Starting Over at Lane's End (Harlequin Heartwarming) by Shelley Galloway

slamming it shut.”
    As she glared at her uncle, Melissa sniffed. “I still don’t understand why you were so mad about that.”
    “Because I think you could have tried to be more patient, tried to get to know Amy instead of putting down her taste in music. She needs a friend, Melissa.”
    “That’s not fair,” Melissa retorted. “I don’t see why I need to be her friend when she’s the one who’s so difficult. I have a lot of friends already.”
    “You could always use another, right?”
    “Not her. She’s impossible. She’s different, Uncle Cary.”
    Gen’s pencil paused. Melissa’s statement brought back memories of being different, as well, though she’d had her share of friends. Gen couldn’t help but admire Cary’s efforts to include Amy. Though Gen honestly didn’t think it would make much of a difference, she respected that he was hoping Melissa would accept Amy’s differences instead of try to change the girl.
    Wouldn’t it have been something if Gen’s mother had done that a little more often?
    Continuing with her story, Melissa said, “You chewed me out in front of everyone, too.”
    “I don’t think it was ‘everyone,’ and all I said was you were lucky to have a car to drive as well as that expensive stereo. Not every girl your age can say the same.”
    Gen jumped in before Melissa could say another word. “Okay, this information could be helpful.” She jotted a small note about Amy in her book. “Now I seem to remember Brian McCullough. He’s your boyfriend, right?”
    “Right,” Melissa replied, her expression going soft.
    “Pretty serious?” She directed that question to Cary, who shrugged. Clearly he wasn’t all that comfortable discussing his niece’s love life.
    “Oh, yes,” Melissa interrupted, not appreciating Gen asking Cary’s opinion of her relationship. “We’ve been going out for six months.” Judging by Melissa’s smile, Gen guessed the relationship was going well.
    “Did you date anyone before?” Gen asked, writing down Brian’s name.
    “No one seriously.”
    Gen struggled, wondering how much to push. “Anyone more serious than others?”
    “I don’t think so,” Melissa said, shrugging.
    “There was Jimmy Aiken,” Cary interjected. “Even if you weren’t serious, he was.” He gave Gen a look that told her he didn’t particularly like Jimmy.
    “Who’s Jimmy?” Gen asked, vaguely recalling the name.
    “He plays basketball, too, but he’s not a starter like Brian. He and I only went out twice.” She wrinkled her nose. “He gave me a card and said he loved me.”
    “He’s had a crush on Melissa for some time,” Cary added. “He was here the night we called you.”
    Recalling the boy with freckles, Gen made note of that.
    They talked some more. Gen learned about cheerleading, about Melissa’s other clubs and organizations, but nothing of importance. Nothing and no one jumped out or sounded suspicious.
    Realizing she wasn’t going to get much else out of Melissa, Gen closed her notebook. “Well, I guess that’s everything I need. Thanks for your time.”
    Melissa hopped up. “Can I go now, Uncle Cary? Brian’s got practice and I want to go watch.”
    “What about dinner?”
    “I’ll grab something on the way to school.”
    “What? Chips and a Coke like you did last night?”
    “I’ll bring Brian back here after practice for soup and sandwiches.”
    “Okay.”
    Gen bit her lip to keep from smiling. Not only were the teenager’s eating habits extremely familiar, she also spoke to Cary just as Gen had spoken to her own dad years ago, in perfect teen give-and-take. Gen was impressed by Cary’s ease with it.
    “Be back by eight. After you two eat, Brian can go on home and you can do your homework.”
    “But—”
    “Is your project done for World History?”
    She dropped her chin. “No.”
    “Then you have quite a bit of work to do.”
    “But, Dad—”
    “Is busy working. You’re stuck with me. So it’s eight