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the
bike.
    “Call me later,” she yelled after me.
    “I will.” Pausing only to slide my
belongings into one of the saddlebags, I climbed on the back and
strapped the extra helmet on before wrapping my arms around Dad’s
waist. He gunned the engine, pulling quickly away from the
curb.
    “ Cute girl,” he said into my
mind.
    “ Don’t you even start,” I warned
him.
    “ She thinks I am H-O-T,” he mimicked
and I groaned loudly. “Yep, I’ve still got it.”
    “ As if mom’s affections for you weren’t
proof enough. You two are like animals constantly in heat.” I
rolled my eyes as his laughter burst through my head.
    “ What can I say? I find your mother hard
to resist.”
    “ I know. Anyone who’s ever seen you two
together knows.”
    “ Is that a bad thing?”
    “ No. I’m glad you’re both so happy. I
just don’t necessarily want to see it.”
    More laughter. “Too bad.”
    “ I’d already resigned myself to that
after eighteen years of life with you two.”
    “ I’m assuming you made the team?” he
asked mercifully sparing both of us from this conversation and
changing the subject.
    “ I did.”
    “ I knew you would. I look forward to
coming to watch you.”
    We continued on in silence until we turned
into the driveway of the old Federal-style brick mansion with its
giant white pillars. The seven thousand square foot house had been
built in the 1800’s, but had been beautifully maintained, both
inside and out.
    I loved the feel of the place. It seemed
rich with history, but still somehow modern enough to be convenient
with its newer upgrades. I’d spent my first few days here unpacking
and trying to explore all the different rooms. I had one place left
to check out—the attic.
    Climbing off the bike, I removed my helmet
and stared up at the small window I could see, my breath catching
when I thought I saw the curtain flutter. Was someone staring at me
through the window? Maybe my mom was up there.
    Continuing to stare at the curtain, I didn’t
see it move, again. “What’s Mom doing?” I absently asked Dad,
wondering if my eyes had been playing tricks on me.
    “Right now? She was starting to make some
bread to go with dinner when I left to come get you. Why?”
    “No reason,” I mumbled, casting another
glance toward the attic window. “Bread sounds delicious.” Gathering
my books from the saddlebag, I followed him into the house.

Chapter Five
     
     
    “Hey, cutie pie! How was your first day of
school?” My mother’s sweet voice filled the kitchen, mingling with
delicious aromas coming from both the oven and the stovetop.
    Placing my books down on the counter, I went
over to where she was stirring a large pot and gave her hug and a
kiss on the cheek. “It was interesting. Not really what I was
expecting, but I met some nice people and . . .” I
glanced back and forth between my dad and her, “I sort of have a
date tonight.”
    “A date?” My dad asked, not looking very
pleased, at all. “Already? It’s the first day of school.”
    I shrugged. “Well, I met a really nice guy
and he asked me out to dinner.” It wasn’t a lie. Seth had asked me out to dinner, just not for tonight.
    “Wow.” Dad sank down on one of the
barstools. “I don’t think I’m ready for this.”
    Snorting, I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. I’m
eighteen and I’ve never been on a date before. Most girls have been
dating for at least a couple of years, by now.”
    “She has a point, Vance,” my mom said,
smiling at him. “You really have no room to complain.”
    “I guess I just tricked myself into
believing she really would wait until she was thirty.” He winked at
me.
    “Because we all know you and Mom waited that
long. Do you realize, if I were like Mom, I’d have already been
married for two years?”
    He groaned. “Don’t even start talking about
marriage. You’re too young.”
    “That’s the pot calling the kettle black,” I
replied.
    “I always knew that choice was