Page 77 of Wanting You

“How on earth is Tanner taking his kids on a ski trip?” she demanded. “And why wasn’t I told about it?”

Susan looked incredibly offended by Chloe’s tone as she shifted primly in her seat. “Well, if you must know, Tanner organized a trip to the indoor ski school up at Summit Ridge. It was something he said felt went along with the theme of his room this year. And as for why you weren’t told, no one thought you’d be interested,” she said stiffly. “You’re very regimented, and it didn’t seem like something you’d want to do. Your classes aren’t joined, Chloe, and if you want to know what Tanner’s doing with his class, then the two of you should discuss that.”

Crap.

“Oh God, Susan. I’m so sorry. That was incredibly rude of me.”

“Mm-hmm…”

“I just…one of my students just told me about it and it caught me off guard. Maybe it’s not something I would have thought of, but it doesn’t seem fair for one kindergarten class to go and not the other.”

“I agree. But it was something Tanner worked out with Summit Ridge and…”

“Is it a publicity thing? Is this something his…his PR team asked him to do to drum up business for their newest line of ski apparel?”

The look on Susan’s face this time was almost comical. “Um…no. That’s not it at all. He specifically asked that his name not be used at all. This is to be a school field trip. Although, he asked for me to reach out to the local paper and possibly the news to draw attention to the first ski season up at Summit Ridge and how it’s a family-friendly place. And last I heard, he’s even made it into a fundraiser for school supplies. Again, without once putting his name on any of it for publicity’s sake.” She smiled smugly. “So if you have any concerns, you need to talk to him. We’re supposed to give them a final head count on Monday. If you’d like your class to go…”

“I’ll talk to Tanner,” she murmured while silently cursing herself. “Thanks, Susan. And again, I’m so sorry for being so awful.”

Susan studied her for a long moment. “You haven’t been quite like yourself for the last several weeks. Is everything okay? I know your mom had the accident and all, but…”

“She’s doing much better, but there’s been a lot of…personal issues that I’m trying to deal with.”

“Like breaking up with Tanner?” she quipped before her hands flew to her mouth. “Oh! Now I’m sorry! That sounded very catty.”

But Chloe just waved her off. “Not at all, and yes. Breaking up with Tanner was a huge part of it.”

“I honestly think that’s why he didn’t reach out to you about the field trip. He didn’t want to make it awkward. I know the students should come first, but it’s not worth it if the two of you are going to be that uncomfortable.”

“It shouldn’t be this hard,” she said miserably. “And I hate that it is. We work together and should be able to put those personal feelings aside. I know my students would love to go up to Summit Ridge and learn to ski.”

“I looked up Tanner online and saw a lot of videos of him when he used to compete. He’s really impressive.”

“Yeah, I have too. Especially lately.”

“The man looks good in a ski suit,” Susan said with a wink. “I’ll bet a lot of women wouldn’t mind getting a skiing lesson from him.”

And that’s when inspiration hit.

“Susan, I’m not going to talk to Tanner about this. I mean…I will, but not to ask his permission. Can you print me out permission slips and email me everything I need? I’d like to send out an email to all the parents this afternoon and send reminders home in everyone’s book bags today. Just tell me what I need to do, and the date and time of the field trip and count us in!”

Susan’s smile grew. “Going to fight for your man, aren’t you?”

It wasn’t a question.

“I’m certainly going to try.”

“I’m emailing everything right now, and good luck!”

“Thanks! I think I’m going to need it.” With a quick wave, she rushed out of the office and back down to her classroom. As much as she would have loved to talk to Tanner right now, she didn’t want to interrupt his class. Plus, it would be better for her to look over everything about the field trip and take it from there.

At her desk, she pulled her laptop out of her bag and quickly logged into her email. And what she read was…amazing.

Tanner had managed to pull together an incredible opportunity for not only the students but to benefit the school as well. For every family that used the ski school between now and the end of the year, Summit Ridge would donate a percentage of the sales for school supplies. It was the most selfless thing he ever could have done.

And she loved him for it.

The gasp was out before she could stop it.

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