The Come to Me Complete Collection: Contemporary Christian Romance

by Leah Atwood

  “That’s now, once the kids are with Mrs. Aarons.”

  “Go on ahead and talk to Mr. Bergeron. I’ve got this under control.”

  “Thanks, Morgan.”

  Why did the principal want to speak with her? It must be important or he would have waited a few minutes until her planning period officially began, or left a note in her inner-office mailbox. She wasn’t worried that she’d done something wrong—she never strayed much from the book, and she had no strikes on her record. But for the life of her, she couldn’t imagine what was so important.

  “Good afternoon, Sophie. Mr. Bergeron is in his office waiting for you.” Kathleen Doucet, the school’s secretary, gave her a smile, upping Sophie’s curiosity a notch. The secretary wasn’t unfriendly, but neither was she known for a cheery disposition.

  She walked back a short hallway and knocked on the principal’s open door. Mr. Bergeron looked up from his computer and waved her in.

  “Thanks for coming so promptly. A delivery came for you a short time ago.”

  “The backordered readers, we’ve been waiting for?” She leaned forward a bit in anticipation. That would make her day. Every week the publisher promised they’d arrive the next week, and they still hadn’t.

  The principal shook his head. “Not that kind of delivery, I’m afraid.”

  “Then what?” By now, she was thoroughly confused.

  “It’s in the teacher’s lounge,” he said, pushing away from his desk. “Walk with me.”

  Strange. Very strange. She wished Mr. Bergeron’s expression would give some sort of indication what was going on, but his face remained impassive. In step with him, they passed out of the offices, down the main corridor of the school and entered a room attached to the front of the cafeteria.

  “Your delivery, Miss Thatcher.” The principal finally smiled as he opened the door to the teachers’ lounge. “Someone wanted to wish you a very happy birthday.”

  What? She took a second to put his words together. The day had been so busy, she’d forgotten about her birthday tomorrow. She scanned the room and saw five bouquets of flowers on each of the four rectangular tables.

  “All of them?” she asked, stuttering from shock.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “But who?” She stopped, already knowing the answer.

  There was only one person who’d go over-the-top like this. Too bad Bryce couldn’t be here to deliver them himself. He was in the middle of a promotional tour that lasted through mid-November so they couldn’t celebrate their first birthdays as a couple together.

  “You’re a lucky woman, Miss Thatcher. I daresay you’ve made all our female teachers jealous.”

  She walked over and looked at each bouquet closely. Traditional roses, carnations, mums, orchids, daisies. Flowers she didn’t even recognize. She picked up the card resting in the nearest arrangement, reading the words scrawled in his own handwriting. He must have planned this days in advance.

  We never discussed your favorite flower, so I took a chance on a few. Happy Birthday. This is only the beginning. Love, Bryce

  Just the beginning of what she hoped would be many more birthdays. She couldn’t wait to give him his present. She didn’t have the monetary scope to pull off a grand gesture like he had, but she’d put lots of thought into his gift. It had to be specially ordered, and she’d picked it up Saturday. Wrapped and sitting on her kitchen counter, it was waiting for him to open when she next saw him.

  “Would you like help carrying them out?” Mr. Bergeron asked, interrupting her thoughts.

  “Yes, thank you. I’m not even sure if they’ll all fit.”

  “I’m sure you can find some extra room somewhere.” He winked.

  Or at least she thought he did, but principals don’t wink. At least not this one. Maybe she’d just imagined it. She picked up an arrangement and Mr. Bergeron took two. While they carried them out to the teachers’ parking lot, they talked shop.

  “What’s your agenda for today’s planning period?”

  “I want to review the social studies lessons for next week. This year’s curriculum varies from last year and I want to pick out appropriate activities.”

  A nasal voice came over a loudspeaker that was wired to be heard anywhere on school grounds. “Principal Bergeron to the locker room immediately. Principal Bergeron to the locker room immediately.”

  “That’s my cue.” He chuckled. “Must be time for sixth-grade boys' PE.”

  Sophie laughed with him. Last week the sixth-grade boys had flooded the locker room. The week before they had clogged all the toilets. “Thanks for helping me get these out.”

  A few more steps and they reached her car.

  “Don’t worry about the rest of them for now. You can take care of them after school.”

  “I can carry them out now. I don’t want them to be a distraction.”

  “They won’t be. They’ll still be here at the final bell, so no hurry.”

  Funny, because she’d gotten the distinct impression otherwise.

  Before she could respond, she saw him glance sideways then back at her. “You have twenty-five minutes left before your students return. It’s a nice day. Why don’t you get some fresh air? If I know you, you’re already well-prepared for next week.”

  The voice on the loudspeaker called his name again. “Duty calls. Enjoy your break.” He winked again. This time, there was no doubt.

  So strange. She shook her head and unlocked her car doors then moved the three bouquets from the hood to the backseat.

  “Need help?”

  The sound of a familiar voice took her by surprise and she jumped up, hitting her head on the door jamb.

  “Ouch,” she muttered, rubbing the back of her head. Now upright after clearing the car’s frame, she looked and saw she hadn’t imagined hearing him. Elation erased the pain. “Bryce! What are you doing here?”

  “Surprising my best girl.”

  “I thought the tour was starting this weekend.”

  “Next. I took advantage of knowing you wouldn’t look up the information.”

  “Wow.” Speechless, she paused to gather her wits. Everything made sense now. She pointed back toward the school. “You talked to Mr. Bergeron, didn’t you?”

  “Guilty.” He flashed a smile that spread high on his cheeks and didn’t show a bit of remorse.

  “He was acting so peculiar. I knew something was up, but I had no idea it was you—should have figured.”

  “I couldn’t miss your birthday.”

  “Oh no.”

  “What?”

  “Our birthdays. Since you weren’t going to be here, I made plans to visit my parents for a long weekend. I’m leaving right after school and won’t be back until Monday night.” Her stomach twisted. “You know what, I’ll reschedule. They’ll understand.”

  Bryce put an arm on her shoulder. “Relax, sweetheart. You’re still going to your parents’.”

  “Oh. You can’t stay the weekend?” Ten minutes ago she hadn’t expected to spend her birthday with him and she’d accepted that, but now that she’d had a glimmer of a hope, she was disappointed she couldn’t.

  “We’re all going to your parents. Me, you, and Gracie. If that’s okay with you. Your dad and I were talking and came up with the idea. He thought we should tell you upfront, but you know me, I liked the idea of a surprise.”

  “It’s a great surprise,” she assured him. “Wait, you talked to my dad?”

  “We talk about once a week.” He shrugged as though it was no big deal.

  She tilted her head and wrinkled her nose, stared at him and tried to absorb the information. “That’s so weird.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know, it just is. What do you talk about?”

  “Stuff. He called a few weeks after the dinner at your house and we started talking.”

  “Do you talk about me?” She didn’t mind them talking, but not about her.

  “Generally, no. Sometimes he’ll
tell me an anecdote from your childhood, but except for birthday plans, no. Listen, if it bothers you, we’ll stop the calls.”

  “No, it doesn’t bother me, as long as you’re not discussing me.”

  “I respect you too much for that. Your dad only called the first time because he wanted to know me better. And sometimes I ask him faith-related questions. I don’t have a lot of mentors in that area other than Gramps, and he’s great, but sometimes he’s too close to the situation.”

  She chewed on his words, deciding a budding relationship between her father and Bryce was a good thing. “You know what, I’m glad you talk with him. You’re the two men in this world whom I love. It’s good that you can talk.”

  “Glad that’s settled.” He grinned and opened his arms.

  After darting a glance around, she went to him, indulging in a brief hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “Me too.”

  She broke away, wishing she were free to stay in his arms longer. “Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful— all twenty arrangements.”

  “Too much?”

  “From anyone else, maybe, but never from you.” She’d learned that was who Bryce was. His grand gestures came from the heart, never a desire to show off.

  “For future reference, what is your favorite flower?”

  “Orchids. I have your present at home. Do you want it before we leave or tomorrow on your birthday?”

  “Tomorrow. We’ll exchange presents together.”

  She raised an eyebrow and gave him a look. “You already gave me the flowers.”

  With a twinkle in his eyes, he replied, “Did you read the card? I told you that was merely the beginning.”

  Ah. She’d read it a different way but was certain it still applied. “You’re too much,” she teased, happy just to be near him.

  “You can never have too much of a good thing.” He wiggled his eyebrows and gave his best charming grin.

  She slapped him playfully on the shoulder. “How are we working this trip?”

  “I already stopped at Gram’s and packed Gracie a bag—we’re all ready to go. Do you mind if we take my truck?”

  “Not at all.” She’d only made the trip once, during the day at that, and she was relieved to not do it by herself this time. “After school lets out, we can stop by my house and drop off my car and these flowers. Did you leave an outfit easily accessible for Gracie to change into? Something more comfortable for a long ride than her uniform?”

  He twisted his lips. “No, I didn’t think of that, but I packed extras. I’ll pull one out of the duffel bag.”

  “She can change at my house and we’ll leave straight from there, stop somewhere along the way to eat.”

  “Sounds like a plan. I already programmed your parents’ address into my GPS and filled up with fuel on my way to school.”

  “My bags are loaded in the trunk. Should we transfer them now?”

  “Couldn’t hurt.” He navigated around her, opened her front door and pulled the lever to open the trunk. “I know you’ve to get back in. I’m going to hang out in Gracie’s classroom until the end of the day. How did I miss that parents are allowed to visit the classes?”

  “It’s right in the student handbook. Most parents, except for those of kindergartners rarely do, though.” Occasionally, she’d have a parent stop in her classroom, but mainly only for special occasions, like bringing cupcakes for their child’s birthday.

  Bryce hesitated. “Do you think I should wait out here instead? I don’t want to be the embarrassing dad or anything.”

  “Gracie adores you. You could probably do the Hokey Pokey standing on your head and she wouldn’t be embarrassed.” The image made her laugh.

  “I don’t think we have to worry about me doing that.”

  “Go in. As a teacher, I always like to see parents involved.”

  Squaring his sagging shoulders, his confident stance returned. “I’ll take your bags to the truck then go in. There’s not much time left in the school day anyway.”

  “I really have to go in now. Meet you here or at my house?”

  “Your house is fine. I’ll have to sign Gracie out first since she’s usually picked up in the car line.”

  “And I have to carry out the rest of my flowers.”

  “Scratch that idea then. After I sign out Gracie, I’ll help you carry them and follow you to your house.” He removed her bags from the trunk and closed the lid. “See you in an hour.”

  “Do you know where the teachers’ lounge is?” she called over her shoulder as she walked back to the school.

  “I’ll find it.”

  A brisk speed got her to the art room as her class was cleaning up the mess they’d made. Lacey Aarons came to her, leaning close, causing her chunky necklace to clink. “I heard you had a visitor,” she said. “If I didn’t love Mr. Aarons so much I’d probably be green with envy.”

  Sophie laughed, looking through her peripheral vision at her students lining up. “He wanted to stop in Gracie’s class,” she hedged.

  “Sure, and I’m still in my twenties.”

  “Good grief, you just turned thirty last week,” she shot back to her friend and colleague.

  “Don’t remind me,” Lacey moaned, clutching at her chest dramatically. “All I know is you snagged yourself one good catch. You should have heard the whispers going around the teachers’ lounge.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Why does everyone have to make a big deal out of it?”

  “Because it’s not every day someone dates a hot celebrity. If it makes you feel any better though, the talk was about the flowers and how romantic of a gesture it was. Most people here know Bryce as Gene and Adele Landry’s grandson and treat him as such.”

  “Good to know. How were the kids today?”

  “Perfect angels, weren’t you, class?” Lacey said, turning her attention back to the students.

  “Yes, Mrs. Aarons,” the students replied.

  Sophie clapped her hands. “I’m glad everyone will have a full recess on Tuesday. Let’s go have our vocabulary test.”

  Trina Stuart raised her hand. “Miss Thatcher, can we have a bathroom break first?”

  Subconsciously, Sophie glanced at her watch, even though she knew what time it was. “Yes, we can.”

  For the next hour, she forced herself to focus on her job and students, all while thoughts of Bryce fought their way to the front. A weekend trip together was a huge deal in their relationship. To her parents, albeit, but a trip nonetheless. When the dismissal bell rang, she’d never been happier to hear it.

  She wished her students a happy long weekend and then led them down the hall to the waiting area for parent pick-up. Half of the children remained there, and she took the other half down the hall to another exit, where the bus-rider line was. Since the school was a small, private institution, there were only two buses that came for the kids. Though not required, she waited until her last student boarded the bus before returning to her classroom. There, she grabbed her purse and attaché case.

  Already waiting for her outside the teachers’ lounge, Bryce held Gracie’s hand, his attention glued to her. Sophie listened in for a few seconds, amused at Gracie’s lively retelling of the day’s events.

  “Hi, Gracie.”

  “Miss Sophie! Is it true we’re going on a trip with you?”

  “Yes, it is. Your daddy and you are coming with me to see my parents.”

  “Yippee!” Gracie pumped her arms.

  “It’s going to be a long drive. Think you can handle it?”

  “I know I can,” Gracie boasted boldly.

  “First, we have to carry out a bunch of flowers that your daddy bought me.”

  “Why’d he buy you flowers?” Gracie asked innocently.

  “For my birthday tomorrow.”

  Gracie’s smile spread wide. “Daddy’s birthday is tomorrow too. How cool is that?”

  Sophie caught Bryce’s eye, and they shared an amused grin.
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  He tousled Gracie’s hair. “Come on kiddo, want to help carry out some flowers?”

  “Do you think the bouquets will last until Monday night when we’re home? Maybe I should take some to Mom so I can still enjoy them.” Sophie had an arrangement in her free hand, Gracie carried one of the smaller ones, and Bryce had three positioned carefully in his arms.

  A surprised looked flashed across Bryce’s face and she could tell he hadn’t thought of that. “They should last, but let’s take some anyway.”

  Forty-five minutes later, they were on the road, driving toward Arkansas, headed to her parents’ house. She was looking forward to the time with her family. Two months had passed since she’d seen her parents—not since she’d helped them move. To some people that might not seem long, but she was used to seeing them on a more frequent basis. They were just far enough north that a weekend trip would be too short, except for three-day weekends like this one. Having Bryce along— that was a huge bonus.

  Fortunately, their out-of-state move hadn’t been as difficult for Sophie as she’d expected. It made her realize how much of a life she’d carved out for herself in Oden Bridge. Between church activities, work, and Bryce, her life was full. When Kate called last weekend asking about the girls’ night, she felt a nudge of guilt that she hadn’t even spent time with her best friend in a month. Rectifying that, they’d gone to the movies that night.

  “Did I lose you?” Bryce glanced over. “You’ve been staring at the same spot on the window for fifteen minutes.”

  “I’m here. My thoughts drifted. How long has she been out?”

  Gracie had fallen asleep in her booster seat, a coloring book spread open on her lap and her small hand still gripping a purple crayon.

  “A few minutes. While she’s sleeping, can I run something by you?” A hand gripped the steering wheel with more force.

  “What is it?”

  “Caroline got a call from one of the big magazines yesterday. They want to do a cover story on my new life.”

  “And you’re not sure?”

  “At first no, but last night I gave it a lot of thought. I want to do the story. Being a dad has changed my life. It led me to Christ, to Gracie, to you. The road hasn’t been easy and I’ve been exceptionally fortunate to have a close-knit support group, even though I didn’t realize it for a long time. I think doing this story would be a good way to honor all those who have helped and to share my testimony.”