Page 17 of Bridge to Safety

Her head jerked up at the sound of someone thumping up her porch steps.

“It’s me,” Rowan called.

Her heart returning to normal, she opened the door and stepped outside. “I didn’t touch it.”

“That’s good.” He snapped a pair of gloves over his hands and picked up the box, opening it to reveal a dozen red roses. “No card, but we can guess who left them here. I’ll show the sheriff. You okay?”

She nodded. “Annoyed more than anything. Thank you for coming so quickly.” She said goodbye to the dog and locked the door. “I need a peephole in my door and security cameras.”

“Mention the peephole to Deacon when he comes on Saturday. After school, I’ll drop by and show you some good cameras you can order online and run with your Wi-Fi.”

“Great. I’ll make spaghetti.” Rachel’s favorite. Shiloh hurried to her car, relieved she’d only miss bus duty and would be in the classroom on time. She parked and rushed into the building. “I’m here.” She waved a hand at the ladies in the front office and practically sprinted for her classroom. Five minutes later, she headed outside to collect her students from the playground.

By lunchtime, she already felt as if she’d put in a full day’s work. She removed a homemade salad from her lunch box and bought a diet soda from the vending machine. A few minutes later, Susan and Melinda joined her as they had since school started.

“Sorry I was late this morning. Who covered bus duty?” She glanced at each woman.

“I did.” Melinda crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. “You know, Shiloh, some of the parents of your students have been asking Mr. White to transfer their children out of your class.”

“Why?” That didn’t make sense; she was a good teacher.

“Because of who you are.” A sly smile teased at her lips.

“And who would be spreading such stories?” Her neck flushed. “You have no right. I deserve a chance in this town.”

Melinda rolled her eyes.

“She’s right.” Susan shook her head. “Fifteen years ago was a long time. You know she was right about that night. I know you do.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Because you’ve experienced the same thing, haven’t you?”

A shadow passed across Melinda’s eyes before she turned back to Shiloh. “Mr. White refuses to transfer them, saying you came highly recommended. What have you done to make him think so highly of you after only three days?”

Shiloh leaped to her feet, spilling her soda. The dark liquid spread across the table. “Are you insinuating that I’ve offered him…to get him on my side?” The heat from her neck spread to her face. “Because you couldn’t be more wrong.” She grabbed a handful of paper towels from above the sink, then started wiping up the mess. How could anyone be so cruel?

“Don’t pay her any attention.” Susan glared at Melinda. “She’s jealous because she has a thing for the principal, and he likes someone else. And it isn’t Shiloh.”

“Who is it then?” Melinda’s folded arms seemed to tighten.

“Carrie in the office. Now, you can leave Shiloh alone.” She gathered up her lunch. “Bring your lunch to my room, Shiloh. The air stinks in here.” She flounced from the room.

Shiloh quickly gathered her things and followed, her heart swelling at how Susan had defended her. “Thank you.” She sat at one of the students’ desks.

“No need to. You’ve suffered enough at the hands of this town. Needlessly, I might add.” She tilted her head. “And it hasn’t stopped, has it?”

“Unfortunately, no.” Having lost her appetite, she stared at the closed salad container. “It’s just going to take time.”

“Okay, but stand firm. Don’t let anyone run you away again. Not even football-star, arrogant, red-neck Duke. I don’t think he’ll harm you; he’s more of a nuisance. After all, you aren’t kids anymore.”

Shiloh certainly hoped so, but whenever she saw him, the glimmer of evil in his eyes brought a shudder down her spine. He wouldn’t go away quietly.

~

It didn’t please Duke one bit to see the deputy’s car at Shiloh’s again. Since he had his brat with him, they’d be staying for supper. It ought to be Duke sitting at her table.

He watched as Shiloh and the deputy stepped onto the porch. Reynolds pointed from one corner to the other, then at the doorbell. A person didn’t have to be a genius to figure out they were discussing security measures.

His fingers curled around the steering wheel as he pretended to have them wrapped around Reynolds’s neck. The amount of time those two spent together was bordering on ridiculous. Soon, the residents of Misty Hollow would start thinking of them as a couple. That couldn’t happen. No name should be paired with hers except his.

That no-good cousin of his, Melinda, wasn’t doing a very good job stirring up trouble in the school. He’d have to come up with a plan B. He drummed his fingers. What, though? The dog was bad enough, but cameras? He’d been lucky last night, sneaking on the porch in his socks so the dog wouldn’t hear. There’d be no hiding from cameras.

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