Bells, Rings & Angels' Wings

by Linda Randall Wisdom

  Tyler’s features hardened at his words. “Considering I’m no one’s property, I’d say no one needs to worry about taking the good suit out of the closet anytime soon.”

  Fred chuckled and shook his head. “Well, son, that’s what they all say. But they still get hooked and reeled in before they know what’s going on.”

  ALL DURING THE TIME she was on the playground, Libby could feel Tyler’s gaze fastened on her. She didn’t know why he watched her so intently when he didn’t even know her. His staring made a familiar warm feeling well up inside her.

  Libby enjoyed rest time, when the children would lie down on special mats with blankets they’d brought from home for their naps. In the old days, she had usually read during this period, and it was easy to fall back into the habit. Except now she would occasionally lift her head and look over at one little girl curled up under a tattered yellow blanket. Becca’s eyes were open and she was watching Libby.

  Libby got up and walked over to her. She crouched down and touched Becca’s shoulder.

  “Shouldn’t you be resting?” she whispered. “The dodgeball game seems to have worn everyone else out.”

  “I’m not tired. Besides, I like looking at you,” Becca whispered back.

  Libby smiled. “Thank you.”

  “I want to look like you when I grow up,” she told her in her whispery voice.

  “Maybe you will. When I was your age my hair was the same color yours is now.” She lightly touched a stray strand. “And I had lots of freckles. But I wasn’t like you. I hated them.”

  “You forgot. They’re not freckles, they’re angel kisses,” Becca whispered. “They mean angels watch over us.”

  “I wish I’d known that when I was your age. I might not have tried so hard to get rid of them.” She smoothed back the little girl’s hair.

  For a moment, she thought of her baby, who had had red-gold hair at birth. If Sara had lived, she probably would have looked like Becca when she grew to Becca’s age. Is that what drew her to the little girl? Or the fact that she had no parents, just as Libby no longer had a child?

  Or a husband, she wryly reminded herself.

  Ah, but you didn’t want your husband, remember?

  Libby pasted a smile on her lips, patted Becca’s shoulder and straightened up.

  I didn’t exactly ask for you to interfere in my life.

  Oh yes, you did.

  Says you. I’m beginning to think you’re not any type of angel. You were just sent to make my life hell.

  Entities aren’t angels. Nor are we allowed to participate in any evil rituals.

  Libby picked up her book and sat down to read. She glanced at the clock. Rest time had another ten minutes to go.

  Tell you what, Matthias, why don’t you go bother Cyn? I’m sure she’d love your company.

  I’m sorry, Libby, I’m all yours.

  She felt a sigh rippling through her body.

  Until I say I was wrong? Fine. I was wrong. I want my old life back. I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again. Or do I have to take a blood oath?

  You need to understand yourself more, Libby. You need to see what’s truly important to you. You took the first step when you came into this classroom instead of running away.

  Libby wasn’t sure how she knew, but she sensed Matthias’s departure, which was as abrupt as always.

  You’d think he’d at least say goodbye.

  LIBBY WAS GLAD she was able to match parents’ faces with each child and by now could even greet most of them by name.

  “I have to admire your courage taking on all these kids,” Marian, Josh’s mother, told her. “Josh, leave the hamster alone! I can’t imagine they all have Josh’s energy, thank God, but they still have to be a handful. Josh, there is no reason to tease the rabbit!”

  Libby stood there, openly amazed by Marian’s calm handling of her son, who hadn’t stopped running around since his mother had arrived.

  “You’re the one who deserves a medal. I understand you have more at home.”

  Marian, a spritely brunette, laughed. “We have eight more at home.”

  Libby’s eyes widened. “Nine children?”

  “When my husband said he wanted a large family I had no idea he meant that large. But I quickly discovered pregnancy agreed with me. I never had morning sickness with any of them.”

  “The way you look I’d say that handling your kids is better than aerobics,” Libby said.

  “Only where the boys are concerned.” Marian reached out and grabbed Josh’s hand, pulling him up short when he ran past them. “Stand still for five seconds,” she ordered. “No wonder poor Miss Libby looks frazzled, if she’s had to run after you all day.” Her gaze was caught by Becca, who was sitting across the room. “Has there been any word on finding her family yet?” she asked in a low voice.

  Libby shook her head. “They just don’t have enough to go on. I understand notice has been sent out to all law agencies in Indiana and the surrounding states, but so far no word.”

  Marian tsked as she shook her head. “Such a pretty little thing to be put into the system. Poor baby. It must be difficult for her, since she appears to be so shy.”

  “I was that way when I was her age.” Libby smiled. “Then a little boy pulled me out of my shy state.”

  “Boys will do that, won’t they? And they’re always so darn cute then, too.” Marian chuckled. “Well, we’re off. I’m glad to know Josh isn’t being a total terror. Maybe it’s because he adores you.”

  Libby was amused to know a boy who could turn a woman’s hair gray overnight adored her.

  “I hate to think what he’d do if he couldn’t stand me,” she said lightly.

  Marian shuddered. “I don’t think you want to know. Come on, monster boy.” She pulled on Josh’s hand.

  “Bye, Miss Libby!” he shouted as he instantly took the lead and pulled his mother out of the room.

  “Miss Libby?”

  Libby turned around at the whispered sound of her name. Becca stood nearby, looking uncertain.

  “Mrs. Robinson is outside in her car,” the little girl murmured. “Her arthritis is acting up so she doesn’t want to get out of the car if she doesn’t have to. Can I go?”

  Miss Regina’s rules were strictly enforced. Children could not leave the classroom unless a parent or authorized adult came to pick them up.

  “I’ll tell you what. I’ll go out with you,” Libby offered, holding out her hand. “Let’s get your coat on, shall we?”

  As she crouched down and buttoned up Becca’s coat, she noticed that the sleeves were too short for her thin arms and were tight in the shoulders. The garment also looked a little threadbare.

  For a moment she wanted to pull the little girl into her arms for a hug, but she sensed Becca would recoil from any type of sympathy.

  “You must be growing like a weed,” she commented lightly, smoothing down the collar. She straightened up and took Becca’s hand. “Now let’s get out there before Mrs. Robinson thinks Josh flushed you down the commode,” she whispered. She was gratified to hear a hint of a giggle in return.

  They walked outside and along the walkway to the parking lot, where a gray sedan waited. Smoke billowed out of the tailpipe to battle with the cold air.

  Mrs. Robinson smiled and waved at Libby. She opened the window. “I’m sorry you had to come out here with Becca,” she said. “This cold weather just doesn’t treat these old bones kindly.”

  “No problem, Mrs. Robinson,” Libby assured her, opening the passenger door and helping Becca onto the seat. “I hope you’re taking it easy.”

  “Oh, I am.” The older woman beamed at Becca. “My little one has been a big help.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, Becca,” Libby said as she stood back.

  She watched them drive away before turning back to the school building. She smiled and waved when Becca swung her arm over her shoulder and waved at her.

  “I gather Ada’s arthritis is acting up a
gain,” Miss Regina commented when Libby entered the building.

  Libby nodded.

  The older woman sighed. “It’s a shame that little girl is having to live with someone more the age of a grandmother than a mother. At the same time I guess we should consider her lucky to be with someone who’s so good with children. And Ada loves to bake, which always endears her to any child’s heart. And she does what she can with her charges.” Miss Regina studied Libby. “You’re a wonder with the children. I don’t think I want you to marry and have children too soon.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about that,” Libby said softly. “It appears there’s too much for me to do first.”

  Chapter Eight

  Libby turned the key in the ignition. All that could be heard was a faint click, then nothing.

  “Dammit!” she muttered, pounding the steering wheel with her gloved fist. She jumped when she heard a tapping on the window.

  Then her heart leaped when she looked up to see Tyler standing by her car door. She rolled down the window.

  “I hate to tell you this, but it sounds as if you have a dead battery,” he said with the easy grin that never failed to melt her insides. “Do you have any jumper cables? I can give you a jump start then.”

  “I don’t think so,” she said hesitantly, trying to remember what was in her trunk.

  “Don’t worry, I have some.” He loped off toward a dark blue 4x4 pickup truck. A moment later he’d driven it toward her, so the hood faced the front of her car. He popped his hood, then gestured for her to do the same. Within minutes, he had the cables connected. Luckily, it didn’t take long for her car to start up.

  “Let’s give it a minute just to be sure,” he advised. He braced his crossed arms on the window. “I’m Tyler Barnes.” He cocked an eyebrow, waiting for her to tell him her name.

  “Libby Douglas,” she murmured. She wasn’t sure what to think of his bold gaze. She could already see this wasn’t the Tyler she knew!

  I told you things have changed.

  “I sure hope that’s Miss Libby Douglas?” He leaned a little closer.

  The masculine aroma of male skin with a hint of sweat and soap assailed her senses as he invaded her space. Libby felt that if she hadn’t been wearing a heavy coat he surely would have seen through her clothes! She wasn’t sure she liked him acting this way.

  “You’re new in town,” he said.

  “I’m replacing Bonnie Summers,” she explained.

  “So you taught rug rats before you came here?”

  Libby nodded. “I taught in Webster Falls, but I wanted a change. This position came up at the right time.”

  “Then it looks like we’re the ones who are lucky,” he said with a rakish grin. “So tell me, Libby Douglas. What are you doing Friday night?”

  This wasn’t the Tyler she knew! At least he would have waited a little longer before asking her out. She remembered Tyler acting bold, but nothing like this!

  “Relaxing and looking forward to the weekend, when I can finish my unpacking and get settled in.”

  “I’m real good at unloading boxes.” His grin was almost arrogant.

  “I’m sure you are, but I don’t have anything heavy to worry about. But thank you for the offer.”

  “Just being neighborly.” His grin widened. “After all, we’ll be neighbors. I’m working on the new school building.” He crooked his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the construction site.

  “Then all I ask is that you watch the language when the children are outside. There’s no sense in teaching them new words too soon.” She kept a smile on her lips that was polite but dismissive. She remembered Tyler used to call it her teacher’s smile. “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Barnes. Thank you for helping me with my car.” She pushed the gear stick into reverse and backed up.

  Tyler stood there watching her drive off. “Sorry, honey, but all you’ve done is prime the fire,” he murmured, still watching when the small car turned the corner. “You’re not going to get away that easy.”

  “Tyler Barnes, are you trying to charm one of my teachers into going out with you?” There was no missing Miss Regina’s imperious tone.

  He turned around to face the teacher, who could intimidate a majority of her former students. Brash as he was, even he would never try to fool her.

  “Yes, I am, Miss Regina.” He knew it was best to be no less than honest with this woman. “I can’t help it when I see a pretty woman.”

  She smiled. “I’m glad to see you didn’t try to lie to me, Tyler. I’m going to make a suggestion and I hope you take it. Leave Libby alone. She hasn’t lived here long enough to know what a rake you are.”

  “Now, Miss Regina, how could you call me that?” He pressed his palms against his chest in mock sorrow. “I’m always the model gentleman, thanks to your teaching.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “I am very serious, Tyler. Libby isn’t your kind of woman. Although I’d hazard a guess she’d be better for you than your usual choice of companions.”

  If any other woman had said that to him, his hackles would have immediately risen and he would have offered a quick retort. But this was Miss Regina, who had literally shaped his first years of life. No other woman in town commanded the respect Regina Parker did. And not just because the Parkers had been one of the town’s founding families. She was the epitome of a lady and instilled gracious manners in her students.

  “Renee Carter was one of your students here, too,” he reminded her.

  Miss Regina’s lips pursed as if she had eaten a lemon. “Yes, and if I recall correctly, she wasn’t one of my stellar students.”

  Renee had often been caught kissing the boys behind the playhouse.

  Tyler knew when to quit. “Do you need any help getting to your car, Miss Regina?”

  She looked down her nose at him. “Young man, the day I cannot make it to my own car is the day I’m carried out in a casket to Willow Hills Memorial Park. Now, I suggest you run along and do whatever you boys do on a night like this and let me lock up the school.”

  He did the only thing he could after the regal dismissal. He left.

  LIBBY COULDN’T STOP thinking about Tyler during her drive to her apartment.

  “All right, Matthias,” she said out loud. “It’s time for you to explain why Tyler is acting that way.”

  He’s never had you in his life. He wasn’t exactly a troublemaker during his school days, but he was known for finding all the wild parties and having fun all weekend.

  “Well, there’s fun, then there’s fun. Right now he thinks he’s God’s gift to women, and with an attitude like that I wouldn’t look twice at him.” Her face crumpled. “I want my old Tyler back! This Tyler didn’t look at me as if I was a woman, a person. He looked at me as if he was wondering how long it would take him to get me into bed!”

  That’s Tyler, all right.

  Libby wrinkled her nose in distaste. “That is not Tyler! The man I just spoke to was not the man I fell in love with.”

  Then why don’t you show him just how lucky he would be to have you in his life? At the same time, you might discover how lucky you are to have him in yours.

  “Your idea of lessons is extremely distressing,” she answered, then wished she hadn’t used that descriptive word the moment she drove down the driveway and parked in the garage.

  The first thing she noticed was a vehicle parked near the back door. It was a blue Explorer. That might not have meant anything to her if she hadn’t also seen the tan plush stuffed dog sprawled across the back seat.

  She didn’t have to peek inside the vehicle to know she’d find a floral eyeglass case lying on the passenger seat and a travel mug in the mug holder. She knew the driver hated leaving the house without coffee. Even if it was for a short drive across town.

  Libby walked slowly across the yard and stopped by the utility vehicle. Her fingers brushed against the cold metal. She sought comfort where none was forthcoming.

  “Libby, is tha
t you?” Cyn sang out. She pushed open the back door and peered out. “Come in, dear. I want you to meet a good friend of mine.”

  With her head held high and her back straight, Libby mounted the steps and walked inside. Just as she expected, a woman in her late fifties sat at the table with a teacup in front of her.

  “Marie, this is Libby Douglas. She’s the teacher who’s replacing Bonnie. Libby, this is Marie Bennett, a very close and dear friend of mine.”

  “Hello, Libby.” Marie smiled warmly. “I’ve been hearing very good things about you from Cyn. Would you like to sit down and have some tea with us? On a day like today, it’s guaranteed to warm your bones.”

  “Thank you.” Libby fervently prayed her smile wasn’t slipping as she politely greeted the woman she had always known as Mother. Now Marie didn’t even know her. “It is very cold out there.”

  “I guess it’s too soon to ask you what you think of Willow Hills.” Marie picked up the teapot and poured tea into another cup. She handed it to Libby. “Cyn said you’ve only been here for a few days.”

  Libby smiled her thanks as she accepted the cup. She sipped the tea, allowing the liquid to warm her.

  “I’m afraid I haven’t seen much other than the motel I first stayed in, the school and then here,” she admitted, taking a cookie off the plate set next to the teapot. She bit into it, finding the familiar taste of oatmeal, chocolate chips and a hint of cinnamon. Her mother had made these cookies—something else that saddened her. “These are very good.”

  “I’d love to say I baked them, but I’m not a very good baker. Marie brought these over along with some other goodies.” Cyn’s brilliant fuchsia tunic and top were accented with purple and turquoise jewelry.

  “It’s better to bring them over here than eat them myself,” Marie said.

  Libby took another cookie. “After running after kids all day, I can use the energy.” She was prepared to sit there and just enjoy the company even if the older woman didn’t realize the importance of this meeting.