CHAPTER NINE
Lily sat at her desk at lunch on Monday.Whatwas going on?She had passed two fellow teachers who obviouslysnubbed her.At first she thought she had imagined it but when ithappened a second time.Uh-oh…Maybe it would pass, whatever itwas.
She sat eating her lunch thinking of Sandy.Life can be wonderful, can’t it?He’s just what a man shouldbe – kind, thoughtful, incredibly good-looking, sexy.Wow.Was heever...She had never had a relationship with a man before likewith Sandy.Her marriage obviously had been a pretty poor exampleof what a relationship should be.What’s that expression abouthitting the jackpot?Staring off into space, a sigh escaped her.Taking another bite of her sandwich, someone interrupted herreverie.
“Penny for your thoughts.”An image of Sandyfloated before her eyes.She focused and there he was in wornjeans, the shirt she was wearing Sunday morning and those greattalking boots.
“Don’t you have to work?”She smiled up athim.Huh.He looked good in clothes too.She felt her facewarming.
“I had to bring Jesse’s lunch and thought youmight like some too.Dessert, actually.”
“Oh, no.Not the infamous red velvetcake.”
“The very same.”He winked as he put a smallbag on her desk, raised his eyebrows.“And how do you like myshirt?”If this was seduction, she was all for it.
“I noticed.You really are trying to put meoff my game today, aren’t you?Remember I have four children comingback from the lunchroom any minute.Do you want them to see us in adelicate situation?”Lily winked back at him.He was also a lot offun.Being with him made her feel terrific.
Sandy was having the same kind of thoughts.She was a long drink of cool water, as the cowboys say.Being withher made him feel like a man again.A sensual man… This pretty ladyhad him imagining things he hadn’t in many years.His sexualappetite had been dormant too long as well.That had been awakenedfor sure…
“Okay.I’ll get out of your hair.I wanted tolet you know that my brother, Bill, and I have some family businessto do and I’ll be gone until Friday.”
“Friday?We just met,” she felt her faceblush again, “And now you’re leaving town?Where are you going?”She actually pouted.
Good.She’d miss him—a welcome sign.“Vegas.We don’t much like going there, so we try to make our time count.Lots of meetings, lawyers and financial dealings… The JohnsonFamily Trust is a pretty big business.Bill and I try to keep ontop of things.”He slowed and looked deeply into her eyes.“Believeme when I say I’m not wild about going right now.I’d rather spendmore time with you, sweetheart.”He smiled his sexy smile.
“Sandy,” she sighed.“I’d rather spend timewith you than do most anything.”He took her hand and started tosay something when Jesse came running into the room with Arturo,Sara and Cole.
“Daddy!”he yelled and sprang into his arms.The other children gathered around him, grabbing onto his legs andall talking at once.
“When can we ride the horses again, Mr.Johnson?Huh?”Their young, pleading voices were enough to melt anycold heart.
“Soon, guys, soon.Miss Cable, perhaps wecould arrange a field trip to the ranch sometime for your class.Would that be possible?”Sandy’s smile was as big as his heart.Heput on his cowboy hat, tipped it at her.“Ma’am,” he said.Then heleaned over and whispered, “I’ll call you.”Leaving the room, hisboots clicking noisily since he’d worn spurs today.
* * *
After school, Lily’s principal, Terri Nolan,had come by Lily’s classroom.Terri was an attractive, professionalwoman who worked hard and expected great things from all herteachers.They had hit it off in the interview, so Lily was happywhen Mrs.Nolan wanted to hire her.
“Hi, Lily.How are you doing?How were yourclasses today?”
She was skilled at managing people and astuteenough to know when problems were arising.She smelled onetoday.
“Hi, Terri.Good to see you.Everything wentfine.We’re knee deep in our poetry unit, as you know and I wantedto ask you about the state standards training coming up later thismonth.”Lily was enthusiastic about her job, which was delightfulfor Terri to see.
She took a good look at Lily and shook herhead.No wonder there were rumors… Lily was beautiful, sweet, anice person and minded her own business.She worked hard at her joband Terri respected her immensely.
“Ah, Lily, I need to talk to you aboutsomething personal.This is a small town and an even smallerschool.It’s hard not to know your neighbor’s business even if youdon’t want to.I don’t mean to interfere or butt in where Ishouldn’t but…” her voice trailed off.
“Okay.What is it?”
“I’ve seen and heard a few things that Idon’t care for.I’m a big believer of ‘live and let live’, but Ifeel I need to warn you.”Mrs.Nolan swallowed hard and blew out adeep breath.
“Good grief.What’s the problem?”
“I like you, Lily.You’re a good teacher anda good person.Sometimes, in this life, we meet up with someunpleasantness that shouldn’t happen.I’ve had things happen to methat I wished someone had warned me about.”She stopped, obviouslysearching for the right words.
Lily nervously bit her lip.“Am I beingfired, Terri?”
“No, no!Nothing like that.It’s just thatsome teachers here are trying to create a problem for you.I wantedyou to be aware and maybe on guard.”
