Final Deposit by Lisa Harris Page A

improving.”
    â€œThat’s good.”
    â€œDefinitely.”
    â€œAny word on when he’ll be able to come home?”
    â€œHe’ll be in at least two or three more days. They didn’t know for sure.”
    He could smell her perfume mingling with the scent of freshly cut grass. He looked at her, watching the breeze blow the strands of hair that had fallen from her clip. “You know, I was planning to ask you out that night.”
    She stopped and looked up at him. “What night?”
    â€œThe night you left to move back home.”
    Lindsey gnawed on her bottom lip. “The night I left you a note to say goodbye.”
    â€œKind of kills a man’s pride, getting a note like that.”
    â€œI never meant to hurt you.” A shadow crossed her face. “My mom was sick, and my dad wasn’t handling things well…I just left. I’m sorry.”
    â€œNo, Lindsey.” He shook his head and resisted reaching for her hand. “I never blamed you, and you certainly don’t have to apologize.” He cleared his throat. “I just…I guess I’ve always wondered what might have happened if I had asked you out.”
    â€œI always regretted losing track of you. You were a good friend, Kyle.”
    Friendship didn’t sound as good as it used to. “You hungry?”
    â€œFor the first time today, yes.”
    â€œKerrie makes a mean enchilada.” He glanced at his watch. “Simon should be home in a few minutes.”
    â€œThen I suppose we should head back.”
    They gazed at each other for a moment, neither of them moving. Then Kyle’s stomach growled and Lindsey couldn’t help but laugh.
    Still, something told him things would never quite be the same between them.
    Â 
    Lindsey fell back onto the couch beneath two squealing girls, her lungs burning for air from laughing so hard. She tickled Carly while Caileigh wiggled to pull off her shoe. There was a bonus to staying here—between playing with the twins and hearing a few amusing anecdotes about Kyle, she’d been able to forget what was happening. Kyle’s family was the perfect distraction.
    Her purse fell off the edge of the couch onto the carpet, spilling lip gloss, her father’s mail and pens across the floor.
    â€œGirls. I think it’s time to settle down.” Kerrie stooped to help.
    â€œDon’t worry about it,” Lindsey assured her. “I’ve had such a great time tonight.”
    â€œWill you read us a story?” Carly asked.
    Kerrie looked at the wall clock and then shook her head. “Not only is it way past your bedtime, little ladies, but I’m sure Miss Lindsey needs a breather.”
    â€œTomorrow, girls. Okay?”
    While the girls kissed their uncle good-night, she picked up her father’s mail. She’d avoided looking at it all day, not wanting to face another letter from a collection agency. She was as bad as her father. She flipped over the top envelope. It was from the insurance company. Her father had taken out a policy years ago, though she had no idea what it was worth.
    â€œHow easy is it to cash in a life-insurance policy?”
    Kyle looked up from the magazine he was reading. “It depends on what kind.”
    She tapped the letter against the palm of her hand. For a moment, she felt she shouldn’t open it.
    But then reality kicked in. If they were looking for large amounts of money, this letter could contain important information. She slid her finger across the flap then pulled out the letter. It was a personal note from her father’s insurance agent. She scanned it quickly and dropped it into her lap.
    â€œHe canceled his policy last week, Kyle.”
    â€œHow much was it worth?”
    She shrugged. “I don’t know. The letter just says thank you for your business, we’re sorry to see you go.”
    He stacked the magazine back on the pile beside him. “Is there a