A Perfect Homecoming by Lisa Dyson

Author:Lisa Dyson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

KYLE STARTED THE ENGINE of his truck and hesitated before putting it into Drive. Had he imagined Ashleigh’s anxiety? He didn’t think so. Something was definitely off about her. More than usual.

But what?

He shifted into Drive and pulled into light traffic on Market Street, which was considered the main drag in Grand Oaks from before the town was founded in 1720. Historians claimed everything imaginable had been bought and sold on this stretch of road, from food to animals to humans.

Kyle’s tenth-grade history teacher spent a lot of time on Grand Oaks’s history. He wanted his students to be clear about where they lived and how things had changed in this part of southern Virginia.

Kyle hadn’t understood at the time, but he came to learn that it’s important to understand why things evolve the way they do. Mostly, it’s vital to not repeat mistakes.

That was why he’d left Ashleigh so abruptly last night. He didn’t want to repeat their mistakes of the past. If she was going to take off at the first opportunity—and he was sure that she would—then he needed to guard himself. He couldn’t allow her to crush him like she had two years ago, even if it would require forgoing a physical relationship with her.

Was that why she’d been uncomfortable when he showed up unexpectedly at her office? He hadn’t meant to make things awkward between them. Maybe he should have explained why he left last night.

Then again, how did you phrase something like that? I need to keep my distance from you so you don’t crush me like a bug again probably wouldn’t go over well.

As these thoughts went through his head, Kyle continued on his way to meet with Tom, who had recently opened a private law office located two blocks off Market Street. Kyle found a parking spot nearby. He jogged up the half dozen steps to the door of the town house and went right in. The former three-story row home had been converted into offices, with Tom’s located on the second floor. Through the open doorway, Tom was visible behind his desk. His gaze traveled from what he was reading to Kyle, a welcoming smile lighting up the man’s face.

“Hey, Kyle, come on in.” Tom rose, waved him in and pointed to a burgundy leather chair in front of his mahogany desk. Kyle shut the office door and they shook hands before taking seats across from each other.

Tom pulled out a folder from his file cabinet and opened it. “The reason I wanted to meet again so soon was that I’ve talked to the plaintiff’s lawyer and they’d like to settle.”

Kyle raised his eyebrows. He hadn’t done anything wrong. Why settle? “Talk to me.” He tried to keep an open mind.

“We’ve discussed the two-million-dollar limit the state of Virginia puts on medical malpractice compensation. Even though they were asking for five mil, they were expecting to get two if they won. And that would include any punitive damages.” Tom took a sip from the soda can next to him.

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