“Loker James has also become an important member of our community and will, in the near future, be one of Treepoint’s largest employers. Next week, they will start hiring for over fifty positions that will also pay a very generous salary with full benefits.”
The school board perked up immediately, new business meant collecting more in taxes.
“If I cannot find employment in Treepoint, we have decided to move to Ohio, where Mr. James has an existing factory and I will be able to find a job in the field of education which I love. Mr. James has no ties to this town. It was his brother who was murdered by one of the very members who used to seat on this board. Both of us would like to see his brother’s dream of helping our financially deprived community find opportunities and wouldn’t want this board’s decision to effect the community by denying them much needed employment.”
“Ms. Simmons, your job has already been filled by your vice-principal, Jeff Morgan.” Ben Stiles informed her with a frown. If the townspeople found out they didn’t get high paying jobs because of the school board, firing Winter could backfire on them. There wasn’t a person in the meeting room who didn’t know that, in their economically depressed area, money came before morality.
“I don’t want my job back at the high school. I want to be the principal at Riverview since Mr. Woods has long been overdue for retirement. The extremely high rate of drop outs exhibits that he is unable to understand his student’s needs. I feel, in all truthfulness, that I can make a change for the better at the alternative school. My records will show that Treepoint High School had the lowest drop out rates in twenty years during my years as a principal.”
The school board members stared back and forth among each other. Winter knew that Mr. Woods was heartily disliked. The only reason that he was still employed was because no one wanted the job. It was a punishment to be sent there. Mr. Woods also had an affair with the gym teacher and had been caught in the equipment room.
“The School Board will return to a closed session and take a vote. We will notify Ms. Richards within the next forty-eight hours of our decision.”
Winter sat back down in her chair.
“Is that three days?” Crazy Bitch asked.
“Yes,” answered T.A.
“Which one do you think Bliss is?” Sex Piston asked, getting to her feet.
“I bet it’s the sweet thing at the end of the row,” Killyama’s threatening voice lowered as they moved away.
Winter turned, glancing sideways. Bliss was sitting next to Beth. Winter had a feeling their appearance at today’s meeting wasn’t as altruistic as they had pretended.
The meeting closed, everyone filed into the hallway.
“Thank you Ms. Richards for your help.” Winter and Viper came to stand next to her lawyer.
“I will let you know as soon as they notify me,” Ms. Richards said.
Evie, Bliss, and Natasha interrupted.
“Winter, we’ll meet you at the diner. Bliss and Natasha want to get something to eat before we go to the tattoo shop.”
Ms. Richards paused before leaving, reaching into her purse, pulling out a card. “Which one is Bliss?”
“I am,” Bliss said, stepping forward.
Ms. Richards handed her a card. “Call me if you ever need legal representation, I handle personal injury cases also.”
“What was that about?” Viper questioned after the woman left.
“I have no idea,” Winter lied, winding her arm through Bliss’ as they walked toward the exit.
Chapter 19
Winter lay on the bed, pretending to read a book as Viper zipped his black jeans on before sitting down on the chair to put on his boots. His hair was still damp from the shower they had taken together. She had tried to lure him in to having sex before he began to get dressed, but he had subtly thwarted her attempts.
She had wanted to make sure he wasn’t horny before he went to Razer’s bachelor party. Evie had let it drop that Knox had hired a stripper. Her fingers tightened on the book as Viper put on a leather vest with no shirt, showing his tats. Winter swallowed hard, his sleeve never failing to draw a response from her body.
“When are you going to start getting ready?” Viper asked, sliding his keys into his pocket.
“Why should I get dressed to watch television alone?”
“Why would you be alone?”
“Because Beth is with Lily at her house and the rest of the women are going to Rosie’s with the men.”
“You don’t want to go?” Viper asked, trying to keep his lips straight.
Winter looked at him in surprise. “You never said anything, I assumed I wasn’t going.”