.

“Let me guess. Because of him you went into research?”

      She tilted her head and smiled. “That’s right.”

      “Made your parents proud, no doubt.”

      Kate started to reply, then appeared to reconsider. She pulled the cup to her lips and took another sip.

      Had he said something wrong? “Look, I—”

      Water boiled over the edge of the pot and hissed as it hit the hot burner below. Nolan yanked the pot from the flame at the same moment the door to the hallway opened.

      Heather stepped into the kitchen and glanced from Kate to her father. “Sorry to interrupt.”

      “Dinner’s almost ready, hon.”

      His daughter grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured tea into the cup as he drained the pasta into the colander in the sink. Steam rose in the air.

      “I’m not hungry, Dad.”

      Before he could respond, she turned on her heel and left the room.

      “Heather?” Nolan called after her.

      No response.

      Seemed he was batting zero for two.

      He’d struck out with his daughter, and from the look on Kate’s face, she probably wished she’d chosen another ballpark.

      Not a good night for the home team.

      And they were only in the first inning.