Right from the Start (12 page)

He nodded.

“And I understand Family Foundations is your brainchild. Is
that right?”

He nodded again, buying time by taking the last bites of his
own sandwich. Then he cleared both their plates and tossed them. Will suspected
he knew what conclusion she’d draw given the questions she’d asked during their
first meeting.

There was no sugarcoating the truth, but he found he didn’t
like the idea of her thinking of him as a self-serving jerk who was using the
city to further own private agenda.

He didn’t like the idea at all.

“You’ve got to understand, Kenzie,” he said simply and sank
into the chair to wait for Sam to finish eating. “There’s a need. An impossibly
huge need that even Family Foundations and Angel House combined don’t come close
to touching.”

She frowned. “The federal government provides services. I deal
with families all the time that have to negotiate handling those services after
a divorce. Which parent chooses the services or has the right to defer them or
stop them entirely.”

“Your dad was in title insurance, right?”

Her gold-flecked eyes widened. “Oh, he got you, didn’t he?”

“Enjoyed talking business.” Will forced a smile to ease up the
mood. “I want you to think about gap insurance. The federal government provides
services for school, from three years of age when kids can go to preschool all
the way through to their early twenties when they’d normally graduate
college.”

“Where’s the gap part?”

“What happens if a kid isn’t ready for school at three?”

“Will, they have exceptional centers for children who need more
support. That much I know because I’ve dealt with the situation in
mediation.”

“But Sam doesn’t need that kind of support. Think about it,
Kenzie. Exceptional centers deal with kids who are physically and emotionally
disabled. Kids who can’t function on their own or aren’t able to learn. That’s
not Sam’s situation. It’s not the situation for a majority of kids with autism.
They have a problem processing sensory information and language and need to be
taught the things that you and I do automatically. They can learn. They simply
need help and time.”

He met Kenzie’s gaze, knew she was giving him a chance to
convince her. “They don’t get that help in an exceptional center. In fact,
research has proven they need to be mainstreamed with higher-functioning kids so
they learn to emulate the behaviors. Sam is entirely capable of learning in a
normal classroom setting. He’s a smart kid. But first we have to give him the
skills he needs to get him in that classroom.”

“So you’re saying federal services aren’t adequate?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. There’s an entire population
of kids who aren’t being served right now. You would be shocked to learn how
long it can take to even get a child diagnosed properly. That’s where Angel
House, and other places like it, fit in. Autism awareness is getting more media
attention as the medical community understands more about the disorder, but
until the insurance companies and government at whatever level—city, state or
federal—catch up and provide services, these kids aren’t getting the help they
need.”

“Except from places like Angel House.”

Not a question this time. Progress. “Right. Angel House
provides training to help parents deal effectively with their kids. They provide
access to therapists and staffing specialists and health professionals who can
come up with personalized behavior plans. They help parents maneuver the system
to pay for all these services that the government and health insurance doesn’t
cover. They provide assistance.”

In so many ways. Not the least of which was through support
groups with other parents, so they didn’t feel isolated or despairing in those
interminable times before their kids showed some discernible step in a forward
direction.

They provided hope.

“Once Sam masters these skills and finds his language, he’ll be
ready for a mainstream classroom. That’s when government services will help.
That’s the gap part, and it’s a matter of time really. Kids move at their own
paces, but that’s the good part. Kids keep moving. The learning never stops.
They become higher and higher functioning, and they don’t ever lose anything
they learn.”

Will extended a hand to Sam. “Put the apple there. Let’s not
eat the seeds. They don’t taste so good.”

That got a smile from Kenzie. “I appreciate you helping me
understand all this.”

Will shrugged, grateful for the interruption, for a chance to
check the emotions that could so easily get out of hand. This was his private
agenda because the situation was personal. He needed help for his son.

“Ready, Sam.” Grabbing the clipboard, he held out the schedule,
was aware of Kenzie’s gaze on them as Sam checked off another item on the
list.

“Spin?” she asked, someone else who appreciated lists.

“To get the wiggles out.”

“Oh. I’ve got lots of room.”

Will managed a smile. “Would you mind if he commandeers the
studio with the unfinished floor? It’s close to where I’ll be working, and he’ll
have plenty of room to run around.”

“Of course. Come on, Sam. Right this way.” She spun lightly on
her toes and headed out of the break room.

Will caught Sam’s hand, and his smile that had felt forced came
more easily as they followed Kenzie down the hall, watching the red waves bounce
on her shoulders with her light steps.

Sam was smiling, too.

* * *

K
ENZIE
THOUGHT
SHE
heard a noise. Leaving her office, she headed into the reception area
and found Will. She hadn’t seen him in a week. As usual, he seemed to suck up
all the space with his tall presence and the masculinity that was such a
physical part of him no matter what role he played. Father. Handyman.
Councilman. Tonight, he combined personas, dressed professionally in a business
suit and carrying a toolbox.

“Hello,” she said, surprised.

The dimples didn’t flash in reply. In fact, the gaze he leveled
her way was all disapproval. “This is a big place, Kenzie. You need a bell or
something to give you a heads-up when someone comes in. I’ll bring something to
hook up the next time I come.”

He glanced at the door in question with a frown, as if debating
whether or not to continue. He did. “Better yet, why don’t you lock the door
when you’re here at night?”

She nodded, embarrassed he’d called her on her oversight and
appreciative of his concern. A strange blend of too much emotion for a man she
hadn’t expected to see tonight. He was simply being thoughtful, she knew, a
gentleman, but his concern for her
felt
like so much
more.

“I wasn’t thinking,” she admitted, squelching all the craziness
that flared inside her at their every interaction. “I do usually lock up when I
don’t have a class.”

“Good. I know we’re in Hendersonville, but...” He let the
comment trail off. He’d made his point. “So no class tonight. Now’s an okay
time?”

“For what?” she asked.

He set the toolbox on the floor beside the coffee table. “I got
your email about the outlet in the new wall.”

Leaning against the doorway, she folded her arms over her chest
and eyed him in surprise. “Wow. That’s some kind of service. I only sent that
email an hour ago. It really wasn’t urgent. I’m sorry if I gave that
impression.”

Sorry because she knew how much work he had to do. A WLR
General Contracting and Development truck had been in the parking lot every day
this week when she’d arrived for work. And she showed up early. That truck
hadn’t left until after six o’clock each night, during Kenzie’s break before her
night classes began at seven. Sometimes another truck or two showed up during
the day.

Will’s crew had unloaded materials to install the new ducts for
Angel House, a seemingly monumental task considering the size of the
building.

He waved a dismissive hand. “No, you didn’t make it sound
urgent. You told me to come whenever it was convenient.”

“Then if it’s convenient for you, it works for me.”

“I wouldn’t go right to convenient.” Kneeling, he unlatched the
toolbox and glanced over his shoulder at her with a wry expression. “That outlet
you said you needed in the new wall is already there.”

Now it was her turn to frown. “Then why are you here? To bring
me a map so I can find it because it must be invisible?”

With the sun fading beyond the windows and the overhead lights
off inside, Will’s grin flashed white in the dim interior. “It is invisible.
Unless you have x-ray vision.”

“Which you apparently have.”

“No. What I have is an idiot drywaller. He’s new and young. The
nephew of one of my subcontractors, who happens to be a good friend and the guy
who got me started in this business a million years ago.”

She nodded, waiting for him to pull the pieces together,
enjoying the sight of him huddled over his toolbox, the jacket stretching across
his broad back, the lines of his pants pulling up on strong thighs.

Jeez, she was one hot mess.

“The minute I read your message, I knew what he did.” Will
grabbed his toolbox and stood. She was back to staring up at him again as he
gestured to the door. “Mind if I go back?”

She pushed away from the doorway and swept an arm toward the
hall beyond. “Please.”

He took off toward the rear mediation room, one of the two that
were up and running, along a path he knew very well by now, leaving her to
follow if she chose.

Kenzie did. “So what did he do?” she asked, hurrying along
behind him.

He glanced at her with an expression that clearly wasn’t
thrilled. “Kid got some training in high school but doesn’t have any work
experience, except for the jobs he’s been on with Bob. But Bob’s on a job with
liability concerns right now, so I’m letting the kid help out so he can learn
his way around a construction site.
Thought
I could
trust him to hang drywall if he was supervised by my electrician, who does have
experience and lots of it. I was wrong.”

Oh, yes. There was absolutely no missing his irritation. It was
all over his scowling expression. Seeping in his voice. But she liked that he
helped out his friend. That said something nice about him. That he cared.

Ambitious charmer? Bullying ex-husband? Caring dad? Concerned
friend? Attractive man she should not be so aware of. No wonder her head was
spinning. “I appreciate you rushing over. I figured I’d make do with a new surge
strip and an extension cord.”

He came to such a sudden stop that Kenzie almost crashed into
him. Glancing up automatically, she found herself so close she had to crane her
head back to meet his gaze.

“Exposed electrical wires under your drywall?
Not
a good idea.”

“Oh.” How did one tiny exclamation sound so breathless?

Because the view from this vantage stole her breath? His face
seemed a bit disjointed as she got an up-close shot of individual features. The
faintly stubbly cheeks. The chiseled angle of his jaw. The mouth that suddenly
looked so soft and full with his lips slightly parted... Kenzie mentally shaking
herself. She was the idiot here. Right along with the drywaller.

Then he flipped on the light and the moment was over.

“Won’t take long.” He strode across the room to the wall
separating her from Angel House. “I brought another outlet cover, too, so you’ll
be all set.”

He crouched and ran his hand along the lower wall.

“I appreciate this, Will. I would have had to rig something
with an extension cord for tomorrow’s meetings because leaving the room during a
session really isn’t an option.”

That admission appeared to catch his attention because he
stopped what he was doing and looked up at her. “People argue?”

With two divorces behind him, Will likely understood the
process pretty well himself.

“Let’s just say leaving the room leaves too much out of my
control. Couples are here to collaborate, but divorce is generally emotional. A
few unguided moments can undo all my hard work.” And cause her even more work to
get a couple back on track.

“Sounds like mediation takes some doing.”

“It’s an art form. Definitely.”

He smiled at that then went back to running his hand along the
wall. She did appreciate Will’s timing because she hoped to conclude
negotiations with one of her couples here in the morning, which meant lots of
printing. Doctor and Mrs. Tagliara had been married fifteen years and were
successfully dividing assets and properties between them to move on with their
lives.

They had four minor children, but Dr. Tagliara had demonstrated
an understanding that as primary breadwinner, he was responsible to his wife to
continue the support until their children were raised and she could reenter the
workforce.

Sadly, not all men were so conscientious and not all couples
were willing to collaborate, despite their choice to work with Positive
Partings. The Spencers were a case in point.

While Kenzie would be in session with the Tagliaras, she had
scheduled Lou to review preliminary information in the other mediation room with
the Spencers. He wanted to collaborate. She wanted to make him suffer for
initiating the divorce.

Kenzie had some work to do there.

“Here we are.” Will gave the wall a solid pat. “Right where
it’s supposed to be.”

He opened the toolbox then stood to shrug out of his
jacket.

She quickly covered the distance and helped him pull out of the
sleeves. “Let me.”

“Thanks.”

Smoothing the lines of the silky fabric, she hung the jacket on
the back of a chair so it wouldn’t wrinkle. He didn’t seem to care, but she did.
Like an idiot. Because she stood there feeling all sparkly inside. A
complete
idiot.