“I’m glad everything’s going so well for you in Nashville. I’ve got to admit, when I was there I kind of wondered if you had a thing for Ashton.”

“What?” she said, stunned. “We’re just friends.”

“Yeah, well, he’s kind of old for you anyway,” Jack said, taking the airport exit.

Kate’s stomach clenched as she looked out the passenger window. “Yeah. I guess.”

“You seemed distracted while you were home. Andi said the same thing. You’re sure everything’s okay? There’s nothing you couldn’t tell me, you know.” He pulled up to the curb outside the departures door.

Yes, Daddy, there are things I can’t tell you. Her eyes burned with tears.

“What? What is it?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. I just hate saying good-bye to you again.”

He took her in his arms. “I miss you. Come home again soon when you can stay longer.”

“I will.”

“You’re sure you don’t want me to walk you in?”

“I’m sure. I’m going right to security anyway.” She had left her guitar at Reid’s and just had a carry-on bag with her.

Jack retrieved her bag from the trunk and then reached out to hug her.

Kate buried her face in the warm comfort of his familiar scent.

“Love you, honey.”

She kissed his cheek. “Love you, too.” She watched him get back in his car and waved until the silver BMW was out of sight. Then she went inside, anxious to get home to Reid. Today was his birthday, and he was waiting for her.

Part III: Column

Two or more people standing behind one another.

Chapter 21

Jill and Maggie arrived in Stowe late in the afternoon the day after Christmas. Within minutes they filled the quiet house with bags, presents, chatter, and chaos. Clare couldn’t have been more delighted.

After they exchanged Christmas gifts and Maggie opened her birthday presents, Clare made them some hot chocolate. “So how was Kate?” she asked.

“She wasn’t home very long,” Maggie complained, poking at a puff of whipped cream. “She got there on Christmas Eve, and she went back this morning.”

“She’s working tomorrow night,” Jill added.

“How does she seem? I haven’t talked to her as much as usual the last couple of weeks.”

“She was on the phone a lot,” Maggie said with disapproval.

“Do you think she has a boyfriend in Nashville?” Clare asked. “She hasn’t mentioned anything to me.”

“No,” Jill said. “So when can we ski?”

“Tomorrow if you want.” Clare wondered why Jill had changed the subject so abruptly. “We’re supposed to get a big snowstorm in the next day or two. We’ll see what the weather does.”

“Cool,” Maggie said.

“Let’s go for a walk in town. I want to introduce you to my new friends.”