Because at the college level you wont have to deal with jerk fathers who read you the riot act for doing your job? He added a crooked smile and earned a half grin in return.
Well, there is that. Her expression brightened. Although, for the record, the term jerk is yours, not mine. Concerned, somewhat overwrought fathers might be a better term.
Call it what you want, but I still acted like a jerk. He met her golden-brown eyes and his chest tightened. Please forgive me for taking you to task. I do appreciate your concern for Patrick and your willingness to bring his errant behavior that day to my attention. Id already had a rather stressful day and was on edge about some family matters, but thats no excuse for the way I bit your head off.
She blinked and set her glasses aside. Wow. Thats, umApology accepted. Thank you.
Peter noticed a pink tint staining her cheeks and added her ability to blush to the growing list of things he liked about Patricks teacher. So if jerk fathers arent why youre thinking of moving up to higher education, what is behind the career change?
Well Her dark eyebrows knitted, and she fumbled with her pen. My reasons will sound really bad without knowing the whole long, boring personal story behind my decision. Lets just say teaching older students would be lesspainful. She winced. Ooo, that sounded more melodramatic than I intended. She laughed awkwardly and waved her hand as if to erase her last comment. Forget I said that.
Forgotten. But Peter had already filed both the comment and the shadow that flitted across her face in his memory bank. He had no business delving deeper into her personal life, but he couldnt deny he was intrigued. And sympathetic to her discomfort. He had painful things in his past that he avoided discussing when possible.
Is Patrick with you? she asked looking past him toward the childrens section.
No. Not today. Im here on business matters, looking for information for a case Im working on.
He could tell by the wrinkle in her brow that his working on the weekend away from Patrick bothered her. A jab of guilt prodded him to add, But yesterday, Patrick and I took in the MSU game and spent most of the evening playing Monopoly together.
Oh, good. Her lips curved, although the smile didnt reach her eyes. Im sure he enjoyed that.
I hope so. You made some valid points the other day at school.
She blinked as if surprised, and Peter chuckled. Despite how it may have seemed, I was listening. I heard what you said about Patricks withdrawal and falling grades.
She held up a finger. Um, slipping. I believe I said his grades were slipping.
He scratched his chin. The difference beings?
His grades are still good. Theyve come down a bit, just a few points. But falling to me is more dramatic. Big drop, by several letter grades.
Peter chuckled. You are a master of nuance, arent you? Incident not accident. Slipping not falling.
She flushed a deeper shade of pink, and Peters libido gave him another hard kick.
Im not trying to be difficult. I just believe in saying what I mean. Exactly what I mean.
Mary caught his attention from across the room. With an impatient look, she held up the microfiche Lily had retrieved for her.
Well, I dont want to keep you from your studying. Peter motioned to her books then took a step back. I just wanted you to know Im sorry for shouting at you.
Thank you, Mr. Walsh. She held out her hand, and he grasped her fingers. Her handshake was firm and confident, and the feel of her warm hand in his sent a jolt of awareness through him.
Ms. Navarre, Dad. Shes not married.
As he turned to walk away, Peter hesitated. The woman was beautiful, intelligent and single. Uh, Ms. Navarre
Good grief. Suddenly he was thirteen again and asking Cindy Worthington to the Valentine dance. He was a geeky ball of jittery nerves and sweating palms. He
hadnt asked a woman on a first date in more than thirteen years. Not since hed asked Katie out for the first time in high school. Since Katies death, hed preferred to be alone, to focus on Patrick and losing himself in his work.
But somehow Lisa Navarre was different from the other women in Honey Creek. Shed managed to stir something deep inside him that had been dormant since Katie diedan interest in getting back into life.
She raised an expectant gaze, waiting for him to continue.
His heart drummed so loudly in his ears, he was sure she could hear it. I was wondering if you might be free next Saturday to
Wham!
A loud thump reverberated through the library, drawing his attention to the front desk. When he saw the source of the noise and the ensuing commotion, he tensed. Maisie Colton was not only a Colton, reason enough for Peter to steer clear of her, but the Vogue-beautiful woman was well-known in town as being eccentric and unpredictable.
Maisie angrily slammed another stack of books on the counter, and Lily Masterson rushed over to quiet Maisie.
No respect! Maisie steamed, full voice. Do you know how many times Ive called that damn show? And they still wont talk to me!