LITMIR.BIZ

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principal wants to be nearby, of course.”

      Nick’s shoulders stiffened. “How did you know I was applying for the position?”

      She tilted her head toward the boys. “They mentioned it yesterday while we were out on the playground.”

      Joy felt a tug on her sweater and looked down at Jordan.

      “I’m glad you live so close, Miss Kellihuh.” He blushed. “If I get stuck on my homework I can just come ovuh for your help.”

      Her pulse relaxed when she looked into Jordan’s eyes. “You’re welcome anytime, sweetie.” She turned her attention to Nick. “I’m sorry I came charging over here. I guess I was kind of caught off guard...or maybe I’ve had too much coffee.”

      Nick nodded and cleared his throat. “Speaking of coffee, I just started a pot. You must be freezing... Why don’t you come inside?”

      Practically frozen and not wanting Jordan to think she was still upset, she ignored what her head was telling her and stepped inside. “So you’ve already unpacked your coffee maker?” She smiled.

      “Of course. I have my priorities.” Nick winked.

      As the two movers scurried past Joy, carrying boxes marked “boys’ room,” she scanned the open floor plan of the two-story home. She’d only been inside a few times when the previous owners had been out of town and she’d offered to care for their dog.

      “Do you want to come see our room, Miss Kelliher?” Tyler reached for her hand. “Daddy bought us bunk beds that look like race cars. They got delivered yesterday while we were at school.”

      “Let’s get that coffee first.” Nick headed toward the kitchen.

      A whimper sounded behind the closed laundry room door as Joy and the boys trekked toward the aroma of the freshly brewed beverage. “Is that your puppy I hear?”

      “How did you know about Maverick?” Jordan asked.

      “I saw him when you got out of the car. That’s a great name.”

      “It’s from a TV show back in the old days. My daddy likes to watch the reruns.” Tyler approached the door.

      Joy had a vivid memory of her and Nick on his parents’ sectional sofa, watching old Western movies with an oversize bowl of popcorn sitting between them.

      Tyler glanced toward his father. “Is it okay if I let him out, Daddy?”

      “Sure—why not? But remember, the movers have the front door opened, so keep an eye on him. We don’t want him to run outside without his leash.”

      Tyler pushed open the door and out sprang a tiny golden nugget of energy. Maverick raced straight to Joy’s feet and jumped up and down as though his big paws were springs.

      Kneeling down, she extended her hand, which he immediately covered with sloppy, wet kisses. Her heart melted. “He’s adorable. What breed is Maverick?”

      Nick reached down and stroked the puppy’s head. “A labradoodle, and, boy, is he ever a handful. The boys were a little apprehensive when I told them we were moving. I thought Mav would help with the transition.”

      “He likes you, Miss Kellihuh.” Jordan smiled.

      Growing up, Joy and Faith had always wanted a dog, but being raised by a grandfather with severe allergies had made that impossible. She scooped Maverick up in her arms and nuzzled his face against her own. “If you ever need a sitter, I’m definitely available.” Obviously the adorable fur ball had impaired her thinking. She couldn’t pet-sit for the animal. She needed to stay as far away from Nick as possible.

      “Excuse me, Mr. Capello, but where would you like the piano?”

      The group turned to the short, muscular man standing down the hall.

      “How about underneath the window in the living room—is that okay, Jordan?”

      The boy nodded. “That’s good.”

      When the mover scurried out the door, Joy turned to Jordan, who seemed more quiet than usual. “Are you the piano player in the family?”

      Jordan’s cheeks flushed. “Do you think it’s only for guls?”

      When Tyler silenced a giggle, Joy knew that Jordan had probably been teased about playing the piano. “Of course it’s not. There are a lot of well-known pianists who are men. I actually play, too, and I give lessons.”

      “Weally? My mommy used to play.” Jordan glanced at the hardwood floor, looking as if he’d lost his best friend.

      Joy noticed Nick’s jaw tense. “Boys, we better put Maverick back in the laundry room. We don’t want him to get in the movers’ way.”

      Her heart broke for Jordan and Tyler, but also for Nick. One day your life was perfect, complete with a family, and then it was taken from you. Although she wanted to keep her relationship with Nick strictly business, Jordan tugged on her heartstrings. “You just let me know if you’d like for me to give you some lessons.” She tipped her thumb under the boy’s chin. “I’d better get home. You all have a lot of unpacking to do. Besides, I’ve had enough coffee this morning. I’ll see you all on Monday.”

      As she walked toward her empty home, thoughts of the two freckle-faced boys and the rambunctious puppy flooded her mind. Nick’s family. Her heart squeezed. It was as though she was seeing a flash of her life as it could have been. It would have been a wonderful life. When she reached for the icy doorknob on her empty home, she couldn’t help but wonder if it would be that easy to keep things on a professional level.

      * * *

      Nick watched Joy through the front window as she headed back to her home—directly across the street from his own. What were the odds? He should have found out where she lived in Whispering Slopes before making the move. Of course, it was too late now. For better or worse they were going to be neighbors and he’d just have to do the best he could to keep his distance. With the boys and Maverick it could prove to be a challenge, but he was determined to make a fresh start for his family.

      He gazed around their new home and smiled. The oversize living room would serve as the family room, where they’d watch television, play games and enjoy being together. Something he hadn’t made much time for while living and teaching in Chicago. That would change. He might not deserve the opportunity to be a better husband, but he sure would be the best father for his boys.

      Nick released a slow and easy breath. He’d made the right decision by moving here, hadn’t he? But one thing he hadn’t expected when he packed up their old house in Chicago was for all the guilt he carried about his wife to make the move with him. Silly. Why would he think a new location could erase the past?

      “Daddy?”

      Nick turned to see Jordan standing behind him. He reached for his son’s hand and guided him toward the sofa the movers had placed in the living room earlier. “What is it, son?” he asked, lifting his boy up on his lap. His stomach knotted realizing soon the time would come where moments like this would become a distant memory.

      “Do you think it would be okay if I asked Miss Kellihuh to give me piano lessons?”

      Nick couldn’t help but notice the hesitation in Jordan’s question. “Why do you think there’d be anything wrong with that?”

      The little boy bit down on his quivering lower lip. “Well, since Mommy used to teach me, I didn’t know if she’d like that. I wouldn’t want to disappoint huh.”

      Nick’s heart ached for his son. At the age of three, Jordan had been drawn to the piano like a hummingbird to fresh nectar. Whenever his mother had played, he’d toddle to her side. She’d lift him up on the bench and he’d listen while she played. He’d giggle when she played “Three Blind Mice” and get sleepy when she’d play the soothing sound of “Brahms’s Lullaby.” Although self-taught, his wife, Michelle,

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