Chapter 1
Early June
Portland, Oregon
“Hey, if you want to believe in fairy-tale endings, go for it.” Brynna Philips paused to wave goodbye to a cluster of her third-grade students as they walked across the grassy lawn in front of the school. “All I’m saying is it’s not for me.” She forced a smile for the sake of her two younger colleagues.
The three teachers were visiting on the sunny front steps of the grade school while saying last-day-of-school goodbyes to their students. Tasha and Gwen seemed determined to convince Brynna to join their summer escapades of finding Mr. Right. But Brynna was not having it. Tasha elbowed her. “Seriously? You’ve completely given up on men and dating?”
“That’s right. But I wish you two the best of luck.” Brynna watched as little Taylor Thompson raced toward her from her mother’s parked car. Bouncing precariously in Taylor’s hands was a potted plant.
“I have something for you, Mrs. Philips!” Taylor yelled happily. Then, just a few feet away, she tripped—falling forward onto the plant.
“Oh, Taylor!” Brynna rushed over to help her. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, but I ruined your flowers,” Taylor sobbed.
“No, no, they’re not ruined.” Brynna helped the girl to her feet, trying to repair the bruised and broken flowering plant. “It’ll be beautiful, Taylor.” She smoothed the girl’s mussed hair. “This was very thoughtful.”
“I asked Mommy to get pink flowers.” Taylor frowned down at the bruised blossoms.
“Thank you. I’m sure I’ll enjoy more pink blooms throughout the whole long summer.”
“I wish school wasn’t over.” Taylor hugged Brynna tightly. “I don’t see why we need a summer break. I’m gonna miss you so much!”
“I’ll miss you too. But I hope you get in lots of reading.” Brynna patted Taylor’s head. “You’ve become such a good reader. I want you to go to the public library a lot. Just like I used to do when I was your age.”
Taylor nodded, jumping at the sound of her mom’s car horn as she called out for Taylor to hurry up. “I gotta go, Mrs. Philips.”
Brynna thanked her again for the plant, then waved as Taylor jogged off.
“Bittersweet, isn’t it?” Tasha said quietly. “The last day of school.”
“Not for me.” Gwen laughed. “I’d like to be doing the Snoopy happy dance right now.”
“Save it,” Tasha warned. “Here comes Sergeant Bart.”
“And here I go.” Gwen winked as she made her exit.
Brynna grimaced, wishing that teachers didn’t treat Jan Barton like the plague. It wasn’t easy being vice principal. And, other than being a little bit brusque sometimes, Jan did a good job.
Jan greeted them as she glanced across the school grounds. “Looks like the place is nearly cleared out.”
“Speaking of clearing out, I better go attack my room. Our last-day party got a little messy.” Tasha’s smile looked nervous. “I know you say no food in the classroom, Jan, but Jessie’s mother sneaked in cupcakes and punch. What could I say?”
Jan grimly shook her head. “Well, the janitor will probably complain about ants again.”
“Sorry.” Tasha took off.
“So, what were you girls gossiping about?” Jan asked Brynna.
“Oh, nothing. They were just telling me their summer plans.”
“Anything special?”
Brynna chuckled. “They think this will be their summer of love. They’ve joined a dating app. They actually wanted me to join it too.”
“And?”
