Page 617 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

He leaned back against his seat. “I grew up in a place called The Woodlands, just north of Houston.”

She waited for him to elaborate. “And?”

“Have you ever been to Houston?”

“Once.”

“Rough place.”

She rolled her eyes. “Okay, anyway, I just want to thank you for what you did tonight. I would invite you in, but I have a few projects waiting for me inside …” Her voice trailed off and she thought about the files she’d left scattered across the kitchen table.

“It’s all right. I would’ve turned you down. I need to get home.”

This took the wind out of her sails.

“Goodnight, Syd.”

That was her cue to get out of the car. She fumbled around for the handle. “Goodnight.”

13

“THE FOOL FOLDETH HIS HANDS TOGETHER; AND EATETH HIS OWN FLESH.” —ECCLESIASTES 4:5

Sydney’s nerves started jumping like the needle on a sewing machine when she rounded the last bend of Kendall’s driveway. She didn’t know what had possessed her to come here without calling first. Maybe it was the vulnerable expression Kendall had on his face when she asked him about his father. Maybe it was the warm welcome that Emma and Mrs. Fletcher had given her on Monday, or maybe it was to take her mind off Sean.

Well, it was too late to turn back now. She got out of the jeep. When Kendall took her home on Monday evening, he’d casually mentioned that he might call her for a date on Friday. She’d been expecting his call all week, but it never came. Something probably came up, she told herself. And then she told herself that she didn’t care if he called or not. Now here she was on a Saturday afternoon, trying to track him down. Was she really that desperate? She looked up at the afternoon sun. It felt good on her face but did little to lighten her spirits.

She rang the doorbell and waited.

“Sydney, what a nice surprise. Come in.” The genuine smile on Mrs. Fletcher’s face made Sydney feel a little better.

They stood inside the porch while Mrs. Fletcher explained that Kendall was in the shower.

Her words stumbled out. “I just thought I’d stop by and say hello. I didn’t mean to bother him.”

Mrs. Fletcher patted her on the arm. “Come on in the living room and have a seat. He’ll be thrilled to see you.”

Sydney wasn’t so sure, but she followed Mrs. Fletcher in and sat down on the sofa. If Kendall was in the shower, then he obviously had plans—plans that didn’t include her. “I really can’t stay long.”

“Oh, he won’t be long. You just make yourself comfortable, and I’ll let him know you’re here.”

She waited five minutes before Kendall came out, his hair still wet. He was wearing jeans, brown leather boots, and a red polo shirt. Rather than sitting beside her, he chose the love seat. He looked uncomfortable, like he might’ve been sitting on a pincushion, and she wanted to crawl under the sofa. “I’m sorry to drop in on you,” she began. “I just wanted to say hello.” She knew her voice sounded too cheerful. “It looks like I’ve caught you on your way out the door.” She forced a smile and stood.

Kendall followed suit.

Mrs. Fletcher came into the room. Her eyes flew to Sydney. “You’re leaving so soon? You just got here.”

“I can’t stay.”

Mrs. Fletcher spoke to Sydney but all the while her eyes were on Kendall. “I’m sure Kendall doesn’t have any plans that don’t include you, Sydney.”

Kendall looked back and forth between Sydney and his mother. “No,” he finally said. “I don’t have any definite plans.” Kendall’s smile was so automatic that Sydney had the impression that someone was standing above him, pulling the strings on the corners of his mouth. “Would you like to go grab a bite to eat?”

Sydney felt like screaming. The humiliation made her nauseous. “Thanks, but I can’t. Some other time, maybe. It was good to see you again, Mrs. Fletcher.

”She turned to leave and Kendall scrambled to get the door. “I’ll walk you out.”

They walked to her jeep in silence. She went to open the door, but he stopped her.

---