Season of Redemption. Jenna Mindel

almost reached out to touch him. Almost. She clutched her book tighter instead. “That’s good.”

      He hadn’t said alcohol, but then that wasn’t the only issue. Kellie believed Ryan had tried to numb his pain instead of dealing with it. He’d finally admitted defeat, and that was the starting point toward healing. The first step in recovery. She felt proud. For him.

      “Yeah. We’ll see.” Ryan’s gaze dropped to her hands. “You’ve got your car back.”

      Kellie realized her keys dangled from her fingers. “Yep.”

      “No more riding in the rain.” Was that disappointment she heard in his voice?

      “No more riding in the rain.” Kellie shook her head. No more rides needed from Ryan. Then she laughed. “I thank God for the good weather we had after that day.”

      He shifted his stance. “So, uh, would you be up for a cup of coffee somewhere?”

      Kellie’s stomach flipped. He wasn’t really asking her out. Ryan wanted to process what he’d just gone through in group. He’d said she was easy to talk to. That’s all it was. That’s all it could be.

      But that was enough to get her in trouble if she accepted. She shook her head. “I can’t.”

      “Yeah, I know.” He pulled a white envelope out of his pocket. “Look, I don’t want this.”

      Her eyes widened in panic. It was the fifty bucks she’d put in his mailbox. “Don’t even think about it,” she hissed. “Don’t you dare.”

      He cocked his head like she’d gone crazy.

      Kellie glanced down the hallway toward the group session room. Folks still mingled. She looked the other way and spotted Ginny watching them. Her breathing hitched.

      Great. Kellie inched away from the wall. “Okay then, nice to see you, Ryan.”

      His eyes narrowed, but then he nodded like he’d gotten the message. “You, too.”

      Kellie’s heart beat madly in her ears as she watched Ryan walk away. She couldn’t breathe right. Not yet. Not with Ginny coming toward her.

      “Hey, Ginny.”

      The woman’s eyebrows lifted. “What was that?”

      Kellie ignored the question and raised the text in her arms. “I forgot my book.”

      “Come in a minute.” Ginny nodded toward her office.

      Kellie’s stomach sank to the soles of her boots, but she followed her mentor. Ignoring the itchy feeling that skittered up her spine when Ginny closed the door, Kellie asked, “What’s up?”

      “Be careful there, Kellie. Be very careful.”

      Kellie couldn’t play dumb. Her mentor would see right through it and think less of her for doing so. She rubbed her temples. “I know.”

      “So, what’s the deal with you and this guy?”

      “Nothing. He was telling me how group went for him tonight. That’s all.”

      Kellie didn’t dare admit to the rides Ryan had given her or that he’d asked her out for coffee. If Ginny blew her in to John, she could be fired. And that would be the end of her internship, and the chance for the Traverse City school counselor job.

      “Keep it professional.”

      “Absolutely.” Kellie breathed a little easier, but not much.

      Ginny watched her too closely for comfort.

      She knew.

      Kellie had to get out of there fast before she admitted to the attraction she felt for Ryan. Ginny had that kind of influence on people. She got them to reveal their inner most feelings with one look, but Kellie was in no mood for confessions. “I gotta run. See you tomorrow.”

      “Remember what I said.” Ginny used her motherly tone, the one that brooked no argument.

      “I will. Thanks.” Kellie stuffed her nervousness down deep with a roll of her shoulders and hightailed it out of there.

      Was the draw she felt toward Ryan plain to see? If so, she had some work to do controlling her reactions.

      Better yet, Kellie needed to stay far away from Ryan Marsh before she lost everything she’d worked hard for.

      Chapter Four

      Kellie leaned over her seven-year-old niece’s desk to check her coloring project. “Nice job, Gracie.”

      Gracie, missing both front teeth, grinned up at her. “Thanks.”

      Kellie scanned the second grade classroom where she worked as a teacher’s assistant. The bulletin board was filled with colorful leaves cut from red, yellow and orange construction paper. Leaves also hung from the ceiling, but they should have been scattered on the floor to be accurate. A few days of strong winds had tossed most of the outside leaves from the trees. Something about the cluttered creativity of elementary schools warmed Kellie’s heart, not to mention that kids were naturally open and honest.

      Beth Ryken, the teacher she assisted at LeNaro Elementary, stepped close and smiled. “You’re pretty special to have your aunt help out in the classroom.”

      “Yup.” Gracie nodded as she used a green crayon to make grass around her drawing of yet another small house with flowers growing in the front yard.

      Kellie was fortunate to have nabbed this part-time position at the end of the summer. It was the perfect way to work near her related field and earn some money while she interned. She was sick of slinging pizzas into the wee hours of the night and smelling like burnt cheese when she got home.

      Beth cocked her head toward her desk. “Kellie, can I talk with you a minute?”

      “Sure.” Kellie followed the tall blonde toward the back of the room. “What’s up?”

      “I got a call from the school in Traverse City. They’re checking out your references, so that’s got to be a good sign. I think you’ll get a second interview.”

      Kellie fought the urge to chew her fingernails, a habit she’d beaten long ago, but the temptation still reared its ugly head. She wanted this chance so badly. “So, what’d you say?”

      Beth grinned and tossed her long blond hair over her shoulder. The woman was gorgeous but didn’t seem to know it. A rare combo. “Only that you’re great with kids because you really listen to them. I’m going to miss having you in my class.”

      Kellie let loose a nervous laugh. Everything seemed to be coming together. Everything she’d worked so hard for. “I haven’t gotten the job yet. Besides, I have to pass section fifty-one of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification.”

      “You will.”

      “I hope so.” Kellie had been studying. Hard.

      Saturday, she’d finally take the monstrous thing and in the nick of time, too. She didn’t want to leave anything to chance and miss this job opportunity. Traverse City was the perfect location—close enough for her to be near her nieces, yet far enough away from her folks, who still lived in Grand Rapids.

      Funny. Growing up, she’d pined for her parents’ time and undivided attention. As an adult, she visited them when she had to for holidays and birthdays. Sure, she loved them, but she’d stopped depending on her mom and dad a long time ago.

      “I’m done.” Gracie popped up out of her seat.

      “Very good, Gracie. We’ll collect your work when everyone’s finished with theirs,” Beth said.

      Gracie slipped back into her seat. “Aunt Kellie, are you coming to the house tonight?”

      “I’m going to try.” Kellie hadn’t