Oh! Well, no. But thanks. I've got to get back to the bed and breakfast.

Nola's expecting me.

Matt's gaze suddenly shifted to behind Kat, and his whole demeanor changed. His face lit up with interest. His shoulders straightened.

Nola? That's her name?

Nola Maria D'Agostino. She's my best friend from back in Baltimore.

You don't say? His smile went full throttle. /Boo!/ Kat jumped, spinning around to see Nola behind her, cheeks flushed from running in the cold. She jogged in place, rolling her eyes in a not-too-subtle attempt to get Kat to introduce her.

Nola, this is Riley's younger brother, Matt. Matt, this is Nola.

Matt extended his hand. Nola stopped jogging and extended hers for a shake, but Matt lifted it to his lips, bowed, and placed a soft kiss on her skin instead. Nola Maria D'Angelo, he crooned. We finally meet.

Nola's eyes had gone huge. She was speechless.

Kat corrected Matt. Actually, it's D'Agostino.

D'Angelo's close enough, Nola said, smiling.

Matt's cell phone began to buzz and Kat decided to take this opportunity to cut the conversation short. We should probably Wait. Matt checked the number and ignored the call. So, how long you two pretty ladies in town for?

Kat laughed, amused by Matt's direct approach and his West Virginia accent. There'd been a time in her life when she'd never noticed that people here had one, but now it sounded almost cartoonish to her. Not sure. We'd planned to be on the road by now, but We've decided to stay, Nola chimed in, nodding with enthusiasm. We love it here.

Kat frowned. When did we decide that?

Right now, she said.

Matt's phone buzzed again, and before he could delay her escape once more, Kat said, We really need to get back to the B and B. It was wonderful seeing you.

Kat turned to go, practically dragging Nola with her, and started to run. Kat was suddenly overflowing with a sense of loss. That man back there was /family/Aidan's look-alike uncle, her son's father's brother, and a stranger. Hell, Aidan's own father was a stranger to him. They were all strangers to one another!

Slow down, will ya? Nola panted, pulling on Kat's jacket until she stopped. I only jogged that one block because I wanted the Bohunk brother to think I was athletic. I gotta walk the rest of the way.

Oh, jeesh.

He's hot.

Kat looked at her sideways. I am almost certain he has a beer can collection.

Madeline had been dreading this sound, but there it was. The heavy oak front door had just opened and closed, and in seconds Kat Cavanaugh and her rude friend Nola Something-or-Other would be coming in here for breakfast. And Madeline would have to smile at Kat like she wasn't getting ready to lie to her.

But truly, it wasn't such a big lie, was it? In fact, Madeline had figured out a way to get the message to Kat without uttering a single untruth. In any case, it wasn't like a little twisting of the facts would alter the course of the universe, right? Besides, if Kat truly wanted Riley Bohlandtruly /deserved/ himthen she would've found a way to show up a little sooner than she had. Twenty years? What did Kat expect?

Did she really think that a man like Riley would pine away for his high school sweetheart for a lifetime, that he'd be single and available after twenty years of neglect? Puh-leeze!

Hey, Madeline.

Good morning, Kat, she said cheerfully. To Nola she said, Hello again.

Kat and Nola were flushed as they swept into the dining room, bringing in a whiff of cold air with them. Madeline retrieved the coffeepot, rolling her eyes as she did so. Kat and Nola were runners? Of course they were. How else could Kat have kept that figure all these years?

Godshe was such a mouse back in school, totally unaware of how cute she could have been if she'd made the effort. Well, she was clearly making the effort now, and spending serious money doing it. What was it they used to say/gag me with a spoon/?

Madeline spun around, cheerful once again. I heard your father is doing well. You must be so relieved! She set two cups and saucers on the white lace tablecloth, then continued. The cleaner brought your clothes back last night as a personal favor to me, and I've already placed them in your room so you can pack up. She gestured toward the sideboard behind her. The eggs, sausage, and hotcakes are in the chafing dishes here, and on the table near the window you'll find a selection of homemade muffins, homemade low-fat granola, fruit salad, yogurt, and a variety of cereals, milk, and juices.

Madeline wasn't such a yokel that she didn't catch the way Nola's dark eyes had flashed when she'd mentioned taking the cleaning to Kat's room.

She also didn't miss the way Nola inclined her head as if to say, /Get a load of this hick,/ as Madeline took the time to courteously explain the breakfast options. And she didn't appreciate it. Not at all. In fact, she didn't much care for Kat's friend Nola. She seemed a little rough around the edges. She laughed too loud, and she had the annoying habit of calling everyone hon.

Thanks for the rundown, hon, Nola said.

It all looks great, Kat added, smiling.

At that moment, the retired couple staying in the Silver Birch minisuite decided to end their feeding frenzy, and Madeline thanked them profusely.

She busied herself tidying up but couldn't help but overhear part of the conversation between Kat and Nola, though they were whispering as quietly as their excitement would allow. She heard Kat say something about that old hen Rita Cavanaugh, the perennial principal of Underwood High School. Then, when Kat whispered something about Riley throwing her on the bed, Nola released a series of whispered exclamations that Madeline didn't quite catch, which really hacked her off, because the conversation was obviously getting good. After a few more minutes of mostly unsuccessful eavesdropping, Madeline decided she'd just get the entire mess over with.

Excuse me, but do you have a minute?

The women stopped their conversation and Kat nodded politely. Of course.

Madeline set down the stack of dishes, pulled a chair from a nearby table, and joined them. I couldn't help but hear you mention your aunt.

She's still at the high school, believe it or not. She's got to be close to seventy years old at this point.

Kat shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Thanks for letting me know.

Of course. Madeline folded her hands in her lap, summoning the courage to do what had to be done. Kat, I really don't know how to say this, since it's technically none of my business, and a rather delicate matter …

She could swear that Nola did that thing with her eyes again.

Kat frowned. What's up?

Well, I suppose I should just tell you and not beat around the bush. I mean, no matter how I say this, it's going to be uncomfortable.

It's already plenty uncomfortable, Nola said.

Madeline managed a smile. It's about Riley.

Kat's spine straightened, and Madeline could immediately see the fear in her eyes. Briefly, Madeline considered that what she was doing was wrong. Maybe Kat had real feelings for Riley. Maybe there were details of this story she wasn't privy to. Matt had never wanted to talk about any of it, after all, saying that Kat had run off and broken his brother's heart, and it was all ancient history. But Kat was sitting there looking like she was going to faint, and Madeline hadn't even gotten to the good part.

Did something happen to him? Just tell me. Is he all right?

Madeline was startled. The poor woman looked spooked. Oh no! He's fine as far as I know. I just thought that you might benefit from a little background information.

Kat's frown intensified. Madeline watched her take a breath and a small sip of her coffee before she looked back at her. I'm not all that interested in old gossip, Madeline.