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At the endof the day, Jimmy headed right home. When he waved goodbye, he looked better and more upbeat than he had in some time. She had no illusions about it lasting. Jimmy wasn’t as strong as she encouraged him to believe. Who was? Putting up with his father’s ranting whenever he wasn’t at school would be enough to wear down anyone. At home, where he was supposed to be safe, putting up with a constant barrage of anger and vitriol was a cruelty.
Thinking about it made her shake. She was enraged by the idea that a person would expect a child, their own child, to deal with that much hate as a constant thing.
“Something wrong?”
She turned to see Ronan standing there, watching her, with Jett at his side. Kayla was heading toward the bike, and Tessa realized she’d been so preoccupied she hadn’t even heard them arrive. “Just worrying about one of the kids.”
Jett gave her a heavy frown. “Just worrying? You’re pale and shaking; panicking is more like it.”
“I’m probably overreacting. I do that.” She forced herself to smile. “These kids are at a point where they’re developing fast and have an entire life to live. If we can give them the right tools, they’ll realize their potential. But that’s only part of it, and the hard part is when you see a child who isn’t getting the right encouragement or support. A teacher doesn’t have the right or the ability to give them everything they need. I should be better at letting go, but not all the kids have a family that makes sure they do their homework and still lets them rebuild motorcycles.”
Ronan smiled. “She does have a bit of two worlds, doesn’t she? We and Kayla’s folks are all doing our best, and while there are some bumps we have to deal with, for the moment she seems to be getting the best of both of those worlds. Certainly no one can complain about the quality of her schooling.”
“Why, Mr. Vonn, are you flattering me?”
“It would seem that I am.”
“And to what end?”
Ronan looked embarrassed. “Look, today I have to take Kayla straight home from school.” He grinned. “Her mother decided that if she can fix bikes, she can also learn to cook. She had a good week with tips at the cafe and decided on a mother-daughter weekend of baking and other domestic bliss. Linc likes the idea of having his kid around a bit more too, so Willow wants to take her shopping for ingredients as soon as I get her home.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I don’t see how that leads you to flatter me, however.” She looked at Jett, who wasn’t revealing anything either, but he seemed poised on the edge of expectation.
“Well, seeing as my assistant is taking a long weekend, we thought it an opportune time to suggest another bike ride. A single taste can’t possibly give you the benefit of the experience, and we feel an obligation to remedy that.”
Jett laughed. “Not to mention we can’t seem to get enough of your company.”
“You two are charmers.”
“Charming enough that you’ll let us take you away from all this?” asked Jett.
“We can take a ride up the coast again. The coastline is the best scenery around, and quite soothing. And I know a good place where we can treat you to an excellent dinner.” Ronan looked hopeful.
“What, no burgers?”
“How about seafood?” asked Jett.
“Not fish and chips.”
“Ms. Lee, I’m proposing a real meal. A real restaurant where, within reason, you can dine on whatever you want,” said Ronan.
The idea of not being alone, of having Ronan and Jett’s company, sounded blissful. Taking a ride seemed a perfect way to put her concerns out of her head for a time, maybe long enough to regain her equilibrium. At the suggestion she found her arms aching to be around them—either of them, or both, though she knew that couldn’t work for riding, at least on motorcycles. “I’ll admit that riding your bikes is rather addictive, and a Friday night dinner out with you two makes it a wonderful offer.”
“We can be back here in half an hour.”
She indicated her skirt and blouse. “It might be better to change into jeans, don’t you think?”
“That would be more comfortable. And the heels might not be ideal for a bike ride.”
“Exactly. I have a few things to wrap up here, and then I’ll go home and change. Give me an hour or a bit more, and pick me up at my place, please. I probably won’t be quite ready, but almost.”
Ronan winked. “Such a deal!”
“I can come with you and let Ronan take Kayla to Willow’s, if you want?” Jett winked at her.
She considered it for a minute before nodding. “Yeah, why not?” She hoped he wanted a chance to talk to her about what he’d partially revealed the other day. She saw them exchange glances and was sensitive for any sign of jealousy, but Ronan seemed unbothered by the plan.
Twenty minutes later, Tessa pulled up in front of her place, and Jett was right behind her. He followed her inside after turning off his bike, and she gave him the grand tour in under three minutes. “It isn’t much, but it’s home.”
