Page 80 of Welcome to Forever
So maybe Aunt Clara was right and he was having a moment of cowardice. Seeing Kat and Ben act so close earlier in the day at Kirk’s Pizza House had been wonderful. And yet slowly, for the rest of the day, he’d let doubts settle in. What if this didn’t last? What if Ben got his heart broken yet again? What if he did?
Needing some air, Micah pushed his chair back from the table and stood. “I’ll be at home. Call me when you’re ready for me to walk over and get Ben.”
“He’s fine here.” Clara’s hand covered his. “I want to help you take care of him. Let me.”
The words tightened around his heart, squeezing it so hard that he couldn’t say anything. His five-foot-one aunt had already called him a coward. The last thing he needed was to be called tenderhearted or some other sissy label right now. Instead, he kissed her forehead and walked next door to the house he planned on growing old in. The question was, would he grow old alone here? Or would he trust his heart, and his son’s, to love one more time?
—
Kat hurried toward the back of the school the next day. Her parent conference had run longer than expected, making her late to the Friendship Club. Today was Kimberly Flowers’s last day, which should’ve been a relief, but Kim wasn’t who she’d pretended to be. She was a sweet girl, and over the last couple weeks, she’d become a good friend to Ben.
Kat stepped up beside the school’s counselor, Liam Blakely, and nudged him softly. “Thanks for covering. Any problems?” she asked.
“Not one.” The young counselor looked at her. “A lot of these kids frequented my office last year, but my room has been eerily quiet over the last couple months. I’d say this club is making a difference.”
This made Kat smile. “Don’t give me any credit. Micah Peterson is the one who put these kids’ hands in the dirt. And Ben taught them to talk to the plants.”
Liam’s brow lifted. “Talk to the plants?”
“Oh. I thought you knew. Apparently, there’s research behind it.” She giggled lightly, realizing how silly it sounded. “Some of these kids didn’t feel like they could talk to anyone. But they do talk to the plants.”
His head wobbled back and forth. “We could just fill my office with a bunch of ferns, and I’ll go on vacation.”
Kat eyed him playfully. “You’re full of great ideas, Mr. Blakely. And where would you go if I let you escape this place for a second?”
He shrugged. “Anywhere with waves.”
“The waves in Seaside will have to suffice because we need you too much here. A potted fern could never take your place.” She surveyed the group, and then her breath caught when she saw Mayor Flowers walking through the grass to come pick up his daughter. “Crap,” she muttered, tugging on her blouse.
“What?” Liam followed her gaze and he instinctively straightened, also.
“Mayor,” she said, meeting him halfway and forcing her best smile. “I didn’t expect you here.”
The mayor didn’t smile. “Kimberly is done today, is that correct?” he asked with unabashed irritation.
Kat nodded. “Yes, sir. She’s served her time and, I have to say, I think she’s enjoyed it.”
He narrowed his beady gaze. “I understand why she had to stay, Ms. Chandler. And I respect the fact that you didn’t give my daughter a free ride. But if I’m going to continue to support you, then you need to clean up your act.”
Kat’s brow lowered.Clean up my act?“I’m sorry?”
The mayor gestured toward the children. “You have these kids working on school grounds, I hear? I also hear that you’re dating an employee now, too? That you two were seen kissing in a public parking lot like a bunch of hormone-ravaged teens.”
News travels fast in Seaside.
Kat’s body stiffened. “What I do in my personal time is none of your business, sir. And Micah…um, Sergeant Peterson, is the school’s groundskeeper, which is a position contracted and paid for by the county.” She was also paid by the county, but she hoped Mayor Flowers wouldn’t get technical. “So, he’s not really an employee directly under my supervision.” At least not one that worked inside the building.
The mayor shook his head, looking disappointed. A few months ago, that look would’ve shattered her to the core. Her goal had been to prove to everyone that she was the right person for the job. To make a difference at SES, so that everyone would know she was capable.
And she had made a difference this year. She knew it in her heart, which was all she really needed.
“Kimberly,” the mayor called, soliciting the young girl’s attention. Kimberly looked back and frowned. Then she grabbed her book bag and reached inside to give Ben a folded piece of paper before running toward her father.
“Let’s go,” he said to his daughter, returning his gaze to Kat. “I want to support you because I believe in you. I always have. But public appearance is just as important as what’s inside your heart, Ms. Chandler. More important when it comes to staying put.”
She wanted to argue that the mayor’s reputation wasn’t the shiniest, but she held her tongue. She was better than that, better than the way he dealt with things. “See you later, Kimberly,” she said instead, flashing the girl a genuine smile and watching them walk away. When they were out of range, Kat blew out a breath and let her shoulders relax.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t want your job for a second,” Liam said, stepping up beside her. “Why don’t you head out early? I can handle the rest,” he offered. “Even principals need a break every now and then, right?”
