Page 42 of Hank

From Mark’s obviously confused tone, he hadn’t been clued in. From the derisive expressions on several of Carolyn’s cronies, they knew exactly what she was talking about. Hmm… Carolyn’s Cronies.Theyshould starttheirown club. Their motto could be,we’re nasty bitches.

"Due to the, uh,delicatenature of my quitevalidreason, and to keep Ms. Webster from facing unnecessary embarrassment, no matter how fitting that would be, I’ll choose not to say." The smile she gave Jo was just as snide as her tone had been. The woman was in definite danger of being slapped. Or punched. Or both. "You should thank me."

Oh, hell, no.

"I don’t believe I will." If Carolyn wanted to make a spectacle, she’d allow her to do it. She wasn’t playing this game. "Please, Ms. Snodgrass, by all means, tell me and everyone else here,"she said, waving a hand in front of her to encompass the room, "what this is all about."

"Do you truly want your reputation and that of ateachersullied."

"Wait," Hank practically shouted. It gave Jo the excuse she needed to finally look her fill of the man she’d tried not to stare at. It hadn’t been easy. He’d been right in her line of sight throughout the whole meeting, leaning against the back of the auditorium wall. But now she could.

And what she saw was a man with a hard, stormy expression pushing away from that wall and making firm, determined strides down the middle aisle. It wasn’t a long walk in-between the parent-filled chairs, but it felt like it to her, because the whole way, his focus remained solely on her.

If she’d indicated for him to not come forward, he would have stopped. She had no doubt about that. But she didn’t want him to. So, she kept her eyes on him until he ended up at the foot of the stage and lifted his brows. His own unwavering gaze held a question. Did she want him to do this?

She took a deep breath to give herself a second to really think. Once this was out, everything would be different. But she was ready for her life to be different.

With Hank.

So, she slowly let out the breath and nodded.

His features softened for a split second, before hardening again as he turned and faced Carolyn and the room.

"Sully away," he practically growled.

"Very well." Carolyn’s self-satisfied smirk and apparent glee was totally uncalled for. This woman was takingwaytoo much pleasure in trying to ruin someone. "It has become apparent that an inappropriate relationship has been initiated between you and Ms. Webster. And I, personally, as do others…" Her eyes flashed to the women on either side of her. "Find it highlyoffensive that a woman of Ms. Webster’s age would engage in such a, how shall I say it, tawdry affair, with such a younger man. And a teacher no less." The other woman was on a roll as she jabbed her finger toward Hank. "Of course, what makes matters worse is the fact her son is a student in one ofyourclasses, and is his coach, who, I have to assume, receives preferential treatment due to thisrelationship."

"That’s a lie," came from the left side of the auditorium.

"Collin?" When had he gotten here?

Her son came running toward the stage and took up a position next to Hank, where he turned and faced the crowd as well. "I work hard in Dr. Lawton’s class. And he’s just as tough on me as everyone else. AndCoachLawton doesn’t decide who starts. Coach Bush does. So just because Dennis didn’t get the position, you can’t take that out on my mom and someone who loves her."

"Collin…"

"It’s true Mom." He cast his gaze up at her over his shoulder. "It is," he said again, this time more forcefully, then focused on Hank. "Isn’t it, Dr. Lawton?"

Hank kept his focus on Collin for several seconds. Then her breath caught when he turned and stared up at her. He didn’t have to say it, it was there in his loving gaze meeting hers. But he did anyhow.

"It’s true." He pressed his hands onto the stage edge. "I love you, Jo Webster. Every prickly, stubborn, funny, irreverent, sexy, five-foot-two-inches of you, and I want you to be mine."

"Hank, I…" She eyed the riveted, suddenly silent parents staring at them with varying expressions of interest. What she didn’t see was the judgment she’d expected. Well, except from Carolyn’s Cronies.

But that didn’t matter tonight. All that mattered was…

"I love you too."

Hank’s tense shoulders relaxed, while a smile of what looked like pure joy took over his face. She probably had the same one on hers.

"Kiss her" someone yelled out, with bouts of laughter following. Then the whole audience slowly began to chant, "Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her…"

"I guess I should kiss you," Hank said over the voices ringing throughout the auditorium. Then he hauled himself onto the stage and went toward the end of the long table she stood behind. She wasn’t waiting for him. So, she dropped her gavel and ran the short distance to him as he rounded the edge.

And then she was in his arms, lifted high with his mouth taking hers, while clapping, whoops, and hollers of encouragement went up.

And in among them was one voice in particular, calling out, "Way to go, Mom."

It was the only voice that mattered.

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