Starting Over at Lane's End (Harlequin Heartwarming)

by Galloway, Shelley

  With a groan, Gen realized all her brand-spanking-new gardening supplies were sitting in a pile out in the open, her plants looking anemic. “Oh. Easter lilies. I’m going to take up gardening.”

  “Best take it up soon or you’re going to kill these little guys.” Bonnie scurried to the sink, grabbed a glass off the counter and filled it with water. “You might not have heard, but you’re supposed to water plants,” she said, handing Gen the glass.

  Obediently Gen poured a small amount into each pot. “I didn’t know you could be so sarcastic.”

  “I’m finding out new things about you, too.” Gesturing toward the plants, she said, “I’ll help you plant them tomorrow, if you like.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Well, it’s six-thirty—time for you to eat and for me to go deliver chili to Mrs. Johnson. She hurt her leg last week.”

  “Do you need some help?” Gen asked, thinking that Bonnie wasn’t too spry herself.

  “Not yet. You go eat now, dear.”

  After Bonnie’s departure, Gen gratefully heated up the bowl in the microwave, added cheese, then sat down with a cold drink and the television for company.

  Sadie, never one to let a hot dish be ignored, circled her affectionately, as if Gen were some kind of fool.

  Balancing her bowl of chili on her lap, Gen reached down and scratched Sadie’s ears. “I’m not falling for that trick. I know exactly how your mind works.”

  Sadie dipped her head down in disgust, finally lying right on top of Gen’s feet. “That’s okay, girl. I’m ready to relax, too.”

  As sitcoms flashed before her, Gen thought of Bonnie and her chicken pie. Of the bowl of chili and Mrs. Johnson. Like cogs in a wheel, they all seemed to go together... Bonnie helping everyone as she saw fit...Mrs. Johnson, like Gen, delighted to eat a home-cooked meal.

  Which made her think of home. Next thing she knew, Gen was calling Margaret for the second time in two weeks.

  “’Lo?” Meg said the moment she picked up the phone. “This had better be good, because I’ve got a four-year-old having a temper tantrum.”

  Laughter erupted before she could stop herself. “Hey, Margaret. It’s Gen. What happened to your fancy caller ID?”

  “I’m on an extension. Wait a sec and let me calm Emily down.” Pure pleasure tinged her voice when she returned. “I can’t wait to hear why you’re callin’ now.”

  Gen ate another bite of chili as she heard Margaret fuss with Emily. Within seconds the soothing sounds of Barney the dinosaur filtered through the phone.

  “Emily does love Barney,” Margaret said by way of explanation. “Is everything okay? Anything wrong?”

  “Everything’s fine.”

  “You sure?”

  “I’m fine. I’m home. Eating chili with Sadie.”

  “Oh, chili sounds good. I’m eating a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich with Emily while the baby’s sleeping.”

  Because Margaret’s voice was still tinged with expectation, Gen said, “I didn’t really call for a reason...I was just thinking about you.”

  “How’s the gardening coming along?”

  “Not so good. I’ve bought the plants but haven’t had time to get them in their pots.”

  “It’s a start. Even though you don’t ever have to call for a reason, I’m thinking you did. Let me guess—a certain man is still on your mind.”

  “You’d be right.”

  “So...are you actually dating?”

  “I’m not sure.” So far she’d gone out with Cary twice and had shared a couple of pretty incredible kisses, but she couldn’t say if this was going to be a regular thing.

  “What’s the guy’s name?”

  “Cary. He’s a schoolteacher. He has a beagle, too.”

  “So you’ve got lots to talk about.”

  “Sometimes.” Gen didn’t have the heart to admit that so far most of their conversations had been about vandalism.

  “I bet things are going to work out just fine. Just don’t be afraid to be yourself.”

  That was good advice. Gen only wished she could learn to follow it. “Margaret...do you ever wish we were closer?”

  After a pause, she replied, “Always.”

  “I guess I’ve pulled away.”

  “I’d say you have, some. But I let you do it, which isn’t good, either. I’m ashamed that I let you do it. It was easier than to judge my life against yours.”

  “What? You’re perfect.”

  “Hardly. You’re the one with the exciting job. I’m only a stay-at-home mom.”

  “And Momma loves you for it. Everyone loves you for it!”

  “People might admire me, but they brag about you.”

  Gen was genuinely stunned. “I never imagined that.”

  “’Course you wouldn’t—Momma was never one to give compliments freely. You know how that goes. On my wedding day she told me it was really too bad I had a pimple on my chin.”

  Gen laughed so hard the chili almost fell into Sadie’s waiting mouth. “You looked gorgeous. Everyone thought so.”

  “Everyone but you-know-who.” In the background, Gen heard the door slam. Gen could hear Shane calling for Margaret in between the sobs of their little boy.

  “Uh-oh. I’d better go. Call me back later. Hey...maybe one day I could come out and see you.”

  “I’d like that,” Gen said, surprised with how much she meant it.

  “Good. Ask me and I’ll do it. Talk to you soon.”

  By now the chili was cold, but that didn’t matter. What had just happened with her sister made everything seem okay.

  Chapter Eleven

  CARY ARRIVED FIVE minutes early for the scheduled meeting in the conference room, but it turned out he wasn’t the only person eager to get things under way.

  He was the last to arrive. “Hi, everyone.”

  Lieutenant Nate Banks shook Cary’s hand. “Good to see you again, Cary.”

  Also in the room were Evan and Gen. Though she was eating a blueberry muffin and sipping a large mug of coffee, she looked more serious than usual. “Hey, Cary,” she said.

  “Gen,” he murmured as he sat down to the left of her.

  Since Evan was speaking on the phone in a low voice, Cary used the time to reflect on the past few days. February had faded into March, and with it, three more days had passed since the last incident of vandalism. The graffiti had been painted over, the smoke bomb forgotten. The Lions had won their final game in the district play-offs and were now heading toward the regional championships with one of the best records in the area’s history.

  Cary’s contract was in and the indecision forgotten. He’d gotten in two more six-mile runs, and Sludge hadn’t terrorized anyone besides the UPS guy in two days.

  His gaze strayed to Gen, who was still concentrating on her muffin. Although he hadn’t expected her to launch herself into his arms, something a little more warm and personal would have been welcome.

  What had happened? The last time they’d kissed, Cary had been sure there was something special between them, a connection. Even more significant had been their open, honest conversation.

  But ever since, things had been sketchy. After Tuesday night had been canceled, Gen had been busy on Wednesday. He’d had a late meeting Thursday night, that had been out. And now here they were, face-to-face, uneasy again.

  Lt. Banks cleared his throat. “After much discussion, we decided to place an officer at Lane’s End High for the next few weeks.”

  “Yes. It would have a myriad of benefits,” Evan stated.

  Cary winced. Their principal only used words like myriad when he was uncomfortable.

  Continuing, Evan said, “Not only do we have the recent cases of vandalism, but things are bound to get rowdy if
our team keeps winning.”

  “Never say if, Evan,” Cary joked, attempting to lighten the atmosphere. “The Lions are going to go all the way.”

  Evan held up crossed fingers. “I just don’t want to jinx it.”

  Gen and the others laughed. After a few more minutes, the lieutenant closed his notebook. “So it’s all set. Gen, until further notice, you’ll be assigned to Lane’s End High. Finish whatever you need to do at the station, then return here as soon as possible.”

  After glancing in Cary’s direction, Gen nodded. “All right, if you’re sure this is where I need to be.”

  “This has been your case from the start, Gen. It’s a good fit. I’ll go over your duties in more detail at the station. For right now, I’d like you to get a feel for the place.”

  Gen stood up as Lieutenant Banks paused at the door before leaving. “Thanks, Nate.” When she sat back down, Cary noticed Gen looked a little stunned. Was she disappointed with the assignment?

  Evan handed her a packet. “I took the liberty of outlining your day and highlighted areas where your expertise would help.”

  “Thanks.” She took the paper without a word. Cary noticed she hardly looked at it.

  Evan either didn’t notice or didn’t care, because he kept talking. “As you can see, it would be beneficial if you patrolled the halls, entryway and parking lots and talked to some of the kids to get more information. Maybe you could join some of Pat Brown’s health classes, steer a few discussions toward subjects the students might have questions about, such as drinking and driving. Students might feel less uncomfortable that an officer’s around if they got to know you.”

  “That sounds fine.”

  “Now, as far as possible suspects, I wrote down Cary’s and Melissa’s schedules. Thought you might want to pay special attention to who they come in contact with.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  “If you turn the page over, you’ll notice there’s a ball game Thursday night. We’ll want you there. Crowd control is going to be an issue.”

  Cary shook his head. Evan must have wanted to be a cop in an earlier life. He sounded almost giddy about the thought of helping plan a police officer’s day...and helping in the capture of the kids who were messing up his school.

  Finally Evan left for his next meeting, leaving Cary and Gen alone.

  “I wish things could have worked out for us this week,” he said, not even pretending to care about anything but their relationship.

  Surprise...and a hint of longing entered her eyes. “I do, too.” Tossing the papers on the table, she looked at him directly. “Especially since things between us are going to be a little strained.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Working at the school and being around you so much is going to be tough for me,” she murmured. “When I’m on duty, I take my job very seriously. I hope you won’t mind.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Cary said, thinking that her tenaciousness was what made her so special to him.

  She flipped through Evan’s notes before glancing at him again, looking all business. “Is there anything in particular you’d like me to do while I’m here?”

  There was that wall again. High, thick and most likely made of concrete. There was no way he wanted it to stay there. “Kiss me in dark corners?”

  “Besides that.”

  Because he could have sworn she was blushing, he took pity on her. “There’s nothing I can think of that you need to do, Gen.”

  Her blue eyes blinked as her cheeks definitely flushed. “I’m sorry—my mind’s going in a hundred directions right now. This assignment took me completely off guard. May I stop by your classroom at the end of the day?”

  “If that’s what you want.”

  Standing, she looked at him again, her expression soft. “I do want that. I’ll see you later,” she said in a rush before striding out the door.

  * * *

  “COFFEE BREAK, SLATE?” Sgt. Conrad asked later that afternoon as he moseyed over to the coffee machine.

  She held up a bag of chips and a Coke.

  “Just having some lunch while reading up on my next assignment.”

  “I heard you’re still on the high school vandalism case. Better be careful or you might get asked to the prom.”

  Gen chuckled. “I might even be tempted to say yes, since I wasn’t asked the first time around.”

  Conrad raised an eyebrow. “Rumor has it you were less than thrilled by the assignment. Want to tell me why?”

  Could she take a risk and let her guard down with the sergeant? “It—it wasn’t the job, sir. It’s a personal matter.”

  “Ah. You and Cary Hudson.”

  Did everyone within a hundred-mile radius know her business? Since there was no point in denying it, Gen nodded.

  Sgt. Conrad leaned back. “Cary’s a good guy. My little brother went to high school with him.”

  She should have known. “Do you think we seem like a strange couple?”

  “Not at all. My wife would call you both ‘good people.’”

  She knew exactly what that meant. Back in West Virginia, the term was a true compliment. “Good people” were ones you became friends with, respected, introduced to your mother. “Thanks.”

  “Let me know if you need a hand with the case, Slate. You don’t have to work all on your own.”

  Conrad’s offer felt genuine, not condescending.

  It also felt a little like a life preserver, just standing nearby, waiting. It was comforting. “Thank you.”

  * * *

  “WE’RE GOING TO enjoy working with you, Officer Slate,” Evan said at the staff meeting that afternoon. “Please let us know if we can help you in any way while you’re here.”

  “Thank you. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you and the students.” She turned to Evan. “I think your suggestion of joining the students’ health classes is a great idea. If the kids have a reason for my being here, they’ll be more likely not to see me as a threat. If I just wander the halls, rumors will start flying.”

  A woman in the back motioned with her hand before beginning to talk. “I have a feeling more kids are going to know you than you might imagine. Especially since you’re obviously a good friend of Cary’s.”

  The comment drew more than a few jokes and jabs from the group.

  Though it had been said without rancor, it grated Gen’s nerves. Now she was going to have to investigate the vandalism and fend off unnecessary conjectures about her relationship with Cary Hudson at the same time.

  Gen looked at Cary. He was chatting with two other teachers, not paying any attention to her in the slightest.

  Then, realizing the majority of the people were still waiting for a coherent response, Gen shrugged. “I hope before I leave I’ll be able to count many of you as friends. I’m new to Lane’s End, as you know.”

  Her neatly sidestepped remark caused several other people to chuckle. Finally Evan called the meeting. “See everyone tomorrow.”

  Gen gathered her materials, thinking to herself that she shouldn’t be so sensitive about everyone’s interest in her personal life. She’d known living in a small town created such situations.

  The appearance of the health teacher saved her from further introspection.

  “I’ve got some ideas for our class, if you have time to see them,” Pat Brown said.

  “I’d love to see your materials.”

  As Pat led the way to her classroom, Gen looked around with interest. Just like students—and cops—the teachers and staff members were standing around talking. Others were in their classrooms, either erasing or writing on whiteboards.

  After two right turns, they came to Pat’s large room. Filled with bright yellow bulletin
boards, it was energetic and inviting. With little fanfare, Pat picked up a packet from the corner of her desk and handed it to Gen. “Here’s the information I mentioned during the meeting. There are some lessons about drinking and driving, consequences for speeding, signs of drug use, that sort of thing.”

  Gen nodded. “I have pamphlets I can bring in, too.”

  “Great. Maybe we can start each class with a brief introduction, then open it up to questions. That should help you get to know the students quickly.”

  They spoke for a few minutes more before Pat looked at the clock. “I’d better get going. I take water aerobics at the community center a couple of nights a week.”

  Gen noticed Pat looked healthy and toned. “That sounds fun.”

  “I’m sure you, being a cop and all, could probably run circles around what we do, but if you ever want to join us, let me know. We’re always happy to see a new face in class.”

  The offer seemed genuine, and Gen was touched. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” Pat grabbed her coat. “One more thing—don’t let all that teasing about you and Cary get you down. Nobody means anything by it.”

  “I’ll try not to,” Gen said but knew that would be a hard promise to keep. Her feelings for Cary were so fresh, the last thing she wanted to do was have their relationship be fodder for the town.

  It was now almost five; her meeting with Pat had taken longer than she’d anticipated. With a sigh, she hurried to Cary’s room, hoping he hadn’t already left, not wanting him to think that she was blowing him off once again.

  Lane’s End High had been through so many renovations and additions the floor plan reminded Gen of a maze for laboratory animals. Honestly, she needed a breadcrumb trail to find her way to Cary’s room. She’d just backtracked and was staring at the library when Cary approached.

  “Let’s see. You either need a good book or you’re completely lost.”

  “I’m so glad to see you. I’ve been wandering in circles!”

  “I’m glad I found you then,” he said with a smile.

  “Me, too. I’m going to need an escort to help me through the halls on Monday.”

  “I won’t be able to help you Monday, but I can be of service right now.” He held out a hand, which she took gratefully.