Page 5 of Agent of the Heart (Hearts in Hawthorne #3)

Kay mustered a smile. “I remember meeting you at the Cheer USA camp. My girls really enjoy performing the dances you choreographed which they learned at camp. The squad was a big hit at the pep rally yesterday.”

“Glad to hear that,” she said, still concerned.

Kay’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “Can we step away from the girls a minute?”

Kay walked away. Darby and Kelby exchanged a glance, following the cheer coach around the end of the stands, which placed them out of sight.

“I didn’t mean to get so emotional. Todd just told me that his promotion has come through.

” Kay looked at Kelby. “Remember, I mentioned that to you last spring? Well, it’s finally happened.

And it couldn’t come at a worse time. Todd will be going up to Chicago, while I stay here and finish out my contract and the school year. ”

Kelby nudged Darby and then asked, “What if your principal was able to find someone to take your place?”

Kay brushed away tears from her cheeks. “At this time of year? That’s almost impossible.

First of all, very few people want to get involved in cheer coaching.

It’s very demanding on a teacher’s time.

All the after-school practices. Games both during the week and on weekends, year-round.

Then all the prep work that goes in for competitions.

Not to mention I also am the journalism teacher at HHS.

That means I sponsor both the newspaper and yearbook.

Finding someone certified to teach those classes, plus agree to take on the cheerleaders, would be difficult. ”

Darby felt Kelby staring at her and turned to meet her gaze. Her friend nodded encouragingly.

“I have a Texas teaching certificate,” Darby shared with Kay. “My teaching fields are English and journalism.”

The cheer sponsor seemed baffled. “But you already have a job with Cheer USA. Why would you leave that?”

“I’ve been with the organization over a decade now,” Darby explained. “I’m ready for a change in my life. I was thinking about moving back to Hawthorne.”

Kay’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious? Would you be willing to take my place at the high school? Then Todd and I wouldn’t have to be separated for the entire school year.”

An excitement began building within her, but Darby said, “Can you give me the weekend to consider it? This would be a huge change for me. I want to make certain that it’s the right one.”

“I won’t tell a soul,” Kay promised. “Not even Todd. Though that’ll probably kill me.

My cheerleaders are a terrific group this year, Darby—if that helps you with your decision.

Sometimes, I’ve seen little cliques form within the squads, but both JV and Varsity really get along well with one another this year.

I know you haven’t taught in a high school before, but newspaper and yearbook practically run themselves.

I’ve been doing both for five years now, and I always make certain that there is enough returning staff to keep things running smoothly as we initiate a group of newbies into the fold. ”

“Do you teach any other classes?” she asked.

“Only Journalism I. It’s for kids to get their feet wet and see if they’re interested in journalism.

I have all my plans. Notes. Handouts. I’d be willing to pass along copies of everything to you if you took the job.

A majority of my intro students move on to working on the newspaper or yearbook.

Sometimes, even both. I have a class period for each publication, along with Journalism I.

Then a period with JV cheer and another with varsity cheer. And my planning period, of course.”

“I see,” Darby said, recalling her own days working on the Hawthorne Herald , her thoughts swirling. “Give me your number so I can text you if I have any more questions.”

They exchanged cell phones and typed in their contact information, and Kay said, “I hope you’ll really consider this, Darby.

Selfishly, I want to go to Chicago with Todd and not have to live apart until next May.

We’ve been thinking about starting a family and have just begun trying for a baby. I hate to put that on hold.”

“You’ve given me a lot to digest, Kay. I promise I’ll be in touch soon.”

Kay hugged her spontaneously. “Even if you don’t take my place, Darby, I think you should try teaching at some point. Especially cheer coaching. You’re so effervescent and creative. You would be such a great role model for the girls you work with.”

They said goodbye, with Kelby slipping her arm through Darby’s, leading her back under the stands and into a far corner so they could talk privately.

“If you ever wanted a sign, Darby Montgomery, you just got banged over the head,” Kelby said enthusiastically.

“It sounds like an ideal situation. You already have the cheer squads and publication staffs in place. You have a place to live with West and me until you find something of your own. It just means talking to Cheer USA and telling them it’s time for you to move on. ”

“Talking about moving on—and actually moving on—are two radically different things,” Darby said, still feeling slightly overwhelmed at the prospect of changing her life so radically.

“Yes, this opportunity has fallen into my lap. I don’t want to waste it, but at the same time, I don’t want to rush in.

I need to think about it for a couple of days. You know I like to mull things over.”

“I won’t mention this to anyone else. Not even West,” Kelby promised. “Will you talk it over with Sawyer?”

“Definitely. My big brother has always been my sounding board.” She grinned. “But seeing how happy Sawyer is back in Hawthorne—not to mention you and Autumn—is definitely going to influence my decision.”

Kelby hugged her. “We can talk it over whenever you like. Make a list of advantages and disadvantages. I can even ride down to Dallas with you on Tuesday if you haven’t made a decision by then. I was already going to drive down there to meet with a client. Just let me know.”

“Will do. We better head upstairs now. The game will be starting soon. My aunt and uncle will be wondering where we are, and the head coach needs his wife in the stands cheering him and his players on.”

“West does like to know where I am during a game. Even if the first one played was only last week. That was an away game. I’m so ready to see him down on the field, whistle around his neck, where it all began for him.”

They joined her family in the stands, along with Kelby’s brother, who was best friends with West. Darby tried to watch the game but found her attention straying to the cheerleaders on the track.

Kay had done a great job with them. Their motions were sharp and crisp.

Each girl knew the dances and cheers well, and the cheerleaders really involved the fans in the game.

Suddenly, Darby knew she didn’t have to think about anything. Taking Kay Timmons’ place would allow her to come back to Hawthorne.

And start a new life.