Page 19 of Shelter for Morgan

For a moment she considered what the classes would be like. Were the kids problematic? Is that why no one in San Antonio had taken the job?

It had been a momentary concern, but she knew there was no reason to ruminate over it. Until she was in the classroom, she wouldn't really know. And the best thing she could do was to be prepared. She went back to her studies.

Monday morning, she woke up to the sweet, sweet scent of coffee brewing.

When she opened her bedroom door, she nearly walked into Palmer.

He had two cups of coffee in his hands. "Here. I made this for you."

Aww!

"Thanks," she took hold of it with one hand and pushed her hair back from her face with the other. "I was hoping I could beg a cup from you. It smells amazing."

He looked a little shocked as he stepped to the side. "You don't have to beg. You don't even have to ask. As long as you're here, I'll make coffee for two."

As long as you're here...

The reminder that this was temporary hit her like a freight train running over a damsel on the tracks.

He didn't mean it in a mean way, but there it was.

"Thanks." She smiled at him, but she wasn't sure it was the smile he deserved.

"I showered already, and I need to get going in a few minutes, but I wanted to wish you a great first day as a teacher."

She blinked at him. "What?"

"Today," he smiled at her, and she wondered if he thought she was a little dim before her coffee, "it's your first day as a teacher, right? I hope it's a great day."

Morgan acted before she thought, something she did quite a bit.

She leaned in and wrapped her free arm around his body in a hug.

"Thank you."

It wasn't until she moved back that she realized what she'd done.

"Oh my god. I'm sorry. I haven't even showered yet and you're all dressed up for work!"

He seemed to come to his senses a moment later. "What? No. Don't worry about that. I'm fine."

"Yeah, but I shouldn't have... I just acted..." She shook her head and smiled at him. "Thanks. That... that means more than you know."

Boy howdy, what a mess. Palmer looked more than a little uncomfortable with her.

"Well, uh... I need to get going to the station."

"Yeah, Sorry." She pointed at the bathroom. "I'm going to go shower."

Palmer tensed up and looked back and forth as if he was looking for an escape. "Okay. Uh... Call if you need anything."

She smiled at him. "You're going to be at work. It's not like I can call and ask you to bring me a pencil... or an apple, right?"

He licked his lips and her gaze focused right on there on his mouth.

"You'd be surprised what I'd do for you, Morgan."

And then he was gone.

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