Page 25 of Agent of the Heart (Hearts in Hawthorne #3)
“This is different. I want to have my own group of cheerleaders to take through a school year. I want to interact with students in the classroom.” She paused.
“I have a wonderful opportunity to step into a situation immediately. A teacher’s husband has been transferred out of state.
I would take over the cheer program, as well as sponsor the newspaper and yearbook staffs.
I wanted to be a journalist at one point and then decided I could teach journalism and coach cheerleaders. ”
Darby paused. “This kind of opportunity is rare, Peggy. If I don’t take it, this combination might not ever pop up again. Not to mention that it’s in my hometown. I could see my aunt and uncle frequently. My brother also lives there, as do two of my cousins, whom I’m close with.”
Peggy sighed. “I can see that your mind is made up, Darby. Offering you more money or more responsibility won’t move the needle.”
“It won’t. I’m eager to return to Hawthorne High School and make a difference in the lives of kids.”
And maybe see Jace Tanner on occasion.
Resignation filled her boss’ face. “I guess I should be happy that Cheer USA kept you as long as we did.” She stood, and Darby did the same. “You’ve been a wonderful employee, Darby. I know you’re ready to get a fresh start.”
“I am. I’m working on a document now of all the things my replacement will need to know.”
“How long will it take you to finish that?”
“Probably another hour or so.”
“You do realize there will be a line of people clamoring to take your position?”
“I know you’ll choose the best candidate for the job, Peggy,” she said diplomatically, knowing several people who would campaign to land the job. While she had a favorite in mind, it wasn’t her place to tell Peggy whom to hire as her replacement
“Email me the list when it’s complete.”
“I’ll do that before the end of the day.”
Peggy embraced her. “I wish you the best, Darby. And because I think so much of you, I’m going to let you leave for good at the end of the day.
My assistant will walk you through a few things regarding shutting down your email account, turning in your badge and keys, that kind of thing.
I know you want to reach Texas as soon as possible. We’ll make this our exit interview.”
“Thank you, Peggy!” she cried. “Oh, this will really help. The sooner I can get back to Hawthorne, the better.” She wiped away her tears. “You’ll be seeing me again. I plan to take my squad to nationals.”
Her boss smiled. “I can’t wait to see you and your cheerleaders, Darby.”
She practically floated from the office.
Peggy’s assistant returned to Darby’s office with her, and they went through the protocols for her voluntarily separating from Cheer USA.
She finished her list for whoever would take her spot and emailed it to Peggy.
Then Darby sent out a general email to the staff in the corporate office, telling everyone that she was leaving for a new job opportunity.
That was all the goodbye she needed. No cake. No happy hour. No tears. No fuss.
When she left the Cheer USA office for the last time, she texted Uncle Joe, Blanche, and Kay, telling them she had wrapped up her job in Kansas City and would be back in Hawthorne by Saturday at the latest. She would take tomorrow to close all her accounts and give her landlord notice that she was moving out.
Kelby had already said that Darby could have movers bring her stuff to their house since she and West were slowly going to furnish the place, room by room, and had several empty ones Darby could use for as long as she needed.
On her way home, she called Sawyer. “Guess what? Peggy isn’t making me finish out the two weeks. As of now, I am officially unemployed until I start work at HHS.”
“That’s fantastic, Darby,” her brother enthused. “Will you head this way soon?”
“I’ll contact movers ASAP. Hopefully, they can pick everything up by Saturday. I’ll shut everything down here and drive to Hawthorne on Saturday.” She paused. “Do you think I could bunk with you until I find a place?”
“Absolutely. As long as it’s just you and not all your stuff. You know my place is small.”
“The furniture and the bulk of my clothes will be stored at Kelby’s,” she assured him. It’ll be me and a couple of suitcases.”
“Then the extra bedroom is yours for as long as you’d like it.”
“Thanks, Big Brother. I really appreciate it.”
“Not that I’m rushing you, but if you’d like, I can scout out a few places. See what’s available and pull some info together for you.”
“Oh, that would be terrific. It’s going to be hectic as it is, moving to Hawthorne and starting a new job, and then moving again to my own place. Anything to streamline the process will help.”
“Do you have an ETA for Saturday?”
Darby thought a minute. “It takes about seven hours. Maybe a little less. Let’s say mid-afternoon.”
“Then I’ll make a big pot of chili and some cornbread for dinner. I know West and Kelby wouldn’t mind hosting. I’ll holler at Autumn and Eli, too. We can make a celebration of your return.”
“That’s so thoughtful, Sawyer. Thank you. It sounds great. I’ll talk to you tomorrow or the next day and let you know how things are going.”
“It’ll be great having you in Hawthorne, Darby. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
She hung up—and wondered if she should let Jace know that she’d be in Hawthorne sooner than she’d planned.