If I did that, would Ellie even want to see me? Rick suggested Ellie liked me, but she’d walked away pretty easily. She appeared to be going on with her life like nothing had changed.
Fuck! Why did love have to be so hard?
The next day, I dropped Mollie off at school, and for a moment, I considered going in and giving Mrs. Snyder a piece of my mind, but couldn’t quite bring myself to do it.
Instead, I returned home. I did some work and then looked for homes online in a different school district. Thoughts of Ellie kept whirling in my brain, but I had no place to organize or store them. Giving up on work and house hunting, I went to the balcony to look over the ocean. I’d miss this when we moved, but unfortunately, I didn’t have enough for a house on the beach.
As I stared out over the waves, I was swamped with memories, like the first time I was inside Ellie’s sweet body. She’d put so much trust in me. I’d never forget the way she surrendered her virginity to me. Or the time we’d fucked out in the ocean. She was a woman who wanted to experience a lot but seemed timid about going after it. Not much different from Mollie. But with me as her guide, she’d been open and eager to experience life, not just sexually, but in other areas as well. She wouldn’t have put that sort of trust just in anybody, would she? There had to be some feelings there for me, didn’t there?
I desperately needed to know.
I went back into the condo and grabbed my keys. Ten minutes later I was parked in the visitor’s lot at Mollie’s school and marched to the principal’s office.
“Mr. Mathers, you can’t just-” the secretary said, but I ignored her and entered the principal’s office.
“Mr. Mathers.” Mrs. Snyder stood, her expression sour; the same expression I imagined most of her misbehaving students received.
“Did you threaten to fire Ellie Webb for seeing me?” There was no sense in small talk.
Mrs. Snyder motioned to a chair for me to sit, as she sat behind her desk. “Ms. Webb knew the school’s policy when I hired her. She broke that and I gave her a second chance because she’s an excellent teacher.”
I remained standing. “What business is it of yours what she does outside of class?” The gall of this woman.
“We had an incident several years back. I’m sure you know of it. It made the news. Since then, we made it a policy that teachers aren’t to have relationships with parents or other teachers for that matter.”
What the fuck? I sank into the chair as I searched my brain for what she was referring too. When it came, I frowned at her. “That was a teacher and parent who were both married to other people. Ellie and I are single.”
“True, but-”
“And they were making amateur porn.”
“Nevertheless,” Mrs. Snyder started with that same pinched expression.
“So, if Ellie was dating someone else and making amateur porn, you’d be okay with that as long as he wasn’t a parent?” Surely the issue with the other incident had to do with the porn aspect, not the dating.
“The policy is set.”
I stared at her, wondering how she could be the principal of an elementary school when she had no heart. I stood abruptly. “In that case, I’m withdrawing Mollie from school, effective today. Get me whatever paperwork you need and I’ll sign it.” I headed to the door of her office. “I’m going to get Mollie now and be back to sign them.”
“Mr. Mathers, there are only two weeks left—”
“I don’t care.” I was out the door before she could do more than call my name.
Each step I took toward Ellie’s classroom, I felt confident yet nervous too. I wasn’t going to let Mrs. Snyder get in my way, but I still wondered if Ellie even wanted me.
I ignored Mrs. Snyder’s calling me as she followed me up the school hallway. Outside the class, I looked in to see what was going on. Ellie was on her knees with all the kids around her and they were acting out animals or something. I smiled. It was the first I’d seen her in nearly two weeks. She was in her element. The kids buzzed around her like she was honey. She smiled, making eye contact with all of them. And in the middle of it, Mollie grinned as she flapped her arms like a bird. It was one of the most beautiful and touching things I’d ever seen.
I opened the door and entered the class.
Ellie’s eyes caught mine and it took her a moment to register who I was. When she did, she looked like a deer with her eyes caught in the headlights as she stood.
“Daddy! Look, I’m a bird.”
“You’re a beautiful bird,” I said, but my gaze stayed on Ellie.
“Wil- uh, Mr. Mathers,” Ellie stammered.
I moved closer to her, vaguely aware of the assistant, Ms. Hatcher, stepping in to corral the children. “Did you end things because you were threatened with your job?”
“Mr. Mathers.” Mrs. Snyder’s annoyed voice came from the doorway.
Ellie looked to Mrs. Snyder and then me. She nodded at my question.
I stepped closer to her. There were still several feet between us, but I had to get close enough to look into her beautiful blue eyes. To see the truth of the answer to the question I was about to ask. I took a deep breath, knowing I was putting my heart on the line. “If Mollie wasn’t your student, wasn’t in this school…if your job wasn’t at risk, would you want to see me?”
“Yes.” Her answer came so fast I nearly missed it.
But when it registered, my heart felt so fucking full, it was all I could do to keep from grabbing her and holding her tight. But I was in the middle of a kindergarten class.
I kept my gaze on Ellie, as I said, “Alright then. Mollie, sweetheart, go grab your backpack. We’re going home.”
“Mr. Mathers you can’t just pull your daughter from class two weeks before school is out,” Mrs. Snyder said.
I swung around to her. “You might be able to dictate what your teachers do, but I know for a fact I can do whatever I want with my own daughter.”
“Yes, of course, but Mollie is a sensitive child. Such an abrupt change won’t be good for her.”
“Says the woman who was going to put her with a different teacher.”
Mrs. Snyder’s eyes flashed with surprise. She recovered quickly. “It’s not good for her to miss school, even just two weeks.”
“Well, Mrs. Snyder, as it turns out, I have a neighbor that’s a kindergarten teacher who Mollie loves.”
“And next year, Mr. Mathers?” Mrs. Snyder quirked a brow.
I scoffed. “You do know there are other schools in this town, don’t you? I can send her to a private school or home school her. I have options for Mollie’s education, but when it comes to my heart, Ellie Webb is my only option.”
I turned then to Ellie, who’s breath hitched and her eyes filled with tears. I hoped to hell those were happy tears. Ms. Hatcher sighed. The rest of the students were at their tables doing whatever activity Ms. Hatcher had given them.
“Daddy? Are you mad?” Mollie walked up to me with her backpack on.
“No, baby. Not anymore.” I desperately wanted to kiss Ellie. Or at least hold her, but I didn’t want to push my luck. I was afraid I’d already hurt her job. So, I looked at her. “When you’re done here, maybe you can come over.”
She swallowed and nodded.
I turned to Mrs. Snyder. “Do you have that paperwork?”
Her eyes were intense as she studied me. “Not yet. I’ll pull it together and send it to you through Ms. Webb. You still need to sign Mollie out for today.”
I nodded and took Mollie’s hand. “Come on, Mollie, we’re going home.”
“But school isn’t done yet, daddy.”
“It is for today, sweetheart.” I glanced down to make sure Mollie wasn’t in any sort of distress. She looked confused but not unsettled. Deciding she was okay, I walked her down to the office where I signed her out, and then we drove home.
As I got a snack for Mollie, I checked my watch. Two-thirty. Ellie would be home in two hours. My breath hitched as
anticipation rippled through me. Would Ellie come over? Or had I made a fool of myself? The next two hours were going to be the longest of my life.
Chapter 19
Ellie
I stood in the middle of my classroom stunned. Did Will just come in my class and take Mollie out so he could be with me?
“Ms. Webb?”
In a fog, I turned to Ms. Hatcher’s voice. “You okay?”
“I don’t know just what happened.”
She smiled. “Well, it appears that Mollie Mathers father is in love with you.”
“So, you heard and saw that too?”
She laughed. “Yes. We all did, including Mrs. Snyder, who didn’t look too happy about it.”
I looked to where Mrs. Snyder had been, but she was gone. Thank goodness. I wasn’t sure I could deal with her right now.
“But we have nineteen other children that need teaching, so maybe you can refocus.”
“Yes, yes, of course. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I loved it. It felt like I was in a real-life rom-com.”
“You think he loves me?”
Ms. Hatcher rolled her eyes. “He said he could find another teacher for Mollie but there was only one you, so yes, I think he’s in love with you.”
I couldn’t stop the huge grin. I felt giddy and I wanted more than anything to run home, but I still had a few more hours of teaching. I shook my head and worked to refocus. The next few hours seemed to take forever, but somehow, I got through it.
I rushed through cleaning up, not leaving it to Ms. Hatcher alone even though she offered. I wanted to leave her to it, but a part of me worried that my job was in jeopardy, even though Mollie wasn’t my student anymore. I didn’t want to leave before my job was done and give Mrs. Snyder a reason to fire me. Otherwise, Will’s grand gesture would have been for naught.
As I grabbed my purse, ready to bolt out to my car and rush home, Mrs. Snyder walked into my class. Oh, great!
“Need me to stay?” Ms. Hatcher mouthed from across the room.
I shook my head. “See you Monday.” At least I hoped so.
“Have a good weekend, Ms. Hatcher,” said Mrs. Snyder.
“You too.”
I inhaled a deep breath to steel myself against whatever Mrs. Snyder might say. Then I saw a manila envelope and realized it was likely the papers to withdraw Mollie from school.
“I take it from the surprised look on your face today, that you didn’t know Mr. Mathers’ plan today.”
I shook my head. “No. I haven’t seen him for weeks.”
“You’re neighbors.”
Did she think I set this up? “I did as you asked. I didn’t like it, but I did it.” I was getting tired of trying to be polite.
“Why did you do it, if you loved him?”
I sighed. “Because I didn’t know he loved me and it seemed unwise to risk my job on that.”
“And now that you do know how he feels?”
What did she want? “If Mollie isn’t here, it doesn’t matter now, right?”
“Yes, but it’s not smart to use Mollie—”
“Your policy uses Mollie, not me.” I corrected her. “Until today, nothing Will or I did has impacted her or any of the children’s education.”
Her eyes narrowed and I’d thought for sure I’d just earned my pink slip. She walked around the classroom, looking at the children’s work I’d hung on the wall.
“I didn’t make that policy, although I do support it. However, Mr. Mathers’ has a point.” She turned to me. “A school, that works to teach love and friendship, shouldn’t have a policy that keeps people who really care about each other apart.”
I didn’t respond. Maybe if I let her talk, she’d get it all out and then I could rush home to find out if Will really did love me.
“So, I’ve decided that you can keep your job and Mr. Mathers, and have Mollie in your class. It’s just two weeks, and as you’ve said, until today, there haven’t been any issues.”
My breath caught. “Thank you.”
“Just don’t make me regret it, Ms. Webb. I don’t want to see any preferential treatment of Mollie or have your personal life impact the classroom.”
“I won’t let you down.” That giddiness was growing again.
“I can see that you want to get home. Two weeks is a long time to be away from someone you love.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Be sure to let Mollie and Mr. Mathers know what I said. But in case he still wants to move her, here are the papers.”
I took the envelope she handed me. “I will.”
“See you Monday, Ms. Webb.”
“See you Monday.”
The minute she was out of my classroom, I locked up and rushed to my car. I tried not to speed, but I couldn’t seem to get home fast enough. I ran up the stairs to Will and Mollie’s condo. I rapped on the door and waited. And waited.
My heart thundered. Where were they? Had I dreamt all this? They weren’t at the pool or I would have seen them when I arrived home. Maybe he had an errand?
Deciding to not panic yet, I went to my condo across the hall. That’s when I saw the paper taped to my door. It was another picture drawn by Mollie of the three of us on the beach. On it, Will scrawled a note:
Let’s try this one more time. We’re on the beach. I hope you’ll join us.
I opened my door wide enough to toss in my bags, and then I shut it and ran back down the stairs and out the back toward the beach. The closer I got, the slower time seemed to go. When I got to the beach, the sand slowed me down even more. But even if it was quicksand, nothing would have kept me from getting to Will.
I saw him digging in the sand with Mollie, and my heart burst with such emotion for them. He turned his head as if he was checking to see if I was coming yet. He started to turn back to his digging when it must have dawned on him that I was there. The most glorious smile spread over his face. He said something to Mollie and then stood up.
“Ms. Webb!” Mollie rushed to me, apparently sand didn’t slow her down.
“Hi, honey. How was your afternoon?”
“Fun. Daddy and I played hooky.”
I laughed. “Yes, I know.”
He stepped in front of me. For a moment we just stared at each other. Then he put an arm around my waist, tugging me to him, and his lips came down on mine, so sweet, so tender, my heart bust open into full-fledged love.
In the background, Mollie giggled. “Daddy’s kissing you.”
When he pulled back, his eyes were soft, apologetic. “I’m sorry, Ellie.”
“For what? I’m the one that ended things.”
He took my hand and we walked to where he had a blanket set up. Mollie, apparently bored of us now, was back digging for shells.
“For not telling you sooner how I felt about you. For letting you think that all you were to me was physical pleasure.” He helped me sit on the blanket.
“I like physical pleasure.”
He grinned as he sat next to me. “I do too. But it’s more than that, Ellie. I wanted to tell you that the last time we tried this picnic.”
“You did?” The realization sent me reeling. I pressed my palm to his cheek. “Then I’m really sorry.”
He kissed my palm. “Why didn’t you tell me about your job?”
I shrugged. “I didn’t think it would matter. It wouldn’t change my situation.”
“But I could have done something.”
“Like you did today?” I grinned at him, the memory of him barging into my classroom making me giddy again.
“Yes. I hope I didn’t make it worse for you.”
I shook my head. “In fact, Mrs. Snyder said that she’ll overlook the rule in our case since it’s just two weeks and because of how we feel for each other.”
He cradled my face in his hands. “I feel like I love you, Ellie.”
My heart danced in my chest. “I feel like I love you too, Will.”
“And me?” Mollie c
ontinued to dig even as she asked her question.
“Absolutely, you too.” I laughed.
“What about your being her teacher. Rick said Mrs. Snyder tried to put her in a different class.”
“I can be her teacher. It’s only two weeks.”
“So, your job is okay?”
I nodded. “My job is fine, but what I’m most excited about is you.”
“Keep digging, Mollie, okay.”
“K. Why?”
“Because I’m going to kiss your teacher again.”
I heard her snicker, but then there was only Will, his lips against mine, so wonderfully firm and yet soft too.
He trailed kisses along my jaw toward my ear and then whispered. “Maybe later, we can have makeup sex.”
“I’ll be disappointed if we don’t. You still haven’t taught me that.”
He barked out a laugh. “Something tells me I have a few things to learn. Will you teach me, Ellie?”
“Whatever you want to know, Will.”
We spent the evening on the beach, having a dinner of fish-shaped macaroni and cheese, fish crackers, and fruit. It was the most perfect dinner I’d ever had. The three of us laughed, raced on the beach, and Will was even able to coax Mollie to put her feet in the water.
Later, exhausted, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Watching Will put her down, with such love and gentleness, made me love him even more. When he exited her room and closed the door, he had the monitor, but then he hung a bell on the knob.
“What’s that?” I whispered.
He took my hand and led me to his bedroom. “In case I’m too distracted to hear the monitor. I’m hoping the bell will alert me if she gets up. I don’t need Mollie walking in to see the things I plan to do to you tonight.”
An erotic spark flared through my body, settling in my center and making me wet. He closed his door and locked it.
Then we stood, simply staring at each other.
He smiled. “I never believed in you, Ellie, and yet here you are. You’ve stolen my heart.”
“I’ll cherish it, always.”
Blind Date: Single Dad-Baby Romance Page 11