7

Angie breathed in the November air, heavy with the earthy scent of burning oak, on her walk to the school. The handle of the pink umbrella peeked out from the top of her book bag. Farther down inside was the blue one she’d re-homed from her closet. Rain or shine, she’d be prepared. Although, discovering The Perks and learning about Adam’s past had been well worth any dampness from Friday’s rain.

Thoughts of him, his father, and Isabel had haunted her all weekend, resurrecting the crushing pain she’d felt for them years earlier as she imagined the anguish he and Isabel must have endured. Yet when she observed them now, she saw joy.

She’d been too young to grieve the loss of her own mother, a woman she knew only from photos. But Grammy and Poppy…they would always be her parents. And even though they’d died well into their eighties, she hadn’t been ready to lose them. She would have never been ready.

She let herself in the front door, entered the alarm code, and stepped into the main hall. She headed around the corner and bulldozed into a large box covered with red and green plaid Christmas wrap in the middle of the hall. White lettering on the front spelled “Clinton’s Closet.”

She’d gotten a school e-mail about a winter clothing drive for a local charity. Secondhand men’s coats, hats, and gloves and new men’s socks. She’d shop one day this week and pick up some stuff. She set down her bag and purse, and the main door chimed.

Isabel entered. “Good morning, Angie. You’re an early bird.” She placed her hands on her hips. “Adam covered that box and dropped it by. I told him not to put it in a place where someone could trip over it.” She shook her head.

Angie scooted it back against the wall and then picked up her stuff. “It’s OK. I should have been more careful. I really wasn’t paying attention.”

“You’re being very kind.” Isabel came beside her, slipped her arm through Angie’s, and they headed down the hall. “So how’s everything going? The reading? The observing?”

“Wonderful. I’m learning so much. I spent most of the weekend reading and enjoying my new home. I love the little house.”

“I’m glad.” They stopped outside Isabel’s office. “Let me get your schedule for today.” She slipped through the doorway and then returned with a sheet of paper. “Here you go. The teachers are enjoying having you visit their classes.”

Angie took the schedule. “I can guarantee I’m enjoying it much more than they are. I’m learning so much.”

Isabel smiled. “A life-long learner… As our philosophy says—”

“‘Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life.’” Angie grinned as she finished the statement.

“You’ve been reading.” Isabel grasped Angie’s hand. “So, I’m sure you and your young man have Thanksgiving plans, but should something happen and they change, Adam and I always have a bunch over, and we’d love to have you join us. Even at the last minute.”

Angie squeezed her hand. “Thank you. Will and I are spending the holiday with his family. But you’re kind to think of me.”

“I figured as much.” Isabel smiled. “But if anything changes…even at the last minute…my invitation stands.”

Angie made her way down the hall and into her office. She’d moved the furniture around until she got it exactly perfect. All she lacked was some artwork for the walls and a couple of plants to make it feel cozy. Isabel had mentioned available prints were stored in the attic, so she’d go upstairs and “shop” for what she wanted during lunch today.

She opened her devotional book and read today’s entry and scripture from Isaiah. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

This was the new thing God was doing in her life, maybe the newest thing He’d ever done. Tears of gratitude pooled in her eyes. She hadn’t been this happy and content in a long time. If ever.

~*~

Adam stood in the hallway outside Angie’s office. Today’s closing had been smooth sailing, so he was done early. Plenty of time to get Mom’s job finished. He set his tool belt on the floor, stuck his thumbs in his front pockets, and pressed his back against the wall to stretch out the kinks.

Angie rounded the corner, surprise painting her face. “Adam?”

He straightened. “Hey. Mom told me you had some pictures you need hung.”

“I can do it. I’m sure you’re busy.” She shrugged her shoulders.

“With both of us, it’ll be quick. Plus, depending on what you chose, some can be pretty heavy.”

She pursed her lips and stared at a spot over his shoulder.

“I can come back if another time would be better.”

Her face relaxed. Her gaze found his. “Actually, I’d appreciate the help. Thanks.”

She opened her office door, and they stepped inside. Her phone jingled as she set her notebook on the desk. She pulled it out of her pocket and scanned the screen.

“I’ll step out so you can get that.”

She shook her head. “No need. It’s Will. I’ll call him back later.” She dropped the phone into her pocket.

He nodded, walked over to the pictures stacked against the far wall and flipped through them. He was here, and Will wasn’t. So…

“What do you think?” She stepped up beside him.

“About what?”

“Hello? The pictures.” She grinned. “There were so many, I had a hard time choosing.”

“You did good.” He picked up a copy of Monet’s Madame Monet with a Parasol and propped it against one of the bookshelves.

“I chose that one mostly because it has a child in it.”

“Perfect for a school.” He crossed his arms over his chest and stepped back. “Yeah, this’ll be nice.”

She moved up beside him, and they both studied the picture. “I love Monet.”

“One of my favorites. You know, the Impressionists were interested in showing how light played on an object. They’d paint fast, often outside, to capture their impression of a scene at that moment. That’s one reason Monet painted so many similar pictures. Like the haystacks. But they’re all different depending on the time of day and the light.” He turned toward her.

She was staring at him. Her mouth looked ready to drop open at any second.

“What?”

She raised her eyebrows and planted her hands on her hips. “Well, aren’t you just a wealth of knowledge. I had no idea you were such an art aficionado.”

He shrugged.

A smile spread across her face. “Seriously…pretty impressive, Mr. Thornton. Where in the world did you pick up all that?”

For some reason his face warmed. “Here. Third grade.”

She smiled and nodded. “‘Education is a life.’”

He returned her grin. “You’ve been doing your homework.” He picked up the next picture. “Beginning to see a theme here. A Cassatt…with another kid in it.”

Her brown eyes sparkled. Then she held up two smaller ones. A Wyeth and an Audubon.

He nodded. “Christina’s World. Another fave of mine. And who can go wrong with blue jays? So, where d’you want them?”

“Well, I was thinking, since it’s the largest, the Monet on the wall behind my desk, the Cassatt between the bookshelves, the Wyeth centered on the wall by the door, and the Audubon between the windows.”

“You got it.” He picked up the Monet and held it against the wall. “Left? Right? Up? Down?”

She moved back and studied the space. “A little to the right and down.”

He made the adjustments. “Hey, can you get the pencil out of my shirt pocket and mark the center of the top of the frame?”

As she stepped up beside him, he angled his body so she could reach the pencil. She leaned close and paused. Her perfume filled the space between them. Clean and sweet. Sunshine on a spring day. He cleared his throat.

A pink glow crept across her cheeks. After grabbing the pencil, she made a small dot at the top of the frame. She stuck the pencil back in his pocket and patted it in place. “There you go.”

“Thanks.” He leaned the painting against the wall.

Her desk phone rang. Will was persistent. “Maybe you should pick it up. It might be important.”

She read the caller ID. “Yes, I believe so.” She winked and picked up the receiver. “Hi, Isabel… Yes, he’s here… Sure.”

He measured down for the hook and then tapped it in place.

“Well, I’ve been called to the principal’s office.” She opened her eyes wide in mock dread.

“Uh-oh. You must be in big trouble.” He smiled.

She grinned. “Hope not.”

“Give me a hand with this one before you go.”

She moved to stand beside him.

He picked up the Monet. “See if you can get the wire onto the hook while I hold the picture.”

She slipped her hand behind the picture, and he moved it closer to the wall.

“You get it?”

“It’s too high.”

He lowered the picture.

“I meant the hook’s too high.” She grinned.

He stared right into her eyes…rich brown velvet. “Communication issue.” He broke eye contact and raised the picture.

She slipped the wire onto the hook and stepped away. “Up a little on the right.”

He adjusted the picture and then moved to stand beside her. “Looks good to me.”

“So, your mom said you covered that box for the Clinton’s Closet donations.”

“Yep.” He stuck his hands in his pockets. “She told me you tripped over it. Sorry.”

“No harm. But since I obviously don’t have any men’s clothing, I wondered if there’s a used clothing store in town.”

“There is. The Second Chance Shop. It’s about six blocks down from The Perks. I’ll get you the address.”

“That’d be great.”

“Better yet, I was planning to go there tomorrow after I swam and look for some stuff. You interested in going to the pool and then shopping?”

She chewed her bottom lip. “Sure.” She picked up the notebook on the corner of her desk. “Well, I guess I better report to my boss. Thanks again.”

“Pick you up after school tomorrow.” He grinned as she disappeared into the hall. So far…not complicated at all.

~*~

The fire crackled in the fireplace as Angie snuggled under a throw on the couch and opened the next volume of the educational book set. She’d never heard of this philosophy in any of the classes she’d taken. But she loved the whole idea of respecting children as God-created persons and not as empty vessels that the teacher strove to fill. Deep in her heart, she’d always believed these things, but never knew a philosophy that espoused them.

The doorbell rang. She really needed to get a dog if the school would allow it. She walked over to the door and peeked through the peep hole. Will. Oh, no, she hadn’t answered his text. She threw open the door. “Will, I’m so sorry. I had a meeting with Isabel, and I forgot to text you back.”

“It’s OK.” He stepped into the house and closed the door behind him. He grasped her hand and drew her into his arms. “I’ve missed you.” A huskiness darkened his voice. He tightened his embrace, kissed her, and then rested his forehead against hers. “So, how’s everything going?”

“Good.” She slipped her hand in his and led him to the sofa. He sat, and she snuggled against him. “How was the conference?”

“Oh, you know. Same old stuff repackaged. At least I got some CEU’s.” They sat in silence for a couple of minutes. He brushed a kiss across the top of her head. “I’ve got some good news.”

She drew away so she could see his face. “Yes?”

His eyes sparkled as he grasped her hands. “My folks want to treat the whole family to Thanksgiving in Colorado. They’ve rented a house in Steamboat Springs. We’d need to leave the Friday night before the week of Thanksgiving and come home the Monday after.” He grinned.

She took a deep breath. “Will, I can’t.”

He straightened.

She wove her fingers with his. “I wish I’d known earlier, but I’ve obligated to sub for one of the teachers the first part of that week.”

“Can’t you get out of it?” He squeezed her hands.

She shook her head. “It’s a small school and our sub pool’s limited. Plus, I don’t feel as though I’ve been here long enough to ask for special favors. Put on your principal’s hat for a second. How would you feel if a new employee went back on a promise to sub and then asked for additional time off? And it wasn’t an emergency.”

His gaze focused over her shoulder and then wandered back. He wove his fingers with hers. “I know this is important to you. You’re sure?”

She nodded. “I really am sorry.” She drew him close and kissed his cheek. “Thanks for being so understanding. I’ll send your mom a note.”

He turned off the lamp on the end table, and she leaned her head against his chest, the fire bathing the room in orange warmth. He removed the band from her ponytail and ran his fingers through her hair. “Love you.”