Chase’s
Teacher
By: Angela Franklin
Cover by: Cover designs by Melody Simmons
This book is a work of fiction. The town, characters, and situations have no bearing in the real world. If you expect it to be true to life, please do not read this, but if you want to let your imagination wonder, enjoy.
I would like to dedicate this book to my family. They encouraged me to write, even though most will never read it. To my husband who told me to keep going when I scraped half of it. And to Brandy for helping me with edits. Ya’ll mean the world to me.
Welcome to Cedar Springs, NC
Where the ladies are voluptuous,
And the men are good ole county boys
Trying to corral them!
Chapter 1
“Miss Stevens, I think Sarah is sick. She just threw up all over her chair!” Little Sandy told her half way through music class.
Today could not end soon enough. Ever since that happened this morning, it was all down hill. Callie ripped her skirt trying to clean up the mess. Then she tore a hole in her panty hose trying to comfort Tiffany after Johnny pulled her hair. Of course, after that, she broke the heel off her shoe walking to her car. At least her car was behaving today.
Callie Stevens was not going to cook her own dinner. After the day she had, she would probably burn her house down. She knew she looked like a mess, but she was going to the diner anyways. Susie Q’s was the only diner in town, but the food was great. Most of the town would be there, but she couldn’t do anything about it now. With her luck, the car wouldn’t start if she went home to change first. Oh well, she knew everyone in town, and she wasn’t known for being perfectly dressed.
She was a size twenty with an hourglass figure. People were mostly polite to her, but at least she wasn’t the only plus size girl in town. She actually had a group of friends who were just like her. Her sister Chasity was slightly smaller than she was which was totally unfair since she owned a bakery. She met her other friends there every Friday night. The bakery closed at eight, but they helped her clean up, and then had wine and delicious pastries.
Too bad today was only Thursday. She could really use the drink and moral support. Instead, she would have to settle for a juicy bacon cheeseburger and some cheese fries. Callie had tried every diet and none worked. When she went to college, people had called her names and made fun of her. The most she had ever lost was one pant size and all the struggling and starving just didn’t make it worth it. She learned to be happy with herself and stop worrying what everyone else thought of her.
Pulling into Susie Q’s she took a deep breath and opened the car door to stand up. Hearing a rip, she looked down to see to other side of her skirt had ripped and it was almost up to her hip. Perfect, just perfect. Just one more thing to add to her bad day. Walking with one heel was a challenge, but she hobbled into the restaurant and was seated by the owner Susie.
“Hey Callie. Looks like you’re having a wonderful day.” Susie said looking her over and shaking her head.
“I know. Today has been Murphy’s Law. Nothing has gone right. I just want to eat, have a nice soak in the tub and go to bed!” Callie said feeling exhausted.
“You came to the right place for the first part. I will have Kara come right over. What do you want to drink?” Susie said seating her at a small table.
“Sweet tea would be great.” Callie said sitting down carefully, trying to keep her skirt from ripping anymore.
Kara was new. She had only arrived in the small town of Cedar Springs, NC about four months ago. So far she had kept to herself, but Callie was going to ask her to come to her sister’s bakery for the Friday night get together.
“Hi. Do you need a menu, or do you know what you want?” Kara asked her as she sat her tea down.
“I have my heart set on a bacon cheese burger all the way with an order of cheese fries. Please.” Callie said smiling at her.
“I’ll get that right in for you sweetie.” Kara said before walking back to the kitchen.
Callie heard the door chime and looked up. This was someone she didn’t know. That was rare in this town. The last new person was Kara and before that her cousin Taylor who had moved to town two years ago. The rumor mill obviously hadn’t caught up to this man. He was gorgeous. He had light brown hair, with dark blue eyes, a square jaw, and a tan. He was also tall, about 6’3” if she wasn’t mistaking. She was very short, only around 5’4” that’s why she wore heels. She preferred cowboy boots, or tennis shoes, but with her job and her desire to be taller, she wore heels most of the time.
Callie looked away not wanting to be caught staring at the stranger. He would definitely never look twice at a plump girl like her. Susie led him by her table and she caught the scent of hay and leather. He smelled amazing. He was sat in a corner booth, and apparently her luck was changing because Susie sat him so that she could look at him. Well that was good news and bad news. He was hot as hell, but she wanted to enjoy her food in peace. She would just keep her eyes on her food.
Kara walked over with her food and the smells made her mouth water. Yeah, this should keep her distracted. She suddenly felt like she hadn’t eaten in a month. The burger was juicy with crisp bacon and gooey cheese, the mayo, lettuce, and tomato gave it the perfect balance. She was sighing in delight the moment it hit her tongue. The world and her bad day melted away with the flavors bursting in her mouth.
Looking up she noticed the new guy was staring at her. Crap. She must have something on her face. She grabbed her napkin and wiped her mouth before looking away and eating more of her burger. She was trying really hard not to look up, but she felt like someone was looking at her. She looked back up to see him staring at her legs this time. Looking down she noticed this was the side that was ripped way passed where she was comfortable with. Feeling really uncomfortable, she draped another napkin across her legs to cover up most of the exposed flesh. He looked up and caught her eye. He smiled and she smiled back to be polite, but she could feel the heat in her cheeks and looked back down at her food. After that she made sure to keep her eyes down until Kara brought her check.
“You need anything else today Callie?” Kara asked her pulling the bill from the pocket of her apron.
“No I’m good thanks, but I did want to ask you something.” Callie said leaning toward her.
“Sure.” Kara said smiling at her.
“I know the diner doesn’t close till eight, but every Friday a few of us girls meet over at Sweetastic for drinks, gossip and of course my sisters yummy pastries. I was wondering if you would like to join us when you finish here?” Callie said hoping she would come.
“Um, I don’t know. I don’t really know many people.” Kara said seeming shy.
“There are only a few of us and we have fun. Everyone would be happy if you would come. Just remember Friday’s after eight. If we get there early, we usually help her clean up so it doesn’t take as long. This is an open invitation, so feel free to join anytime.” Callie said taking the bill and standing to go.
“Thanks. I’ll think about it.” Kara told her smiling.
Callie paid her bill, getting change to leave a tip. She went back to the table before leaving so she could leave it on the table. Without a thought, she glanced up to find the guy watching her again. Callie smiled and waved trying to be nice before she went out to her car.
Arriving home, she lost the shoes before getting out of the car. Her hose were already trash so it didn’t matter if the concrete of her driveway picked them. Unlocking the door she went in and dropped her purse in the chair closest to the door. Going to her room, she started stripping before she even got to the bathroom attached to her room. She could pick the clothes up in the mor
ning. Right now she wanted a bath and a bed. Knowing it was close to time for her sister to call she set her phone near the tub so she wouldn’t kill herself trying to answer it.
She turned on the water, getting it as hot as she could stand, before putting her bubble bath in and waiting for the tub to fill up. The smell of her lavender bubble bath soothed her and she slipped in the water. Ah, perfection! She had been in about ten minutes when her phone went off.
“Hey Chasity.” She answered leaning her head against the back of the tub.
“Hey sis. I heard you’ve had a rough day.” Chasity said sounding concerned.
“Now where did you hear that?” Callie asked her sister. She had only been to the diner.
“Susie sent Kara over to pick up some goodies for them to eat after closing tonight.” Chasity told her sighing. “Do you want me to come over?”
“No, I’m fine. Just had a very long day.” Callie told her sister before explaining her day.
“Wow. Sounds like you really need to let go tomorrow night.” Chasity said laughing.
“I could use a stiff drink and a delicious apple fritter.” Callie said laughing.
“No problem. I’ll make you a few with extra cinnamon just like you like them.” Chasity told her.
“I invited Kara. She didn’t say yes or no, so I told her it was an open invitation.” Callie said hoping Kara would come.
“She said you did. I hope she comes. I think she would fit in with our group.” Chasity said sounding tired.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I’m going to finish my bath and go to bed.” She told her sister hoping tomorrow would be better.
“Ok. Try to rest and wear something more durable tomorrow.” Chasity told her laughing as she hung up.
Callie got out and dried of quickly. She could feel the bed calling to her. Her bubble bath really worked when it came to relaxing her. As soon as her head hit the pillow she was sound asleep.
Chapter 2
Chase had spent the entire day on the ranch getting it ready for the horses set to arrive tomorrow. He was only getting four for now. The others would come in a few weeks. Horse breeding was much different that what he use to do, but that was the point. He wanted to be busy, but he was tired of designing software. He and his brother Luke had worked day and night for ten years before being too burned out to care anymore.
After talking to Luke, they had sold the company they owned together for a quarter of a billion dollars. They both had plenty of money before the sale too, and had decided to go somewhere quieter. Chase had always wanted to raise horses. When he was little they lived across from a ranch, he went over all the time to see the horses and once he was old enough he had begun doing chores and helping out as much as he could. Living in Atlanta hadn’t been a place he could have horses, and with his company he didn’t have time for them anyways.
They had found a large ranch here in Cedar Springs. It was around twenty acres and had a river running through it. The ranch also had a large main house with three small cottages mainly for ranch hands. Luke had been happy to come here and move into one of the cottages. Chase tried to convince him to stay in the main house, but Luke really liked the rustic feel of the cottages. Luke had joined the fire department when they moved here. That had always been his dream, but he was helping Chase whenever he wasn’t at the firehouse. Chase had only moved in two weeks ago and hadn’t been to town much. There was too much to get done on the ranch. It was in great shape and the barns were ready, but he had to buy supplies, feed, saddles, and a tractor. Really he had nothing and was trying to get everything ready for the horses coming tomorrow.
The ranch even came with a foreman. The guy had been here for years and was happy to stay on and keep his cottage. His name is Jimmy and he had been working like mad to help get everything ready. Chase had been so busy he had forgotten he didn’t have any food in the house, and he hadn’t asked Luke to get anything, so he went to town to eat and get groceries. He hadn’t been to the diner before but Luke said it was great so that’s where he went. Susie Q’s was like a blast from the past. It was a fifties style diner. It was clean and well kept. Much nicer than what he had expected for such a small town.
“Hi there. Are you going to eat here?” An older woman asked giving him a once over.
“Yes ma’am.” Chase said smiling at her.
“I don’t know you but I like you already. I’m Susie and this is my place. Come on let’s get you a table.” She told him smiling.
“Thank you.” He said following behind her.
“Now handsome, what can I get you to drink?” Susie asked him.
“Sweet ice tea would be great please.”
“Oh such manners. Tell me sweetie are you passing through?” She asked smiling, small town gossip at it’s best.
“No ma’am. I bought a ranch outside of town.” He told he smiling politely.
“Are you Luke’s brother?” Susie asked searching his face for similarities.
“Yes ma’am.” He told her nodding.
“Well it’s great to have such nice boys in our little town. I hope you will both be very happy here. I’ll grab your tea and send Kara over.” Susie told him walking away.
Looking up he saw the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had dark brown hair pulled up in a bun, full luscious looking pouty lips, and curves to tempt a saint. She looked alittle younger than him but not enough to be a problem. Looking her over he noticed she looked tired. Her skirt was torn, there was a run in her hose, and she was missing a heel.
Chase wished he could just walk over and ask if she was okay, but he didn’t know who she was. It might look odd for him to walk over to question her appearance. She smiled at the waitress so she must be okay. That made him feel alittle better. Chase had already placed his order and didn’t have anything to distract him from watching her. He doubted much could. She was stunning. She was eating her burger without caring if anyone watched, or if it was bad for her. She had a look of bliss on her face as she savored the flavors. What would she look like if he kissed her? Would her face have the same dreamy quality it had now? He hoped to find out soon.
She glanced up and saw him watching her. He couldn’t look away. He watched as she wiped her mouth. Chase was making her feel self conscious, but he still couldn’t look away. The waitress brought his food and he ate quickly. It was good, but he was too enthralled with the beauty in front of him to really care. He glanced down to her legs. She had shifted in her seat enough to make the skirt show more than he was sure she wanted it too. He couldn’t take his eyes off the creamy lightly tanned flesh. At first he worried something horrible had happened, but seeing that she didn’t seem distraught he dismissed the thought quickly.
She must have noticed where his eyes were because she covered the delectable flesh with a napkin. He looked up and smiled at her. He watched as her cheeks heated and she looked back down. She didn’t look back up until she had paid her bill and walked back to her table. She looked at him and smiled, waving at him before she left. That was it. He was sure he was a goner, without a word she had him in knots.
“Can I get you anything else?” Kara asked him smiling.
“No thanks.” Chase said not paying close attention to the waitress.
“Okay. Here’s your check. Let me know if you change your mind.” She said before walking away. She wasn’t flirting and for that he was grateful. It had happened in the past.
“Hi there handsome. Mind if I sit for a minute?” Chase looked up to see Susie watching him.
“Of course.” He said motioning to the seat across from him.
“This is a very small town and I’m sure you know there will always be gossip.” Susie started, looking him in the eye. She wants to know all about me, he thought to himself. Chase nodded for her to continue.
“Here I hear everything, and I would be happy to help you or tell you anything you might need information about.” Susie said with a gleam in her eyes. “Even if you just wan
t to know some of the people here for whatever reason.” She finished with a smile. He hadn’t been trying to hide his attraction, but didn’t think anyone had noticed.
“You noticed that huh?” He said smiling.
“Of course my dear. She is a lovely girl. Would you like to ask me any questions? I will not give private information, but I can tell you some things.” Susie said watching him close. He wanted to get to know her on his own, but a few basic facts couldn’t hurt.
“What is her name?” Chase asked Susie paying close attention to everything she said.
“Her name is Callie Stevens. She was born and raised here.” Susie said smiling at him.
“Where does she work?” Chase asked, she seemed so sweet and innocent.
“She is the music teacher at Cedar Springs Elementary School.” Susie said waiting for more.
“Thank you very much Miss Susie.” Chase said smiling at her.
“Is that all you want to know my dear?” Susie said looking confused.
“Yes ma’am. I would rather learn the rest from her.” Chase said nodding at her.
“If I weren’t married, and way to old for you, I would want you myself.” Susie said smiling at him. Chase was blushing and feeling confused. “You passed the test. I would have given you a few more things, but it warms my heart to know there are still gentlemen in this world.” Susie told him standing to leave.
Chase paid his bill and left a large tip. The waitress was great, but he had a feeling she was struggling. He liked to help others as much as he could. People use to ask him for money all the time, and he had learned what to watch for to know if they were legitimate or not. This town seemed to be very honest and simple. He knew it wouldn’t always be, but people weren’t on every corner in torn clothing made to look like they needed help. There were plenty of people who would rather scam someone than get a job and try.
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