“So you’re a teacher?”
She seems to pick up on the subject change and smiles as she sits a little farther in her seat. While I hadn’t realized how close she was, now that she’s moved back, I wish she’d return to my bubble.
And I can’t remember the last time I had a thought like that.
Chapter 10
Valerie
Who’dhavethoughtthatI’d encounter another person who has no parents. I guess it’s not terribly unlikely, statistically speaking, but I certainly didn’t think it would happen in Juniper Grove. Aside from The Bakers, but they’re the closest thing this town has to royalty. Though I get the feeling that Link isn’t from here originally.
While I thought this was going to be a somewhat boring date and more just to appease Gram, I find myself intrigued by him. He’s utterly captivating, both in his looks and the lyrical way in which he speaks.
Which reminds me, I haven’t answered his question. “Yes. I’m a preschool teacher. More of the pre-kindergarten, since I have the kiddos who are four or five in their year before they head off to kindergarten. We get them ready by working on early math, reading, science, social studies. And, of course, following class rules and how to play nice with friends.” That last part is difficult for a lot of kids.
School is a very different environment and takes some getting used to. It’s not just following rules and learning a routine but having to interact with peers in appropriate ways. Many kids are coming from home, where they may have a sibling or two, and the interaction between siblings and peers is very different.
“Sounds like you really love your job.”
“I do.” My cheeks hurt from smiling so wide. “While there’s always a rough kid or two…or sometimes even half the class, I love working with small children and making a real difference. They start off as such a blank canvas that we get to teach them so much over the year, and it’s great to see how far they all come each and every time.”
“That sounds pretty awe-inspiring. You’re doing something good for the community, and that’s really admirable, Val.”
I’ve never had anybody say that to me about teaching before, but I like the way he says it.
“What do you do in your spare time? You run your own business, so you may not have much of it. Sports? Are you into sports at all?” Now seems like a good time to get to know him a bit more.
I’m not sure what sort of questions people may ask about him, but it seems worthwhile to know what I can.
“Watching? Sure. Playing? I guess I would if I had people to play with. Every so often, I can get a pick-up game of basketball going with my accountant and lawyer, but they’re married with kids, so most of their time is spent at home.”
Sounds like my family. All of my cousins are married with kids, who will all be at dinner. I bet some of the husbands would be willing to play with him, though. But why am I even thinking of that? We just met.
“Have you ever been married?” I gasp and throw both hands over my mouth.Stupid stupid stupid.I have no right to ask a question like that. “I’m so sorry. That’s so not my place to ask or know.”
But Link laughs, and the sound makes my blood course through my veins with more anticipation.
“No, never married, not even close. And work does take up a lot of my time, but not as badly as it used to when I was the only one running the show. I’ve been able to hire a few good people to help me out, including the managers of the store locations. How about you? Ever come close to getting married?” There’s a heated glance that comes my way, and it almost seems like he’s jealous just asking.
“Once. I guess it was close. There was talk of him proposing, but I knew there was nothing really between us. In fact, why he even thought us getting married was a good idea was beyond me.” I don’t even get into the fact that I was twenty-two at the time and not remotely close to being ready to spend my life with somebody.
Having a career and a home was more important to me at that age than getting married.
“How long were you together?”
“A year.”
He turns to me with raised eyebrows. “You were together a year, but didn’t feel there was much between you?”
My shoulders slump as I slink down in my seat. “I don’t do well with breakups. But when I found out he was planning on making the leap to forever, I knew it had to be done.”
Though he shakes his head, there’s a smile on his face, albeit behind his forefinger. “I guess at least you stopped it before embarrassing the poor guy for asking and then telling him no.”
“Oh, I probably would have said yes. And then would be extremely unhappily married right now.”
The car fills with Link’s deep laughter, and I giggle along with him. It’s a crazy thought, that I’d say yes to somebody I know I didn’t want to marry. I just hate the conflict. Breaking up with him was nearly impossible, and I was so awkward about it that he didn’t get what I was trying to say until I blurted out that I didn’t want to be with him anymore.
“Well, don’t worry. I know that after tonight, that’s it. Though, if things keep going the way they are, I may end up asking you out on another date. But don’t feel bad saying no. I understand expecting this to be a one-time thing.”
