Once Pined. Blake Pierce

breathed a sigh of relief. Jilly’s tone was sullen, but at least she was here and being cooperative.

      In recent years, Riley had often heard that sullen tone from April. Now April seemed to have gotten past it, but she still had lapses from time to time. Riley wondered if she was really up to the job of raising another teenager.

      Just then there was a knock at the front door. When Riley answered it, her townhouse neighbor, Blaine Hildreth, was standing outside.

      Riley was surprised to see him, but hardly displeased. He was a couple of years younger than she was, a charming and attractive man who owned an upscale restaurant in town. In fact, she had felt an unmistakable mutual attraction with him that definitely confused the issue of possibly reconnecting with Ryan. Most importantly, Blaine was a wonderful neighbor and their daughters were best friends.

      “Hi, Riley,” he said. “I hope it’s not too early.”

      “Not at all,” Riley said. “What’s up?”

      Blaine shrugged with a rather sad smile.

      “I just thought I’d stop by to say goodbye,” he said.

      Riley gaped with surprise.

      “What do you mean?” she asked.

      He hesitated, and before he could answer, Riley saw a huge truck parked in front of his townhouse. Movers were carrying furniture from Blaine’s home into the truck.

      Riley gasped.

      “You’re moving?” she asked.

      “It seemed like a good idea,” Blaine said.

      Riley almost blurted out, “Why?”

      But it was easy to guess why. Living next door to Riley had proved to be dangerous and terrifying, both to Blaine and his daughter, Crystal. The bandage that was still on his face was a harsh reminder. Blaine had been badly injured when he’d tried to protect April from a killer’s attack.

      “It’s not what you probably think,” Blaine said.

      But Riley could tell by his expression – it was exactly what she thought.

      He continued, “It has turned out that this place just isn’t convenient. It’s too far away from the restaurant. I’ve found a nice place that’s much closer. I’m sure you understand.”

      Riley felt too confused and upset to reply. Memories of the whole terrible incident came flooding back to her.

      She’d been in Upstate New York working on a case when she’d learned that a brutal killer was at large. His name was Orin Rhodes. Sixteen years earlier, Riley had killed his girlfriend in a gunfight and sent him to prison. When Rhodes was finally released from Sing Sing, he was bent on revenge against Riley and everyone she loved.

      Before Riley could get home, Rhodes had invaded her home and attacked both April and Gabriela. Next door, Blaine had heard the struggle, so he came over to help. He’d probably saved April’s life. But he’d gotten badly hurt in the attempt.

      Riley had seen him twice in the hospital. The first time had been devastating. He’d been unconscious from his injuries, with an IV in each arm and an oxygen mask. Riley had blamed herself bitterly for what had happened to him.

      But the next time she’d seen him had been more heartening. He’d been alert and cheerful, and had joked a bit proudly about his foolhardiness.

      Most of all, she remembered what he’d said to her then …

      “There isn’t much I wouldn’t do for you and April.”

      Clearly he’d had second thoughts. The danger of living next door to Riley had proven too much for him and now he was going away. She didn’t know whether to feel hurt or guilty. She definitely felt disappointed.

      Riley’s thoughts were interrupted by April’s voice behind her.

      “Oh my God! Blaine, are you and Crystal moving? Is Crystal still there?”

      Blaine nodded.

      “I’ve got to go over and say goodbye,” April said.

      April dashed out the door and headed next door.

      Riley was still grappling with her emotions.

      “I’m sorry,” she said.

      “Sorry for what?” Blaine asked.

      “You know.”

      Blaine nodded. “It wasn’t your fault, Riley,” he said in a gentle voice.

      Riley and Blaine stood gazing at each other for a moment. Finally, Blaine forced a smile.

      “Hey, it’s not like we’re leaving town,” he said. “We can get together whenever we like. So can the girls. And they’ll still be in the same high school. It’ll be like nothing has changed.”

      A bitter taste rose up in Riley’s mouth.

      That’s not true, she thought. Everything has changed.

      Disappointment was starting to give way to anger. Riley knew that it was wrong to feel angry. She had no right. She didn’t even know why she felt that way. All she knew was that she couldn’t help it.

      And what were they supposed to do right now?

      Hug? Shake hands?

      She sensed that Blaine felt the same awkwardness and indecision.

      They managed to exchange terse goodbyes. Blaine went back home, and Riley went back inside. She found Jilly eating breakfast in the kitchen. Gabriela had put Riley’s own breakfast on the table, so she sat down to eat with Jilly.

      “So are you excited about today?”

      Riley’s question was out before she could realize how lame and clumsy it sounded.

      “I guess,” Jilly said, poking her pancakes with a fork. She didn’t even look up at Riley.

*

      A while later, Riley and Jilly walked through the entrance to Brody Middle School. The building was attractive, with brightly colored locker doors lining the hallway and student artwork hanging everywhere.

      A pleasant and polite student offered her help and directed them toward the main office. Riley thanked her and continued down the hall, clutching Jilly’s registration papers in one hand and holding Jilly’s hand with the other.

      Earlier, they had gone through registration at the central school office. They’d taken along the materials that Phoenix Social Services had put together – records of vaccination, school transcripts, Jilly’s birth certificate, and a statement that Riley was Jilly’s appointed guardian. Jilly had been removed from her father’s custody, although he had threatened to challenge that decision. Riley knew that the path to finalizing and legalizing an adoption wouldn’t be quick or easy.

      Jilly squeezed Riley’s hand tightly. Riley sensed that the girl felt extremely ill at ease. It wasn’t hard to imagine why. As rough as life in Phoenix had been, it was the only place that Jilly had ever lived.

      “Why can’t I go to school with April?” Jilly asked.

      “Next year you’ll be in the same high school,” Riley said. “First you’ve got to finish eighth grade.”

      They found the main office and Riley showed the papers to the receptionist.

      “We’d like to see someone about enrolling Jilly in school,” Riley said.

      “You need to see a guidance counselor,” the receptionist said with a smile. “Come right this way.”

      Both of us could use some guidance, Riley thought.

      The counselor was a woman in her thirties with a mop of curly brown hair. Her name was Wanda Lewis, and her smile was as warm as a smile could be. Riley found herself thinking that she could be a real help. Surely a woman in a job like this had dealt with other students from rough backgrounds.

      Ms. Lewis took them on a tour of the