“It’s the time of year.”
“I guess they’re all excited for summer.” Shawna, a pretty blonde who was quick to smile, wrinkled her nose. “Don’t get mad, but I’m not ready for the school year to be done.”
“That’s because it’s your first year and you’ve done a great job. Trust me, by this time next spring, you’ll be counting the days.”
Shawna laughed. “I hope not. I hope I’m always this enthused. Plus I’m going to miss my students. It’s hard letting go. I’m glad I’m teaching fourth grade and not fifth. I get to see my kids next year, but when they’re done with fifth, they’re off to middle school.”
“It’s a small town. I promise you’ll run into your students for years. Usually when you’re doing a midnight emergency ice cream run in your pj’s.”
“You’re saying always take that extra minute to put on real clothes?”
“I am.”
Shawna set down her bag. “A few of my students were talking about their plans for summer vacation. I haven’t decided what I want to do. My parents own a sports bar on the pier in Los Lobos. I’ve always worked summers in their place but I’m thinking I maybe want to do something different.”
Los Lobos was only a few miles north of Port Palmas. Both were coastal towns with a big tourist business, but Ryleigh had to admit she preferred where she’d grown up to their slightly larger neighbor.
“I work in my sister’s bookstore,” Ryleigh said. “It’s a nice break from teaching, and summers are always extra busy. If youdon’t want to make the drive, I’m sure you could find something locally.”
“Maybe.” Shawna sounded doubtful. “Although if I’m being honest, working for my folks is kind of expected and I really hate disappointing them. Especially my mom. We’re so tight.”
Ryleigh thought about what Jax had told her about Harris wanting Shawna to spend the night and wondered if he’d discussed that with his girlfriend. She wasn’t sure Shawna would be comfortable overnighting in the house with the kids.
“Have your parents met Harris?” she asked instead.
Shawna beamed. “They have and they adore him. He’s such a good guy. We’re talking about taking a trip together. My folks and me and Harris. Somewhere close, you know, just for a few days.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Oh, it will be.”
Ryleigh tried to picture her former brother-in-law with Shawna’s parents on a weekend getaway and couldn’t get the image to form. But maybe he would surprise them all and have a great time.
Shawna glanced toward the doorway and smiled. “Oh, look. You have company. I’ll get out of your way. Have a good night.”
Before Ryleigh could figure out what she was talking about, Dustin walked into her classroom. He wore a suit, but the tie was gone and the first couple of buttons of his shirt were undone. She stared at him in surprise.
“I thought you were at your conference,” she said, both happy to see him and also a little concerned about acting normal. She didn’t want him to know how she’d been so sad for the past few days.
“I got away early and drove back to see you.” He smiled at her as he pulled her close. “I’ve missed you.”
She moved into his embrace. The familiar feel of him eased some of her disquiet.
“I missed you, too,” she whispered. “A lot.”
He shifted so he could cup her face in his hands, then kissed her. “I’m sorry I was gone and that we couldn’t talk.”
“Hey, it was work. You had to go.” She smiled. “It’s not like you ran off to Hawaii with someone else.”
He didn’t smile at her joke. “I wouldn’t do that, Ryleigh. I hope you know that.”
“Of course. I was teasing.”
He dropped his hands and took a step back. After turning away for a second, he faced her. “I blew it and we should talk about it.”
Her almost-happy mood evaporated as cold panic took its place.
“What are you talking about?” Blew it? How?
