Deacon’s expression lightened a little. “Her psychologist mentioned something about her being gifted.”
I nodded. “Yes, she’s a very bright and capable student. She grasps concepts quicker than my other students. I think she’ll excel at being challenged in the first grade rather than having to stay in kindergarten.”
As he weighed my words, Deacon’s hand came up to rub the hair along his chin. “I don’t know what to say. I had no idea she was so smart.” With a wry grin, he said, “I sure as hell don’t know where she gets it from.”
“I’m sure she gets a little from you and from her late mother.”
The mention of Willow’s mother sent a scowl across Deacon’s face. “Look, you’re an outsider, so I’m not going to tell you all of my business. But hear me when I say that I’m not comfortable letting Willow out of my sight right now. She needs to be here in the compound where I know she’s safe.”
“Someone is threatening to hurt her?”
“Some people want to hurt me, and they’ll use whatever means necessary to get to me, including hurting my kid.”
I sucked in a harsh breath at the thought of anyone hurting sweet Willow. While I didn’t agree with Deacon’s world, I had to give him credit for trying, in his own misguided way, to keep his daughter safe. There had to be some solution to the problem.
As if he had read my mind, Deacon came around the table and sat beside me. “Is there some way to hire a tutor or something? You know, someone who could come here and teach Willow? Then you and the authorities could get off my back.”
Over the years, I’d had a couple of students have to go on homebound services for lengthy illnesses. Once or twice, I’d been asked to be their teacher. While it made for long days, I couldn’t lie that the extra money was nice.
Since I wasn’t currently in a relationship, I didn’t have a man to worry about. I suppose that lately I was more worried about the lack of men. Sometimes I lamented the fact there was no husband to be home for, no dinner to get on the table at a certain time, and sadly no kids to take care of. Besides my brother and aunt and uncle, I was pretty much on my own. My students really were my life.
“I could do it.”
“You?”
Nodding, I replied, “I could come after school to teach Willow.”
Deacon eyed me with a skeptical expression. “You’d really be okay with that?”
“I’ve done it before for other students, and I’d certainly love to teach her.” Nibbling on my lip, I contemplated what needed to be done logistically to make that happen. “Since she isn’t sick or suffering from an injury, she wouldn’t qualify for homebound services from the county.”
Deacon’s brows creased. “What does that mean?”
“It just means my salary wouldn’t be covered. You would have to pay out of pocket.”
A gleamed burned in his eyes. “I know I might look like a low-life biker, but I can assure you I can provide financially for whatever Willow needs.”
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and I quickly ducked my head. “I apologize if I offended you. I certainly wasn’t implying anything. I was just trying to work this all out in my head.”
After drawing in a deep breath to calm my nerves, I barreled on. “Since I’ve done homebound services before, I know what all it entails. It also makes sense for me to do it since I would know exactly what Willow would be doing if she was in the classroom.” Leaning forward in my chair, I jerked my head up to give him a tentative smile. “If you’re not sold on me, I could recommend someone else for the job. But I can’t imagine Willow being comfortable with just anyone.”
“No, she wouldn’t. And for some reason, she’s really taken a serious fucking liking to you.”
“I assume that was a compliment?”
The corners of Deacon’s lips quirked. “Yeah, it was a compliment. Willow doesn’t interact with anyone outside our club. And even though she’s spoiled fucking rotten here, she doesn’t react half as much with us as she did out there with you.” He shook his head. “And man, the fact she was talking, too.”
“I’m glad that she’s bonded with me. I care about her very much.”
“Enough to come here to this hellhole every afternoon?”
I nodded. “Yes, that much.”
Deacon rose out of his chair. Thrusting his hand at me, he said, “Well, I guess you have yourself a job, Miss Evans.”
Rising up to meet him, I let him take my hand in his. “I accept, Mr. Malloy.”
“Then let’s go tell Willow the happy news.”
