A Perfect Homecoming. Lisa Dyson

for conversation. They worked silently, diligently avoiding any possibility of physical contact. Nevertheless, his fingers itched to touch her while they were in such close proximity, causing him to be extra wary. The adage “if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen” repeated over and over in his head.

      Relieved to be done without incident, Kyle was about to make his escape when Ashleigh spoke up.

      “Kyle?”

      He turned to her.

      “Can I talk to you a minute?” she asked.

      The subject could be anything and he wasn’t up to getting into a battle with her.

      He opened his mouth to say just that when Ryan and Mark came running down the hall.

      “Mom asked if you’d start the shower for us,” Mark said.

      “Sure,” Kyle agreed, thankful for Paula’s timing. “I’ll be right up. Let me grab a plastic bag to wrap Ryan’s cast.” As the boys ran up the stairs, Kyle turned to Ashleigh. “Our discussion will have to wait.”

      He didn’t stick around for a reply and left the kitchen with the plastic bag and no remorse. He stayed upstairs while the boys took turns showering so he wouldn’t have to deal with Ashleigh again.

      “This is ridiculous,” he mumbled to himself, and slowly descended to the first floor to find her.

      She was on the phone in the living room. From the little he could make out on her side, it sounded like a personal call.

      Not that he cared. She could have a hundred boyfriends. It was none of his business.

      Yeah, that’s why the sudden weight on his chest made breathing a chore.

      With Ashleigh on the phone it was the perfect opportunity to get the boys tucked into bed and vamoose. So he did just that.

      He took a minute to check on Paula and nearly made it to his truck.

      “Kyle!”

      He could have easily ignored Ashleigh, but he’d never been a coward.

      Although he’d also never claimed to be brave, either, especially when it came to his ex-wife.

      He reluctantly turned to Ashleigh, allowing her to catch up to where he stood next to his truck.

      He turned his car keys over and over in his hand while he waited for Ashleigh to speak her mind. Because if he stopped twirling them, he knew he’d clench his fist so hard it would set off his vehicle alarm.

      * * *

      ASHLEIGH’S HEART BEAT wildly as she struggled for the words that might allow the two of them to peacefully coexist. They’d never return to the days when they were a couple, but she couldn’t stand feeling like an outsider. Her relationship with her sister didn’t have a prayer of improving until she could convince Kyle she wasn’t the enemy. He was the first step toward family harmony.

      “Thanks for waiting.” Her words came out weak and raspy. She coughed to clear her throat. If not for her boss refusing to end their phone conversation until he was satisfied that she would follow up with her clients, then she wouldn’t have had to run after Kyle and get so out of breath.

      Kyle leaned back against his truck. “You wanted to talk?” The jingling of his keys rattled her nerves.

      She swallowed with difficulty. “I wanted to apologize.”

      Silence.

      “For things I said earlier,” she continued. “Like about spending so much time with Paula and the boys.”

      He opened his mouth to speak, but she raised a hand to stop him.

      “I know it’s been hard on my sister, not having Scott around to help out. Especially since she’s pregnant.” She brushed an errant hair off her face. “Thank you for being there for them. You’re a busy person with a demanding job and I appreciate how much you’ve given to my family.”

      “They’re my family, too.” His monotone fairly oozed disdain.

      “Of course they are. And I know it’s difficult for you to have me around.” Her heart beat faster. “Difficult for everyone.”

      The slight twitch in his right eye indicated a chink in his self-control. “If you expect me to forget the past and act like everything’s fine, then you’re going to be disappointed.”

      She shook her head and took a step toward him. “No, no. I understand that, but I’d like us to call a truce while I’m here.” She paused. “For Paula’s and the boys’ sakes.”

      And because I can’t stand being considered an outcast, especially by my own family.

      She took his silence as agreement and went on. “I came here to help Paula get through her pregnancy and it’s imperative we not upset her. If we can be civil until after she delivers, I promise I’ll do my best to keep our contact to a minimum.” She took a quick breath. “I’ve only ever wanted the best for everyone.” She paused. “Most of all, for you.”

      Ashleigh reached across the few feet that separated them to touch his arm. He jerked away.

      “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” His eyes blazed.

      “I don’t know what you mean. Please lower your voice.” She swung around to see if anyone had overheard them.

      The late-April sun had set an hour ago. The currently deserted neighborhood was shadowed by the bluish white of the mercury-vapor streetlights and the occasional porch light, but the neighbors would come wandering out if they heard raised voices.

      “You’re playing me,” he accused.

      “What?” This time her voice was too loud. She lowered the volume. “I have never ‘played’ you.”

      “Sure you have,” he said stiffly. “You do it to everyone. You soften people up to get them to do what you want them to. I have to give you credit. You’re successful ninety-nine percent of the time.”

      Ashleigh’s hackles rose because he was right—she went on the offense. “What is it you think I want you to do, Kyle?” If he’d figured out that she wanted to know about his lawsuit, then she’d kick herself for being transparent.

      “You tell me,” he spit. “Tell me exactly what you want from me.”

      Angry tears clouded her vision at his uncharacteristic harshness, but she refused to show weakness. “I don’t want anything from you except some civility while I’m here.” She crossed her arms over her chest, rubbing at the goose bumps on her upper arms caused by her blatant lie.

      “Done.”

      “Good. Now what do you want from me?” she asked. “What can I do to make things easier?”

      He barely paused long enough to consider his answer. “Go home. Go back to your precious new life.” His words slashed at her. “There are enough people around to take care of things here.”

      She could barely speak over the lump in her throat. She should fight him, except she was tired of arguing. And anyway, wasn’t that what she wanted? To return to her life in Richmond and not look back?

      “You’d love that, wouldn’t you?” She straightened her spine, surprised by her own words. “Well, think again. You can’t tell me what to do. This is my family and I’m not going anywhere.”

      “You’d rather risk Paula’s health by sticking around?”

      Ashleigh couldn’t believe he’d said that. “That’s not what I’m doing. I’m taking care of her boys so she can rest like she’s supposed to.”

      Kyle didn’t say anything, simply turned to his truck.

      She didn’t want to leave the conversation unfinished. “Wait.” This time she did touch his sleeve. His