Page 118 of Owen Bailey Needs Advice

“We aren’t. Miles is content with his painting and his teaching and his lack of a social life.”

I smirk. “Levi isn’t wrong.”

“See?” he says to her, but she only gives him a tired smile.

“Hey,” I say, my tone a hush. We are very much not alone in this vehicle. But I’ve been wanting to ask Annie about Christmas, and it seems like a safe time to do so—while Levi and Meredith are in their own conversation. “What are you doing on Christmas?”

Every other year she goes to Boise to spend the holiday with her parents. Some years they travel. I’m pretty sure this is a traveling year. Which means she’ll be with Kayla. Post Falls is a mere fifteen-minute drive. So, I’m hoping that I can get Annie for part of the day—just like Thanksgiving.

Her eyes bat, her lashes fluttering as she looks over at me. “Um, I’ll be with Kayla, Tim, and the boys. I’m spending the night there because Kayla insists that I need to see her children’s eyes the minute they wake up on Christmas morning. She says it’s magical.”

“So, do you dislike all kids or just your nephews?” Levi says from the front of the car.

Okay—so maybe they aren’t distracted with their own conversation.

“Levi,” I scold. “She doesn’t dislike her nephews.”

But Annie gives a small chuckle. “I don’t. Owen’s right. I don’t dislike kids as much as I feel discomfort around them.”

“Really?” Meredith says, surprised by this.

“Yeah—you know, they just say whatever they want, no filter. They’re kind of like an animal in the wild. I like monkeys, they’re cool. I could even see myself playing with one—maybe. But they could also go completely rogue, and I’d have no idea what to do with them.”

Levi has a humorous smirk on his face. He is going to use this against her one day. “So, at what age do you decide they aren’t going to be painfully honest and rebel on you?”

Annie isn’t offended. “Maybe fifteen?”

“Fifteen?” Levi laughs. “Don’t you give advice to women about their children?”

“Not without hours of research. I know my limitations. When I don’t have an honest, legit answer, I research one.”

“Hmm,” Levi says without any dispute, grunts, or side remarks.

I think Levi likes Annie. He isn’t just tolerating her, he respects her. He might even refer to her as friend.

“Meredith,” I say, ready to get back on track, “did you tell Levi about that Shakespeare exhibit coming to Boise?”

“Ooo, I didn’t.” And she begins.

Annie is listening, but I tap her arm, her skin sweet and smooth beneath my touch, reminding me of an entire night of holding her in my arms. I’ve always been a believer—I’ve known for years that I’ve loved Annie. But last night made me realize it’s not just a want—I need her.

“So, Christmas,” I say, and Annie blinks her attention back to me. “Do you think we could have a couple hours together?”

“Yeah. I do.” She breathes out and I don’t miss the shakiness in her exhale. “Do you want to come by Kayla’s? And then we could go back to your mom’s.”

The heart beating in my chest is given new life every time Annie speaks about the two of us as one. The word “we” has an entirely new meaning. “Yes,” I say. “That’s perfect.”

“M

r. Bailey?” Rylee says, standing at the front of my desk. She can’t see the screen of my computer, the photos of Annie and me in Peaceful Valley. I am working on having one printed and framed for her.

I blink up at the girl. I did teach a full thirty-two-minute lesson. And now my students are working on a worksheet aspartners. I’m not shirking my teacher duties. I’m not—but then I’m pretty defensive to… no one.

“Ah—yes? Did you have a question?”

She sighs, brushing long brown hair from her shoulder. “I do.”

I look for her worksheet, but I don’t see anything. Sam sits at his desk—her partner for this task, just waiting. He watches us, listening for my answer as well.

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