* * * *
Erin woke up Friday with a small headache behind her right eye. It had been the nightmares again. Where she was trapped. Where she made the decisions that affected the rest of her life. The ones that took her fiancé from her and doomed her to a life of solitude. Because what man would want a woman like her as his wife or the mother of their children?
No one.
The thought raced across her mind before she could stop it. Screw it. She slung her legs over the side of her bed. Can’t change the past. Can’t go back and make different decisions. Just going to go about my business and live my life. Do the best by my students. And have dinner with a man and his family that scare the hell out of me.
“Shit,” she muttered.
Daniel Rodriguez. Erin paused and sat there. Handsome man. Generous. A family man. That gave her pause. And not for the usual reasons. Erin rubbed her right temple. She would go and meet the Rodriguez family. Pay back this ridiculous notion that Daniel owed her. Then move on with her life.
She stood and walked into her kitchen to start a pot of coffee. While it brewed, she popped an English muffin in the toaster and turned on the television. She let the news drone on while she ate. Then she moved to the bathroom and turned on the shower. She would only have about an hour and a half to get ready after school this afternoon in preparation of her impromptu date.
Erin stepped under the hot spray and sighed. She let the water wash away her worries and concentrated on the day ahead. More rain. The kids were beginning to get a bit restless. Maybe she’d put on a couple of DVDs and let them enjoy some movies in the afternoon. Erin washed her hair and scrubbed her body while her mind poured over the possibilities.
She hadn’t even picked out the outfit she would wear this evening. And truth be known, she had no damn idea what in the world a person wore to a family dinner. She didn’t want to look like an idiot who dressed inappropriately. A family dinner. The words rang in her head again.
“Shit,” she muttered. Erin turned off the shower and pulled back the curtain. She grabbed the light blue towel hanging on the rack and wrapped it around herself. She walked back into her room and opened her closet door. Fridays were casual at school. Blue jeans were totally acceptable, and she pulled a light blue pair out. Erin thumbed through her tops and then settled on a simple white button-up with long sleeves. A pair of tennis shoes would complete her outfit.
Erin dressed quickly and then moved back into the bathroom to fix her hair. She frowned at herself in the mirror. The rain beat against the small bathroom window. No point in letting it just string around her face today. She swiftly pulled her hair up in a simple twist and applied some light make-up. Just about done. One last cup of coffee, and she might live. Maybe.
She slid her tennis shoes on and grabbed her bag. Erin glanced at the clock. Plenty of time. She blew out a breath. A nice calm and steady one. Her pulse lowered a bit.
“Always in a hurry,” she muttered. “Everything will be there when you get there. Sheesh.”
Erin grabbed her black umbrella and glanced around her house. In eight hours she would be back again, trying to figure out what to wear for dinner. “Simmer,” she instructed herself. And then she stepped outside.
* * * *
Erin arrived at school around seven-thirty and tried to wipe her tennis shoes on the mat the school provided. She hated to make extra work for anyone.
“Appreciate that.”
Erin started at the soft voice. Her head popped up, and she saw the new janitor. The woman was gorgeous. She looked at Erin with a broad smile on her flawless face. Her black hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she wore the requisite uniform. But there were several things about her that didn’t look janitor-like. Those expensive boots for example. Shining black leather that gleamed even in the dimmest corridor of the school.
“Erin Sanders.” She moved forward and offered her hand.
The beautiful woman took her hand and smiled. “Tempest.”
“It’s good to have you here.” Erin grinned. “Though I’m sure the rain is a bit of a pain to deal with.”
Tempest grinned. “I expected the rain. It’s something I’m rather used to, in fact. I doubt it will lift for awhile. And if it does, only for a bit.” She shrugged. “I don’t mind.”
Erin glanced up at the clock on the wall. “I need to prepare my classroom, but it was nice to meet you, Tempest. Take care.” She gave one last little wave as she made her way to her class. The rain tapped lightly against the two windows in the classroom. Erin walked over to one and opened it to feel the cool water run against her hand. She closed the window with a grin and wiped her hand on a paper towel.
“Another day with the kids inside?”
Erin started and shook her head. “I seem to have my head elsewhere today.” She smiled. “Yep. But I did bring some movies in case the natives get restless.” She motioned to Kendra. “Come here a minute. I want your opinion on which ones to show.”
They finally settled on two movies, and Erin looked at the clock. “Kids will be here in about fifteen minutes. And then I’m sure the day will fly by from there.”
Kendra gently smiled. “Quit worrying, woman. You’ll have a nice time.” She patted Erin’s arm. “You never know, you might actually enjoy yourself.”
Erin stuck out her tongue. “You always see the glass half-full, don’t you?”
Kendra threw back her head and laughed. “Always.”
“I rather knew that.”
The kids began to file in five minutes later. They hung up their coats and umbrellas by the door, and then they sat down at their desks.
“Okay, class.” Erin clapped her hands twice. The students immediately settled. “This morning we’ll be going over our regular lessons. But,” she paused, “this afternoon we’ll be watching a couple of movies. Complete with popcorn. How does that sound?”
She grinned down at the happy little faces. “I thought you would approve. Now let’s not waste time this morning. Straight to our alphabet.” There wasn’t one complaint as they worked through the morning until lunch.
Erin let Kendra take the class down as she graded the few papers she had in front of her. She wanted everything done by the time the final bell rang so she could rush straight home and change for dinner. Still didn’t have a clue as to what she would wear. Erin put the thought out of her head with a great deal of effort. Dressing for the evening shouldn’t stress her out.
Her headache came back around one o’clock, and she took two more Ibuprofen. Kendra noticed and walked over to her desk.
“You okay?”
“Fine.” Erin smiled. “A bit nervous but that’s to be expected.” Her blue eyes glanced at the children watching the movie. “Good call, don’t you think?”
“The best.” Kendra chuckled at all the sets of eyes glued to the television screen. “Did you need to take off a bit early today?”
“No!” Erin looked horrified. “For a date? Not hardly.” She smiled. “But thanks.” She bit her lip. “And you won’t mention it to the other teachers, will you?”
“No.”
“Thanks.” Erin sighed and looked at the clock. Just dinner, she repeated to herself. That’s all it was. She wouldn’t stay that long. The less chance she’d embarrass herself again.
“It’ll be all right, Erin. Daniel seems like a nice man. You’ll have fun. Just accept this date for what it is.”
The words soothed her. Kendra was right. She could do this. And a nice night away from her kitchen and grading papers sounded heavenly.
The rest of the afternoon sped by. The last bell rang, and the children took off for home. Erin blew her bangs out of her eyes and shook her head. Little beads of anxiety raced through her blood. She glanced up at the clock. She should be ready to go in half an hour. Still plenty of time to change and fix her hair a bit.
Kendra came back in as soon as all the children were gone. “It’s raining harder. Want me to stay until you’re done?”
Kendra nodded.
“No. I’m fine. Don’t have any galoshes, but I have my umbrella and slicker. You go home.” She made shooing motions.
“I left my number on your desk. Call me if you like tomorrow.”
Erin chuckled. “Curious, are you?”
“A bit.” Kendra’s smile broadened. “I think this will be good for you. And maybe I’m living vicariously through you.”
“You’re in for a sad, slow life.” Erin snickered and packed her bag. “You go on. I’ll call you tomorrow. Take care getting home.” The thunder boomed again. “Seems like it’s gearing up again.”
Kendra closed her eyes and smiled. “Love a storm.” She winked and left.
Erin cleaned up the classroom and started for the door. A streak of lightning burst through the sky, and thunder rolled right on top of it. She barely stifled her scream when the lights went out.
“Hell,” she muttered. Erin squinted and made her way to the door. The school building may have all the bells and whistles, but it had no backup generator. They were going to start installing one in the spring. Storms like the ones they had this week were rare.
“Hindsight and foresight,” she mumbled as she made her way down the dark hall. Everyone else had left. No one hung out to chitchat on a Friday. Even the janitor had made quick work of it and went home early.
Erin shuffled down the hall and out the front door. Rain blew hard across the school yard and parking lot. The wind battered her umbrella as she tried to keep a hold of it and lock the door at the same time. Her lone car was getting the washing of a lifetime. The rest of the parking lot was bare.
She squinted and swore. Then she raised her head to the sky and asked, “Have I pissed someone off, perhaps? Stepped on a few toes? I’m sorry!” she shouted. Because she could just make out a nice flat tire on the front passenger side. And she had no spare. Because the last time she had a flat, a nice man had changed it and put on the spare. But when she bought the new tire, the spare had gone flat. And guess who didn’t bother getting it fixed? Or another tire?
“That would be me.” Erin sighed and stepped back under the small awning of the school. She didn’t have a cell phone. Too expensive to deal with. And she was either home or at school. Not a big necessity for a portable phone.
Erin unlocked the door again and placed her umbrella and bag right inside the door of the school. She walked to the office and unlocked the door. She picked up the phone and cursed roundly at the absence of a dial tone.
“Damn. It.” Erin slammed the phone down and glanced up at the clock on the wall. It still ticked happily away since it ran on batteries. And it was a lot later than she originally thought. Daniel Rodriguez would be showing up at her house in half an hour. She had options. She could sit out the storm and wait for the electricity to come on. Or possibly take off walking in the monsoon and find a gas station or something. But the nearest one was about two miles away.
Erin sank down in the hallway and sighed. Another round of lightning and thunder shook the school. “Well, that’s great, Erin. Your first date in God knows how long, and you sit here looking like a drowned rat. Charming. Grand. Just flipping wonderful.” She’d give the storm another half an hour and make a decision.
Fifteen minutes later her stomach growled loudly, and she sighed. She’d grab a granola bar from the teacher’s lounge. Wouldn’t much make a dent in her hunger, but it might tide her over until she actually was able to eat dinner. Whenever that would be. Erin took a bite of the honey and oats granola and smiled. Wasn’t that heavenly? She locked the lounge, turned around, and walked right into someone’s chest.
Erin screamed and struck out with her right fist, but it was caught in a hand.
“It’s Daniel.” His calming voice echoed through the hall. “Calm yourself, Erin. It’s just Daniel.”
“Daniel,” she repeated between shallow breaths. She was damn lucky she didn’t choke on the granola. Or spit it all over her date. “Geez.” Erin tried to make out his features in the dim hall. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.”
A bolt of lightning shot across the sky, and Erin looked up into his handsome face. Those hazel eyes flashed for a second, and then the light was gone. He still had her hand in his. And he brushed his thumb absently back and forth across her knuckles.
“Are you all right?”
“I’ve been better.” Erin sighed and pried her fingers off the rest of the granola bar clutched in her hand. She dropped it into the wastebasket by the lounge. “How did you know I would be here?”
“I stopped by your house first. You were not home. So I thought to catch you here. Mama started dinner a little sooner because of the storm. She was afraid that her stove would not work. So I hoped to persuade you to come a bit earlier.” His voice roughened. “Why is there no other people here? Where is everyone else? You should not be left here by yourself.”
“They’re at home, Daniel. Enjoying the start of their weekend.” Erin tried to disengage her hand from Daniel’s but he tightened his grip enough so she couldn’t escape. “May I have my hand back?”
The lights flickered and then came back on. Erin watched as Daniel lifted her hand and brushed his lips across her knuckles. His hazel eyes looked deeply into her blue ones. “For a bit, querida.” He reluctantly let go and stepped back. “I will take you to my family’s house and have a mechanic tow and fix your car. You are hungry.”
The words were said so matter-of-fact that Erin paused for a minute before she spoke. “And you can tell me how much that will be so I can reimburse you.”
A hint of anger crossed his features. “It is a gift, Erin. I wish for your car to be fixed. Why do you discuss payment?”
“Nothing is free.” The bitter words came out before she could bite them back.
His hazel eyes narrowed, and he sighed. “My cousin is a mechanic, Erin. There will be no charge. I am family. You are my date this evening. There will be no charge to you.”
Erin bit her lip. She took a deep breath. “Okay. Just drop me by my house for a couple of minutes and let me change. Then we’ll go to dinner.”
Daniel was dressed smartly in khaki slacks and a light blue button-up shirt. His dark hair was pulled back from his face and gathered at his neck. Even his brown loafers were gleaming.
A smile played across Daniel’s features. “You are lovely as you are. And Mama will have my hide if I do not come home within the next ten minutes. I have strict instructions, Miss Sanders. You do not wish me to be in trouble, do you?”
She snickered. “Playing on my sympathies?”
“Trying.”
“I look awful.” Erin shook her head. “Your mother will wonder why in the world she let a drowned rat sit at her kitchen table.” She pulled her hair from its twist and ran her fingers through it. “Nothing but a mess.”
Daniel reached up and ran his hands through her hair. Erin’s eyes widened as she looked up at him. She opened her mouth, and he touched his finger to her lips.
“Shhh.”
Then he gently cupped her cheek and lowered his mouth to hers. Erin watched as his lips met hers. Softly. There was no pressure in his kiss. Only warmth. She closed her eyes cautiously and sighed as he deepened the kiss. His tongue moved against hers, and she gave herself up to the sweet feeling.
Her hands moved through his hair and clutched at the silky strands as if he were a lifeline. Daniel’s hands moved to her back and fitted her body close to his. She lost track of time. Of everything. There was only Daniel. His mouth. His hands. His gentle warmth.
The kiss changed again, and Erin felt the hunger flowing through Daniel’s body. And then her own. It was that feeling that caused her to step back. Her breathing was shallow, and she clenched and unclenched her hands.
Erin’s blue eyes were wide in her face. Daniel’s face f
lushed. The only sound in the hallway was two people trying to gain control of their feelings.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. He raked his fingers through his hair and stared at her. “I did not mean for that to happen.”
Erin smiled shakily. “No problem.” She tried to scrape her dignity together. All just a mistake. Bad timing. Something.
“Erin.” Daniel’s voice was calm. “I meant for that to happen, make no mistake. But I did not mean for it to be in the school hallways.”
“Oh.” Erin fought for something to say when she saw him smile.
“Come home with me, querida. You are hungry. Mama has been slaving in the kitchen all day. Or so she would have us all think.” He reached for her and took her hand. “I will have my cousin fix your car after dinner.” Daniel brushed back her hair with a smile. “Quit thinking. We have all the time in the world to talk of this.”
“Right.” Erin’s stomach jumped with nerves, but she didn’t take her hand back this time. They walked outside together, and Erin locked the school up. The rain had quit. And now a double rainbow lit the sky in all its beauty.
Erin motioned to it, but Daniel shook his head.
“It has nothing on you, querida.”
She didn’t say a word as he tucked her into his car and drove away.
* * * *
Daniel’s mother’s house was a rolling two-story on twenty acres of land south of town. It had a sprawling front yard that sloped down to the road with a two-car garage. It was brick with a large wraparound porch and flowers that spilled over their boundaries in a sea of oranges and yellows. Two large oak trees towered over the front lawn and a set of lawn furniture in tan and green. There were children playing with puppies in the front yard, and Erin grinned despite herself. Her nerves settled a bit. She loved children.
“Is your mother babysitting?” She motioned to the children, and Daniel shook his head.
“My brother and sisters are inside. Their little ones run the yard until dinnertime.” He sighed. “I should probably park a block away.”
Water Goddess Page 5