Collin exhaled. “Does she need to be in a hospital?”
Dr. Singh shook his head. “I would have sent her myself if I thought she was in any danger.”
“Who would do this?” Collin burst out.
“Her attacker wasn’t a man.”
“What?” Collin stared at the doctor’s turban as if a revelation would occur.
“She was attacked over a man. She has scratches on her cheek. And a bruised rib where she was kicked.”
“What on earth? I’ve got to call the police.”
“Ah, Mr. Winslow, I think you should talk to her before doing that. Her pride is in shambles. She might not take kindly to your gesture.” The doctor’s bushy eyebrows wiggled at him with its underlying message.
He got it. But he didn’t agree. Nevertheless, he would talk to Cicely and convince her that she had to follow through with the law.
“I gave her a mild painkiller. She’ll rest and be healed in no time. But her emotional state could be rocky.”
Collin grunted. The doctor knew a thing or two about the physical body, but he may underestimate Cicely’s healing ability of the mind. She was a fighter. From her first day on the job, she’d worked hard to convince everyone that she was mature enough to handle the job and its rigors.
“Coffee is ready.”
Collin looked up at the familiar voice. He took the steaming mug from Athena, trying his hardest to keep his fingers from brushing hers while maintaining a grip on the cup. He failed.
She didn’t need to touch him for his body to react. But her fingers, nevertheless, brushed along his, stroking a deeper part of him that didn’t awaken slowly, but roared to life without his permission. He sipped the coffee, cringing as the heat seared his lips.
“Have you seen her?” Collin asked to divert attention back to the matter on hand.
“No. She’ll see only Lorraine. I heard her come in when the taxi dropped her off. Last night Lorraine stayed in the living room waiting for her.” Athena looked at the couch, but turned away quickly.
Collin refused to follow the direction of her look. All the reminders he needed were in his head and unfortunately standing a foot away from him. He wished she didn’t look fresh and scrubbed clean. Her skin shone with its good health. Her hair, slightly damp, hung in loose waves to her shoulders.
“Collin, she might want to see you,” Lorraine coaxed, upon entering the area.
“You’re right.” He headed for Cicely’s room and knocked, identifying himself. He entered after hearing her weak welcome.
“Hey, kiddo.”
“Uh-oh, I don’t like the sound of that. You used to call me that when I first got here.”
Collin nodded. “How are you doing?”
“Pride hurts. The flesh wounds will heal. And I don’t feel a thing now that Dr. Singh’s medicine is kicking in.” Her smile wavered and her eyes pooled with tears before they crested and rolled down her face.
“You know we have to report this.” Collin quickly reached for a tissue. She dabbed at her eyes. He sat on the edge of the bed holding the tissue box in easy reach.
“You can’t.” Cicely sobbed. “It’s one of the diplomats. I didn’t know the man was married. I think it was his wife who attacked me.”
“Did he do anything?”
Cicely shook her head. “At first we were startled. Then when she turned her rage on me, he stepped back. Maybe he thought it was sexy to have two women fighting over him.” She blew her nose. “But I wasn’t fighting. I was trying to get away. She pulled me back by my head and I fell. That’s when she kicked me.”
“And no one stopped this?”
Cicely sniffed. “I ran toward his house.” She looked away from Collin. “Even though she attacked me in the street, no one was out there. The area was quiet.” She wiped her eyes. “Then he pulled the woman, his wife, into the house and locked the door.” She sniffed, wiping the tears sliding down her cheeks. “From where I stood at the bottom of the driveway, I heard them arguing. I didn’t know what to do. Then a taxi pulled up.”
“Where was my driver?”
“I’d sent him home. I didn’t plan to come home tonight…” Her voice trailed under her shame. “But the taxi driver helped me. I’m so grateful to him.”
Anger had a reason for its red color. And that’s all Collin saw. He tried to remain calm and casual. “Who was the guy?”
Cicely looked at him. “I’m not telling. I can tell that you are going to do something. I don’t want this in the news.”
That meant it was someone with something to hide.
“No police. I mean it, Collin.”
He looked down at the young lady. Now wasn’t the time, but he would have to share with her the decision that he was mulling over. She would have to return home. “Get some rest.”
She didn’t say anything until he’d opened the door. “Please don’t send me back. I can see it in your face. You’re regretting that you didn’t send me back when you found out that I was so young. But I didn’t do anything wrong. And you’d be punishing me.” Her voice grew heavy, but she fought back the drowsy state, pinning him with a woeful look.
“We’ll talk when you get better.”
He walked out of the room before she could protest any further. In the hallway, Athena paced. She paused when he closed the door.
“Can I go in?”
“I think she’s falling asleep.”
“Athena, please. Athena, come here.”
Athena pushed past him and entered Cicely’s room. Collin allowed them their privacy and headed to the dining area where Lorraine and Thelma sat at the dining-room table.
Lorraine motioned with her head toward the door. “I sent the guys back to their side of the world. We don’t need a vigilante group to gather for vengeance.”
“I agree.” Collin didn’t need the problem to escalate.
“Now what?” Thelma looked up at him.
“We’ll allow her the time to get better.”
“And then…”
“Now, Thelma, I’m not asking or receiving input on the matter.” Collin didn’t want to think about breaking apart his group of teachers. They were family. But this incident reminded him that he had a responsibility to them as an employer.
“You can’t send her away, just like that.” Lorraine snapped her fingers.
Collin got up. He had no desire to battle Lorraine or Thelma. Once Cicely was better, there would be an all-out war for what he had to recommend to the foundation. And he knew that they’d see things his way. Cicely’s age had been a problem when he’d discovered that she’d lied on her résumé and was barely twenty.
“Before you think about getting rid of her, what about her class tomorrow?” Lorraine’s question was heavy, laded with anger.
“Thelma and Bill can split the classes.”
“Thelma is taking the smaller kids to the beach.”
“Well, that will have to be postponed,” Collin snapped.
“How about if I took a class? I’d love to jump right in.” Athena entered the room and stood off to the side, not picking a side.
“You haven’t had your orientation.” Collin looked at Lorraine, although he knew that he was being unfair because the entire day’s schedule had been turned upside down. “The kids need time to get to know you and get used to you.”
“In a perfect world that might work.” Athena took a step to where Lorraine and Thelma sat. “I’m here, ready and able to do the job. It’ll give me a couple days to really get to know the children. By then Cicely will be up and around.”
“Not if he plans to send her home like an inconvenient package.” Thelma glared at Collin.
“You can’t.” Athena looked at him as if he was the bad guy. “Why? On what grounds?”
Collin shoved his hands in his pockets. “Look, Cicely knew that her time here was probationary. It doesn’t mean that she did something wrong. But I’ve decided that her development requires more than what I can offer.�
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“I think the stuff you’re spouting sounds like the stuff that the pigs eat.” Thelma slammed down her mug.
“How about partnering me with her? She can help me get acquainted with the processes and the children. I can be a peer mentor to her,” Athena suggested.
“Peer mentor?” Collin folded his arms, ready to battle the ridiculous suggestion.
Lorraine stood, mimicking his mannerisms by folding her thick arms. Thelma, sizing up the situation, quickly joined in and stood shoulder to shoulder.
“This is serious.”
“We’re serious. Consider us the new sorority.” Athena stepped up. Her eyes held a determination that he didn’t expect from her.
“Good day, ladies.” He didn’t want to use Cicely to make a point or to assert his position.
He could hear the rising din of confusion that his refusal to engage with them caused as their voices whispered among themselves.
“Mr. Winslow,” Lorraine called out.
“So it’s Mr. Winslow, now.” He turned and waited.
“All we’re asking is for a chance for us to make things work. Athena was the one able to calm down Cicely when she came home. It’s Athena that Cicely wants. Maybe she can help her through this time. We’re her family and you know this. I’d say that Athena is more than capable of handling the girls, even the difficult cases.”
Collin couldn’t argue with what Lorraine said. She made sense. And this solution wouldn’t cause turmoil in the staff. He raised his hands in surrender. “Okay, I’ll give your options a shot.”
“Good.” Lorraine looked triumphantly at Thelma and Athena. “Now go ahead and give Athena the orientation while I tend to dinner.”
“I was doing dinner today. A Yankee BBQ. I have hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken.” Collin refused to be in the same space with Athena. He couldn’t control his thoughts or feelings with regard to her. Like now. She stood there with a hurt look. And he felt like the ogre.
“I’ve got dinner under control. Now get going before it gets too late.” Lorraine shoved them both toward the door. “Thelma, start cutting up those vegetables.”
“One day you’re going to realize that I’m the boss.”
Lorraine grunted.
Thelma laughed.
Athena had the grace to look down at her feet.
His next hire would definitely be male.
Chapter 5
Now that she had time to think about it, Athena wasn’t sure that forcing Collin to keep Cicely on the staff and allowing her to teach the class was a good idea. But she always rooted for the underdog, like when she was there for her sorority sister, Denise, who had to deal with her bad gambling habits. But under this new roof, the women’s unity could have consequences.
“We’ll go to the office building first,” he barked.
How long would he stay angry? The way he kicked the rock out of the way as he walked offered a clue that his temper might be escalating instead of heading in the other direction.
She wanted adventure, no dull routine. Seemed like her prayers were answered, just not in the way she’d imagined.
“Collin?” She entered the dark building where she’d seen Collin enter a few seconds ahead. He’d stormed across the compound almost as if he was trying to get away from her. She reached out, feeling for the walls and any doorways. If he wanted to play these games, she’d head outdoors until he came to get her. “Collin?” She tried one last time.
The lights came on, momentarily disorienting her. She blinked until her eyes adjusted to the brightness. He stood in the doorway jangling keys.
“There is an electronic lock on the door because we have the equipment in here like the copy machine, the computer lab, sewing machines and full kitchen for home economics.”
The place was clean and orderly. The air smelled faintly of disinfectant. Trash cans were empty.
She stepped into each room and surveyed the area.
“There is a connecting door to the classrooms. Again there is a lock and camera for added security.”
“In one sentence you stress how safe it is, but in another way, you suggest that there is something sinister.”
“Sorry about that. I want people to enjoy what we have here. Unfortunately there are the unsavory sort who try to milk everything for what they deem of value.”
“I understand.” Athena moved along into the hallway of the classrooms. Excitement built as she entered the classrooms that would be hers. The girls were thirteen-year-olds with a variety of family backgrounds. Poverty, however, was the one thing in common.
She stood in front of the classroom looking at the chairs and tables. Her mood lightened over the possibilities. This was where she was meant to be. She looked forward to seeing the smiling faces of the eager students.
“You’ll have six girls in this class. They will be our first high school students and eventual graduates. I’m working on having an established scholarship program in place.”
“Where did the previous classes go?”
“Some made it into private schools. Some struggled through the government schools. Unfortunately far too many drop out.” Collin sighed, his expression grim. “We’ve got a good library. Could be better, but we’re getting more books that capture their interest.”
“I plan to have them write a book at the end of the session.”
“You might have to help with writing skills. A few are lacking in that area. We do have a workbook that we use.”
“Not to worry. I have a few tricks that would have them writing in no time.”
“Yes, but we have an approved syllabus.”
Athena opened her mouth to answer. Noting the chilly difference in Collin’s tone, she wisely chose to remain silent. But then she couldn’t help herself. “Do you teach?”
“No. I was a counselor for a couple years.” Collin adjusted a few books on the shelf. “I love the administrative side to things. The behind-the-scenes things that keep everything running. Personal reasons and the need on this island put me on the path for making this school a reality.”
Athena wondered if he’d ever reveal the personal details. Sounded like they shared passion for their calling. She looked at Collin’s face, pensive and brooding. While she had occasional misgivings, he appeared to be confident with his position.
“I’ll be visiting your classroom throughout the probationary period.”
He delivered the statement as if the probation was a fifty-pound weight he was placing on her shoulders. What if the students didn’t respond to her or the parents? More important, did he want her gone? With his post-kiss attitude it certainly felt like it.
“I’ll show you the other classrooms,” he continued, interrupting her dismal thoughts.
Their progress through the remainder of the rooms should have been a fairly slow examination of the layout. Instead Collin raced through, barely giving her detailed explanations. At least Lorraine’s class was situated across the hall and she was available to assist. She doubted if she would call Collin as the first option if she encountered trouble.
Deliberating over her present circumstances, she didn’t know that Collin had stopped until she bumped into his back. “My fault.”
“Not a problem. We’ve come to the end of the tour and to the history of the school.”
Athena nodded, although she wasn’t so agreeable that she had learned the complete history of the place. What Collin had reiterated, she had read in the school brochure.
“Wonder how Cicely is doing?” Athena looked at her watch. Only an hour had passed. But they now stood in the doorway for several seconds saying nothing to each other. Every second made the space uncomfortable.
“I have to call the police about it.”
“But she didn’t want any police.”
“And that’s not smart. And because I can’t act on a whim and let emotion color my decision, I will talk to the police off the record. What happened to Cicely concerns Cicely, the school and the staff.”
Athena listened to his no-nonsense message. His adamant announcement about his emotion and whims were like a douse of cold water. She suspected that he would involve the police, on the record. But she was afraid to ask what the punishment would be. His fury over what had happened to Cicely couldn’t just evaporate.
She brushed past him with rising irritation.
Her disappointment of his not acknowledging what had transpired between them also irked her. She wasn’t stupid about the ramifications. But she felt that it wasn’t a mistake.
That kiss had stirred her passion into a heated brew. It had flowed through her system like hot lava.
Being completely ignored didn’t sit well with her. She wanted a release for the pent-up feelings that she couldn’t dismiss. She wanted more.
“We’ve got to talk.” Collin’s hand closed over her wrist, keeping her within inches of him. She rested her palm against his chest, straining to keep her body away from his. His proximity had the potential to make her melt. She didn’t want to play games. The rules were too complicated.
“I want to say sorry for last night,” he whispered.
“No. Please don’t.” Athena rested her head gently against his chin. “No regrets. It makes that moment cheap like two adults carrying on without regard.”
“I don’t want you to be uncomfortable because of my actions.”
“Maybe you would feel better if I removed your guilt and laid it squarely at my feet.”
Collin squinted; his hand relaxed its grip around her wrist. “How would you do that?”
“I would jump in with both feet.” Athena hadn’t planned any of this. But adrenaline coursed through her veins. Maybe it clouded her judgment. Maybe the surge to her system nibbled away at her inhibitions.
In this semidarkened spot in the hallway, she was only a few steps from emerging into the bright outdoors. To do so would kill anything on the verge of happening. The alternative would decisively shove her next action into the ever-widening chasm of guilty seduction.
That’s what her body craved. One thing, one person, could satisfy her need.
She slid her hand behind his head before tiptoeing to meet his lips. Hell, it might be her last stand. She wasn’t going down without a fight.
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