Page 10 of The House on Memory Lane

As if he sensed her growing unease, Kyle nodded to the other side of the kitchen island. “Want to sit? The wood stove is warmer over there.”

He eased himself into the overstuffed armchair, leaving the matching couch for Laney. She appreciated the effort to give her some space. Buddy looked like he might hop up next to her, which she maybe wouldn’t mind, but his human snapped his fingers and the collie ambled over to an oversized pillow nearby instead.

“It’s been a long time, eh?” Kyle asked.

She nodded, still sipping her coffee.

“You’re in Chicago now?”

Another nod. Another sip.

“How are you settling in? Do you…are you…”

She knew where the question was going, but after the picture on the fridge, she wasn’t sure she wanted to share just how single she was. A quick glance around the open room didn’t reveal any evidence of a woman. The only shoes on the rack at the door looked like Kyle’s. One plate in the drying rack next to the sink. Familiar authors on the spines of his books that overflowed the shelves on either side of the large screen TV. Video game consoles neatly sat on the half-sized armoire beneath it. This was all him.

He tried again. “You didn’t have anyone else to visit over the holidays?”

She arched one eyebrow.

“Sorry. None of my business.”

“No, it’s okay.” His status didn’t matter. You’re happy, remember? Show him that. “Chicago is great. Everything you’ve probably heard and more. It’s a dynamic city and I’ve lucked out with a really good practice. Some of my peers are still doing locums, and I’ve found a place to put down roots.”

He offered an instant grin, wide and open, and she willed some of the tension out of her shoulders. “That sounds fantastic.”

“How about you?” She waved her hand in a wide circle. “This is nice.” He grinned wider again, waiting, and she couldn’t help but return the smile. “Do you…are you…”

He shook his head. “Just me.”

Laney pinched her lips together to restrain another smile from bursting forth. That news shouldn’t warm her heart. At all. And it definitely shouldn’t make her want to jump up and do a happy dance. Or a lap dance. She gave herself a mental slap. That was not at all where her mind should be going.

The single tear in the kitchen had just about killed him. He was glad the conversation had continued, and now that they were talking, he wasn’t in a hurry to get into anything heavy. “I’m glad you came over.”

She took a deep breath. “Me too.”

“Do you want to talk? Or just sit? I’m good with either.”

“I don’t know. Is it okay if we just sit for a while?”

“Of course.”

He watched her relax into the couch, the wood stove providing the only soundtrack with an occasional pop and hiss.

“So.” She swallowed hard. “Tell me about work. Where are you teaching now?”

The question surprised him. He was expecting to be asked more about the photo, dreading having to explain Crystal. Clearly she wanted to start on safer ground, and he should have known that she would. Laney never sought out drama.

“Wardham Elementary. I transferred seven years ago, and haven’t looked back.”

“You don’t miss the city?”

Kyle shook his head. “I liked the learning experiences I gained teaching in a large urban school, but I missed the tight-knit community. And I wanted to be closer to my family.”

“Tell me about your class.”

“They’re awesome. I’ve got a grade 5/6 split this year, and I really like that age. Inquisitive, able to do big projects, but not too hormone crazy just yet. I also teach science to the grade 4s, and they’re fun too.”

“Have you always taught the middle grades? You started with a grade 4 class, right?”

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