The airport was busy, but it was filled mostly with those trying to return after Thanksgiving holiday. The older man with slightly graying hair and a strong build found the arrival area quite easy to maneuver. Debating on whether or not to park and meet the young traveler inside or hopefully recognize her from the car, he failed to notice his phone buzzing incessantly. For a well-known PI, he was oblivious to the bundle of blue rushing to the car from the recently opened sliding doors. Brought out of his thoughts by a knocking on the window and the flutter of thin blue stick, Mr. Hardy unlocked the vehicle and got out into the brisk air.

"Here, I'll get your luggage, just hop in the front seat, Kailey."

She gave him a smile, hidden by the various clothes she wrapped around her body to stay warm and replied, "Thanks Mr. Hardy."

Quickly the bags were in the trunk and Kailey was slowly defrosting in the front seat. Though she was not in the cold long, this weather was not something she was used to. Mr. Hardy kept the smile to himself as looked over his chilled passenger. In no time were they off towards Elm Street. Conversation was light because she was sleepy and the news played throughout the small car. He had not seen this young woman for quite a few years and was amazed at how much she had grown. Nevertheless, his boys were going to be surprised when they returned from school this afternoon.

She was jolted awake when the car stopped in the driveway. As Mr. Hardy collected her luggage and directed her to follow him, Kaily took a deep breath and collected herself. She made a mad rush to the door; thankfully he was fumbling with the keys and had not noticed.

Moments later, a women with blue eyes and blond hair welcomed her husband and the young lady into the threshold. Eagerly Kailey stepped in dragging the bags and shutting out the cold. The newcomers shaked off their outer garments and followed the voice of Mrs. Hardy.

"Laura, thank you so much."

Mrs. Hardy slyly smiled and focused her attention on the young woman sitting at the table choking down the hot beverage. "Sweetie, I know you warm to get warm, but burning your mouth isn't the best way about it."

Kailey set down and smiled at her hostess, "Sorry, I was extremely thirsty. The marshmellows helped." Both women giggled.

"How was the flight?" Mr. Hardy asked, getting down to business.

"Okay as one could expect for 5:30 am. It was harder to sleep than I thought it would be. So, sorry for the lack of conversation in the car ride over Mr. Hardy."

"It's fine, it was a short drive, you missed nothing."

Kailey smiled, "I hope my coming here is not an intrusion on your family."

Mrs. Hardy quickly responded, "No, it's not a problem Kailey. Your father is a good friend of Fenton's and we have a guest room readily available."

"Good, I was just worried as this was slightly sudden trip. Don't worry, I have all my school work with me, so I won't be in your hair too much. I am just grateful for this short notice acceptance."

"It's no problem. Now, lunch will probably be in a little while. I can bring you up to your room when you're finished. I'm going to be in and out of my study for the rest of the day. Just let me know." Mr. Hardy said as he left to bring up her bags.

The women just gabbed about the weather and clothes for a while, then announcing she was finished Kailey proceeded to knock on the study door. Mr. Hardy showed her the room, while Mrs. Hardy prepared lunch. Kailey wasted no time organizing her stuff in the dresser. She let her father know everything was going well with a short text, having already called him at the airport. Then she slowly pulled out her notebooks and textbooks. Taking her time she washed up and mulled over what to work on first. Minutes later Mrs. Hardy knocked on the door and invited her down to lunch.

"This is great!" Kailey commented dunking the crusts of grilled cheese into the tomato soup.

"Thanks dear. It's all in an hour's work," Mrs. Hardy chuckled as her husband came in.

"Smells delicious," He noted as he took the seat next to his wife.

"Who was that?" She inquired.

"Oh, it was just a follow up for one of my cases."

"Cases?" Kailey asked, intrigued.

"Yes, well, I'm a detective."

"Really?" Kailey was mesmerized by this new information gathered on her host.

"Yes, he has quite the PI rep in the west coast," Mrs. Hardy boasted.

"Amazing! I never knew that. I thought you worked with law enforcement. How's having your own agency?"

"I rather enjoy the ability to choose my cases at will and not have the need to follow some restrictions the police force holds."

"Fascinating. Do you have a partner, or is this just run by you?"

"Well, yes I have a partner Sam Radley, and then my boys help me out from time to time," Mr. Hardy replied.

"Your boys?"

Mrs. Hardy chuckled, chancing a glance at her husband currently stuffing his face. "Yes, we have two sons, Joe's about your age and Frank is a year older."

"Wow, my dad really told me nothing. Just you are staying with my ol' bud Fenton for a while until I sort something out down here. It's not like I could say no, so like it or not I was shipped up north."

"Your father's a character that's for sure," he stopped as the phone rang from far away, it wasn't the one in the kitchen. "Sorry," he managed as he briskly left the table to answer it.

As the meal was finished and they were just scraping their plates during the conversation both women got up simultaneously with their plates. Each grinned and Kailey followed her hostess to clean it off.

"No, you're a guest, I have this hon," Mrs. Hardy insisted.

Kailey went upstairs and grabbed her books. Noticing it would feel too empty and quite on the second floor she brought everything down with her. She took up residence on the comfy couch, while Mrs. Hardy cleared up the table. Deeply wishing to become interested into American History, Kailey began reading a chapter from her history book. Mrs. Hardy held back a laugh as she tried to get the young woman's attention an hour later. Kailey was in deep sleep with the book on her chest and pen in hand.

The young girl only slightly stirred a few hours later when two booming voices could be heard after the front door was closed loudly.

"Frank, come on,"

"Shhhhh," Mrs. Hardy begged of her two sons as they were not hiding their presence.

The dark-haired boy peered behind his mother and looked at her with confusion. This look caused the other boy to side step the pair and blatantly ask, "Whoa, who's that babe on the couch?"