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“Yes. The principal and I interviewed two possible elementary teachers at the boys’ school yesterday. I’ll meet them for a second interview Monday morning, and then I’ll make an offer. Jeremy and Charlie’s classroom teachers are putting together the curriculum for the first few months for me. It’s a huge relief to have all of this taken care of.”
They chatted about his day, the band, and other ordinary stuff, and the entire time they talked, she couldn’t stop smiling. Caleb was so nice, so much more than nice, but she didn’t have the words. With him she could be totally herself. She didn’t have to walk on eggshells to prevent outbursts, cold silence, or seething resentment. He never made snide comments about her. He didn’t criticize who she was, what she said, how much she weighed, or what she wore. Having Caleb as a friend was an entirely new and wonderful experience.
“Well, I’d better let you go, Theresa. You know you can call me any time, right? If you just want to talk or if you want to get together … um ….”
“Thanks, Caleb. I almost called you today. I wanted to, but I decided I’d rather talk to you in person than over a phone. I’m looking forward to working on our song on Monday afternoon. Don’t forget you’re joining us for dinner out.”
“How could I forget? It’s your turn to buy,” he teased. “See you then.”
“See you then,” she said, ending the call.
Sighing—this time a happy sigh—Theresa plugged her phone back in and slipped under the covers. She reached for her assigned reading, but she couldn’t concentrate. Too much had happened, and talking to Caleb at the end of the day seemed so right, almost intimate. She set the book back on the end table and turned off the light. For the first time in months, she had no trouble falling asleep.
Chapter Seven
Caleb walked along the beach beside Theresa. He was in trouble for so many reasons, and at the top of the list was that he could no longer deny his attraction or his growing feelings for her. Hell, he’d always found her desirable, and he’d been drawn to her from the moment they’d met. But he’d managed to bury his reactions … until now. All it took was a single evening spent alone with her, having dinner, sharing a couple glasses of wine, conversation, and her undivided attention—and now he couldn’t shake her out of his thoughts.
Don’t go there, buddy, the sensible angel on his right shoulder piped up. She’s your employer. Besides, you swore never to get involved again. Remember? In this scenario, you’d be Mr. Rebound guy. Rebounds never last. Do you really want to take another hit like that?
Yeah, but she just told you she’s free now. What if things did work out between you two? The devil on his left shoulder put in his two cents worth. She said her ex had never been the love of her life. Maybe you could be. Then you wouldn’t really be Mr. Rebound, would you? Come on, Cal. Isn’t it about time you were honest with yourself? Do you really and truly want to spend the rest of your life alone? No. You do not, and don’t try to lie and say that you do.
Good points, devil on the left, but Theresa had also just begun therapy. She had a long way to go, and she was extremely vulnerable right now. This was not the best time for her to start something new, which meant it wasn’t the best time for him either.
Umm, excuse me, idiot, but when has there ever been a right time for shit like this? This kind of thing—matters of the heart—they happen despite us, not because of us. Clearly, the devil on his left liked to have the last word.
Caleb’s gaze drifted to the two boys, the dog, and their au pair, who were chasing the ocean waves as the water advanced and retreated along the sandy beach. Sully was wet and covered with sand, and both boys were barefooted, their shoes and socks being carried in a tote bag by Elli. Then his attention drifted back to the woman beside him. Her cheeks were rosy from having played chase with her sons. Her eyes sparkled, and she wore a heart-stopping smile. His pulse raced whenever she was near him, yet Theresa seemed completely oblivious to his inner struggle. He stifled a groan.
“Gorgeous evening, isn’t it?” Theresa commented. “After all this fresh air and exercise, Jeremy and Charlie will definitely sleep well tonight.” She captured her wind-blown locks and twisted her hair over her shoulder for a moment.
“Hmm-mm.” He glanced toward the setting sun and the orange, pink and gray streaked horizon for a second. The scenery didn’t hold his interest like she did. Theresa wasn’t paying attention to where she was going, and he needed to guide her around that pile of driftwood ahead. Friends didn’t let friends trip and fall. Right?
Placing his hand at the small of her back—where it should not be, Caleb steered her around the potential tripping hazard while moving closer to her side. He took in her delectable scent, reveling in the electrical current of attraction arcing through him.
Why did he feel like a married man on the verge of having an affair? Amy had been gone for over three years. Guilt racked him, while at the same time, all his senses had incited a coup. Yep, and now that he had his hand on Theresa, those traitorous senses were throwing a party to celebrate their victorious takeover.
“You’ve hinted a few times that your childhood was less than idyllic, and you told me about your mom’s disappearance. So, tell me more about that situation.”
She snorted. “You sound like my therapist.”
“Didn’t mean to.” He smiled at her.
“That’s okay. I did say I’d tell you all about my dysfunctional childhood.”
Theresa bit her bottom lip, drawing his full attention to her mouth. Man, he wanted to kiss that mouth in the worst way. What would she do if he reached for her hand?
“My childhood was a nightmare.”
“Oh?” He’d suspected as much.
“My dad is a very unhappy, bitter man. He’s verbally and physically abusive, and his meanness has had a profound effect on my life that I’m now struggling to overcome.” A strangled sound escaped her. “Honestly, I have no idea what a healthy relationship looks or feels like, but I really want to learn.”
Theresa went on to describe the horror that had been her childhood, and Caleb wanted to go have a serious talk with her lowlife brute of a father, a talk involving his hands around the man’s neck. “It’s a good thing you had Mrs. Foster for a neighbor,” he murmured, sick at heart at what Theresa had gone through.
“I know, and I miss her. She died when I was seventeen.” She sighed. “Being in therapy has been good for me, Caleb. Thanks again for suggesting I see someone,” she said, grabbing his upper arm and giving it a hug.
By the time she let go, his heart had nearly thumped out of his chest. “Rehearsals start next Wednesday,” he reminded her. “We’ll have to find time to rehearse the new song together. Then we can record a demo and share it with the band.”
“And with Mary. She’ll want to talk to the folks at Columbia about releasing the new piece as a single.”
