervetolaughoutloud.

Aftersettingthedrinkandnutsinfrontofhim,shesurprisedhimbysitting

ontheothersideofthebooth.“Igetthedrink,nuts,andthewaitress?Wow.Ireally

likethisplace.”

“It’smybreak.Doyoumind?”

“Absolutelynot.Here,havesomenuts.”

“Thanks.We’vebeenbusytonight.I’vegotanotherhouryetandI’malready

tiredandhungry.”

“Really?Well,here.Takeasip.”Hehandedoverhisbeerandshecouldn’t

resisttakingadeepdrink.“Hey,notallofit.”

“Oh,sorry.”Shetookonemoresipandsmilinghandedthedrinkbackover.

“Sohowwasthemovie?”

“Good.Iguess.Itwasoneofthecomicbookmovies.Icanseetheappealbut

thestoriesallseemsoformulaic.”

“Ithinkthat’stheattractionofthem.Goodversusevil.Thegoodguyshaveto

learntogetalong.Theydoandsavetheworld.Perfectcomicbookstuff.”

“Yousoundlikeanexpert.”Heleanedoverthetable.“Who’syourfavorite

comicbookcharacter?”

Hersmilewasslowandwide.“Whodoyouthink?WonderWoman.”

“Hmm.”Henarrowedhiseyes,studiedher.“Youremindmealittleofher,

actually.”

Sallylaughed.“Andwho’syourfavoritecharacter?”

Hetookaminutetothink.“ProbablyIronman.He’ssmart,savvy.Usesalotof

mathematics,actually.”

“Ineverthoughtaboutthat.Iguesshedoes.”

Brandontookasipandnoddedtothebar.“Ithoughtyou’dsayThorsince

you,infact,workwithhim.”

Shefollowedhisgazeandlaughedoutloud.“Oh,Svenwillgetakickoutof

that.Icallhimthegentlegiant.He’ssomuchnicerandkinderthanThorwouldever

thinkofbeing.”

“Youandheeverdated?”

“No.”Tohisraisedbrows,shesaid,“Nosparks.”

“Ah.”Hetookanotherdrink.Shrugging,hesaid,“Wouldyouliketoseethe

movietomorrownight?”

Hereyeswidened.“Youjustsawit.Youwanttogoagain?”

“Withyou?Yes.WonderWomanisn’tinitbutthereareafewotherstrong

womenyoumightlike.Wecouldgetasliceofpizzaafterwardifyou—”

“Yes.”Herheartpracticallyleaptinherchest.“I’dliketo.”

“Great.HowaboutIcomebyyourapartmentaroundsixtomorrownight.”

“I’dloveit.NowI’dbettergetbacktowork.”Shestoodandwatchedhimtake

onemoresip.

Hestoodaswell,leavingabillonthetable.“IguessI’llseeyoutomorrow

night,then.”

“Yeah.Seeyouthen.”Shewatchedhimleave,feelingasgiddyasayoung

schoolgirlwithherfirstcrush.Chucklingatthebarcaughtherattentionandshe

turnedtoseeSvenlaughing,shakinghishead.

“YouaresonotThor,”shemumbledunderherbreath.

ShewaitedforBrandontobuytheticketsandwashappytoseeKelseyand

herfamilywalkingup.“Hey,howareyouguysdoing?”

“Great,Sally.Dad’stakingustothemovies.ThenanicecreamconeatHal’s.”

“We’reseeingthenewsuperheromovie,”Kelsey’slittlesisterBellasaid,her

prettyblueeyesbrightwithexcitement.

“SoamI.Ican’twait.”

Marcusslappedhishandonhisson’sback.“We’recelebrating.Justinmadeit

onthelocalswimteam.”

“That’sawesome.”

“Yeah.Benshowedmesomemovesthathelpedmeshavesometimeoff.Hey,

thereheisnow.”Justinpointedtothefamilycrossingthestreet,walkingtothe

theatre.

“Well,howaboutthat,”Sallysaid.“Iguessgreatmindsthinkalike.Hi,Faith.

YouguysgoingtothenewMarvelmovie?”

Faithpushedbackhermassofhairoutofherface.“Yes.I’vehadahardtime

keepingthemawayuntilIcouldbringthem.”

“Hey,Kelsey.”

“Hey,Rachel.”Kelseywalkedoverandstartedtalkingtothegirl.

JustinandBenfist-pumped.Faith’syoungestJosheyedlittleBella.

“Faith,IhopeyouknowBenhelpedJustingetontheswimteam.Youshould

berealproudofhim,”Marcussaid.

Shesmiledandsaid,“Iam.Thanks.”

“Hey,youguysbettergetyourticketsbeforeit’ssoldout,”Sallysaid.

“Thanks.Hi,Brandon.Goodtoseeyou.”

“Youtoo,Faith.Hi,Marcus.YouguysseeingtheMarvelmovie?”

“Yeah,butIguesswe’dbettergetinlinefast.Seeyouinside.”Marcusand

Faithwalkedtostandinline,theirkidsfollowingthem.

“Hmm,”Sallysaid,watchingasMarcusandFaithspokeinline.Sheturnedto

seeBrandonsmirkingather.“What?”

“AreyougoingtotelltheJedsallaboutthis?I’llbetyou’repartoftheirIntel.”

Shechuckled.“No,Ijustthinkit’sinteresting.FaithisawidowandMarcusis

divorced.Theirchildrenhaveseemedtobond,whichIthinkisagoodthing.

Whetheranythingbetweenthemdevelops,Ithinkitisgoodforbothfamiliestobe

friends.”

“Iagreewithyouthere.Youreadytogoin?”

“Sure.”Hetookherhandandledherin.

Theyboughtalargepopcornandsetitbetweenthem.Sheboughtasmall

bottleofwaterandheasmallcola,whichwashumongous.Theysmiledandwaved

attheHamiltonsandCarringtonsastheyenteredthetheatre,sittingtogether.

Themoviestartedwithabang,lotsofexplosionsandbattles.Theirhands

wentbackandforthintothetubofpopcorn,severaltimestouchingeachother.

Aboutmidwaythroughthemovie,theystoppedmakingapretenseofbrushing

againsttheother’sfingersandjustheldhands.Sallywassupremelyhappy,not

reallypayingattentiontotherestofthemovie.

TheonlyplacesopenwhentheyleftthetheatrewereHal’sandtheTavern.

Theywalkedslowlydownthestreet,hand-in-hand,neitherspeaking.Thelights

weredimmed,themusiclow.

Hewalkedhertothedoorofherapartmentandstoodstaringather,Sally

couldhardlybreathe.Thenhetookherinhisarmsandkissedherdeeply.Herhands

automaticallywentaroundhisneck,pullinghimcloser.Theykissedagainandagain,

Sallywishingitneverhadtoend.

Finally,theyhadtocomeupforair.Hiseyeswenttohersandheswallowed

hard.“Sally.I...you...”hislipswentbacktohers,thistimehungry,asifhecouldn’t

getenoughofher.Herheadspun,herbodytingled.Itwasmore,morethanshe’d

everhadandshefeltthefallassurelyifshehadbeenononeofthelocaltheme

parks’rollercoasters.

“Iwanttoseeyouagain...socially.Regularly.Doyouhaveaproblemwith

that?”Hisgrayeyeswereintense,serious.Sincere.

Shecouldn’tspeak.Herheartwaspoundinginherears.Sheshookherhead.

“Good.I’lllookforyoutomorrownight.Beforethefireworks.”Theykissed

brieflybeforehegaveheralastsmileandwalkedaway.

AndSallyknew.She’dgoneandfalleninloveagain.

CHAPTERTEN

ThefourthdayofJulydawnedbrightandhot.Brandontookoutachilled

bottleofwatertotakewithhimoutside.Glancingoutfromhiswindowhesaw

peoplealreadysettingoutchairsalongtheparaderoute.Childrenanddogsdressed

intheirred,white,andbluebest.Flagsfleweverywhereandpatrioticmusicplayed

onthespeakers.HehadamomentarythoughthewaslivinginarealMayberry.

Walkingoutsideandthroughthecrowds,hecouldfeeltheexcitement

building.Hesawafewofthekidshe’dmetatcampandgreetedthemandtheir

parents.HesawtheCarringtonsandwavedtothem.

AshewasadmiringtherovingicecreamwagonthatNoelJacksonwas

manning,heheardhisnamecalled.

Heturnedandfroze.“CammieEdwards,isthatyou?Whatareyoudoing

here?”Hewenttothewomanandhuggedherwarmly.

“Theschoolisn’tgoingtobethesamewithoutyou.ThoughtI’dtakeafew

daystocomeandcheckoutwhatyou’vefound.”

CammieEdwardstaughtbiologyatthejuniorhighschoolhe’dcomefrom.

They’dhadamildflirtation.She’dwantedmore,hehadnot,buthadpartedas

friends.He’dadmitshewaspretty,apetitebrunettewithstunninghazeleyes.Her

heavysouthernaccent,sostrangeinNewYork,couldalwaysputasmileonhisface.

“You’dfitrightinwithyouraccent.Youcameattherighttime.They’re

havingaFourthofJulyParade.”

“Isee.It’sallrealdownhomekindastuff.”

Brandonchuckled.“That’swhatI’dcallittoo.Comeon,let’sfindagoodspot

towatchit.”Hetookherhandandfoundaspotononecornerastheparademoved

ontoMainStreet.

“Whendidyougethere?”

“Lastnight.I’mstayingatthehotelhereintown.Maybewecouldget

togetherlater.Unlessyouhaveotherplans.”

HismindwenttoSally.Hecouldn’twaittoseehertonight,toholdherinhis

armsagain.Withafriendinfromoutoftown,hewasn’tsurewhattodo.“Ah,well,I

haveplanstonightbutIcouldshowyouaroundCharityaftertheparade.”

“I’dloveit.”Shesmiledherpearlywhitesathimandtookhisarm.“Ican’t

waittoseethislittleoleparade.It’sacharmingtown,Brandon.”

“Justwait.Youain’tseennothingyet.”

Atpreciselynineo’clock,MayorScottwelcomedeveryone,hissweetwife

Ellenbesidehim.Sallysighedatthetwoofthem,soinlove.Shehadn’ttoldBrandon

butshepreferredtowatchtheparadefromherbalcony.Itwasthebestviewinthe

housewithoutthepressureofbeingaroundpeople.She’dgetenoughofthatlaterat

thetavern.

Thenationalanthemwasplayedandeveryonejoinedinsinging.Themayor

officiallystartedtheparadeandalocaldignitarytookover,givingaplay-by-playas

theparademadeittoMainStreet.

Asalways,theboyscoutsledtheparadeandshechuckledattheyounger

ones,proudlywaving.Faith’syoungestchild,Joshwaswalkingwiththemandshe

smiled.KnowingFaith,allthreeofherkidswouldbeinsomepartoftheparade.She

wonderedhowthesinglemotherdidit.

Sallysurveyedthecheeringcrowd,pickingoutfriendsandacquaintances.

ShewonderedwhereBrandonwasinthemasses.Surely,he’denjoywandering,

soakinguptheambiance.

Thenamancaughtherattention,nearthecornerofMainandBirch.Itlooked

alotlikeBrandonbutthismanwaswithawoman.Averyprettybrunettewho

seemedenchantedwithherdate.Themanturnedtoherandsmiled.Hissunglasses

hidhiseyesandSallylookedcloser.

Frustrated,shewentbackinsideandgrabbedapairofbinoculars.Herheart

racedandshetoldherselfshewasgettingexcitedovernothing.Thewayhe’dkissed

herlastnight,therewasnowaythathe’dbewithanotherwomanthismorning.

Shefocusedinwiththebinoculars,tryingtoseeifsheknewtheman.Heput

hisarmaroundthewomanandlaughedatsomethingshesaid.Still,Sallycouldn’t

tellwhohewas.

Thelocalseniorcitizengroupwentbywaving,everyoneofthemusingfans

withmistsattached.Apparentlythemistwentontheguyshewaswatchingandhe

tookoffhisglassestowipe.Hisheadwasbentandallshecouldseewasasandy-

hairedtop.“Comeon,comeon.Lookup.”

Herheartwasalmostpoundingoutofherchestbecausesheknew.Shejust

knew.Andbecausesheknew,shedidn’tfeelbadaboutspying.

Thebrunettereachedupandkissedhischeekandheraisedhishead.Her

heartstopped.Shefroze.Alumpformedinherthroat.

ItwasBrandon,snugglingupwithastrangewomanonthestreetsofCharity.

Beforenightfallshe’dprobablygetthescoopfromanynumberofpeople.Shecould

alreadyfeelthesympathyfromherfriendsandneighbors.

JustlikewhenPaulleft,shefelttheemotionriseupinher.Asobwantedto

escapeandsheforbadeit.Sheshookherheadinconfusion.Eversincethey’dstarted

workingtogetheratcamp,she’dthoughthewasdifferent.He’dbeenkind,

considerate.He’dgenuinelyseemedinterestedinherandherworld.Wasitallan

act?Whatdidshereallyknowabouttheman?JustthathewasTrevorCrane’s

brother.Thatdidn’tmeananything.

Shehadtositdownbeforeshecollapsed.Theoverwhelmingsadnessbegan

toswirlinherandshewasafraidshewasgoingtofaint.Thiswasridiculous.She’d

beenwithPaulforoverthreeyearssoofcourseshewouldhavebeenfilledwith

griefwhenhewalkedout.

ButBrandonwas...Shesighed.Themanwasperfect,orsoshe’dthought.He

waseverythingshecouldhaveeverwantedinaman,theexactkindofmanshe

shouldbewith.Andwhenhekissedher,tosayangelssangwasanunderstatement.

Howcouldhecuddleupwithanotherwoman?Suddenly,aflurryofragetook

theplaceofgrief.Shewasnotgoingtobeavictimagain.Ifhewantedtoseeother

womenhe’dhavetotellherinpersontoherface.Notgetaphonecallendingtheir

relationship,likePaul.

Shebrushedherhair,herteeth,putonalittlemakeup,andheadedout.The

noisewasloudwhensheexitedthebuilding,thecrowdthickonthesidewalk.With

greatcareshemovedthroughthehordesofpeopleuntilshe’dmadeherwaytothe

curbofthestreet.Unfortunately,theparadewasgoingdownthestreetsoshedidn’t

seehowshe’dbeabletocrossit.Butifshewaiteduntiltheparadewasover,she

mightmissthem.

Officersfromthelocalpolicedepartmentwerecomingdownthestreeton

horseback.Thebig,sleekanimalsprancedtothedelightofthecrowd,thepolicemen

holdingtheirreinstightly.Maybeshecouldcutbehindthemwhilethecrowdwas

watchingthehorses.She’dhavetobefastbecausecomingupbehindthemwasa

groupofcheerleaders,excited,doingcartwheelsandhandstands.ShesawRachel

HamiltonamongthemandrememberedFaithwasavolunteerwiththegroup.

Thehorsestookafewmorestepsforwardandshesawherchance.She

edgedontothestreetandstartedcrossingwhenoneofthehorsesbackedup,almost

hittingher.Shegaspedandjoggedback,almosthittingacheerleaderthatwas

finishingoffaroundabout.

“Hey,Ms.Forester,”Rachelcalledout.

Shewavedandwastednotimeinrunningtotheothersideofthestreet,

slightlymissingbeingcreamedbyagirldoingamultitudeofflips.Sheheldahand

overherheartandtookafewextrabreaths.Thenmeshedbackintothecrowdand

walkeddowntotheendofthestreet.

Atthecorner,thecrowdwasheavierandshefoundithardertoedgeoverto

whereBrandonandhis“date”werestanding.Thetoystorefloatwaspassingand

severalemployeeswerethrowingoutminiaturebrightlycoloredballs.Thecrowd

aroundhergrewmoreanimated,cheeringtohaveaballthrowntothem,reaching

overandinfrontofher.Shecontinuedherquest,ignoringwhenoneoftheballs

bouncedoffherhead.

SheedgedthelastcoupleoffeetuntilshewasrightbehindBrandon.And

thendidn’tknowwhattosayorwhattodo.Shouldshejustcasuallybumpintohim?

“Oh,howareyou?Didn’tseeyouthere.”Orshouldshetakeamoreoffensivestance?

“Iwasjustgoingtomeetafriendattherestaurantattheendofthestreet.My

handsome,Frenchmalefriend.”No,petty.Andanobviouslie.

Whensheheardthebrunette’squestion,shenearlyattackedthewoman.

“Brandon.Whydon’tyoushowmeyourapartment?”

Herhandswentupandshehadtoholdherselfbackfrompullingthe

woman’sperfectlycoiffuredhairfromitsroots.

“Sure,Cammie.Rightaftertheparade.”

Sure?Hewastakinghertohisapartment?Herhandsdroppedandherheart

sankintohershoes.

“Thetownisamazing,”hesaid.“Ihaveagreatbakeryclosetomyplace.You

knowhowIlikecroissants.”Thebrunettedid.Shedidn’t.Andthatmadehereven

moremiserable.

“Theyhaveanicelittledineracrossthestreetthere.Ifyouwanttofindout

anythingaboutCharity,that’stheplacetogo.”Brandonsmiled.“AndtheTown

Tavernservesgreatdrinks.Iespeciallyliketogothere.”

“Why?I’veheardtheyspitinyourdrinkifyou’reanidiottotheservers.”

BrandonjerkedaroundandsawSallystandingbehindhim.Thesmileonhis

facegrewwider.“Hi.Ithoughtyouweren’tgoingtobehere.”

“Apparently.”

Hissmilefadedattheangermixedwithsadnessonherface.“Sally?

Somethingwrong?”

“Aren’tyougoingtointroducemetoyourfriendhere?”Sallystepped

forward,herheighttoweringoverCammie’s.

“Yeah,sure.ThisisCammieEdwards.She’sateacherfromtheschoolinNew

YorkthatIusedtoworkat.She’s—”

“Hownice.I’mSally.AbarmaidattheTownTavern.Comeoversometime

andI’llgiveyouamimosayou’llneverforget.”

Whatwasgoingonhere?Whywasshesomad?Hedroppedhisarmfrom

CammieandwonderedifSallywaspossiblyjealous.Maybeifheletthemgetto

knoweachother.“Cammie,Sally’sstudyingtobeateacher.She’sgreatwith

children.”

“Yeah,greatwithkids.Unfortunately,notsogreatwithadults.Ihavethe

habitofchoosingthewrongmen.Myhusbandofafewyears?Leftmeforanother

woman,youngerandprettier.Hedidn’tevenhavethegutstotellmefacetoface.He

calledme.Amazing,isn’tit?”

“Uh,Iguess.”

“Sally,whatareyoudoing?Wait,Ithoughtyousaiditwasmutual.”

“It’sbeenhardgettingoverhim.Imean,whowantstobedumpedlikethat?

ThenIthoughtI’dmetaniceguybutagainIwascompletelymistaken.Iguesssome

peoplearen’tmeanttohaverelationships.”

“Uh...Isuppose.”

“Sally.IthinkmaybeyouandIhadbetterhaveatalk.”

“Noneed.You’reentertainingawoman.Youwouldn’twanttoleaveher

alone.OneofthemanyhandsomemenhereinCharitymaystealher.”

Cammielookedaround,hereyeswide.“Really?”

AslowburnwasbuildinginBrandon’sgut.“Sally,we’regoingtohavethat

talk.Now.”Hetookherarmandastheparadecontinuedhepulledherbackintoan

alleybeforelettinggo.

“Now,willyoupleasetellmewhat’sgoingon?”

“Me?Tellyou?You’rehereonMainStreetcanoodlingwithanotherwoman

andyouwantanexplanationfromme?”

“Canoodling?Canoodling?”Hecouldn’thelplaughing.“Wow.Don’tthinkI’ve

everheardthatwordinarealconversation.Ineverrealizedstandingonthestreet

talkingwithawomancouldbedescribedascanoodling.”

“Callitwhatyouwant,Icouldseeyouallthewayfrommybalcony.Youand

that...brunette,youreyesoneachother,touchingeachother.Idon’tneedanyone

totellmewhatthatmeans.”

“Itmeanswe’refriends.Talking.Ihadnoideashewasintown.Weraninto

eachotherandshewantedtoknowaboutCharity.”

Sally’shandswentupasiftowipeachalkboardclean.“Waitaminute.Letme

getthisstraight.Awoman.Friendofyours.Justhappenstoshowupinasmall

CentralFloridatown.Youjustranintoeachotherandshe’saskingyoutoshowher

yourapartment.Nothingaboutthatsoundstheleastbitquestionabletoyou?”

“She’safriend.”

“Therewasneveranythingbetweenthetwoofyou?”

Hehesitated.She’dneverbelievethattheyhadbeeninvolvedbutpartedas

friends.Itwasalosingconversation.“Whatdoesitmatter,it’sinthepast.

“Andwhilewe’retalkingaboutthepast,whydidn’tyoutellmethetruth

aboutyourdivorce?Youcouldn’ttrustmewiththetruth?”

“Trust?Trust!Youwanttotalkabouttrust,which,yeahI’lladmit,comeshard

forme.I’msosorryIdidn’ttellyoumyhusbandcheatedonme,thatsomehowI

wasn’tenoughforhim,butit’snotsomethingIliketoshare.

“ThenIseeyou,someonewhojustlastnightsayshewantstodateme,and

you’rewithanotherwomansoifImakecomparisonstowhatPauldidtomeIthink

it’sonlynormal.Nowifyou’llexcuseme,IthinkI’vehadenoughofpeoplefora

while.”

“Sally.”

“No,yourdateiswaitingtoseeyourapartment.Besuretogiveheratour.

Playafewsongsonyourclarinet.Hopefullyshe’snotscarredbyaformerhusband.”

“Sally,don’tgoawaylikethis.”Beforehecouldreachoutandstopher,she’d

blendedbackintothecrowd,outofsight.

Hefeltlikescum.She’dcompletelygottenthewrongidea.

“Brandon?Issomethingwrong?”

HeturnedtoseeCammiestandingnearthealley.“It’sjust...”Heglancedin

thedirectionSallyhadleft.

“Youshouldhavetoldmeyouhadagirlfriend.Ididn’tknow.”

“Well,she’snotexactly...”Hecouldn’tfinishthesentence.Becauseheknew.

Somehowduringtheircontentiousfirstmeeting,theworkingatcamp,thewalks

throughthestreets,thekisses,shehadcometobespecialtohim.Notan

acquaintance,notjustafriend,butsomethingunique.Whenhethoughtofher,his

mindconjureduparedheadedWonderWoman,bravingtheworld,reachingfor

whatshewanted,fightingalltheforcesthatwouldcomeagainsther.

“Yes.Yes,sheis.Sheismygirlfriend.AndImayhavejustblownitwithher.”

“Isitme?Doyouwantmetotalktoher?”

“No.Thanks.I’vegottofigurethisoutonmyown.”

“Well,okay.Inthemeantime,I’mgoingtowanderthroughthetown.”

Cammiekissedhischeek.“Goodluck,honey.”

“Thanks.”Hewatchedherwalkawayandwhenheturned,almostwalked

intoBigJed,LittleJed,andPauline.

“Awordwithyou?”BigJed’sexpressionleftnoquestionastowhathe

wantedtosay.

CHAPTERELEVEN

Brandonrememberedbeingtakentothewoodshedbyhisfather.That

feelingwassimilartothelooksallthreeweregivinghim.

“Look,it’snotwhatyouthink.She’safriendfromNewYork.Ihadnoideashe

wascoming.Iwouldn’thurtSally,you’vegottobelieveme.”

“WishIcould.Butit’shardwhenweallseenhersoupset,”LittleJedsaid.

“Couldn’tyouseewhatshewasfeelingforyou?”Paulineasked.

“Afterwhatshe’sbeenthroughIhatetoseehergothroughitagain,”BigJed

added.

Andthatwaslikeaspurinhisshoe.“Speakingofwhich.Sallysaiditwasa

mutualagreementbetweenherandPaul.Shedidn’ttrustmeenoughtotellmehe

lefther?Sheliedtome.”

“Whatdifferencedoesthatmake?”

“Itmakesahugedifference.Idon’tliketobeliedto.Myex-wifedidplentyof

that.WhywouldIbeokaywiththewomanI’minvolvedwithlyingtome?”

“Brandon,shejustwantedtosaveface,”Paulinesaid.

“Whenwefirstmet,maybe.Butshe’shadplentyofopportunitytotellme

aboutitandhasn’t.”Heshookhishead,puthishandsonhips.“Youknow,Iwasall

settogoover.ToapologizeforupsettingherbybeingnicetomyfriendbutnowI

don’tthinkIshould.Icanbeupsetforbeingliedto.Maybeshe’dbetterthinkabout

that.Nowexcuseme.”Hewalkedaway,makinghiswaythroughthecrowdtohis

building.

Hehadtoclearhismindbuthow.Usuallyexercisewasthething.Hehadto

getoutofthehordesofpeopledowntownsohepulledouthisbikeandtookitout

thebackentrancetohisbuilding.Hesetacourseforthenorthpartofthetown,

wherethelargerestatehomeswere.

Afterahalfhour,herodepasthisbrother’sin-laws’house.Tohissurprise,he

sawTrevorleavingthehouseandsettingasuitcaseinthetrunkofacar.

“Hey!Thoughtyouguysleftyesterday.”

Trevorglancedoverandwaved.“Weweregoingtobutwedecidedtohang

outtodayandtakealaterflight.Shouldgetthereintimetohitthepartiestonight.”

“That’sgreat.Justawesome.”

HeleanedagainstthecarandstudiedBrandon.“Somethingbotheringyou?”

“Whywouldyousaythat?”

“‘That’sgreat.Justawesome’?Youlookstressed.Anditseemedtomethat

whenyouwerebotheredbysomethingyoualwayswentforalongbikeride.”

Irritated,hescowled.“That’snotalwaystrue.Iliketoride.”

“Uh-huh.What’swrong?SomethingaboutCharity?”

“Youcouldsay.Afemalememberofthecommunitytobespecific.”

Trevorfoldedhisarmsandgrinned.“Whathappened?DidyouandSallyhave

alittlespat?”

“Howdid...oh,stupidquestion.IsupposeyouandMaryaregoodfriends

withtheJeds.”

“Thebestoffriends.Theytoldusfirst.Thoughtitwastheircivicdutytolet

yourbrotherknowyouwereinterestedinandIquote‘prettySally.’”Brandon

groaned,droppinghishead.Trevorchuckled.“Hey,don’tletitgettoyou.Youshould

havebeenherewhenIwas,intheiropinion,sniffingaroundtheir‘prettyMary.’It

wasawful.So,brother,Ifeelyourpain.”Hisvoicesoftenedwhenhesaid,“What

happened?”

Brandonsighedandstandinghisbikeonitskickstandwalkedovertolean

againstthecarnexttohisbrother.“I’mconfused.IcometoCharitytostartover.To

findagoodschool,pursuemypassionofteaching.Ithoughtmaybesometime,years

fromnow,ImightfindsomeonethatI’mcompatiblewith,someonethatIcould

makealifewith.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Ididnotexpecttomeetabeautiful,snarkyredheadthatinvadesmyevery

wakinghour.Andmostofmydreamsatnight.”

“Snarky,huh?”

“Allofasudden,I’mkissingherlikethere’snotomorrow.Thenwantingto

kissheragain.Iwanttospendtimewithher,whenever,doingwhatever,itdoesn’t

matter.”

“Soundsokaysofar.”

“Thenoutoftheblue,I’mjustshowingafriendaroundandthisbeautiful

redheadturnsonmelikeI’vecommittedsomekindofunpardonablesinor

something.AndduringourargumentIfoundthatsheliedtome.Liedabouther

divorce.NotreallyimportantthespecificdetailsbutyouknowhowIcan’tstandto

beliedto.”

“Isee.Nowwhat—”

TrevorstoppedtalkingwhenthefrontdooropenedandMarycameoutwith

anothersuitcase.ShestumbledwhenshesawBrandonandherthoughtful

expressionchanged,hereyesnarrowing,herlipsthinning.Shedidn’tsayawordbut

handedthesuitcasetoherhusbandandwithonemorescowlatBrandon,wentback

inside.

Brandonsighed.“Iguessshe’salreadyheard.”

“Thatwouldbeagoodguess.”

Heleanedhisheadback.“WhatamIgoingtodo,Trev?Thewholetownis

goingtohatemebecauseIsomehowhurtSally.”

“Isthatyourbiggestworry?Thatthetownwon’tlikeyou?”

Hesigheddeeply.“No.Ihurther.AndIstillcan’tfigureoutexactlywhat

happened.”

“Let’sreview.Youwereshowinga...‘friend’aroundtown.Someonethatyou

wereonceromanticallyinvolved.”

“Yes,butafriendthatIhaveabsolutelynointerestinbeinginvolvedwith

again.”

“Okay,butdoesSallyknowthat?”

“Itriedtotellher.”

“Solet’sseeitfromherperspectiveforamoment.Herhusbandleftherfor

anotherwoman,justtookoffafterseveralyearsofmarriage.Hedidn’tevenhavethe

gutstofaceher.Nowsheseesyou,themanshe’s...whatareyoutwoexactly.”

“Isupposeyoucouldsaywe’reseeingeachother.”

“Okay.Sheseesthemanshe’sseeingwithanotherwoman.Shehasn’tbeen

toldthatsaidwomanwouldbeintownorhangingoutwithsaidman.”

“Ididn’tknow,howcouldItellher?”

“Again,we’relookingatthisfromherperspective.Whenshesawyouwith

thiswoman,couldshehavepossiblyrememberedthebetrayalofherhusband?”

Brandonhesitated.“Okay.ButI’mnotthatguy.”

“Didyoutellherthat?”

“Well—”

“Didyoutakeherinyourarmsandtellheryou’dneverbetrayher.Notlike

that?”

“No.”Hesighed.“Butsheshouldhavetrustedme.Justlikeshedidn’ttrustme

withthetruthaboutherdivorce.”

“Likeyoudidn’ttrusttherestofusaboutyourdivorce.”

Thatthoroughlyshuthimup.

“Irememberhowitwent.Firstitwas,‘LorraineistakingatriptoGermany.

She’salwayswantedtogoandIcouldn’tgetaway.’Thenitwas‘Lorraineisstayinga

whileinGermany.’AfterseveralmonthsyouavoidedquestionsaboutLorraineuntil

Momfinallycorneredyouandyouhadnochoicebuttosayyoutwowereseparated.

Isuspectyouwereprobablyalreadydivorcedatthattime.”

Brandondidn’tsayanything.

“Whydidn’tyoutellusthewholetruthtobeginwith?Didn’tyoutrustus?

Yourfamily,thepeoplewhocaredmostaboutyou?”

“Okay,you’vemadeyourpoint.”

“What’sthedifferencebetweenwhatyoudidandwhatSallydid?”

Brandonlookedtotheskiesasifseekinganswers.“Thisisallsoconfusing,

Trev.”

“Idon’tthinkso.Seemsprettycleartome.Youdidn’texpecttohavefeelings

forSallybutyoudo.Bigtime.Shehasthosesamefeelingsforyouandnowis

doubtingherself,wonderingifshewasfoolishto.”Hecrossedhisarmsandwaiteda

beat.

“Seemstomethatperhapstheanswertotheproblemwouldbeifyouboth

justcameoutandconfessedwhatyou’refeeling.”

Brandon’sguttightenedwiththethought.“Idon’tknow,Trev.I’mnotsureI

can.”

“Well,thinkaboutit.Youknowyoudon’thavetorushintoanything.Butyou

doneedtofigureoutawaytoworkwithher,seeherintownandgetalong.That’s

goingtotakeagoodsit-downdiscussion.”

“Yeah.Iknow.”

Trevorslunghisarmaroundhim.“Sheknowsyou’renotPaulbutdon’t

forget.She’snotLorraine.”

WhenSallywasdepressed,nomakethatdevastated,shehadtheterrible

habitofturningtosugar.SosheheadedtoHal’sforoneoftheirfamousmilkshakes.

Astheparadewasjustending,sheavoidedthecrowdscominginthefrontdoorand

usingherpositionasformeremployeeandpersonalfriendoftheowners,wentin

thebackservicedoor.

Thekitchenwasbusy.ThemorningcooksSalandLorettaSpinucciwerebusy

scramblingeggsandfryingbacon.Astemptingasthatwas,shewascravingthe

sweet,creamingflavorsofathick,richchocolateshake.

WhenLorettaturnedtoplaceaplateforpickup,shesawSallyandsmiled.

“Lookwhoishere.Youneedbreakfastthismorning?Pancakesaregood,justhintof

cinnamon.”HerthickItalianaccentalwaysmadeSallychuckle.

“Hmph.Shouldbehintofgarlic,”herhusbandSalmutteredatthestove.

Notwantingtostartawarbetweenthetwo,shesaid,“Nothankyou,guys.Is

anyoneonthefountainyet?”

Asifinanswertoherquestion,Noelcamefromthefrontcarryingabinand

washrag.“Morning,Sally.Didyouseetheparade?Itwasgreat,wasn’tit?”

Apainshotthroughherheart.“Yeah.Great.Hey,Iknowyou’rebusybutdo

yousupposeyoucouldmakemeupachocolateshake?”

Hiseyebrowsshotupsurelywonderingwhyshewantedashakeatjust

beforeteno’clockinthemorning.“Sure.Letmejustputthisdown.”

Shecouldfeeleyesonher.Lorettatookherhand.“Whatiswrong,caro?”

“Nothing,I...”Sheblewoutabreath.“I’llbeokay.Ijustneedalittleboostfor

theday.”Sheglancedthroughthekitchenwindowouttothebusystreet.“Itlooks

likethetownwillbepackedtoday.”

Lorettastudiedherforamoment,thentookherhand.“Youknow,caro,Iam

hereifyouneedanyone,bothSalandme.”

Sallysqueezedherhand.“Thankyou.”

“Hey,youwantthatshaketogoorforhere?”Noelasked,stridingtowardthe

fountain.

“Togo,please.”Ifoneweredrowninghersorrowsinsugar,onewould

definitelywanttobealoneinone’sapartment.

ShesatatatabletowaitandLorettawentbacktocooking.Shewatchedthe

actionsbetweenthecouple,marriedforalmostthirty-nineyears.Theymovedin

sync,hardlyspeakingbutcommunicatinginotherways.Salhandedthesaltto

Lorettabeforesheaskedforit.Shesqueezedhisshoulderasshepassedhim,going

totherefrigerator.Hehandedheraplatetoputonthepass-throughandwinkedat

her.TheyarguedovertheamountofoliveoilfortheBolognesesaucetheywere

makingfordinner.Butevenintheargumenttherewasarespect,alovethat

dominated.

Voicessoundedasthekitchendoorswungopen.MacandGraceentered,

havingtheirown...discussion.

“I’mfine,Mac.Idon’tneedadoctor.”

“Yes,youdo.AndI’mnotgoingtorelaxuntilyouseeone.Oh,hiSally.”

“Hey,guys.Hopeyoudon’tmind.I’mbuyingamilkshake.Tohelpmeget

throughtheday,”sheaddedincaseshegotalookfromthem.

“Can’tblameyouforthat.It’samadhouseoutthere,”Gracesaid.“Greatfor

businessbutmakesforatiringday.”

“AnotherreasonIthinkyoushouldn’tbewaitingtablestoday.”

“Mac,there’sabsolutelynoreasonIcan’twork.I’mfeelingfine.”

“Youwenttobedateighto’clocklastnight,exhausted.That’snotnormal.”

“It’sprobablyjustthelingeringeffectsofthatbugIhad.”

Macseemedtoconsiderandsaid,“Okay,I’llmakeadealwithyou.Youcan

worktodayifIcantakeyoutothedoctortomorrow.”

Sherolledhereyesathimandsaid,“Deal.Youhappy?”

“Notcompletely.”Hegrinnedatherandkissedhergently.

AlongingstartedinSally’ssoulatthesweetinteraction.Tohavesomeone

caresomuchaboutyou,toloveyou,whatmustthatbelike?Withoutthought,her

mindpicturedBrandon.Hehadbeensweetwithher,tender.Wouldheinsistshego

toadoctorifshewasn’tfeelingwellandthenkissherwhensheagreed?

Thepainofseeinghimwithanotherwomanreturned.ThankgoodnessNoel

returnedwithhershakeandasshepulledoutabillfromherpockettogivehim,she

thankedhim.Sheshouldhavelefttogotothelonelinessofherapartment,to

completeherpityparty,buttheatmosphereinthedinerkitchenwassowarm,so

loving,shecouldn’tbringherselftoleave.

MacandGracestoodclosely,goingovertheweek’sworkschedule,

occasionallychuckling,speakinginquiettones.SalandLorettacontinuedtheirown

secretcommunication.

WhenEllenandHowardScottcameintheback,theireyesholdingeach

other,shethoughtthelovewouldsimplyexplode,pushingherclearoutoftheroom.

Whatdidthesecoupleshavethatsheseemedincapableofhavinginany

relationship?ItwasnevertherewithPaul,she’dadmitthat.She’dbeensoblown

awaybyhistalent,hissinging,thebeautifulsongshesangtoher.Ithadbeenall

superficial.

Therewasnothingsuperficialinthesecouples.Allhadweatheredstormsto

theirrelationshipsandhaddeterminedtherelationshipwasmoreimportantthan

anythingelse.

Andshewantedthat.

WhenPaulhadcalledtoendthings,she’dbeenblindsided.Butnottotally

surprised.Therehadn’tseemedanyreasontopursuehimtoworkthingsout.Itjust

seemedtobeover.Thehorribletruthhither,shehadn’tfoughtfortherelationship.

Notthatitcouldhavebeensaved,butshe’djustgivenin.

LikesheseemedtobedoingwithBrandon.

Shetookadeepsipofhermilkshake,lettingtherichnesscoatherthroat.He

wasn’tPaul.DuringhertimewithBrandonhe’dbeencompletelyrespectful.Kind.

Honorable.

Didthatjivewithhimseekinganotherwomantosharetheparadewiththis

morning?No.She’dlistenedtohisexplanationbutdidshereallylisten?No.She’dset

himinthesamecategoryasPaul.WasthatfairtoBrandon?Ofcourse,no.

Butwhatshouldshedoaboutit?She’dmadeacompletefoolofherselfin

frontofhim.Maybeshejustwasn’treadytohaveamature,seriousrelationship.

Andthatwasprobablythemostdepressingthoughtoftheday.

Shetookanotherdeepsipthroughherstrawandleftthedinertogobackto

herapartmentforthatpityparty.

CHAPTERTWELVE

Sallywasonherfeetforfourhoursbeforeshecouldeventhinkabouttaking

aquickbreak.Thetavernwaspackedwithalinewaitingoutside.Goodforbusiness

butcompletelyexhausting.Maybeshe’dskipthefireworksandgostraighttobed.

Turningtoacleanpageonherpad,shehurriedovertoasmalltabletoget

anotherorder.Andcametoasuddenstopwhenshesawaprettybrunettewaiting

forher.Cammie.

“Uh...goodevening.WhatcanIgetforyou?”

“Hello.It’sSally,right?I’veheardsomuchabouttheclamchowder.I’dlikea

cup,please.Andaglassofwinetogowithit.Whateveryou’dsuggest.”

“Okay.”Sheturnedtogettheorder,tootiredandsadtoevencontemplate

doinganythingtoherdrink.

Whenshesetthesoupanddrinkinfrontofthewoman,shesaid,“Haveyou

gotafewminutes,Sally?I’dlovetotalktoyou.Justforamoment.”

Thatwasthelastthingsheshoulddobutbeingthemasochistthatshewas,

shecouldn’tresisthearingallthiswomanhadtosayaboutherandBrandon.“Sure.”

Shesat,readytohearaboutherandBrandon’splans.“Youhavingagood

timeinCharity?”

“Yes,Iam.It’salovelytown.IknownowwhyBrandon’sbeensoexcited

aboutit.”

“Yeah.It’sgreat.”

Cammietookasipofherwine.“That’swonderful.”Shesetthesoupawayand

foldedherhandsonthetable.“Sally,Ithinkyou’vegotthewrongimpressionof

things.”

“Oh?Andwhatwouldbethetrueimpressionofthings?”Thisshouldbegood.

“WhileBrandonandI...spenttimetogetherinthepast,itwasneverserious.

Therewasneverthatspecialspark,connectionbetweenus.Pity.Anyway,Iknowit

probablyseemsoddmyjustshowinguptoday.”Sallyinwardlylaughed.“Iwantedto

seethistownthatBrandonhadleftNewYorkfor.AndI’lladmit,Iwantedtomake

suretherecouldn’tbeanythingbetweenus.”Shechuckledsadly.“Brandonissuch

anincredibleman,I’dprobablyleaveNewYorkandcomehereifhewereinterested

inme.ButtwominutesafterIsawhimIknewhewasn’t.”

“Whywouldyousaythat?Itlookedprettychummyfrommypointofview.”

Shewinced.“NotthatIwas...spyingoranything,Iwasjustlookingatthepeople

frommybalconyandsawyou.”Itwasn’tsoundinganybetter.“NotthatIwatch

peoplefrommybalcony.Imean,Idobutit’snot...well...”Shesighed.“Okay.Isaw

youfrommybalconyandwasinsanelyjealous.”

Cammiechuckled.“Believeme,therewasnoreason.Itwasjusttwofriends

watchingaparade.”

Asmuchasitpleasedhertohearthat,Sallywasn’tsosureitchanged

anythingbetweenherandBrandon.“Well,thankyouforclearingthatup.NowI’d

bettergetbacktowork.”

“Youcan’tpossiblythinkBrandonwouldbetrayyou.”

Shesighedheavily.“No.Notreally.”

“Sally.Idon’tknowyouwell.I’mastranger,really.ButifImaygivean

outsider’sviewpoint.”

Shenarrowedhereyes,wonderingwhatthewomansaw.“Okay.”

“Ithinkyoushouldthinkabouttwothings.Whyyouwerejealous.And

Brandon’sreaction.”Hersadsmilereturned.“Hedidn’twasteanytimeintryingto

makethingsrightwithyou.Andtellingmethatyoutwowereinvolved.”

“Hetoldyouthat?”

“Yes.I’veknownBrandonCraneforyears.Sawhimgothroughtheinsanity

withLorraine.Iknowwhenhe’stotallycommitted,totallyin.Hefeelsthatforyou.

Whetherhe’sadmittedittohimselfyetornot.Believeme,thatwouldbeaterrible

thingtowasteandifIwereyou,Iwouldn’tbefoolishenoughtothrowitaway.”

TheconversationwithCammiestayedwithherfortherestofhershift.Did

sheandBrandonhavesomethingthatcouldgrowintowhatshe’dseeninthe

couplesatHal’sPlace?Herheartbeatrapidlywiththethought.

Buttheyhadtotalkfirst.

So,she’dgograbaspotforthefireworksandhopedheshowedup.Asshe

wassettingdownherblanket,shesawahugequiltnexttoherwithfamiliarfaces.

“Hey,there,”shesaidtotheHamiltonsandCarringtons.

“Hi,Sally,”Faithcalledback.

“IsawJoshandRachelintheparade.WherewasBen?”

Faithlaughed.“HewasontheCharitySchoolbooth,dressedlikeascientist

withhisbeakers,vials,tubes,anddryicepouringoutsmoke.Itwasgreat.”

“I’msorryImissedit.Hey,Kelsey.How’dyouliketheparade?”

“Fun.Mrs.Hamiltonshowedusthebestplacetostand.She’slettingussit

heretowatchthefireworks.”

“It’sthebestspot.You’lllovethem.”

Faithwalkedoverandsittingnexttoher,touchedherarm.“Youokay?”

Sallyshookherheadinwonder.“Thistown.Yes,I’mfine.Itwas...justa

misunderstanding.”

“Good.”Sherubbedhershoulderandthenwentbacktoherchildrenandthe

Carringtonfamily.

AllSallyhadtodonowwastowaitandseeifBrandonshowedup.Tobe

honest,shedidn’tholdoutmuchhope.Hewasmadshehadn’ttoldhimthetruth

aboutherandPaul,andhehadeveryrighttobe.Well,ifhedidn’tshowshe’dfind

himfirstthinginthemorningand...apologize.Foreverything.

InthemeantimeshewasgoingtoenjoytheamazingfireworksthatCharity

putoneveryFourthofJuly.

Aglanceatherwatchtoldheritwasfiveminutesbeforetheshow.She

swallowedhard,tryingtopushawaythedisappointmentthathewasn’tthere.Her

eyeswenttothedarkskies,watchingthestarstwinkleabove.She’dnotthinkabout

whatshedidn’thavebutwhatshedidhave—ahome,friends,agoal,health,the

starsabove.

“Isthisspottaken?”

HerheadloweredtoseeBrandonstandinginfrontofher,ahopeful

expressiononhisface.Herheartgavealeapofhope.“Ah,no.Pleasejoinme.”

“Thankyou.”Heloweredtotheblanket,obviouslycarefultogivehersome

space.“Howwaswork?”

Sotheyweregoingtohaveidlechitchat.Okaybyher.“Busy.Crazybusy.”

“I’mgladyoudidn’tjustgobacktoyourapartmentandturnin.”

Howdidheknowshe’dbeenthinkingthat?Hereyeswenttohis,sogray,

intense,studyingher.

“ItoldyouI’dbehereforthefireworks.I...hopedyou’dcome.”

Aslowgrinstartedonhisface.“Iwantedto.”

Theybothsatinawkwardsilenceforafewminutes,thenbothtalkedatonce.

“Sally,I’msorry—”

“Ishouldapologize—”

TheylaughedandSallysaid,“Ishouldstart.Iapologizeforwhathappened

thismorning.AndfornottellingyouallaboutPaulandme.I’mstillembarrassedby

thedivorce.Anexcuse,Iknow,butstill—”

“Youdon’thavetoapologize.Andaboutthismorning.I’msorryIhurtyou

andcouldn’tcommunicatetoyouthatCammiemeansnothingtomemorethana

friend.”Thegrinreturned.“ButIwilltellyouI’mgladyouwerejealous.”

Shesatupstraightandscowled.“Really?You’regladImadeafoolofmyself

becauseIwasjealous?”

Hetookbothherhandsandheldthem.“Yes.Becauseitletmeseewhatyou

werefeeling.AndmademerealizethatIwasfeelingthesameforyou.”Shewanted

toreplybutsuddenlyherthroatclogged.

“Sally.Youhitmelikeahurricane.Yourspirit,yourdedicationtothekids,

yourinnatekindnessandloyaltytothepeopleofCharity.Iwasblownaway.”His

eyesroamedherface,herhair.“Andthefactthatyou’rethemostgorgeouswoman

I’veevermetonlyaddedtomyinterest.”

“Themostgorgeous?”Herthroatuncloggedatthatnuggetofinformation.

Hechuckled.“Absolutely.Now,I’vegottotellyou,Lorrainereallydida

numberonme.Ihadn’tthoughttodateonlyonewomanforalongtime.Butthat

wasbeforeyou.”Hescootedclosersoonlyshecouldhearwhathewasgoingtosay.

“Sally.Iloveyou.”

Alltheairseemedtowhooshoutofher.Shestaredathim,watchinghiseyes

intensify,deepen,likeastormontheocean.

Swallowinghard,shewhispered,“Brandon.Iloveyou,too.Ididn’tplanit,ask

forit.Itjustis.”

Henodded,understandingperfectly.“Incredible,isn’tit?”

“Yeah.Incredible.”Shecouldn’tstopstaringathiseyes,herheartpounding

asheleanedforwardtogiveheratenderkiss.

Hisforeheadtouchedhersandshedelightedinthefacthisbreathingwasas

laboredasher.“We’lltakeitslow.Soeachofusiscomfortablewithwhat’s

happening.Sowe’llknowforsure.”

Inherheartshealreadyknew,butshelovedhimmorefornotrushingthings.

Shenodded.

“Andwe’llbetruthfulwitheachother,evenwhenithurts.”Anothernod.

Hishandwenttocupherface,hiseyespinninghers.“Iwon’tcompareyouto

Lorraineandyouwon’tcomparemetoPaul.”

“Agreed,”shewhispered.Theirlipsmetinakisstosealtheirbargainandto

begintheirjourney.Asthefireworksblastedoverheadandthecrowd“Oohed”and

“Aahed”overtherainbowofcolors,theycontinuedtokiss,knowingthatitwouldbe

thefirstofmanyfireworksthey’dsharetogether.

Thenextday,BrandonandSallywalkedhandinhandtoHal’sforlunchafter

campobligationswerefinished.Paulineseatedtheminaquietboothintheback,

wheretheysatonthesameside,hisarmaroundher.Sallygiggledhappily.

Paulinesighedatthesightasshestoodbehindthefrontcounter.

“Hey,prettyPauline,”BigJedsaidasheandLittleJedcameintothe

restaurant.

Shecouldn’thelphersmilewhenshesawthem.“Hi.”

“We’lljustsitatthecounter.Hey,IseeSallyandBrandonsittingtogetherin

theback.Heardtheymadeupatthefireworkslastnight.”

“Really?That’swonderful.”

BigJedfrowned.“Thoughtyou’dhaveheardaboutitbynow.Funny,Jedhere

didn’tknowaboutiteither.Didn’tyoutwoseethemlastnight?Youwentforthe

fireworks,didn’tyou?”

SheandLittleJedhesitated,mouthsopenbutnothingcomingout.

Finally,shesaid,“Ididn’tseethem.Wemusthavebeenontheotherside.”

“Yeah,theotherside.”

“Youtwogoonandsit.I’llgetyourwatersandicedtea.”Beforeshecoulddo

justthat,thedooropenedagainandtheHamiltonfamilyenteredwiththe

Carringtonsbehindthem.“Afternoon,everyone.”

Faithwasallsmiles.“Hey,Pauline.We’rehereforacelebration.”

“Dotell,”shesaid,gatheringupmenus.

FaithandMarcusexchangedsmiles.“MarcusandIhavecometoan

agreement.”

“Really?”Wherehadshebeentomissthisnewdevelopment?Ofcourse,they

wereperfectforeachother,butsosoonaftermeetingandwithallthekidsbetween

them?

“MarcushasbeenlookingforhelpwithhiskidsandIneedhelpwithmy

boys’activities.WhatdoIknowaboutsportsandscouting?So,we’reteamingupto

assisteachother.I’llwatchthekidsafterschoolandhe’llhelpwithextracurricular

activities.Thekidslikeeachotherandareallforit.Isn’tittheperfectsolution?”

So,noromance.Paulinesmiledwarmlyandsaid,“Yes,itisperfect.I’mso

gladyoutwofamiliesfoundeachother.Itiscauseforcelebration.”

Sheledthemtoabigtabletoaccommodateeightandhandedoutmenus.

ThenhurriedtogetthemandtheJedswaterandtea.Shecouldn’thelpthetingle

whenLittleJedgrinnedather.

Shetooktheirorderandwenttothekitchentoputitin.TheSpinucciswere

finishingtheirshift,Bruiser,theprepcook,wasbusyatthestove.Tomwasalready

in,workingonthedinnerspecial.Paulinesighedwithcontentment.Everythingin

herlittleworldwasperfect.

ThenMacandGracecameinthebackdoorandtheirtwinshocked

expressionshadherrunningtothem.“Kids?What’swrong?Didsomething

happen?”

Macstaredstraightahead,notseeingher.

Graceopenedhermouthseveraltimesbeforeanythingcameout.“We,ah,

justwenttothedoctor’s.”

Achillranthroughher.“Grace.”Shegraspedherdaughter’sarm.“Nothing’s

wrong,isit?”

HereyesmetPauline’sasiffullycomprehendingthequestion.“Wrong?No,

whatcouldpossiblybewrong.”Shegiggled,alittlehystericallytoPauline’smind.

“We’regoingtohaveababy.”

Everythinginthekitchenstopped.Allthecooksturned,eyeswide,mouths

opened.

Lookingaroundherattheraptattention,Gracegiggledagain.“Yes,youheard

right,everyone.MacandIarepregnant.”Beforeshecouldfinishhersentence,she

andMacwereenclosedinagrouphug,withkissesandheartycongratulations.

Thecookswentbacktotheirwork,severalsniffing.Lorettagaveatissueto

Bruiser.Paulinekeptherarmsaroundherdaughter.

“Oh,honey.”Pauline’stearsoverflowed.“Grace,Grace.I’msohappyforyou.”

Shepulledbackandstudiedherdaughter.“You’reallright?Thedoctor

checkedyououtandeverything’sokay?”

“Everything’swonderful,Mom.Justperfect.”Gracebrushedawaytearsfrom

hermother’sfaceasherownfell.

“Thisissowonderful.Whatahappyday.HowdidMacreact...”Seeingthat

Macstillhadn’tspoken,Paulinesaid,“Mac?Youokay?”

Hejustnodded,hiseyesstilllookingatnothing.

“He’sbeenlikethatsincethedoctortoldus,”Gracesaid.“DoyouthinkI

shouldslaphimorsomethingtobringhimoutofit?”

“Mac,honey?YouokaybecauseGraceneedsyoutobeokay?”

ThatseemedtodothetrickasheturnedtoGrace,placinghishandsonher

middle,hiseyesasbigasacuriouschild.“Grace.”Hisvoicewasawhisper,onlyfor

herears.Theedgesofhislipsliftedinawidegrin.

Graceputherhandsoverhis.“Areyouhappy,Mac?Reallyhappy?”

Henodded,swallowinghard.Thenhestartedlaughing,loudanddeep,

pullingherintohisarmsandswingingheraroundandaround.“We’regoingtohave

ababy.We’regoingtohaveababy!Meandmybabyarehavingababy!”Witheach

sentence,hisvolumeroseuntilhewasshouting.

Herlaughterjoininghis,Gracesaid,“Mac.Putmedown.”

Thepatronsinthediningroomwerealllookingthroughthepass-through

now,obviouslywonderingwhatwasgoingon.MactookGrace’shandandhurried

intotheotherroom,Paulinefollowinghim.

“Everyone,GraceandIjustfoundout.We’rehavingababy!”

Loudcheerssoundedfromeverycornerofthedinerandfriendsand

acquaintancescameup,shakingMac’shand,givingGracehugs.

LastwereBigJedandLittleJedwhogavethehappycouplehugsandbest

wishes.“So,”BigJedsaid.“When’sthelittleoneduetoarrive?”

GraceandMaclookedateachothersmiling.“Whenelsewouldwehaveour

firstbaby?Christmas.”SinceGracewasknowninCharityas“ChristmasGrace”it

madesenseandeveryonelaughed.

Paulinecouldn’tstopsmilingandcrying.Itwasadreamcometruetoseeher

daughtersohappy,withawonderfulhusbandandababyontheway.

Sheglancedaround,seeingBrandonandSallysmilingateachother,The

HamiltonsandCarringtonshappilychatting,GracebeaminginMac’sarms.LittleJed

lookingwarmlyather.

Andababyontheway.Shecouldn’twait.

Nodoubtaboutit,itwouldbeamostmemorableChristmasinCharity.But

weren’ttheyall?

THEEND

CominginNovember,thenextinstallmentintheChristmasinCharitySeries,

Faith,Hope,andMistletoe.

Tosignupformoreinformation,news,updates,

andtogetafreesweetromancebook,clickhere.

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checkoutMalindaMartin’sauthorpageathttp://www.amazon.com.