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concentrating.
    I didn’t say anything. I just watched her. It
was cooler out today, so she’d traded in her shorts and sandals for
jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and athletic shoes. Her hair fell down
around her shoulders, framing her face. I wouldn’t have thought it
was possible, but I found her even more beautiful today than
yesterday. Yesterday, she’d been beautiful. Today, she was
mesmerizing.
    “Didn’t you say Mr. Jenson moved in a couple
years ago?” she asked, still twisting her bracelet around her
wrist.
    “Yeah,” I said, unable to take my eyes off
her. “Uh, I think he moved in...two and a half years ago, I guess
it was.” I thought back, trying to pinpoint when exactly he’d come
to Hewitt Street.
    “And didn’t you say the old couple passed
away last January?”
    “Yeah,” I said, watching her connect the
dots. I didn’t know what the picture would be, but the line was
leading to Jenson. The line always led to Jenson.
    “And my Aunt Elaine was last February...” she
said, trailing off at the end.
    “So you think Jenson...what – killed them?” I
asked.
    “I’m not saying that. I’m just saying that a
lot of things have happened since he moved in. I don’t know if he
had anything to do with any of it, but it is odd.” She rested her
head against the back of the chair and turned her face toward me.
Quietly, she said, “I shouldn’t have come here.”
    I set my soda on the table and turned to her.
I held her left hand firmly between both of mine and looked at her
with more intensity than was probably necessary.
    “Listen, Carla. You and your kids will be
fine here. I’ll personally make sure nothing happens to any of you.
Whether or not it’s all a coincidence, you will be safe here.
Please don’t think you shouldn’t have come.” I smiled to assure
her. “I’m glad you came.” I couldn’t tell her that her moving here
had led to a pivotal moment in my life. If she hadn’t come, I might
not have decided to put Holly behind me where she belonged.
    “I just don’t want to put my kids in harm’s
way. If anything were to happen to either of them...”
    I didn’t give her time to ponder the horrible
things she was surely about to consider. “Look, I have nothing else
to do. I’ll watch your place, if you want. I kind of do that
anyway,” I admitted.
    “What?” she asked, unsure what emotion she
should feel about my little revelation.
    I quickly added, “Not in the creepy stalker
kind of way, but in the good neighbor way. Besides, I have to make
sure Bernie isn’t trying to move in with you.”
    She laughed. “I owe you then.”
    “No, you owe me nothing. I’m happy to do
it.”
    She stood up and came over, stopping in front
of me. How far could she get with me still holding her hand?
Feeling a little silly, I stood and reluctantly let go of her soft
hand.
    “I don’t want you to think I do this with
every guy I meet,” she said shyly. “But you seem like a great guy,
and you’ve been so helpful.”
    Before I could prepare for it, she stretched
up and planted a kiss on my cheek. I was aware of a lot of things
at once. The way her soft lips felt against my cheek, the light
touch of her hands as they held onto my arms, and the feel of her
breasts as they grazed my chest ever so lightly. I fought myself to
not turn and kiss her.
    “That’s me thanking you for watching out for
us. And to thank you further, I’d like you to come to dinner
tonight.”
    I breathlessly accepted her invitation, but
assured her again that she didn’t need to thank me. I really was
more than happy to keep her safe. Whether it was from murderers or
perverts, I wanted to protect her.
    As I watched her walk down the street, I had
a rush of emotions I hadn’t had in years. I was excited, nervous,
happy, and scared to death all at the same time. I didn’t know if
getting involved with her was a good idea, but I knew that it was
going to happen. If she didn’t want it to happen, she