Chapter 33

He didn’t stop playing when he saw her; he simply smiled and kept his fingers flying. Jennalee settled at the piano, enjoying the violin’s rhythmic stretch. There was something concrete in exercises, a kind of grounding that made her feel safe, a predictability that sometimes seemed the only one life had to offer. Leaning forward, she rested arms and chin on the piano until Harley finished. “Great view,” he said, looking out at the hills. “I usually watch TV.”

“While you practice?”

“Just the exercises and nothing with a story. Ballgame usually.”

“Football?”

He turned toward her. “Baseball.”

“You like baseball?”

“Yeah. I played some in high school. Mom freaked, said I’d break a finger, but the most that ever happened was getting spiked sliding into second.”

“Does your dad like baseball?”

Harley shook his head. “Bikes.”

“Does Garth play sports?”

“Just the one.” The look he gave her was so benign, she had to turn away. “How about we get started?” he suggested.