"I do understand, Jordan. You have a lot going on. One person can only handle so much and-­"
"I love you, Lucy."
"What?"
"I love you." The smile he gave her washed over her like a fountain of sparkling happiness. "I not only know I can give, I want to give. I have no doubt whatsoever."
"I love you too," she said. "And I'm not just falling, I'm totally in."
"Then promise you'll wait for me until I get back."
"Where would I go?"
"Promise me."
"I promise."
With another bone-­melting kiss he got in the SUV and drove away. Lucy waved until the taillights disappeared. Then she closed the door, sank to the floor, and cried tears of joy.
Ziggy crawled into her lap and spoiled the moment by doing what he did best.
On Monday morning Lucy drove toward school with nerves coiled up like rattlesnakes in her stomach. She didn't know what to expect when she walked into the building. Gossip about educators didn't set well with the school administrators. They might view her as a bad influence for the students.
Would she be fired?
Suspended?
Whatever the punishment for falling in love, she'd pay without argument. Because not for one minute did she regret going to North Carolina with Jordan and Nicole. She'd met the man of her dreams-­even though she'd once considered him a nightmare-­and she'd somehow managed to help and understand a young girl who seemed to be in such need after the loss of her parents.
She'd been grateful for Talk of the Town's apology, even if it didn't sound too sincere. But what take on the situation would the school administrators have?
Guess she'd soon find out.
Parking in her usual space, she gathered all her supplies and headed toward the brick building amid students chatting about what they did for spring break. As soon as she opened her classroom door the snakes in her stomach reared their tongue-­flicking heads. Waiting for her at her desk was Principal Brown in his usual black pants, white shirt, and expertly styled comb-­over.
"Good morning, Ms. Diamond. Welcome back."
"Good morning, sir. Thank you."
"Quite a stir the newspaper created."
"My only intention on going to North Carolina was to help a student."
"I figured."
"You did?" Her heart slammed against her ribs.
"I've known you for three years. I think you have excellent character. And I'd never doubt your decision to help someone after they'd suffered such a loss as has Nicole Kincade."
Relief weakened her knees. "Thank you, sir."
"You can thank the young lady herself. She came into my office this morning. Told me how you helped her with her grief and her schoolwork. She told me how you helped her find the courage to talk about her music and how you encouraged her songwriting. She's very excited to come back to class."
"She is?" Lucy wished the girl was there right now so she could hug her.
The principal nodded. "She said you were also able to help her brother deal with his grief."
Lucy sighed. "Mr. Brown, not everything in that story was a total fabrication."
"Oh?"
"Jordan Kincade and I have known each other since high school. I used to tutor him. We were . . . friends."
"And now it's something more?"
"How did you know?"
"You're glowing, Ms. Diamond." He smiled and patted her hand. "Love has a way of doing that to people. My Maisey had that same look when we were courting."
"I was afraid I'd come back and find out I'd been fired."
"You have a job here for as long as you want." The school bell rang. He got up out of her chair and headed to the door. "In the meantime, enjoy yourself. It's nice to see you smile."
As soon as he left the room Lucy wanted to drop down in her chair and cry with relief, but her students started filing in, chattering like mice, and she just felt too darned happy to cry.
In the final game of the series against the Stars, the Vipers were down by a goal with a minute left on the clock in the third period. Jordan stood in front of the bench rocking side-­to-­side on his skates, anxious to get back on the ice.
When he'd skated on earlier to warm up everything had felt different. He felt different. He'd never been in love. Never had someone waiting at home for him. Still he played a fast and furious game.
Tonight the Stars were on. Their passes were accurate. They didn't bullshit around with extracurricular pushing and shoving. They were in it to win it and the Vipers were fighting back with everything they had.