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“Nice save,” Amber said patting his belly and scooting from around him, hoping to find a moment to kiss him since her lips were on fire and needed quenching.
Mountain locked up the house as the kids loaded back in the van. Biting on his lower lip, he stared at her for a moment in the passenger seat before getting in and driving a few blocks to an older building in the center of town. While the brick work called it Turnabout Creek Community School EST 1903, the sign in the grass had big letters TCCC, Turnabout Creek Community Center and Mountain parked in the small parking log.
“Come on let’s go inside and I’ll show you the new school Dreamer has set up. Maybe the kids would like to go here instead of Berrington.”
“Really? Turnabout has a school now?” Older residences of Berrington spoke of joining schools and in the high school section, the trophy cases highlighted the combined communities. Amber couldn’t believe they had put together a small school for the town, because from what parents said at meetings, they were moving to Turnabout for safety reasons, but they hated the commute for school. She followed Mountain inside the building that he had a key to, as if it were one of the houses they had just visited. “Where did you get the keys?”
“I asked Dreamer yesterday if I could show you the school and she gave me the keys.”
“She’s one of the pregnant ones right?” Amber asked trying to put names to faces. The ones with slightly swollen bellies she’d paid closer attention to since she figured they’d be coming to the clinic.
“Yeah, the red headed one,” he replied as they walked past a bulletin board with a list of community activities.
For a sleepy little town they seemed to engage with those who lived there.
“Come on I’ll show you the classroom.” Mountain led her toward a large classroom with several tables and chairs set up already. Unlocking the door, they stepped inside a room similar to the Kindergarten in Berrington, only three times the size. Open flow with shelves of learning materials for all ages.
“When is she going to start teaching?” Amber wouldn’t even think of switching her kids unless it was already established.
“She already has started teaching. The kids are all in one room for now. If we get more kids and they can be split into classrooms, we’ll have to find another teacher. For now, it’s just Dreamer.”
“All in one room? But don’t you have to do things age specific?”
Mountain shrugged. “Why?” he asked. “It limits those who are smarter and can handle more. Dreamer said she’s only going to sixth grade with the kids for now. But I don’t think she has anyone older than fourth.”
“Mommy, can we come here?” Maisie asked as she picked up a strange cube of beads. “I bet I could talk Brock and Lisa to come too. They live here you know.”
“I know. We’ll see. Once we figure out if we’re going to move here or commute.” It would be nice for Amber to put her kids in school here. That way, she could keep an eye on Callum and Maisie and wouldn’t need a half hour if there was an issue. But with so few kids, it might not work for them. Especially since Maisie was a social butterfly.
“See the clinic and school isn’t that far apart. The kids would be near where you work.” He stated as he locked up and pointed down the street.
From the corner, she could see the SMC Garage on the corner.
“Mommy, are we moving here?” Callum asked.
She steadied herself. “I’m not sure,” Amber said and tried not to smile at the snowflakes that had gotten bigger and were landing in Mountain’s beard. Little flakes of white crystals that didn’t melt.
Unfazed, he smiled back at her. “Who’s ready for the park?” he asked clapping his hands together.
“It’s snowing,” Amber said.
Mountain held his hands out, palm side up. “These are two Montana kids, they aren’t gonna let a little snow stop them are they?” he asked.
Callum beamed up at him.
Maisie gave him her patented side-eye.
“How about this Mom,” Mountain teased. “We won’t turn on the splash pad?”
“In that case, a few minutes won’t hurt,” Amber conceded. “Plus, I heard something about hot cocoa being made at the clubhouse.”
“About that,” Mountain leaned in. “Let them know who’s getting it before accepting cups.”
“Why?” she questioned.
With a wink, his warning was clear, “Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.”
* * *
