Page 67 of Sweet Surrender

“Now we can tell Miss Hawthorne she was right,” Nick said excitedly.

“She’s like Encyclopedia Brown,” Cal said reverently.

Zane smiled at the reference to the series of books the boys had loved about a kid detective.

“Are you going to call her right now?” Nick asked.

“Well, she’s not working right now,” Zane said carefully. “But we’ll tell her tomorrow. I think I’ll write an email to the principal.”

“Don’t get her in trouble,” Cal said worriedly.

“No,” Zane said. “I want to write something nice to make sure they know what a good job she’s doing.”

“Wow,” Nick said. “That’s a good idea.”

“And then she’ll definitely fall in love with you,” Cal said happily.

“That’s not how it works,” Zane said. “And besides, I really messed up with her.”

“Everyone makes mistakes,” Nick said firmly. “It’s what you do afterward that matters.”

Zane gazed down at his son in wonder.

“That’s what she said,” Nick said, shrugging. “She probably meant it for grownups, too.”

She sure was right about one thing,Zane thought to himself as the boys piled into the car.Nick is a really smart kid.

23

BECCA

Becca was just grabbing her tote of holiday card supplies to pass it out to the kids when her classroom phone buzzed on the wall.

“Just a moment, children,” she said, walking across the room, and feeling grateful that the class was worn out from a good gym class and happy from finishing their work early. She was proud that they were able to stay quiet while she took the call from the office.

A little worry tugged at her heart. She couldn’t think of a good reason for the office to be calling now. The school day was almost over. It must be something important. She hoped none of the children had an emergency at home.

Grabbing the receiver, she took a deep breath hoped for the best before answering.

“Miss Hawthorne, you have a guest,” Miss Wiggins said in her wavery voice.

“Goodness,” Becca replied. She certainly wasn’t expecting anyone. She hardly even knew anyone in Sugarville Grove.

“Principal Chittenden says he can come up,” Miss Wiggins added, ending the call before Becca could even ask who it was.

She turned back to the class, who were eying her expectantly.

“It sounds like someone needs to see me,” she told them carefully. “Can you all work on your cards quietly for a few minutes?”

“Yes, Miss Hawthorne,” they all said politely.

Her eyes went automatically to the Lawrence twins who were sitting next to each other in the front row once again. The two were smiling up at her, looking like everything was right again in their world.

And in a sense, it would be more right than ever soon. Nick told her proudly this morning that he was getting his new glasses after school today.

But before she could even open the tote where the cards were stored, there was a light knock against the doorjamb. She turned to see Zane Lawrence standing there, a small case in his hand, and a wary look on his face.

“Mr. Lawrence,” she said, remembering to greet him formally.

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