20

Secrets, lies, and deceptions. Aidan hated them.

And Matt Brown was embroiled up to his shaggy brown hair in exactly that.

A phone call from Mike Hillier confirmed Matt was involved with a gang. One of the reasons Aidan wanted to open the youth center was to give kids alternatives. Was it too late for Matt?

Principal Jenkins knocked and entered Aidan’s office. “Do you have a minute?” The large man stood inside the door.

“Of course. Sit down.” Aidan’s senses went on alert.

When Larry had something to say, he’d normally call Aidan to his office.

“No, thanks. I just wanted to give you fair warning that I’ve offered Miss Peters a temporary position for the remainder of the school year. She’ll be starting next week, taking over for Mrs. Winters in the English department.”

“I see.” Dread filled his lungs, clogging his breath.

“I’m sympathetic to your concerns, but this will give us six months to see how things work out. By then, if you still have serious issues, we’ll reevaluate for the next school year.”

His throat too dry to speak, Aidan could only nod.

Larry peered over his bifocals. ”I expect your full cooperation with Miss Peters. You don’t have to like her to work with her.”

Larry had hired him when most other schools wouldn’t even grant him an interview, so Aidan didn’t challenge the decision. “I understand, sir.”

“Good.” Larry gave a brief nod and left the office.

Aidan slumped in his chair. He thought he’d left his problems in Arizona. Now they were coming back to haunt him. Lord, please help me deal with Patricia in a fair manner. And please don’t let her create any more havoc in my life.

The intercom buzzed, jangling his taut nerves. “Yes, Mrs. Grebbins.”

“Your sister is here.”

“Send her in.” He came around the desk to meet Maxi as she strolled in the door. “Hey, sis.” He kissed her cheek, ignoring her slight scowl. “Where’s Ben?”

“Spending some quality time with his daddy.”

“So how are you?”

Maxi hefted the enormous bag off her shoulder and sat down. “If you’d bother to call once in a while, you’d know.”

He suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. “Sorry, I’ve been tied up lately.”

“By a gorgeous brunette named Chloe?”

“Of course not.” Immediately he regretted his sharp tone. “Sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

“What’s wrong? You don’t look so hot.”

“I just found out Patricia’s taken a job here for the rest of the year.”

Maxi’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding. Why would she leave a good job in Arizona for a position here? Unless she’s trying to win you back.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve made it clear I’m not interested. I just don’t need the headache of having her around all the time.”

“Talk about uncomfortable.” Maxi crossed her arms and leaned back in the chair. “Well, if she gives you any grief, I can always unleash some sisterly fierceness on her.”

Aidan chuckled. “I may take you up on that. Now what did you come by for? Not to hear my problems, I’m sure.”

“I was going to give you an earful about neglecting Mama again, but now that I’ve heard your side, I’m prepared to cut you some slack.”

Guilt sliced through him. Other than a few random phone calls, he had neglected his mother. During the summer, he’d seen her every week, but since school started, he’d put work ahead of everything. He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Did Mom say something to you?”

“You know she would never complain. But she did mention she hadn’t seen you in a while.” Maxi paused. “She’s coming for lunch after church on Sunday. Why don’t you come, too, and visit with all of us at once?”

“Count me in. Thanks, Max.”

“You’re welcome.” She picked up her bag and rose. “But before I let you off the hook completely, I heard you were with Chloe at the hospital when Lily had the baby.”

“That’s right.”

“Chloe’s getting to you, isn’t she?”

“Maxi—”

“Of course she is. She’s gorgeous and sweet with a huge heart.”

“We’re just friends.” Why did that statement feel like a lie? Because he’d never kissed his friends the way he’d kissed Chloe. He yanked open the door to his office.

“If you say so. But you’re missing out on a great woman, and not just because she’s my friend. You know…” she wiggled her brows, “… you could use her to get Patricia off your back.”

Aidan seared her with his stern principal look. “I’m not getting involved with anyone, so you can stop scheming.”

“OK, big brother. I get it. See you on Sunday.” She patted his cheek as she swept out the door.

Aidan knew better than to trust that syrupy, sweet response. His sister was up to something. And from past experience, he probably wouldn’t like it.

****

Chloe entered the Good Shepherd Church in a better frame of mind on Sunday. The guilt, however, still inched its way through her system. Would she ever be able to forget the past and start with a clean slate?

When Richard called, he’d told her Denise had miscarried. The baby conceived while Richard was supposedly estranged from his wife. According to him, he’d stayed with Denise for the sake of his three-year-old son and five-year-old daughter. Obviously he was far more involved than he let on. And now the child that had bound Richard more firmly to his wife was gone.

Chloe felt sorry for Denise. The woman did not deserve the grief of losing a child on top of the knowledge that her husband had been unfaithful. Chloe twisted her hands in her lap, rubbing the scar from her burn. She needed that very tangible reminder of her role in the destruction of this once intact family. No matter her innocence at the outset, she’d stayed when she ought to have left with what remained of her integrity.

She turned her attention to the lessons Nick read from the pulpit.

Passion blazed in his eyes as he spoke from the heart about God’s love. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. That’s from 1 John 1:9.” Nick looked straight at her.

The atmosphere in the room seemed overly warm. She plucked at the neckline of her dress to allow her more air. She would not have another anxiety attack. Her last episode had occurred in church as well. Maybe the depth of her guilt was the cause—guilt that she’d managed to repress during the busyness of her week, but which rose to the surface in church. She inhaled deeply and let her breath out in slow, deliberate puffs. If she concentrated, she might be all right.

At last, the organist began the closing hymn.

Chloe rose from her seat, still breathing deeply until Nick had left the pulpit. Then she almost sagged in relief. She’d made it through the full service. When certain her legs were steady enough to walk, she made her way down the aisle to the back of the church.

Maxi broke away from the crowd to approach Chloe. “Hey. I wanted to invite you for lunch. Mama will be there and I know she’d love to see you.”

Chloe smiled at the thought of Maxi’s gentle mother. Despite losing her husband and suffering a debilitating disease, nothing swayed the good nature of that sweet woman. Nick was headed to the hospital to bring Lily and the baby home, and the thought of her lonely apartment did not appeal to her in the least. “Sure, I’d love to come.”

“Great. See you over at the house.”

****

Standing at Maxi’s living room window, Aidan could help but notice Chloe getting out of her car. He should’ve known. ‘Maxi the Matchmaker’ was at it again.

In light of Nick’s warning and Aidan’s seeming inability to avoid temptation, he’d made a vow to keep an emotional distance until Chloe no longer worked at the school. Yet everyone and everything seemed destined to thwart his good intentions. Aidan decided to sit back, an impartial observer, and enjoy her company without getting personal. And make certain they were never alone. He resumed his seat beside his mother’s wheelchair and took her hand.

She smiled at him, her faded blue eyes alight with love. “You look tired, dear. Are you sure you’re not working too hard?”

Trust his mom to be concerned about him when she was the one battling MS. “I’m fine, Mom. How have you been? I’m sorry I haven’t been around more often.”

“You don’t need to worry. Peg takes good care of me. And I love working at the salon.”

“I’m glad. When things settle down at work, I owe you a lunch date.”

“I’d like that very much.” Mom smiled.

The front door opened and footsteps sounded in the hallway.

Aidan waited for Chloe to appear. When she didn’t, it took every ounce of willpower not to go looking for her.

Mom continued to regale him with stories about the customers at the hair salon.

His head jerked up the moment Chloe breezed in.

She looked stunning in her Sunday outfit, a striped blue and white dress and her usual high heels. Brunette curls cascaded past her shoulders.

His heart ground to a painful halt at the brilliant smile she gave his mother.

“Mrs. North. How wonderful to see you again.” Chloe bent to kiss his mother’s cheek and her perfume enveloped him.

“Chloe, my dear. You look absolutely beautiful. And please call me Bernice. Mrs. North makes me feel so old.”

Chloe gave a light laugh and turned to him. “Hello, Aidan.”

His tongue tangled up. This Chloe fever was getting worse every time he saw her.

“Lunch is ready in the dining room,” Maxi called out.

Grateful for the distraction, Aidan rose to wheel his mother into the next room. He managed to grab a seat at the far end of the table away from Chloe. The meal progressed without incident. The focus of conversation stayed with Jason and the firehouse, as well as the beauty shop where Maxi, Peg, and his mother worked.

Chloe seemed to enjoy the conversation, but now and then, he caught her glancing at him and then quickly averting her gaze.

After lunch, Jason took Ben for a nap while Maxi cleared the plates.

At the sound of a muffled ringtone, Chloe pulled her phone out. Her eyes widened and the color drained from her face. She stood abruptly. “I’m sorry,” she said to the room in general. “I’ll have to skip dessert.” She flashed a brief smile, but pinched lines formed around her mouth. Something had upset her.

“Is everything all right, dear?” Even his mother had noticed.

“Just a personal matter I have to deal with.” Chloe bent to kiss her good-bye. “I’ll see you again soon I hope.” She lifted her gaze for a brief second to Aidan. “Tell Maxi thank you, and I’ll call her later.” She rushed from the room, her anxiety almost palpable.

Was Matt in trouble again? Or was Chloe the one in trouble?

Good intentions fled, and Aidan followed her out onto the porch. “Chloe. Wait up.”

Either she didn’t hear him or she ignored him. Before he could reach her, she jumped into her car and roared out of the driveway.