Page 52 of Paper Flowers (Stonebrook #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

DAYNA

W hen I return from my meeting with Principal McKenna, I’m immediately met with three first-grade girls waiting for me in the front office. It’s their first recess of the day and Mrs. Emily is loving how the girls are huddled around her desk stapling papers like the first time I met Sadie.

It’s crazy how fast our lives changed since August. “What do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” I tread lightly because this is the first time Sadie is in the front office waiting for me.

She asked Mrs. Emily not to call me because it wasn’t an emergency, she just wanted to ask me something.

But Mrs. Emily texted me saying Sadie and a couple of girls are waiting for my return.

It wasn’t anything too pressing to leave my meeting for.

She knows I’d leave if she told me to. Mrs. Emily looks…

amused. Almost like she knew something I didn’t.

I step forward, crossing my arms with a playful smirk.

Sadie skips toward me, her hazel eyes glowing, flecks of gold dancing under the overhead lights.

She’s bundled up in a red oversized Minnie Mouse sweater, black leggings, and her mini Doc Martens, the ones Luke got her.

She looks adorable. I lower myself to Sadie’s height as she cups her hands around my ear, whispering excitedly. “Can you do something for me? ”

I grin. “What do you have in mind?” Her face lights up as she pulls back, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet.

“Can you braid their hair like mine?”

She clasps her hands dramatically, tilting her head for extra effect.

“They said it’s the best braid ever, and their mommies can’t braid like this. So I told them, ‘ My Dayna braided my hair.’ And then they asked if you could do theirs too!” She peers up at me, hopeful— wishing with all her might that I’ll say yes.

Mrs. Emily, who has been quietly watching this exchange, presses a hand to her heart, beaming.

I swear she looks ready to cry. My heart swells.

Sadie is so proud, so excited to share this small moment with her friends.

I love that she wanted to include me. I glance down at Grace and Kelsey, two of Sadie’s closest friends this semester.

They’re practically vibrating with excitement. I can’t say no.

“I think I can braid quickly before it’s time for you three to head back to class.” Their cheers echo through the office.

“Let’s head into my office and get started.”

As I lead them inside, Mrs. Emily discreetly lifts her phone and snaps a photo.

“For the yearbook,” she says with a knowing smile. “This moment is too special to pass up without capturing it.” I mouth a thank you as she winks and returns to answering the ringing phone. She gets it. She always gets it.

The girls are still chattering as I work, my fingers weaving through their hair quickly.

Thankfully, both already had their hair in ponytails, making the process easier.

Kelsey sighs dramatically. “Ms. Evans, will you teach us how to braid our Barbies’ hair?

” Before I can respond, Sadie jumps in instantly.

“You can come over to our house, and she can show you!” Our house. The words sit differently in my chest. Warm. Fuzzy. Right. But before I can fully process it, a presence shifts in the doorway. Just like that, The warmth vanishes.

Dean stands just beyond the threshold, a stack of files in his hands. His expression is unreadable, but his presence is… unsettling. It al ways is. The icy weight of his stare sends an involuntary shiver down my spine. Then, in a mockingly polite tone, he clears his throat.

“Didn’t mean to interrupt this… hair thing you have going on.”

The girls stiffen immediately. Kelsey’s brows knit together in pure disdain as if she’s considering drop-kicking him. Grace absentmindedly twirls her hair, a gesture that reads as completely uninterested.

Sadie? Sadie hikes an eyebrow up. The exact same way Luke does when he’s unimpressed.

Jesus. They make the same expressions. Dean steps closer, setting the files on my desk.

“Here. These are her files for Mrs. Adams.” I take them without bothering to thank him. He hesitates, shifting his weight.

“Lauren is stopping by later. I know she’ll want to talk to you.” He glanced up, brows pinching. “Lauren?”

“Yes. Mrs. Jacobs.” The best counselor this school had before she left to be with her baby girl. Before you emotionally scarred a student and word got out that you’re really as mean as you look. But I don’t voice that, I don’t want him in my office longer than what is needed.

“Right. I suppose she would.” Dean’s confidence wavers. Like it’s only now hitting him— Lauren’s students were the same ones he has now.

“She’ll want to introduce her baby to everyone first.”

Dean doesn’t respond, he’s done with this conversation. He lifts a half-hearted hand, a forced wave toward the girls, before turning on his heel and leaving.

The second he’s out of sight, Sadie exhales. Then Kelsey shouts with excitement. “Oh my gosh! Mrs. Jacobs is visiting with her baby?”

Sadie’s head tilts. “Who’s Mrs. Jacobs?”

Grace, ever the storyteller, grins. “Sadie, she’s only the best counselor ever!”

Kelsey nods rapidly. “She left to have her baby, but my dad told my mom it’s because she wanted to spend more time with her baby.”

Sadie doesn’t say anything. But I see it.

The way her expression shifts. The way she starts tugging on her sleeve, quietly processing.

She’s thinking about something. Something big.

But before I can ask what’s on her mind, the bell rings.

I finish both girls’ braids and it’s time to head back to class.

I make a mental note. I’ll talk to Luke later.

I grab my keycard and badge. “Let me walk you guys back.” Kelsey and Grace skip ahead, leaving me and Sadie walking side by side. I nudge her playfully, but she refuses to look at me. Her little shoulders are stiff, the way they get when something’s weighing on her mind.

We reach Kelsey’s classroom first. Mr. Navarro waves as Kelsey hurries to her desk. When we reach Caleb’s room, Grace thanks me and disappears inside, but Sadie lingers in the doorway, her head bowed.

I wave to Caleb to let him know I’ve got her. He nods in acknowledgment. I crouch down, tilting her chin up with my finger gently.

“What’s the matter, Sweet Girl?” She tugs on the sleeves of her sweater, fingers twisting the fabric.

She steps closer, voice dropping to a whisper.

“I don’t want you to quit your job if you have a baby.

” Her lip wobbles slightly. “I’ll miss you here, especially when you have to go back to your other house.

I like seeing you when I’m at school. I won’t be able to if you’re not working here.

” My chest tightens. I reach for her hands, giving them a gentle squeeze.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to worry about that right now. Right now, all I want to do is to be here for you.” I squeeze her fingers reassuringly. “If the time ever comes for a big decision like that, your dad and I will talk to you about it together.”

Her hazel eyes search mine. “You promise?”

“I pinky promise.” I hold out my pinky, and she wraps hers around mine.

I give it a soft squeeze, and she finally smiles— her beautiful, radiant smile.

I lean in for a quick hug, and she tucks her face into my shoulder for just a second before stepping back.

She walks into the classroom, settling in at her desk, and I linger for a moment, watching her.

As I head back to my office, I pull out my phone and type out a message to Luke.

Will you be able to meet me in my office during your lunch?

Luke: Want me to order lunch for us?

Chicken sandwiches from Sliced & Simmered down the street?

Luke: Whatever you want, Baby. Be up there in a couple hours.

My stomach growls as I sit at my desk, shuffling through paperwork for upcoming winter festivities.

I hear a loud, delighted squeal from Mrs. Emily— Lauren and her baby girl must be here.

I round my desk just in time to see Lauren Jacobs standing in front of Mrs. Emily’s desk, a lavender plush blanket wrapped around the tiny bundle in her arms.

“Dayna! Honey— look at you!” Lauren calls out, beaming as she walks toward me.

“Me? Look at you! You’re glowing. Who is this little angel?

” I hug her carefully, mindful of her baby tucked against her chest. “Everyone, this is my daughter, Kelli.” Lauren says, shifting the bundle slightly so we can see her.

She’s breathtaking— delicate caramel curls peeking from under a blush—colored beanie, her deep brown eyes scanning the office with quiet curiosity.

She’s so alert, so present, as if taking everything in.

The office staff coos over her immediately.

“Oh my word!” Mrs. Emily gasps. “Let me hold her, Peach.” Lauren grins, handing Kelli over. “Of course!” Mrs. Emily settles Kelli into her arms with ease, her face soft with adoration.

“I love babies, especially when I can hand them back to their parents if they start fussing.” She chuckles. “My grand-babies are older now, so it’s been a while. But it never changes.” Watching them together tugs at something deep inside me.

“Your turn, Sugar,” Mrs. Emily says, holding Kelli out toward me.

“Can I?” I glance at Lauren for permission, and she nods. I rush to the break room to wash my hands, then return, holding them out eagerly.

“I’m ready.”