by Kathryn Shay
After he got their drinks, and they stepped off to the side, he leaned closer so they wouldn’t be overheard. “When you meet Nicky and Elena, you’ll find she’s somewhat snobbish. If anyone has a right to be, it’s you.”
“Hey, we were ordinary people until Nick got involved with Isabelle, and Connor married Calla.”
“Hardly ordinary with their to-serve-and-protect jobs. It’s still hard to believe. And yet you’re normal.”
She wasn’t always. “I try to be. It’s easier that way.”
“Hey, Noah.” A very attractive man with dark hair and light blue eyes approached them. “And you are?”
“Maggie Marino.”
“The woman with the dog.”
“I guess it’s better than being called the dog lady.”
He laughed, a full-bodied sincere one. “I’m Tim Kane.”
“A teacher or a significant other?”
“Teacher.” He jabbed Noah. “The sixth-grade teacher who wanted you and your dog in his classroom, but Noah won because he was willing to switch levels.”
“How flattering. Why did you want me?”
“Be careful, Mag,” Noah warned, “that’s a loaded question.”
She felt her face color but held his gaze.
“I love animals,” Tim answered. “I wanted to be a vet, but then when I found out becoming one involved dissecting them, I couldn’t do it.”
Noah poked him. “Mr. Softie.”
“Tell me about yourself, Maggie.”
Noah stayed by her side, until someone pulled him away. She chatted with Tim until he made his way back to her. “All right, Kane. You’ve monopolized her long enough. I’m going to introduce her around.”
He took her by the elbow. “Noah, you can enjoy your party. You don’t have to take care of me.”
“Are you kidding? I want to be with you.”
That was sweet.
In the living room, he called out, “Hey, Nicky, come here.”
He turned. Never ever in her life had she seen such a beautiful male. His hair was brown and highlighted with strands of gold. His skin tanned. He was built perfectly and when he got closer, his green eyes lit. “Hello. You must be Maggie.”
“H—” she had to clear her throat, and Noah shot her an I-told-you-so look. “Hello. I am. Thank you for letting me come.”
“Of course you could come. You’re part of the Stepping Stones family now.”
“It’s nice of you to say that.”
They chatted about the school and the physical fitness program “Will your dog come to Physical Education with the kids?”
“She’s had some experience in the schools where I student taught. She can come to yours but she’ll have to be acclimated to the noise of a gym, the bouncing of balls, all that.”
“Maybe we can talk about how to include her.”
“Hello, dear.” The woman who came over and linked her arm with Nicky’s had a sophisticated aura about her. It reminded her of her mother all those years before she and her Dad were divorced. “I’m Elena Pace.”
“Maggie Marino.”
“Marino? Why does that sound familiar?”
She glanced at Noah. “It’s a pretty common name.”
“Perhaps. But I swear I’ve heard it around D.C.”
Maggie gave a weak smile. When the couple left, she said, “Thanks for helping me conceal who I am.”
“Most people would trade on your family’s fame.”
“Not me.”
“I’m beginning to see you’re not at all like most people.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“A big one.”
They circulated the rest of the night and Maggie found she was enjoying herself. People came up to her and introduced themselves and she was grateful for their friendliness.
“I’m very interested in therapy dogs in school,” a woman named Carrie Wakefield said to her. She’d taught Simon-her Aunt Macy’s son. “Your name is Marino. We have a student here by that name. Are you a relative?”
“A distant one.”
The French teacher, Jacques Bullard, occupied her time for a half hour. He was a cross country skier, which Maggie had gotten into, so they discussed trails and slopes and why the outdoor sport appealed to them.
Next, a woman who taught the other fifth grade, Alicia Drake, peered down her nose at Maggie when someone said she was a dog therapist. Which she wasn’t, but she didn’t correct them.
And Jill Danner approached her near midnight. “It’s nice to see you again, Jill.”
“Is it? Dating a colleague so soon, Maggie?”
“This isn’t a date with Noah. He only invited me to break the ice with the others.”
“Then you won’t mind if I grab him at midnight for a kiss.”
“Not at all.” She’d make a bee line for the bathroom while everybody else…well, made out.
“What are you laughing at?” Noah asked when he joined her again. While he’d given her space to socialize, he’d been solicitous all evening, getting her seltzer water, staying until someone else came up to talk to her.
“You’ll find out. This was a wonderful evening, Noah.”
“It’s not over yet.”
“I’m planning to leave right after midnight.”
“Why?”
“This has been sweet, but quite frankly I’m saturated. I called my cousin to come pick me up.”
“I would have taken you home.”
“I’d rather not drag you away from your friends.”
“Not even if I want to?”
“No.”
People started to pass champagne around. “Want some?”
“Sure. I only had one drink so I could have the bubbly.”
By the time everyone was given a glass, they began counting down. “Ten, nine, eight…” Noah smiled at her. “Seven, six, five…” He moved in little closer. “Four three…” Jill was almost on top of them.
He leaned over and asked, “A little kiss between friends?”
She couldn’t stop herself. “That would be nice.”
“Happy New Year.”
He bent his head. The kiss was more than nice. It was warm, affectionate, and sweet. When they broke apart, she saw Jill glaring at her.
And smiled at Noah, who said, “Yeah, I liked it, too.”
Chapter 3
* * *
On the first day back from holiday break, Noah walked into school with anticipation. He was looking forward to seeing the kids and Maggie.
Ah, Maggie.
He’d texted her New Year’s Day and asked if she got home safely. In reality, it was an excuse to talk to her. She said she did and she enjoyed the party. A few other texts came in the days after but they were directly related to teaching.
For a week, he’d gone over that night with her on New Year’s Eve a million times in his head. How to handle what happened. Though it was meant to be a friendly little kiss at midnight, it turned into an…I’d-like-to-get-to-know you one. He was rattled by the whole thing.
Once again, he found her already in their classroom, sitting on the red mat next to Rosie, whose ears perked up when he reached the door.
“Hey, you two.”
Maggie smiled over. It wasn’t a tremulous smile. It was a friendly, welcoming one. He relaxed some and strode inside. Up close, he saw she wore dark green pants and a matching sweater that belted at the waist and rested on her hips. A printed scarf was looped around her neck.
He approached them and dropped down onto the mat. “How are you, Rosie?”
Rosie smelled his hand, then lifted her paw.
“You want to shake?” He laughed. And shook.
“And you, Ms. Marino? How are you doing today?”
“I’m doing well.”
“I like your outfit.”
She plucked at the sweater. “Gabe and Macy gave this to me.”
“Is it cashmere?”
“It is. What can I say? We draw names and th
en spoil the person we buy for, though the aunts and uncles seem to spend more on us young’uns.”
“Sounds like a good time.”
“My sisters pestered me all week about you.”
“You went back to your house?”
“Mom and Dad wouldn’t have it any other way. I drove here from Beltsville but will go back to Connor’s and Calla’s this afternoon.”
“The famous princess and her brave doctor.”
“Yep. Too bad they’re leaving tomorrow.”
“Leaving?”
“For Casarina, to spend time with her mother and father.” She winked. “The king and queen.”
“Oh, God.” Then, “That’s an unusual lifestyle.”
“They seem to manage it. Neither would be happy away from their families for a whole year.”
“Then you’ll be in the guest house on the property alone?”
“I wouldn’t quite say that. People who work for them will be checking out the house, cleaning, doing repairs. And there’s security. But, yeah, I’ll miss them.”
“I would, too.”
They stood. Maggie said, “So, we have a back-from-vacation meeting in ten minutes.”
“Yeah. We should head out soon.”
“Then I’ll put Rosie in the crate and we can go down to the library.”
As she turned back to Rosie, he asked, “She can’t come with us?”
“Too much stimulation.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Do you have grade level meetings?”
“Yeah.”
“Rosie can come then to meet a few adults.”
Maggie opened the crate and Rosie walked right in. Settled down. “I’m ready to go.”
“Don’t you want to take your purse with you. We don’t leave valuables in the room.”
“No purse. I have a bag with classroom stuff but nothing valuable. I locked up my computer like you showed me to do.” She took a bill out of her back pocket. “Think twenty’s enough for the day?”
“More than.”
“Then I don’t need anything else.”
He’d never met a woman who didn’t carry a purse.
“See you later, Rosie.” He followed Maggie out of the room in a wake of some flowery scent. They walked side-by-side down a corridor. “I love the interior of the building, don’t you, Noah?”
The school was modern with brick and glass and chrome and metal lockers. “Yeah, I like modern.”
“Me, too. Modern art is a favorite of mine.”
“Picasso’s the best.”
“Nah. Cezanne is.”
“Not in my book.” He grinned over at her. “You know a lot about modern art?”
“I do.”
“So do I.” He was about to suggest they visit the contemporary art displays in D.C. and the one here in Maryland.
Before he could, she asked, “Do you take the kids to the museums?”
“I’ve taken the eighth graders. Not these younger ones, though.”
“I’d chaperone if you went an afternoon and needed someone.”
“I’ll remember that.”
Stopping at the drinking fountain, he took a few sips then leaned against the wall. “Should we talk about it?”
“Yes.” She didn’t dissemble, and he liked that. “Should I start?”
“God. Please do!”
She laughed. “I know the kiss was meant to be a simple New Year’s Eve tradition.”
“That doesn’t tell me much.”
“But it was special for me. Afraid that’s the best I can do.”
“That’s enough for me.” He started walking and purposely nudged her shoulder with his. “In case you’re wondering, it was special to me, too.”
* * *
“Good morning, everyone,” Noah said cheerfully to the eight students before him. “Welcome back from vacation.”
Most, not all, bade him the same greeting.
On the window side of the room were eight small tables. On the side closer to the bulletin board was a mat with some stools for reading. “Right now, we’ll stay at the tables.”
Their gazes rocketed from him to the screen in the corner.
“This is Ms. Marino. She’s going to be working with us this semester in the mornings.”
“Hello, everyone.”
It finally burst out of a little girl in the front. “Are you the lady with dog?”
“I am.”
“Where is she?”
Another asked, “Behind the screen, right?”
“Yes. Before you can see her, though, we have to discuss how to handle Rosie.”
Seven heads nodded vigorously. One boy remained impassive.
“And I’ll begin with how to approach her.” Maggie cocked her head, “You know the meaning of approach, right?”
Several gave answers.
“I thought you did.”
“First, you need get permission to approach her. Second, you’ll walk up to her slowly. Then you have to ask to pet her. Kneel down and let Rosie smell your closed fist. After that, you can scratch her under the chin.”
A few murmured yucky.
“After you’ve had contact, wash your hands with those wipes on my desk. Also, remember that at all times only three students can be with her.”
“Why?”
“Does anybody here get nervous when there’s too many people close to you?”
Most of the students raised their hands.
“So does Rosie.”
They nodded to show they understood.
“Last, you’ll need to recognize the signs that Rosie’s getting anxious. She scratches her vest sometimes and often leaves the group to go to her corner.”
All the kids agreed obligingly. Their reactions were cute.
“There’s more things to tell, but I have a feeling Rosie wants to meet you now.”
Several shouted, “Yay!”
Crossing to the corner, she pulled the screen aside and unlocked the gate. Rosie practically pranced out. Who knew dogs could show off like that with no direction?
“Ohhh…”
“Ah…”
“She’s so pretty…”
“Mr. Carson, would you come up and model the behavior I expect from the class?”
His brows raised in surprise. But she’d wanted that.
He rose. He looked cute, too, in his dark blue pants and a beige Fisherman’s knit sweater. The dog sat on the mat. Maggie continued, “Now, Mr. Carson, walk slowly to the corner.”
He did so carefully.
“May I pet her, Ms. Marino?”
The kids giggled.
“Yes, you may.”
He knelt down, let her smell his hand, scratched her head, then she licked him.
“My gosh,” a little girl said.
“Don’t worry, she won’t lick your face until she gets to know you. If you don’t want her to lick you, which is okay, give a quick shake of your head and say, ‘No, Rosie.’ Don’t yell, though. She doesn’t like to be yelled at.”
A girl who hadn’t spoken yet said, “We don’t either.”
“We’re going to go up two at a time and meet her. If you decide you don’t want to interact, go back to your seat.”
“Mr. Carson, you can step back.”
He did then said, “Goodbye, Rosie.”
“Oops, I forgot to mention that you should say farewell to her, too.”
After they asked permission, two little ones approached Rosie as if they were threading through landmines. They said so softly, others could barely hear, “Hi, Rosie.”
One knelt down. Let her sniff his hands. Then he petted her head. “I’m um, afraid to scratch her.”
“That’s fine.” To the class, “Don’t do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”
He stood. “Goodbye, Rosie.”
The second student did the whole shebang and grinned all the way back to his seat.
Four more children followed the exact instructions, but had to hold giggles back. She said,
“If you laugh quietly, maybe she’ll smile.”
“Dogs don’t smile,” a couple said in unison.
“Hmm.”
When the last two kids came up, the bigger boy, she knew he was Brett, lagged a foot behind the other. He went through the procedure, then back to his seat. Brett stared at Rosie, then shot a terrified glance at Noah. He went right to the boy and stood between him and the dog. “Brett, it’s all right if you don’t want to do this today.”
He shook his head.
“Maybe tomorrow?”
His head bobbed vigorously.
And Maggie’s heart went out to him.
Because she remembered being as fragile as Brett Baker.
* * *
“Do they go to Physical Education every day at this time?” Maggie asked Noah.
“Not always PE. Other specials like, Art. Music, a language course is offered, or to spend some time with the psychologists.”
“And what do you do when they’re gone?”
“Have grade level meetings. 5-6 usually meet together because we have students two years in a row.”
“So, three people will be meeting with us?”
“Yes. They’re coming here.”
She didn’t ask if she’d met them Friday night. “Some time before I leave, I’d like to take Rosie down the hall a bit when students are moving from place to place.”
“Maybe before lunch?”
“Yeah.”
The others arrived. Tim Kane hurried right in and over to her. He grabbed her hand. “Hello, dear Maggie. Did you have fun with us the last week?”
“I did, Tim. Thanks for being so welcoming.”
Carrie Wakefield, who taught sixth grade, came inside. “Hello, again, Maggie.”
Alicia Drake taught fifth graders, however, she only had eyes for Noah. She shot Maggie a perfunctory hello and started to talk to him.
When they all sat, Maggie smiled. “There’s a few things to tell you all about approaching Rosie.” She zipped through the rules.
Tim Kane was excited to see the dog when Maggie let her out. He was at ease when he dropped down on both knees. Went through the process.
Carrie stood. “My turn. Alicia, come with?”
“I don’t like dogs. And I may be allergic.”
While Carrie approached and met Rosie, Maggie turned to Alicia. “Rosie’s only been in her corner so far today, but you might want to use the dander spray on your hands anyway. It’s right over by the sanitizer.”