“I met someone and I’m worried about what leaving for a few days will do to her already fragile heart.”
“Congratulations, Beau. I’m so happy for you. You deserve this, man.”
Suddenly hit with a wave of emotion, Beau cleared his throat. “Thank you, Hendrix.”
“It’s time you did something for yourself, man. It’s time for you to live too.”
Beau closed his eyes, his face tilted towards the warm sun. A gentle breeze blew his curls back and he smiled, giving himself permission to be happy without the guilt. Itwastime for him to live his life now.
Chapter Six
“Did Master Beau drop you off this morning?” Sadie whispered during math class.
She leaned so far out of her seat, Palmer worried she might fall right out of her chair. Palmer smiled brightly before nodding so fast that her curls slapped her in the face.
“That’s so exciting!”
Palmer nodded again. Itwasexciting! He’d walked her to her seat and pressed a kiss to the top of her head before telling her he’d be back to get her when class was over.
“Sadie, turn around, please.”
“Sorry, Master Grayson,” Sadie said even though she didn’t settle back into her chair right away. Palmer didn’t really think she was sorry either. She certainly didn’t sound sorry—just petulant.
“Are you going to do anything with him after school?” Wren whispered. At least she’d been quieter than Sadie.
Palmer nodded, studying the register she was working on even though the numbers were blurring together.
“What?” Sadie pressed. She was still perched precariously on the side of her chair.
Palmer shrugged, twisting the hem of her unicorn shirt around her fingers. She was glad the girls were talking to her. She liked feeling included, but she really wanted to be a good girl and talking during Master Grayson’s classwas notbeing a good girl. Good girls listened during lectures, even if they seemed to drag on and on.
“You don’t know?” Wren questioned.
“You should come to the pool. Daddy and Master Travis are taking Wren and me after classes.”
“Yeah! Come to the pool!” Wren added too loudly.
“Oh, can I come too?” Callie asked, leaning between them.
Nerves made Palmer’s tummy tighten. “Can we talk about it later, please?” Palmer finally whispered. “I don’t want us to get...”
“Girls, is there something you’d like to share with the class?” Master Grayson asked.
The class went quiet.
Palmer’s tummy fell to her feet and her eyes filled with tears. Oh no.
“Well?” he asked sharply.
Master Grayson was looking at her, only her.
“I’m waiting, Palmer. Is there something you’d like to share with the class?”
Palmer’s eyes filled with tears. She’d thought Master Grayson was her friend, why was he glaring at her? Why was his voice so hard?
“N-no, Ma’am,” Palmer stuttered.
Someone giggled.
