by Tara Randel
She heard Lynny’s voice out in the hallway just before her friend swooped into the room with a large takeout bag.
“Up for Chinese?”
“As long as I don’t have to cook, anything is fine.”
Lynny took out the containers and placed them on two of the front desks. The zesty scent of chicken and vegetables had Hannah’s stomach growling. Both of them took a seat and dug in. Hannah realized she was famished.
“Did you eat anything today?” Lynny asked as she watched Hannah wolf down her food.
“I had a quick lunch that wasn’t very filling. These meetings stress me out.”
“I hear you. The kids were especially excited today. By midafternoon I just let them have free time so they could burn off their energy.”
“Same here. At least we didn’t lose Sally today. After the last escape attempt, Tommy has been hyperdiligent in making sure she doesn’t leave her cage.”
“I thought Derrick fixed the cage?”
She swallowed after taking a bite. “He did. Even got Tommy to help him.”
Lynny laughed. “Derrick’s like a father duck with little ducklings following him around. Only in his case, they’re ten-year-olds. It’s so cute.”
Too cute, as far as Hannah was concerned. She appreciated his help, a little too much. When he’d volunteered to lend a hand in her classroom, coming across so sincere, she couldn’t send him away.
“What’s that frown about?” Lynny asked.
Hannah rested her fork in the food container. “When he and I were kids, Derrick had a way of getting me to go along with his schemes. In my mind I’d be ready to say no and the next thing I knew, I was off getting into mischief with him.” Nostalgia made her smile. “Seems that hasn’t changed.”
Lynny chuckled. “He does have a way with people. Yesterday he got the principal to sign off on new traffic cones to make the car line easier, then went to the store to pick them up. I heard he’s been staying after school to watch basketball practice, encouraging the boys to up their game.”
“He’s always been competitive. Probably because he has three brothers. I can remember them going at it over sports or cars or girls.”
“When is he starting on the to-do list at your house?”
“He mentioned stopping by on Saturday.”
“Think he’d mind if I nabbed him for a while? My kitchen faucet is acting weird and Mr. Bartholomew went out of town to visit his grandkids.”
Hannah shrugged, purposely keeping a calm demeanor. It wouldn’t bode well to let Lynny stir the pot just to get a rise out of her. “Fine by me. I’m not his priority.”
Her friend sent her a sly glance. “You don’t mind if I offer to make him dinner?”
Yeah. Pot stirrer.
Hannah swallowed her irritation. “What about Roger?”
“What about him? No calls. No invites to school functions. I swear the other day he ran down the hall in the opposite direction when he saw me.”
Hannah lowered her carton. “What did you do to the man?”
Lynny’s expression turned sheepish. “Suggested that maybe we quit the dancing around and go out on a date.”
Hannah nearly choked on her vegetables. She coughed, then said, “That was direct?”
“I wasn’t asking him to marry me, it’s just a date. He was taking too long.” Lynny set down her carton, her expression earnest. “We have a vibe, Anna. I know he feels it, too. And things were going okay until the principal asked us to work together on a school project. I said yes right away.” She paused. Stared into the air and grimaced. “Maybe I was too zealous with my answer. Anyway, Roger agreed, but I think maybe I scared him off.”
“I don’t know about that. He’s pretty confident.” Hannah pointed her fork at her friend. “School project aside, maybe he wanted to ease into asking you.”
“It’s possible. I do tend to jump into situations before thinking.”
“Like the time you took me to the lake, rented a sailboat, then proceeded to take out your phone and Google how to sail?”
Lynny grinned. “Exactly like that. You know, we’re opposites. You research everything to the nth degree before you start something. Well, everything except art, but you’re more cautious than I am.” She picked up her carton and poked her fork around her noodles. “I guess that’s why you and Jonathan suit each other.”
Surprised by Lynny’s remark, Hannah asked, “You think Jonathan is cautious? He takes risks on artists all the time.”
“For his job. But whenever you mention doing something new, he resists. Like when you wanted to go hiking. You found the best trails, bought the best boots and the day before you were supposed to go, he canceled.”
“He had a client meeting.”
“Which he could have scheduled for another day. It was a big step for you to arrange an outing. I think that was the first time you finally seemed settled enough here to go out and explore. When you and your mom first moved here, you hesitated to go anywhere. You asked me over for dinner or to watch a movie. I have to admit, I thought someone was after you and you were hiding out.”
Hannah bit the inside of her cheek.
“But then you got comfortable and started doing things. I hated that Jonathan let you down. You were so excited.”
“I don’t know what you’re complaining about. Because he canceled you got to go hiking with me.”
“No offense, but if it were me, I would have wanted to go with my boyfriend.”
Hannah couldn’t argue her point. She had wanted to spend the day with Jonathan, but respected the fact that he had a business to run. If it had only been that one time, Lynny wouldn’t have commented on it, but he’d canceled last minute on several occasions.
“He’s not an outdoorsy kind of guy.”
Lynny shook her carton and fished for the last of her food. “Did he ever make up for bailing on you?”
“Yes. He took me to an art lecture at the university.”
Lynny rolled her eyes. “A lecture? How romantic.”
“It was. I enjoyed the speaker. We had fun.”
“Then I guess it really does work for you two.”
“Why would you even doubt it?”
“I don’t know. You’ve seemed a little more...” Lynny waved her fork in the air as she searched for the right word. “Animated since Derrick’s been around.”
Hannah felt her shoulders go stiff. “If I have it has nothing to do with him.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am,” she said a little too strongly.
“Because he seems to like hanging out in your classroom.”
“That only happened three times and he was talking to the kids about sports.”
“Three times, huh?”
She sent her friend her best teacher frown. “I’m not keeping count.”
Lynny rose and gathered up the empty containers. “No, but I bet he is.”
“Would you stop. Derrick and I are just old friends.”
“Whatever you say.”
Hannah tossed her crumpled napkin into the bag. “I’m not having this conversation with you.”
Lynny smirked and hightailed it from the room.
Still, her friend’s words hung in the air.
Oh, who was Hannah kidding? She liked seeing Derrick interact with the students. He had a natural ease about him and the children picked up on it. They teased and laughed, yet he still commanded their respect. Hannah knew much of what Derrick taught the kids was a direct result of his own upbringing. Mr. Matthews had made sure his sons were polite, respectful and compassionate to others. Hannah had liked that about the Matthews family.
But since he’d walked back into her life, Hannah also noticed an alertness about Derrick. He was sizing up any situation he found himself in, even the classroom. Did he expe
ct bad guys to come barging in during school hours? She attributed his intensity to his law enforcement roots. She had to admit, after all she and her family had been through, his attentiveness was extremely attractive. He made her feel safe, even if he was just stopping by to say hello. It was a feeling she hadn’t experienced in a very long time.
Then there was Jonathan. Well versed in art, but not a bit snobby when it came to that world. He laughed a lot and Hannah had missed that after the years of tension when her family moved around. He was kind and supportive about her profession, but his stiff approach when he spoke to her class was the opposite of the effortlessness Derrick radiated. Jonathan didn’t connect. Came off a bit stuffy. Hannah had reasoned it was because he was so passionate about his calling that he forgot to bring the topic down to the kids’ level. Still, he was happy to come to the school anytime she asked.
And why was she even comparing the two men? They both had their strengths and weaknesses. She was marrying Jonathan, so she shouldn’t be entertaining these thoughts. It was Lynny’s fault, she decided. Then expelled images of both men from her head and focused on the meeting to come.
Before long, parents started to arrive. They milled about the classroom, studying art projects taped to the wall, reading compositions tacked to the corkboard, or reviewing the class pet’s daily routine. Hannah went over the class schedule, along with expectations for the students and what they could look forward to for the remainder of the school year. Everything went well until Tommy’s father stopped by her desk as the group was leaving.
“Tommy’s doing okay?” He brushed a hand through his unruly hair, the corners of his mouth angling downward. “Not getting into trouble?”
“Not since the last time we talked, Mr. Parker.”
“I’ve told him to behave. He doesn’t seem to listen.”
“Tommy is very spirited. Smart and funny, too. If I had one suggestion, it would be that you both go over his homework before he hands it in.”
“I work long hours and can’t go over his work every night,” the man bristled. “Besides, that’s your job.”
“You’re correct, but working together will keep you informed about what he’s learning.”
“Again, your job. Just let me know if he’s acting up and I’ll talk to him.”
“I will, Mr. Parker. Thank you for coming in tonight.”
Before the man left, Derrick walked into the room. He greeted Mr. Parker and watched as the parent hurried from the room.
“What’d you do to that guy? Grade him on his parenting skills?”
She sighed. “If I did, he probably wouldn’t like the score.” She glanced at Derrick, taking in his windblown hair and red cheeks. He smelled like fresh air and a hint of spice. “That was Tommy’s father.”
“Oh, yeah? I would have liked to talk to him.”
Her trouble antennae went up. “About?”
“Just guy stuff.” He rubbed his hands together. “It’s cold outside.”
“The weather here is so much different than Florida.”
He unzipped his jacket. “I don’t get down there much anymore.”
“Because of work?”
“Mostly. Mom, Dylan and Dante are still there. Deke lives in Georgia.”
“How is your family?” She was ashamed of herself for not asking after them before now.
“Good. Two engagements and two serious relationships. I expect wedding bells will ring a bunch of times this year.”
“Really? Which brother?”
“Dylan.”
“And?”
He grimaced. “My mom.”
“Oh.” She looked him over, trying to decipher his reaction. Derrick and his father had had a solid relationship while he was growing up. “That’s got to be hard.”
He shrugged. “She’s happy.”
“Good to hear.”
“So, do these questions about my family mean you’re interested in what’s going on in my life?”
“I’m merely being polite.”
He leaned in and winked. “You sure?”
* * *
DERRICK LOVED CATCHING Hannah off guard. She sputtered. Her cheeks went pink and she looked alive.
“So, Tommy’s dad,” he said, giving her a break from the walk down memory lane and her telltale reaction to his presence.
“Why do you do that?”
He wrinkled his brow. “Do what?”
“Throw an innuendo at me and then change the subject?”
“Because it’s fun?”
His cell phone rang and he held up a finger to pause their conversation. She huffed and marched to the first row of desks to collect the folders on each one.
“Mom, is everything okay?”
“That depends on your definition of okay.”
“What’s going on?”
Her voice wavered. “We’ve hit our first snag.”
Derrick glanced at Hannah. Clearly, she was curious about his conversation but continued picking up folders.
“James wants to be married at the courthouse and I want the ceremony at the church.”
“Why can’t you both come to common ground?”
“Because of his past he doesn’t think we should say our vows in the church, but I told him it’s the perfect place for redemption and new beginnings.”
“Mom, this is way above my pay grade.”
Hannah chuckled.
“Don’t you agree with me?”
“Not necessarily. I can see James’s point, but it sounds like you have your heart set on the location.”
“I suppose I could give in. It is James’s wedding, too.”
Derrick rubbed his thumb over his forehead. Note to self. If ever in this situation, elope.
“Just talk to him. I’m sure you’ll work it out.”
“I suppose...” his mother’s voice trailed off.
“Or stand your ground. Pick one.”
“You think I should force the issue?”
He pressed his fingers against his temple. “No. Mom, he’s your fiancé. Talk to him.”
“I’m never this unsure of myself, but the wedding preparations are giving me fits.”
“You’re a strong woman. You and James will find the perfect place to get married.”
“We will. Thank you, Derrick.”
“Sure. Listen, I need to run.”
“What happened to your directive to contact you anytime?”
“How about with a question I can actually answer.”
His mother laughed. “Touché.”
He ended the call, sending a sheepish look Hannah’s way. “Wedding drama.”
“I gathered.” She finished one row and started back up another. “I liked your family. Especially your mother.”
“She is one of a kind.”
“So it would be normal for me to ask about them.”
“Okay. Any other questions?”
“Yes. Are you happy your mother is remarrying?”
“Jeez. Go right for the jugular why don’t you.”
“It’s a reasonable question.”
It was. He just didn’t want to discuss it.
“You always used to do that,” she said. “Deflect when you didn’t want to deal with an issue.”
“Is it working?”
She sent him a frown reserved for teachers when faced with unruly children. “Just because years have gone by doesn’t mean I never think about the people I left behind, including your mom.”
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have given you a hard time.”
She hugged the folders to her chest. A wistful expression crossed her lovely face. “It’s so complicated. Through the years, I’ve wondered about everyone. Your brothers. My friends in high school. Our neighbors.”
“Mrs. Gain
es still lives in the house next to yours.”
Her face lit up with her smile. “How do you know this?”
“I’m an investigator, remember?”
“Which means you won’t say how you obtain your information.”
“Now you’re getting it.”
She shook her head. “Mrs. Gaines must be quite old now.”
“Last time I checked, her son and his family had moved in with her.”
“She loved that house. I remember helping her plant flowers in her garden when I was young. Impatiens. She had them in varying shades of pink. As a reward for helping her, she’d give me a plant or two for our yard.” Her smile dimmed. “What about my old house?”
“A new family moved in.”
“My father mentioned something about the sale of the house, but I just never thought...”
He reached over to touch her arm. “They’ve taken good care of it.”
She sent him a steely-eyed glance. “I thought you said your mother moved away from our hometown.”
“She did, but I still have contacts there.”
Hannah stepped sideways to remove his fingers from her arm and resumed her task. He missed her warmth and her familiar scent.
“Is the man your mother is marrying like your dad? I remember he was quiet but very reassuring.”
Derrick glanced at the floor. Swallowed against the knot in his throat. “Yeah, Dad had this presence about him. Everyone felt at ease when he was around.” He looked up and caught her gaze. “That’s why I went to him when I was concerned about your father. I knew he’d take care of the situation, just like he had hundreds of times before, and you’d be safe. Guess I miscalculated. I never thought there might be another outcome.”
Hannah made her way up the last aisle. “Being mad at you is water under the bridge now, but I can see why you confided in him. You two were close.”
“Not so much at the end.”
She reached him and leaned her hip against a desk. “What do you mean?”
“Even though he never admitted to me that he called the feds, I knew he’d played some part in your leaving. I was so torn up when I found out you were gone. I blamed him. Said some rotten things. We never fixed our relationship before he died.”