Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Some parents were thoughtful and had their kids bring me gifts at the end of the year, but I’d never gotten baked goods on parents’ evening. Taking the box with a gracious thank-you, I gasped when I opened them. Inside were the most beautifully decorated cupcakes. Pink buttercream frosting piped on in three different nozzle styles with pink edible pearls and little hearts scattered over them. They looked professional. “You baked and decorated these?”
She grinned, pleased by my reaction. “Baking is my passion.”
“Well, these are beautiful. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. So, like I said, Callie seems to be fitting in, but I wanted your opinion. And to see how she’s coping with her schoolwork.”
“She’s doing very well,” I promised, and she slumped with relief. I loved dealing with parents who really cared. Unfortunately, there were some parents who never bothered to show and others who only showed because it looked bad if they didn’t. It was clear, however, from the sincerity in her expression that Sloane Harrow loved her kid. “She made friends on day one.” With none other than Lewis Adair. I’d kept an eye out for Callie during the break this past week, and I’d spotted her on the playground with Lewis and his friends. “They’ve spent every break together, and they’re good kids.”
“Lewis.” Sloane nodded. “She’s been talking a lot about him.”
“Lewis Adair, yes.”
Her eyes rounded. “As in … my boss Adair?”
I nodded, hoping she wasn’t uncomfortable with that because I didn’t think it would be wise at this juncture to ask Callie to stop being friends with Lewis. “Yes. He is Lachlan Adair’s nephew.”
“Oh.” She considered. “Okay.”
“As for Callie’s schoolwork, it seems her American classes already covered a lot of what we’re doing. There are some differences in mathematic styles for her to get used to, and spelling and language differences are a little frustrating for her, but Callie is very bright, and I think she’ll be spelling favorite with a u in no time.”
Sloane chuckled. “That’s such great news. It’s … it’s been a lot moving here, and I’m very lucky I have a daughter who’s up for an adventure, but I worry. I worry about her. It’s a relief that she’s doing well.”
Even though I shouldn’t, I wondered how Sloane was coping with the big move. There was just something so endearing about her. I wanted to make sure she was okay. “Are you adjusting to the emigration?”
She seemed surprised by my question. “Uh … I’m … it’s … uh.” Her smile faltered. “It’s strange, but it’ll get easier.”
There was no rule that you couldn’t teach a friend’s child, but it was considered appropriate to recuse yourself from teaching any child you might have bias toward. That was very hard to do in a village school, and I knew what it was like to be lonely. I was lonely. Despite my history here, I had no true friends. My closest friends had been the Adairs, and I’d forsaken all others for them. Now I had nothing but a handful of acquaintances. No one to truly talk to. Maybe that was why I offered, “If you ever want to grab a coffee, I’m here.”
Her eyes brightened. “Really?”
“Of course. I’ll give you my number.”
“I’d like that. Callie is right. You’re the nicest.”
Sloane left with my number, and I hoped to have discovered a new friend. It had almost, but not quite, distracted me from Thane and Regan Adair.
I held the door open for them and closed it. I’d met Regan at the start of school, and she’d been lovely. According to village gossip, she was thirteen years younger than Thane.
We shared the red hair gene, but that was about it. Regan was taller, elegant, and intimidatingly beautiful. Thankfully, she was friendly and down-to-earth, so it wasn’t her I was worried about.
My eyes met Thane’s as I gestured to the seat across from the desk.
But he surprised me by taking a step forward, his gaze searching, as he held out his arms. “Would it be inappropriate to hug you?”
The question was like a trigger on my emotions, and a choking sensation squeezed my throat, rendering me unable to speak as I fought back tears. I stepped into his embrace, and his tight hug reminded me of Brodan. All the Adair men gave the best hugs. Like they really meant them.
“It’s nice to see you, Monroe. It’s been too long.”
I squeezed him back, grateful for his kindness. I’d assumed all the Adairs hated me after what happened between me and Arran. It was nice knowing at least Arran and Thane did not. I definitely knew Brodan despised me after the way he’d walked out on me at William’s without uttering a word. He’d looked at me like I was a stranger. An irritating bug of a stranger. But I couldn’t think about that.