“Everyone off the court,” a ref called andblew his whistle.
“Guess we have some catching up to do later.” Faith winked as she stepped past me. “Go get ’em, Coach.” She swatted me on my backside.
This woman would keep me guessing and smiling for the rest of my life if I was lucky.
The rest of the game was close, but after double overtime, we won. The boys whooped and cheered. Today was like a dream come true.
At the buzzer, students and parents from the stands started rushing the court, cheering and crying.
“Free pie at Merritt’s!” Angie cheered. “Tomorrow morning at ten a.m. Bring camp chairs to sit on.”
The restaurant had taken a hit, but it didn’t stop people from giving and being generous. Angie wasn’t going to rebuild, but between James funding the repairs at no interest and the town begging, she decided she would reopen.
We won. I shook my head in disbelief. Even after the crazy weeks we had. We won. I looked up in the stands to see a blonde in her maroon and gold Eagles jacket jumping up and down screaming. When her eyes met mine, they were filled with happy tears, and the sight of her took my breath away.
Actually, I had already won before the game. Faith saved our town. She had saved me. I charged toward her, taking the steps two or three at a time. I couldn’t wait to pull her into my arms.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
FAITH
Today was the last day of school.
Adam and I both agreed until I was no longer Danny’s teacher, we would try to keep things in the friend zone, at least in front of him. Even though the entire town, and all my students, already knew we were dating.
Dating.
It seemed like such a simple word for the feelings I felt.
The timer on my phone alarm rang, signaling it was the end of the day. My group of second graders grabbed the cards they signed for one another, their last-day-of-school sugar cookies, and their backpacks from the side of the community center.
It wasn’t the classroom setup that I loved, but it was my class, and that was all that really mattered.
I couldn’t believe Dad was helping rebuild the school. I owed him so much. Mom was still keeping her distance, but Dad kept saying she would come around.
Hillsdale was amazing. James was putting a new technology center in the school and helping to fund some business rebuilds—I’m pretty sure Angie Merritt is paying him in pie. Michael has been here every weekend, hammer in hand, and Scott and Marissawere letting people stay at the B&B for free. Rose even offered free manicures to anyone whose house was damaged. I wasn’t sure if it was all small towns or just mine, but I was proud to be a part of it.
My students lined up for the last time.
“Bye, Ms. Faith.”
“Bye, Ms. Luxe.”
I’d changed my last name back to Luxe, and told the children they were welcome to call me either. I never liked Lyons anyway, and honestly, I was proud to be a Luxe.
Lucy came toward me, her big doe eyes watering. “I’mma miss you, Ms. Faith.”
“Me too,” Lydia said.
“Me three,” Mason said. “Can you come to my house too, like you do Danny’s?”
I smiled and cleared my throat. No matter how hard we tried to keep things quiet, I’m pretty sure there was no such thing as quiet in Hillsdale.
“I will miss you too. Don’t forget, next year you are always welcome to come and say hi. Once you are one of my students, you are always my students.” I held my arms open for anyone who wanted a hug. It was crazy to spend so much time with these kids, only to pass them off to someone else the following year. I didn’t know if I would ever get used to that part.
They wiped their eyes and noses on their sleeves.
“I hope each of you has a happy summer! And I’m excited about next year and the new school!” I clasped my hands in front of me. “Who’s excited to see the new school?”
