Page 82 of Before You Can Blink
“Oh!” Daisy’s eyes widened. “Hadn’t really thought about it, but that might be nice.”
My brows furrowed. “You’ve lost me, Daze.”
“He asked if I wanted to replace him.”
Pride filled my chest. “Are you kidding? That’s great!”
“It is.” She frowned. “Except . . .”
“Except what?”
Lashes lowering for a beat, they lifted before she explained, “I’m not qualified.”
“How can you not be qualified? You’ve been teaching full-time for over fifteen years.”
“Experience is only one component. I need a master’s degree in education administration.”
Now it made sense. “You gotta go back to school?”
She nodded. “If I want the job, yes.”
“Do you want the job?”
The tiniest hint of a smile tipped up the corner of her lips. “Yeah, I really do.” Then she sighed. “My salary will get a bump, but we’ll have to front the money for tuition. And if I want to get it done in two years, I’ll have to take a heavy summer course load, knock out as many classes as I can during the break. But even with that, I’ll have to take some during the fall and spring semesters, a couple of nights a week in Enid. It’s asking an awful lot—”
“Not more than you deserve.” I caressed her cheek. “You let me worry about the details, but if this is what you want, we’ll make it happen.”
“You sure?” Daisy’s blue eyes searched mine.
“Positive.” I leaned in to kiss her lips. “Now get some sleep. Morning will be here before we’re ready for it.”
“It always is,” she joked.
“Night, Daze.”
“Thank you, Jett.”
She didn’t need to thank me. In my mind, I was only repaying her for the endless support she’d given me over the past decade when I’d been forced to pivot in my attempt to provide for my family.
The glow from the computer screen illuminated one corner of the darkened living room. The numbers on the spreadsheet blurred together the longer I stared at them.
A hand slipped over my shoulder. “It’s the middle of the night. What’re you doing up?”
I leaned into Daisy’s touch, letting it calm me. “I’ve got enough stashed away in savings to cover your tuition.” My finger pointed to the column of the balance sheet that proved it.
“But it’ll wipe us out.”
My heart twisted at her defeated tone.
“I was gonna use some of that to hire extra staff during the summer, so our veteran crew could take over on the road, but if you’re okay with me spending another two or three seasons running the horses, we can make it work.”
“Jett.” My name came out on a soft sigh. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not askin’. I’m offering.”
“How can I accept when it’ll mean you’re gone more? The finish line is finally in sight, and now I’ve gone and moved it.”
Lifting her hand, I brought the knuckles to my mouth, murmuring against her skin, “Hate to break it to you, baby, but there’s no finish line when it comes to running this ranch. There will always be setbacks,unexpected expenses that clean out our bank account, but so long as I can keep our heads above water, I want to give you this.”
