Page 112 of The Rules We Broke
It sounded ridiculous. Because it was. Hate had done so much damage to this town.
We checked in at the front office, and lo-and-behold, Mrs. Rhodes was still manning the desk—same hair, same glasses, same tight-lipped curiosity. She gave us a look. I wasn’t sure if it was disapproval or confusion. Either way, we just smiled politely and kept moving.
I was still trying to follow Brady’s lead—no flinching at stares, no reacting to whispers. But if I had to guess, we’d be the talk of the teacher’s lounge before recess.
We picked up our name tags and walked hand in hand to Caroline’s classroom.
As soon as we stepped inside, Caroline jumped out of her seat with the kind of excitement that could power a small town. She darted straight for us, wrapping herself around me without hesitation.
Her teacher, Miss Ferrell, greeted us as well, with a polite smile fixed in place.
Brady didn’t seem bothered that Caroline came to me first—in fact, he looked pleased. It reminded me of his “Aunt Ellie” comment, and how much I wanted that title to be real someday. But after this weekend, his momma was out for blood. Mine, specifically.
Miss Ferrell gathered the students into a semi-circle on the carpet, their squirmy energy buzzing all around. Caroline stayed pressed beside me as the introductions began.
A few faces lit up when they recognized me. I caught whispers about the lady on the backs of their books, and a couple of shy waves.
I waved back, touched and a little surprised.
Once the class was settled—as still as five-year-olds ever get—Miss Ferrell turned it over to Caroline.
Caroline proudly stood in front of her class. “This is Miss Ellie,” she announced with flair. “She writes theAunt Calliope and Janebooks. She even read them to me one night—and I got to slide on her floor.”
She pointed to Brady. “This is my Uncle Brady. He loves Miss Ellie, and they’re going to get married.”
She plopped down like she hadn’t dropped any bombshells at all, even as giggles rippled through the room.
Brady squeezed my hand and gave me a knowing smile. Whatwerewe going to do with that girl?
Miss Ferrell clapped her hands to settle everyone down, her expression somewhere between amused and mildly panicked.
Brady and I took our spots at the front of the room. I began reading. Brady played sidekick—complete with sound effects and silly movements—which quickly became the crowd favorite. His performance earned a thunderous round of applause. He was a natural with kids, and seeing that lit something bright inside me.
Afterward, the class asked questions about Jane’s adventures. Then came the surprise—copies of the book for each child.
Their faces lit up.Thatwas why I loved my job. But the proud look on Brady’s face? That was why I loved my life. And why I loved him.
Just before we parted ways in the parking lot—him heading back to the bank, me off to lunch with Kendra—he turned to me. “Will you come to Atlanta with me on Friday?”
“Sure.” I smiled. “What’s the occasion?”
“Benjamin put out some feelers for me, and a bank there is interested in me for the position of VP of Lending.”
I was so touched by his willingness to move away from Kaysville, and a job that I think he really liked, and his house that he loved. I put my hand over my heart. “Brady Jackson, I love you.”
He smiled. “So, is it a date?”
“I think Doris can spend the day with my aunt, so yes.”
He kissed me goodbye. “Have a great time with Kendra. I’ll see you tonight. I have a feeling tonight’s the night your aunt is calling me Brady.”
I shook my head at him. I wasn’t sure I could agree with his assessment. He had tried almost desperately the night before, but to no avail. I loved Brady’s optimism, and I inwardly hoped she would too, but I knew her, and I had a feeling she knew about our little bargain.
I met Kendra at Macie’s. Figured I might as well give the town something more to talk about. If I’d been feeling truly devilish, I would’ve told her to wear an Auburn shirt and worn one myself. The looks we’d get? Legendary. Then again, we stirred up enough attention as it was.
Sunday had kicked a hornet’s nest. It wasn’t all bad—there were some who appeared ready to finally accept Brady and me—but for a lot of folks, it was unsettling. Change always seemed to rattle this town. It’d been entrenched in its ways for decades.
The ones struggling the most? Mrs. Jackson’s loyal court. A few of those dears were lunching nearby, serving up a buffet of vile looks. Kendra, bless her, took it like Brady—smiled through it and let it roll off her back.
