Page 4 of Healing Hazel
She laughed and shook her head. “I know what you mean. But I do want you to know that I’m here if you want to talk about anything and that includes subjects beyond biology. And to remind you that while I’m your teacher inside these walls, outside of them I’m your friend, so if you’d like to debate a bit over how exploringchemistryis far more fun outside of the lab then in a hood, I’m all yours.”
I knew she was trying to convey something without actually saying it but I had no intention of taking her up on her offer, no matter how sincere I thought she was.
“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind, and again, I really am sorry.”
“So am I,” she said giving a little sigh. I was halfway to the door when she called, “Oh, wait, you’ll need this.”
Turning back, I groaned. “Seriously?”
Brooke’s head bobbed and she gave her hand a little wave as if to emphasize her intentions. Or perhaps to draw my focus on what she was holding. It was a card and not one with a colorful front with fancy script wishing me good luck or congratulating me on some achievement. I wouldn’t find a silly birthday greeting either. Nope, this card’s content always covered one subject and just one subject only. And seeing as I didn’t have a Dominant or a Daddy of my own, I knew exactly where that innocent 3 x 5 card was going to lead me. There might not be a principal at Rawhide University, but that didn’t mean students had nothing to dread.
Not with the generosity of the one and only Master Derek Hawkins. Nope, he’d flung his arms wide to include every single inch of the Ranch his three times great-grandfather and uncle had founded. He’d made it absolutely clear that his view on behavior, or rather misbehavior, didn’t just extend to the Littles and submissives on the resort grounds, but included every soul attending his university.
“Thanks a lot. And here I thought we were friends,” I grumped as I retraced my steps and took the card as if it were a red-hot poker rather than a cold piece of cardstock.
“You’re welcome and we are. I mean, I wouldn’t have taken a stolen pregnancy test from someone who isn’t a good friend.”
The reminder made me smile at the memory of the shock on her face when I’d pulled the tests out of a paper bag at the tea party. “Sampled, not stolen,” I countered.
“Potato, patahto.”
How a woman not much older than myself could be both sweet and scary was beyond me. I had half a mind to remind her I was the one who made sure that the gown she put on when at the clinic was not only freshly laundered but was warmed up so it would be nice and toasty against her skin which I’m sure her baby most certainly appreciated even if she didn’t.
Get a grip, girl. It’s not like you haven’t ever been paddled before.
True enough, but still, that didn’t mean I had to get all giggly and googly-eyed over it did it? I mean, maybe if the person on the other end of that paddle was a certain doctor that might happen, but since I’d avoided any chance of going over thighs that were hard as rocks from all that running he did, I knew I wouldn’t find Nigel waiting for me.
“Cheer up, Hazel. Look at it this way, maybe a few smacks with a paddle will get you out of your head and bring you back to us. I hope you know that you are surrounded by people who not only care for you, but most likely have gone through whatever it is that has you so sad. I’m just one of your friends and we all truly wish you the very best things life has to offer.”
The sincerity in her words and the tone in which she said them brought the tears back, so I nodded. I was about to make my escape when a thought had me pausing. “Um, you’re not going to tell anyone about this, right?” I held up the card as if she needed a reminder of whatthiswas.
“Of course not. And if by anyone you mean Nigel, I assure you that while I’m his sister-in-law, that doesn’t mean you ever have to worry about my sharing anything that happens in this classroom or betraying anything you share with me in confidence.”
I could tell my question had stung her a little and I felt like a heel. “I know, it’s just that I…” I forced a smile that I was sureresembled more of a grimace. “Never mind, just ignore me. Oh, and thanks,” I managed then fled before I either broke down in sobs or threw myself at her feet and spilled my guts.
Logically I knew the only ones who could blame hormones when their emotions felt like an out-of-control roller coaster were women with actual medical issues or those going through the miracle of pregnancy. However, emotionally, I felt like I was as close to losing it as a woman in the middle of labor screaming like a banshee whose idiotic doctor has the audacity to point out that from the beginning of time women had been squatting in fields to give birth and then going right back to work. Add a patronizing pat on a trembling arm and a smug smile and I’d bet no jury would convict the poor new mommy for murder. At least not the female jurors. Especially those who were mothers. Still, since I couldn’t use temporary insanity as an excuse for earning that card, I took a few minutes to escape into the nearest bathroom where I could splash cold water on my face until I was pretty sure the tears wouldn’t reappear.
Well, not until your ass is raw.
“You are so not helping,” I mumbled as I did a quick breathing exercise that we taught at the clinic to ward off panic attacks. Finally, it was time to stop stalling and face my fate.
“Ready or not, here I come,” I said, tugging the strap of my backpack over my shoulder and pushing through the doors, destination the office of Grant Chambers, aka the Director of Discipline. Jeez, the title alone had the skin of my butt crawling.
I almost convinced myself that I’d done as instructed and reported as directed but found the office unoccupied, but onlyalmost.The man would have to have the hearing of a bat to respond to the soft tap I’d given against the door with my fingertip. Pulling up my Big-girl panties, I fisted my fingers together and gave a proper knock which, unfortunately, was immediately followed by a, “Come in.”
“Um, hi,” I said as I opened the door just wide enough to poke my head through.
“Hi,” Professor Chambers replied as if I’d dropped by to extend him an invitation to join Vince and I for coffee rather than the real reason I just happened to appear in an office I’d never even seen before.
“Are you planning on coming all the way in?”
He asked the question with a trace of humor which for some reason actually made me relax a bit. “Would if help if I kept my butt in the hallway?”
He chuckled. “Sorry, but I’m afraid not. Would it help if I promise not to bite?”
“How about promising not to paddle?”
“Again, afraid not,” he said and then stood which had that moment of relaxation fleeing.
