Chapter Eight

There was no way Kate was going to the game tonight. The twins went because Quinn played every sport imaginable, but she had no interest in having to rehash the whole Danny story again. Kate knew that every ten feet someone would ask her what had happened. People would believe whatever they wanted to anyway. It didn't matter what she said.

Still, she didn't really feel like staying home alone, so she decided to go into town.

Kate took her cup of coffee and moved towards the big comfy chair in the corner of the shop. She felt a little guilty patronizing the competition. Despite how popular this place was, the truth was that Aunt Abby's had much better coffee. Not to mention the cookies. Her mom made the best cookies on earth.

But, she thought with a sigh, they were closed on Sundays.

Kate pulled her book out of her bag and settled in, finally feeling better enough to start it.

She was deep into Chapter Two when he walked in.

He was trying to lay low. Every time he got to a new place it was only a matter of time before people started to ask questions. The answers people found were never enough for them and they started to dig deeper. Sooner or later he always needed to leave. He knew it looked suspicious, but it was much better than the alternative.

No one could ever know the truth. Especially here.

Colin scanned the room as he waited near the counter. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he caught sight of her. It was almost as if a light shone on her, she brightened the room to such an extent.


Don't do it. He warned himself. Stay away from her.

Despite his own, excellent advice, he couldn't help himself. Colin ordered his drink and watched her as she twirled a lock of her hair around her finger, dropping it after a few seconds and then starting the whole process over again. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He was sure her hair felt just like silk. Her skin probably did too.

Colin knew he was asking for trouble, but since it found a way of finding him anyway he figured he didn't have much to lose.

"I thought that book was awful." He said with a laugh as he pulled up a chair and sat across from her.

Startled, Kate looked up and then gave him a smile. "Colin. Hi."

Her smile killed him. The minute he saw it - he almost forgot why he'd come over here in the first place. "Hi yourself." He took a sip of his coffee. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt you."

"No." She shook her head at him. She grabbed her bookmark to save her place, setting the book aside. That's OK. Settling in?"

"Yeah." He pushed his hair out of his eyes. "I'm staying at the motel over by the highway."

"Wow! Five star accommodations. You're such the rock star." Kate giggled.

"Smartass." He muttered with a grin.

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Kate couldn't help but wonder what his story was. They'd talked about a lot on the bus, but about nothing really serious. She was so curious about him. Kate's mind was swimming with questions.

She cleared her throat and jumped right in. "Colin? I have to know. Tell me something. You said you're about my age. How are you able to run around the country like this? Shouldn't you be in school?"

"I graduated early. I went to boarding school and couldn't stand it. I doubled up and got out as soon as I could."

"Boarding school? Where? That sounds so exciting!" She was even more curious now.


"Switzerland - and trust me. It's no where near as glamorous as you think. It's really just a bunch of kids thrown together because their parent's couldn't care less."

Her heart broke for him. She couldn't imagine having parents who didn't care about her. She knew that her mother lived like that - but you'd never know it from the way she took care of all of them, her father included. "Where were your parents then?"

He shrugged, surprised it could still upset him after all this time. "All over the place. They never stayed put for long."

"They sound like my grandmother." Kate said with a laugh. "She's a fashion designer. She's in…ummm - let's see - Milan I think. I have to check the latest post card."

"Is that Katrina?"

"What?" She asked confused.

"Your grandmother. You said you were named after her. Is that Katrina?"

"You have an excellent memory." Kate smiled. "But no. That's my dad's mom. She passed away long before I was born. She raised my dad, all by herself. He loved her - very much. I wish I had a chance to know her."

It must be nice to have such a close family. Colin thought. He'd spent most of his life denying he even had one. His attention was brought back to Kate as he realized she was still talking.

"Now - Elizabeth. The designer. She's my mom's mom. She was like your parents. She barely took a week to raise my mom before she was off someplace again. She's tried to make up for it, but she's a total nut. Loveable, but a nut nonetheless. I'm not even allowed to call her Grandma she's so incredibly vain."

"If she looks anything like you she has reason to be." He said as he stared at her.

Kate blushed near crimson. "Well. Thank you."

"No need to thank me. It's true." He promised.

Kate fiddled with her napkin, suddenly nervous around him. "So. How long are you here for anyway?"

"A week." He shrugged. "Maybe two. It depends on how long the guys in the band need me."

"It's not your band?" Kate was confused.

"No. I'm just filling in." This is the way he'd learned to live. Colin knew he would never truly belong anywhere.

He also knew it was time to go. Staying near her for any length of time would make it even harder to leave in the end. "This was nice, but get back to your book." He pushed back his chair and picked up his empty cup. "You looked like you were enjoying it."

I was enjoying talking to you more. She thought with a sigh. She was already looking forward to the next time she'd see him. "OK. I'll see you Wednesday."

"What?" Colin asked as he turned back to face her.

"Wednesday. We're going to come and see you play. My cousins and I."

It was so odd. He couldn't remember the last time someone he knew came to hear him play. His heart felt light for the first time in forever. He gave her a huge grin, letting himself enjoy the moment. "Alright. Well. I'll see you Wednesday, then."

"Yeah. Wednesday." She smiled back at him.

She watched him walk away, pleased when she saw him turn to give her one last look before he slipped out the door.