Page 84 of Risky Move

“I said I didn’t care.” Cassie’s voice had an edge to it. “Dave thinks I’m about ready to retake the test.”

“We can discuss it then,” Caryn said. “We’d love for you to join us—you can’t imagine how much—but your courses come first.” She smiled to lighten the tone. “It’s all a moot point when you ace that test, anyway.”

* * *

Amelie excused herself after helping to clean the kitchen after dinner. “I need to work on homework—you don’t mind, Cassie?”

“Not at all! I like to study out by the pool—nice and relaxing. Unless certain people cause distractions by swimming laps.” Cassie looked at Tom with a hint of a smirk. “Present company excluded.”

“Oh, of course,” Amelie giggled, with a glance at Tom. “Cannot imagine who could distract you around here.”

Cassie felt her cheeks warm. “Make yourself at home. I’ll check in with Caryn and see if she needs help with the munchkins.” Cassie glanced at Tom over her shoulder. “Want to say good night to your nephew and niece?”

Caryn had just closed the door to the nursery when Cassie and Tom approached it. “Asleep already?” Cassie whispered.

“All the excitement must have exhausted them. Not complaining, mind you.” Caryn’s eyes shifted from Tom to Cassie. “Do you have any plans?”

Cassie shook her head, but Tom reached for her hand. “While Ms. Amelie hits the books, let’s go for a walk.”

“Twist my arm.”

Caryn laughed at their antics. “Good idea. I have a FaceTime date with my husband—can this road trip get any longer?”

“Just look forward to the bye-week and All-Star game,” Cassie suggested. “You’ll have, what, ten days of togetherness?”

“Not sure that’s enough time to catch up, but we’ll make the most of it.”

45

“So, you really will ditch me and run off to the Virgin Islands?” Tom teased Cassie as they walked around the front of the subdivision.

“Could you possibly get the time off?”

“Maybe part of the time—like the All-Star weekend. I seriously doubt I’d get ten days approved.” Tom placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him for a kiss. “So, what do we need to do to get you through this algebra class?”

“Ideally, I test out. I tried once, and my score wasn’t high enough. So, I’m stuck in remedial algebra for the semester unless I try the test a second time or drop the course.”

“How many times can you take the test?”

“Three. After that, I must complete the course. I don’t want to use up all my chances this semester. I’d rather drop it, keep working on my own, then try the test again before the summer semester—or when I feel more confident.” She pulled back and looked up at him. “It stinks—I can’t transfer to any of the major courses until I complete that requirement.”

Tom saw the frustration in her expression. “Don’t get discouraged. There are plenty of brilliant writers and creative people who struggle with math. And you, my love, are brilliant. I can help you follow-up on the topics Dave’s working on with you. Yes, even including your favorite—the quadratic equation.”

“I hate wasting our time together on remedial math.”

Tom chuckled at her expression. “I have some incentives in mind that could take the sting out of this. We can work a certain amount of time, then enjoy an incentive.”

A speculative smile crossed her face. “You going to share these incentives with me?”

“Nope—my surprise, but I can promise not to disappoint.”

* * *

Tom spoke with his supervisor, Dan Forster, about taking time off around the upcoming All-Star break and bye-week.

“You set the schedule, Tom—talk it over with your colleagues,” Forster said. “I have no objections. If you get creative with your schedule and swap shifts with a few other doctors, you might pull it off. You’re the first to volunteer when anyone needs a shift covered, so call in some favors.”

He wanted to surprise Cassie if everything worked out. And he absolutely must talk with Caryn to confirm they truly had the space available at the rented house. Andrew may not want another person tagging along…unless he decides with two adults taking care of the twins, they’ll have more opportunities to go off by themselves, during the day or at night.

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