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about,
Kennedy?” Tanny asks, setting her mug down and taking my free hand
in both of hers.
    “Oh, Tanny. I’m worried about me. I
buried that poor girl who we all knew a long, long time ago,
but…”
    “But what? If you buried her, then there’s
nothing to worry about, is there?”
    “I wouldn’t think so if I just didn’t feel
so…so…”
    “So what?”
    “So drawn to him. God, it’s like no amount of
hate can kill what he does to me. What he’s always done to
me. But I know I can’t trust him. He is a man, after all.
Even if he makes me feel like no man ever has.”
    A look of sadness comes across Tanny’s face.
“Despite everything you’ve been through, despite all the reasons
you have for feeling the way that you do, you can’t go through life
thinking you’ll never find a man you can trust.”
    “It wouldn’t be the end of the world.” I try
to keep my expression as unaffected as possible. But, like always,
Tanny sees right through it.
    She reaches over to squeeze my fingers. “But
it’s in all of us to want to find someone to share our lives with,
to find someone to trust and love. Maybe you more than most.”
    “The girl in me used to think so, but
now…”
    “Maybe this will be good for you, Kennedy.
Maybe you need to get some closure. For that girl you buried. And for the woman who took her place. You didn’t become your
strong self by hiding from adversity. You got this way by facing
it. By overcoming. Don’t let the past color your future. You’re too
smart to let that happen.”
    All my waffling seems silly now. “You’re so
right, Tanny.” Impulsively, I lean over and hug her slight frame to
mine. “He’s just a man. One man who I used to know. He has
no control over me unless I give it to him. I have nothing to fear.
He’s simply bringing me one step closer to my dream. That’s
all.”
    “One step closer to your dream,” Tanny
repeats, patting my cheek reassuringly. The funny thing is, I get
the feeling that she’s speaking about much more than just my
dancing.
     

CHAPTER NINE- Reese
     
    I head to Bellano a few minutes before the
reading of the will. As I’m pulling into my old spot beside the
garage, I see the flash of a familiar chestnut head ducking into
the woods to my right.
    Kennedy. She’s been on my mind so much for
the last thirty-six hours; I’d recognize that head anywhere
now.
    I’m curious as to why she was here, but I’m
also ten times more distracted than I was to begin with. Knowing
she’s in the forest right now…so near the place where I took her
virginity all those years ago…all alone in the privacy of the
trees… God, it makes me throb—the desire to taste how time has
matured and sweetened that delectable body of hers.
    Damn.
    With a muffled growl, I get out of the car
and head around to the kitchen entrance. I glance up at the window
as I approach the steps. Force of habit. But this time Tanny is standing there, like she used to be, smiling at me as I
ascend the stairs.
    If I had to guess, I’d say she’s still in the
kitchen after having talked to Kennedy.
    “Good morning, handsome boy.” Tanny greets me
with a smile, a kiss to the cheek and a cup of coffee as I walk
through the door.
    “Good morning,” I reply, returning her
gesture. The smell of garden flowers drifts up to tickle my nose
and remind me of all the happy childhood memories I have with
Tanny. When I lean back to look down at her, her blue eyes are
shining brightly. Happily. She looks more like herself—younger,
attractive, loving. Maybe the worst of Malcolm’s death has passed.
“You’re looking well.”
    She smiles, glancing down at her crisp white
blouse and navy blue slacks, and brushing away an imaginary piece
of lint. “Why, thank you. I’ve been called in for the reading of
the will as well, and I…I…”
    I curl my fingers around her thin upper arms.
“It’ll be fine, Tanny. I promise.” Her smile is only a little sad
today.
    “I know it will,