Page 594 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Yes,” Sydney lied, “it’s starting to feel like home.”

The two women walked back into the living room and past the front window where they saw Kendall pulling up. Tess gave Sydney an insinuating smile. “Oh, I see why you’re in such a hurry to rush me out the door.”

Sydney’s face flushed. She could have strangled the woman.

“I wasn’t aware that you knew our charming football coach.”

“There are quite a few things that you don’t know about me,” Sydney said, giving the woman a withering look.

Tess laughed good-naturedly. “I look forward to getting to know all of those things. In Stoney Creek, everybody knows everything about everybody.”

Now that was something Sydney could believe.

“Honey, I’m so glad that Kendall has you,” Tess said, catching Sydney’s arm. “He’s had a rough time, losing his father and all.”

Sydney stopped and turned to face the woman. “His father? Did he die?”

Tess leaned near Sydney and spoke in low tones. “Joe Fletcher shot himself. He told his wife not to bother him, that he would be out in the shed, cleaning his guns. Kendall was the one who found him.”

Sydney’s face drained of color.

“I just thought you ought to know.”

The doorbell rang. Before Sydney could respond, Tess opened the door wide and took over the role as hostess. “Kendall Fletcher, you get yourself in here and give me a hug.”

If Kendall was surprised to see Tess greeting him at the door, he didn’t show it. He smiled and gave her a broad hug and a perfunctory kiss on the cheek. Sydney was still trying to digest the news that Kendall’s father was dead. She looked at him, standing there on the porch and saw him not as he was but as the little boy he would have been. How could he stand it? Finding his father that way. She felt the sudden urge to throw her arms around him and tell him it would be okay.

“How’s your mama doing?” Tess asked.

“She’s feeling much better.”

“I’ve been meaning to get over and see her. You tell her I said hello.” Tess looked at Sydney and squeezed Kendall’s arm. “This fella here is one of the finest you’ll ever meet.”

Sydney raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

“Sure is.” She winked. “And a nice catch to boot.”

Before Sydney could think up a reply, Tess started out the door. “Y’all have fun. I’ll come back next week to collect my dishes.”

She watched Tess glide to her car. She shouldn’t have been surprised that Tess and Kendall were acquainted, but their familiarity awoke a yearning that confused her. All of the people in this town were so connected.

Kendall turned toward Sydney and looked at her. Time seemed to pause for one breathless second. He gave her a slow, shy smile that melted through to her toes. “Hey.”

“Hi,” she said softly. He was standing so close that she might’ve heard the beating of his heart or was it her own? She took a step back to recover herself.

He reached out to steady her while his hazel eyes flickered over her. “Why don’t I have a seat while you finish getting ready?”

She looked down at her bare feet and then at his jeans, loafers, and white v-necked polo shirt. She smiled. “Okay, I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

She headed to her bedroom. Her first impression of Kendall Fletcher had been wrong. She’d pegged him as insecure. He was the exact opposite. Beneath his shyness, there was a strong force. It was like he already knew.

She belonged to him.

5

“EVEN A FOOL, WHEN HE HOLDETH HIS PEACE, IS COUNTED WISE…” —PROVERBS 17:28

The warm morning air rushing in through the open windows felt good. Sydney drove to the sawmill, her hair whipping wildly. Her date with Kendall had been just the tonic she’d needed. It was the start of a brand new week, and this time she wasn’t going to be intimidated by Sean or his devil secretary. She had just as much right to be there as they did.

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