MELODRAMA WAS THE weapon of choice for the thirteen-year-olds of Addie’s everyday world. Right now, she was thankful she was used to it. “Okay, calm down. We’ll take care of everything.” Principal Hawkins came forward easily, even in a room full of her family. “Everyone?” She turned Ryan to face the room, as much to head off the questions as to give him another minute to catch his breath. “This is Ryan Skylar. He’s, uh, one of the students at my school. Ryan, this is my family. My sisters. My sisters-in-law.”
The women said hello, though Addie could clearly see their confusion. Why was a student coming to her house? She wasn’t going to enlighten them. Her concern was with Marcus and if he was okay.
“You gotta help. I don’t know what to do,” Ryan pleaded.
“All right.” He really was upset, and without someone to intervene, she wasn’t sure what would happen. She didn’t know Marcus’s father, and she’d never seen Marcus angry. “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” she told the room and followed Ryan outside.
He’d obviously run over, but he was finally breathing normal again. “Why didn’t you call?” she asked.
“I did. You didn’t answer.” He hurried, and she could tell he thought they should run. “I knew you were here.”
“Sorry. I probably didn’t hear my phone with everyone talking.” She was disappointed in herself. She hated letting anyone down.
“No problem. You’re here now.”
Marcus’s Jeep wasn’t in the drive, like normal. For that matter, there weren’t any cars parked at the house. Ryan didn’t seem to notice, so she followed him inside.
The woman she’d been introduced to a couple of days ago, Donna Skylar, sat at the kitchen table looking a bit lost.
Ryan came to a skidding halt. “Where’d they go?” he asked.
“I got here just as they left,” Donna said. “Your dad said he was going to his office. I’m not sure where your grandfather went.” And it was almost like she didn’t care. Almost. The shadows in her eyes told Addie she was as worried as Ryan.
“Oh.” Ryan looked confused and his worry deflated. “Did they fight?”
Donna shook her head. “No, dear. They don’t usually get that far. One, or both of them, walks out. They’ll be fine.” She shook her head, and the sympathy for Ryan that reflected in her eyes was deep.
He turned and looked at Addie. “Guess I didn’t need to come get you. Sorry. I messed up your party.”
“No problem. You didn’t mess up anything.” She gave him a one-armed hug. “You know I’m always here for you.”
He nodded and glanced at his grandmother. “They were really mad. I didn’t know when you’d be back. So, I went to Addie’s.”
Donna sighed. “They usually are. You did the right thing,” she reassured him.
Ryan’s phone chimed, and he pulled it out of his pocket. “It’s Dex. He’s my best friend,” he explained to his grandmother. “He wants to know if I can come over tonight.” He stood there, indecisive. “Dad’s not here to ask.”
“You go ahead with your plans, dear. Don’t let those two pigheaded fools ruin your fun.”
Ryan’s faint smile of relief showed how stressed he was with the adults in his life. “Thanks, Grandma.”
Addie stood there for a minute after Ryan left, not sure what she should do. She had a house full of guests, but she felt guilty leaving the woman alone. Pulling one of the chairs out, she sat. She could afford a few minutes, at least, to be polite.
“I’m not trying to pry. Ryan was worried. He said they were arguing.”
Donna sighed. “Unfortunately, that’s probably true. They’ve never gotten along. Too much alike, I think.”
“Oh.” Addie wasn’t sure about that. She had no idea what to say to the other woman. “I guess I’ll be going, then.” Addie stood.
Donna looked up, watching her. “So, how exactly did you meet my son?”
Donna didn’t beat around the bush. Addie got the impression nothing short of the truth would satisfy her.
“Ryan got into a fight at school. It’s standard procedure to call the parents into my office.” Addie shrugged.
The older woman frowned. “That doesn’t sound like Ryan.”
“I didn’t think so, either. But he had the black eye to prove it.”
“Humpfh,” was all Donna said. Just then, Ryan came into the kitchen, his backpack slung over one shoulder. “Ryan?” Donna called to him.
The boy already had the refrigerator door open. “Yeah?”
“Why did you get into a fight at school?”
Ryan froze. Addie watched, intrigued. She’d managed to get the basics about the fight, but she’d never gotten the details about what Nick had done to instigate it. She did know it had been Nick, not Ryan, who’d started it.
“Uh, I don’t, uh, remember.” Ryan focused on the contents of the refrigerator.
“Oh, my dear.” Donna shook her head. “I know you better than that.”
For the first time in a while, Addie felt like the principal again instead of a neighbor, or even a friend. The way Ryan’s gaze darted warily over his shoulder toward her didn’t sit well. He looked afraid of getting into trouble again. She was still his principal, at least for a few more weeks.
Still, this was private and not her business. “I’ll leave you two to chat.”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary, dear.” The older woman put a light restraining hand on Addie’s arm. “If Ryan’s like the other men in my family, you have to stand your ground with them. Keep pushing or they’ll avoid answering.”
The poor kid looked trapped, and for a minute, Addie struggled with her own dilemma. Was she taking advantage of the situation? Did it really matter why Ryan and Nick had gotten into the fight? They’d managed to stay out of each other’s way the past few weeks, and they’d both done their detention time.
“If you stick around long enough—” Donna looked at Addie, completely ignoring Ryan, or so it seemed, although Addie got the impression the woman probably had eyes in the back of her head “—you’ll learn about the Skylar men. They are stubborn, determined and, at times, unforgiving. It’s what makes them so good at what they do—but not so great in relationships.”
Was she talking about James or Marcus? If they weren’t great at relationships, why had she and James stayed married?
“I see wheels turning in your head. You are an inquisitive one. Good, good. Marcus needs someone who challenges him.”
“I—” Addie didn’t want to bring up Ryan’s mother. “I got the impression he was happily married. And you’ve been married quite a while.” How did that translate into bad at relationships?
“Have you ever been married?”
“Uh, no.”
“That explains it. Marriage is really just two very flawed people who decide they can put up with each other better than anyone else.”
Addie frowned, thinking of the only long-term marriage she knew, her own parents. They’d been in love, and hadn’t just been putting up with each other.
“Ah, I see you believe in the fairy tales.” Donna shook her head and stood. The soft click of the front door closing didn’t even seem to surprise her. “And just like the other two, he’s snuck out. Well, he’ll be back. They always come back.” The sadness in the woman’s voice surprised Addie.
She knew she was taking chances, but with a clear conscience, she couldn’t leave the woman here alone. She looked sad and lost. “Would you like to go to a baby shower?”
* * *
THE HOUSE WAS ablaze with light and laughter when Addie walked in with Donna. The older woman didn’t frown or look disapproving, as Addie had expected. She actually looked interested in everything that was going on.
After being introduced to everyone, she made a beeline for Rachel Ann, who was awake for the first time that Addie had seen her. Her big blue eyes stared at Donna with a one-week-old’s fascination with the entire world.
“May I hold her?” she gently asked Tammie.
Tammie smiled. “I’m sure she’d be thrilled.”
Carefully, Donna slipped her hands beneath the tiny girl, supporting her neck and snuggling her in the crook of her arm. In a long-remembered rhythm, she gently rocked back and forth. “Oh, I haven’t done this in so long.” She smiled and the features that Addie had previously thought reserved and stiff softened. “I used to love to rock Marcus when he was tiny.”
She made cute faces at the little girl, then looked up and caught Addie’s gaze. “Carolyn was a bit of a paranoid mother. She didn’t want anyone to expose poor Ryan to anything, so we were barely allowed to touch him.” Her voice was distant. Her eyes even more so. “I didn’t realize how much I missed it.”
“Ryan seems pretty well-adjusted,” Addie commented.
“That’s because Marcus ignored all her demands.” Donna laughed, seemingly proud of her son. “I told you, the Skylar men can be very single-minded.” She cooed at the baby. “Makes for rough relationships, though.” At her repeated admonishment, even Tammie gave the woman a frown before meeting Addie’s stare.
Addie sipped the wine she’d poured herself, listening and pondering. “Would you like a glass, Donna?”
Donna looked at her, surprised. She paused a long minute before saying anything. “I—I believe I will. Something sweet?” She looked at Rachel Ann. “Sweet like this little bundle of joy?”
As Addie poured the wine, she remembered Marcus’s revelation of how he’d coped with Carolyn’s death. How had that affected Donna. She was curious when Donna agreed to the drink. She wondered if she should have resisted the offer.
“Who is she?” Tara came up behind Addie and whispered.
“She’s Marcus’s—” Then she remembered no one knew who Marcus was. “She’s Ryan’s grandmother. The boy who was here earlier.”
Tara wasn’t convinced. “So, who’s Marcus?” She crossed her arms and waited, spearing Addie with an intense stare.
“Uh, Ryan’s father.”
“Uh-huh.” She nodded slowly. “And how well do you know him? Them?”
Addie didn’t say a word. What was she supposed to say? The images in her mind were not for public consumption. The blush she felt creeping up her cheeks, however, spoke loud and clear.
* * *
MARCUS STARED OUT the window of his office. Lights were coming on around the campus, and he could see the silhouettes of students against the setting sun as they moved about. Not in the hurried pace of the school week, but the relaxed weekend pace.
His office was quiet. The whole building was silent. He was pretty sure he was the only person in the whole place. Not like anyone normally came here on Saturday.
He shouldn’t have gotten upset with his dad. But James had always known how to push his buttons. He didn’t do it on purpose, Marcus knew. He just had a talent.
His mother’s timing had been perfect. Ryan had retreated to his room, and Marcus knew he had to get out of there. Driving by Addie’s place, he’d seen the cars and guests filling her house.
His disappointment had multiplied, and he’d kept on driving.
The familiar ding of his phone had him digging through the clutter on his desk. It was Ryan.
Grandma said I could come over to Dex’s. Gonna play games for a while.
That was probably a good idea. Marcus texted back.
What’s your grandmother doing? Grandfather back?
He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the last.
Don’t know if he’s back.Grandma’s with Addie.
What? Did he really want to know how that happened?
Thanks. Go have fun.
He ended the session with his son and thumbed the screen to find a different number. Should he text her? Was Addie too busy? Was his mother telling stories? Was Addie?
He groaned and typed: Hi.
If she didn’t answer he’d head home and make sure everything was okay.
She quickly answered.
Hi yourself.
She’d included a little smiley face. He couldn’t help but smile back, then felt like a fool.
Everything okay? Ryan says Mom’s with you.
She’s having fun. Playing with my new niece.
Congratulations.
He didn’t know what else to say. Addie didn’t need to babysit his mother. She must have taken his mom back to her place. He should go pick her up and keep her entertained. The risk of running into his father was more than he was ready for right now, though.
Thanks. Busy here with all the family. Call me later?
His heart sped up. A phone call was not what he wanted, but it was all he dared hope for. Memories of the other night rushed in, and he struggled to push them away.
Sure.
He hit Send, then typed some more.
Let me know and I’ll come pick up Mom.
She sent a smiley face but that was all. He tried not to feel disappointed, and failed.
* * *
SCHOOL WAS DRAWING to a close. Addie was busy with end-of-year events, and Marcus was preparing for finals week. It was, to say the least, not a time for them to get together.
But her conversation with Ryan kept haunting her. She got the impression things were strained in their household. And she had something to do with it.
Addie hadn’t been to the coffee shop in weeks. The summer crowd filled up most of the inside as they tried to find air-conditioning to drink their hot drinks. She laughed and ordered a tall iced tea. Soon, she was settled outside under a wide umbrella where a semi-cool breeze helped cut the threatening heat.
“You really think you can finish that book this time?” Marcus’s voice came over her shoulder.
“Apparently not.” She leaned her head back and was surprised when he planted a quick kiss on her lips.
He moved around the table and grabbed the other seat. “Mind if I join you?”
“Depends. Do you have work to get done?”
“Probably.” He grinned at her and determinedly opened his backpack. “Finals are next week. I need to get everything else finished before that.”
“Then you should probably sit over there. Way over there.” She exaggerated the wave of her hand and smiled.
“Yeah, that ain’t happening.”
“I’m trying to be good here.” She lifted her book and stared at the page. “Don’t blame me when you have to pull an all-nighter.” She glanced over the top of the book and noted the flush that swept up his rough cheeks. “What?”
His sheepish grin only made her more curious. He glanced at the others sitting around them, then leaned toward her. “You don’t want me to explain.”
“That’s so unfair. Tease.”
“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. The night after I was at your place?” At her nod, he continued, “My class noticed how tired I was and gave me grief about pulling an all-nighter.”
“Oh.” She felt an answering blush sweep up her cheeks. She glanced around to see if anyone had overheard. It didn’t look like it. Relief washed over her. She recognized a few parents of students. She ducked behind the book again and pretended to read.
She had to go back a whole chapter and reread it before she remembered what the heck it was about. It didn’t help that while Marcus was focusing on his own work, he was sitting right there. The breeze kept carrying the scent of his aftershave to her, taunting her.
Most of his work was on his laptop, but a few of the things were papers. He switched back and forth, occasionally stopping to take a drink from his own iced drink. Her gaze couldn’t seem to stay away from him, and watching the muscles of his throat work as he swallowed drew her gaze down, over his broad shoulders, to the thick, muscular arms that had held her tight.
“Keep looking at me like that and I won’t be responsible for your never finishing that book.” His laugher sent her hastily looking at her page.
“I don’t know what you mean.” She refused to look at him again.
“Yes, you do.” His warm hand settled on her knee beneath the table. Softly, gently, lightly caressing the overly sensitive skin. Who knew a knee could be such an erogenous zone? She sighed, then hastily sat up straighter. “You are a cruel man, Marcus Skylar.”
“If you think that was cruel, you haven’t seen nothing yet.”
She looked up from the book then, despite the promise she’d made to herself that she would not give in. Their gazes met, and the heat pouring from him washed over her. She bit back a sigh—and he shot her a wink.
She was in trouble. Serious trouble. Lindy’s laughter from the other day in the office seemed to surround Addie.
“So, can I assume from your good mood that your parents have left?”
“As of bright and early this morning, yes.” His smile was relieved. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my parents—”
“Even your dad?”
“Yeah, even my dad,” he said on a sigh. “I’m thirty-five years old. I’ve been out of their house for almost as long as I was in it. But they just can’t stop trying to tell me what to do.”
She wished her parents were around to at least try to boss her around, but she didn’t tell him that. “Your mother is worried about you. She really does care.”
“I know. We talked quite a bit while she was here. I think we’re in a good place.” He leaned back in his seat, lifting his drink to take a sip. She tore her eyes away from the movement of his lips.
Silence, not uncomfortable, settled around them. A couple at the next table left, pushing chairs around loudly enough to make conversation a challenge. Two women settled in next.
“Oh, hello, Principal Hawkins,” one of the women said, waving.
“Uh, hello. How are you?” She blanked on the woman’s name, and her panic must have shown on her face.
Marcus turned to look at the women. He introduced himself. “My son is new this year. Do your kids go there?”
“Yes, yes.” The woman smiled overly brightly at him. “I’m Bonnie Lasiter, and this is Marilyn Hill. Our girls are on the pep squad.”
Addie loved parents who attached their own identities to their children’s accomplishments. And she loved Marcus’s last-minute save, though the speculation in both women’s eyes wasn’t good. “Marcus’s son is Ryan Skylar.”
Both women shook their heads as though indicating the name wasn’t familiar. “We haven’t been here long,” Marcus explained. “Just moved from Chicago.”
“Oh, is your wife involved with any of the parent groups?”
There was a moment of silence. “My wife passed away a couple years ago.” Marcus cleared his throat, and as the women expressed their condolences, he started to pack up his things. Every drop of heat had gone out of his gaze when he looked up again. “Thanks for the company.” He looked at Addie and stood, shouldering the backpack. “Ladies, nice to meet you.” He walked off in the direction of his house.
“Well, that was interesting,” Bonnie said, sipping her coffee and staring at Marcus’s retreating back.
“Why do you say that?” Addie asked.
“Oh, nothing important.” She met Addie’s gaze with a catty glare. “Just something Deidre Silvano said the other day now makes so much more sense.”
Addie didn’t like where this was going, and Marilyn’s startled glare said she didn’t, either. “Is there something you need to say, Bonnie?” Addie used her best in-detention/assembly voice.
“Oh, no. Just makes me curious is all.” She went back to her coffee and didn’t say anything more to Addie. Marilyn sat quietly finishing her own drink.
Addie turned her focus to the book she’d never finish, well aware of the other two women speaking just softly enough that she couldn’t hear their words.
Would she never escape the drama and behavior of schoolkids? Did every parent revert to the stage their kids were in life? She sighed and pretended to read until the women left.
* * *
MARCUS SAT ON Addie’s front step. He’d hoped she’d head back here after the coffee shop. They needed to talk. Finally, he saw her. Across the street, she caught sight of him and stopped, looking at him for a long moment. From this far away, he couldn’t read her expression. He swallowed, not sure if he’d done the right thing.
Finally, she came to sit beside him. “Why did you leave?”
Marcus slowly closed his laptop. “I got the impression they were judging you. I never really thought about it. You’re the principal at my son’s school. Us—uh, dating—Is that a problem?”
“Are we dating?”
He paused for a brief second. Long enough to catch her gaze. “Considering the events in your kitchen the other night? We’d better be.”
Addie laughed, a sweet blush slipping over her cheeks. “Um, I guess so.” She fiddled with the edge of her book, looking away. “Since Ryan’s only been here a couple months, and next year he’ll be going to the high school, I don’t think it’ll be an issue.”
“But it could be.” He didn’t want to cause her any problems. Her job was important, to her and to the kids. She didn’t deserve to lose it.
“Depends on the parents’ response, I guess. To be honest, I’ve never done this before.”
“Me, either.”
“I’ve known teachers who’ve dated parents, but not of kids in their class, and I’m not sure about principals. I guess it could be seen as a conflict of interest. I’ll do some checking.”
Marcus loved her dedication to her job, her sense of right and wrong. “Do you know how badly I want to kiss you right now?”
“Then do,” she whispered.
He glanced around, noting the neighborhood and the too many pairs of eyes that could potentially cause problems for her. “Not here. Too many witnesses.”
“I do have an entire house here, private and all,” she offered, pushing to her feet. “Would you like to come in?”
The silence of the evening stretched out between them. Finally, Marcus took his time shoving his laptop into his backpack. “Yes, I want to come in, but I’m not going to. Until school’s out, we’re going to be good.”
Addie stopped in the doorway. “What do you mean, be good?”
“You know what I mean,” he whispered.
“That’s what I was afraid of.”
* * *
TAKING A WALK seemed like the perfect solution to burn off the energy she felt. Addie’s phone buzzed in her pocket as she turned the first corner, and she pulled it out. The screen seemed unusually bright in the twilight. “Hello?”
“Hey, sis.” Wyatt’s voice was loud in the quiet evening.
“Hey, yourself. What’s up? How did the auction go?” She hadn’t talked to her brothers since before the baby shower.
“Great. We bought some good stock. A couple cow ponies and a beautiful little filly for Dancer.”
“So, you’re picking out your horse’s dates now, huh?”
“Hey, someone’s gotta help the guys out.”
“Uh-huh.” The neighborhood was busy tonight. People out watering lawns, kids zipping by on bikes, dogs barking on the other side of the fences.
“You know Chet’s retiring.”
“Yeah.” It didn’t seem possible. Chet had been the ranch foreman since Granddad’s day. He was a staple on the ranch. His wife, Juanita, had been the cook nearly as long. “It won’t be the same without them.” She already missed them.
“Yeah. I’m confident in his replacement. Patrick Thorne is a good man, but it won’t be the same, you’re right.”
“Why are you calling me?”
“Emily and Tara are planning a barbecue to bid them goodbye.”
“Sounds like a great idea.”
“Yeah, and lots of work. We need everyone’s help.”
“Count me in.” She smiled into the phone, looking forward to everyone being together. She liked Patrick, and she’d heard rumors that there was a new special lady in his life. Lindy’s half-joking comment of the ranch being the land of everyone falling in love made her laugh.
“You want to come out for dinner on Sunday? You haven’t been out in a while. They want to start planning.”
Addie had been avoiding the big, boisterous family dinners lately. She’d wondered who would notice first. She still wasn’t in the mood. But she couldn’t avoid it forever, not without an explanation. “It has been a while,” she admitted. “I’ve been busy.”
There was a long pause before he said, “We’d really love you to come. I think almost everyone will be there. Usual time. Noon.”
“Everyone?” That was an accomplishment.
“Yeah. Tara hasn’t gotten Morgan out here for the whole-family experience yet. We need to initiate the boy.”
Addie groaned. “They aren’t married yet. Don’t scare him away.”
“We couldn’t scare him away if we tried.”
“Somehow, I think that means you tried.”
“DJ did. Have you seen the size of the guy?” Wyatt laughed, admitting nothing and everything. “Besides, the boy’s in love.”
Things hadn’t changed much over the years, even now that everyone was moving on with their lives. Addie laughed.
“What’s funny?” Wyatt asked.
“Nothing.” She wasn’t really interested in talking about her siblings’ love lives right now. As she walked another half block, she thought about the wand, and the box of scraps from Dad’s garage. She’d take it and surprise them. “I’ll bring cookies.” She always brought cookies. Everyone got very grumpy if she didn’t.
“Great. Make a double batch so there’s leftovers.”
“And I suppose you’d like them in a separate container so you can just set them aside for yourself.”
“Well, that would be convenient.”
Addie rolled her eyes. “Okay, I’ll be there.”
“With my cookies.”
“With your cookies.”
With only a few more comments, they ended the call, and as Addie pocketed her phone again, the quiet of the evening settled in. It felt good to let the peacefulness wrap around her, soothing her.
Her younger brothers and sisters would all be there. With their spouses and soon-to-be spouses, with their children and all the children that were attached to the people they’d come to love.
Addie looked up and realized that, without thinking, she’d managed to walk to Marcus’s house.