Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97386 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97386 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Mr. Moreland clapped his hands, causing both Lane and me to jump. “I see you two are going to be great working partners. Lane, I’m glad you decided to head on back into town. Tell your folks I said hi.”
And like that, our new boss—and the man who just set us both up for failure—quickly walked out of the room.
“I need a drink,” Lane whispered.
“That makes two of us.”
“Mom, will you please stop pacing?” I asked.
My mother stopped and turned to Tripp. “Where is she? She said she was almost home and what’s this big announcement?”
The doorbell rang, and my mother flew through the living room to the front hall.
“It’s not Amelia!” my mother shouted.
Laughing, Tripp made his way to the bar in the back corner of the family room and poured a drink. “Anyone else need one? I have a feeling Meli is about to drop a bomb on us all.”
With a long groan, my father dragged his hands down his face. “Please, Lord. Don’t be a baby.”
“Why not, Daddy? What’s wrong if Amelia is pregnant?” Waylynn asked as we all directed our gazes to my father.
Looking at each of us, he smiled. “Nothing would be wrong if she was pregnant, but I’d rather she and Wade get married first.”
“Look who’s here!” my mother said in an overly cheerful voice.
When I glanced at the entrance of the family room, my breath caught. Corina was so damn beautiful. Her smile made my chest constrict, and yet feel light at the same time. How the fuck could that happen?
“Hey!” Paxton said, walking over to her best friend. “She texted you, too?”
Corina nodded, trying with all her might to ignore me as she glanced around and said hello. When her eyes finally met mine, she held her smile in place, but it looked a little painful. “Hey, Mitch.”
With a quick nod, I said, “How’s it going, Corina?”
She shrugged. “It’s going.”
Chloe rushed over and dropped on the floor. “I can’t wait until you're my teacher!”
Corina’s smile faded. Big time. “Chloe, I was so looking forward to that, but I’ve got some bad news.”
My heart seized. My breathing was at a standstill. Was she moving back to Chicago?
“What’s the bad news?” Chloe asked while I leaned forward.
“They moved me down to kindergarten.”
“What?” Paxton and Chloe said at once.
“Why in the world did they do that?” Paxton asked.
“The new principal thinks I’m a good fit for the position. Well, definitely a better fit than the new teacher they hired for first grade.” Corina looked down at Chloe and smiled. “You’ll like him, Chloe.”
“He? My new teacher is a he?”
Corina nodded. “Yep. His name is Mr. Lewis.”
Paxton shook her head. “Where is he from?”
Chloe had her face buried in her hands bemoaning that a man teacher wouldn’t be able to draw.
“I’m sure he draw perfectly fine, Chloe. You’ll see.”
Chloe looked up and nodded, not really sure if what Corina had said was true.
“He’s from Oak Springs, but he’s been teaching in Austin for the last few years. He wanted to move back here, but he has to teach elementary until they open a position for a high school biology teacher.”
Waylynn jumped into the conversation. “Hold up. You said his last name was Lewis? Lane Lewis?”
Corina gave her a wide grin. “Yes! Do you know him?”
Paxton and Waylynn started laughing before Waylynn said, “Yes, Corina! I went to school with him. He was a year younger than me. Please, tell me he is just as gorgeous as he was in high school.”
“Oh, he is!” Corina added, peeking at me before turning back to Waylynn.
Waylyn shook her head. “Man, oh man. Lane Lewis is back in town. This ought to be interesting. Remember he had a thing for Harley, Tripp? He actually asked her to prom y’all’s junior year ’cause he thought you had broken up with her.”
Tripp huffed. “Yeah, that fu…ahh…jerk.”
“Good save,” Steed said with a chuckle.
Corina smiled at Chloe. “I think you’re going to like your new teacher. I’ll be right next door, so I’ll still get to see you.”
Chloe stood up. “Aunt Corina, I have something important to ask you!”
I pulled back, turning to Cord. “When did Chloe start calling Corina her aunt?”
He shrugged. “Beats me. It’s cute, though.”
“Ask away!” Corina said as she pulled Chloe onto her lap.
“This is important.”
Trying to hide her smile and look serious, Corina replied, “I’m ready.”
I couldn’t help but think what an amazing mother Corina would be.
Chloe used her hands to ask her important question. “Is my new teacher cute like Wade?”
“What?” Steed cried out as Paxton covered her mouth, trying to muffle her laughter as Gage slept in her arms.
“Chloe, that is not an important question!” Steed said. His face was as white as a damn ghost. It was near impossible for the rest of us not to start laughing.