by Laura Ann
Driving down the main street, he casually watched all the little shops. The town was fairly small and most of the stores were locally owned, each with its own personality. Families and couples leisurely walked up and down the sidewalk, enjoying the mom and pop shops that still held displays in their front windows. It was like a scene from an old postcard. The candy store was easy to spot with its bubble gum colored awning, he pulled over and walked inside. After walking up and down several aisles, his eye can caught by a bag of foil wrapped candies. Perfect, he thought.
CHAPTER 8
On Monday morning, Charlotte was so tired she could hardly think straight. She had stayed until midnight every single night that weekend in order to organize and scrub the room to a sparkling clean. But it was done. The floor shone and so did the windows. His empty cupboards and filing cabinets were finally unearthed and filled in an orderly manner. Everything had a place and everything was in its place.
At Rory’s urging, she had left a little card, on his desk. I want to be excited at what I just did, but heavens! I’m wayyy too tired.
She rested her head on her desk for a moment. Maybe I'll nap through lunch. Her head popped up when the bell rang and she stood to open her door, allowing the children in from their morning recess.
When everyone was inside, she headed to the chalkboard. “Today we are going to work more on subtracting two-digit numbers. Who can tell me...” She trailed off when she heard several children giggling behind her. Turning around she smiled gently and looked to see what was so funny. The children immediately went quiet. Seeing nothing amiss, she turned back to the chalkboard.
The giggles began again and she quickly turned. Several kids covered their mouths, but she could still see smiles shining through. “All right.” She put her hands on her hips. “What’s got you all so full of laughter today?” She smiled so the children knew she wasn’t mad.
The students eyed each other, but nobody wanted to speak.
“Is there something on the back of my shirt?” She tried looking over her shoulder, but the children shook their heads. “Um...is my hair all messed up?”
Shouts of ‘no’ became intermingled with the laughter.
“Well then, what is it?”
Suddenly there was a loud shout from just outside the door, followed by a couple of thuds. Gasping, Charlotte rushed to the window and looked out. All she could see were a couple of balls that had been forgotten on the playground. While she was still looking out the window, two more balls fell down from the roof, followed by shrieks of laughter.
Whirling around she looked back at her class and realized it was too quiet. “Where are Jackson and Andrew?” She asked.
The kids looked at each other.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and said, “Did they climb onto the roof?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Came a small voice in the back.
Charlotte groaned and rushed out the door. “Andrew? Jackson?” She shaded her eyes with her hands and walked around, trying to find the boys. “Ahh!” She cried when a soccer ball flew from the roof in her direction.
“Andrew! Jackson! Come here please!” She tried using a firmer voice this time, each second that passed caused her heartbeat and her breathing to speed up. She was trying hard to contain the oncoming panic attack when two heads peeked over the top of the roofline. “BOYS!” She stopped and took a breath. “Screaming at them isn’t going to help,” she mumbled to herself. Believing it, was a different matter, her anxiety levels were almost unmanageable.
Jackson and Andrew climbed over the peak and worked their way down to the flat line of the roof, just above the drainage pipe. Standing up, they started walking like they were doing a balance beam routine, shouting and laughing the whole time.
Covering her mouth, Charlotte swallowed her gasp. Those two are going to fall! How in this world did they get up there? “Please just hold still boys!” She begged, then searched frantically for whatever they had used to get on the roof.
Ignoring her the boys started shouting insults to each other.
Oh dear!
“Ms. Cinders!” A shout rang out from across the playground.
Whirling around she had a moment of elation, followed quickly by a stone in her stomach, when she saw Christian running her way. He was being followed by a couple of tall high school aged boys. Why does he always see me at my worst?
Skidding to a stop next to her, he said, “We could see them from our window! How in the world did they get up there?”
“I have no idea! But I’m so glad you’re here. They aren’t listening to me and I’m afraid one or both of them are going to fall.” Tears began to prick her eyes.
“Don’t worry.” He put a firm hand on her shoulder. “We’ll figure this out.” Turning to the students with him, he said, “Gentlemen, spread out and figure out how they got up there.”
The teenagers immediately started running in opposite directions around the sides of the school.
“Got it!” One of the boys shouted a few moments later. He came rushing around the corner carrying a ladder.
“They couldn’t have gotten that ladder themselves! It must have been left out!” Charlotte exclaimed.
“Probably.” Christian agreed. “Right over here, Hunter. That’s right.” Christian directed his helpers with a firm but kind voice. “Thank you. Now, I’ll go up, you two help Ms. Cinders keep an eye on the troublemakers.”
When the twins saw him climbing the ladder they squealed and tried to climb back on the slope of the roof. Seeing their planned escape, Christian moved as quickly as he dared. Luckily, in their hurry, the boys were slipping and Christian was able to grab them both before they got away.
“Now, gentlemen.” He said. “The fun is over. Down the ladder you two.” Christian started them on the ladder, his students then helped grab them when they were close enough.
Once back on the ground, Charlotte took a firm hold of their forearms and crouched to their level. “Andrew. Jackson.” She looked at each of them in turn. “What were you doing on the roof? It’s dangerous up there! You could have fallen!”
They boys looked at each other, looked at her and shrugged.
Sighing, Charlotte stood. Keeping a hold of their arms, she turned to her rescuers. “I don’t know how to thank you enough. I was at a complete loss.” She looked at Christian last, worried about what she would see on his face. Compassion and something else that she couldn’t quite place shone through his blue eyes. Her heart pounded nearly through her chest, and her breathing became shallow. It felt as if the world faded and it as just the two of them as they stared at each other.
Slowly, he stepped toward her. Neither of them noticed the teenagers roll their eyes and start back toward their classroom.
“I’m glad I could help.” Christian said, his voice lower than normal.
“Me too.” Charlotte whispered.
Just as Christian opened his mouth to speak again, a piercing scream came from the doors into the main part of the building.
Christian and Charlotte jumped apart in a guilty manner, jerking their head towards the sound.
“Jackson! Andrew! My babies! My angels!” Mrs. Tremain came running down the sidewalk towards the group. She was followed by Principal Grimm. “Oh my darlings!” Dropping to her knees, she grabbed her boys and pulled them towards her, jerking them from Charlotte’s grasp. After a moment, she pulled back and looked at each of them in turn. “Where are you hurt? Tell me what that horrid teacher of yours did! Let me see where you’re hurt.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened at the implication this was her fault. I know I should have noticed they were missing. But still! I had nothing to do with them being on the roof!
“Mrs. Tremain,” Christian began. “This wasn’t—”
“Don’t try to defend her Christian! My babies were supposed to be in her care and instead I find them on the roof! They could have died!”
“Now Mrs. Tremain, let Ms. Cinders talk. I’m sur
e there is a good explanation for such activity.” Principal Grimm tried to interject.
“I didn’t—” Charlotte stuttered.
“We wanted the balls mama!” One of the boys cried.
“Our soccer ball landed on the roof!” The other added. “And she wouldn’t let us have it!” The child pointed to Charlotte and started to wail. Quickly the other joined in.
Charlotte stood shaking her head in disbelief. In a panic she looked at Principal Grimm. Does he believe them? I’m going to lose my job!
“Now, now,” Mrs. Tremain soothed. “Mama is here now. I won’t let that nasty teacher hurt you any more.” Looking up at the principal, she glared. “We need to talk. I won’t have my boys unsafe while they are at school!” She took a moment to look at Christian and her face softened. “If only you were an elementary school teacher, Mr. Prince. I’d feel safe if they were with you.”
Principal Grimm cleared his throat. “Mrs. Tremain, please come to my office. We will discuss this privately.” After they started to walk away, he turned back to the two teachers. “Ms. Cinders, please meet with me after school.” Then he continued to direct Mrs. Tremain and the boys back inside.
“I’m going to be fired!” Charlotte gasped.
“No! This wasn’t your fault! I won’t let them get rid of you.” Christian insisted.
“How will you stop it? That woman will continue to weave lies about me until she gets what she wants.” She felt as if she might hyperventilate. Tears pricked her eyes and she wrapped her arms around her middle, as if she could control the trembling that had taken over her body. “I don’t understand why she hates me so much!”
“Ms. Cinders, Charlotte,” he corrected himself. “You are not going to be fired.” He took her by the shoulders to make sure she had her attention. “Principal Grimm is a fair director. He can’t blame you for the ladder being out or the decision of two troublemaking boys during recess, when they were under someone else’s care. None of this is your fault.”
Charlotte took a steadying breath. “You’re right. Thank you.” She could feel herself starting to pull back from the panic attack.
“Alright then. Go take care of your children. We can talk later.” He said kindly.
Nodding, Charlotte stepped away from him and turned toward her classroom door. Before she walked away, she looked at him and said, “Thank you Christian. I don’t know what I would have done without your help.” On impulse she stood on tiptoe and gave him a grateful peck on the cheek, then darted to her door and inside.
CHRISTIAN STOOD IN shock for a few moments after she left. His cheek tingled and he could feel a blush starting to rush up his neck. Shoving one hand in his pocket and one rubbing the back of his neck with the other, he started back towards his classroom.
One of his students held open the door for him as he came from the outside. When his eyes adjusted to the dimmer light, he was once again struck by the brand new room in front of him. My Secret Santa must be a glutton for punishment. I can't believe they took the time to clean my room. How did they manage it? And how did they know I needed the help?
Shaking his head he started towards the front of the room to finish his lecture before the bell rang. It was a good thing he knew the topic of his lesson well, between the clean room and the memory of Charlotte’s soft kiss, he knew he wouldn’t be able to concentrate.
CHAPTER 9
“What has gotten into you this morning?” Rory asked, as she shuffled into the kitchen. Pausing, she gasped. “Did you get to see Christian’s reaction to his clean room?”
“Oh. I forgot about that.” Charlotte said.
“Forgot? Forgot! What do you mean forgot! You spent the whole weekend fixing that place up and you claim you forgot?” Rory folded her arms. “What’s really going on?”
“Nothing.” Charlotte turned away and dished the scrambled eggs she had been making onto two plates, before bringing them to their small table.
“Nothing my foot.” Rory mumbled, then dug into her scrambled eggs. “Thanks for making breakfast. I was tired last night and overslept a bit.”
“Not a problem. I didn’t hear you come in last night, although I’ll admit I went to bed super early. I came home right after my meeting with Principal Grimm and pretty much passed out after that. I’m relieved to say that our boss was understanding about that situation with the Tremain boys. Although I feel bad for the landscaper who left the ladder out.” Charlotte stopped eating and looked at Rory. She tilted her head to the side and her eyebrows scrunched together. “Is everything alright with you?”
“Yep. Right as rain. Just extra busy at the center. We’re a little short staffed at the moment.” She stuffed a big bite into her mouth.
“Hmm...” There’s something she’s not telling me. Do I force the issue or let it go? Charlotte sighed. “Well, if you decide you want to talk or anything, you know that I’m here, right?”
“Of course!” Rory said. “But there’s nothing to talk about.”
CHARLOTTE WALKED INTO her classroom still thinking about her conversation with Rory. She was so distracted by her concerns that she didn’t notice the person leaning on her desk. “Oh!” She cried, putting her hand to her heart. “You startled me, Mrs. Tremain.” What is she doing here? And for goodness sake, why is she always at the school? I thought she had a day job, but everytime I turn around she’s here.
“You might have him fooled, but I see you for who you truly are.” Mrs. Tremain spoke in a low, menacing voice. She held a red book in her hand and played with it, while she spoke.
“Excuse me? I don’t know what you’re referring to. And please put down my things.” Although...I don’t know where that book came from.
Tossing the book aside, she stood and stalked toward Charlotte. Charlotte’s first instinct was to cower at the large woman headed toward her, but with every fiber of her being she fought the impulse. I can’t show any fear, bullies have to see confidence. She repeated the line she often taught her students when they were being treated unfairly.
“Your blue eyes and blonde hair might make you look innocent, but I know the truth.” Mrs. Tremain hissed. “You’re an irresponsible, lazy, horrible teacher. But all you have to do is bat your eyelashes and the men forgive you for anything. I’ve met enough women like you in my lifetime to make me sick.”
Charlotte reared back at the hatred in her eyes and the menace coming from her mouth.
“Now. I’ve come to issue a warning.”
“A warning? About what?” Charlotte asked warily.
“Stay away from Christian. I have plans for him. He deserves better than some worthless little rodent who calls herself a teacher.”
Charlotte’s jaw dropped. Mrs. Tremain’s insult hit her in the chest and for a moment she didn’t breathe.
“Principal Grimm might have been willing to overlook yesterday’s incident, but it won’t last forever. If you keep going after Christian, I will be forced to continue my pursuit of your termination.” She paused and raised an eyebrow. “Are we clear?”
Charlotte stood still, unsure how to respond to such a threat. I have done nothing to deserve this treatment! Why is she being like this?
“I can see your wheels turning. Think very carefully before you cross me again. You won’t like the consequences.” Marching in her heavy stride, she shoulder bumped Charlotte and walked out the door.
Rubbing her shoulder, Charlotte walked to her desk. What is wrong with that woman? I think it’s clear to everyone that Christian isn’t interested in her. Does she really think that threatening me is going to help her get him? She groaned. I’m so glad I’ve already talked to Principal Grimm. At least I know where he stands on this issue.
Eyeing the book that Mrs. Tremain was tossing around, she picked it up and turned it over. “The Night Before Christmas. Hmm...wonder how that got here.” Setting it down, she happened to glance in the the garbage can and saw a red envelope sitting on the top. Where did that come from? Picking it up, she
saw a crumpled card beneath it. What?
When I saw this book I thought of you reading it to your class. Hope you enjoy,
Your Secret Santa
PS The chocolate is for you, not your students.
Chocolate? She looked around and found nothing. Picking the garbage up she dug around a bit and found a dozen foil wrappers. “Are you kidding me? That woman sat here and ate my treat? What is wrong with her?” She threw the garbage down in disgust. Unbelievable.
She picked up the book once more and her heart softened. “That was very sweet of them. I wonder who it was.”
The bell rang and she hurriedly put away her things, preparing to let in the kids for the day.
“SHE ATE YOUR CHOCOLATE? Are you serious?” Rory exclaimed at the lunch table, her hands were palm down on the table and she leaned forward as she spoke.
“That was out of line.” Lucy chimed in.
Nash grunted and folded his arms.
“Nash is right, that woman is nuts. And she has no right to threaten your job.” Piper added.
Charlotte was glad her friends were back. She had missed Piper. “Welcome back, by the way I’m so glad your dad is doing better.” Charlotte smiled at her.
“Thanks! It’s good to be back.” Piper glanced slyly at Nash and her cheeks turned pink.
Nash slid his arm over the back of her chair and pulled her into his side.
So sweet! Maybe someday... She glanced across the table at Christian, who was staring at his tray of food. His face was a mask of fury. “Christian?” She asked softly. “Are you okay?”
“Hmm?” His face shot up and he looked around, realizing everyone was staring at him. “Oh yeah. I’m good.” Picking up his fork, he poked at his food.
“Well, I, for one, am ready to help you put that woman in her place. She can’t talk to you like that.” Rory took a vicious bite of her carrot, almost as if she were chewing Mrs. Tremain’s head instead of a vegetable.