Walking into the main office, intending on getting to my car as quickly as possible, I’m caught off guard when I see a man standing on the other side of the receptionist desk. The front receptionist isn’t around, so when our eyes lock, he smiles in my direction.
“Sorry, the school is closed.”
He nods. “I can see that. I was just trying to get some information about the school. My wife and I are thinking of moving to Blossom Peak, but I’d like to know a little bit more about the programs you have here.”
“Oh, well…” I point to the wall by the door where several papers are printed out with most of the information he’s interested in. “I’m just a substitute, but I know there’s a bunch of information on those handouts over there.”
His eyes drift to the wall and then back to me. “A substitute?”
“Yeah. One of the teachers is on maternity leave, so I’m filling in.”
Leaning over the counter, he rests his forearms there, tilting his head at me. “Just a sub? Why not a full-time teacher?”
“Oh, well, I’m sort of new in town.” Honestly, I still haven’t classified this town as my home because my intention was for my stay to just be temporary, but now…
His eyes move up and down my body. “Well, you certainly look like a teacher the kids would like.”
His comment makes me uneasy. “Uh, thank you?”
“I bet you’re a good mom too,” he adds.
Sadness overwhelms me, quickly followed by more uneasiness. “I—I really need to begetting home.”
He pushes himself up off the counter, adjusting his pants on his waist. “Of course. Thank you for the info, Ms.…”
“Lewis,” I finish for him.
There’s a twitch in his eye as he says, “Thank you, Ms. Lewis.”
I watch him walk to his car and wait for him to leave the parking lot before I make my way out to my car, releasing the breath I was keeping trapped in my lungs.
I’m sure he was just like any other tourist passing through, but something about that man gave me the creeps.
Well, good thing your neighbor is a sheriff, right, Vienna? Perhaps you need to tell Rhonan about your visitor…
While driving back to my house, I consider whether it’s even worth bringing up. I was probably just being paranoid. The man was just asking questions and trying to be friendly. Yeah, that’s it. I’m just way too up in my head right now, especially since I haven’t heard from Rhonan since we slept together, and it’s been over twenty-four hours.
Today has been an emotional rollercoaster, so I’m more than excited about the idea of sitting on my back porch with a glass of wine and playing fetch with Roscoe to end it on a high note.
And if I happen to get a glimpse of Rhonan while I’m outside, then it will just be a happy coincidence.
Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Vienna.
But when I pull into my driveway, I notice Rhonan’s truck isn’t parked in his.
Disappointment floods my chest, but I brush it off and go inside, change my clothes, feed Roscoe, and pour that glass of wine.
As soon as I take my seat in the chair on my porch, Roscoe brings his ball over to me. “All right, boy. Let’s play.” Leaning my arm back, I catapult the ball as far as I can, smiling while watching Roscoe chase after it. He eagerly grabs it in his mouth, and rushes back to me,dropping it on the ground so I can throw it again. “Good, boy! You’re learning!”
“Damn, I’m impressed.” A voice from the other side of the fence makes me jump, and when I turn my attention over there, I’m shocked to see Rhonan watching me from the other side, his arms resting over the top of the wooden slats.
“Jesus, warn a person that you’re watching them, will you?”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “I thought that’s what I was just doing.”
“Daddy!” Ellis shouts from his yard.
Rhonan glances over his shoulder. “What’s up, sweetie?”
