The air around me shifted, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to rise. I glanced to the right and caught Knox watching me from where he stood by Oliver, Tej, and Chauncey about ten feet away. Our eyes locked for a split second before he turned back to the front, his face a mask of nonchalance. Every single time we had touched flashed through my head in quick succession, just as it did while lying alone in bed at night. The way his lips had felt kissing my neck, the way his hands had felt around my own as he guided them across the wood in the workshop—it was hot.Hewas hot. I kept reminding myself that I was there to court Oliver, not Knox, but Knox was the intrusive thought that would not quit.
Adelaide’s voice drew my attention once again. “You will notice that there are a few volunteers wearing green vests—these are some of our amazing teachers who will oversee our stations today. Clothing donations and the food pantry lines will be set up in the gymnasium; Coach Littlefield”—a man in his forties wearing an emerald-green vest raised his warm to wave—“can show you where to go if you’re not familiar with the building.
“There will be signs in the corridors leading you to the school supply donation room, an activity area for the children while their parents get the food and other supplies they need, and a break room where Joleta from Jolly Java has donated some refreshments for our volunteers. Are there any questions?”
After a beat of silence, Adelaide dismissed everyone, and the crowd dispersed. Vince had informed me over breakfast that he had signed me up for the activity room with the kids after hearing me gush about playing with my niece, so I found him, and we walked to a classroom where we were met by a woman in her sixties with snow-white hair. It was cut close to her head, and she wore an embroidered sweater that read “Oh what fun it is to teach” next to a dancing snowman. She was adorable.
“Hello, I’m Mrs. Sallow. Are you here to help with the kids today?”
“Hi,” I said, grasping the warm hand she held out to me. “I’m Bernadette, and this is Vince. Yes, we’re here to help you with whatever you need.”
“I love to hear that. I’m just getting the arts and crafts table ready now. I took home the pillows and blankets from our reading corner and washed them last night. Vince, you look like you have some muscles, could you bring that big laundry basket over here and set them out?”
I giggled as she pointed him to the desk at the back of the classroom.
Vince placed his hand over his heart, pretending to be hurt. “I’m more than just my muscles.”
“I’m sure you are, dear. But now is not the time to let your mind be wounded. We have things to do before the kids get here,” Mrs. Sallow quipped back. I liked her.
As we finished setting up, four familieswalked in, each with two kids ranging from about four to ten years old. The kids sprinted to their favorite activities and settled down to play.
Suddenly, the chatter in the room stopped and everyone stood up, bowing or curtsying. I looked to the door as Queen Isobel, Oliver, and Knox walked in, shadowed by a security guard who stayed by the door. They nodded in greeting and the activity in the room resumed. I noticed that Knox seemed to be going out of his way to avoid looking toward my corner of the room.
“Your Majesty.” Mrs. Sallow approached the queen and curtsied again. “It’s a pleasure to have you here in my classroom.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” Queen Isobel replied, grasping Mrs. Sallow’s hand kindly. “I thought Prince Oliver might like to spend some time here with the children if that’s all right?”
“I’m sure the children would love that. Prince Oliver, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She bobbed again in his direction.
“It’s nice to meet you as well. How long have you been teaching here?” he asked.
“This will be my fortieth year.”
“Amazing. That is dedication. Thank you for your service to the children of Wexstone.”
“It’s my passion, Your Highness. I don’t take lightly the responsibility of molding and shaping young minds. I started out teaching third years and then they needed a kindergarten teacher. I lasted one year. Those kinder teachers are a special breed,” she laughed, shaking her head. “Well, you would know. Ms. Levy, one of our kindergarten teachers, is one of your suitors, correct?”
“She is,” Oliver replied, his tone soft and reflective.
“She is a good one, that girl. She’s very determined. Smart, too. But I’m talking too much. I apologize, Your Highness.”
“Don’t,” Queen Isobel chuckled. “We love to hear what you have to say.”
“May I show you around, ma’am?”
Mrs. Sallow escorted the queen around the classroom, sharing with her about the projects her fifth-year students were working on before the upcoming holiday break. Oliver approached the table where I was sitting and coloring with a little boy.
“How am I not surprised you’re at the art table?” he laughed.
“Very funny,” I said. “Here.” I slid a white piece of paper with an outline of a Christmas tree on it and a box of crayons toward him. “I think this might be more your speed, Your Highness. Just make sure to stay in the lines.” I winked.
He let out a loud laugh, causing several of the volunteers to turn to look at us.
“How is your day so far?” he asked.
“It’s been good. I’m really enjoying being here. I’m impressed—this building is quite nice for being a low-income school.”
“Just because the children who attend here have families who struggle financially doesn’t mean that they deserve to receive an inequitable education.”
