He put his son in a light headlock, and the laughter and exclamations of “Dad!” were like music to his ears. He loved the teasing side of his son. It meant he felt comfortable enough to be himself. Lucas had worried for a long time that Ezra would become overly serious, but he shouldn’t have. The boy had a good head on his shoulders, studied hard, and understood there were times to be serious, but he also loved to have fun, even when it was at his dad’s expense.
Ezra wormed his way out of his dad’s hold and began brushing fingers through his hair to put himself back together from the gentle battle. Lucas’ gaze went directly back to Elyxandre, who was now walking toward him.
“Dr. Vaughn. Are you going to be here for a bit yet?”
“I have to pack up for the night. What’s up?”
“These girls were about to walk home, and it’s too far, even if they’re in a group. I’m going to run four of them home in my car and then come back for the other four. Would you be able to hang out here until I can get back for the second group?”
“Do you want me to take the other group?”
“I’ve got enough seat belts for four in my SUV. You’ve got your car here. Does it have enough seat belts for you two and them?”
“Good point. I could take three. Not four.”
She smiled. “The first group all live within three blocks of each other. It shouldn’t be too long.”
Turning on her heel, she walked back to the group of girls and clapped her hands. “Okay, rider group two, you’re hanging out with Dr. Evil and his mini-me. Group one, hop in and buckle up.” When she got to the vehicle, she gave him a chin lift and then got into her car to take the girls home.
The four remaining girls sat on the curb in the fire lane, talking among themselves. Lucas watched Elyxandre’s vehicle as it left the school grounds.
Once again, Ezra’s voice broke into his thoughts. “You’re doing the float-building tour tomorrow night, right?”
“Huh?” He focused on Ezra. “Oh. Yeah. Why?”
He really needed to get it together. This was the second time his son had pulled him out of daydreaming.
“Well, it’s Wednesday. That’s usually burger night. Why don’t you invite Officer E over for dinner in between visiting the sites?”
“Why?”
“Woman has to eat, right? We need to eat. You said you were traveling together anyway. Might as well eat together.”
He narrowed his eyes at the matchmaking teen. “Ezra,” he warned.
“Dad,” he mimicked. “It’s obvious you like her.”
“She’s a co-worker.”
“So? You used to have co-workers over for barbecues all the time.”
“I’m the principal now, not a teacher.”
“And?”
“It’s different.”
“Just because you’re people’s boss now doesn’t mean you have to hold yourself separate from them.”
“I do need to hold myself separate from her.”
“Why?”
“People might see it as inappropriate.”
“It’s inappropriate for two co-workers to have dinner together with one of those co-workers’ kids as a chaperone?”
“Ezra.”
