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Ian absorbed the truth of what she said. He hadn’t thought of it like that, but he could see it happening, and that was the last thing he wanted. “I’ll talk with her. But I’m not going to deny that I’m proud of her for standing up for herself and not just allowing it to happen.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to. I don’t care for the way she did it, but I’m proud of her, as well. You have an incredibly sweet, adorable little girl, Mr. Gallagher. And she’s slowly coming out of her shell. If I’m being honest, I was on the verge of calling you in for a meeting because of how timid she was. I love that she’s coming into her own, I just don’t love how she went about doing it with that whole situation.”
“I’ll talk with her,” he promised again. “I made assumptions a minute ago. I judged you without knowing what you’d been through.”
She softened. “Let’s call it even. I was judging you, too. I thought you were teaching her to react as she did. The fact that you fight—for fun, money,
whatever—colored my judgment on the matter.”
Not a lot of people would admit to that, and despite wanting to hold onto his initial dislike of her, he could feel it slipping away. “We’re even, then. Guess that’ll teach us both a lesson on judging. I better get out of here. Shelby’s waiting in the truck for me.”
Turning to go, he paused when she said his name, looking back at her. God, she was so beautiful, it almost hurt to look at her.
“I’m not sure if Shelby gave you the flyer, or even mentioned it, but there’s a father daughter dance next week. It’s a school-wide thing. It would be nice to see you there with her.”
“No, she didn’t mention that.” Looked like Shelby was beginning a bad habit of not telling him things, and he was going to have to nip that in the bud. “A dance, huh? I’m not sure I’m a dance kind of guy.”
“I can see that,” she acknowledged, eyes twinkling. “But maybe you could be one for just one night. I think Shelby would love it.”
She probably would. “I’ll ask her if she wants to go. She might not have mentioned it because it doesn’t interest her.”
“Fair enough. Let me get you a flyer.”
Watching as she turned, grimacing and leaning heavily on her cane, he was overcome with a foreign urge to sweep her off her feet and carry her so she didn’t have to walk. Frowning, he shook his head once hard. He didn’t know where the hell that thought came from, but he didn’t like it.
“Here you go,” she said, handing him a bright pink paper. “Ask her about it. And I really am glad you came in today, Mr. Gallagher. If you have questions, or need help with anything at all, please come to me. I’d love to help in any way I can.”
Uncomfortable with the way his mind jumped to just how she could help him, he nodded and forced out, “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks, Mrs. White.”
He didn’t wait on a reply. He had to get out of there. He was lusting after a married woman, and he was disgusted with himself. He’d never wanted a woman as intensely as he found himself wanting Shelby’s teacher, and the fact that she was married didn’t seem to be registering to his body, his mind, or even his tiger. This wasn’t good, wasn’t good at all.
He’d go to the dance if Shelby wanted to, but other than that, he needed to stay far, far away from this damned school. Hopefully, his daughter would be a model student from here on out. Because while he prided himself on his strength and willpower, he had to admit that if anyone could shake those and make him weak, it was Mrs. White.
“EVERYTHING’S FINE, MOM, I PROMISE,” Holly said into the phone.
“I wish you’d come home. You’re so far from us, and I know you. You’re probably going to work and straight coming home, not interacting with anyone other than your students. You need more than that, honey.”
I’m interacting more than you know, Holly thought as an image of Ian Gallagher flashed through her mind. Uncomfortable with her thoughts, she cleared her throat and replied, “I’m happy here in Eagle Creek. I like my job and I love my students. I don’t want to leave.”
“I’d feel better if you were closer. Wyoming is a long way from Texas.”
“You mean you’d feel better if I was somewhere closer so you could keep an eye on me,” she replied with a smile.
“I don’t understand what’s holding you there,” her mom said. “I worry about you being so far away and alone. I know that was Kyle’s hometown, so that’s where you two moved when you graduated college. But he’s gone now, and you never talk about having any friends.”
Rubbing a hand over her brow, Holly suppressed a sigh. “If you came to Eagle Creek, you’d absolutely understand why I prefer it a thousand-fold over Dallas. Look, Mom, I need to go. I have papers to grade, and I still need to make dinner.”
“All right, dear. Just promise you’ll give some thought to moving back home,” her mother said, just like she always did.
And as always, Holly replied, “I promise I will. Bye, Mom. Love you.”
Not having dinner yet was true, but she’d already finished grading papers. She just hadn’t wanted to listen to another lecture from her mom. They were becoming more frequent, despite Holly assuring her she was fine.
She knew her parents, her mom especially, didn’t understand why she insisted on staying here. She and Kyle moved here just a few months after she graduated college. High school sweethearts, they’d been married for three years already at that point. They’d only been living here for a year when he unexpectedly passed away. At first, she stayed because she wanted to be close to the memories she had of Kyle. But she gradually fell in love with Eagle Creek, and she couldn’t imagine living somewhere else.
Her mom was right about one thing, though. Holly never talked about friends, because she didn’t have any. She’d made a few when they first moved here, but after Kyle’s death, she let them slip away. And the friendships had been tentative and shallow at best, so they weren’t strong enough to withstand the grief Holly had been going through.
Sometimes she missed having someone to talk to, but she never felt any great desire to make friends. Kyle had been her best friend and all she needed. She was the first to admit that after he died, it was a shock to find herself suddenly thrust into a world she knew little about.
