Chapter 5

Everybody belongs to the local yacht club, even if they don't have a boat. Once you're settled in, you're going to find this is a great place to live."

   "Thanks, Kimberly,"Kyle said, walking her to the door." We look forward to meeting everyone. And thanks so much for the brownies."

   After she left, he closed the door and made a big display of locking it.

      "She seemed nice, he said.

    "Hopefully everyone like that."

  "Yeah, I liked her, Jessie agreed. She was a little nosy, but Iguess that's jus I how people are down here.I suppose I should get used to not having any anonymity anymore.

  "It is going to be an adjustment,"Kyle agreed. But I think that long term, we'll prefer knowing our neighbors' names and being able to live our doors unlocked."

"I noticed you locked it just now though,"Jessie pointed out.

" That's because I was thinking about what Kimberly said about christening the new house,"he said he approached her, pulling off his second shirt in ten minutes." And I don't like any interruptions when I'm christening."

Jessie lay in the bed later that night, looking up at the ceiling, a smile on her face.

"At this pace, we'll have those extra bedrooms filled up in no time,"Kyle said, seemingly reading her thoughts.

"I doubt we'll be able to keep up that pace once you start up at the office and my new semester begins."

"I'm going to try if you are,"he said, sighing deeply. She could feel his whole body relax beside her.

"Aren't you nervous at all?"she asked.

"About What?"

"All of this-bigger salary, new town, new house, new lifestyle, new people, new everything."

"It's not all new,"he reminded her." You already know Teddy and Melanie."

"I've met Teddy three times and Melanie once. I barely know him. And I can vaguely remember her. Just because your best friend high school lives a few blocks over doesn't mean I'm suddenly at ease with our new life."

She knew she was picking a fight but she couldn't seem to stop herself. Kyle didn't take the bait. Instead, he rolled over to his side and ran a finger lightly along her right shoulder, next the long, pinkish moon-shaped scar that ran five inches from her upper arm to the base of her neck.

"I know you're apprehensive,"he said tenderly." And you have every reason to be. Everything is new. And I know that can be scary.I can't tell you how much I appreciate the sacrifice you are making."

"I know it will be good in the end,"she said, softening. But it's just a lot to handle at once."

"That's why seeing Teddy and Melanie tomorrow will help. We'll reestablish that connection, and then we'll have folks in the neighborhood to reach out to as we found our bearings. Even knowing two people will make the transition easier."

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