Free Mended by By Kimberly M. Clayborne Page A

the bow over the strings; a sweet melodic sound came out of it. He closed his eyes and began to play. She didn’t know what he was playing, but it was beautiful.
    Suddenly, she was seeing him through different eyes. He wasn’t just her neighbor who ogled her over the fence and argued with her about everything. At that moment, he was sexier than any man she had ever known. He was seductive and she wanted him.
    Timothy slowly paced from one end of the room to the next; swaying gently to the music he was playing. He was in the middle of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor. He would be playing it Saturday night with the Philharmonic and even though he had played it a trillion times, Tim always practiced until it was perfect.
    As he passed the window, he saw her across the way. She was listening as he played and Tim suddenly stopped. Kassie looked totally at ease, feet up, eyes closed and completely relaxed.
    Realizing that the music had stopped, Kassie’s eyes fluttered open slowly. Her soft, dreamy expression met Tim’s and she sat up, feet dropping to the floorboards with a soft thump.
    “Please don’t stop.” She called over.
    “I don’t want to disturb you-.” He started, but she cut him off quickly.
    “You’re not, I promise.”She smiled at him and Tim’s heart flopped in his chest like a fish out of water.
    God she is so fucking beautiful! , he thought to himself.
    He picked up his violin and began to play again. As he played, he faced her and for the first time in her life, Kassie felt as if she were being serenaded. She closed her eyes, lost in the moment.
    *~*~*~*

Chapter 9
    It was nearly eight when Tim finished playing for Kassie. When he was done, she stood up and clapped like crazy, making him blush. He took a deep bow and laughed. Kassie praised him and he invited her to come see him play with the orchestra. She promised to think about it and Tim found himself immensely pleased.
                 Tim’s only regret was that in playing for her, he had to rush so that he wasn’t late getting to Natalie’s school. He was very involved with his daughter’s schooling and there was a parent-teacher meeting tonight. After which, he promised he’d take her out for pizza.
    *****
    By the end of their pleasantries, Tim had pretty much given up on trying to not think about Kassie. What an enigma she was. She was either hot or cold. The woman had threatened to poison his dog, but then kept Griff with her until Tim got home and had apparently fed the dog as well. She treats neighbors like peasants, but turns around and invites them to parties. Today when she had listened to him play, she had been genuinely appreciative and happy. It was like living next door to Sybil!
    *****
    At seven, Tim left. There was a PTA meeting at Nat’s school and Tim liked to go. He liked to know what was happening in his daughter’s school and also because he got to see Nat. He loved his daughter and any chance he got to spend time with her he took.
    The meeting had just broken up but he, Tim, Nora and Bruce spent a little time talking to other parents they knew. Nat took his hand as he stood waiting for Nora and Bruce to finish chatting with the Allen’s. Tim had finished speaking to some of the single moms as he normally did. He had a date with Autumn Berkshire on Friday night.
    Autumn was a sexy newly divorced brunette. She wasn’t looking for anything serious and neither was he so they were perfect.
    “Daddy, how is the sad lady that lives next door to you?” Natalie asked.
    Tim scrutinized his daughter through narrowed eyes, ‘This kid is psychic!’
    Nat asked him about Kassie from time to time, never forgetting their exchange from the summer before. Whenever she came to the house, he would catch her watching Kassie, as if working up the courage to say hi. To her credit, Kassie always waved or stopped to speak to Natalie whenever she saw the child.
    “Who is this neighbor anyway?” Nora asked as she