She hesitated. "Well, no. He probably thought they were normal for as long as the house has been vacant."

"You want to be by yourself when you find out what else this guy considered normal?"

"Oh. I hadn't thought of that."

He grinned. "So you don't mind if I check out the rest of the house?"

Her hands relaxed. "Um, no. Thanks. I appreciate the help."

"I'm not staying in here with that," Lindsay said, pointing at the mouse's nest.

"Why don't you kids wait outside while your mom and I check things out," Kyle said.

The children didn't budge.

Sandy looked from him to her kids, then sighed. "Lindsay, take your brother and sister outside and keep an eye on them, please."

Lindsay walked to the door without looking back. Blake followed silently. Only Nichole hesitated.

"Go on, sweetie. I won't be long. It's warm outside. Why don't you go and see if you can find that bluebird again?"

"Okay." Nichole smiled.

She had dimples in each check and her mother's eyes. Kyle felt a slight twist in his gut. Sometimes he got the crazy notion that he should have risked settling down and having kids. He knew better. It was like wishing for the moon. Something to think about when he'd had too much to drink or got lonely, but completely irrational. He wasn't the type. Long-term relationships didn't work out.

When the children had left, Sandy turned to him and nodded purposefully. "Let's begin in the kitchen," she said, and turned to the right.

"It's this way." He motioned to their left.

"But they sent me a floor plan."

"Then your floor plan was reversed. The kitchen is through here."

"How do you know?"

"I used to know Kelsey Michaelson. I've been in this house before." He looked at the dust and cobwebs. "But not in a long time."

"I see." She started toward the kitchen.

"Hold on." He caught up with her and took her hand. Her fingers were warm against his. She looked startled when he touched her. Good. He would deal better with Sandy if he kept her off guard. "Why don't you let me lead the way."