Prologue

September

Drew switched lanes and waited for an opportunity to ask some questions. Since leaving Sean and Mia’s wedding reception, Kelsey hadn’t given him a chance to say much.

“Did Mrs. Mitchell talk your ear off?” Kelsey asked.

After their dance, he’d gone back to visit with Mrs. Mitchell as promised. The old widow had kept him at her table a long time. Although not possible, the woman seemed to know everyone’s business. “You know her. She loves to talk. She filled me in on a year’s worth of town news.”

“Only a year’s worth? She must have been tired.”

Drew ignored Kelsey’s comment, and before she could say anything else, he asked a question of his own. “Marissa… is she Jack’s wife?”

Kelsey nodded.

“William’s their son?” He was still trying to make sense of the conversation she’d had with Marissa.

“Technically, William is Marissa’s son from a previous marriage, but Jack adopted him after they married. They have a daughter, too. Rachel is in the first or second grade.” Kelsey paused for a moment. “No, she’s definitely in first. William told me she has Mrs. Cunningham this year. Did you have her in school? I didn’t, but Ella and Cat did. I had Mrs. Bush for first grade.”

He ignored her question. Her time for asking questions had ended. “And William has you for science.”

“Yep. He’s in sixth grade.”

“And you teach while you work on your doctorate part-time?” He didn’t see how she could teach, waitress, and attend school full-time.

“Not exactly.”

They approached the highway exit for North Salem. He couldn’t linger at her house. He had at least a forty-minute drive home ahead of him. At the same time, he needed answers. What he’d learned so far only raised more questions.

“And that’s it?” He took the off-ramp and passed through the center of town. He waited for her to say more as he turned onto Lincoln Street, but she remained silent.

“You’re not going to explain?” He parked in Kelsey’s driveway and looked at her.

“Explain what? I teach science at the middle school. Big deal. Lots of people do.” Kelsey retrieved her purse from the floor and dug out her keys. “Thank you for the ride home tonight.”

She opened the door. The floodlight on the garage illuminated the inside of the car, allowing him to see her expression. She didn’t like him asking questions.

That just too bad.

“Be careful driving home. And good luck tomorrow. I’ll probably catch part of the game on TV.” She pushed the door open and swung both feet out.

Yeah, she wasn’t getting off so easy. He let her exit, but got out too and planted himself in front of the car. She’d have to get past him to get inside the house.

“Why are you still teaching? You told me you went back to Brandeis.” Had she lied about that like she’d lied about having a boyfriend?

“No. You assumed I went back, and I never bothered to correct you.”

Was that true? He couldn’t honestly say.

“I’m chilly and tired. I’m going inside.”

She moved around him, and he followed. Kelsey was keeping something from him. Drew wanted to know what, and he wanted to know tonight.

“I knew you took the teaching job to help out your parents when Ian was sick. He told me. He’s been gone for three years. Why haven’t you left and gone back to school?” He wished she’d invite him inside, because he could see the goose bumps on her skin. Inside she’d be warmer.

“Because I haven’t. And I don’t understand what the big deal is anyway. It’s not like you care whether I teach middle school science or finish my doctorate. Either way, your life isn’t going to change.”

That’s where you’re wrong. He didn’t think before putting his hands on her shoulders. “I care, Kelsey. I wouldn’t call every month if I didn’t care. You’re like a sister to me.”

Okay, perhaps not a completely true statement. All night he’d been having very unbrotherly thoughts about her. Who was he kidding? He’d been having them since she took his dinner order at Masterson’s two weeks ago.

Kelsey took a deep breath, and he waited for an explanation.

“Drew, really it’s no big deal. Right now I need a full-time job, so I’m teaching. When I’m ready, I’ll finish up the degree I started.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” He’d promised Ian he’d look after Kelsey and help her if she ever needed it. He couldn’t help if she didn’t ask.

“Nope. I’m good.”

He wanted to push more. Get more out of her. Her tone and stance told him it wasn’t happening tonight. “If you ever need help, any kind, call me.”

She nodded.

“We’ll talk soon.” His eyes dropped to her lips, the urge to kiss her overwhelming him for a second time tonight. This time though, they weren’t in a crowded room with people watching.

Drew leaned toward her, her lips his final destination. Promise you’ll look after Kelsey. Ian’s words surfaced, and he paused. If he kissed her the way he wanted, she might never let him near her again. He couldn’t keep his promise if she refused to see him.

He dropped a kiss on her cheek instead. “Goodnight.”

Kelsey opened the door and stepped inside. “Thanks again for the ride. See you later.”

She closed the door, leaving him alone on the steps. Getting into his car, he started the engine but didn’t back up. In the house an upstairs light went on. What was going on? Rather than get answers tonight, he’d gotten more questions. But he’d get the answers he wanted. It might take time, but he’d get them. Then he’d help Kelsey get her life back on track.

He’d made Ian a promise, and he didn’t intend to let him down.