"Let's take a break," he told Aiden. Now his concentration was completely shot. "Why don't you get some lunch, and we'll reconnect in a half hour?"
Aiden agreed and rang off. He probably thought Noah was crazy. Noah made a mental note to send him a big Christmas bonus.
Itwascrazy. Crazy that his voice was shaking as used voice commands to pull up Jilly's text.
Is there anything worse than waiting to go into the principal's office?
He winced, compassion for her spiking.What happened? PJ or Casey?
There was a slight delay, then,Lindsey, actually. She had a meltdown in class and tore up another little girl's painting. And called the teacher a word I won't repeat when the woman tried to calm her down.
What? Lindsey was still quiet and sometimes reserved, as if she was holding part of herself back. He'd never witnessed her lose her temper.
What happened to provoke her?
I don't know, Jilly typed.I guess I'm going to find out.
She sounded calm and collected, but this was only a text message. He knew she cared about Lindsey and must be upset.
He hesitated for several seconds. And then took the plunge.
Do you want me to come up there? he sent.
Not necessary.
That had been quick.
She was probably right. It would take a car service too long to pick him up and the school was in town, miles away. By the time he arrived, Jilly's meeting with the principal would be over.
Her quick dismissal still cut somehow.
He set the phone on the desk in front of him. Wiped his hands down his jean-clad thighs.
His phone chimed with another message, and he almost knocked it off the desk, he reached for it so quickly.
I was thinking of taking the kids to Sutter's Park tonight. See the light displays. Want to come with us?
His mom had mentioned it in passing when she'd been in town. During the Christmas season, the town created a walk-through lights display around the walking trail at the town's only recreational park. People raved about it. Apparently, there were millions of twinkle lights in different designs.
A second text from Jilly fired through quickly.That was stupid. I wasn't thinking. Of course you don't want to come. Ignore.
He typed out a reassuring message, but then erased it.
She was giving him an out.
It didn't offend him that she'd invited him along to an activity that was geared toward sighted people. He'd spend his night anticipating the little catch in her breath as the beauty of what she was looking at dawned on her. The kids might run ahead and then he'd hold her hand...
But he still hesitated.
Did he want to spend the evening with Jilly and the kids? Yes.
Did he think maybe his heart was over the line into the danger zone of getting too attached? Also yes.
Shouldhe stay home, allow for some distance so that maybe he could keep from getting pulverized...?
Jilly really wishedshe could stop shivering.
"Are you cold?" Noah asked.
