Chapter 1

She was absolutely perfect!

Just a little bit small for her 11 3⁄4 years, but "dainty", perfectly formed, just beginning to show the promising shape of the woman she would someday become. Her name was Tracy Morse, but she preferred to be called "Trey".

Robbie had met Trey when she and her Mom, Lindsey, had moved in to the only other house on the quiet cul-de-sac where he had lived for a couple of years. The neighborhood was mostly young professionals working 60 or more hours a week and was home to almost no children.

Since Robbie worked from home, he was home when the Morse's moving van pulled in. He had just finished one major project for one of his clients and wouldn't receive the data needed to begin the next job for a few more days. With time on his hands and nothing better to do, he walked over after the movers had left, introduced himself to the new neighbors and offered to assist the newcomers with their unpacking and organizing.

Mrs. Morse welcomed the assistance and was especially grateful for the fried chicken picnic lunch and icy cold lemonade and soft drinks that Robbie had brought with him. As they worked, the petite but lovely Lindsey filled him in a little bit about what had brought them here. Widowed three years ago at only 33, she was totally committed to making a good life for herself and her daughter. She had found work as an account executive for medical supplies and had managed to achieve success in the company she had been working for, JI Corp. Her work impressed the management at the home office, which offered the promotion that led them to moving away from their longtime network of family and friends back in Ohio.

Lindsey hadn't been sure about whether or not she should take the new job, and delayed her decision to accept the promotion that would require her to move here to Iowa with her daughter, until she'd had a chance to check out the local school and after school program that was offered by the strict fundamentalist church that she belonged to.

Lindsey confirmed Robbie's impression that she wasn't much of a "Bible-thumping, holy roller" type, but she was very grateful for the structured and protective programs that her church offered to assist her in raising Trey. Lindsey was very protective, trying to keep Tracey safe from many of the worrisome influences that most kids encounter. She strictly limited Trey's television viewing and computer usage, and Trey's only social contact with other children was in various carefully-monitored church activities.

Still, it was obvious to Robbie that Lindsey had done a wonderful job of raising her daughter by herself. Trey seemed intelligent, bright and cheerful, and very well behaved. Robbie was quite impressed, and thought it was going to be nice having the Morses as neighbors.

At age 39, Robbie had pretty much given up on finding a woman that he would want to spend the rest of his life with, and was now simply taking life as it came. He knew he had some very particular preferences that few women could ever satisfy, but he was quite comfortable with his current, single lifestyle.

Lindsey sensed that Robbie wasn't giving out the vibes of a guy on the make. She was very familiar with the signs of the typical predatory male. Lindsey had seen too much of that kind of behavior from men she encountered at her job, even before her husband had been killed in the construction accident three years ago. She had never shown even the slightest bit of interest, but those guys wouldn't quit!

Lindsey felt surprisingly relaxed around Robbie and sensed he was not just another horny guy who only wanted to get into her pants. So when he offered to give them a guided tour of their new town on the upcoming weekend, showing them the most convenient and dependable stores, cleaners, salons, banks, doctors and the like, intuitively understanding that he wasn't on the prowl, Lindsey accepted his invitation.

Robbie, Lindsey and Trey (he had now learned that she really did not like to be called Tracey) spent an enjoyable few hours together on Saturday, from late morning, over lunch and into mid-afternoon. Lindsey, Trey and Robbie were all surprisingly comfortable with one another, and by the time they returned home, they felt like old friends.

Lindsey and Robbie enjoyed each other's company enough to spend a few evenings going out to movies or plays over the coming weeks and months, and Trey often joined them for trips to the local water park or other activities. Rob and Lindsey both seemed satisfied with the growing friendship, but neither of them felt like they wanted to push their relationship to a more serious, romantic level.

The Morses soon seemed to settle comfortably into their new town, and life on the cul-de-sac settled into a relaxed routine. Their friendship with Robbie strengthened, and Lindsey was glad to have such a close friend nearby, especially on the occasional instances when she found herself having to work a couple of hours later than usual or needing to attend an evening event with clients.

Both Lindsey and Trey quickly became comfortable with knocking on Robbie's back door and then — at Robbie's insistence - simply walking right in if they needed something or even just to visit for a few minutes or several hours. And Robbie came to a growing admiration of the wonderful job that Lindsey had done in raising a very smart and very well behaved little girl. Trey was sweet, softhearted, and trusting. And the better Robbie got to know her, the more captivated he became by her beauty.