Love & Family: Thanksgiving (Holidays In Hallbrook Book 2)

by Elsie Davis

  Now the principal threw back his head and outright laughed. It surprised Molly. It had been so long since she’d heard an adult laugh, especially a man. Her father was always frowning, or upset, or just plain angry.

  “You’re a smart kid, Molly. You have a great imagination.”

  Molly couldn’t figure this guy out? “So, you’re not going to suspend me? Or give me after school detention?”

  The gray-haired man with the young man’s face tilted his head like Tweety Bird. “Why would I do that?”

  “Because what I did was… wrong.”

  Mr. Kidd nodded.

  Uh oh. Was this it? Had she slipped and fallen into his trap? Was he now going to tell her that she was doing what she did for attention? She’d watched a couple of episodes of the Dr. Phil show with her grandma. This was some of that reversal psychology.

  “I’ve read your file,” he said. “Before coming to Barton Elementary, you’ve been to three different schools in the past six years.”

  “My family moved around a lot.”

  “But you’ve always received high marks in your academics…and a lot of notes about your behavior.”

  Mr. Kidd lifted his brow at her. But he didn’t roll his eyes like the last two principals did. Or like her father did when she tried to talk to him but he was too busy, always too busy.

  Mr. Kidd didn’t look too busy at all. He didn’t frown or look upset, or angry. He was still smiling at her.

  It reminded her of how her mom smiled. In fact, his laugh had also reminded Molly of her mom. It had been so long since she’d heard her mom laugh.

  “I think you’re a special kid,” Mr. Kidd was saying. “In fact, you’re my favorite kind of kid; smarts and imagination. I think you can fit in here if you give us a chance.”

  Molly felt something twitch in her chest. She gazed up at the principal and the sincerity in his gaze. He wasn’t playing any tricks. He meant it. Maybe he wasn’t like the rest? Maybe she could give him a chance?

  “I will have to call your parents.”

  And now she wanted to revoke that chance. Her shoulders slumped at the thought of her mother receiving yet another call from a school. “It’s just my mom.”

  “I’m guessing by your tone, she won’t think the fairy eraser was funny?”

  “She would’ve thought so. Before the divorce. Now she’s always so serious.”

  Instead of reaching for the phone, Principal Kidd leaned forward. “My parents are divorced too. They got divorced when I was your age.”

  Molly spied a picture at the corner of the principal’s desk. In it was a picture of an even younger version of the man, still with gray hair. He wore a square cap on his head and was dressed in a dark cape. Likely his graduation. He was standing between two smiling adults.

  “Yup, that’s them. Oh, they get along. They just weren’t right for each other. They’re both happily remarried to other people.”

  Molly knew her dad was seeing other women. He’d started while he and her mom were still married. Maybe that’s why they got divorced? Molly wasn’t sure. But her dad did seem happier now. The few times she’d seen him since the divorce.

  Her mom hadn’t dated any other man at all. Maybe her mom should start to date? Then maybe she’d laugh again.

  Just like the principal laughed…

  Molly looked up at Principal Kidd. He didn’t have a ring on his left hand. She hadn’t seen any pictures of him with women his own age. Just pictures of him with his parents and with kids.

  “What’s your mom’s name?” he asked. “Oh, I’ve got it here. Kylee...”

  “Kylee Romano,” Molly finished for him. “But she’s going by her original name, her maiden name.”

  “Kylee Bauer? Your mom is Kylee Bauer?”

  “Yes. Do you know her?”

  Her mom had grown up in the small town of Saint Judith’s in Northern Virginia. Molly had never visited before now. Her grandparents would always come to visit wherever they were living at that moment in time. Molly and her mom were living in Grandma and Grandpa’s old house now that they’d retired and moved to Florida.

  “Yeah,” said Principal Kidd. “Yeah, I know Kylee Bauer.” His eyes got that gooey faraway look like a Looney Tunes cartoon character when they fell in love.

  Wait? So, Principal Kidd knew her mom. And he got the lovey-dovey look just at hearing her name. And he wasn’t married.

  A plan began to form in Molly’s brain. One that would require a bit of imagination and probably some fairy sparkles if it were to work.

  Head to Amazon to purchase or borrow your copy of MOMMY LOVES THE PRINCIPAL so that you can keep reading this contemporary romance series today!

  More from Sweet Promise Press

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  Six special Golden Retrievers help their humans solve mysteries, save lives, and even find love...

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  CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

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  Shelf Indulgence

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  More from Elsie Davis

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  Love & Order

  A powerful attorney, a woman with a heart too big for her own good, and an instant family neither was prepared for...

  Garrett Bradley commands the attention of some of the most influential clients in the country as one of the leading corporate attorneys in New York City, but one phone call changes everything. He must return home to Hallbrook, NH, where he soon discovers he’s responsible for three young kids and one monster-size Saint Bernard.

  April St. James, the social worker assistant assigned to the children’s case before Garrett’s mother adopted them, was staying with the children until Sarah Bradley’s prodigal son returns home to take up his responsibilities. Unfortunately, it puts her own job in jeopardy.

  A powerhouse in the business world but clueless when it comes to children, Garrett turns to April with an offer she can’t refuse, enticing her to come to the city as a temporary nanny. The deal will allow her to finally pursue her dreams once the job is done. But three kids, a dog, a nanny, and an uptight attorney don’t mix well in a fancy NYC penthouse. And when Garrett makes a mistake at work, he realizes somethings got to give before the situation destroys his reputation, the company, and most importantly—his new family.

  Find out if Rufus can help this mismatched pair realize their love is the perfect glue to hold their newfound family together! This sweet tale of family, trust, and total chaos is one you won't want to miss. Order your copy and start reading today!

  http://bit.ly/2NGfHgrLOAmazon

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  To get closer to Chad, and smooth ruffled feathers of the handsome Dr. Jake, Gemma offers to organize a fundraiser event for the rescue squad, and he can’t say no. In fact, when it comes to Gemma, Jake is finding it impossible to stop her from getting her way. And he might just love her all the more for it...

  http://bit.ly/2lQiVC0LFAmazon

  Love & Peace

  Sam wanted to be alone and miserable for the holidays, but Megan and her daughter are determined to show him the Christmas spirit. Because sometimes love and peace find you when you least expect it.

  Sam Wyatt goes to a cabin in Hallbrook each year at Christmas looking for solitude with the memories of his wife and daughter, who he lost in a car accident a few years ago. Except not long after he arrives, Megan Langley and her daughter take up residence and refuse to leave. A quick call to the rental agent and Sam finds out the cabin has been double booked and he's kicked out to the snowy cold. But when an avalanche closes Tinsel Pass, he’s forced to return to the cabin.

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  When the pass reopens, Sam is torn emotionally between the past and present. Can a little Christmas magic save him from making the wrong decision?

  http://bit.ly/2mdNPo0LPAmazon

  Love & Chocolate - Coming Soon

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  But when the bad guy gets out on a technicality, it's up to Colt and Halo to save Dakota.

  This sweet tale of suspense, danger, and righting wrongs is one you won’t want to miss. Order your copy and start reading today!

  http://bit.ly/2UeVqQlDDAmazon

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  Isaac Turner still remembers the beautiful woman he and his dog saved from drowning more than thirty years ago. What he doesn’t know is where she went or how he can find her now. Even though their romance was short lived back in the summer of ’78, he’s never forgotten her. He’s an empty nester now and determined to find Carol, curious how her life turned out and if her heart still belonged to him. And the best place to start looking is where they met—Redwood Cove. But will the memories of what tore them apart all those years ago be too much for either of them to put aside?

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  Damien isn't too thrilled about taking a job that would require him to work in close quarters with Lissa, let alone one that would require him to be a doggy bodyguard. Unfortunately, for the sake of his company's reputation, he has no choice but to stick it out.

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  http://bit.ly/2yV7hJyDTDAmazon

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  Kayla Anderson’s not prepared to see the guy who broke her heart in high school again, but she can’t get out of returning home to be maid of honor at her cousin’s wedding. She’s determined to have fun and celebrate the special day, despite the fact Dylan is her family’s closest neighbor and the best man, and then get the heck out of Dodge.