Page 19 of Sweet Surrender

Her words hung in the air between them. But the silence was warmer now, almost like they were two people who knew each other well and didn’t need to fill the moment with talking.

“Cal is excited about the class project,” Zane said. “And I got the note that came home. You wanted to visit the farm day after tomorrow?”

“If that works for you,” she said quickly. “There’s no requirement at all, but I wanted to offer to visit each of the students, especially if their family does anything that’s part of the industry or community of the town.”

“That’s everyone, then,” Zane chuckled.

“I’m starting to get that,” she said, nodding. “What are you here for tonight?”

“Oh, the boys, have aikido in the community room,” he said. “It’s a great way to work off some excess energy, and it teaches them a lot. What about you?”

“Choir,” she told him. “And I probably have to go. I’m sure my break is up by now.”

“Go on,” he said. “I’ll see you day after tomorrow.”

“See you then,” she said, tearing her eyes from his to dash out the door and rejoin the choir.

Her foolish heart was beating a hundred miles a minute for some reason.

Stop that,she told it firmly.That’s your student’s parent—a student who might need extra help.

Getting back into the songs helped to get her mind off it for a while. And by the end of the night, she was hardly thinking about Zane Lawrence at all. She definitely wasn’t even a little bit excited about seeing him again in only two days. And there was no way she was going to go through her closet as soon as she got home to decide what to wear to school that day.

7

BECCA

Becca stood in the doorway of the cafeteria, watching her students scramble to their seats. She smiled at the way they were still excitedly chatting with each other about the big Sugarville Grove project.

She had explained the plan and had the kids volunteer to tell her about their family’s involvement in any local business or community activities. Then she had sent the children home with requests to their parents for her to visit, setting dates for one or two each week for the year.

Apparently, the parents had actually read her notes, which wasn’t something she was used to, and it seemed like the kids were very excited for the possibility of having their teacher visit their homes.

The aroma of the hot lunch today filled the cafeteria. The chalkboard said chicken noodle soup with fresh bread was one of the choices, which sounded as amazing as it smelled. But once she was certain that her kids were settled in and the lunch teachers had things under control, Becca headed down the hall to see Principal Chittenden.

Some things are more important than a hot lunch, she reminded herself as she hurried off, hoping the principal wasn’t already on a call or with another teacher. But when she reached the door, ready to tap, she saw that it was open, and Principal Chittenden sat at her desk with a plastic container of salad in front of her.

“Miss Hawthorne,” the principal said with a warm smile. “What can I do for you?”

“You’re having your lunch,” Becca said right away. “I can come back another time.”

“Nonsense,” the principal said, waving her in. “You don’t have another time. And I’d love a distraction from this rabbit food.”

“Thanks,” Becca said, slipping inside and taking a seat.

“The doctor says I have to watch my sugar,” the principal confided. “So Mr. Chittenden has been packing me these dreadful salads. I can’t even have my raspberry vinaigrette on them. I’ll probably live forever though.”

She frowned at the salad, as if she was considering whether or not the cost of living forever was worth it.

“I’m so sorry,” Becca said.

“Well, take it as another reason to enjoy your fresh air and exercise,” Principal Chittenden said, looking up with a smile. “I always thought watching my weight was enough, but apparently I’ve spent too much time at my desk. Though I guess I don’t need to teach you any lessons. I hear you’re going to be getting out there and visiting every farm and community event in Sugarville Grove.”

“Oh, um, yes,” Becca said, suddenly wondering if she ought to have asked permission for a project like that first. In the city, everyone had been too busy to worry about stuff like that.

“I think it’s wonderful,” the principal said with a twinkly eyed smile. “There’s no better way for the children to learn thanby talking about the things they know and love. And there’s no better way for you to get to know them and all the rest of us.”

“Thank you,” Becca said, feeling relieved. “I’m really looking forward to getting to know the students and their families. Speaking of which, I had a question for you about two of our students.”

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