Crockett’s eyebrows jutted up as he glanced at Hannah’sparents.
Though his cheeks reddened, Hannah’s dad smiled. “Not quite. I got laidoff, so, we’re cuttingback.”
Hannah’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t want karate toend.”
Hannah’s mom explained that while she worked, they wanted to be conservative with theirspending.
Without hesitating, Crockett said, “Karate is important to Hannah and she’s a good student. Why don’t I cover the next six months and we’ll reevaluatethen?”
Annie Rodele’s mouth droppedopen.
“We can’t let you do that,” said Hannah’smom.
“Please. I insist.” Crockett pushed off the sill. “Annie, we’ll discussoffline.”
Hannah’s dad stood and shook Crockett’s hand. “That was unexpected and incredibly generous of you. I don’t know how to repayyou.”
“If Hannah continues to study martial arts and she enjoys it, that’s the bestrepayment.”
With tears in her eyes, Hannah’s mom set her daughter in the chair and hugged Crockett. “Thankyou.”
“I don’t want to say goodbye,” Hannahsaid.
“Mr. Wilde is going to pay for your lessons for a little while, so you can keep taking karate,” saidAnnie.
The child’s eyes grew wide. “Really?”
“Yes, I am, Hannah.” Crockett crouched down. “I believe in you and think you should stick with karate for as long as you likeit.”
Beaming, she threw her arms around him. “Thank you, Mr. Wilde. You’re the best teacher,ever.”
With a smile, Crockett stood. “All righty, Hannah, did you bring yourgi?”
With a big smile, she pointed to the duffel bag on thefloor.
“Where can Hannah change?” asked hermom.
“Right here.” Annie closed the blinds. “Pull the door shut when youleave.”
Crockett and Annie left. Amidst the kids scurrying about, they headed for thedojo.
“Week in and week out I preach acts of kindness,” Annie said. “You’ve exceeded myexpectations.”
“Most families hit a rough patch. I’m glad to help them out in a small way. She’s a sweet kid and I believe in self-defense. I’ll bring you a checktomorrow.”
After bowing into the dojo, they entered. Annie patted his back. “You’re a good man, CrockettWilde.”
“Thank you,ma’am.”
Crockett taught his class, then spent another hour sparring in the Black Belt room. Drenched in sweat, he left the dojo. Appreciating the chilly evening, he jumped into his truck and headed home as a light snow startedfalling.
After a quick shower, Crockett threw a New York strip steak into a cast iron skillet and a potato into the microwave. He wolfed down his dinner and headed out. Electra hadn’t responded to his invitation. If she didn’t show, he’d have a drink and leave. The flakes were falling fast, so he flipped on his wipers and drove to theclub.
Strolling through the greeting room and into the lounge, he settled into a booth. A prompt server took his vodka martini order. While waiting for his drink, he checked his phone. Still nothing fromElectra.
Ten minutes later, she sauntered into the lounge and squeezed in at the bar. A moment later, Crockett’s phone binged. The subject line of the message from Incognito said, “Try SomeoneNew.”
Electra’s rejection included a personal note. “Hunter, thank you for the invitation, but it’s best we don’t see each otheragain.”
