by Kathryn Shay
“My guess is that will take about an hour.”
“I agree.”
“Then we’ll teach the kids how to approach the dog. They’ll need permission to pet her, at least at first. We’ll fit in instructions about how many students can be around her at once. We’ll list words Rosie recognizes, like recess.”
At the mention, Rosie’s ears perked up. She barked softly. They both laughed.
“Finally, we’ll alert them to signs of stress in Rosie, so they can recognize when she’s anxious or overwhelmed.” She looked over at him. “If the kids are ready, that can be a springboard to verbalizing signs of their own stress.”
“I’m on board for that.”
“These are the broad strokes for the three-day week when they return from break. We’ll need to not only teach them about these things but allow each of the eight students to practice under our supervision.”
“Fine by me. How about week two?”
“You integrate subjects, right?”
“Yes. We pick a project that teaches them Science and Math, Social Studies and Language Arts.”
“I’m wholly in favor of that kind of curriculum, Noah.”
“I’m scheduled for garden work in the mornings of week two.”
She grinned. “In the greenhouse out back, right?”
“Yes. There’s a planting section where they can put things in to grow and transfer them to the outdoor garden when the weather allows.”
“Oh, gosh, I hope Rosie can be in the dirt with the kids. She loves to dig.”
“We’ll see if we can manage that. I want her to participate in addition to her calming effect on the kids.”
“There’s a story room in there?”
“Uh-huh.”
They went on to weeks three and four which took till noon, when their time was up. Exactly at twelve, someone appeared at the door. “Are you ready, Noah?” a beautiful woman with long blond hair and blue eyes asked.
“Wow, is it noon already?” Noah said.
“Yes.”
“Maggie, this is one of the counselors for fifth grade, Jill Danner. Jill, Maggie Marino.”
“Hello Jill.”
“Maggie. You’re the dog lady.”
Maggie frowned.
Noah did too. “And much more.” He turned to Maggie. “I’m having lunch with Jill today.”
“Go ahead,” Maggie said sweetly. “I’ll get my stuff and Rosie’s together then I’ll lock up and leave.”
Jill turned her gaze to Noah. “I’ll drive. Let’s go.”
“All right.” After getting his navy pea coat out of a long, broom-closet-like closet, he shrugged into it, and gave Maggie a nod. “See you in a week.”
“Rosie and I will be here.”
When they left, Maggie felt a sudden wave of loneliness. She’d best get home to Connor’s house, and see her uncle and family. That should take care of her sudden attack of being alone.
* * *
“What are you thinking about, Noah?” Jill Danner asked after they settled into a restaurant in town.
“Just that this place used to belong to Macy Marino.”
“Marino? Isn’t that Maggie’s name?”
“Yes. Her uncle married the owner.”
“That’s nice.” Jill watched him. “Is she?”
“She seems sweet. I’ll know more after spending time with her.”
“She’s pretty, isn’t she?”
“Hmm, yeah. Beautiful eyes. A rarely seen color.” He smiled. “She said her mother has them, too.”
“Are you looking forward to having a dog in your classroom.”
“It’ll change things up.”
“You like that, don’t you?”
“I do.” For a reason, he knew. His former fiancé had been so fragile he had to be consistent and low-key about everything.
“Is your schedule going to change this semester?”
“Some.”
They talked a while more, finished lunch, then went their separate ways.
Noah tried to clear his mind, but thinking of Laura brought back images which persisted even after he got home. Dropping down on the couch in his living room, he pulled out a photo album he’d steered away from for a while.
Him and Laura in high school, prom king and queen.
They’d gone to college together. He’d been the one to suggest they attend the same one so he could take care of her.
Another photo of their engagement after they’d graduated.
He found folded in that page a newspaper clipping. Opening it, he outlined her face. The obituary read Local woman dies at twenty-two.
Because this trip down memory lane hurt, he closed the book, got up and got one of Huxley’s toys. “Come on boy, let’s play go fetch.”
The dog’s barking replaced the black images in his head.
* * *
“Where’s Rosie, Mags?” Razim, Uncle Connor and Aunt Calla’s dark-haired son, had picked up her sisters’ nickname for her.
“She’s resting in the guest house. She had a busy morning at school.”
The five-year-old’s eyes rounded. “She goes to school?”
“She does.”
Now a deep frown. “I wish I did.”
Maggie knew there had been great concern about Razi attending a regular elementary school. Sometimes Maggie forgot that Calla was a princess from Casarina, a small country in South Italy. Which made Razi a prince. They lived six months here in Maryland and six months over there, which complicated the situation of his schooling even more.
A baby cried somewhere in the huge house.
Razi frowned. “Oh, no, the holy terror’s up.”
“Razi, that’s not nice.”
“That’s what dad calls her.”
“Her name is Giana, Gia for short.”
“I know.” His blue eyes danced beneath longish hair. “But she’s still a terror.”
As if to punctuate his remarks, Calla came into the den, tall and regal with her black hair and eyes. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but lunch is ready, Razi. Your favorite, bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches. Then you have to go back to your school.”
“Even Rosie goes to a building. Why can’t I?”
“We’ll talk about that later. Now scoot.”
Maggie stood. “Why don’t I take care of Gia while you spend some time with him. Since he went to tutors during the day, they had little need for a nanny.
“You didn’t move into the guest house so you could babysit, honey.”
“I’m going to do some school work later in the day, but I’d like to spend time with her.”
“All right. I fed her. If she falls asleep on you, put her in the crib in the den.” The den was one of thirty-rooms in this humongous house.
“Sure thing.”
Maggie dropped down into the rocker, and the feel of a baby close to her heart settled her. She buried her face in Gia’s hair and the scent of baby shampoo filled her head, making her remember when her brother Mattie (Mathew Michael Marino) was born, how his presence on her chest soothed her after the counseling and support groups she attended.
“But that girl isn’t me anymore, sweetheart.”
Maggie had been troubled in college. Because of her parents’ divorce and some of their confusion about having a child so young, she’d suffered emotionally. No more, though. Rosie and all that counseling helped.
As did Nate, a boy she dated and when they broke up, he eventually got together with her roommate. Maggie didn’t begrudge him that, but she wondered if she’d ever find someone who accepted her for who she was as Nate had.
She thought of Noah Carson. Then banished it. She’d never get involved with a man she worked with. Besides, he seemed to have a girlfriend in the beautiful Jill Danner.
Chapter 2
* * *
“Hello.”
“Maggie, this is Noah Carson.”
“Hi, Noah.”
“How are you, today?”
“I’m good. I came to my parents’ house for the holiday.”
“Where do they live?”
“In Beltsville. It’s about a half hour from the school.”
“At the interview, you said you were living with your uncle in his guest house.”
“I am. All my family lives in Maryland.”
“Wow, that’s sweet. I have two brothers who live in Delaware. My dad’s halfway between us.”
“I love having my family close, but again, they’re in my business all the time.”
“We are not!” he heard in a distance.
“We leave you alone.”
“Please excuse my twin sisters. They eavesdrop and have no manners.”
Noah laughed. “The reason I called is I’m going to a New Year’s Eve party at one of the teachers’ houses. Most of Stepping Stones teachers will be there. Would you like to go with me?”
“My family’s getting together for a big dinner at Uncle Connor’s, but I’d be free after that. I’d love to meet the teachers in a casual setting. What time is the party?”
“They’re having a buffet starting at eight and the festivities will go on past midnight.”
“Then text me the address and I’ll meet you there.”
“Better yet, why don’t I pick you up? What time will you be done with the dinner?”
“There’s so many kids among us, we have a buffet that goes through the evening. But we start at five. Many of us don’t make it till midnight.”
“Are you a night owl?”
“I can be.”
“Great, send me the address and I’ll come and get you.”
“Um, okay. But you probably shouldn’t come in.”
“Why?”
“I have five uncles, aunts and cousins galore who will descend on you.”
“I teach, remember. I can deal with anything.”
“Okay, just so you know.” Her tone was teasing.
“We’re going to be working closely together, Maggie. I want to meet your family, and maybe some time you can meet mine.”
“See you Monday night.”
“See you then.”
* * *
Maggie clicked off the phone and turned to her sisters, Meli and Morgan, where they stood in the doorway of her room. The twins had grown into beautiful sixteen-year-olds with wavy blond hair and blue eyes. “You two shouldn’t be eavesdropping or calling out when someone’s on the phone.”
Meli, the most mischievous, grinned. “You were bad-mouthing me.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“Me, too?” Morgan asked sincerely.
“No, you know Meli’s an instigator.”
“Was that a guy?” Morgan was also adept at changing the subject. “Do you have a date?”
“Yeah, New Year’s Eve.”
Both girls frowned and came into her room. Meli flopped on the bed. “No fair.”
“I’m coming early to Uncle Connor’s house. I’m going out afterward.”
“Is he hot?” Meli again.
“What color are his eyes?”
“This isn’t a romantic date. It’s with the man I’m sharing Rosie with.”
“Damn,” Meli again.
“Don’t let Dad hear you swearing.”
“That curse is benign,” Morgan had taken a seat at Maggie’s desk chair. She was working on her vocabulary.
From down the hall, they heard, “I’m awake. Come get me.”
Maggie left the girls and hurried down the hall. In a bed shaped like a turtle, she found four-year-old Mattie. His face brightened when he saw her. He bolted up. “Where’s Rosie, Mags?”
“Downstairs, taking a nap. Want to let her out with me?”
His little head bobbed. He was still tow headed with wide blue eyes, tinged with a bit of violet, like hers.
She took his hand, helped him out of bed and walked with him to the stairs, then down them. In the laundry room, Rosie laid in the corner on a long fury bed. Eyes closed. “Is she still asleep?” Mattie murmured.
“Not now.” The dog sat up. “Come, Rosie,” Maggie said.
Rosie bounded over. Sniffed Mattie’s hand, then licked his face and her brother giggled. It was the best sound in the world.
* * *
Wow, Noah thought, look at the size of that house. Was Maggie’s family rich? He hadn’t googled her intentionally because he thought that was an invasion of privacy. Now, he parked on the large circular driveway and walked up to a building three times the size of his ranch with a sprawling four-car garage.
After ringing the bell, which chimed, it took a moment for someone to answer. A man, tall, well-built, light-haired and a kind smile pulled open the door. “You must be Noah Carson.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Come on in.”
When Noah entered the foyer, his mouth dropped at its size and décor. A huge chandelier hung from sky-high ceilings and marble was everywhere.
The man said, “Nobody calls me sir now, after I’ve left the service. It’s Declan, Maggie’s dad.” He held out his hands. “I’ll take your coat. Mags says we have fifteen minutes with you and not to overwhelm you.”
“This house overwhelms me.”
“Wait till you meet the family.” They walked down a wide corridor passing equally daunting areas on each side, then arrived in an expansive kitchen area. Maggie came over from the counter.
She was absolutely beautiful in a purple one-piece outfit made from some kind of soft material. Her eyes stood out like amethysts. “Hi, Noah. You look great tonight.”
He’d fussed. Worn way-too-expensive jeans he’d bought on a whim, with a slate blue sweater that they called heather blue. “Thanks. You’re stunning.”
She rolled her eyes. “I shouldn’t have gone home. My mother bought this” she plucked at her top “for me for Christmas and coaxed me to wear it. Then my sisters insisted on makeup and hair styling. Not sure I like these curls.”
Noah thought they were big and fat and beautiful.
Two girls with identical faces came into the room. Must be her twin sisters. “Hello, there.”
“Hi. I’m Meli.”
“I’m Morgan.”
“The twins from hell,” Maggie said drolly.
Meli laughed. “Don’t say that, Mags. Dad’ll be mad at you.”
Morgan shook her head. “Nobody gets mad at Maggie.”
Hmm. He wondered why. For not too long, though, because a goddess approached him. Long black hair to her waist, eyes as dark as night. “Hello, Noah.” She held out her hand. “I’m Calla Gentileschi Marino.”
“Gentileschi. Why is that familiar?”
Calla looked to Maggie. “How do I explain this?”
Morgan stepped forward. “Calla’s a princess from an island off the coast of Italy. She met my uncle in Doctors Without Borders. They live there half the year then come home to us for six months.”
Noah stood there in a state of visible shock.
Calla tugged at Morgan’s ponytail. “You recited that beautifully, dear.”
Meli handed him a paper. “We made you a chart of who’s who in our family.”
He scanned it. “I knew about the three Secret Service agents and two renowned doctors. But your Aunt Isabelle is the president’s sister?”
“Afraid so. He came by earlier to see the family.”
His mouth was agape now.
Calla chuckled and they made their way to the oversize dining area with a family room sprawling in front of it. It sported soaring ceilings with tons of windows and, again, unbelievable in size. She smiled. “Come on in, Noah.”
Speechless, he went to the edge of the dining room.
Maggie touched his arm. “This is my friend, Noah.” She introduced all of them.
He nodded and said, “Hi.”
“Well,” Maggie announced. “That was fifteen minutes. Goodbye, guys.”
A woman got up from one of the five sofas. He recognized her as Maggie’s mother from the col
or of her eyes and hair. “Have fun tonight, honey.”
Two little boys got their coats. Maggie’s was furry white and her mother tucked a violet scarf around her. “Have fun. I’ll keep the others at bay so you can abscond.”
They did. When they got to his car, he opened the door for her, and she slid in. He climbed in the other side but didn’t start the engine.
“I’m sorry,” she said, “I should have met you at the party.”
“No, no. I’m…wow, Maggie, there are famous people in your family.”
“More than you saw. Calla has six sisters who are princesses, too.”
“Oh, dear God in heaven.”
“They’re all wonderful, really. Very down to earth. What I’m sorry about is how they treated you as a boyfriend when I specifically told them not to.”
“Don’t worry.” He raised his brows. “Actually, the whole thing was exciting.”
“I forget, sometimes, who they are.”
He started the car. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget this. It’s so cool, Maggie.”
“Thanks.”
* * *
Usually, New Year’s Eve parties weren’t Maggie’s thing. Outside of her family, big gatherings had always made her uncomfortable. But she’d changed, she thought as she and Noah entered one of the upscale homes in a classy Maryland neighborhood. She could handle this.
“Nice house,” Maggie said. “Spacious.”
“Yeah.” He smiled. “Nicky’s wife is a bigshot in the D.C. political world.
“And Nicky teaches…”
“Phys. Ed.”
“An odd couple.”
“Wait till you see Nicky. You’ll understand why.”
There were crowds in the living room, the library to the left, the kitchen up ahead, and in a spacious great room. On a big, glassed in, heated porch, they approached the bar that had been set up as a U around the doors. “Wow.”
“Nothing but the best for Elena.”
Noah asked, “What would you like to drink?”
“Um, gin and tonic if they have it. Lots of lime.” She shrugged. “Mostly tonic.”
“Not much of a drinker?”
“No, you?”
“I did my share in my twenties. Now, I can’t stand the thought of a hangover. You’d call me a circumspect drinker.”