Risking It All

by Melissa Stevens

  “There’s that.” He grinned. “Tell me, how’s your first semester with your own class been?”

  “Good. Different but good.” She told him about a couple of her students, careful not to give names or personal information but sharing how she thought she was reaching them or found their progress encouraging. “I’m working on the system to get everything, or at least nearly everything converted to digital for next semester. No more lugging stacks of essays home and back to be graded and returned.”

  “That will make things easier.”

  “It will. I’m just glad Thorne suggested it.”

  “Thorne?”

  “Another teacher. He’s been nice, well, they all have but Thorne’s been friendly and done his best to make me feel welcome.”

  “That’s good.”

  Something about his tone made her watch him a little closer.

  “What?”

  She should have known he would notice.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Damn, he could play innocent with the rest of them.

  “Come on, spit it out. I can tell you’re thinking something.”

  “I was just wondering if making you feel welcome was the only thing on this Thorne’s mind.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.” She frowned. Thorne hadn’t done anything to make her think he was after anything more than just friendly co-worker relationship.

  Warren stopped what he was doing, laid the knife on the cutting board. Leaning over the counter. “It’s been more than two years. I know it’s been a rough two years, but it was Thomas who died not you.”

  “I’m well aware of that, thank you.”

  “Are you really?” Warren picked the knife back up and went back to what he was doing. “Have you even thought about dating?”

  “Well. No.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’ve been a little busy.” She gave a dry laugh. “In case you haven’t noticed by the screaming, I’ve got four kids. They take a lot of time. What do you suggest? I leave them home alone while I go looking for a new man to make me complete? No thanks. I learned during Thomas’s several deployments that I don’t need a man around. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of almost everything.”

  “I’m not trying to suggest you need a man. Not in the least, but when’s the last time you did something for you? Just for you. Not because it would be good for the kids or it would make things easier. Simply because you wanted to.”

  Nancy thought for a second and realized he might have a point. She didn’t do things for herself often. She didn’t have time. Between work and the kids, they took most of the energy she had, there wasn’t much to spare for something just for her.

  “I couldn’t tell you. Not any time recently.”

  “Exactly.”

  “And you think dating will help?”

  “Maybe. Or a dance class, or a painting class, maybe just go out and have a drink. Something just for you. Live a little. Like I said, he died, not you. If you need someone to keep the kids, just say something. I love them. I’m happy to help so you can get out some.”

  She was beginning to see his point. Not that she liked it but it was a valid point.

  “You’ve already done so much for me already. I hate feeling like I’m imposing by asking for more.” A weight filled her chest. She wasn’t sure what he wanted, wasn’t sure she was ready to get out, to meet anyone new, or to try to replace Thomas.

  “It’s not asking if I offer.”

  “I know, but…” She trailed off, not knowing what to say. She didn’t think she was ready to date. No, she knew she wasn’t ready. She glanced down at where her wedding ring still hugged her finger. She still couldn’t bring herself to take it off.

  “You’ll do those kids no good if work yourself to nothing. Take a little time for yourself. Teach them that’s good. That it’s healthy. If you’re happy being just you and them, that’s fine. I’m not saying you have to date, find someone new or get married. I’m saying don’t forget to live instead of just surviving.”

  She stared at the ring on her fingers as she twisted it, considering his words. She didn’t want him to be right, but damn it, he wasn’t wrong.

  “Stop brooding and tell me more about this guy. You said he teaches.” Warren moved around the kitchen with a confidence born of familiarity, that’s when Nancy realized his offer to cook hadn’t been out of the ordinary, he cooked regularly.

  “Yeah, he teaches.”

  “Do the students like him?”

  She frowned a moment wondering where he was going with this.

  “Yeah. I guess. I’ve never heard one complain, not about him. They’ll bitch about the work, but I’ve not even heard a nickname for him, and you know as well as I do if they didn’t like him, they’d have one and not care who heard it.”

  “True.” Warren fell quiet a moment.

  The screen door slapped against the frame. Jake came in, nudging her leg for attention. She reached to and patted the dog before he went to lie in the doorway where he could see what was happening in the kitchen as well as the living room where the TV had just come on. A couple moments later Hayley came in and washed her hands.

  “I’ve got them settled in front of a movie for a while. What can I do to help?”

  “Get him to stop grilling me about Thorne.” Nancy didn’t hesitate to try to get Hayley on her side.

  “Thorne? Is that a first name or a last?” Warren asked, jumping on the clue.

  Temptation to mess with her brother was more than she could resist.

  “Neither, actually.”

  Warren frowned.

  “You said the students down have a nickname for him. But you do, that’s more than just co-workers.”

  “Of course. We work together, I have to call him something in our moments of stolen passion in the closet of the teacher’s lounge.” It wasn’t easy but Nancy managed to keep a straight face.

  Warren stared at her, mouth hanging open, for a full ten seconds before he realized what she was doing. He frowned and shot her an unhappy look.

  “Very funny.”

  Nancy erupted into laughter, unable to hold it back any longer. Warren’s unhappy look turned darker which only made Nancy laugh harder. Her brother said something to Hayley she didn’t catch then continued to move around the kitchen, rinsing the potatoes he’d just cut, dumping them into the pot and putting them on to boil, occasionally frowning at Nancy. Every time he shot her another unhappy look, she laughed even harder.

  By the time her laughter died down, Nancy fought for a full breath as she wiped away tears from laughing so hard.

  “Are you through?”

  “I think so.” She struggled to catch her breath and hold back yet another fit of giggles.

  “I still want to know about this man.”

  “Ask Hayley. She met him.”

  Her brother turned his attention to his fiancé.

  “You’ve met this Thorn guy?”

  “Have I?” Hayley turned from where she was fixing herself a glass of tea and looked at Nancy a moment then away. Nancy hesitated to remind her soon to be sister-in-law of the short encounter several months earlier, as she feared it would make her opinion matter less, at least to her overbearing brother.

  “Wait. Beginning of the school year, right? When I took you coffee that day Jasmine was sick."

  Nancy nodded but didn’t say anything. Hayley frowned a moment then her face cleared.

  “The other teacher that stopped in as I got ready to leave. Don’t think I ever actually got his name.”

  “Thorne,” Nancy supplied.

  “Possibly, I’m not sure. Anyway I only saw him a couple of minutes.”

  Warren shot Nancy a disgruntled look. He wasn’t getting the information he wanted, and he wasn’t happy about it. Nancy giggled again making Warren roll his eyes.

  “What is it you want to know anyway?” Hayley joined Nancy on the
stools to watch Warren work.

  “He wants enough info to run a background check.”

  “That’s horrible.” Hayley scowled as she turned on Warren. “Not to mention a misuse of department resources and illegal to boot.”

  “I haven’t actually done it. She just keeps accusing me of it.” He motioned toward Nancy.

  “Only because I won’t give you enough information.”

  “You really think I couldn’t figure out who he is if I really wanted to? The staff of BlackJack high isn’t that big. You’re all listed on the school’s website and I could just call down and ask. I do have a bit of weight behind my name, even if it’s just because I’m a detective.”

  Nancy tilted her head and met his gaze for a few long moments, then he went back to work and she was left wondering if he could do that at any time why he’d been questioning her so intently.

  A knock on the front door interrupted her ruminations. She turned to see who it was but the before anyone could head that way, the door opened an in stepped a woman Nancy didn’t recognize.

  Nancy’s first impression was dark hair cut in a cute pixie cut.

  “Hey everyone, am I late?” The new comer came in, set a bag on the counter and hugged Hayley, then waved at Warren. “Hey big guy. I’ve got a couple things in the car.”

  “I’ll come help you carry it in.” Hayley slid off her seat and the two disappeared back outside.

  “That’s Hayley’s sister, she’ll introduce you when they come back in. I still want to know about this guy.” He pointed a spatula at her as he stared at her with narrowed eyes for a moment then went back to stirring the bowl in front of him. “But I’ll let it go for now.”

  Nancy took a deep breath and let it out slowly, pushing some of the tension she’d been holding since she’d realized Warren could look him up any time.

  “If you could find out any time, why haven’t you already done your background check?” Her curiosity got the better of her and she couldn’t help but ask.

  “I don’t have to. There’s nothing serious in his background or he wouldn’t be working for BlackJack High.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Did you read all the paperwork you signed when you were interviewed?”

  “Mostly, there wasn’t much there because I’d worked for the district as a student teacher.”

  “You probably signed it when you started that then. I don’t know about other schools, or other cities, but BlackJack High does a background check as a last stage for employment.”

  “And you know that how?”

  “I’ve been asked to run a couple in the last year. I assumed they’d seen your name and given it to someone else, but maybe it came across before I was doing them.”

  Nancy wondered how she’d missed that when she’d started working. But thinking back, she’d been stressed and wanting to move on to the next step of finishing her certification, she knew she didn’t have anything that might have prevented her from being allowed to teach so it may not have been important enough for her to remember.

  Hayley and the new woman came back in, each carrying something. It took them two trips, go get it all in and Nancy sat watching, wide-eyed at the several dishes that had been carried in.

  “These are all done, they just need about thirty minutes in the oven to warm up.” She set the dish on the far counter out of the way. “I’ll put a couple things in the fridge and I’ve got some other things in the bags, too.” She moved around the kitchen as if she’d been there more than a few times and was comfortable there.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot you two haven’t met yet,” Hayley hung the bags off the back of one dining room chair and came back to her seat at the bar. “Nancy, this is my sister Denni. Denni, Nancy is Warren’s sister. The kids in the other room watching Cars are hers. You’ll meet them later.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Nancy extended one hand, which Denni took without hesitation.

  “You too. I can’t believe it’s taken this long.”

  Nancy smiled. “If you’ll peek into the other room you’ll see why. With four kids I don’t get out a lot.”

  “Four?” Denni’s eyes went wide for a second before she was able to hide her surprise. Nancy was used to it. She got similar reactions a lot. Denni went to the doorway and peeked inside. “Where’s your husband? Did he have to work?”

  Warren froze. Hayley seemed to hold her breath. For the space of a couple seconds, it seemed Nancy could hear her own heart beating in the silence. She waited for that sharp stab of pain that usually came about now, but instead it was only a dull throb.

  “No. My husband was killed two years ago. It’s just me and the kids.”

  “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.” Denni shot Hayley a look that clearly asked why her sister hadn’t warned her.

  “No worries. It’s not the first time someone’s asked and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I’m almost used to saying it.”

  “I’m sorry, Nancy.” Hayley covered one of Nancy’s hands with one of hers and squeezed. “I should have warned her. I didn’t think about it.”

  “Don’t worry about it, I mean it.” Nancy squeezed back. She wasn’t as upset as she’d once been by the topic. Despite that, she turned to Warren and changed the subject in hopes of lifting the mood in the room once more.

  “All I was allowed to bring was a couple pies, and it looks like you’ve let Denni bring a lot more.” She aimed a pointed look at the casserole dish on the counter then the bags still hanging on the chair.

  “That reminds me,” Denni turned back to Warren, “how long till we eat?”

  “A couple hours.”

  “Good.” She went to the bags and pulled out a large insulated container. Nancy couldn’t help wondering what it was as Denni opened it and set the dish on the counter between Nancy and Hayley. “I hope you like mushrooms.”

  “What’s this?”

  “Stuffed mushrooms. Any food allergies?”

  “No.” Nancy frowned as she looked down into the bowl and helped herself to one. Flavor exploded into her mouth as she bit into the mushroom.

  “That’s amazing. I need to know how to make these.” Nancy made sure there were plenty for everyone else before she went for a second.

  “I’m afraid Denni bringing so much is my fault.” Hayley picked up a mushroom. “I asked her for a couple of my favorite holiday dishes that she makes better than I do.” She popped the button in her mouth and closed her eyes, savoring the flavor. “As you can tell, someone’s determined to keep me from doing much today.” She gave Warren a pointed look.

  “I guess we’re just supposed to sip Champagne and eat bon bons? Only these are way better than bon bons.” Nancy went back for a third mushroom before pushing the bowl away. As much as she wanted another, she wanted to save room for dinner.

  “Sounds like a good plan to me.” Hayley snapped her fingers at Warren. “Oh waiter, where are our drinks?”

  He rolled his eyes with a smile as the girls erupted in laughter. This was turning out to be far more fun than she’d anticipated.

  Chapter 12

  Thorne pulled into the driveway at his childhood home early. As close as he could figure his mother would have just gotten the turkey started. Or was possibly still working on it. Charlie would still be feeding and dealing with animals, and who knew where Dad and Yeats would be. He’d made the drive the day before and spent the evening and later than he’d planned last night, catching up with Frost, now he was impatient to see the rest of his family.

  He wasted no time in getting out of the truck or up the steps and through the door without bothering to knock.

  “Ma, where are you?” he called out, unafraid of waking anyone, Dad would never let anyone sleep this late, not unless they’d been working the night shift.

  “In the kitchen, where do you expect?”

  Thorne grinned as he made his way to the large kitchen at the back of the house. He swore he spent half his childhood i
n this room, it was where the family had gathered, and spent most of their quality time around the dinner table. Still did.

  There she was, Ma stood at the counter wrestling with a turkey he swore was nearly as big as she was. He’d wondered more than once how she’d managed to raise three big burly boys, well two and half, as tiny as she was, but she’d done it and made it look easy.

  “You’re running late. You should have that started by now.”

  “Enough with the smart mouth. If you think you can do better then get your ass over here and help.”

  He went to the sink and washed his hands before stepping into help. Between the two of them they got it turned right in the pan. Ma added one last layer of seasoning then set the lid on it.

  “Will you carry that out on the screen porch for me? It will cook just as well there and not be in the way.”

  He picked up the big square roaster she’d been using as long as he could remember and headed for the door. Ma opened the door and held it for him, then followed him out.

  “Just set it on that table there. There’s an outlet right there for it.” Thorne did as she asked, then followed her back inside to find her cleaning up and wiping down counters. Nothing would happen until she finished, so he joined in, taking care of the counters and washing up the few dishes that were there in the already filled sink of soapy water. She wanted to be ready for the next step, he knew from having helped in previous years.

  “Now, come give me a hug,” Ma said once they’d finished.

  Thorne pulled the diminutive woman into his arms. She might be small, but he was reminded of her strength as her arms tightened around him, then loosened.

  “You look like you’re doing all right, but are you eating right? Getting enough sleep?”

  “I’m good, Ma.”

  “I don’t know. I’m not sure you moving so far away was a good idea. I don’t get to see you nearly as often as I’d like.”

  “It’s two hours, Ma, you can make the trip any time. It’s not like I didn’t see Frost last month.”

  “When did you see your brother?” She scowled.

  “Last month, he called, was in Blackjack for a day, I met him for dinner then he came home.”