Page 31 of The Headmaster’s Rule

“I need someone to help me tidy the reading nook,” she says. “And you’re good at organizing things.” Richie perks up a little at this. “Do you think you could help me with that?”

He nods, saying nothing. Another student looks over, interested, but Eleanor motions for him to return to his work, and he does. Richie follows her to the reading nook at the back of the room, where beanbags are piled with pillows beside a shelf stuffed with books. She stands nearby, giving him space to work for a few moments before trying again.

“Is everything okay, Richie? You don’t seem as happy as you were this morning.”

He’s quiet for a moment, then says, “Andy told me I couldn’t play with him at recess.”

“Oh.” Eleanor looks surprised, then frowns. “That’s not very nice, is it?”

Richie shakes his head, sliding a copy of Charlotte’s Web onto a shelf.

“I bet that made you feel really sad and left out,” she adds.

Richie nods, shuffling a few books around. I watch as Eleanor picks up some books too, helping him, being there without pushing him. A compassionate presence, so Richie can feel what he’s feeling, without being alone. This started because Richie was throwing paper, and it only took two minutes for Eleanor to get under the surface and find the deeper issue. Anyone else would have snapped at Richie to quit it, but not Eleanor.

Because that’s not who she is. She’s someone who cares, really cares, about these kids. Not only as students, as people. She’s warm, and caring, and kind. So goddamn radiant my chest aches.

And that makes me feel something I’ve never felt before.

Something I’m not allowed to feel.

I slip quietly from the room, heart pounding.

It’s not until I’m back in my office that I realize I didn’t even mention Safe Harbor.

CHAPTER 12

Eleanor

What a strange day.

The morning started out well, as always, but finding Headmaster Wright at my door shortly after recess threw me. I thought maybe he had something to tell me, but he didn’t mention anything when I beckoned him inside.

Nobody was more surprised than me when he agreed to read a story to the class. I honestly thought he’d make an excuse and leave, but when he sat on my stool and began reading aloud from The Invisible Boy, my heart melted. He handled the story so gently, as if he knew it mattered.

And the kids noticed. I’ve never seen them listen so intently. You could have heard a pin drop when he closed that book.

And the look he gave me…

Shit.

It’s possible I misread it. Maybe he was deeply affected by the story, or the illustrations. It’s a great book.

But there was something in his gaze as he watched me help Richie. Something I so desperately want to be respect. Admiration.

Desire.

I laugh to myself as I place the chairs on the desks in my classroom. As if Headmaster Wright could feel anything for me besides begrudging tolerance.

Except… I think of him telling me how good my idea is. The way he listened so closely when I shared what inspired it. How he said he’d make sure the board approves Safe Harbor.

The way he called me Eleanor.

I don’t know how he feels, what he thinks about me. For all I know, he’s changed his mind on the whole Safe Harbor project and is going with something else. Maybe that’s what he came to my room to tell me.

Sighing, I pick up my phone and switch it on. I keep it turned off in my desk during the day, but now a text comes through from the man himself.

Headmaster Wright: Apologies for the late notice, but I’ll need to push our meeting to 6:30. I hope that still works for you.