Page 14

fourteen

Miles

“ O kay, Miles, here’s a doughnut and that cold brew coffee you asked for,” Mrs. Hendrix, my secretary, says as she places down a plate and cup from Prose that’s what the change is.”

She’s not wrong. “Did Penny make me this?”

“Yes, she did. I told her that I had strict instructions that she was the only one allowed to make it, which earned me a strange look.”

“You get strange looks all the time from students and staff,” I remind her.

“This is true. Usually it’s because I’m giving one of your dictates.”

Lois Hendrix is one of the best secretaries that has ever lived. She’s kind, firm, thoughtful, and remembers everything that I don’t. I truly don’t think I could make it through a school year without her .

Since my head of the English department quit, we’ve been in scramble mode to get a replacement. Being that it’s nearing the end of summer, all the candidates I probably would’ve hired are already taken, leaving us with slim pickings. However, sometimes you find a pearl among the clams, and that’s what I’m hoping for here.

I grin and then drop the coffee cup in the garbage.

“Wait, you’re not even going to drink that?” she asks incredulously.

“No, I hate coffee.”

Her eyes are wide. “You just bought it.”

“Yes, I paid for it, Penelope had to think of me as she was making it, and now I’m done with it. This is my daily routine.”

“You are a mess. Do you know that?”

“I do. Now, how many interviews today?”

“Twelve.”

I glance up at her, hoping I misheard that number. “What?”

“Twe-elve,” she says slowly as though I’m a three-year-old who doesn’t understand.

“I heard that, but what the hell made you think I wanted to do twelve of these with Belinda on vacation?”

My assistant principal actually got to take her vacation. I’m stuck here thanks to Doug being unathletic. I originally was going to wait for her before doing these interviews, but that scares me even more. I need to hire a teacher before it’s too late.

“I know you don’t want to, but it’s your job.” She pats my arm. “Eat your doughnut. I have a dozen at my desk.”

“Oh, no, you’re in here with me.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “I have work to do.”

“Yes, and you have to do this.”

“Would you rather I work on the student schedules or be in here taking notes?” Lois asks.

“Both.”

The look on her face tells me she thinks I’m a total dumbass. Which is fine because I am not doing these today—alone. I need her to see the things I miss.

“Fine.” She takes the plate with the doughnut. “But you don’t get this anymore. ”

I would pout, but she’s got more at her desk, and surely I’ll need to use the bathroom.

The first interview went well. And when I say well , I mean it wasn’t a total train wreck. The teacher at least had a certification and was well spoken. There was just something about her that didn’t sit right.

“She wasn’t bad,” Lois says.

“I didn’t like that she kept talking about her former district.”

She nods. “Yes, that was a little uncomfortable. However, she seems like she wants the job.”

“And that scares me that she doesn’t already have a job.”

Lois shrugs and hands me the next résumé. “This one seems promising.”

I look it over and, yes, on paper it definitely does. She taught at another district that I’m familiar with. She has all the right certifications and even was the cochair on a curriculum board. That could be helpful.

“Let’s bring her in.”

Lois gets the applicant, bringing her into my office.

We sit and go over the normal questions about her education and what she’s looking for in a new school.

Stephanie crosses and uncrosses her legs. “Honestly? I’m looking for a place that values what I bring to the table.”

Not an unreasonable request. Most people want to work where they’re appreciated. “And how did you feel your last school wasn’t doing that?”

“They didn’t allow me to bring my dog.”

I blink and then meet Lois’s eyes. “Your dog?”

“Yes, all day long I’m gone and Gianna is home alone. I think it’s fair that once I prove myself to be a capable and respected teacher, certain allowances should be made. Dogs are allowed in certain places.”

Oh boy. “They are. Is Gianna a working dog?”

“She is. ”

I swear, if I could breathe an audible sigh of relief I would. “Well, if she’s a service dog, then that has to be allowed by law.”

“She’s not my service dog. She works for food, love, attention. All dogs are working dogs, Mr. Anderson.”

Just when I thought we weren’t going off the rails. Lois fights back a grin, and I wish I could flip her off—lovingly. “As you can understand, we wouldn’t be able to accommodate that request. Dogs, whether working or just regular house dogs, aren’t allowed in classrooms.”

“You’re the Bulldogs, are you not?”

“Yes.”

“Then how can you support an animal and not allow them to be a part of your learning environment?” Stephanie asks.

“Because ... that’s our mascot, not our educational focus. If we were a dog training facility, then, yes, we could make concessions for that. I’m going to be up front now and let you decide if this is going to be an issue, unless your dog is a service dog for a specific need that you have, we won’t be allowing you to bring Gianna in here either.”

Stephanie nods once before gathering her bag off the floor and getting to her feet. “I wish you much luck, Mr. Anderson.”

I rise and extend my hand. “You as well.”

Lois escorts her out and then stands in front of me, fighting back a laugh. “That was ...”

“Please tell me they get better.”

“Probably not.” She hands me the next résumé.

We get through four more. I don’t know how because I’m pretty sure these were a joke. One guy apparently had a typo on his résumé when he put his graduation year, because he was older than Gran. That wasn’t happening.

Then we had another who told us about her ten-year plan, which included moving by year three—yeah, hard no.

“We have a break, what do you need? You’ve eaten all the doughnuts,” she informs me.

“I had no choice after that last interview.”

She bobs her head. “Yeah, that was a shit show, but I wanted that last doughnut and would’ve fought you for it.”

“I would’ve won.”

“And I would’ve found a way to win later. ”

If there’s anyone whose threats I worry about—it’s her.

“I need you to go get another coffee.”

“Let me guess, it has to be cold brew and only from Penelope which you’ll toss when you get it?”

“Yes, can you please do that for me?”

Lois sighs deeply. “Fine, but you’re buying me lunch tomorrow.”

“Deal.”

I grab my notepad that Eloise gave me—it says World’s Okayest Principal —and write a note to her.

Go out with me tomorrow night. Coincidentally at least.

I grin, knowing she’ll probably roll her eyes and laugh, which makes the rest of my day slightly bearable.

I walk out as Lois is grabbing her purse. “Here, give that to her for me, please.”

“Now I’m passing notes? You know you run the high school, Miles, not attend it.”

“I’m aware, it’s cute.”

She chuckles softly. “Oh, you men, you’re all the same. I’ll hand your note to the girl you like.”

“I appreciate it.”

Without another word, she heads out, and I go back to review the notes we took on the candidates. I really have no idea what I’m going to do. We promoted another teacher to the head position, but that leaves her classroom open. I have kids returning in a few weeks without a teacher in place. When schedules go out, I have to have a name in that slot or I’ll have a whole other issue with parents.

It’s like a merry-go-round in my head, spinning between them, hoping something lands and I pick the right horse.

Before I know it, Lois is back. “You look deep in thought.”

“I was hoping I’d see an option out of the ones we’ve spoken with.”

She places the coffee down with a note on it: No date, but coincidentally, I might see you at practice tomorrow .

The stupid smile that forms should be embarrassing, but I don’t care. It’s been a few days since I’ve seen her, other than when she waves as she picks up Kai after clinic.

“Miles?”

I look up. “Yes?”

“Get it under control, we have our next interview,” Lois says and then walks out.

This interview is actually going great. I like this girl. She’s smart and worked out of state, moving back to this area of Virginia to be closer to her family. There are no real red flags and from what I can see, the reason she’s not already taken is she just moved a month ago.

I might actually have someone.

“Can you tell us a bit about your last school?” I ask Trinette.

“I loved it. New Jersey is where I grew up, and I planned to stay there, but then my aunt got sick and I just thought it was better to come stay here and help. I taught ninth and tenth grade, which was really wonderful. I can handle any English time period, but my two favorites are British literature and Shakespeare. However, I’m open to anything.”

“All of that sounds great. Do you have anything to ask us?”

Trinette shifts. “I do. Can you tell me about the school’s goals? Meaning, do you teach more to testing or do you work toward other goals?”

I smile at Lois, feeling confident that we might have found our teacher. “We’re a mix of both. Most schools are scrutinized over the test scores, as you probably know. We do want the kids to keep achieving the goals the state has required, but we are a little unique in that our students don’t say they feel that pressure. We do a lot of things, and I encourage my staff to find ways to just make learning fun.”

Trinette’s lip starts to tremble, and then her hand covers her mouth. I start to move, and then she just bursts into tears. I’m talking a sob that sounds like a wail.

What the . . . ?

I get out of my seat, as does Lois. “Are you okay?” I ask quickly.

She raises her hand. “I’m sorry. Yes. ”

Lois and I look to each other and she shrugs. Great, she doesn’t know either. “Can I get you something? Are you sick? In pain?”

Trinette shakes her head. “No, no, I’m sorry. I just ... I need a minute.”

“Of course.”

I step back and replay that last conversation, trying to figure out what the fuck I said to trigger her into a full-fledged meltdown. A few minutes go by, and then she sniffs and seems to have control again.

“I apologize.”

“It’s all right. Can you explain what upset you?” I ask.

“It’s just ... Mercury is in retrograde, and I felt the tug against my heart. The planets are telling me this isn’t the right fit.”

And just like that ... I’m still teacherless.

“Beer,” I say, holding up a six-pack at Lachlan’s front door. “Beer.”

“Yes, that’s beer. I’m assuming we’re going to drink it.”

“Beer.”

He chuckles. “That kind of day, huh?”

“Lots of beer.”

The day ended with having to do another round of interviews, because we did not find anyone worth even a second interview. So, yeah, beer. That’s all I got.

“Ainsley!” Lachlan calls. “We have company.”

She pops around the corner and smiles. “Miles! Hey! What are you doing here?”

I grab the six-pack and lift it. “Beer.”

“All right then. You’re going to drink beer.”

Lachlan steps in. “Yes, apparently that’s all he can say. Are you cool if we head out to the falls?” he asks her.

“Have fun. I’ve got Rose and Kai.”

“Kai is here?” I ask.

“Oh, now he has words,” Lachlan says with a snort.

Ainsley smirks. “He is. Penny will be here in about fifteen minutes. Maybe don’t drink all the beer before then.”

“How about we hang here?” I suggest .

Lachlan’s stupid grin tells me he knows exactly why. “Yeah, I saw that coming.”

We head into the living room, and Rose and Kai come running in. “Coach!” Kai yells and then launches himself at me.

I catch him and chuckle. “Hey, little man.”

“I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

“I didn’t either,” I tell him.

“Hi, Uncle Miles,” Rose says with her hands behind her back.

“No hug?” I ask.

She rushes over and I get the best hug. “Kai is my friend, and Daddy said I can tell him the town secret.”

“Good call, he does live here.”

She giggles and the two of them head out. Lachlan sits in the recliner, and Ainsley plops on his lap. “So why all the beer?” Lachlan asks.

I fill him in on my day, having to go back and explain the sudden departure of Megan Hunt and how if she’d told us this months ago, we could’ve planned.

“It’s part of my job, I get it, but the people today were just absolutely a mess. I mean, crying? Because of Mercury being in retrograde? What the hell does that even mean?”

Ainsley grins. “I, for one, am enjoying the story.”

“Clearly.”

“I’m sure you’ll find someone, Miles. You just need to get through the unqualified candidates.”

I hope she’s right. I’m getting much too close for comfort to not having someone in that spot. If another teacher decides to leave, I’m going to be fucked—and not in the good way.

“If I don’t, I’m going into hiding.”

Lachlan snorts. “I’m sure Killian will allow you to stay in one of his barns.”

“Oh, yes, that’s my dream.”

“You could always stay with Everett.”

“I’ll take the barn,” I reply without a moment of hesitation. “Also, thanks, asshole, you have a house, land, part of the damn Ember Falls, and you haven’t offered me lodging? Dickface.”

His laugh makes me want to punch him in the face. “Ainsley and I like to explore those falls without anyone watching.”

“Lachlan!” She slaps his chest and turns to me. “What he’s saying is?—”

“You like to bang in the woods, I get it.”

Her cheeks paint a new shade of pink. “I hate you guys.”

“You love me,” Lachlan tells her.

“I do, for some stupid reason.” She stares at the man she loves with absolute adoration.

Watching the two of them makes me both happy and sad at the same time. I’m happy because they really do love each other. They are each other’s other half, like Eloise and Doug. Just being around them, though, makes it very clear I don’t have that.

Before I go down the road that I really don’t need to travel down, there’s a knock at the door.

Ainsley hops up and grins at me before going to see who it is. “Hello, Penny.”

“Hi, thank you so much for taking him for the afternoon,” Penelope says, her soft voice filling my ears and my heart.

God, I sound like a dumbass. Fills my heart?

“Of course, come in.”

Penelope enters, and I swear it’s like the fucking sun rising. The sky brightens, the day feels as though anything is possible, and there’s an air of hope that fills me. All that by just seeing her face.

Who cares if I sound like a dumbass? It’s just the truth.

“Miles,” she says my name softly, eyes wide as it’s clear she didn’t expect me here. “Hi.”

“Hello.” I grin, feeling like my bad day just got a little less crappy.

She smiles warmly and Ainsley comes up beside her. “Don’t mind him if he doesn’t say much. He’s had a shitty day and came here to drink beer.”

“Oh? Is everything okay?” she asks. Her big blue eyes are filled with concern and I can’t look away.

“It’s looking up,” I admit.

Lachlan clears his throat. “Hey, Penny, have you ever seen the falls?”

Her eyes shift to him. “Falls?”

“Ahh, so Miles didn’t tell you the secret either?” he tsks. “Well, since Kai is here and he and Rose are out playing, why don’t you two go for a walk and he can let you in on Ember Falls’ greatest secret.”

“You have secrets?” she asks.

Lachlan chuckles. “Doesn’t everyone?”

She shifts and nods. “I guess they do. I just didn’t know the town had one.”

“Miles knows the story.”

Yeah, today is definitely looking up, and I’m starting to think Lachlan isn’t so bad after all.