Murder is Academic (32 page)

“You’re oh so right about that.”

Sam’s enthusiasm for life was contagious. She lifted my spirits so much I considered calling her “SamE” after the nutritional supplement for depression.

I scolded her for jumping up and told her to “sit”, which she did for a full second before she began chasing around through the downstairs of the house.

“Time to take her to obedience school,” I said. We watched her run up the stairs and then down again in a frenzy of doggy youthful exuberance.

The phone rang. “Hold on.”

“I’ll take the beast here out in the yard and throw some sticks for her.” Der coaxed her away from the stairs by opening the door and calling her name.

It was Guy on the phone. “Hi. I really miss you.”

“Me, too, you.”

“But, I think it’s a no go for this weekend. The kids really need some dad time with me up here.”

“I think so too. As good as they’ve been about sharing you with me, they do need time alone with you, so I understand.”

“We’re going to have to do something about this relationship. Once winter sets in, it’ll be impossible for us to get together on the weekends.”

“What do you suggest?” My heart was in my throat.

“You could move up here, and we could get married.”

“We’ve talked about this before. Jumping into a marriage just because we miss each other isn’t the answer. Besides, my work is here, not in Canada. And you can’t come here because you can’t leave the kids.” This was all too familiar ground.

“Okay, then. How about I find a job there and have the kids for the summers instead of weekends?”

“It’s an idea, but it would only be temporary. I go on my sabbatical next year, and I’ll be away from here.”

“So I’ll live in your house for next summer with the kids, and we’ll work something else out for the sabbatical year.”

I hesitated. “We’ll talk about it.”

“Getting scared this is one relationship that might just work out right, Laura?” Guy was teasing, but I could hear a note of seriousness in his voice.

I paused before replying. “Yes, I am scared.”

“Good. So am I. At least we’re both being honest. What we have is great. No promises, but let’s see what we can do. Okay?”

“Okay.”

We talked about his kids, the wedding and our work.

“How’s Sam?”

“Oh, she’s just wonderful. She’s out in the yard getting Der to chase sticks for her.”

We talked a bit more, then ended the conversation

“Love ya,” he said.

“I love you too.”

Through the kitchen window I watched Sam and Der at play in the yard for a few minutes before I joined them. Der was perspiring and panting more heavily than Sam.

“Great. Sam’s exhausted you enough that you’ll sleep through the night. That was Guy on the phone. He said to say hello.”

“Well. I’ve got to go. No murders recently but I still do have work to do. I’ll see you tomorrow morning for coffee?” He walked toward his car while Sam picked up a large branch in the yard and began to drag it toward him.

“Now you decide to fetch,” I said to Sam. “Your playmate has to go to work.”

Sam turned toward me and barked as if to say, “You’re next.”

“Der,” I yelled to him before he could pull out of the drive.

“Yeah?” He rolled down the window to hear me better.

“Don’t forget the donuts tomorrow.”

THE END